1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 276 Roman Empire Museum

On the shores of the Black Sea, the mother of cities, Constantinople.

It was early morning, the warm sun was hanging in the sky, dyeing the clouds red. On the sea of ​​the Golden Horn Bay, fishing boats were returning one after another, and small vendors were waiting at the fishing port, bargaining with the fishermen.

At the city gate, villagers from neighboring villages began to enter the city, driving donkey carts loaded with fresh vegetables and fruits.

The market area along the Golden Horn Bay became bustling. Every larger chamber of commerce was allocated its own stall, and the tax officials collected taxes directly from the stalls, which was convenient and quick.

As for individual traders, they can choose to share a stall or sell their products to large chambers of commerce. Selling products without registration is strictly prohibited by law.

The Imperial Tax Agency did not impose the same tax on various commodities. The tax on staple foods was extremely low, while the tax on other low-end agricultural and animal husbandry products was lower, the tax on handicrafts was higher, and the tax on luxury goods was the highest.

In Constantinople, no one dared to directly challenge the majesty of the empire. The Rifle Corps and the Royal Mounted Police were keeping a close eye on every market and commercial street, cracking down on tax evasion.

Of course, a huge city cannot be without a black market. Smuggling cannot be completely eradicated, but its impact can be minimized.

The revived Eastern Roman Empire relied on commerce to prosper, and smuggling was the second most serious crime, along with manslaughter and robbery. Once discovered, smuggling would be immediately confiscated and the perpetrator would be exiled to a colony with the worst natural conditions, never to be allowed to return.

In order to make the most of the entire population, the Eastern Roman Empire rarely carried out the death penalty. Only serious crimes such as heresy, murder, rape and treason would result in the death penalty being hanged.

In the prosperous and bustling port, a merchant ship slowly approached the shore. The sailors on the deck were busy with their work while laughing and scolding with the dock workers on the shore.

Boris greeted the captain, walked down the deck, and looked at the bustling dock. He was dazzled for a moment.

Among the plainly dressed sailors and fishermen, Boris, dressed in a holy white robe, seemed somewhat out of place.

He was a Bulgarian, the son of an Orthodox priest. His father had trained him to be a priest since he was young. Boris lived up to his expectations and could speak fluent Church Greek and Church Slavonic, and was familiar with all the scriptures.

However, Boris was born tall and strong. He had been brave and aggressive since childhood, and hated evil. He was extremely angry at the Turkish nobles who oppressed Christians.

Despite this, Boris obeyed his father's arrangements, studied theological concepts seriously, laid a solid foundation for becoming a clergyman, and almost succeeded.

Just before the final examination, a severe drought struck the village. Instead of providing disaster relief, the Turkic nobles took the opportunity to force the farmers to sell their children.

Boris was upset and drank half a barrel of wine. Under the influence of alcohol, he threw his father's warning to the back of his mind, picked up his sword, broke into the brothel, killed all three sons of the Turkish nobleman, and fled overnight with the help of his friends.

Boris's father naturally lost the diocese, but he saved his life because of the bishop's secret protection and hid in a monastery in the countryside until his death.

However, when Boris disguised himself and sneaked into the monastery and found his father who was copying books, his father just looked at him silently and told him to follow his heart.

Later, the Bulgarian War broke out, and Turkish nobles and Cuman cavalry looted on a large scale. The monastery was destroyed, and Boris lost his last relative. He was forced to wander around, serving as a caravan guard and a bodyguard for nobles.

A year ago, when Boris was passing through a village, he happened to hear the church priest explaining the "Daily Chronicle" to the villagers. He accidentally heard that Prince Alexius, who was famous for his benevolence and justice, had formed a knighthood and recruited brave and pious Orthodox knights to defend the people of Jesus Christ.

Boris thought this was a good opportunity, so he went to the port of Varna and boarded a Black Sea merchant ship. He arrived at the recruitment point in Abkhazia, where he won the appreciation of the recruiting officer with his martial arts and knowledge, and successfully became one of the earliest Knights of St. Andrew.

