Chapter 43 Effects of Economic Development in Wallachia

Chapter 43 Effects of Economic Development in Wallachia

At the boyar conference at the end of the year, 15 boyars from Moldova also attended the meeting, and they all supported the Grand Duke. Therefore, no matter how much trouble the opposition nobles want to make, they have no choice.

What's more, after the two countries were reunified, they made a lot of money. Now there was no reason to oppose the Archduke.

The Grand Duke's power formed an overwhelming advantage at the meeting, so a series of military training and tax bills were passed. All boyars had to start paying taxes, but reductions and exemptions were made based on the actual situation.

Of course, Mircea was most concerned about the construction of the new capital. Bukur Yesti was the first large-scale use of serf labor in Wallachia, with nearly 10,000 serfs and 10,000 freedmen working on the construction site.

This place was originally a fortress. After receiving the news that the capital was established, many construction teams began to contract large and small projects. Some nobles and businessmen also purchased land and properties to settle here. They were all forces that supported the Grand Duke. Of course, they were more likely to play a role in the construction and trade of the new capital.

As Wallachia's economy gradually develops, cities in other countries are also susceptible to this impact, such as the border city of Brasov in Hungary.

Bratislava is located in southern Hungary, and the city is surrounded by the Southern Carpathian Mountains. Thanks to the efforts of the King of Hungary, the city of Brasov became an important trading post connecting Europe and the Ottoman Empire. In addition, the city's tax-free policy allowed local Saxons to reap huge profits and strengthen their political influence in the region. These wealthy businessmen were the originators of the unique local style of architecture.

Brasov later became the fiefdom of the German knights. From then on, the new colonists began not to recognize the privileges of the local residents, let alone their identity as citizens. This makes them no longer able to operate local handicraft businesses.

They began to move to Wallachia and settled on the borders.

The linen, livestock, and beeswax produced in Wallachia were very popular, and some merchants began to engage in re-export trade, selling these items to other places. Due to the entry of a large number of commodities, Brasov's textile industry stagnated, the livestock industry began to shrink, and the upper-class aristocratic businessmen continued to squeeze. As a result, Orthodox Christianity became the only faith of the people at the bottom.

The Orthodox Church, centered in Cluj, unites oppressed people. Wallachian writing also spread, forming a powerful pro-Wallachian force, but the nobles were too lazy to care. They could do whatever they liked as long as they didn't delay their own money making.

Mircea officially announced at the Boyar Conference that the silver coin ducat created by the previous grand duke would be abolished, and the silver coin leu and copper coin bani would be used as the official currency, and Wallachian script would be used as the official script.

Yes, what Brother Renzheng accomplished more than a thousand years ago is only now being implemented in Wallachia. But it’s not too late, at least it’s not yet the era of the 19th century when strength was respected. It is unthinkable to cede territory, pay compensation, be annexed, and be controlled.

In addition to these, at this year's Boyar Conference, Mircea announced another major event: the establishment of the Senate.

The Senate is different from the Royal Council. The Senate is a permanent organization composed of heads of departments, archbishops and judges. The Grand Duke selects one of these people as the Prime Minister (Peter's suggestion), who is responsible for assisting the Grand Duke and presiding over government work.

The Senate is divided into five halls. The first hall is responsible for legislation and administration; the second hall is responsible for commerce, handicrafts, and currency; the third hall is responsible for surveillance; the fourth hall is responsible for finance; and the fifth hall is responsible for diplomacy.

Mircea's power began to gradually concentrate, and he also had the political skills to win over one faction and fight against another. He promoted a large number of businessmen and children of dilapidated nobles who could read and write, but at the same time gave boyars economic privileges. After rounding off, both parties can be satisfied, so that the rule of the dynasty can be maintained.

The economic conveniences given to the nobles include: the nobles can dispose of workshops and factories on their land; the nobles can establish trading centers in their hereditary territories, but their opening dates should be staggered with neighboring markets; the nobles have the right to own, build or To purchase houses and factories, nobles can sell any goods that comply with legal provisions, and nobles are not prohibited from owning or establishing various workshops and factories.

In order to increase their income, the nobles set up large-scale industries and carried out trade activities. Most of the industries they set up took the following three forms: "1. If the nobles have business talents, they can borrow funds without difficulty to set up industries; 2. If the funds and other materials are available, the nobles will use real estate to engage in manufacturing. ; 3. Landowners set up industries in partnership with businessmen or farmers who can provide the funds and business experience they lack." As they widely participate in trade, their resistance to reform will be much smaller.

Constanta is the largest commercial city in Wallachia, with 296 merchants, 26 of whom are responsible for foreign trade. Domestic commerce in Wallachia was conducted through shops, bazaars and markets, and merchants made great profits in the field of commercial circulation.

In the external field, Peter's mercantilism began to show results. Wallachia's revenue from customs duties increased by 30% in the second half of the year, with revenue from silk, beeswax, livestock, and wine growing the fastest. Wallachia began to form a preliminary wealthy merchant class, who were active in Hungary, Castle, Ottoman, Poland, Lithuania and other places. Of course, they also robbed the interests that originally belonged to Genoese and Roman merchants, especially when delivering food to the castle, they could always deliver it at the best price. The construction of the Constanta Shipyard also made it possible for its own ocean voyages.

The first batch of Genoese ships ordered by Peter have arrived. This fleet of 10 merchant ships and five escort ships is the first trading fleet of the Wallachian Chamber of Commerce. They arrived at Galata with loads of goods, then turned to Trebizond and the North Caucasus, working hard to expand Wallachia's share of the Black Sea trade.

Of course, Wallachia will also be in trouble. For example, in Bulgaria, which is in a state of life and death, food prices have risen by unknown amounts. Grain and various non-staple foods in Wallachia are sold through Gyurgiu, and farmers' hoarding behavior has caused prices to rise. As time went by, the wealth of Bulgaria flowed to Wallachia.

As for the minerals of Transylvania, the luxury goods of Poland, Lithuania and Bohemia began to flow into Wallachia, this backward small country began to catch up at an unprecedented speed. And it will soon impress the surrounding people in the new year.