Chapter 92 Become a co-ruler
If you want to impress your father, you must either get rid of your bad habits or achieve military exploits.
The first one doesn't work. Suleiman has a bad habit of smoking opium, which cannot be changed. In this case, it can only be military merit.
It was the custom for Ottoman princes to be appointed as local governors. For this reason, Suleiman asked Bayezid to serve as governor of Rumelia.
Bayezid was pleasantly surprised, and he signed the order readily. At the same time, in order to guard against Wallachia, he was specially sent with 4,000 troops and 200 Yeniceri, as well as Rumelia's Sipaxi cavalry. .
Wait Peter, I, Suleiman, will make you realize what the gap is.
Although he got the position of governor of Rumelia, the Sultan still sent people to keep an eye on him, because the Ottomans and Wallachia are now in a treaty of peace, which cannot be broken. As long as they wait a few years, they can summon an army of 100,000 to conquer Wallachia. Ya.
Wallachia and Ottoman, the Governor of Bulgaria and the Governor of Rumelia, Peter and Suleiman, what a pair!
But Peter doesn't know about this appointment. His current goal is to accumulate strength. What kind of war is this? Isn’t it fun to farm?
"There are no major changes near Tervono and Vidin, while the areas of Sofia, Burgas and Niš will take a longer time to clear out Ottoman connections."
Peter was not worried about commerce and trade, his main concern was agriculture. This is fundamental. Any industry and commerce must obtain raw materials from agriculture for processing and trading.
"Nowadays, farmers mainly grow food. At other times, they also grow grapes and other crops and sell them for money. When they are not farming, they go to the city to find some work, or sell their own honey livestock."
This is a common situation among farmers in Wallachia, who mainly farm and also engage in some handicrafts to subsidize their families.
"How's the road construction going?"
"The journey from Bukul Yesti to Tervono has been completed, and there is still a part left to reach Sofia."
There has been no systematic road construction in the Balkans for a long time. Some of the roads they use now date back to the Roman Empire. In addition, rural dirt roads account for the majority.
Peter had systematically built roads starting in Dobroga, and after the Battle of Moldova, he built the Constanta-Ackerman road at his own expense. The Grand Duke also allocated some funds to build the Avenue of Moldova.
When the road conditions improve, it will become possible to unify the country and promote trade. Moreover, repairing roads also utilizes a large amount of labor and materials, which is also a way to promote the economy.
"We still need to continue cultivating, and allocate another batch of funds to build waterwheels and mills." Peter ordered his men, and Peter's manor was located in the place he designated.
At this time he was in the capital Kemplonga, because today, Grand Duke Mircea would crown him as co-ruler.
The co-rulers can be traced back to the era of Diocletian. The four emperors he founded was the beginning of the east-west division of the Roman Empire. Although briefly united by Emperors Constantine and Theodosius, they eventually fell apart.
Later, the co-rulers were succeeded by Eastern Rome and nearby states, as was Wallachia. Grand Duke Mircea promoted Peter to co-ruler, and from then on he could also give orders to the country like his father.
The coronation was held in Kemplonga Church, and Mircea personally placed the crown on Peter's head. He turned around slowly, and all the boyars and officials knelt down to show their loyalty. From this time on, Wallachia had two rulers.
After caring about agriculture, Peter began to plan the future strategy of Wallachia. A small regional power is not enough. It must at least be a world-class empire.
"Peter, have you been to Serbia?"
"Yes, father, they are ashamed of us, so they offer 10,000 gold coins every year to apologize."
Well, that’s a good reason, don’t use it next time.
"There is another news that you may not know. Bayezid transferred his son to Bulgaria as governor."
"Son?" Peter thought about Bayezid's family tree. The eldest son, Suleiman, was of the right age and should be him.
For this person, Peter still knew the most during the great interregnum. He occupied the Ottoman part of the Balkans, and then led troops into Anatolia. He was later killed due to internal strife among his men and his own bad habits. Peter felt he took credit for his appointment, but he had no proof.
"The Ottomans don't have to worry now. They also need time to recover. The only thing we have to do now is to encourage agriculture and trade. There are too many places to spend money now."
When it comes to money, treasurers have something to say. He lamented that Wallachia's expenses were too high.
There are things like opening schools, building the navy, immigration subsidies, firearms expenses, plus building roads and capital cities. In short, money needs to be used everywhere.
"Your Highness, look at it. If it weren't for the increase in trade tariffs last year, the gap would be huge this year."
Peter knew this was poverty-stricken because most of the trade tariffs still came from his trade. But he also understands that Wallachia is not the small principality it was before, and there are many more places that need to spend money now than before.
"Taxation is the guarantee for the normal operation of the country, and it is the obligation of all citizens. If only farmers pay taxes, then the country is unhealthy."
"But Your Highness, ever since you promoted the tax reform, those nobles have been very dissatisfied. Now if you touch them again, I'm afraid..."
Peter said, knowing they were worried about their safety.
"I understand that if they can calm down it won't make things difficult for them. But if they don't obey, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
The more he talked, the darker his face became, but it soon returned to normal. He also knew that Boyar paid a heavy price for being obedient. If they continued to fish from the lake, they would have to rebel.
"If that's the case, then we have to increase taxes without the people feeling it."
Peter's words confused the treasurer. What does it mean to increase taxes without the people knowing? A tax increase is a tax increase. It is impossible for them not to know.
"What do people work to make money for every day? Of course it is food and daily necessities. There are so many things traded in the market every day. If we levy a little on each commodity, wouldn't they notice it?"
"What kind of tax is this?" The supervisor was a little confused. This was probably only available in the Roman Empire, but it is not that difficult to implement it now.
"Of course, it is too early to discuss this now. But it is also a good solution."
Sometimes Peter feels that he has been too educated by later generations. Although the consumption tax was implemented in Octavian, it has long been buried in history after so many years. It's so anachronistic to mention it now. He still needs to continue to think about ideas and things that are no more than a hundred years old.