Boris was very happy in the Order of St. Andrew. He did not have to endure the arrogant looks of nobles and businessmen, nor the exploitation and oppression of pagans. He could fight against the invasion of Muslims on the land of Jesus Christ together with other equally devout and brave knights, for his own beliefs and for the glory of the Lord.

In more than a year, Boris made many contributions with his bravery and was promoted to the head of a patrol team, protecting a village and three pastures.

Because Boris was brutal and aggressive in battle, he was despised by the bandits as the "Bull Knight", but he didn't care. He specially used the bull as his shield emblem and hung it on the wall of the Knights' chapel.

This time, the Safavid Order and the Shirvan Kingdom joined forces to attack. The other knights were busy all day. Boris, who was recovering from his injuries, felt very upset and asked the Grand Commander Alexius to go into battle.

Alexius comforted him, thinking that his injuries required rest, and ordered him to go to Constantinople to purchase supplies, especially technological products from Constantinople.

When Boris first arrived in Constantinople, he was immediately amazed at the prosperity and prosperity of this second largest city in the Mediterranean world, with a population of more than 200,000, countless wealth, rich people filling the streets, and a dazzling array of exotic treasures and treasures...

Boris estimated that just one block of Constantinople would be far larger than Tbilisi, the capital of the Kingdom of Georgia.

"Sell newspapers! Sell newspapers!"

"The latest batch of newspapers from the Empire Printing House. Would anyone like to take a look?"

The cry of a newsboy caught his attention.

"Imperial Monthly! The British Fortress has been basically completed. The Avis Royal Family and the Palaiologos Royal Family signed the Treaty of Sintra. The situation in Iberia is complicated..."

"Constantinople Weekly! The Circassian tribes signed the Twelve Concordat, pledged allegiance to the Empire, and presented the sword and crown that originally belonged to the Mongol Khan!"

"The bone meal fertilizer produced by the Li Ximeier Fertilizer Factory has been a great success. The first batch of farmland participating in the experiment has ushered in a bumper harvest. We are preparing to enter the Constantinople Stock Exchange to raise funds!"

"Manfred, the watchmaker from Italy, finally accepted the emperor's invitation and came to Constantinople to set up a watch workshop, mainly producing his newly invented pocket watch!"

"A new issue of Voice of the Navigator! Four waves of exploration fleets from the West Indies have discovered Florida and Brazil one after another! Both areas are very close to Europe and can be reached in more than a month!"

An old sailor came over, holding in his mouth a wooden barrel that Boris had never seen before, with wisps of smoke coming out of the barrel.

"Silly boy, your news is outdated. The Emperor and the Kingdom of Portugal have arranged a marriage, and Florida will be given to the Avis royal family as a dowry or betrothal gift!"

The old sailor pointed at the newsboy.

"And Brazil, another disappointing place, with nothing, no gold, no gems, and what good are those big red logs?"

The old sailor's chattering made the newsboy very embarrassed, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Boris frowned, walked forward, stood between the sailor and the newsboy, and glared at them.

The old sailor saw Boris's tall figure and the St. Andrew's Cross on his white robe, grunted, and walked away quickly.

Boris's good deed was applauded by the crowd, and the newsboy even bowed to him with gratitude.

"Thank you, kind knight. Would you like a newspaper?"

the newsboy asked expectantly.

"Kid, is this your first time selling something like this?"

Boris asked.

"Yes, it's the first time. How did you figure it out?"

The newsboy nodded, very surprised.

"This kind of thing has to be sold in wealthy areas. Not many people buy it at this small dock."

Boris explained.

"I've heard of newspapers before. In the entire empire, only Constantinople and Carthage had them. Don't you think about why?"

"Sir Knight, you may not know much about Constantinople. My mother said that ocean sailors are the richest and spend money generously, so they will definitely be able to sell it!"

The newsboy said stubbornly.

