1444, Byzantium Resurrects

Chapter 373: The Fugger Plan

The sky was clear and cloudless. On the dirt road northeast of Carthage, the royal carriage team raised clouds of dust.

In the largest carriage, Isaac lay on his side on the cushions, admiring the surrounding scenery.

The eldest son Justinian sat next to Isaac, humming a little tune and flipping through the latest issue of the Carthage Times.

"Father, look at this front-page headline: Emperor Isaac led his army back to Carthage and was interviewed by a Carthaginian college student. The student was invited to the Carthaginian palace..."

Justinian looked at Isaac with a smile.

"They don't care about the specific content of the interview at all, they just focus on this matter, which is really interesting."

"Because this is the first time for the Empire, and perhaps the first time for all of humanity."

Isaac smiled.

"In the future, I will have the Grand Palace set up a press office, and all major newspapers will have the right to interview members of the royal family and senior government officials. What do you think?"

"That's good."

Justinian continued to flip through the pages and nodded.

"The literacy rate in big cities is getting higher and higher, and more and more people are reading newspapers. This is an excellent opportunity to assert the emperor's power."

"I believe that we need to improve the quality of citizens and literacy rates through various means. At the same time, we need to compile textbooks, take up the propaganda high ground as early as possible, and instill loyalty to the royal family in every citizen of the empire from an early age."

Justinian read the praises of the two emperors in the newspaper and nodded with satisfaction.

"Our family has contributed so much to the empire. From the army to the fleet, you built them all. There are also so many imperial orphanages, military orphanages, and student aid funds. All the money spent was paid by us. These things should be known to all citizens. They should be grateful for our kindness for generations to come."

Isaac did not answer, thinking about his own thoughts.

After returning to Carthage, Isaac was warmly welcomed by the citizens of Carthage. During this period, a courageous student from the Department of Journalism at the University of Carthage publicly requested Isaac to be interviewed and express his views on the situation in Burgundy and the East Roman economy.

Since the Foreign Propaganda Department led by Carface made outstanding contributions during the Sicilian War and proved the great value of ideological penetration and news dissemination, Isaac accepted his suggestion and asked the University of Carthage and the University of Constantinople to open journalism departments to train propagandists, newspaper editors and other journalism talents.

Although the concept of journalism had not yet been deeply rooted in people's minds, although the freshman was just trying it out, and although he was criticized by other citizens and driven away by security guards on the spot, Isaac still happily accepted his interview and invited him to the royal palace of Carthage.

In Isaac's view, news communication is very important. If used well, it can guide the people through information and enlighten their wisdom, so that the general public can understand the national conditions, know domestic and international events, understand economic trends, and form national consciousness when reading newspapers and listening to chronicles.

Furthermore, once the news and communication industry develops, Isaac will order the formulation of a law, with official newspapers as the framework and private newspapers as extensions, to make use of the social public opinion that will surely flourish in the future.

Of course, the principle of "freedom of speech" is an old tradition that has been passed down from ancient Greece to the present day. Isaac pursues enlightened rule and is not prepared to allow private newspapers to become followers and mouthpieces of official newspapers. They should give full play to their expertise, criticize current ills and attack reality. If only prosperity and peace appear in the newspapers, then such newspapers have completely become tools of the ruling class and spiritual drugs that numb the people. They have no value at all.

Isaac never thought that his decades of rule were flawless. There must be unknown darkness in society, favoritism in the courts, cheating in examinations, corruption in the government... They must be fully exposed to the eyes of the citizens to form effective public opinion supervision.

Hiding things for the sake of so-called temporary stability is just a temporary solution. The people are not fools and they know it clearly.

Furthermore, from the perspective of the royal family, this is also very beneficial. At least in the next two hundred years, even the most arrogant newspapers would not dare to directly blame the emperor for the darkness of society. They would only point the finger at government departments and officials at all levels who were executing orders. The emperor could then obey public opinion, clean up the dirt, and instead enhance his own reputation.

