1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 244 United Fruit Company
The city of Carthage, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

For people living along the Mediterranean coast, winter is undoubtedly the most comfortable season. The warm and humid sea breeze brings rain, and the winter wheat and winter rye in the fields thrive under the rain and sprout green shoots.

It was morning, the sun was high in the distant sky, and the market was bustling. Farmers, fishermen, hunters and herdsmen from the affiliated villages and towns followed the small rural caravans to the town, set up their stalls in the government-designated market, and shouted to the people coming and going.

"Olives from Georda Town! For just five silver isaks, you can take a whole bag!"

"We are the villagers of Telida Village, fresh citrus and grapes!"

"Rabbit meat! Rabbits fresh from the mountains!"

"Freshly brewed wine! From the Anna Manor of the Sfrangis family!"

"Turnips! Turnips! Turnips from New Yerevan!"

"Hey, how much is this bag of carrots?"

"Hehe, this is a special carrot from the Fifth Legion of the Guards. It only costs one gold Constantine..."

"Nonsense! You Armenians are asking for exorbitant prices again!"

……

Marinus, who came from a branch of the Palaiologos family, strolled around the Carthage market with his sister Selina, stopping at individual stalls from time to time to ask about prices and inquire about the recent situation in the city of Carthage.

"Brother, this place is really prosperous. I'm afraid there is no such a big city in the whole of Bulgaria. It is only inferior to Constantinople."

Selina was a daughter of a declining noble family from the countryside. She had never been out on the street alone before. It was her first time to come to such a bustling market, so she couldn't help but feel a little nervous and held her brother's arm tightly.

"Of course. This is the first stop for overseas goods to enter the empire. Scarcity makes things valuable. New things are naturally valuable. With money, it will naturally attract a steady stream of immigrants."

Marinos was in a good mood, with a big smile on his face.

"However, from what I have observed, there are still big differences between Carthage and Constantinople. The population of Constantinople is concentrated within the city walls, while the population of Carthage is not that large, but the surrounding towns, villages and manors are very dense."

"This is determined by the infrastructure. Constantinople has a sound water channel, garbage disposal system, and underground water palace. Its population carrying capacity is definitely not inferior to any other city."

"Do you remember the bodyguard we hired when we came here? He used to be a member of the Navarre Mercenary Group. I asked around on the ship, and it seems that the legendary city of Cairo is also similar to Carthage. Judging from the population within the city walls, it is probably not as good as Constantinople."

"So which of the two cities do you think is better?"

Selina looked at Marinos with a smile.

"They each have their own advantages. The prices of food and small handicrafts in Constantinople are lower than those in Carthage, but some vegetables, fruits and overseas goods in Carthage are obviously cheaper than those in Constantinople."

Marinos looked at the busy market and was dazzled for a moment.

"Brother, you have made a lot of money from your investment in the East India Company. Will we move to big cities like Constantinople and Carthage in the future?"

Selina asked.

"The cost of living in a big city is too high. If we don't join the Royal Reclamation Corps, we won't be able to get tax breaks. Considering all these factors, I don't really want to move."

Malinos thought about it and looked at his sister.

"My previous investment was limited to the first expedition, and the return I got was the spices I brought back, not the shares of the East India Company."

"Everyone knows that East India is a rich land. The shares sold at the stock exchange were snapped up by the nobles and businessmen within a day. After all, we are a small family and cannot squeeze in."

"I have sold all the land in Thessaly. The new land in the reclamation area has been planted. The serfs, tenants, tools and livestock are all ready. The wheat is growing very well."

"Compared to this uncertain business investment, I still prefer land. I plan to continue to buy land in the reclamation area and take root in Bulgaria. What do you think?"

"Well, I'll do whatever you say. I'm just afraid that you'll suddenly become rich and forget the basics, so I'm reminding you."

Selina said with a grin.

"The princes are working on the land, how can we forget the basics?"

"Besides, this new set of policies has tied the tax reduction privilege and noblesse oblige together, so it is not so easy to find loopholes."

Malinos smiled and shook his head.

"The last time I went to the town of Jeanne d'Arc to buy a horse, guess what I saw? Prince Alexios was sowing seeds in the fields. That's unheard of."

