In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

Limassol.

As Lothar's territory in Cyprus, the government affairs, military affairs, and security here have been returned to the Turiados agent of the Wheel Family. Most of the Black Eagle Flag Team and Order Knights stationed here have also returned to the Holy Land.

Only one castle and one monastery were assigned to the Teutonic Knights, which had merged with the Order of Saint Lazarus.

The Knights established a branch here, and the person in charge was former Grand Master Heberland.

The city of Limassol is also a node on the pilgrimage road. There are not only Greeks who believe in Orthodox Christianity, but also many Catholics who stopped on the pilgrimage road or stayed behind when returning. Therefore, the Knights' branch is also developing well. Many new apprentices have been recruited.

The devastation brought to Limassol by the war has disappeared.

This place has once again become the prosperous seaport city it once was, with an endless stream of caravans and pilgrims stopping here, docking, and replenishing supplies. Even if it is getting late and the curfew is approaching, the tavern is still bustling with activity. .

Especially the most popular game Gwent, which is more complex than simple dice, is the most popular among the Greeks. Many Greek sailors often play cards in taverns all night long until they lose everything or a lot of money. After making a fortune, he squandered the money on prostitutes and fine wine, and then set sail the next day to fight against the waves and pirates.

The Greeks were disgusted with the Franks, or the Latins as they called them, and believed that the Franks were a group of barbarians and robbers. The shortcomings of Gwent being more complicated and difficult to master quickly became the advantages for the Greeks to demonstrate their sense of superiority.

They often looked at the stupid and vulgar Frank sailors playing ugly and ridiculous card games, shaking their heads and laughing at them: Look, the Franks with all their muscles can't understand such a high-end game.

Or when the Frank sailor was playing a dice game passionately, he mocked from the sidelines: What age are you in, and you still play games like this that even children can understand?

It can be said to be a medieval game that despises the chain.

An exquisite set of imperial cards inlaid with gold edges and complete illustrations can be sold for a sky-high price of hundreds of gold coins in the city of Limassol - you know, this is already equivalent to the price of a thoroughbred war horse. .

In future generations, it would be equivalent to replacing a whole car with a deck of cards!

Although this refers to a complete set of cards that can be used together, rather than a single card pack, the profits are still enough to make many great nobles jealous.

The reason why there is no piracy is that the cards produced by piracy are not only poor in paper, but also without the help of printing technology, the output is very limited. At the same time, using pirated cards will be looked down upon.

The combination of many aspects makes piracy a reality, with half the effort and little profit.

Is Gwent releasing a new deck?

What are the Tartars? A bunch of impoverished nomadic bandits?

The sailor who spoke had disdain in his eyes.

The combat effectiveness of the nomadic cavalry in this era was indeed mediocre, their iron smelting technology was backward, and their combat was undisciplined. Some poor nomads even still used bone arrowheads, which could not even break through the defenses against fully armed knights.

How is it possible? Look at these exquisite pictures. Each of their warriors is wearing fine armor and scale armor. It is said that they captured the golden country in the east and are stronger than the impoverished Cumans and Turks. too much.

As these sailors said, a new set of cards has been produced and sold by the Jerusalem printing workshop supervised by Coors. The theme this time is set to Song and Tatar after weighing.

The dark camp deck had already been produced. After thinking about it, Lothar decided not to use it. Although he was not afraid of offending the Catholic Church, it was not worth the trouble for himself because of such a trivial matter.

In addition, in this era, people's illusions about the prosperity of the Eastern dynasty naturally added a layer of filter to all goods from the East. This theme is definitely more touching than Germania Magna vs. Gaul. interest.

Lothar also hopes to take this opportunity to hype up the Tatar threat theory.

There is no doubt about the threat of the Tatars. Although according to the original historical trajectory, their footsteps not only stopped in Syria, but also formed a temporary alliance with the local Crusaders to jointly deal with the Mamluk dynasty (the collapse of Saladin's Ayyubid dynasty). Later, the Mamluk military group came to power).

But the history of this world has already changed.

Perhaps it was him, or perhaps it was since Emperor Henry built the first wizard tower that extraordinary power has participated in the secular world as never before. This is completely different from the past where the two were almost completely different.

Even the Turks who migrated here have many shamans who believe in immortality. Lothar once dealt with a Turk prince, so it is impossible for the Tatars to be without them.

Without extraordinary strength, the Tatars might not even be able to defeat the Jin Kingdom.

In his expectation, the Tatars were the big boss after Saladin, allowing them to enter the European vision in advance. He also hoped that when the Tatars actually arrived, the Christian world would pay more attention to this.

Lothar was sitting in Limassol City, in the mansion of the Aglastus (Wheel) family.

Turiados respectfully handed over a report: Sir, the development of the territory this month has been good. The manors, iron mines, quarries and forest farms in the territory have all returned to normal operations. Limassol City The renovation work has also been successfully completed, and due to the use of stones from our own quarry, the expenditure was much less than expected.

Excluding the expenses of maintaining the city guards, house servants, attendants, etc., as well as the monastery and real estate leased to the knights, and only counting taxes, it is estimated that by the end of this year, my lord, you will receive a profit of twelve thousand Suledes.

Twelve thousand suludes, this number is really not small.

Lothar was stunned for a moment.

If he had received more than 10,000 Suredes gold coins every year when he first traveled through time, he would have laughed out of his dreams. The taxes collected by Count Werner for a year, even if all the grains were converted into gold coins at a premium, At most it’s half of Limassol.