The emperor's original intention was certainly good, but the people below executed it poorly. They must have failed the emperor's trust and the people's expectations.

As for fake news, newspapers certainly have the right to speak freely and they just need to bear the corresponding legal consequences, which is fair.

Of course, although the Daily Record is an old tradition since ancient Rome and is the first thing in the world with the nature of a newspaper, it relies on the explanation of priests, and rural people still do not have the ability to read independently. Other newspapers are confined to the three major cities of Constantinople, Carthage and Thessalonica. Even Athens, Birinci and Mystras do not have the soil for the survival of newspapers.

In the coming days, there will be no large-scale wars in the Eastern Roman Empire, and Isaac is preparing to improve the literacy rate of citizens, from cities to rural areas, and it is expected that the literacy rate will be raised to about 30%.

This is a rather large project, and Isaac already has some ideas that will be implemented in the future.

"Ah, finally I found a newspaper of some value."

Justinian found a copy of the Cité des Sciences.

"Oh, it's an internal publication of St. John's University. No wonder..."

Justinian understood and began to recite.

"The Emperor expressed his views on the Burgundy succession dispute on May 5. He will uphold his consistent attitude and support Mary of Burgundy to inherit all of Duke Charles' estate. He also supports the legal marriage between the German Prince Maximilian and the Duchess of Burgundy Mary..."

"It is reported that the Venice and Florence branches of the Royal Bank of Palaeologus have provided Prince Maximilian with a loan of more than 4,000 Italian solidus. This is only the first batch..."

"All loans will be used to order wedding floats from the Royal Carriage Workshop, wedding jewelry for Master Nicholas, and a batch of weapons and equipment produced in the Constantinople Arsenal. Prince Maximilian is also planning to hire a group of mercenaries, and the Carthaginian Mercenary House has already begun negotiations with him..."

"Due to the delicate situation in the Netherlands, St. John's University advises all students not to choose the Netherlands as a destination for graduation study tours, especially art students and engineering students who are researching windmills..."

"During the interview, the emperor also put forward several views on the future economic direction of the empire. He believed that there would be no large-scale wars in the next few years. He encouraged citizens to set up businesses and engage in industry and commerce. The empire's market is extremely vast and is still expanding. As long as you dare to produce, you will definitely be able to sell it..."

"The Bank of Constantinople and the Royal Bank of Palaeologus will continue to provide loans to citizens who want to start businesses, and will continue to lower interest rates..."

"That's quite a detailed explanation. What do you think, Father?"

Justinian looked at Isaac.

"Well, the people in the Citadel are still very rigorous, but such rigorous publications often don't sell well."

Isaac nodded.

"Yes, my mother told me that the most popular novels in Constantinople are still chivalric novels, fantasy novels and romance novels. Even the Constantinople Weekly has published some explicit literature, and college students are scrambling to read it."

Justinian chuckled.

"The church doesn't seem very happy about this?"

"It's okay, let them see it, it's a normal thing."

Isaac laughed too.

"When people are well-off and have enough food and clothing, they will naturally seek entertainment. However, the current forms of entertainment are too monotonous. They are either gambling, horse racing, brothels, or romance novels."

"A while ago, many people suggested that we restore the Olympic Games. What do you think?"

"How about changing the name? The church might not be happy about it."

Justinian suggested.

"How about calling it the Sacred Royal Games?"

"No, Olympus is fine."

Isaac refused immediately.

"As for the church... that's easy to handle, too."

"I personally funded the construction of a cathedral at the foot of Mount Olympus. The cathedral was called Olympus Cathedral, and the town next to it was called Olympus Town. The first Games were held here."

"Since the games are held in the Olympus Cathedral in the town of Olympus, why not call it the Olympus Games?"

"You..."

Justinian chuckled.

"That's fine. It's pretty good."

Sports is also a career that Isaac plans to develop. If sports are well developed, in addition to providing entertainment activities for wealthy citizens, it can also strengthen the body and improve the quality of the people.