"He said this is the teaching of Jesus Christ and that every believer has the obligation to participate in labor."

"After practicing sword skills every morning, he would go to the fields to work for a while, just to temper his will and strengthen his faith."

"What a weird person! You were born superior to others, so why don't you enjoy yourself?"

Selina pouted in disbelief.

"Of course he does. He doesn't even need serfs. He has freed all the serfs under his name. As long as they are willing to convert to the true faith, he will even waive the redemption fee."

"Prince Alexios also gave a speech to the serfs he had freed, saying that all people were God's people and had the right to obtain food given by God through their own labor, and no one should belong to another person."

Malinos recalled.

"Fortunately, he did not ask other landlords to abolish serfdom as well, otherwise it would have angered a lot of people."

"However, the freed serfs were indeed grateful to him and called him Alexios the Breaker of Fetters."

"Haha, that sounds nice..."

Selina laughed.

The two continued chatting and stopped in front of a small shop.

The shop is not big, but the decoration inside is very elegant. There are many wooden tables in the shop. The customers inside are all dressed in gorgeous clothes and are well-mannered, which is very different from ordinary drinkers.

"How about you two come in and try our new drinks? They are all good things from far away."

The skinny shop owner stood in front of the counter and invited the two people with a smile.

"Here we are. Now that we are in Carthage, we must try this. Let's go, Selina."

Marinos took his sister into the shop and found a seat by the window.

"A pot of rooibos tea and a plate of kola nuts."

Malinos ordered.

"Oh, this gentleman is very knowledgeable. The two best things in my shop are this rooibos tea and kola fruit."

The owner raised his eyebrows, a little surprised, and soon came over with an iron kettle and a metal plate and placed them on the wooden table in front of Marinos.

The drink in the iron kettle was bubbling, showing a gentle amber color. A few twigs and buds were floating in the kettle, exuding an enticing sweet fragrance.

"This Rooibos tea is a specialty of New Thrace. His Majesty the Emperor personally sent people to find it and ordered its cultivation. It is said to be able to cure abdominal pain and invigorate the body. Drinking it will make you feel very comfortable."

The owner poured the drink from the iron kettle into their wooden bowls, and the sweet aroma immediately drifted into their nostrils.

"Rooibos tea can also make your skin smoother and more tender. Many noble ladies love to drink it, especially a beautiful lady like you."

The shop owner looked at Selina and winked.

Selina's face flushed slightly and she nodded.

"Thank you very much."

Then the owner pointed to the light red nuts on the plate.

"This is the kola nut, a specialty of West Africa. Many black natives there love to chew it. It can refresh and excite them, and has similar effects to coffee."

"Chewing this small fruit can also make people stronger. Many workers who do heavy physical labor like this small fruit very much."

"Coffee is too expensive, but kola nuts are widely grown in West Africa and are reasonably priced. Your Majesty should introduce them into the empire and target the lower-class workers."

Realizing that he seemed to have said something wrong, the owner quickly waved his hands.

"But don't worry, the kola nuts here are specially made, with a lot of spices, and coated with a layer of powdered sugar, just right for your two distinguished guests."

"It's okay. Thank you very much."

Marinos smiled, picked up the wooden bowl, blew on the tea, and took a sip.

"Yes, very good. I have never been used to coffee. I can buy some Rooibos tea later."

Marinos nodded approvingly.

"By the way, do you have Arabic tea here? I heard during my travels that it seems that many Arab nobles and Saracen scholars like to drink this kind of stuff."

The owner's face immediately became serious and he shook his head repeatedly.

"Sir, please don't test me here. We are a legitimate store. We have obtained government permission to open the store. We will never sell these strictly prohibited devil products."

"Oh? When was it banned?"

Marinos was a little confused.

"It happened not long ago. I'm not sure about the exact time."

The owner thought about it.

"In any case, the church has now strictly prohibited believers from eating this poisonous weed from Arabia, but there are not many Christians who like this thing, so it didn't cause much of a stir."

The owner said.

"It is said that Arabic tea is addictive and can make people sick. It should not be consumed."

"I've never heard of it before, but this time I've really broadened my horizons."

Marinos nodded slightly and stopped forcing it.

The shopkeeper thought for a moment, then leaned his head closer to Malinos and whispered.

