The Venetians were able to survive as a mere city for seven hundred years, and even had the strength to compete with the Pope of Rome at one time. It was not just about business.
It can be said that Rome is the source of legitimacy for the nobles throughout Europe.
Then Venice is the money bag of the nobles throughout Europe.
Due to the influence of religion and war, the nobles were not professional in collecting taxes in the territory.
After all, Europe at this time did not have a professional civil service system. In addition to the religious taxes levied by Rome such as the so-called tithes, most of the taxes of the nobility were entrusted to the aristocracy in the form of tax packages.
Merchant of Venice.
If the military and civilians in Europe have to pay taxes, basically... one part is handed over to the Pope in Rome. The other part is passed to the nobles and Venetian tax collectors through Venetian merchants in the form of tax farming.
pocket.
This form of tax farming is often signed by the royal treasurer and one or more contractors. The contractor pays the tax amount to the treasury in advance, obtains the royal taxation rights, and then collects it from the taxpayers.
But as time went by, due to the frequent wars, many nobles' taxes could no longer meet their requirements for war, so they often chose to borrow money from merchants.
Therefore, in addition to tax farming, trade and colonial gains, Venetian merchants... also had one main business...lending.
In Europe in this era, the harsh lending interest rates are no joke. The interest rates are extremely high. Moreover, ordinary people in Europe are not allowed to borrow money for religious reasons, and the lending business is almost monopolized by the pagan group of Venetian merchants.
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Not only that, but these lending businesses were almost usury carefully packaged by Venetian merchants.
Because of this, the Merchant of Venice was hated by all Europeans, so that more than a hundred years later, once Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" was performed, it immediately became popular in Europe.
This city of Venice, in a sense, is actually equivalent to the tax collectors, loan sharks, traders and colonists throughout Europe.
As the governor, Tommaso Mocenig actually did not have much power. Venice was a city-state established by a group of merchants. Although he was named governor, he was actually just a representative of the merchants.
Therefore, the only thing Tommaso Mocenig can do is to assist the Ming army. He must first stabilize the big businessmen and start collecting ransoms at the same time.
Sure enough, after hearing that the Ming army only collected ransom, almost all the big businessmen breathed a sigh of relief.
Of course, this is also a common practice in Europe. When a city is occupied, it is necessary to pay a ransom. It is levied on a per-capita basis and buying the lives of the entire city is beneficial and harmless to the big businessmen.
Maybe for the poor, this is a big income, but for the big businessmen, it's just a drop in the bucket.
Since Venice is in the hands of big businessmen, the big businessmen have worked extra hard. They have actually begun to come forward to maintain order, and have even begun to organize people to collect ransoms from the residents of the city. Of course, it is safe to collect the ransom earlier, after all, these
Outsiders, be careful, lest you have long nights and many dreams.
It can be said that everything went very smoothly. In almost every street and every household, with the help of the merchant group, the Ming army stationed there did not even need to take action. Only the mercenaries of the merchant group were able to pay the ransom very quickly.
Turn in the number.
But such behavior soon caused divisions in the city of Venice. The poor were forced by the merchants and were left destitute and resentful.
The merchants ignored this, and when the ransoms were delivered to Qiu Song one after another, Qiu Song was overjoyed.
"You still have a way." Qiu Song showed admiration and said cheerfully: "I originally thought I would still rob him."
When Tommaso Mosenig saw Qiu Song's smile, his tense face finally relaxed a little, and he said angrily: "General, this is what I should do."
Qiu Song said: "You did a good job. Next, you have to work harder!"
Tommaso Mosenig couldn't help but laugh when he received Qiu Song's praise.
But Erdan, who was in charge of translating, had an increasingly clear contempt for Tommaso Mosenig on his face.
This is not only due to the fact that Erdan, who came from the Holy See, has a deep-seated hatred for heretics like Tommaso Mocenig.
In addition, the identity of the Merchant of Venice is also the object of contempt for Erdan!
Not to mention, Erdan knew very well that Tommaso Mosenig's behavior was not just groveling, but betraying his own people.
At this time, Tommaso Mosenig said respectfully: "The garrison has cut off trade routes, and now it's time to sell food! General, please rest assured, I will make arrangements..."
Qiu Song waved his hand and said, "Let's go as soon as possible."
Tommaso Mocenig hurried away.
Erdan frowned and couldn't help but said to Qiu Song: "General Qiu, what is your evaluation of these businessmen?"
Qiu Song glanced at Erdan and saw the disdain on Erdan's face. He said disapprovingly: "I don't care."
Erdan: "..."
He always felt that communicating with General Qiu was extremely difficult.
Looking at Erdan's complicated expression, Qiu Song said calmly: "This is your business, I just want the result!"
After a pause, Qiu Song seemed to have thought of something. He stared at Er Dan and said, "Is there no news from Rome?"
Erdan's mood was almost suffocating. He slowly came out of his bitter hatred for the Venetians, because... what he had to face was also a difficult choice.
