In mid-July, Blachernae Palace.
This summer is extremely hot, so Vitus placed five ice basins in his study to eliminate the heat in the room.
"Speaking of which, I haven't been to the mountain villa for a long time. Do you want to go there this year?"
Just when he was debating whether to go to the mountains to escape the summer heat, Pelato sent a batch of official documents, which were divided into three parts on the desktop.
Vitus began to process the important and highest-priority official documents. At the top was the agricultural report, involving summer harvest data in various regions.
Ilya (Agricultural Minister) wrote very straightforwardly at the beginning of the report that the summer grain harvest was not as good as expected. Moreover, the growth of spring-sown crops was poor, and in the autumn, the harvest was not much better.
After introducing the current situation, the next step is to shirk responsibility.
Ilya attributed the reduction in grain production to the climate. In order to increase his convincingness, he produced data from weather stations in various places.
(Note: As mentioned before, Vitus asked craftsmen to make glass mercury thermometers, which are needed to record temperature and precipitation in various places.)
The first is the Thrace area. The temperature shows that the temperature at the beginning of the year is lower than usual, and the temperature in summer is higher than usual. In short, it is cold in winter and hot in summer.
To make matters worse, Thrace's precipitation is unstable. Last year's lack of precipitation led to a reduction in grain production, and this is also the case this year.
Followed by the western part of Anatolia, most cultivated land is distributed in the river valley area. When rainfall decreases, farmers use canals to irrigate crops and are less affected.
The third page introduces Anatolia inland, the situation is very bad.
Vitus sighed, "Pontic Mountains in the north blocks Black Sea water vapor, and Taurus Mountains blocks Mediterranean Sea water vapor in the south. The climate here is dry in summer and cold in winter, and the environment is too harsh."
Taking Konya as an example, the average temperature in January this year reached -2 degrees Celsius, and the night temperature was extremely low. There were records of people freezing to death in all towns and districts.
Constantinople is located further north, but with ocean water vapor regulating the climate, the average winter temperature is six degrees higher than Konya.
In the middle part of the report, Ilya mentioned something that had nothing to do with his authority:
At the beginning of this year, the Anatolia inland was severely cold. The Balkans immigrants and Italy immigrants who moved there could not stand the weather, and a few people fled privately.
In comparison, Rus immigrants are more adaptable to the inland climate, but in any case, the temperature here is always more comfortable than Moscow and Ryazan.
Therefore, Ilya suggests that in recent years, Rus immigrants should be resettled in the northern area of the interior, and Balkans and Italy immigrants should be resettled in the south, such as Antioch Province, Melitene Province.
"It seems to make sense."
Vitus marked this paragraph and turned to the next page.
Northern Black Sea Coast is also cooling down. Chersonesus is located by the sea. The winter temperature is slightly colder than Constantinople, but milder than Anatolia inland.
Further north, there are Outer Tauris and Don Frontier.
Today, the Tatars tribe has transformed into a semi-settled state, returning to live in towns in winter.
Red bricks are low-cost, large-yield, and have good thermal insulation properties. Not only red brick houses are built in cities and towns, but also brick and tile stables. The survival rate of livestock in stables is higher than that of living in tents...
"Ilya doesn't seem like someone who likes to talk nonsense. Why do you spend so much space praising red brick buildings?"
Vitus suddenly thought that the promotion of red brick buildings was the result of Ilya's contribution to Circassian Borderland Region. This guy was asking for credit in a subtle way.
He didn't say much, and turned to the next few pages, which contained climate and agricultural reports for Moesia, Greece, Levant and other places.
Generally speaking, the winters have been cold in the past two years, the precipitation throughout the year has been unstable, and grain output has declined. However, Eastern Roman Empire has Egypt's grain as a guarantee, and large-scale famine is unlikely to occur.
"Why does it feel like Late Ming's Little Ice Age? No, it's 1453 now, two hundred years from the middle of the seventeenth century."
Vitus grabbed his hair and wrote an edict, the content of which was roughly:
Let Cabinet inform local governments to increase grain reserves, and ask Minister Trade to increase the tax rate on alcohol so that people can use less grain to make wine.
After pausing for a few seconds, he added an additional sentence, "Anatolia There are coal mines in the interior. Let the towns reserve some coal in summer and autumn. Don't wait until heavy snows block roads in winter. Transporting coal will be very troublesome then."
A long time ago, Vitus promoted briquettes and iron coal stoves. During the cold winter, residents used briquettes for heating and should be able to survive. However, some urban residents could not afford coal and firewood, so they froze to death.
"There is no other way. With the current administrative capacity, we cannot distribute coal to poor people. At best, we can lower the tax rate of some inland coal mines to encourage them to produce more coal and keep the price down."
The second report comes from Minister Trade and involves Indian Ocean.
The report mentioned the role of whale oil in the textile industry. New spinning machines and looms are more complex and have more metal gears and crankshafts, which require lubricants during their operation. Industrial owners unanimously believe that whale oil is the best quality lubricant and request an increase in the supply of whale oil.