"Sir, I heard that although this kind of thing is prohibited from being circulated among the people, it is specially supplied to the army. As you know, soldiers risk their lives on the battlefield, and sometimes they need this kind of thing to excite themselves."

“Also in hospitals, doctors would give patients strong alcohol and chew khat to calm them down if they were in too much pain.”

"Wounded soldiers in the army and patients in hospitals may chew some khat occasionally, and nothing will happen to them, but sometimes the pain can be so severe that it kills people."

"Well, I see. It seems that I should avoid this thing. It's best not to deal with it for the rest of my life."

Malinos smiled.

The shop owner nodded heavily and continued.

"Sir, last year I followed a caravan to West Africa in order to obtain a stable supply of kola nuts. We stopped in Guinea and Congo."

“In just a few years, the changes are so huge.”

The owner had a complicated expression.

"Now, Guinean companies have built a complete trade system and control the goods in each trading zone according to their own needs."

"In the Gulf of Guinea, the indigenous people burned the fields and planted cash crops such as cotton. Cotton fields spread from the coast to the inland, and more and more chiefs gave up growing food for financial gain."

"In the Congo, the situation is even worse. Huge tracts of farmland have been destroyed and replaced with kola, coffee, sugar cane and—"

"With what?"

Marinos asked curiously.

“And Arabic tea.”

The shop owner sighed.

"The indigenous people are very backward in agricultural technology. In many cases, they just adopt a laissez-faire attitude, sowing seeds and then leaving them alone. However, they have a lot of land and a large base, so the total amount is still very impressive."

"Every year during the harvest season, Guinea Company commissioners would go to coastal ports to purchase these agricultural products. Cotton, kola and coffee berries were shipped directly back to the country. Sugarcane was also shipped back to the country after being sent to Saint William for preliminary processing."

"Only khat is strictly regulated, and very little is sent back to the country for distribution to the army and hospitals."

"Most of the khat is left in the St. William Islands, where the processing plants mix it with the Royal Camp vodka produced in the Galata distillery, which greatly increases the addictiveness and harmfulness of the liquor. After the processing is completed, it is shipped back to Guinea and Congo."

"Once the Guinea Company's ship docked at the pier, the natives immediately rushed over, even if they emptied their savings, they would exchange for this new drink, scrambling to anesthetize themselves and indulge in hallucinations."

"Under the deliberate regulation of the Guinea Company, the indigenous people can earn much more money from growing cash crops than from growing food. In this way, they will naturally abandon food crops and grow various cash crops without our forcing them."

"But the money they earned from growing cash crops was taken away by our liquor and khat, leaving them with nothing."

"This trend spread from top to bottom. Merchants from the Guinea Company often bribed the upper nobles and chiefs, and even provided them with stronger alcohol and Arabic tea, so that our trade could proceed smoothly."

After hearing this, Marinos fell into a long silence.

"Is this Arabic tea really that harmful?"

“For individuals, the harm is actually moderate. It’s highly irritating and addictive, but the damage to the body is not that serious,” the shop owner whispered.

"I have been doing business since I was a child and have met many people. I have heard that many Arab tribesmen chew this grass, but few people die from it. It is not even as harmful to the body as strong alcohol."

"But for a country, this kind of thing is extremely harmful. Khat has a great impact on the land. If you grow khat on the land, you can't grow food for ten years. You can only grow khat."

"As far as I know, Congo's land is actually not as good as East Africa's for growing Arabic tea. For the sake of profit, they can only offer more land, which forms a vicious cycle."

“So, whether from the perspective of economic benefits, social needs or land qualifications, once Guinea and Congo start widespread planting, it will be difficult to stop.”

"I heard that the Guinea Company has also established a branch company that is responsible for the promotion and acquisition of cash crops such as sugar cane, coffee berries, kola nuts, rooibos tea and Arabic tea. It seems that they are also preparing to publicly offer shares on the Constantinople Stock Exchange to form a huge business consortium."

"United Fruit Company."

Malinos took a sip of his rooibos and shrugged.

"I have heard of it in Constantinople, but only in name."

"The most widely discussed company on the Constantinople Stock Exchange today is of course the East India Company, followed by the United Fruit Company and the Royal Rose Company."