The most important thing is that, if handled properly, sports can be a very profitable industry. The annual revenue brought by many sports leagues in later generations is equivalent to the annual tax revenue of small and medium-sized countries.

Of course, with the current social conditions and citizen quality of the Eastern Roman Empire, it is certainly impossible to compare with later generations, but even in 15th century Europe, if competitive events such as horse racing and martial arts competitions were well organized, a lot of ticket revenue and gambling revenue could be earned.

The carriage was moving quickly on the road. Justinian had solved Carlos' problem and Isabella had just become pregnant. He was in a very good mood and had a pleasant conversation with Isaac along the way.

Isaac had not had a sincere conversation with Justinian for a long time since he came of age. Both of them were held back by heavy military and political affairs. This conversation made Isaac very happy.

Although Justinian was still somewhat conservative in his thinking, in Isaac's opinion, he was generally a good boy and was considered a relatively enlightened ruler by the end of the 15th century.

As for Isaac, he was the one who was out of tune with the times.

After a while, the caravan arrived at today's destination - Belisariupolis.

This port city located northwest of Carthage and the northernmost tip of the African continent was originally named Bizerte. Because of its unique geographical location, it became the "Western Gateway" of the Port of Carthage and assumed the function of cargo transshipment.

Not long ago, in view of the increasingly prosperous silk trade and silk production in the province of Africa, the Carthage administrative district decided to build a silk exchange modeled after Valencia in the Kingdom of Aragon. The general layout was almost the same, except that the architectural style was changed from Gothic to Byzantine.

In the original time and space, the Valencia Silk Exchange was a very famous landmark building. Silk from Granada went from here to the western Mediterranean, and then to France and Italy.

The idea of ​​the Valencia Silk Exchange was proposed in 1469. At that time, many architects had already drawn their ideal blueprints. However, due to various reasons, the historical Silk Exchange was only half completed in 1498.

Eventually, Carthaginian officials placed the Silk Exchange in the city of Bizerte, which was relatively close to Carthage and could be reached in one day by sea. It was close to the Mediterranean Sea and the land price was very cheap. It was enough for the city to prosper by relying on the silk trade and become a new member of the "Carthaginian city circle."

After deciding to develop the city of Bizerte, the Carthaginian administrative district decided to rename it Belisariupolis to commemorate Belisarius, the great Eastern Roman general who recovered North Africa hundreds of years ago.

The administrative efficiency of the Eastern Roman Empire was quite good. Belisariupolis had become a large construction site in just a few months. A construction team from the Marmara Construction Company was laying foundations, mixing concrete, and digging drainage ditches on the vacant land, preparing to expand several markets and houses.

The construction or renovation of high-class buildings such as churches, silk exchanges and town halls was given to the Royal Construction Corporation, which would also use concrete construction, but high-class buildings had to use real steel bars rather than the lower-class substitute of hardwood.

Even though Isaac obtained advanced technology from the East and fluorite for iron smelting from South Africa, the price of steel bars was still very high. But then again, for Isaac now, time is the most precious wealth. The brick and stone buildings in the past were not bad, they just took too long.

The Carthaginian administrative region spent more than 10,000 solidus on the renovation and expansion of Belisariupolis, which is expected to be basically completed within two years, turning it into a trade port and transit base that can accommodate 25,000 people.

After talking with several construction managers for a while, Isaac asked them to speed up the progress of the project, and then he and Justinian mounted their horses and rode around the city.

"Father, why do you want to develop this small city?"

Justinian looked at a busy construction site.

"The development prospects here don't seem very good. It can only become a trading city, and the handicraft industry and mining industry cannot develop."

"It's close enough to Carthage, within the radiation range of Carthage, and facing the western Mediterranean Sea. That's enough."

Isaac said.

"Belisariupolis does not need to develop mining and handicrafts. It is enough to be a trading port."

"Mainly silk trade?"

Justinian asked again.

