kingdom of nations

Chapter 241 Trivial Matters (Part 2)

Fortunately, César lived not in the Frankish or English regions, but in the Mediterranean region, which was deeply influenced by Eastern civilization.

So Dandolo wouldn't be too surprised to hear that he wanted to promote the use of the decimal system.

Throughout human history, the application of number systems has been a challenging problem.

The decimal system is perhaps the oldest counting system because it has a rather simple advantage: humans are born with ten fingers.

When they need to count, they can simply extend or bend their fingers to easily associate them with numbers.

But equally ancient is the sexagesimal system, developed by the Sumerians and Babylonians for use in astronomy and mathematical calculations.

Its origins are now unknown, but this system of units is still in use in time and astronomy. For example, a minute has sixty seconds, and an hour has sixty minutes.

The vigesimal system originated from the Mayan civilization, which was quite far from both Europe and the Mediterranean region. At least César had never heard of anyone using the vigesimal system there.

However, the most prevalent number in Europe is the duodecimal.

To an Indian, the duodecimal system might be a difficult counting method to understand.

However, in the teachings of Heraclius and other teachers, twelve was considered a sacred number.

For example, Jesus Christ had twelve disciples; the high priest's breastplate had twelve precious stones; the new Arazars will have twelve gates, and twelve angels will be on the gates; in the Old Testament era, there were twelve tribes, and so on.

Therefore, this number has rich spiritual significance in the Bible. It represents God's chosen people, signifies the connection between the New and Old Testaments, and embodies the completeness and perfection that God has given to mankind.

But Chirac also said that, in order to trace back to the number twelve, people can continue to turn back the clock to even more distant places.

For example, the ancient Egyptians divided day and night into twelve parts, the ancient Romans divided the year into twelve months, and the ancient Babylonians divided all the constellations into the twelve zodiac signs. It is also possible that for people from even earlier times, a pair of hands not only had ten fingers, but also three phalanges (excluding the thumb), so they were able to use the phalanges instead of their fingers to count.

In later generations' understanding, the duodecimal system was sometimes more practical than the decimal system because it is a highly composite number. Simply put, it is divisible by many numbers, such as two, three, four, and six, while ten is only divisible by two and five. Thus, the duodecimal system was more convenient for merchants to conduct transactions than the decimal system.

This method of calculation used by merchants even extended to the conversion mechanism of weight and currency, which is what later generations criticized the most—one pound was equal to twelve shillings, or the number of a certain item was a dozen (12).

But Cesar's intention to promote the decimal system was not merely out of nostalgia for the past, but also because his current situation compelled him to do so.

The debate over the merits of the duodecimal and decimal systems continues even centuries later. However, as mentioned earlier, the greatest advantage of the decimal system is that it can be learned through physiological counting. In other words, even without any formal education, a child can gain mathematical enlightenment through finger-based counting.

Furthermore, unit conversions are much simpler in the decimal system. The numerals only need to start from zero to nine, without needing to use 'a' to represent ten and 'b' to represent eleven as in the duodecimal system.

This will make it easier for people to understand tax laws.

He had already required that his tax officials and all those dispatched to various cities and farms be proficient in the decimal system and the numerals used by the Saracens, and that they teach the decimal system and its numerals to the artisans and farmers.

They may not be able to recite poetry or read scriptures, but they must be able to accurately associate their income and expenses with those strange and unusual patterns.

Dandolo immediately understood that Cesar's move was to prevent tax officials from continuing to use deceptive methods to increase taxes after he issued the new tax rates.

He had seen how officials, priests, merchants, and even some artisans used various methods to cheat farmers who couldn't even count from one to ten, and all they got in return was a few copper coins.

However, if they were to use this method for tax collection, the profits they would obtain would be astronomical.

He finally understood why the Venetians were complaining so much. In particular, the decimal system was a new thing for them, and they could no longer use their old methods. Even if they did, they might be caught red-handed.