"So, is it possible that they are rich but mostly illiterate?"

Boris sighed, thrust a shiny copper into the hands of the newsboy, and picked up a copy of the Constantinople Weekly.

"Go ahead, kid, try somewhere else."

Boris patted the newsboy on the head and pushed his way through the crowd.

Looking around, a coachman waved to him.

"Sir Knight, where are you going? Get in my carriage!"

Boris nodded and stepped into the coachman's carriage.

"Let's go to the Bank of Constantinople first and withdraw some money."

Boris ordered.

"Okay! Just get in my car. I, Old John, was born and raised in Constantinople and I know this city like the back of my hand!"

Old John took out a carrot and fed it to the stallion pulling the carriage, and the carriage started moving.

"Sir Knight, you are the Prince of Sparta's man, right?"

Old John was obviously very talkative. He hummed a little tune and chatted with Boris about this and that.

"Well, Prince Alexios sent me."

Boris said casually, drawing aside the curtains and admiring the prosperous scenery of Constantinople.

"How did a knight like you come to Constantinople alone? Without squires or sergeants?"

"Yes, but I sent them to His Highness Alexios's estate somewhere else."

Boris said.

"Your car is really nice, very comfortable."

Boris patted the cushion under his seat, somewhat surprised.

"Of course not. This carriage is a new product from the Royal Carriage Factory. I spent half my life savings to buy it."

Old John said cheerfully.

"There are not only cushions and sponges under your seat, but also springs. Do you feel it?"

"Spring leaf?"

Boris asked doubtfully.

"Didn't you hear? Manfred from Italy has come to Constantinople, the guy who makes pocket watches!"

Old John explained loudly.

"He used a spring in his pocket watch!"

"He invented the spring?"

Boris asked.

"No! It was invented by the Burgundians decades ago and is also used in clocks. Have you ever heard of the Burgundian clock?"

Boris shook his head.

"Outlander."

Old John muttered under his breath.

"what did you say?"

Boris didn't hear it clearly, but he knew it was probably not a good word.

"I said pocket watches are good things, Sir Knight."

Old John explained with a smile.

"Manfred invented something like the 'pocket clock' seven years ago. Your Majesty sponsored him to continue inventing and to make a batch of exquisite family pocket watches for the royal family as a symbol of status."

"Men wear gold chains with silver watches, and women wear silver chains with gold watches. They are all engraved with the family emblem and the names of the family members!"

Old John said with some envy.

"Well, I know this one. I have seen the one of His Highness Alexius."

Boris recalled Alexios's silver watch.

"Yes, the improvement of springs will bring about a series of new things, such as clocks, carriages, and even the military!"

Old John proudly showed off his "knowledge". "Two months ago, a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences published some of his views on springs in the newspaper and asked for suggestions for improvement from the public!"

"It is said that they are also preparing to use springs to make a new type of musket as a replacement for the matchlock gun."

"Did you make it?"

Boris was immediately interested.

"We have already made a few, but they are not very effective! They have some advantages, but also very obvious disadvantages!"

Old John said.

"The wheellock gun has too many parts and the craftsmanship is complicated. The biggest disadvantage is that it is expensive and easy to break. It is of little use in the short term and can only be used as a decoration for the nobility!"

Boris nodded, somewhat regretfully.

"How do you know so much?"

"Haha, Your Excellency the Knight, I pick up customers in the port area in the morning, in the financial district at noon, and near the Academy of Sciences at night. Sometimes when those adults get drunk, they like to tell us ordinary people some profound things. Anyway, we can't refute them, right?"

Old John chuckled.

"However, it was from them that I learned about the benefits of springs. When the first batch of carriages equipped with springs came out of the Royal Carriage Factory, I made up my mind and spent all my savings to buy one."

"My price is a little higher than that of ordinary carriages, please don't blame me!"

"It's okay. It's worth it."

Boris nodded and took out his purse.

"I'll give it to you now. How much?"

"Not busy, sir."

