As the citizens talked among themselves, Vitus walked toward the carriage at the edge of the square. It took him along the main road northwest to Blachernae Palace. There was no speech, no triumphal procession, and no other celebration.
At four that afternoon, Vitus returned to Blachernae Palace. Rather than summon anyone to a meeting, he sent Carlo and more than fifty attendants to examine the accounts. They had to establish the current state of affairs before the next day's Imperial Council meeting.
Early the next morning, Vitus received a summary.
Revenue for 1443 had been 2.1 million Florins.
In peacetime, the army cost 1.2 million Florins to maintain, and the navy cost 150,000 Florins. Administrative expenses came to 500,000. Funding for the church had risen to 200,000 to rebuild the dioceses in the newly recovered provinces. Miscellaneous expenses approached 100,000, and another 150,000 was needed to repay loans.
Even without a war, the Eastern Roman Empire's annual expenses reached 2.3 million Florins.
Early the previous year, the Eastern Roman Empire had clashed with the Ottoman Empire along the border. A decisive battle at Konya followed in autumn, after which Cappadocia and other territories were recovered. The year's fighting and rewards had cost 600,000 Florins in all, while the spoils turned over to the treasury had been scant.
In the end, the deficit for 1443 had reached 800,000 Florins.
The 1444 offensive against Cilicia and Antioch had also cost a great deal. It would probably produce another deficit.
Vitus turned to the last page of the ledger. He thought the situation was still manageable.
"The empire owes 1.6 million at present. But that's all right. If we repay part of the loans each year, the treasury can hold on. After some
time, the newly conquered territories will begin paying taxes,