Chapter 378 Brothers reunited
Mason also sells his own goods, and demand exceeds supply. The entire Constantinople became a huge trading market, and after Peter led Zheng He to talk about some things about the East, he asked his subordinates to take care of him, and discussed with Mason if he had anything to do.
"Your Highness, this is the nautical chart drawn after the fleet passed by."
Peter looked at the completed nautical chart. Temasek, Malacca and other places were clearly marked on it. The colony was also marked with Formosa in red.
"Formosa, is this the place you found in the East?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I have never seen such a beautiful place, but we still need more people to explore the inside, so that he can exert greater value."
Peter naturally believes that this place can bring much benefit to the empire, and this place needs to be managed.
"I came to you for another matter. The company's board of directors submitted a proposal, hoping to divest and expand the function of operating all colonies except India. I think an organization needs to be established to carry out these functions. What do you think?"
Mason began to think about the fact that he had misappropriated funds from the East India Company before. Although the board of directors didn't say anything, Mason knew that they were angry. So it still has to be spun off. The company is just an economic institution. It has now established a foothold in the East and needs to be reformed.
"Your Highness, our country will have more and more colonies and trading points in the future, and it will be difficult to expand only by relying on companies. The empire needs an organization specifically responsible for the exploration of the East."
With Mason's advice, Peter decided to spin off some of the company's functions on this basis and set up a specialized agency to take charge of colonial affairs.
According to previous assumptions, the newly established organization will conduct trade cooperation with the East India Company. They are responsible for missionary, expansion, exploration, and colonial affairs, and the expenses need to be paid by the company and the government.
The company's immigration affairs will also be taken over by agencies, and more immigrants are needed in the East. And Mason also told Peter about the Seris people, and heard that they had a large population, so he asked Mason to try to recruit them to colonize Formosa.
The Seris people are the people who know best about farming in the world. They can cultivate fertile land whether in Formosa or other places. Now that we don’t have enough manpower, we can only recruit or assimilate local indigenous people for development. This is also the lowest cost method currently.
"By the way, I told you in my letter before that there is an island in the south. If you find it, it will be yours."
"Yes, but now this can only be postponed. The special envoy is still there."
Peter smiled. He knew the current situation and asked Mason to go back to rest. He had to prepare himself for the establishment of colonial institutions.
As governor of the East, Mason lived close to the palace. The emperor gave him many rewards, but Mason kept them all. The goods were also exchanged for money, half of which was sent to Romagna with a letter from him.
Mason also wrote a letter to his family, telling them not to worry. He was already in Constantinople and would go to Thessaloniki soon.
"Sir, someone wants to see you"
"who is it?"
"I'm from Thessaloniki. I want to discuss something with you."
Mason had no intention of discussing it, but his instinct told him that it was important, so he asked the servant to take them to the living room, and he would arrive soon after.
In accordance with the governor's instructions, the servant brewed the tea with hot water and served it in Oriental porcelain to the living room.
"The Governor is really rich, look at these things."
Charlie looked at the porcelain and felt a little envious. After he married the daughter of the Taziu family, his business was mostly taken care of by his father-in-law, and his wealth grew rapidly. Putting him in charge of the bank in Constantinople, he took his wife and began to expand his business in the imperial capital.
The textiles produced by the family were very popular among the nobility, so sales surged. The arrival of the Eastern envoy gave Charlie an opportunity. If he could establish a relationship with the Eastern governor, he might be able to obtain more Eastern trade routes.
This is also the reason why he came here today. He needs to see the governor and get his consent for them to participate in Eastern trade.
"Please wait a moment, the adults will be here soon."
"It's okay, I have time."
Charlie didn't wait long, and the Governor came to the living room.
"My Lord Governor who has met in the East, I have taken the liberty to disturb you today because I have a request for your permission. I have a gift for you for this purpose."
Mason felt that this man's voice was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't remember it for the moment. And when the other person raised his head, he finally remembered that this was the family he had longed for day and night.
"Brother, is that you?"
"You, you are..."
Charlie was a little unsure. The other party missed his second brother so much, but no matter what, he never thought that the Governor was Andrew.
"Brother, I am Andrew. Andrew Mason."
It wasn't until the Governor said his name himself that Charlie finally confirmed that the Governor was his second brother.
"It's really you"
"it's me"
The two brothers hugged each other. It was fate that the brothers met here after so many years.
"We haven't seen you for a few years, Andrew, you have changed."
"Yes, I have lost weight and become darker."
Mason looked at his eldest brother and had a lot to say to him, and eagerly asked how his parents were doing.
"My father and mother are in good health, but they often talk about you. Now that you are back, I will go back and take a look."
Andrew also wanted to go back, but now he had to make sure there was nothing wrong. In addition, he also asked his eldest brother the purpose of coming today.
"That's right. I heard that the Governor has extensive business routes in the East. Can the family be involved in the cotton trade in the East? The cotton produced in India is of good quality, and the factory needs more such raw materials."
"So that's it, leave it to me."
Andrew agreed generously. With his ability, there was no problem. Charlie also invited his brother to have dinner at his home, and Andrew agreed and brought some porcelain tea and silk as gifts.
"These were given to me by the Emperor of the East. It's just right to make something for my sister-in-law."
Because there was too much cargo, Mason had two carts pulled before leaving. Charlie looked at his second brother's abilities and felt that he also needed to work hard, otherwise the gap would become wider and wider.
There was actually an influx of Eastern goods into the Constantinople market, and local prices had fallen. However, because merchants have strong purchasing power, the drop is not particularly large. These goods first appeared in cities such as Adrian and Nicaea, and local merchants also purchased large quantities. Mircea also set up a market in Galata, and there was still an endless stream of people in the area. This shows how attractive these things are to them.