Old John whipped the horse.

"When we get there, I must show you the carriage registration documents and the carriage union's driving permit, otherwise you have the right not to pay!"

Boris smiled bitterly and shook his head. Constantinople had brought him too many surprises along the way.

"The Eastern Empire is truly advanced and prosperous."

Boris exclaimed.

"Haha, Sir Knight, it's not the Eastern Empire that's advanced, it's just Constantinople. Other cities are still in chaos."

Old John shook his head.

"Carthage is cold and murderous, Birinci is bloody and dark, Thessalonica is making no progress, Adrianople is on the rise, and Athens is in dire straits."

"Only Constantinople is thriving and far ahead!"

Boris had become numb to the innate sense of pride and pride of the people of Constantinople, which was somewhat amusing.

"These cities are not as bad as you say. Take Carthage, for example. It is the second largest city in the empire and it is not very prosperous."

"Hmph, don't talk about Carthage. Those Mozarabic people are not as friendly, kind and cultured as we are."

Old John snorted.

"Mozarab?"

Boris thought about it.

The Mozarabs were a people who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula several centuries ago. They believed in Christianity but accepted Arab culture.

"You actually call the North African Romans Mozarabs?"

"Yes, they have converted to Jesus Christ, but their culture has not changed. Many people still maintain the old Arab traditions, wearing burqas, face scarves, and eating with their hands."

Old John curled his lips.

"One empire, one faith, but two cultural customs and living habits. Who knows what will happen in the future."

Boris nodded and remained silent.

"There's nothing to blame. The natural conditions in different places are different, so it's normal for them to have their own cultural customs. When the Crusaders went to the Levant, they wore tunics like the Saracens."

"I'm Bulgarian. We wear fur coats in winter and sometimes eat fresh animal organs to keep warm. You can't exclude so many people because of such trivial matters, right?"

"Perhaps. Anyway, your Majesty said they were Romans, and I have nothing to refute."

Old John said.

"arrive."

Boris thanked him, casually glanced at the document presented by Old John, and handed him a silver Justinian.

After getting off the car, the bustling financial street was right in front of him. Boris took out the document issued by Alexios and walked into the Bank of Constantinople.

……

In a side hall of the Grand Palace, Isaac was walking with his family. Leonor was holding Isaac's arm, and the two children were chasing and playing.

The youngest son, Anastasius, is now three years old and is at a lively and active age. At this moment, he is running in front holding a candy, tempting his little nephew behind him.

The Crown Prince Constantine, who is now two years old, has just learned to walk and can speak a few phrases. He staggers towards his fourth uncle, calling his name.

Little Constantine was Isaac's eldest grandson. His mother was pregnant and his father was away from home all year round. His uncles and aunts were too old. Only Anastasius was of the same age as him, and they played and studied together since childhood.

"Little Constantine likes Anastasius very much. Let's leave him to our fourth uncle from now on."

Isaac looked at his healthy and lively children and grandchildren with a smile on his face.

"Humph, you are old now, you can't hang out outside all day. You promised to teach little Constantine well, don't shirk your responsibility!"

Leonor rolled her eyes at Isaac.

"When there is time, he will definitely come. He is my eldest grandson and will inherit the throne in the future."

Isaac looked at little Constantine with a smile.

In order to show his authority and unite his family, Isaac ordered Manfred, a watchmaker from Italy, to make an extremely exquisite pocket watch for each family member.

The pocket watches of that time were not as light as those of later generations. They were rather bulky, about half the size of a palm, but they were also a remarkable breakthrough.

The watch industry is also a big industry. This kind of artistic product has obvious first-mover advantages. It does not have to be accurate, but it must be ancient and luxurious.

The pocket watches of each family member, including Isaac, are similar. Only Constantine's pocket watch is different. It is made of pure silver and inlaid with round diamonds. Lightning and storm patterns are also engraved on the back of the dial to show his difference.

Constantine XI was gone forever, but Constantine XII would return like lightning.

