In early November 1452, Atlantic Ocean.
The sky was gloomy, the dark blue sea was undulating, and a three-masted sailboat was sailing along the zigzag with difficulty.
At the height of the mast, the lookout held the mast with his left hand and looked into the distance with his telescope in his right hand. Through the hazy rain curtain, he saw the looming castle on the top of the mountain in the distance.
The lookout shouted excitedly, "I see Saint George's Castle, and ahead is Lisbon."
(Saint George's Castle is the location of the Portugal palace.)
After a while, the scenery ahead became clearer and clearer. The sailboat sailed slowly towards the wide entrance of the Tagus River. The captain used telescopes to observe the defenders on both sides of the fortress, and found that the other party was also observing him with telescopes.
"Reef sails into port."
After receiving the order, the sailors pulled the ropes on the deck and used the rigging of the sailboat to furl the sail upwards like a curtain.
Next, some of the most experienced and skilled sailors climbed up the main mast with the help of ropes and reached the twenty-meter-high transom (crossmast).
As cold raindrops came towards us, the sailors stepped on the step ropes under the beam, folded the initially gathered canvas, and then tied the canvas to the beam with ropes.
This process was extremely dangerous. The rain made the transverse girder and the step ropes below slippery. The sailors did not have any fixing measures. On the one hand, they had to maintain balance at high altitude, and on the other hand, they had to quickly tie up the sail ropes to avoid slowing down the progress of the crew members.
Suddenly, a short exclamation broke out on the deck. A sailor accidentally stepped on the air ladder and fell straight from the top of the beam into the sea, his body rising and falling with the sea.
The captain cursed and shouted loudly, "Quickly, put down Longboat and throw him a rope."
The ordinary sailors and apprentice sailors on the deck began to take action.
Someone threw a rope to where his companion fell into the water. As the hull continued to move, the distance between the two sides continued to expand. The person who fell into the water struggled in the water, but could never catch the target.
Soon, a Longboat was put into the sea, and eight sailors rowed the famous oars towards their companion, and before he lost heat, they dragged him above the Longboat.
After the storm, the sailing work of the sailboat was coming to an end. The ship relied on inertia to sail to the dock, and finally anchored on the sea dozens of steps away. Two Longboat belonging to the port came over and dragged the sailboat to the dock with ropes.
A Portugal businessman carried a package and walked on the trestle towards the harbor. "I have been away from my hometown for more than a year, and it seems that nothing has changed."
The nearby port clerk and tax collector stopped him and exclaimed, "Bernardo? I remember that you took a ship to East Africa last year to do business. Why are you returning now on a Genoa ship? What happened?"
Bernardo showed a nonchalant expression, "The reason is very simple. This time, I entrusted the goods to my partner and asked him to follow the ship around to the south of Africa.
I chose the Red Sea route from Greece: from Massawa Port to Lisbon, the whole journey took only four months, minus the time waiting for the ship at the port, which normally only takes three months.
In comparison, our Africa route is dangerous and troublesome, and it will take six months if we are lucky. If we encounter a storm and deviate midway, it is estimated that we will have to drift at sea for eight months or even longer."
After chatting for a few minutes, Bernardo left the wet, cold and rainy pier and returned to the mansion near the pier to rest.
In the early morning of the next day, Bernardo put on a dignified dark blue woolen robe and faced the cold wind towards Saint George's Castle, who was high on the hillside.
The walls of the fortress are light yellow, with square towers at regular intervals. Outside the main entrance stands a row of guards on duty, equipped with plate armor and Halberd, and wearing bright robes on the outside.
Bernardo lowered his head to tidy up his appearance and found that the hem of his robe was stained with a small stain, which was the muddy water splashed when he encountered a puddle on the way.
He was in a bad mood, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Lisbon has a long history, and the urban area is full of complex narrow streets. Due to the lack of sewers, rainwater easily accumulates in certain depressions, and the sanitary conditions are extremely poor.
This is the norm in most cities, and he has been accustomed to it for a long time. It was not until three years ago, when Bernardo was doing business in Constantinople, that he realized for the first time that big cities could be so clean.
Comparing the two, my hometown is simply a slum.
He turned around and looked down at the entire city at the foot of the mountain. Tagus River was filled with light morning mist. Hundreds of ships, large and small, were moored on the river. The bare masts looked like a forest with all its leaves. The outline of the fortress on the south bank was blurred everywhere in his field of vision.