Malinos took a sip of tea and looked at the owner.

“But if they are no longer growing food, how can they meet their daily needs?”

"Buy ours."

The owner curled his lips.

"Your Majesty has set up so many granaries in major cities across the empire. At the end of each year, each granary will sell the accumulated old grain to the Guinea Company and import a batch of new grain from Egypt."

"The old grain will then be sold to cash crop growing areas in Guinea and Congo."

"Just think about it. If things continue like this, in a few decades, their economic dependence on us will become irreplaceable. If we want, they can suffer a famine at any time."

“Haven’t they thought about this?”

Marinos frowned.

"They are all independent tribes and tribal kingdoms. Many chiefs and nobles are deeply tied to the company. How can they unite to fight against our economic monopoly?"

The shopkeeper shook his head.

"Besides, do you think our fleet is just for show?"

Seeing that Marinos remained silent, the owner sighed again.

"So I say that Guinea companies have built a complete business system over the past 20 years and have grown into a behemoth."

"You may not know that the little arabica grass can make a lot of money."

“Well, if khat is so profitable, why don’t you do it?”

Malinos put a kola fruit into his mouth and asked vaguely.

The shop owner pursed his lips and fell silent.

After a moment, he crossed himself and sighed.

"Sir, I am a businessman, but I am also a devout Christian. There are some things I don't want to do and some money I don't want to earn."

"Don't be fooled by my old appearance, but I am only twenty years old, a Surt, born on the same day that Your Majesty recaptured Surt."

The shop owner smiled, with a hint of pride in his eyes.

"I was born a Christian and have lived on your Majesty's land since I was a child. I am one of the first children to grow up since the liberation of North Africa."

"Later, your majesty recovered Carthage, and my brother and I came here. We went to West Africa to make a living very early, and initially engaged in the trade of Guinea pepper."

"But you also know that since the East India fleet brought Indian pepper, the profit of Guinea pepper has plummeted. I also opened this tea shop last year, selling Rooibos tea and kola nuts."

The owner paused.

"I'm not afraid to tell you that my brother committed suicide. The church refused to preside over his funeral. Everyone on this street knows it."

"I want to atone for his sins."

There was a hint of sadness and determination in the shop owner's eyes.

"These are all good things, good for the human body. If I can promote them, more people will start drinking these good drinks, and the number of people drinking alcohol will also decrease. This is a good thing..."

"After I die, I will definitely go to heaven. My brother...he will be able to go to heaven too."

As the shop owner spoke, his eyes suddenly turned red, his voice choked, and tears welled up in his eyes.

After hearing this, Marinos felt a little sad for a moment. He patted him on the shoulder, took out three gold coins, stuffed them into the owner's hand, waved his hand, and prepared to take his sister away.

"My Lord, this is too much, you..."

The shopkeeper saw the gold coins clearly and shouted quickly.

"The extra is your tip. Thank you for the tea, thank you for the fruit, and thank you for your story."

Marinos didn't look back, pulled his sister up and walked towards the wooden door.

"Sir, you don't seem to be from Carthage, do you? I have lived here for many years. If you need anything, just come to me!"

The shop owner ran out of the door, wiped his tears and shouted to Marinos.

Marinnos paused, thought for a moment, turned around and looked at the owner.

"I am indeed not from Carthage. I came here mainly to buy some Boer goats to take back to the north. I heard there is a special breeding farm here."

"Also, if possible, I would like to go to church and pray."

"Sir, the breeding ground for Boer goats is in the town west of the Roman Arsenal. I have a friend who works as a breeder there. He knows which sheep are better and can help you choose!"

The shop owner said quickly.

"As for the church, the Bishop of Carthage has gone to La Spezia for a meeting and won't be back for a while. If you have time, it would be better to wait for him to come back."

Marinos nodded slightly and smiled at the owner.

"Thank you very much, I'll come again tomorrow!"

The brother and sister left the shop and walked onto the busy streets of Carthage, wandering around aimlessly.

At this time, a commotion broke out on the main road in the distance. People automatically made way for them, and the previous noise and hawking became much quieter.

Marinos stood on tiptoe and saw only a tall and burly figure, and heard the sound of heavy horse hooves and the collision of armor.

