Eagle Byzantium

All joking aside, but saying not to enter Constantinople is just lip service.

Gawain and Anna have begun to prepare for the transfer of power in the future imperial capital. First, they have built a basilica-style cloister building in the southeast corner of Tarsus, announcing the revival of the abolished "Romanian Curio." "Association of Asian Citizens", the terminal organization that merged the Jinshu Brotherhood and the Tarsus Brotherhood, has never elected elections. To put it bluntly, it is directly under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. They were just "imperial meetings" held by Wen and Anna to discuss national affairs such as war, coinage, diplomacy, and taxation. Only the emperor and the empress had the power to convene meetings and announce issues. In most cases, the Curia representatives were obedient and obedient. It is just a matter of implementing the edict, and this team is a "preparatory bureaucratic team" that can quickly keep the imperial capital running after it takes over the imperial capital in the future.

After occupying the rich silver mines in Trabzon and Greater Armenia, Gawain also began to use the Santa Barbara Mint to officially mint his country's universal currency, the "Tasso".

The name Tasso was derived from "Tarsus", and was also set by Gawain in three amounts, namely 1 Tasso, 1/2 Tasso and 1/4 Tasso, but they are all made of 20% purity. A round coin made of seven pieces of silver. The silver used is excluding the gains from war and plunder (high After spending his money, Wen remade these silver coins from other countries. It is said that the poisonous gas produced killed many coin craftsmen), including the silver coins of Trabzon, Chaldea, Melitene, and Greater Armenia. It's a mountain, especially the Papos Silver Mine owned by the last one has a lot of output. The weight of the full 1 Tasso is completely equal and constant. The front and back are respectively engraved with the heads of Gawain and Anna, while the front of the 1/2 Tasso is the head of St. Paul, and the back is a meaningful saying "Appreciate the words of God". As for the 1/4 Tasso, it is engraved with the Pegasus symbolizing the city of Tarsus, and the reverse is in the shape of a short Christian cross.

Later, people became accustomed to calling 1 Tasso as "couple", 1/2 Tasso as "Saint Paul", and 1/4 Tasso as "Pegasus". There are also original copper "saffron" coins that continue to circulate in small-scale private trade and taxation. In terms of its exchange with Tasso, Gawain introduced the Indian decimal system for the first time. Since then, he announced that each "Pegasus" is equivalent to 10 saffron copper coins, "Saint Paul" is naturally equivalent to 20 coins, and " "Couple" is equal to 50 pieces (this Tasso increases the weight, the so-called "half" or "quarter" is just a shorthand name and is not the same as the actual weight).

In addition, Gawain set the tax on coinage income at five thousandths and required strict compliance.

In this way, the Tasso silver coin system covered the needs of small and medium-sized trade, and established its own accounting system with other countries, especially the "Byzantine gold coins" (the Eastern Romans called themselves hyperpersons in the East) that Alexios had minted in large quantities. Regarding the exchange ratio, Gawain ordered that the conversion data be engraved on large stone tablets, and one should be erected in the markets of Iconium, Smyrna, Tarsus, and Fasis.

Since the launch of Tasso silver coins, due to its strong convenience advantages, it was quickly welcomed by the "silver standard" medieval society for commerce and trade. First, domestic caravans began to use them in large quantities, and then they began to spread rapidly to various kingdoms on land and sea.

However, Gawain is still not satisfied, because in order to truly occupy the position of a trade center, it is impossible not to make high-quality and high-priced gold coins! Just like the solid gold coins (nomisma) of the Eastern Roman Empire, which once ruled maritime trade for seven hundred years (from the beginning of Constantine the Great to the end of Michael VII), its price is strong and durable, which is actually equivalent to in our current dollars.

However, there was not enough gold to provide the required coins. A small amount of gold that flowed into the Mediterranean through trade was carefully hoarded by various city-states such as Hot Duck and Venice, because they all planned to mint gold coins, so Gawain could only wait for the time being. .

After the ceremony of dredging the port was successful, Gawain returned to the palace and received a report from the city of Bari, "This is indeed the direction. John is not willing to surrender, and the Norman Kingdom of Sicily and Venice are not willing to sit back and watch our power. All kinds of The enemies from the west are organizing to deal with us again!”

"Then how should we deal with this expedition to Tripoli, including the upcoming battle to recapture the imperial capital?" Anna asked eagerly.

Gawain walked to the terrace and looked at the harbor scene in the distance. His robes were fluttering in the wind. After a while, he chuckled, "We might as well open up the road first and let Raymond's poor illegitimate son and the Norwegian barbarian horse Come on, Genuson, let them have a good time, while we continue the siege of Tripoli. Then we have to use some tricks to make the enemy start a fire in the backyard and cause chaos!"

After hearing this, Anna tapped her chin with her fingertips, thoughtfully, and after rolling her eyes a few times, she leaned over and stood on tiptoes, whispering a few words into Gawain's ear.

"Anna's guess is right. Roger from Sicily can safely be the vassal of Rome, but some kings cannot coexist peacefully with Rome no matter how they change." Gawain expressed his sincere response to Anna's guess and proposal. Agreed, "Confidential Officer Philactus sent an edict to Cyprus, asking Andodat not to be disturbed in any way and to keep going to Tripoli as planned. In addition, I will soon receive the distinguished Patriarch Anselm."

Anna immediately chuckled slyly, and Gawain also sighed, "I'm afraid that His Majesty the Holy See, who treats me sincerely soon, will suffer. But don't blame me, I am also passively defending and counterattacking, who can What if they want to trap the new Roman Empire in Tarsus?"

At this time, Anna's face became as serious as ice again, and her beautiful eyebrows stood up slightly, "Any stones that block our way into the imperial capital must be crushed!"

In the prayer room of St. Paul's Cathedral, which was decorated with Afyon gilded marble and precious Virginia wood, Gawain stepped on the floor where people could be seen, smiling and looking at Anselm who walked in. He looked like an ostrich egg. The bald spot here is extremely shiny.

"Your Excellency Anselm, are you interested in being the new pope?" Gawain's first sentence was so straight to the point that Anselm almost slipped to the ground immediately!

"What nonsense are you talking about? I have been serving as the Bishop of York, the Bishop of Bari and the Patriarch here. Even if I return to Rome, according to the law, I have to become one of the seven cardinals before I am qualified. Don't make fun of me. "Anselm then turned red in the face and head. Although he was happy and excited in his heart (after all, Gawain expressed his opinion), he verbally blamed Gawain and continued to warn, "Your actions in the Great Ark Mountain are too arrogant. Please remove the title of emperor immediately, otherwise it will lead to trouble." The criticism and accusations coming to the Holy See are not taken lightly.”

"I'm not joking - I mean, as long as you are willing, I will do my best to let you enter the Lateran Palace. This will be good for both you and me, right?" But Gawain's expression was different. Very seriously.