My Brother-in-law is the Prince

  Chapter 529 Search all

  The fact that the Venetians have been able to stand for seven hundred years as a mere city, and even once had the strength to rival the Pope of Rome, is not just as simple as business.

  It can be said that if Rome is the source of legitimacy of the entire European nobles.

  Then Venice is the purse of the entire European nobles.

   Due to the influence of religion and war, the nobles are not professional in tax collection in the territory.

After all, at this time in Europe, there was no professional civil service system. In addition to the so-called tithes and other religious taxes imposed by Rome in the whole of Europe, most of the taxes of the nobles were entrusted to the government in the form of tax packages. Merchant of Venice.

  If the soldiers and civilians in Europe have to pay taxes, basically...a share is handed over to the Pope in Rome. The other one fell into the pockets of nobles and Venetian taxpayers through Venetian merchants in the form of tax packages.

  This form of tax package is often signed by the royal treasury with one or more contractors. The contractors hand over the tax amount to the state treasury in advance, obtain the royal tax right, and then collect taxpayers.

  But as time goes by, because of the frequent wars, many nobles can no longer meet their tax requirements in order to fight. Therefore, they often choose to borrow from merchants.

  So, in addition to tax payments, trade, and colonial gains, Venetian merchants...had one major business...lending.

In this era in Europe, the interest rate of lending is ruthless. It is by no means a joke. The interest rate is terribly high, and because of religious reasons, ordinary people in Europe are not allowed to borrow money, and the lending business is almost monopolized by the Venetian merchants, a pagan group. .

   Not only that, but these lending businesses are almost usury carefully packaged by Venetian merchants.

  Because of this, the Merchant of Venice was hated by all Europeans, so that more than a hundred years later, once Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" was performed, it became popular in Europe.

  The city of Venice, in a certain sense, is actually equivalent to tax officials, usurers, traders and colonists throughout Europe.

  As the governor, Tommaso Mocenige doesn't actually have much power. The city of Venice is a city-state established by a group of merchants. Although he is called the governor, he is actually just a representative of the merchants.

   Therefore, the only thing Tommaso Mocenige can do is to assist the Ming army. He must first stabilize the big businessman, and at the same time start collecting ransoms.

   Sure enough, after hearing that the Ming army only charged ransom, almost all the big businessmen breathed a sigh of relief.

  Of course, this is also a common practice in Europe. When a city is occupied by people, it is right to pay a ransom. The levy is based on the head. Buying the lives of the entire city is beneficial to the big businessmen.

  Maybe for the poor, this is a big income, but for the big businessman, it is just a drop in the bucket.

  Given that Venice is in the hands of big merchants, the big merchants worked extra hard. They actually started to maintain order, and even started to organize manpower to collect ransom from the residents of the city. Of course, the ransom was collected earlier and safely. After all, these outsiders are not sure, so as not to have long nights and dreams.

It can be said that everything went very smoothly. Almost every street and every household, with the assistance of the merchant group, did not even need the Ming army stationed there, and only relying on the mercenaries of the merchant group, the ransom was about to be paid as quickly as possible. Turn in the number.

   But such behavior quickly caused a split in the city of Venice. The poor were persecuted by the merchants, and they were impoverished, so they naturally resented.

  The merchants ignored it, and when the ransom money was delivered to Qiu Song by truckloads, Qiu Song was overjoyed.

   "You still have a way." Qiu Song showed admiration, and said cheerfully: "I thought I would still grab it."

  Seeing Qiu Song's smile, Tommaso Moceniger's tense face finally relaxed a little bit, and said angrily: "General, this is what I should do."

  Qiu Song said: "Good job, next step, hurry up!"

   Tommaso Mocenige couldn't help laughing after being praised by Qiu Song.

  It's just an **** in charge of translation, and the contempt for Tommaso Moceniger on the face becomes more and more obvious.

   This is not only due to the fact that the **** from the Holy See itself has a deep-seated hatred for heretics like Tommaso Mocenige.

   In addition, the identity of the Venetian merchant is also the object of the second egg!

   Not to mention, Erdan is very clear that Tommaso Mocenige's behavior is not just groveling, but betraying his own kind.

  At this time, Tommaso Mocenige respectfully said: "The garrison has cut off the commercial road, and next, it is time to sell food! General, please rest assured, I will make arrangements..."

  Qiu Song waved his hand and said, "Let's go, as soon as possible."

   Tommaso Mossenig hurried away.

   Erdan frowned, and couldn't help but said to Qiu Song: "General Qiu, what do you think of these businessmen?"

  Qiu Song glanced at Erdan, and saw the disdain on Erdan's face, but he said disapprovingly, "I don't care."

   Two eggs: "..."

  He always felt that it was extremely difficult to communicate with this General Qiu.

  Looking at Erdan's complicated expression, Qiu Song said calmly: "This is your business, I just want the result!"

   Paused, Qiu Song seemed to think of something, stared at Er Dan suddenly and said: "Is there no news from Rome?"