"Isn't olive oil and fish oil okay? Remember that after the industrial revolution, lubricating oil was the product of crude oil processing. There is no crude oil mining and refining technology now. Since they are clamoring for whale oil, that's all they can do."
Vitus's thinking continued to diverge and he agreed to the industrial owner's request.
He wrote an edict requiring Admiralty to sell at least two brigs to Socotra Island within a year, all of which would be used for whaling. At the same time, he promulgated a bill:
Socotra Island can only sell whale oil to Red Sea Fleet.
In fact, it would be more profitable to sell more whaling ships. However, the production capacity of the Suez shipyard is limited. Priority is given to the development of Red Sea Fleet, and then to the whaling industry and transportation industry.
Vitus remembers that not long ago, Michael from Socotra Island came to report that he was chased by a Portugal merchant ship on his way back from whaling.
After the Eastern Roman Empire regained Egypt and Levant, its momentum surpassed France and became the number one power of the Mediterranean Sea and Europe. Vitus believes that ordinary businessmen do not have the guts to provoke, which is more like East Africa A test by Governor.
"The shipyard is about to launch a three-masted Cruiser. When the time comes, let this warship patrol near the East Africa stronghold of Portugal to respond to their temptation."
Due to the obstruction of Sinai Peninsula, Eastern Roman Empire's power projection in Indian Ocean is limited, and it can only go so far. If there is a real break-up, Red Sea Fleet cannot defeat the opponent, and the only way is to dispatch the main fleet to attack Portugal's homeland.
Vitus should try to avoid this step unless it is absolutely necessary. The two countries are far apart and it would be too difficult to project troops.
Even if the navy pays a high price to defeat the opponent, Eastern Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire cannot occupy Portugal regardless of the entire Mediterranean Sea. The one who benefits the most is Castile.
Just like when Eastern Roman Empire defeated Venice, the surrounding forces benefited the most. Eastern Roman Empire only took back Aegean Sea island and Ionian Islands. If the war continues, Austria and Milan will end up, taking away Po Valley at a small price.
"I hope they won't be stupid and start a war."
Vitus put down the report, picked up the bowl of ice cream that was just delivered, and ate it with a spoon.
After a short rest, he continued to handle official duties.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Vitus processed all the official documents and changed into civilian clothes.
According to the dress of citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire, he changed into a long narrow-sleeved shirt, then a coat, and finally put on a light gray cloak with a narrow belt in the middle and trousers on the lower body.
"It feels a little hot."
Vitus thought for a moment, took off his coat, then turned around in the mirror and asked Pelato, "Am I like an ordinary citizen?"
Pelato stared blankly at the emperor in the mirror and admired from the bottom of his heart. "These clothes cannot hide your saint-like kindness and the bravery and wisdom of the ancient Greece heroes, even if you are walking in the back alleys..."
Vitus was too lazy to reply to such nonsense, so he left the palace in a simple carriage and inquired about the prices of agricultural products in person.
Constantinople's supplies mainly come from the sea. Therefore, the largest trading market is located at the Golden Horn pier in the north of the city, followed by the south pier.
The supplies in Chengxi Market come from Thracian Plain, and the trading volume of agricultural products is less than one-third of that around Golden Horn.
Soon, the carriage arrived at an agricultural product market in the north of the city. It occupies a large area and shops are set up around the square, selling grains, meats, fruits and vegetables, drinks and groceries.
In the open space in the center of the square, City Hall painted many areas with white paint, allowing vendors to set up stalls only in specific areas to avoid overcrowding and affecting transaction efficiency.
Vitus got off the carriage, followed by six guards who were also wearing civilian clothes. There were many guards scattered around, observing whether there were any suspicious persons.
"It's such a hot weather."
The sun was blazing, and Vitus was walking along the corridor. It was not the peak period for people to buy food, and the market was a little deserted. Some vendors were busy replenishing goods, and more vendors were chatting at the stalls, or dozing off on the counter.
In accordance with the requirements of the City Hall, a signboard is hung outside each butcher shop, depicting animal patterns and the name of the shop. All butcher shops are located on the northernmost side of the square to facilitate the timely discharge of sewage into Golden Horn.
The layout of the butcher's shop is similar. The owner uses iron hooks to hang the meat above the chopping board, and the waiter stands behind the chopping board, weakly waving the thin wooden board to drive away mosquitoes and flies.
"Sir, our store specializes in Northern Black Sea Coast and Steppe lamb. What do you want to buy? Lamb leg is suitable for barbecue. Lamb shoulder can be grilled or cut into pieces for stews or lamb pies. Lamb tenderloin is the most tender meat and is suitable for frying in olive oil."
Vitus shook his head, saying that he was just looking around.
He stepped aside and let the customers behind him come forward to buy meat. The waiter listened to the customer's needs and skillfully removed the leg of lamb. He first chopped the joints with a machete, then changed to a narrow-edged sharp knife and cut off a large piece of hind leg meat along the texture.
After weighing the meat, the waiter broke off a cabbage leaf to wrap the mutton and tied it skillfully with rope.
