Chapter 41 Returning Home Again

Peter received an order from Archduke Mircea to return immediately to Kemplonga for a meeting.

Time was pressing, so Peter left Iasi with some escorts. Before leaving, he ordered Bogdan to take charge of Moldova affairs.

As for the unconvinced boyars, Peter temporarily blocked their mouths with land and trade. Trade through the roads of Moldova began to increase exponentially, and these boyars also began to grow cash crops to earn more income. Under such circumstances, even if Boyar wanted to regain his independence, he would have to consider whether to give up this wealth.

Originally used as a border, Fokshani became a trading transit point. A large amount of linen and livestock were transferred here, and this also attracted many merchants to do business here. Banks also opened branches here to engage in currency exchange and money order business.

And the closer you get to Kemplonga, the more prosperous its towns become. Some Hungarian and Polish businessmen also came here. They sold jewelry, spices, handicrafts and other things, and also purchased some handicrafts produced so that they could earn a good price elsewhere.

Mircea welcomes his son in the castle, who he hopes will continue to surprise him.

"Sir, our annual surplus is about 15,000 ducats. In recent years, military and other expenses have increased significantly, and the finances are a bit overwhelmed."

Peter understood Mircea's purpose in calling him back. The financial problem was serious.

Wallachia's fiscal revenue includes taxes, customs duties, personal income taxes, and special taxes on some goods paid by the boyars. Thanks to the development of the commodity economy, Wallachia's tax revenue has increased a lot compared to before.

But the cost of training troops is also high, the use of firearms and military expansion are high, and the construction of a new capital and new roads are even more expensive. Coupled with the military expenditures from previous wars, the finances are probably going to be hard for a while.

"Do you have any details about what was exported?"

"Mainly linen and livestock, other items are also rising. In addition, silk is also one of the important export commodities."

Gyurgiu is the largest silk trading center in Wallachia and even the Balkans. Silk from the Balkans is traded here and then transported to Poland, the Teutonic Knights and the Rus' Principality.

"Father, it seems that the situation in Wallachia is stable and improving at present, but it will take some time to show up."

Mircea also knew it, but it seemed that time was running out, Osman was coming.

"At present, we can try to increase taxes on imported goods and attract immigrants."

Peter directly mixed the methods of physiocrats and mercantilists, including cultivating land, increasing trade surplus, expanding the tax base, etc. The supervisors were stunned for a moment.

Mircea naturally supports all, but in addition to this, he also has a task to complete with Peter, which is to reform the central government.

The government now has three major departments: foreign affairs, military, and finance. As the territory increases, its affairs become more complicated. With other needs, the number of government departments must increase.

But the question is, what should be added and what are the responsibilities of this department. This all has to be discussed with Peter.

Peter's suggestion is to add a department to manage trade and industry and commerce, because trade is the best way to increase finances, and having a department to manage commerce can also promote domestic development.

Peter stayed in Moldova for seven months. More than 30,000 immigrants came to Moldova, and trade tripled. Stone and wood production tripled. With a lot of land being reclaimed, Moldova will have a completely new look this year.

"By the way, is this the currency of your territory?"

Mircea took the leu and asked Peter.

"Yes father, this is a silver coin minted according to Venetian standards."

"Oh" Mircea took Lei and then looked at Peter.

"Such a silver coin is very substantial. To be honest, Wallachia had not minted such a large amount of silver coins before."

Peter just smiled and didn't answer.

"With such an heir, Wallachia's reputation will be greatly enhanced."

Mircea was thinking in her heart, but she was talking about the daughter-in-law that Lady Maria had chosen for Peter. But Peter was not interested in this.

"Father, I think it's a little too early now."

"You can get engaged first and get married when you grow up."

"At least it is too early to discuss this matter before the Ottomans are defeated."

Peter used Osman as an excuse, which moved the Grand Duke very much.

However, just because the Archduke was moved did not mean that Lady Maria stopped choosing a wife for him. Mrs. Maria also held a banquet, which was regarded as a blind date meeting.

Peter is not interested, but other nobles can start to choose a partner. A nobleman about the same age as Peter struck up a conversation with him.

"Cousin, my aunt has called almost all the daughters of nobles from all over the country to discuss your marriage these days. Are you not interested at all?"

The person speaking to Peter was his cousin Basarab, whose father Dan was the brother of Grand Duke Mircea. Dan has always supported Mircea's various reforms and has also become a large boyar landowner in the country.

"What, do you like it?"

"How can I put it, I like everyone here."

Basarab preferred art and philosophy to Peter. Of course, he also seemed more carefree.

"I heard that uncle scolded you again?"

"My father has always been against me immersing myself in paintings and books. He thinks these things and sword competition are empty."

"I think if you know how to manage your family's large piece of land, I think uncle will be very satisfied."

Managing one's own property is what every noble will do, especially the landlord noble family with a lot of land.

"Maybe, I still want to go to Constantinople to have a look."

Peter did not choose his wife at this banquet, but Basarab found a boyar's daughter to get engaged. This made Mrs. Maria chatter to Peter.

"Mom, it's too early for me now."

"Too early, look at Basarab, you must have a wife."

For the pressure from his mother, Peter could only vaguely say that he would be engaged within two years. Originally, it was said to be five years, but Mrs. Maria disagreed and said that if that was the case, she would wait until he got married before doing other things.

But after coming back once, Peter really got an extra position. That's right, Mircea personally appointed him as the business director, who made him propose this.

Peter never dreamed that he would be promoted so quickly, it's like when you just joined the company, from a small clerk to a department manager. Gan Luo is not so powerful.

Peter felt that he was ahead of most of his peers, but the higher the position, the greater the responsibility.