   Erdan's mood is almost suffocating. He slowly walked out of the bitter hatred for the Venetians, because... what he had to face was also a difficult choice.

  Actually, Rome is already arguing about whether to compromise or fight to the death. It has reached the point of chattering.

  The tithe tax levied by Rome has indeed accumulated a huge amount of wealth in the entire city of Rome, but this does not mean that they are willing to give it up.

  However, the strength of the Ming army far exceeded their imagination. Even a strong city like Venice, which stood for seven hundred years, was wiped out overnight. Who can guarantee the safety of Rome?

  Under Qiu Song's impatient gaze, Er Dan had no choice but to say: "It may take some time."

  Qiu Song raised his eyebrows and looked at him, "You're not playing tricks, are you?"

   Erdan's heart skipped a beat, she quickly shook her head and said, "No..."

But Qiu Song interrupted him, and said arrogantly: "Even if you are playing tricks, you are not afraid. Of course, if you want to go back on your word, don't fulfill your agreement, and don't give these 'gifts', then I will see that we have known each other for a while." , I will simply give you one month of preparation time! If I don’t attack Rome within one month, the Pope who taught you will have enough time to gather troops to fight me to the death.”

   After hearing this, Erdan was not only not happy, but was even more surprised.

  Only he knew that his back was already covered with dense cold sweat.

  When an enemy tells you, I will give you ten rounds, then this person is either a fool, or an existence that you can never afford to provoke.

   It is obvious that the other party is suspected to be the former, but 100%, definitely not the latter at the same time.

   Er Dan's face froze for a moment, then quickly stabilized his mind, forced a little bit of a difficult smile and said: "I will write another letter and go to Rome. Please trust me, general, and I will definitely make this happen."

   Erdan has transformed into a peacemaker now. Even the many letters he was writing to Rome almost constantly exaggerated the strength of the Ming army. Because no European in the world understands better than him that this fleet is an existence that Rome cannot afford to provoke, so it is better to find a way to raise money.

  The city of Venice... Food suddenly began to run out.

  After that, the price of food in this city began to rise.

  Ordinary grain stores, the grain has long been sold out, but now, this grain has become a monopoly of the Governor's Mansion.

   On the first day, it rose seven times. On the second day, it rose to fifteen times. On the third day, to forty-five times.

  In this way, on the first day, everyone just took out all their money and tried to buy food to satisfy their hunger.

  But on the second day, things changed.

  Tomaso Mocenigo deserves to be one of the great merchants, the leader among Venetian merchants.

  Because on the second day, the poor have almost no way to buy food, and the small businessmen... can actually buy food to sustain themselves.

  It's just... For small businessmen and ordinary wealthy households, such a rise in food prices makes them even more fearful.

  Because no one is sure what the price of food will be tomorrow.

   Therefore, almost everyone, the first choice is to buy grain, and do everything possible to buy grain. Almost everyone, unanimously, took out all their wealth to buy food for storage.

   Sure enough, food prices continued to rise, and within a few days, almost all small businessmen and wealthy households almost ran out of money.

  But the big businessmen are almost watching with cold eyes. For them, even if the food is increased by a hundred times, a thousand times, they will not be embarrassed by the food.

  For them, what they care more about is...stable!

   This craze for grain grabbing is obviously out of season for them.

  Until... when food prices suddenly began to recover, all the small businessmen almost wailed.

   went bankrupt, and spent tens or hundreds of times of all their wealth on food. Overnight, it suddenly began to fall, and at the same time began to supply a large amount. Even the Ming army began to implement certain poverty relief laws, and those poor people who had been starving for many days suddenly began to distribute black bread. Although this black bread is barely two hundred grams per person per day, it caused all the small businessmen to wipe out their wealth overnight.

  The entire city of Venice began to be filled with a feeling of resentment, the poor who were extorted by the big merchants, the hungry civilians and craftsmen, and the small merchants who lost everything.

Under such a situation full of complaints, Qiu Song led the guards and arrived at the Governor's Mansion. Then, after a careful arrangement with Tommaso Mocenige overnight, in the early morning of the next day, suddenly, A large number of school lieutenants began to dispatch, and according to the map provided by Tommaso Mocenige, they began to surround the mansions of big merchants overnight.

  In the city of Venice, a chill atmosphere began to appear.

  The lieutenants rushed directly into the mansion and began to search.

   At the same time, the governor led people and began to accept reports.

   Obviously, this effect is very good, because the conflicts between big businessmen and civilians, small businessmen and even servants have accumulated before. Many people already hated these big businessmen so much, what's more, if there is valuable information, they can also provide a certain bounty.

  Suddenly, those hidden vaults and goods were unearthed one by one.

  All the big businessmen were invited to the Governor's Mansion, and they were asked to provide clues about their money immediately. Only by offering all the gold and silver, could the lives of the whole family be saved.

   But if he refuses to let go and is reported by others, then it will be a situation where people and money are empty.

  They are big businessmen, not ordinary small land rich people.