In fact, Rome is now in a quarrel, and the debate over whether to compromise or fight to the death has reached the point of endless chatter.
The tithes levied by Rome allowed the entire city of Rome to accumulate a huge amount of wealth, but this did not mean that they were willing to give it up.
But the strength of the Ming army far exceeded their imagination. Even a strong city like Venice, which had stood for seven hundred years, was destroyed overnight. Who can ensure the safety of Rome?
Under Qiu Song's impatient gaze, Erdan could only say: "It may still take some time."
Qiu Song looked at him with raised eyebrows and said, "You're not playing tricks, are you?"
Erdan's heart skipped a beat and he quickly shook his head and said, "No..."
However, Qiu Song interrupted him and said arrogantly: "Don't be afraid even if you are being mean. Of course, if you want to go back on your word, fail to fulfill your agreement, and fail to give these 'gifts', then for the sake of our acquaintance, I
, I will simply give you one month to prepare! Within one month, I will not attack Rome, and your Pope will have enough time to gather the troops, just in time to fight me to the death."
After Erdan heard this, instead of being happy, he was even more shocked.
Only he knew that his back was already covered with dense cold sweat.
When an enemy tells you, I will give you ten rounds, then this person is either a fool, or an existence that you absolutely cannot afford to offend.
Obviously, the other party seems to be the former, but it is 100% sure that it is not the latter at the same time.
Erdan's face froze for a moment, then he quickly regained his composure, reluctantly withdrew a little smile and said: "I will edit the letter again and go to Rome. Please trust me, General. I will definitely facilitate this matter."
Erdan has now transformed into a peacemaker. Even in the many letters he wrote to Rome, he almost constantly exaggerated the power of the Ming army. Because no European in the world understands better than him that this army at the moment
The fleet is something that Rome cannot afford to offend, so it is best to find a way to raise money quickly.
The city of Venice... suddenly began to run out of food.
After that, food prices began to rise in the city.
The food in ordinary grain stores has long been sold out, but now, this food has become the exclusive specialty of the Governor's Palace.
On the first day, it increased seven times. On the second day, it increased to fifteen times. On the third day, it increased to forty-five times.
As a result, on the first day, everyone just spent all their money and tried to buy food to satisfy their hunger.
But on the second day, things changed.
Tommaso Moseniger is indeed one of the great merchants and a leader among Venetian merchants.
Because by the second day, the poor had almost no way to buy food, but the small businessmen... could actually buy food to survive.
It's just that... for small businessmen and ordinary wealthy households, such a rise in food prices makes them even more frightened.
Because no one is sure where food prices will be tomorrow.
Therefore, almost everyone's first choice is to buy grain, and they try every means to buy grain. Almost everyone invariably spends all their wealth to purchase grain for storage.
Sure enough, food prices continued to rise, and within a few days, almost all small businessmen and wealthy households almost ran out of money.
But the big businessmen are almost watching with cold eyes. For them, even if the food increases by a hundred times or a thousand times, they will not be embarrassed by the food.
For them, what they care more about is... stability!
This craze for food grabbing is obviously inappropriate for them.
Until...when food prices suddenly began to recover, all the small businessmen almost started wailing.
They went bankrupt and spent tens or hundreds of times of all their wealth on food. Suddenly, overnight, it began to fall, and at the same time, large quantities of food began to be supplied. Even the Ming army began to implement certain poverty relief laws. Those poor people who had been hungry for many days,
Suddenly, black bread began to be distributed. Although the black bread was barely 200 grams per person per day, all the small businessmen's wealth was wiped out overnight.
The entire city of Venice began to be filled with a feeling of resentment. The poor were held for ransom by the big merchants, the hungry civilians and craftsmen, and the small businessmen who had lost everything.
Under such a situation of widespread complaints, Qiu Song arrived at the Governor's Palace with his guards, and then, after making careful arrangements with Tommaso Mosenig overnight, early the next morning, suddenly,
A large number of captains began to dispatch, and according to the map provided by Tommaso Mosenig, overnight, they began to surround the mansions of big businessmen.
In the city of Venice, a chilling atmosphere began to appear.
The captains rushed directly into the mansion and began to search it.
At the same time, the governor and his people began to accept reports.
Obviously, this effect is very good, because the conflicts between big businessmen and civilians, small businessmen and even servants have accumulated before. Many people already hate these big businessmen, not to mention, if it is valuable information, it can also provide
A certain bounty.
All of a sudden, the hidden vaults and goods were unearthed one by one.
All the big businessmen were invited to the Governor's Mansion, and they were asked to immediately provide clues about their money. Only by surrendering all their gold and silver could the lives of the whole family be saved.
But if you refuse to let go and are reported by others, then it will be a situation where both people and money will be lost.
They are big businessmen, not ordinary small-time rich people.
The wealthy local man can secretly bury his jar of gold and silver in a courtyard.
But such big businessmen have so much wealth that it is impossible for just one person to keep such wealth privately.