"It's far worse than Golden Horn."
Bernardo sighed for a moment and walked to the palace gate to announce his intention. After waiting for more than an hour, an attendant led the visitor into the main hall of the castle.
The current king is Alfonso V (not the same person as Alfonso V of Aragon), who is twenty years old this year.
Alfonso's goal is to attack Morocco. His interest in overseas exploration is limited to money. As long as overseas territories and merchants can submit enough profits, he doesn't care what happens.
"You came back from the East, India spices are cheap? How much can you earn?"
Bernardo replied, "The price of spices is cheap. If shipped from the coast of India to Lisbon, the price can be increased ten times. However, the purchase quantity of spices is limited, and the main cargo loaded in the cabin is India cotton.
"India cotton is the best fabric I have ever seen. A shipment of cotton shipped back to Lisbon can meet the fabric needs of 30,000 people for a year, and it will definitely make a lot of money."
So much? Alfonso was overjoyed when he heard this. With the development of India Trade, profits from overseas may exceed local taxes.
Next, Bernardo mentioned what he saw on the return trip, but Alfonso didn't pay much attention to it.
The Red Sea route takes less time, but Palaiologos definitely requires tolls. The southern route is a more suitable choice. It can not only waive tolls, but also bring special products from the bases along the way back to the mainland without having to look at other people's faces.
When the audience was over, Bernardo left Court excitedly, holding the king's reward - Monocular in his right hand.
The value of this thing is not in itself, but in its origin. When Bernardo planned to attend banquets and gatherings, he brought a telescope to show off to his friends to show that he had won the favor of the king.
At this time, a group of people came forward. The old man in black robes headed by him had a solemn face and lowered eyes. He had a mustache and wore a black shawl hood with a little short hair exposed from under the brim.
Prince Henry?
(Note: Enrique is the third uncle of King Alfonso)
Bernardo saluted respectfully and stepped aside to get out of the way. The entourage behind Prince suddenly stopped and asked, "Are you Bernardo returning from the Red Sea route?"
After hearing the Red Sea route, Enrique became interested. He stood under the corridor and patiently asked a series of questions, including but not limited to: sea conditions along the way, Sinai Peninsula tolls, and the Trade scale of the ports on both sides.
"I heard that Sinai Peninsula had some rules in ancient times. Pharaoh's Canal, have Greece people restarted their work?"
Bernardo: "No. There is only one road between the two ports on the peninsula. Greece merchants and Italy merchants chose to hire a camel team to transport goods for 4 to 5 days."
Enrique was surprised. "They allowed Italy merchants to be in the Red Sea Trade?"
In order to squeeze out competitors, the Portugal royal family issued an edict that the strongholds on the Africa coast were only open to domestic merchant ships, and they did everything possible to create trouble for foreign merchant ships. Unexpectedly, Vitus actually let Trade go.
Bernardo: "To be precise, they are Italy businessmen who immigrated to the territory of the Eastern Roman Empire. They became citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire, and therefore qualified as Red Sea Trade.
The destination of this group of merchants is Abyssinia, selling handicrafts and imported raw materials. A special black fruit is produced locally, which can be ground into powder and brewed into a black drink, which can refresh you.
When I visited Massawa Port, I met an old friend, so I made an impromptu decision to follow his merchant ship to Suez and visit Sinai Peninsula in person."
The conversation lasted longer than the meeting.
Enrique has been focusing on sailing for thirty years, unlike Alfonso V, a layman. Through Bernardo's personal experience, he roughly understood the advantages and disadvantages of Greece in Indian Ocean Trade.
Palaiologos was busy exploring the Abyssinia market and did not explore the India coast. The India commodities they obtained were all transported to Suez port by Arabs.
In a short period of time, there is no conflict of interest between Palaiologos and Portugal.
"Thank you for the information."
After sending Bernardo away, Prince Henry stood there and meditated.
After the death of his second brother (Prince Pedro), Enrique lost his biggest ally, and Court's influence was greatly weakened. Now, his dominance over overseas affairs is being challenged, and part of his power has been embezzled by hostile factions.
"Fortunately, Alfonso's target is Morocco. He has no interest in overseas affairs and the existing navigation strategy can be continued."
Near noon, Enrique came to the main hall of the castle and discussed with Alfonso the affairs of Morocco's expedition.