But is this certainly a good thing for Lord Cesar? No one is lining their own pockets or deceiving their superiors—even though Cesar has generously lowered tax rates and abolished some taxes, the tax revenue he can obtain from Cyprus will still be higher than that of any previous governor.

“I know many people are complaining to you about this,” Cesar said understandingly, “but rest assured, in a few days you will no longer hear these annoying noises.”

"How to say?"

“My teacher, Patriarch Heraclius of Arrassal, recommended some people to me, and Baldwin also provided me with some low-ranking officials. I also plan to recruit some Cypriots.”

Oh, and Richard, Duke of Aquitaine, said he would also find me some men, though they were a bit old, who had served his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Back then, they were working at the Frankish court, but their situation became difficult after Eleanor's engagement to Louis VII was declared invalid, and she married Henry II of England, taking Aquitaine with her.

Henry II was unwilling to use people who had served Louis VII, and Louis VII would not allow a former wife's retainer to remain in his court.

These people were driven out, looking rather disheveled. Duchess Eleanor had originally intended to establish a monastery university so they could earn a living.

Now, if those people are willing or still have some ambition, they will arrive in Cyprus before Lent.

Upon hearing this, Dandolo remained silent for a moment. "How many people would there be?"

"It shouldn't be much, and I'm more inclined to believe you."

"Believe me, don't you mean believe the Venetians?" Dandolo almost rolled his eyes, but at least he had an excuse to fob off those naive guys.

That's how people are. When someone is well-dressed, they receive flowers and gold coins; but when someone is in rags, they are met with fists, cold stares, and spittle.

The new ruler of Cyprus is neither the latter nor the former; he is in a delicate and awkward period of uncertainty. With his charm, skill, and even his persistence, he will likely become the true king of the land within the next few years.

The Venetians' advantage has only been in the last few years. If they are willing to fully support Cesar, Dandolo believes that Cesar's return will be substantial.

But if they took the opportunity to blackmail or even betray him, Cesar probably wouldn't show any mercy. He remembered the words he had told his granddaughter, and it seemed he could also tell those people. He knew there were still some people who looked down on this unfamiliar Crusader knight. They only saw his unsavory past before the age of nine, but forgot that since the age of nine, he had become Baldwin's closest squire. Although he didn't grow up in the castle, he received the same education as Baldwin during those crucial years.

These people are sometimes truly blind, but that's understandable. After all, not to mention humans, even wild animals will subconsciously lean towards guesses that are advantageous to themselves.

“Then so be it,” Dandolo said frankly. “I accept it, and I welcome it. I will try my best to get them to accept it, but…” He paused, put the Ducat gold coin back in its place, and asked inquiringly, “Among those people you mentioned, are the Isaacs included?”

“The Isaacs…” Cesar tossed the gold coin back into the coin box with a crisp clatter. “My notice didn’t restrict faith. Isaacs, Christians, Saracens are all welcome to study and take exams. If they can do it, I won’t refuse to use them.”

Do you have a prejudice against the Isaacs?

“Prejudice, or rather, prejudice,” Cesar said thoughtfully. “You see, once someone gets used to taking shortcuts, it’s not easy to get them onto a more rugged and difficult path. The Isaacs have been tax farmers for thousands of years; they’ve become accustomed to whipping the soles of the feet of the lower classes to take the last penny from their pockets, or even a few peas from their fields.”

I have met several Isaacs, and even kept an Isaac craftsman. But when I met him in Falstadt, only some Saracens were willing to pay for his ransom, not his own people.

In Damascus, he was even identified by his own people—he could have escaped, for the simple reason that he refused to join them in their rebellion…” Cesar said, smiling. “Of course, the Isaacs did not consider this a despicable act.”

For them, opportunism, distorting the truth, turning black into white, and unscrupulous means are all words worthy of praise.

If they treat their own kind this way, I cannot be sure whether, even if I have enacted laws and made my intentions clear, they will be able to control their greed and refrain from doing things that anger me.

"I could certainly hang them all then, but even if I did, their assets would become another gain for me. Wouldn't it be the people of Cyprus who suffer the persecution and harm?"