Therefore, they must hire manpower, there will be dedicated people to provide them with cashier services, and there will also be some loyal servants to look after their warehouses.
For these big Venetian businessmen who were directly claiming to have been deceived, they all trembled with fear. It must be said that Tommaso Mosenig's method was very effective, and it could be said that it was specially tailored for his compatriots.
In the end, what the Ming army had to do was to seal up all the gold and silver, and... abandon all the ballast stones on all ships, and even dismantle many heavy objects. Then, they began to be responsible for carrying the gold and silver aboard the ships.
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It took half a month to carry these gold and silver. A lot of manpower, under the supervision of captains, was constantly carrying heavy cargo and boarding the ship.
But at this moment, this city that has stood for seven hundred years through loans, taxation, colonization, and trade, is completely empty from this moment on.
Not only gold, but also all silver jewelry and tableware made of silver. This silver originally came from the trade in North Africa and the silver mines in Greece and the Czech Republic. A considerable part of it came from the Crusaders at that time.
Proceeds of plunder in the East.
Qiu Song had no time to be happy, but Erdan and Donkey Ball came to the door.
For this reason, Donkey Ball made a special trip back to Rome to report the situation in Venice!
After a heated argument, Rome finally made its decision.
He came in a hurry with the news, saw Qiu Song, and saluted Qiu Song first: "General, on behalf of the Pope, I would like to send my greetings to you."
Qiu Song said simply and directly: "Where is the money?"
Donkey Ball's face stiffened for a moment, then he took a deep breath and said, "We are determined to present a gift to the general..."
As he spoke, he took out a list and handed it into Qiu Song's hand.
It was all translated by Donkey Ball in Chinese, so Qiu Song could understand it naturally. But when he saw the number, Qiu Song frowned and said with great dissatisfaction: "Are you sending the beggar away? I came all the way here and didn't avoid it.
We have fought for you through hardships and dangers, and shed blood and sweat for you, and you only have to pay for this little gold and silver?"
Donkey Ball was sweating profusely at this time, and he looked frightened.
Qiu Song said with an angry look on his face: "Your gold and silver are not as good as one-tenth of what I got here in Venice! Since you look down on us, there is nothing to say. Let's meet in arms."
Donkey Ball smiled bitterly and prayed: "General... we are allies..."
Qiu Song curled his lips and sneered, then said: "With this little gold and silver, do you dare to call us allies? If you say so, then I will be rude."
Donkey Ball: "..."
Donkey Ball and Erdan looked at each other, and then...Donkey Ball took a deep breath and said, "Actually, there is another plan."
Qiu Song still looked at him with a sneer.
Donkey Ball's hand took out another list from his pocket and handed it to Qiu Song: "General, does he think it's feasible?"
Qiu Song took the list, looked down at it, and frowned.
In fact, he had known that Donkey Ball must be playing tricks, and Qiu Song was following Zhang Anshi. He had seen this method countless times, and when did he not ask for a high price, then pay back the money on the ground?
The authorization obtained by this donkey ball is definitely not as simple as the first list. This first list is just a test! What really counts at the bottom of the box is the one Qiu Song is holding now.
It's all leftover from his elder brother's fun!
After Qiu Song scanned the list carefully, he just smiled and said: "Well...this number is not impossible..."
Erdan and Donkey Ball didn't show any relaxed expressions, instead they looked painful.
Qiu Song continued: "One more thing, since we are allies, it is naturally our own family. Of course, this family does not speak two languages. Venice is a good place. From now on, I, Da Ming, will not be polite and occupy
This is a treasure land of Feng Shui. But... we still know the rules, and we always have to ask the Pope for a small favor, sign an agreement or something..."
When Erdan heard this, he was shocked. He immediately understood what the other party had planned.
These people not only wanted to plunder and plunder severely, but also had long planned to stay there. The reason why they attacked Venice was not because they fell into their so-called scheme, but because they had planned it for a long time.
These people robbed all the Venetian merchants in order to replace these Venetian merchants!
All of a sudden, everything can be figured out.
The reason why the Venetian merchants were born in Europe is precisely because in the Middle Ages, a Christian was not allowed to borrow money, and there was no reason to stabilize the civil servant class. The nobles also had the need to pay taxes, and Venice itself was in a
The thoroughfare of the Mediterranean Sea, from which shipping can radiate to the entire Europe and even North Africa and the Near East, gave rise to the city-state of Venice today.
Nowadays, all the Venetian merchants have been wiped out, and next, these merchants from the Ming Dynasty replaced them.
If this is the case, then wouldn’t it be in vain for the Holy See, which tried to destroy the Venetian merchants, to drive away the tigers and wolf the wolves?
Moreover, these merchants of the Ming Dynasty may become even more powerful in the future, even more powerful than the merchants of Venice.
At this thought, Erdan and Donkey Ball couldn't help but shudder. It was like a basin of cold water being poured from head to toe, making them tremble all over.