"That's Earl Abel of the Southern Border and his Southern Army. I recognize their wild boar emblem!"

Marinos heard the whispers among the crowd.

"The Giant Abel? Is he back from Fort Romanus?"

A shrill voice said in surprise.

"According to the time, it is indeed time for me to come back. It is about this time every year..."

Another old voice sounded.

"Hehe, this year is different. It is said that after the East Indian merchant ship returned, the giant Abel received a grant from His Majesty and led his troops to attack the rebellious Sultanate of Togurt. He even smashed the Sultan's head with his own giant hammer. Tsk tsk..."

"It's true. I met a merchant from there. Togurt didn't have a complete city wall. The Sultan was celebrating his son's wedding when he was attacked by Abel's army. None of the tribal nobles who attended the wedding escaped."

A third person joins the discussion.

"Togurt has been destroyed, will Mzab be destroyed soon?"

"Impossible. Tougurt is too close, which is why Abel's raid was successful. Mzab is far to the west, so it's not that easy."

"But he didn't bring so many soldiers with him when he came back a few years ago? Is His Majesty going to go to war?"

"Perhaps. He is an old hand at dealing with Saracens. Your Majesty probably values ​​this..."

Five hundred soldiers of the Southern Frontier Corps filed past, with wild boars with their heads held high and their eyes glaring wildly carved on their armor, and behind them followed the captives with their brows lowered.

Looking at the strong soldiers and the large number of captives, several men dressed as businessmen suddenly had their eyes shining and ran to Abel.

"My Lord, we are merchants from the Bilinchi Laborers' Association. Can these captives of yours..."

A sly-looking businessman chuckled and stared greedily at the prisoner behind Abel.

"Don't make any noise!"

Another well-dressed businessman rebuked, then looked at Abel flatteringly.

"My Lord, I am the general manager of the newly established United Fruit Company in Carthage. Your soldiers are really well-trained. Can you introduce some retired soldiers to us as guards? Don't worry, we will definitely-"

Abel's huge head turned slowly, his dark eyes staring at the merchant.

The businessman swallowed his saliva and retreated awkwardly.

"His Majesty has summoned me. I must go to the palace immediately. We can talk about other things later!"

Abel's rough voice instantly drowned out the noise on the street, and the crowd suddenly fell silent.

"Brother, what did they do wrong?"

At the edge of the crowd, Selina covered her mouth and pointed at the prisoners wearing heavy shackles behind the Southern Frontier Corps.

"Judging from their attire, most of them are just ordinary herders, right?"

Marinos smiled softly and shook his head.

"If they want to find them, they can list 10,000 charges."

"However, among these ten thousand sins, only one is truly fatal, and that is weakness."

"When we were weak, they began to conquer, occupy our land and abuse our people."

"Now, it's just an exchange of identities."

Malinos said coldly.

"I don't like fighting and killing."

Selina shook her head vigorously and looked away.

"I don't like it either, so let's go back right away after we buy the Boer goats."

Malinos gently touched his sister's head.

"Ah."

Selina hugged her brother's waist and buried her head in his chest.

The Southern Border Army walked through the street and arrived at the gate of the palace under the guidance of Abel.

Isaac and his eldest son Justinian waited in front of the palace, waiting for their warriors.

Abel dismounted, knelt on one knee, pulled out a scimitar from the saddle and threw it to the ground.

"Your Majesty, Sultan Togurt has been destroyed, and his remnants are fleeing to the northern mountains. This is his weapon."

Abel said gruffly.

Isaac ignored the ornate scimitar and helped Abel up affectionately, patting his heavy chest.

"Long time no see, you've grown stronger, Abel."

Abel grinned, and the fierceness on his face suddenly turned into simplicity.

"Long time no see, Your Majesty, and you, dear Prince Justinian, you have grown taller."

"You were only this small when you were a child, not even as thick as my arm... hehe."

Abel gestured to Justinian, waving his thick arms awkwardly in the air.

"Abel, the celebration banquet will be held tonight. Now follow me. I have something important to discuss with you."

Abel nodded and followed Isaac and his son into the Carthaginian palace.

Five hundred soldiers of the Southern Frontier Corps also entered the barracks under the leadership of the Carthaginian Archers, unloaded their equipment, and set up camp.

(End of this chapter)