"Pretty much. In addition to the silk trade, handicrafts from the Balkan Peninsula are also piled up here and enter foreign markets."

Isaac explained.

"Now, we already have enough precious metals, a strong enough commercial and handicraft tradition, a large amount of cheap labor, and specialized schools that train high-level craftsmen. All the prerequisites are met. As long as there is a sufficient market, the handicraft industry will develop rapidly when supply is less than demand."

“The renovation of Belisariupolis is precisely for a wider market.”

Isaac looked at the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It was peaceful and blue.

"Justinian, have you seen the planning document of Ulrich, the Minister of Commerce?"

"You mean the Fugger Plan? Not yet."

Justinian shook his head.

"I have been busy dealing with accumulated official business these days."

"Haha, you obviously stayed in Isabella's room all day and all night, or drank and smoked with Gonzalo, and didn't handle official business at all."

Isaac was too lazy to argue with him. He waved his hand and asked the servant following behind him for the documents sent back by Ulrich.

"Before the war ended, I sent Ulrich to the port of Almeria in the Kingdom of Granada to build a trade route from Carthage to Granada, and to stir up trouble and cause conflicts in Valencia."

"After the war, I asked Ulrich to continue to the Kingdom of Portugal and cooperate with the Hermes branch of the intelligence department to collect information about the industrial and commercial development of Portugal, the Netherlands, England, and the Hanseatic League, and to explain the general policy that the Eastern Roman Empire should implement in the Atlantic trade."

Isaac said.

"Elysium, more and more precious metals are being shipped from New Thrace and the Indian Ocean. We must transform them into industries and make them into commodities to make money flow."

“If we leave it alone and allow precious metals to impact the market, it is likely to lead to price volatility and social unrest.”

"For the past thousand years, the Saracen world in the East has been an outflow of goods. Europeans imported goods from the Arabs, and the Saracens themselves had limited purchasing and consumption power."

"Besides, due to the huge cultural and religious differences, our products are not that popular in the Arab world, such as clothes."

Isaac dusted off his clothes.

"The dressing style of the Christian cultural circle is very different from that of the Arab cultural circle. Their aesthetic concepts are different. Even if our clothes are the best, they may not like them."

"There are also military products such as weapons and armor, which will not be accepted in the Arab cultural circle." "Then there are tobacco, alcohol and meat. Because there are too many taboos in the Islamic world, alcohol and pork products basically have no market. Many Islamic sects also prohibit smoking. I can't widely grow the marijuana leaves and Arabic tea that they like."

"Therefore, the most important dumping location for Eastern Roman goods can only be Europe for the time being. Although there are differences between Eastern and Western Europe, they are both the same civilizations passed down from ancient Greece and Rome. The Eastern and Western churches have roughly the same values. Since the Renaissance, more and more Western Europeans have begun to favor the aesthetic styles of ancient Greece and Rome. This is our opportunity."

Isaac elaborated in detail, hoping that Justinian could learn something from it.

"In short, commodity trade is not only about the quality and price of goods, and market expansion cannot only focus on population size and consumption capacity."

“Culture is also a very important factor.”

"I promote propaganda at home and abroad, and I will promote sports in the future. This is a way to promote cultural undertakings. I carry out cultural colonization in the colonies and forcibly eliminate the indigenous culture. This is also a cultural means to expand the market."

"Just think about it, if Elysium, Guinea, Congo and New Thrace all became Eastern Roman culture or Eastern Roman mixed culture areas, how big would our market be?"

Justinian thought and said nothing.

Isaac waited for him for a moment and then continued.

"I divide a civilization into several levels according to its different stages of development, namely primitive clan civilization, slave society civilization, feudal society civilization and capitalist civilization. This does not mean that capitalism is the final form of human civilization. It is just that productivity can only reach this level for the time being, and it is still very reluctant. Even we are only in the transition stage. Apart from us, the former Florence has made many achievements."

