Chapter 403 Private Colony
The importance of the canal is self-evident. The East, with its increasing trade volume, has become the empire's money bag. This is also a source of income that other countries do not have. Therefore it is extremely important.
The Law Department is drafting a document to regulate the behavior of colonial people, and is also setting up courts to manage cases. Various supporting facilities are ready on the road.
During the process of colonial immigration, small meetings were gradually formed in the local area to help the governor govern the local area. The number of people ranged from 7 to 24. Some representatives returned to Constantinople, hoping that the emperor would accept their petition. They are also subjects of the empire, they also pay taxes for the empire, and they hope that the empire can protect them from invasion by outsiders.
Mircea met them personally and said that he would protect their persons and property from infringement. All people in the colonies were subjects of the empire.
Peter also knew that the institutions of the colonies needed to be improved as soon as possible, and he also needed to absorb the colonial lessons of England, France and other countries, allow local people to express their wishes, and elect one or two representatives from each place to go to Constantinople. Chen Qing. If necessary, you can enter the House of Commons to formally make statements and discussions as a representative.
The advantage of this is that the emperor can strengthen his control over the local area, and the centrifugal force generated in the local area can be eliminated to a certain extent. And it is really possible to mobilize local resources to the empire.
The first batch of representatives, a total of 15 people, submitted 34 requests to the government, ranging from expanding land to improving local governance. However, the most important powers such as the appointment and dismissal of officials, taxation, etc. are still in the hands of the emperor. Just enjoy it secretly if you can have representatives. If the power is delegated, then the previous efforts are nothing.
The Eastern colonies began to transport luxury goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain, and the profits gained after limited opening were indeed huge. Whether it is for Ming Dynasty or Rome, both sides are trying to make money.
Wherever there is money, there are people, including indigenous people, Romanians and Seris people who jointly become the local masters. In Southeast Asia, the Romanians and Seris people coexist peacefully and jointly exploit the indigenous people. In their view, the indigenous people are uncivilized and barbaric people. They have brought civilization to these people, so they must not thank them.
Imperial merchants were more or less involved in the trade nodes of Southeast Asia. They mainly purchased spices and sold luxury goods from Rome. Even the Majapahit nobles were full of praise for the glass products produced in Constantinople.
Just come and go, money flows from it. Rome has also made a lot of profits. You must know that tariffs are an important source of revenue for Rome, and it adopts a policy to encourage exports, so taxes will naturally increase quickly. It can be said that Rome gained more from the expansion of overseas markets than Venice did at its peak.
Of course, not all colonies were like this. Mason's island fief is entirely under his control. Since he is an old friend, Peter gives him a lot of power and is tax-free for five years. He naturally has to take advantage of this.
He named it Sala Island, which means the land of the south in Romanian. He was well versed in all the colonial processes and used the power given by the empire to develop here. Because of the tax exemption, all Mason needs to rely on are physical harvests and trade profits.
"Sir, we have planted the sugar cane, and we don't know when the next merchant ship will come. During this time, we will have to rely on the things in our warehouse."
Deputy Castaneda reported to Mason the situation on Sala Island, which has a population of more than 600 and has been fully completed. Farm after farm, patrol after patrol, and some plying trade between Fort Andre and Zanzibar. Construction is going on in various buildings, but there is a shortage of manpower, and slaves need to be purchased if necessary.
"Let the slaves go first. Thank God that our finances are currently balanced. There is still uncertainty about this route. If there is a storm, all the money will be lost."
"My lord is right, but the construction of the town must continue. There will be unknown dangers deep in the jungle."
Mason nodded. He had also looked along a section of the coast these days. Except for the town section, the rest of the coastline was full of cliffs and was not suitable for town construction. And this expense is a big problem.
"Let me think of a way. You have to keep an eye on the reserves in the warehouse and don't waste it."
"yes"
Then Mason asked: "There is still no news about the letter I handed over to the empire?"
"My lord, it will take at least two months to return to Constantinople from here, and four months to come back here. You don't have to worry. But is Your Majesty really willing to give you another fief?"
As a noble guarding one side of the empire, Mason also knew that he needed to dispel the other party's concerns, so he asked the imperial government for a fiefdom in Europe. He hoped to obtain ownership of Trieste and nearby lands, or to use Florence as a future Give him the gift. Sala Island is too far away from the mainland. The empire definitely does not want independence. Only in this way can the emperor feel at ease.
"Well, it seems that I have been thinking too much recently. You can go down first."
Of course, the family business had to come in here, and father John received a letter from Mason. He was happy with the land he had acquired, but worried about the cost of governance. After all, this is just the beginning, and the costs required are very high.
But his brother Charlie was very supportive of his younger brother, and the opening of the southern route also meant that it was profitable. The investment now is for a better harvest, so it is worth it.
"Father, we can continue to enter the maritime industry while there are no competitors on the southern route."
Charlie calculated that the family currently has 220,000 lei in funds, part of which can be used to build a business station in the south. This also paves the way for the future of the family.
"Are you sure about this?"
John was a little worried, but doing business is an adventure. Where there is profit there is loss, and in recent years their textile industry also needs to explore overseas markets so that they can make money.
"Then you go and take a look. Sooner or later, the family will be handed over to you."
Charlie already had a plan in mind. He could carry people and goods there, exchange them for some local specialties, and then return to Rome to sell them. This would make him money. And the family can also accumulate more funds.
The father-in-law's bank can also develop overseas, funds need to be circulated, and the colonies that develop in the future will have a steady stream of wealth.
The Mason family began to prepare for southern trade. Although the risks were high, the benefits were also extremely high. Moreover, business can also be done at the strongholds along the way, and you can make a lot of money in just one trip. Hope they are safe and sound.