Fifteen years ago, Enrique attacked Morocco, but was trapped inland and could only save the army through negotiations. Because of his regret later, his younger brother Fernando was imprisoned and died. This was the biggest regret and shame in Enrique's life.
The war was about to begin, and he vowed to donate his personal savings as military expenses in exchange for his nephew appointing him as the commander-in-chief of the army.
Alfonso has a bad impression of the third uncle. But as the third uncle is the leader of Order of Christ, has a close relationship with Holy See, and has a high reputation among the people, Alfonso can only maintain superficial courtesy.
"How many troops do you plan to send out?"
Enrique: "Morocco also has firearm infantry and a large number of light cavalry. I think at least 20,000 people must be dispatched. The domestic manpower is insufficient and mercenaries should be recruited to make up for the shortfall."
Portugal's native population is 1.2 million, and more than a thousand people are used to fill overseas strongholds every year. In order to safeguard overseas interests, the number of warships and merchant ships is increasing, which also takes up a large amount of labor.
Overseas businesses are booming, and the kingdom has fallen into a dilemma of abundant funds but insufficient population. Enrique speculates that the local troops that can be invested do not exceed 12,000, and it needs to recruit at least 8,000 mercenaries.
"Uncle, I hope you will learn from the last lesson and make a more prudent attack this time."
Alfonso agreed to the third uncle's request. However, the territory gained in the war cannot be exclusively occupied by Enrique, and two-thirds must be given to the royal family and the participating nobles.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
December 5, 1452, Florence.
Recently, it has been raining continuously in the city. Amidst the continuous rain, a carriage drove slowly through the empty streets. Suddenly, the carriage jolted suddenly and then stopped in place.
"What happened?"
In the carriage, Pauli·Di Maggio thought someone was going to assassinate him. He did not stick his head out, but took out a round shield from under the seat, pulled out the dagger from his waist, and was ready to defend himself at any time.
The guard's reply came from outside the carriage, "The wheels have sunk into the pit under the sewage. Sir, you may have to walk."
Pauli opened the curtains of the carriage and took a cautious look at the surroundings. Then he jumped out of the carriage and walked with two guards in the rain to Textile Mill by the river.
Entering the factory, Pauli took off his wet cloak and handed it to the guard behind him. He found the anxious supervisor and asked, "What happened?"
"Eastern Roman Empire recently enacted a bill to restrict cotton exports. The news came out that the price of cotton throughout the Mediterranean Sea is increasing. The price of the new batch of cotton we purchased has increased by 25%, and the price of future cotton will also increase!"
Di Maggio's textile industry covers a wide range of fabrics, including silk, wool, cotton and linen.
The most sold fabrics are blends.
Cotton is soft and comfortable, but the raw materials are expensive.
Flax is strong and durable, and its advantage is that it is cheap.
Therefore, Italy Textile Mill uses Flax as the warp yarn and cotton thread as the weft yarn, and mix them together to weave cloth to produce a mass product for the citizen class, called Fustian (futan).
There is also a product that is woven with a mixture of silk thread and cotton thread and is aimed at the high-end market. The sales volume of this product is limited and the profit is not as good as Fustian cloth.
Pauli stroked the lines on the cloth, feeling particularly puzzled:
"Why did Vitus do this? It was an indiscriminate attack on Italy and France's southern textile industry. Who is responsible for him?"
At this time, Phil came after hearing the news. As the second son, he only had a small amount of dividend rights, so he did not show as much anxiety as his elder brother.
Phil silently calculated an account. The price of cotton has increased by a quarter, and Fustian cloth must follow the price increase. This will weaken customers' willingness to buy and encourage some customers to choose cheaper products.
He walked towards the depths of the factory, where there were more than thirty handlooms. Compared with previous models, they were equipped with Flying Shuttle, which greatly increased the width of the cloth and improved the weaving efficiency.
In a factory building in the south, Tauris Spinning Machine (Spinning Jenny) is installed, which is also a new type of equipment learned from the Eastern Roman Empire.
As for the more complex Water-Powered Spinning Machine and Water-Powered Loom, the merchant Italy has not yet mastered the drawings.
Phil feels that even if you master the relevant design, it is difficult to imitate it.
Not far away, Pauli was holding an account book and yelling, "I want to write a letter to Agnes."
Phil shook his head silently, not knowing what use it was.
"Vitus is not a person who compromises easily. Once he makes a decision, it is difficult for others to persuade him. Alas, Fustian's business is difficult to do."