"In my opinion, the greater the gap in civilization levels, the easier it is for a higher civilization to assimilate a lower one. In other words, if we want to achieve results quickly, we have to put more effort into the lowest civilizations, such as the Taino people on Cuba, the Aztecs in Elysium, and the Khoisan people in New Thrace."

"As for civilizations like Arabia, Persia, and India, there is basically no possibility of large-scale cultural assimilation. They can only create cultural closeness."

"I understand. Please continue."

Justinian nodded thoughtfully.

"Therefore, we have to take into account both the present and the future. Cultural assimilation is for future generations, and expanding the European market is for the present. The better the current social and economic development, the smoother the cultural assimilation will be, because many products sold abroad are themselves a kind of cultural carrier."

Isaac said, handing the report to Justinian.

"Ulrich investigated the Atlantic trade and believed that the economic center of Europe was gradually moving westward. The industrial and commercial development of Portugal, England, France and the Netherlands had made many breakthroughs, especially in the Netherlands. Many Dutch explorers have begun to organize overseas expeditions. They will be the second enemy of the Eastern Roman Ocean Trade, second only to France in terms of threat."

"Your uncle Alfonso is old and has basically stopped taking care of things. Crown Prince João has ascended to the height of power and is carrying out industrial and commercial reforms in the Kingdom of Portugal. He is a shrewd and capable monarch who has found an effective development path for Portugal."

"The Portuguese are preparing to enter the northern market and are actively cooperating with the Hanseatic League to try to exclude the interference of the Netherlands and France, replace them, and sell goods directly to the north."

"However, Portugal is weak after all. It cannot take over a market of more than 20 million people, and it is no match for the Netherlands and France. Prince João is trying to drag us down and use our capital to occupy more markets, which is a model like the United Chamber of Commerce."

"We need their ports, they need our capital, and we have a common interest."

"So you are prepared to accept the Portuguese request?"

Justinian flipped through the documents.

"And the Hanseatic League?"

"Ulrich believes that we cannot just sit back and watch the rise of industry and commerce in the Netherlands and France. The shift of the economic center of gravity from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic is a historical trend. If we want to make plans as soon as possible, we should support Portugal and even revive the Hanseatic League."

Isaac said.

"Ulrich believes that the decline of the Hanseatic League will only bring development opportunities to the Netherlands and France. We should find a way to support the Hanseatic League together with the Portuguese, or at least allow them to maintain their transit trade."

"How can I support this? I remember you once said that the decline of the Hanseatic League was inevitable."

Justinian shrugged.

"Is it possible to just give the money directly?"

"This is too low-level. We can indeed provide some loans, but it is not the main form of assistance."

Isaac shook his head.

"In my opinion, the decline of the Hanseatic League was caused by many factors, but the root cause was actually problems with the production areas of their raw materials and handicrafts."

"Prussia, as a source of raw materials, was occupied by Poland, Novgorod was attacked by Moscow, and the Netherlands and France, as sources of handicrafts, no longer needed the Hanseatic League. They wanted to monopolize all the benefits themselves."

"Raw materials are not a big deal. Northern Germany can still supply them. But the tight pressure from the Netherlands and France has caused the Hanseatic League's trade territory to gradually shrink."

"But if we can provide the Hanseatic League with more advanced handicraft products, or goods that France and the Netherlands cannot produce, why should they compete with us?"

Isaac smiled.

"Coffee, tobacco, rubber products, sugar products, fine cotton clothes spun from American cotton, fine silk spun from Morea silk, porcelain from Nicaea and Adrianople, rooibos tea from New Thrace..."

"With these goods, we can inject fresh blood into the Hanseatic League and use them to expand trade channels, while they can continue to earn transit funds."

"In fact, the goods of the Eastern Roman Empire have already been sold to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. However, because the Eastern Empire's previous trade network was limited to the Mediterranean, the South Germans, French and Poles in the middle collected a lot of trade tariffs, resulting in high prices. The trade volume has not been expanded. What we need to do now is to build a new North Atlantic trade network to find more buyers for the empire's goods while suppressing the Dutch."