  The rich man can secretly bury his pot of gold and silver in a courtyard.

   But such a big businessman has too much wealth, and it is impossible for one person alone to hide this wealth like a mountain of gold and silver.

   Therefore, it is necessary to hire manpower, there will be special people to provide cashier services for them, and there will be some loyal servants to look after their warehouses.

   For these big Venetian businessmen who called out to be deceived, all of them trembled. It has to be said that Tommaso Mocenige's set is very effective, and it can be said to be tailor-made for his compatriots.

  In the end, what the Ming army had to do was to seal up all the gold and silver, and...abandon all the ballast stones of all ships, and even dismantle many heavy objects. Subsequently, he began to be responsible for carrying gold and silver onto the ship.

   It took half a month to move the gold and silver. A lot of manpower, under the supervision of the school captains, carried the heavy goods continuously and boarded the ship.

  At this moment, this city, which has stood for seven hundred years through borrowing, taxation, colonization, and trade, is completely empty from this moment on.

Not just gold, but even all silver ornaments and tableware made of silver. These silvers originally came from trade in North Africa, as well as silver mines in Greece and the Czech Republic, and a considerable part came from the Crusaders at that time. The plunder in the East.

  Qiu Song was too late to be happy, but Er Dan and Donkey Ball came to his door.

   For this reason, Donkey Ball made a special trip back to Rome to report the situation in Venice!

   After a fierce quarrel, finally, Rome made a decision.

  He came in a hurry with the news, met Qiu Song, and first saluted Qiu Song: "General, on behalf of the Pope, I would like to extend my greetings to you."

  Qiu Song said simply and directly: "Where's the money?"

  Lvqiu's face froze for a moment, then took a deep breath, and said: "We are determined to present a gift to the general..."

   As he spoke, he took out a list and handed it to Qiu Song.

All of them were translated by donkey **** in Chinese, so Qiu Song could understand it naturally, but when he saw the number, Qiu Song frowned and said dissatisfiedly: "Are you sending the beggar? Difficult and dangerous, charge into battle for you, shed blood and sweat, you will give this little gold and silver?"

   At this time, Donkey Ball was already sweating profusely, and he seemed panicked.

  Qiu Song said with an angry face: "You gold and silver are not as good as one-twelfth of what I got here in Venice! Since you see that we are not worth it, then there is nothing to say, let's meet in arms."

  Donkey Ball smiled wryly, and he begged: "General...we are allies..."

  Qiu Song curled his lips into a sneer, and then said: "With this little gold and silver, how dare you say that you are an ally? If you say that, then I will not be polite."

  Donkey ball: "..."

  Lvqiu and Erdan looked at each other, and then...Lvqiu took another deep breath and said, "Actually, there is another plan."

   Qiu Song still looked at him with a sneer.

  Donkey Ball took out another list from his pocket, handed it to Qiu Song and said, "Does the general think it's feasible?"

  Qiu Song took the list, looked down, and frowned.

  In fact, he already knew that Donkey Ball must be playing tricks, and Qiu Song followed Zhang Anshi. He has seen this kind of trick many times. Which time was it not asking for a price and paying back the money?

  The authorization obtained by this donkey ball is definitely not as simple as the first list. This first list is just a test! The real bottom of the box is the one that Qiu Song is holding in his hand.

   It's all left over from his elder brother's play!

  After scanning the list carefully, Qiu Song only smiled and said, "Well... this amount is not impossible...."

   Erdan and Donkey Ball didn't show the slightest expression of relief, but pain instead.

Qiu Song continued: "One more thing, since everyone is an ally, it is naturally our own family. Of course, this family does not speak of each other. This Venice is a good place. From now on, I, Daming, will not be polite and take possession of it. This is a treasured place of geomantic omen. But... we still know the rules, and we always have to ask the Pope for a little favor, to sign an agreement or something..."

   When Er Dan heard this, he was startled, and he immediately understood that the other party had a plan.

   These people not only want to plunder and search fiercely, but also plan to stay permanently. The reason why they attacked Venice was not because of their so-called tricks, but because they had planned for a long time.

   These people robbed all the Venetian merchants in order to replace them!

   Suddenly, everything can be figured out.

The reason why the group of Venetian merchants was born in Europe is precisely because in the Middle Ages, as a Christian, he was not allowed to borrow money, and there was no reason for a stable civil servant class. The thoroughfare of the Mediterranean Sea, from here can radiate the sea transportation throughout Europe and even North Africa and the Near East, and this is how today's Venice city-state is derived.

  Now, the Venetian merchants have been wiped out, and next, these Ming merchants will replace them.

  Since this is the case, wouldn’t it be in vain to drive the vatican and try to destroy the Venetian merchants?

  Moreover, in the future, these Ming merchants may be even stronger, even more powerful than the Venetian merchants.

   Thinking of this, Erdan and Luqiu couldn't help shivering, feeling as if a basin of cold water was pouring from head to toe, making them shiver from the cold.

  (end of this chapter)