"They were neither Franks nor Christians."

“Then let me put it another way,” Cesar said with a smile. “As heretics, wouldn’t they have to pay more taxes for me?”

Indeed, in Christian countries at this time, whether it was Antioch, Tripoli, Alassane, or even Edessa, the taxes paid by pagans in conquered territories to maintain their original faith were three times that of Christians. This was one of the most important parts of the lord's income, second only to the donations of pilgrims and the commercial taxes of merchants, and sometimes even equal to them.

If he were to use the Isaacs, the believers of the orthodox church would surely flee in droves, and Cyprus would decline day by day. But if he were to follow his method, he would have to ensure that Cyprus could remain in his hands for a long time—otherwise, it would be better to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Do you think you can rule this place for long?

If he cannot maintain his rule, César's current actions will amount to clownish folly.

“I don’t know, but I think as long as you’re human, you’ll always want to go towards the light.” César also wondered whether he should implement the new policies that he had thought about countless times before so hastily and hastily.

He had previously owned Bethlehem, but Bethlehem was a small city, and he had almost no income other than business taxes, donations, and poll taxes; even so, the Isaacs there still caused him a lot of trouble.

Cyprus is undoubtedly larger, more diverse, and more important than Bethlehem. And for Cypriots, the deterrent effect of the previous seven days of mourning still lingers; nothing could be better than implementing the new regulations and tax rates at this time.

Dandolo shared this view, just like the new currency to be minted. Although it would be troublesome and cumbersome, and might cause dissatisfaction among some people, if it could be truly implemented, it would only benefit future rulers and cause no harm.

"How heavy are you planning to mint these gold coins?"

César was about to answer when he remembered that people don't use grams anymore. A Venetian ducat weighed about 3.56 grams. Based on a gold ounce of 31.1 grams, and removing impurities (99.7% gold content), it was about one-tenth of a gold ounce…

"Based on the weight of Ducatier."

"So, how many gold coins do you plan to mint?"

"First, cast... ten thousand pieces."

"It's a little bit... but that's okay, we can see the reaction first."

Because of Cesar's requirements, it was impossible for the new currency to be issued on a large scale.

Dandolo wanted to ask Cesar if the design for the gold coin had been finalized. The ruler's portrait had to appear on the coin, but he didn't know whether to use a front or side view, or whether to include a crown.
Should it adopt the Byzantine style or the Frankish style? Should the reverse side feature a cross or an image of Jesus Christ, and should it be inscribed with the heraldic proverbs?

Now that the edges of the currency already have delicate patterns to prevent people from wearing them down, the maxims around the coin can perhaps be removed. In that case, should the lord's name be engraved?
However, these were all minor matters, and they discussed them casually while sipping their hot tea.

The old man even wondered if Cesar and Portia's relationship was indeed as good as people said, could he contribute some of Portia's gold to mint some gold or silver coins for her?
This was very common in ancient Rome and Greece, where gold coins would feature the portraits of both the emperor and the empress.

Just as he was putting together his thoughts, a servant came to report that Lady Portia's maid had come to inquire whether the lord had time to meet with her.

Dandolo looked at Cesar, who simply nodded casually, without needing to give a clear answer, and the servant withdrew.

His granddaughter Portia walked in almost immediately. The whole process didn't look like an announcement, but rather like a necessary procedure that could be simplified several times over.

Portia didn't care, and Cesar cared even less.

Portia approached them and bowed to her husband and grandfather. Then, with a slight twitch of her chin, a maid placed a chest on the table behind her, and she and her servants withdrew.

Dandolo instinctively reached out his hand. In the past, Portia would always snuggle up to her elderly grandfather, and they would support and care for each other. But this time, his hand went empty.

He should have realized that Portia now had another guardian. Portia was sitting next to Cesar, and when she saw her grandfather’s meaningful look, she blushed slightly, but then straightened her back. Just as her grandfather said, what’s wrong with a wife loving her husband?

Besides, her husband is very worthy of her love.

(End of this chapter)