Isaac spread his hands.

"In any case, the cost of sea transportation is much lower than that of land transportation, and there are no customs inspection stations on the ocean."

Isaac turned around and pointed to the busy Belisariupolis.

"I plan to work with the Portuguese to send envoys to the Hanseatic Queen Lübeck, offer Belisariupolis and Gibraltar as free trade cities, and apply to them for membership."

"The number of members of the Hanseatic League has been decreasing over the years. If some new members join, they should be happy."

"In the future, Belisariupolis, Gibraltar and La Coruña will serve as important components of the Hanseatic League in the south, connecting the Mediterranean with the North Atlantic."

"If manipulated properly, the Eastern Roman capital in Belisariupolis and Gibraltar could quickly flow into the North Atlantic through the Hanseatic League, bringing more advanced trade concepts to the Hanseatic people, and perhaps even helping them make some reforms, thus curbing the commercial expansion of the Netherlands for us."

"Besides that, the ships of the Hanseatic League are too old. When the advanced Eastern Roman merchant ships and Portuguese merchant ships arrive in Lübeck, our shipyards may receive a large order. This will not only bring us a lot of profits, but also enable the Hanseatic fleet to be updated, at least so that they will not be at a disadvantage when facing the Dutch pirates and the Danish pirates."

Isaac said nothing more, and Justinian was thinking about Isaac's words. The two of them rode their horses to the southwest, and the guards followed far behind.

The climatic conditions of Belisariupolis are very favorable. To the southwest is the Ichkeul freshwater wetland, which is rich in aquatic plants and diverse species. Every year, millions of migratory birds including wild ducks, swans and flamingos build nests and overwinter here. It used to be a hunting reserve of the Hafsid dynasty, and in the original time and space it would become a national park of the Republic of Tunisia.

"I haven't been here for a long time, and Ichikur is still so beautiful."

Justinian looked at the wetlands looming in front of him, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

"When I was in charge of Carthage, I lived in a Hafs manor near here for a few months."

Isaac knew the manor Justinian was talking about. It was the inheritance of a Hafsid nobleman. His wife was from the Ottoman Empire. In order to please his wife, the Hafsid nobleman even opened up a large flower field outside the manor.

"Yes, I know. The manor is still there, and the flower fields are still there."

Isaac nodded.

"Go and see?"

"Of course! Want to race horses?"

Justinian winked at Isaac, and before he could respond, he kicked his horse hard and galloped away.

Isaac curled his lips, called to the guards, and also spurred his horse to catch up.

When Isaac arrived outside the flower field, Justinian had been waiting for a long time, holding a clover in his mouth and leaning against a big tree.

"Father, you are old!"

Justinian looked at Isaac, who was a little out of breath, and helped him off the horse.

"Although you weren't very good at riding when you were young."

Isaac rolled his eyes and said nothing.

He was already forty-four years old, which was indeed not considered young in Europe at that time.

Isaac refused Justinian's offer to help him and walked with him toward the flower field.

"Father, I have thought carefully about the things you just mentioned, and I think you are right after all."

Justinian said.

"Culture, commodities, markets, the present, and the future, as a monarch, one must consider all aspects."

Justinian looked at Isaac.

"But there is one thing that I am still a little confused about."

"Well, ask."

Isaac nodded.

"You just said that the westward shift of the economic center is a historical necessity. We, who live deep in the eastern Mediterranean, must make arrangements early to seize the North Atlantic market first and join forces with Portugal and the Hanseatic League to curb the Netherlands and France, which are blessed with natural advantages."

Justinian said carefully.

"However, you clearly expressed your support for Mary, Duchess of Burgundy, and Maximilian, the German prince, helping them to inherit Charles the Bold's legacy and pitting the Habsburgs against the Valois."

"If the development of the Netherlands is restricted, how can the Habsburg family fight against France? The Archduchy of Austria has been owing debts year after year."

"International relations are complex and changeable, as you know."

