The Eagle of Eastern Europe

A few days later, the Boyar Conference began. They held a meeting in a hall, and Peter was the first to arrive.

When some of the boyars saw Peter, they started talking to him. Nothing else but to talk to him about cooperation.

Their land output is almost sold through chambers of commerce and exports, and the only outlet to the sea is controlled by Peter. Of course, they have to have a good relationship with him.

Peter also reassured them that it would be fine as long as they did not violate the rules. But it also gave them a heads up.

"Hopefully nothing will happen today."

These words made Boyar's heart skip a beat. Could it be that their plot was known to the Grand Duke?

No, we have done a good job of keeping it confidential. Moreover, he agreed to this lord and accepted his money.

No matter what, just listen.

"The Grand Duke has arrived." The attendant outside the door said, and the originally bustling hall became quiet.

Grand Duke Mircea walked in dressed in grand ducal attire, wearing a crown and a white cloak. All the boyars saluted the Grand Duke, and when the Grand Duke sat down, the Boyars meeting began.

The main topic of this meeting was how to maintain the independence of Wallachia, which was gradually penetrated by the Ottomans, Poland and Hungary. Maintaining Wallachia's independence became the most important topic.

"Your Highness," a boyar stood up. "We will work with you to defend Wallachia."

Peter looked at the boyar who was speaking, oh, it turned out to be Grecu.

Grand Duke Mircea has promoted many boyars in recent years, and Grecu is one of them. He was born into a minor aristocratic family and was later selected as a supporter of Mircea during a census conducted by Archduke Mircea.

After Grecu started, another boyar also stood up and said: "The nobles and lords are ready to fight, and the commoners are also ready to join in at any time."

With this beginning, the remaining boyars began to express their willingness to defend Wallachia. Except those who conspired.

"Grand Duke, I don't think we need to be so nervous." The old boyar began to speak.

"The swamps and rivers in the south and the mountains in the north can hinder the Ottomans and Hungary. And the Ottoman rulers are heading to Anatolia. Is it a bit exaggerated to say that the Ottoman threat is?"

Mircea was displeased, but outwardly unmoved. After all, every meeting will have one or two objections.

"It seems that your Excellency is planning to become the Grand Vizier of the Ottomans?"

Peter spoke, and nailed him directly for treason.

This is a very serious crime, he retorted immediately. "This is just your one-sided statement. Besides, what qualifications do you have to criticize me? Maybe you are planning to surrender to the enemy."

European aristocrats have hierarchies, except for titles such as dukes and counts, and those in Eastern Europe are collectively called boyars. They are equals, which is why this boyar can speak like this to Peter. Not even if he is the son of the Grand Duke.

Moreover, the economic activities in his territory do not depend on Dobroga, and trade with Serbia and Hungary can be carried out through Vidin and Bratislava. This was also the case for trade in the boyars west of the Arges River.

"Then don't you just want the Archduke to surrender to the Ottomans or Hungary? Or do you want to be their guide?"

"Grand Duke, I..."

Mircea motioned him to shut up.

"My subjects, no matter what you think. The Ottomans and Hungary have cornered us. Can we let them trample on our Wallachia?"

"No" said all the boyars together.

In this case, those boyars with evil intentions could not say anything. Compromising with the Ottomans and Hungary was treason.

"I hope that everyone can unite. This is also for your own sake. In order that the land that our ancestors fought so hard for will not be taken away by others, I beg you..."

The Grand Duke is like this, and if they continue to fight against each other, they may not even be able to return alive. So they all conformed to the Grand Duke.

When Mircea saw that the time was right, he announced the conscription of troops and set a day to attack Moldova.

"Poland's influence is deepening, and the rulers of Moldova obey Poland regardless of the wishes of their people. For the sake of Wallachia, I will lead the army to Moldova."

This order was supported by most of the boyars, and Mircea had another reason not to mention, that is, he also had the right to claim Moldova. (Mircea had a so-called weak claim because his father married the daughter of a Moldovan ruler)

After this topic was discussed, issues such as the governance of the principality, the taxation of the lords, and the training of soldiers followed. Such a meeting is like the Duma of Nobility in the Principality of Rus.

The Noble Duma developed from negotiations and cooperation between the Grand Duke of Kiev and his senior retinues. It expanded with the development of the Kievan Rus, reflecting the rise of the aristocracy and the influence of the Rus' conversion to Christianity, as high-ranking clergy also had seats in the Duma.

But it would certainly be wrong to compare the Duma of Nobility to Parliament or to regard it as a definite legal limitation on royal power, but there are parallels between it and the Senate, the predecessor of Parliament. In its customary role as a loyal and constant adviser and collaborator to the Grand Duke of Kiev, it remained an institution of the utmost importance.

The boyars would last for several days, but during this time the boyars who were planning to cause trouble were not causing trouble. This satisfied Mircea slightly.

Consolidating supporters, wooing the centrists, and dividing the opposition are standard answers in politics. Mircea took this opportunity to also enfeoff a group of people and let them become boyars. Unlike those old boyars, the new boyars were formed on lands enfeoffed by the Grand Duke and had no judicial duties. They were arranged separately by Mircea.

Some boyars were already planning to become centrists completely as the meeting ended. Peter of Dobroga talked to them, adding at last.

"Well, I should have talked a lot in the past few days, but why have you talked so little these days?"

This made Boyar feel relieved again, but fortunately he didn't say anything more. I just told them not to miss the market in Constanta and left. But this is also a warning. I hope they can at least remain neutral, otherwise it will be difficult for anyone to come.