Moreover, due to the poor road conditions, the excess grain in the entire Count of Allgäu is often brewed into beer, digested by himself, and cannot be sold at all. Otherwise, Count Werner would not be holding a pile of silver tableware as a treasure. .

This is also the current situation of many Western European lords. Due to the lack of silver and currency, the quality of the currency is getting lower and lower, and it is becoming more and more devalued. When it is obvious that money is becoming more and more valuable, they have just embarked on a path of anti-deflation.

But Lothar, who had just returned from Constantinople, felt that this mere 10,000 gold coins was nothing.

One ruby ​​for General Nikephorus was worth twenty thousand suludes.

As if seeing the insincerity of Lothar's words, Turiados quickly added: This does not include the income from the merchant fleet we formed. Not long ago, the fleet completed its first round of sailing, selling wine and grain to Jerusalem, at the same time contacted Monsignor Coors, loaded a ship full of fabrics, porcelain, glassware and spices. If the journey goes well, they will arrive in Provence, along the Rhone-Saône channel, and arrive in Lyon, where they will be sold. All the goods were purchased, and a batch of Burgundy red wine was purchased and shipped back to Jerusalem.”

Lothar nodded slightly: Kors has already told me about this. I hope everything goes well for them.

Limassol's merchant fleet had previously operated the Jerusalem-Cyprus-Rhodes Island route and had no experience in such ocean voyages. However, if it wanted to eat the most abundant fat in the Mediterranean trade, it had to go ocean voyages.

After an ocean-going trade trip, excluding the salaries of sailors, captains, and caravan guards, the net profit is conservatively estimated to be ten times as much, but the risks are also greatly increased, especially when passing through Sicily.

Fortunately, it was better to go through the Palermo Strait. Although the Normans were pirates, they would not be too embarrassed by merchant ships flying the Crusader flag - this was different from the first Crusade.

But the Moors in North Africa were different. They also had a long tradition of pirates and were affiliated with Saladin. They often plundered white people along the western Mediterranean coast and sold them to the palaces of various chiefs.

They ride on offshore fast galleys with triangular sails, and can easily catch up with lone merchant ships when the wind is against them. With their numerical advantage, they will tear apart the bloated and clumsy Kirk boats like African spotted hyenas.

May Heavenly Father bless them.

Turiados did not have much confidence in this voyage. Although he hired a few experienced crew members, running a business in this era was like being a mercenary, with his head in his belt. On the job.

If you want to earn more, you have to take risks.

In the comfortable trade routes, newcomers cannot compete with the established merchants who have been operating here for a long time and have taken care of everything. Otherwise, there would not be so many people who would rather be mercenaries than go into business.

Anyway, good job, Turiados.

Lothar patted Turiados on the shoulder. As a member of the Order Knights, Lothar didn't have to worry about Turiados' loyalty, but Turiados had his own family and subordinates behind him.

therefore

From now on, you can keep one-third of the income from Limassol City for your own use every year. When the caravan comes back, no matter how much the income is, you must continue to increase investment. If you lack funds, you can contact me at any time.

Lothar handed over a double-headed eagle coat of arms: This is Ms. Anna's coat of arms. You can contact Anna through it, and then she will be the relay to transfer the communication to me, eliminating the delay of sending letters back and forth. time.

Ms. Anna's coat of arms? Give it to me?

Turiados swallowed.

What? Don't you dare bother Anna?

Lothar smiled.

Turiados nodded awkwardly: After all, she is the most noble princess in purple in the empire, the first among all the princesses, and the most noble person after Her Majesty the Queen.

Okay, keep your heart in mind. As long as it's business, just ask Anna to help transfer. We are very close friends - of course, if the situation is not so urgent, try not to cause trouble in the middle of the night. She, you might get a scolding.

Turiados took the coat of arms and nodded heavily: I have taken note of it, my lord.

“The opening of the new route is of great significance to me. It is a linkage to unleash the potential of the Port of Ella and the Port of Limassol. If we can establish a stable route that can continue to generate profits, I will continue to work for many years to come. No more worrying about money.”

The reason why valuables such as spices are valuables is because of the tax cards. Countless hands will grab profits along the way, and merchants have to significantly increase their selling prices in order to pass on the costs.

When these valuables arrived at the Port of Ella, they did not pass through many joints. After Lothar ate them, they were transported to the port of the Holy Land. Along the way, except for his territory, the other Crusader nobles saw that it was his flag, and they would also more or less To sell face.

Therefore, after shipment at Jaffa Port, the cost is still controlled at a very low level.

If the sea route is opened, it will be a hen that can lay golden eggs, and the benefits will further expand Lothar's nascent fleet, allowing him to have a naval force of his own in the Mediterranean.

The two complement each other.

With the navy, it will be a deterrent to pirates, and the security of the merchant fleet will be greatly increased.

I understand, sir, I must take this matter seriously. During this period, I will continue to urge the shipyard to build new ships and recruit experienced sailors. Even if it doesn't work this time, I will start a second attempt as soon as possible.

Lothar nodded: If it doesn't work this time, I will have to consider asking professionals to intervene.

professional?

I have an experienced captain under my command. He is now responsible for cleaning up pirates entrenched in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Although letting Captain Hogg escort merchant ships feels a bit overkill, the benefits are worth it.