Isaac stopped and leaned down, scanning the fragrant flower fields.

"I want to support the Habsburgs in their fight against France, and I also want to curb the industry and commerce of the Netherlands. This is not contradictory."

"I will find a faster way to make money for Maximilian and a development direction that better suits our needs for the Dutch. They may even thank me."

Isaac's eyes lit up, he found what he wanted to see, and smiled slyly.

"Now, this is it."

Isaac pointed to a plant in the flower field.

"This plant is originally native to Anatolia. I guess the wealthy merchant from Hafs transplanted it here to please his wife."

"?"

Justinian was stunned and confused.

"flower?"

“This is no ordinary flower.”

Isaac walked forward and picked the blooming flowers.

The flowers have emerald green stems and bright red and yellow petals. Although they have no fragrance, they can firmly attract people's attention.

Isaac knew very well that this was a commercial flower that originated in Anatolia, but eventually became loved and reached its peak in northwestern Europe, and had extremely high economic value.

In the original time and space, due to the extremely rich humus in the Netherlands lowlands, this plant immediately found its ideal home after being introduced to the Netherlands, and quickly gained the love and pursuit of the local people. Various hybrid varieties sprang up like mushrooms after a rain. Since it was introduced to the Netherlands in the mid-16th century, it became their national flower in just a few decades.

This plant brought joy, beauty, and wealth to the Dutch people, but it also brought the first financial crisis in human history, causing countless wealthy Dutch businessmen to go bankrupt overnight and leading to a great depression in all walks of life.

It can be said that it is both a symbol of the Netherlands and the beginning of the Netherlands' decline.

The aristocrat among flowers, tulip.

……

On May 1476, 5, Isaac formally signed and approved the Fugger Plan in the Carthaginian Palace, and summoned Ulrich Fugger back to the country to discuss more details.

The Fugger Plan, also known as the Hanseatic Restoration Plan, aimed to curb the development of industry and commerce in France and the Netherlands by helping the Hanseatic League regain its strength.

During the plan, the Eastern Roman Empire will join forces with the Kingdom of Portugal to conduct friendly negotiations with the Hanseatic League, provide the Hanseatic League with cheap and high-end handicraft products, help them reform their business models, develop the financial and banking industries, and update their existing fleets. If the plan is successful, the Eastern Roman Empire will provide loans to the Hanseatic League to purchase Eastern Roman ships and goods.

In early 1476, as the Grand Duchy of Moscow received a large amount of precious metals and new weapons from the Eastern Roman Empire in the few years after the resumption of the Black Sea-Don River trade, its national strength began to expand. Ivan III soon launched a war against the remaining Novgorod Republic, attempting to end the rule of the republic and completely incorporate it into his own territory.

On June 6, the Grand Duchy of Moscow captured the city of Novgorod, and the Novgorod Republic officially perished. Its territory was completely annexed, and the Grand Duchy of Moscow obtained its first port and tasted the ocean. Grand Duke Ivan completely closed the Hanseatic trading post in Novgorod, drove out all Hanseatic merchants, and confiscated all Hanseatic property.

On June 6, Mary of Burgundy signed the Great Charter under the pressure of Dutch merchants. The Dutch city-states regained a considerable amount of autonomy and trade privileges and began to compete with the Hanseatic League in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

On June 6, the Hanseatic League urgently convened a plenary session in Lübeck to discuss new routes and the accession of La Coruña, Belisariupolis and Gibraltar.

From then on, all the prerequisites of the Fugger Plan were met, and the Eastern Roman Empire took the first step into the North Atlantic trade.

At the same time, Isaac sent several letters to Constantinople, asking the royal coach workshop and crafts masters to add tulip elements to Mary and Maximilian's wedding carriage and wedding diamond rings, and asking the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute to go to Anatolia to collect various tulip tubers as precious wedding gifts to be given to the Dutch.

Isaac believed that these beautiful plants would flourish in the Netherlands lowlands.

(End of this chapter)