Chapter 457 Near East Issues
"They are stupid pigs and Allah will punish them."
At the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the imam cursed after hearing the news that the Syrian emir had surrendered to Rome. He never imagined that as a barrier to the Holy City, they would surrender so happily.
Without the protection of Damascus, the only northern barriers to Jerusalem are Tiberias and the Golan Heights. Just like its predecessor, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Jerusalem at this time is also facing the danger of siege from two sides.
In the south, under the construction of Rome, Ashkelon has become impregnable, and the army inside is more than the sum of their troops in the coastal areas.
In addition, Roman merchants were squeezing the commerce of Arabs and their followers. Roman goods brought a heavy blow to the local area. Some Roman businessmen saw the value of camels, so they bought and raised them in large quantities. They even formed a group to buy camels from Arabs at low prices. This was really unbearable. There were many fights there, but in the end the other side was the better.
The Mamluks were already a coward. Ever since the Cairo incident was dealt with, the Sultan had not shown any interest in the northern pagans. Digging the canal was even said to be a cowardly move. The dignified Sultan of Egypt was so afraid, so what else could he do?
But I have to admit that the Mamluks are already the most powerful force on the peninsula. Even if he is not willing, then who else can take action?
Woike's negotiations obtained hundreds of thousands of people and large areas of fertile land for Rome, and at the same time further oppressed the pagans. Mecca and Medina were so angry that they wrote directly to the Black Sheep Dynasty and Zarayi'er, demanding that They sent troops to attack Rome.
But the Mamluks didn't dare to fight, let alone them. Moreover, these two paid tribute to both sides. On the one hand, they paid tribute to the Timurid Empire, and on the other hand, they had good relations with Rome. They didn't dare to fight either.
Moreover, Rome and the Timur Empire were on good terms, and the trade between the two countries was also very large. Together with the profits of Black Sheep and Zha La Yier, since there is money to be made, why fight.
This is no longer the era of the Great Conquests hundreds of years ago, nor is it the era of the Crusades two hundred years ago. Pragmatism has prevailed. As long as you have money, nothing is impossible.
There were also people within the Mamluks who wanted to expel the Roman forces, but the superiors were unable to do so. Every time, Rome would put unexpected pressure and bribes on the Sultan and the Emir, bribe the ministers around the Sultan, and trick them into signing various treaties. For example, the Treaty of Smyrna in 1407 stipulated that Roman merchants could buy land in Alexandria and only charge a 7% commercial tax. A large number of Roman merchants poured into Alexandria, which directly tripled the city's housing prices. Local officials wanted to Make more money and drive out the citizens who were originally in the city.
Not to mention opening canals and building fortresses on Egyptian soil. Some knowledgeable people wanted to stop them, but they were limited to attacks on merchants, which was of no use. Rome has a hundred ways to deal with them.
In the southern part of the peninsula, the Aden colony is continuing to expand north and west. The government adopts a tolerant policy. As long as it recognizes its own rule, the chief's power remains unchanged. Just pay tribute to yourself. At one time, more than 30 tribes surrendered one after another. They were all from the Five Imams, and all the Sunnis were wiped out.
In the Oman region, Rome also adopted a policy of tolerance. The local tribes believed in the Ibadis. As long as they were loyal to the emperor, their beliefs could be preserved. After all, Rome's main target was Sunnis, and these local sects could be tolerated for the time being. .
Rome's dealings with heretics put Sunnis, a popular sect, in an awkward position. The status of the originally most powerful sect was suddenly reversed, and its power was constantly being squeezed. It has great potential to unify the peninsula. At this time, it can only continue to exert its influence and let the tribes in the desert protect the holy city.
----Dividing line----
The policy recently implemented in Rome was very successful, and this combination of taxation and service was promoted from the vicinity of Constantinople to other cities and villages.
And this approach is not only for farmers. Citizens living in cities collect taxes based on their income and asset valuation. As for other less economically developed places, the tax remains unchanged.
Not only that, Roman taxes were paid in currency, which made inspection and transportation easier, and the people were no longer bothered by various tax collections. Collecting taxes based on the area of land reduces the labor burden of landless farm laborers and poor peasants with less land, and transfers it to rich peasant landlords with more land, which is more fair and equal; it also reduces the labor burden of landless people.
The new policy has achieved good results, and Peter has successfully won a wave of public support. At the same time, the implementation of reforms increased the tax revenue of Constantinople, and the income of places near the capital alone was able to increase by one-fifth.
The changes in government and economy in the past few months have continued to revitalize the empire. It is not easy for the treasury to maintain balance when both East and West are spending money.
In the palace garden, Peter was still reading translated oriental books, holding a cup of brewed tea in his hand, and was accompanied by a dozen eunuchs. Listerine also accompanied the emperor to enjoy afternoon tea.
"Your Majesty, the King of Georgia has sent 50,000 lei, Kara Yusuf has sent 40,000 lei and 50 female slaves."
Peter was barely satisfied with the protection money sent by these countries. As a tributary country, they should get more. What if they want to fight against the empire again?
"So, are they poor?"
Peter won't stop until he takes them all away. These countries don't have much strength, but the disgusting people are quite good at it. They frequently harass the Roman border, but they are all small troubles, and Rome will not waste its energy to fight back.
Moreover, the king of Georgia professed vassalage to Rome externally, but internally he still said that the two countries were enemies, but Rome was too powerful to surrender.
It can only be said that Georgia is not convinced by Rome, but at present, the king does not have the ability to seize land from Rome or the Black Sheep Dynasty, and even the Knights cannot seize the land in the Azerbaijan region. I can only live in the Caucasus in such a miserable way.
"I don't care what they think, but Georgia must spend 80,000 lei next year."
"Your Majesty, fifty thousand lei is already Georgia's entire savings. If it's eighty thousand lei, I'm afraid the king will have to raise taxes."
Peter looked at the prime minister, this one was too kind. To deal with these things that eat them in and out, their hematopoietic ability must be completely lost. Save them from jumping around.
"Georgia has always wanted the empire's land. If they don't give them any show of control, I'm afraid the empire's hard-won authority will be lost."