Chapter 440 Coffee Shop in Smyrna
After listening to so much, Plechev finally understood the Roman examination system, but he didn't expect it to be so complicated.
After thanking each other for the explanation, the two continued to wander around Smyrna. This place is bigger than Barcelona, and the products sold are things they have never seen before.
As they walked, they came to a store that looked like a restaurant. They happened to be hungry and planned to have a full meal.
"welcome!"
The shop was not big, with only one counter and a dozen tables. There was an apprentice-looking man grinding something next to the counter. Plechev noticed that the customers inside were all holding a dark drink, so he asked the shop owner what it was. What?
"This is coffee from the East. It is very popular throughout the empire and is loved by emperors and nobles. Do you want to have a cup to try?"
Hearing that the emperor liked it, Simon quickly ordered a cup. The shopkeeper poured the black powder into the cup, then added boiling water while stirring. After a while, a cup of fragrant coffee was ready.
"Please use…"
Before the shop owner finished speaking, Simon took it impatiently and drank it without caring about how hot it was. But within two words, his expression changed and he almost vomited. The shop owner looked at him and couldn't help laughing.
"It's so bitter. It's much worse than wine."
The shopkeeper also gave some advice at this time: "This is the taste of coffee. If you feel it is bitter, you can add milk and sugar. You can get a cup of milk for free. You will pay for the sugar according to the color. You can also eat it with a piece of snack."
Plechev ordered a cup of coffee, a piece of wheat bread, and a plate of brown sugar and finished cooking. Add milk first, then sugar, stir, and a different flavor will come out.
Coffee is also really expensive. It cost him 15 silver lei. Especially the sugar, which cost 8 silver lei. There is also sugar worth 20 lei, which indeed the nobles can afford.
After the royal family introduced the trend of drinking coffee in the Roman Empire, merchants from all over the country began to set up coffee shops, mainly serving the middle and upper class people, and the practice of adding milk and sucrose also made them follow suit. Soon after tea, Rome Started consuming coffee again.
Coffee from Abyssinia and Aden is of the highest quality and is the main source. A large amount of coffee beans were shipped to Rome every year, and colonists who penetrated deep into the interior of East Africa also established coffee plantations, intending to make money from exports.
“I didn’t expect this to have so many tricks.”
After taking a bite, Plechev said to Simon that although it was bitter, it was refreshing and he could do more things.
"Is this your first time in Smyrna?" the owner asked.
"Yes, we came from the Western Mediterranean and wanted to see the sights of Rome."
"So that's it. I can help you choose the scenery here, and I can also introduce it to you."
"Thank you then."
Plechev got a lot of sightseeing guides about Smyrna. For example, you can go to the big library in the city center, which has many Anatolian books; you can also go to the big market next to the port, where people from the East Goods are generally sold here…
Plechev thanked the shop owner for his kindness, and then bought another cup of coffee. At this moment, the shop door was suddenly opened, and a young man said breathlessly.
"Everyone, our co-emperor has recovered the city of Rome, and the city of Rome is back!"
As soon as these words came out, the whole place was in an uproar, and they all shouted long live to Peter. This scene frightened Simon. He didn't even know what was happening.
Plechev understood the situation. Rome was recovered, which meant that the Papal State was gone. Such a fright could cause a 10-magnitude earthquake in the entire Western Europe. I don't know what the Western European monarchs were thinking, but it was not what they should be thinking about.
A cup of coffee changed Plechev's view on drinks. He never expected that besides wine and beer, there would be such a bitter and refreshing drink. Maybe drinking coffee at the same time will neutralize it directly.
"Andre, where are we going next?"
Simon asked, Plechev thought for a moment, and then said to go to the library and church in the city center. The scenery along this road is so beautiful. The ground is not a dirt road, but is paved with marble tiles. There are sewers next to it and there are fountains in some places. These things are not available in Western European cities, at least not now.
Who would have known that today's officialdom is already an era of desperate efforts. Whoever has better political performance than anyone else will be promoted faster. As a result, economy, trade, and municipal administration have become the results of their mutual competition. Various municipal constructions are in progress, and the citizens feel very good. It has been a long time since they felt such an efficient municipal government.
This can be regarded as a revival of the Roman Empire era. After all, the city government was also responsible at that time. There are towns and roads under construction everywhere. I don’t know how much this approach can boost the economy.
Everything in Smyrna is different from Western Europe. Even the most prosperous champagne market a few decades ago is probably not as good as here. Who caused the current turmoil in Western Europe? Rome opened up the Eastern trade route, and a large number of imported goods came to Rome, which allowed them to buy directly from Rome. All kinds of luxury goods and other goods were available for purchase. When merchants found that they could make a profit on the price difference, they sent a large amount of goods back to their own countries. As a result, the silk and fine textile processing industries in Western Europe were wiped out. But the merchants didn't care. They There is only profit in the eyes. But the monarch did care, after all, Rome was draining their treasury by doing this.
The idea of how to bypass Rome and trade directly with the East to become a Western European country was first initiated by Portugal. João I actively pursued the country's economic development, but also for missionary work and land enfeoffment. Portugal focused on maritime territory and began to explore overseas.
He sent his son, Prince Duarte, to lead troops to occupy a small piece of land in North Africa, and then used it as a base to expand southward. Since the Canary Islands were occupied by Castile, Portugal went south to build a fortress at Altyn in the Mauretania region. The first step of exploration is completed.
They were originally planning to go to the East from the African Canal, but after careful consideration, Rome might not welcome them, so they had to take a detour. However, the resources produced here also made Portugal rich, and its financial situation initially improved.
Castile was not far behind. After colonizing the Canary Islands, it planned to continue southward. However, the cost of colonization was a bit high, and the inaction of its own monarch put their colonial career in trouble. As for England, the future colonial power, it had not even conquered Ireland, and Rome was already decades ahead of them.
The increasingly powerful national power made the people of Western Europe look again at the country that had asked for help. After Rome captured it, they were more afraid than envious. They are all afraid that they will be next. Is it too late to convert now?