Little Constantine was obviously unaware of this. After running for a long time, he still couldn't catch up with his uncle. His little mouth pouted and he burst into tears.

Seeing this, Anastasius hurried forward, stuffed the sugar cube in his hand into little Constantine's mouth, and touched his head.

When little Constantine tasted the sweetness, he stopped crying and burst into laughter, kissing his fourth uncle on the little face.

"Okay, hold the kids, we're ready to go in."

Isaac said, holding up little Constantine, while Leonor held Anastasius.

The guards opened the door and several people walked into the side hall.

This side hall is filled with wooden exhibition stands covered with white velvet, on which are displayed a wide variety of works of art.

Ancient coins and ivory sculptures from East India, pottery and tortoise shells from Madagascar, stone statues and bronze artifacts of Quetzalcoatl from America, wood carvings from West Africa, ancient bells from South Africa, ancient books from North Africa...

In addition to those displayed on the exhibition stand, there are more cultural relics piled in the corners. They may have been sacrificial treasures worshipped by a tribe day and night, or they may have recorded the glorious and splendid history of a nation, or they may have gathered the hard work and thoughts of countless craftsmen for countless days and nights.

But here, they are just a tiny collection of royal family members.

Obviously, these were all the "trophies" of the Eastern Roman colonists, collected from all over the world and presented to the greatest emperor.

Of course, due to limited capabilities, most of these things were not stolen but exchanged.

A few glass beads from the captain, plus some sweet talk from the priest, might be enough to exchange for one of the most important historical relics of a black tribe.

Deceptive trade is still trade.

"What are these things? Nothing of value."

Leonor saw a wine glass made of a skull and waved it away in disgust.

"It has been hidden so mysteriously for so long, I thought there was really some treasure."

"Hehe, this is a good thing. The descendants of the Eastern Roman Empire will be grateful to me."

Isaac smiled.

As for the accusations from other ethnic groups, why bother?

I will bear the pain of being colonized and the blame.

Colonial plunder is inherently sinful, and Isaac never portrays himself as a good man. Since he has chosen this path, he will go all the way.

"In the future, I will also order the captain and the sailors to focus on collecting these things and not to destroy them wantonly. They must all be stored in Constantinople."

“Many priests advised me to burn these things to avoid misleading the people and polluting the people of Jesus Christ.”

"After converting to Christianity, many colonial people became fanatical and took the initiative to burn all the old cultural relics. I stopped them and saved these things."

"I think these things are very valuable and should not be wasted. They should be left to future generations."

Isaac said.

The Latin colonists in the original time and space had no idea of ​​the value of cultural relics. Wherever these religious fanatics went, the first thing they did was to destroy these pagan cultures.

In later British Empire museums, the largest number of artifacts are Egyptian and Indian. These two civilizations should be grateful that they met knowledgeable British gentlemen rather than Spanish explorers with sacred ideas in their heads, which preserved a glimmer of hope for the return of the artifacts.

Of course, they themselves were the ones who suffered the most damage. Religious changes often bring about a series of ideological changes. Egyptian Muslims paid no attention to ancient Egyptian relics and destroyed them wantonly. After the Armenians converted to Christianity, their previous culture was completely destroyed.

As a colonial power, Isaac planned to establish a Roman Empire Museum modeled after the British Empire and collect these historical relics as a gift to future generations.

As for the future, if the colonized people become stronger, they will return the land; if they remain weak, they will continue to occupy it.

"If you don't want to see it, don't look at it. I plan to divide this side hall into a museum exhibition area and open it to the public for them to appreciate and study."

Isaac said.

"When citizens see the power of the empire, they will naturally be impressed and feel a strong sense of pride."

"Whatever, it's not a big deal, don't let the kids see this."

Leonor said this, holding the two children and preparing to leave.

After the three men left, Isaac walked alone through the room full of artifacts with a faint smile on his face.

Like a god high above, he looked down upon the treasures presented by his servants.

(End of this chapter)