In Vitus's impression, Ming Dynasty's butcher shop uses lotus leaves. The lotus leaves are wide, round and thick, and are very convenient to wrap.
Europe There are no lotus flowers, and the common chestnut leaves, grape leaves, and maple leaves are insufficient in area. The most suitable ones are the outer leaves of cabbage.
Although there is a slight increase in cost, there is nothing you can do about it. If a butcher shop provides vegetable leaf packaging, but the counterpart next door does not have packaging services, the business will definitely be affected.
At this time, an old woman wearing a dark gray headscarf and carrying a vegetable basket asked:
"I passed by the hot pot restaurant on the east side of Bull Square yesterday and saw them eating mutton rolls. Can you sell some?"
The waiter explained helplessly, "Before cutting the mutton rolls, you need to freeze them with ice cubes so that they can be sliced thinly. Old man, this is a civilian market and we are running a small business. Where can I find ice cubes for you?"
Vitus did not listen to the conversation between the two and continued to observe the remaining butcher shops.
Agricultural Department reported that the sheep price of Northern Black Sea Coast fluctuated between 5 and 7 silver coins.
The sheep traveled hundreds of kilometers by boat to Constantinople, and the price rose to ten silver coins, which is one Florin.
(Note: As mentioned earlier, the Eastern Roman Empire currency system has been in chaos for more than a century. New silver coins were minted during the John VIII period. The anchor unit is ten silver coins = one Florin.)
A price increase of this magnitude is reasonable. During shipping, sheep are stored in the bottom hold, which is dark and humid. The sheep's wool is wet, which increases their probability of disease. The mortality rate of sheep during transportation exceeds 10%.
In addition, merchants need to make money and pay taxes to Golden Horn. Ten silver coins is almost the lowest price. If the price is forcibly lowered, the transport ship would rather not do this business.
Converted into the measurement units of later generations, the price of mutton in the Constantinople market is about 1 silver coin = 1.2 kilograms of mutton. The butcher spent ten silver coins to buy a sheep. After slaughtering, the bones, internal organs, and skin were removed, leaving only fifteen kilograms of mutton.
The total value of the mutton is 12.5 silver coins, and the profit is so meager that it is difficult to cover the labor costs and taxes.
After closing the stall in the afternoon, the butcher sells the sheepskin to the leather workshop and sells the remaining haggis to civilian restaurants to earn an extra income and maintain the normal operation of the butcher shop.
The price of beef is cheaper than mutton because the beef comes from old farm cattle that have been eliminated, and the meat is rough and difficult to chew. If the cattle are specially raised for meat, the price of their meat will be more expensive.
Further up, the higher grade is venison. Deer come from forests, and the venison harvested by hunters is usually given to forest owners in exchange for hunting rights. Therefore, venison is not sold in the general market.
The price of pork is the cheapest among land animals. Pigs are omnivores and are not picky eaters. They can eat leftovers and acorns from the forest.
Even so, the lower class citizens still cannot afford pork, so they often gather near Fish Stall to buy some cheap fish and make soup.
With the development of the shipbuilding industry, Eastern Roman Empire specialized fishing companies have emerged.
These companies have strong financial resources and purchase large fishing boats for twin-boat trawling operations. The fishing efficiency is higher than traditional single-boat net fishing, which drives down the price of fish meat.
Now, the meat of Rome field troops is still fish.
When the army is stationed along the coast, Logistics Department usually purchases the cheapest sea fish in the season and feeds them fresh fish.
If they are stationed inland and there are no rivers or lakes around, soldiers can only eat smoked and salted fish. Officers and wounded can eat eggs and other meats, but the times are limited.
Last year Army Department reported that some troops stationed for a long time began to raise pigs and occasionally change their tastes. This phenomenon was most frequent among border defense brigades.
After getting the emperor's permission, Army Department agreed to this behavior, but issued some regulations stipulating that the pig pens should be kept at a certain distance from the barracks, as well as the size and hygiene of the pig pens.
After visiting the butcher shop, Vitus focused on the grain store on the west side.
It is still the conversion unit of later generations. One Florin can only buy 70 kilograms of Barley. The annual food expenditure of a family reaches twelve Florin, accounting for most of the income of a low-class couple.
Fortunately, as Constantinople is the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, it is impossible for Central Administration to let citizens starve and beg on the streets, which would ruin the reputation of the empire.
In the cold winter, Central Administration allocates part of the briquettes and lower-quality woolen cloth from Treasury and puts them into the market at a low price.
The church also undertook relief work and called on wealthy households to donate to maintain the dignity of "City Desired by the World".
Except for Constantinople, the price gap between different regions is obvious. Moesia The price of grain in these grain-producing areas is very low. One Florin can buy more than 120 kilograms of Barley.
In some areas, cash crops occupy a relatively large proportion and occupy the cultivated land area, such as Crete and Cyprus. The local grain price is only slightly cheaper than Constantinople.
Vitus thought to himself, "Food prices cannot rise any further. If they continue to rise, problems will arise."