November mid, Vitus returns Constantinople.
After being away for more than a week, a lot of official documents accumulated in the study. He picked up a box of documents and put it on the desk and started to work.
"Any news on France?"
Vitus picked up a document, which mentioned that Charles VII arrested Finance Minister Jacques Coeur and announced the confiscation of all his assets.
Jacques Coeur came from a humble background and was engaged in the fur business in Bourges in his early years. When Charles VII was down and out, this businessman took the opportunity to gain his trust, and then gradually climbed up and entered the power of the kingdom Central Administration.
A few years ago, Jacques Coeur obtained the title of nobility and made the leap from businessman to nobility. He did not expect to fall so quickly.
"Well, this is the price of becoming a favorite. When you are lucky, the monarch will promote you to his confidant. One day, the monarch will get tired of your existence, and those colleagues who are jealous of you will swarm in and divide your power and property."
Vitus sighed inwardly, put down this Foreign Affairs briefing, and turned to deal with another document.
At the same time, a merchant ship flying two flags, Genoa and France, sailed into Golden Horn.
After the merchant ship stopped, a well-dressed middle-aged man walked off the trestle, followed by a young woman and a dozen attendants.
The middle-aged man's name was Jean Cole, and he was the French governor in Genoa. When he received the news that his father had been arrested, he decisively packed his luggage and ran away by boat with his mistress. After the merchant ship left the port of Genoa, he realized a grim fact: Where should he take refuge?
Coeur's first idea was to hide incognito and hide in a small unknown place.
However, if wealthy businessmen from other places live in seclusion in the countryside, they will definitely attract the covetous attention of villagers and bandits. Coeur carries too much wealth and is not suitable to stay in remote villages. He should stay in towns with relatively stable order.
The first thing he thought of was Florence's partner. The problem was that Florence was weak and facing the threat of France, the consul would definitely send him back to France for trial.
The same situation applies to Aragon and Naples.
At this stage, France is powerful, and there are not many monarchs who have the confidence to oppose Charles VII. The most suitable place for exile is England, but the merchant ship Coeur has poor wind and wave resistance and is not suitable for sailing in Atlantic Ocean.
After thinking for a long time, Coeur only had one choice left - to escape to Constantinople...
"What a spectacular scene. It is indeed the largest city in Europe."
Coeur observed the hundreds of ships moored in the bay, the clock tower under construction in the distance, and the towering roofs of Hagia Sophia, and felt that the wealth of this place was far greater than Paris.
After watching for a moment, Coeur ordered his entourage to guard the merchant ship, and he found a nearby civilian restaurant to eat.
The layout of this restaurant is the same as that of several nearby restaurants. There is an L-shaped stone stove inside, with clay pots containing food and drinks placed on it.
According to the owner's introduction, most civilian restaurants have this kind of layout. It is estimated that it was a custom brought over by Rome residents when they moved to Constantinople in the fourth century AD. "Fish Soup, vegetable soup, wheat porridge, and beef and sheep offal are all common foods in Western cities." Coeur was born in a merchant family, so this is not surprising.
The city has a large population, and slaughterhouses slaughter a large number of pigs, cattle, and sheep every day. The middle and upper classes get large pieces of pure meat, and the remaining offal becomes cheap meat for the citizen class.
In terms of meat consumption, rural people are often inferior to urban residents.
Citizens can spend a few copper coins to buy tripe or lamb liver to improve their food, but rural areas do not have this condition. Villagers rarely slaughter livestock, and many villages do not have full-time butchers. Even if someone is willing to pay, they cannot buy the cheap offal they want...
"The haggis soup you asked for." The shopkeeper put a bowl of haggis soup on the dining table, interrupting Coeur's memories.
Coeur picked up the tin tableware provided by the restaurant and found that the preparation of beef and sheep offal here was similar to Italy:
Mixing the ingredients with garlic, onions, and local herbs and stewing them can remove the fishy smell of the internal organs.
The broth is generally brown, with some chopped Sage, Thyme and Parsley sprinkled on the surface. The most eye-catching are the large pieces of tripe, which have been simmered for a long time and have slightly rolled edges.
Coeur Stir with a spoon and take out some chopped lamb liver and lungs from below. The onions have been completely stewed, losing their original outline and almost melting into the soup.
"Well, it tastes pretty good."
Compared with the food on the ship, this bowl of haggis soup is a rare delicacy. Coeur was sweating profusely after eating it, and even asked for a bottle of wine to go with it.
After having enough food and wine, he happily paid the bill, and then searched for news about acquaintances in the Italy settlement, hoping to find a way for him to meet the emperor. After a busy afternoon, he was lucky enough to find a friend from his youth who was running a high-end fur shop and had a fairly enthusiastic attitude.
"Yesterday, a France merchant ship arrived at the dock. I heard about your family's situation. At that time, I was still worried about whether you could escape capture. I didn't expect you to run so fast and suddenly appear at Constantinople."
A friend invited Coeur into the backyard to have a rest. When he learned what this guy really thought, he was immediately troubled.
"John VIII has a gentle personality. If you complained to him during his reign, you might be able to meet your needs. Now Vitus I is a strong monarch. He does not have such a good temper and rarely meets with irrelevant people."
Even so, Coeur still refused to give up and entrusted his friends to introduce some important people who could speak to the emperor.
"Are you sure?" The other party hesitated again and again, and finally introduced Coeur to Thomas·Palaiologos's housekeeper.
Two days later, at noon.
Imperial Council ended, Vitus walked out of the Alexius Hall, only to be stopped by Thomas. The latter lowered his voice. "Jacques Coeur's son Jean Coeur is taking refuge in this city. Are you interested in meeting him?"
There is no doubt that Jean Coeur has been Genoa Governor for a long time and must have accumulated a considerable amount of income. In addition to the money he carried, there were also remittances stored in Italy Bank.
However, Vitus neither intends to seize this wealth nor is he willing to publicly protect his predecessor Governor.
Eastern Roman Empire's Foreign Affairs focuses on recruiting allies to fight Venice, France, Jagiellon Dynasty, Holy See are all worthy of attention. If Eastern Roman Empire declares to protect members of the Coeur family, it is equivalent to offending Charles VII and pushing him into the Venice camp.
"Uh, you mean to wait and see for a while?" Thomas's reaction was a little frustrated, obviously receiving a lot of benefits from Coeur.
If he receives money but fails to accomplish anything, his reputation will be seriously affected once the news spreads.
"You are the one who collects the money, not me." Vitus didn't explain too much. He was in a hurry to go back to eat and deal with the official documents piled up in the study, and had no time to deal with this nonsense.