Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks-Chapter 427 - 101: New Sea Route (Part 2)

"After deducting the expenses for maintaining the City Guard Army, mansion slaves, attendants, and leasing of monasteries and estates to the Knight Order, just from taxes, by the end of this year, my Lord, you could earn twelve thousand Suludes."

"Twelve thousand Suludes, that number is indeed considerable."

Losa was momentarily taken aback.

If it were when he first traveled here, earning more than twelve thousand Suludes in gold coins annually would have made him laugh even in dreams. Count Werner collected taxes amounting to only half of that of Limassol, even if all the grain was exchanged at a premium for gold coins.

Moreover, due to poor road conditions, the surplus grain in the entire Algo County was often brewed into beer and consumed internally, making it hard to sell; otherwise, Count Werner would not have held onto a bunch of silver dining utensils like treasures.

This is also the situation for many Western European lords, lacking silver and currency, causing the currency quality to decline and depreciate, contrary to the time when money should become more valuable, taking a path of reverse deflation.

But having just returned from Constantinople, Losa felt that this mere ten thousand gold coins was not much.

General Nikiforos’s one ruby was worth twenty thousand Suludes.

Seemingly seeing through Losa’s insincere words, Turriados quickly added: "This does not include the profits from the merchant fleet we set up. Recently, the fleet completed its first voyage, selling wine and grain in Jerusalem while engaging with Lord Kurs to transport a ship full of textiles, porcelain, glassware, and spices. If everything goes smoothly, they will arrive in Lyon along the Rhone-Saone River in Provence, sell all the goods there, and purchase a batch of Burgundy red wine to ship back to Jerusalem."

Losa nodded slightly: "Kurs already told me about this, hopefully, everything goes well for them."

Previously, the merchant fleet from Limassol ran the Jerusalem-Cyprus-Rhodes Island route, lacking ocean-going experience. But to gain the richest profits in Mediterranean commerce, ocean-going is unavoidable.

An ocean-going trade roundtrip, after deducting wages for sailors, captains, and the trade convoy guards, the net profit is conservatively estimated at tenfold, yet the risks are greatly increased, especially when passing Sicily.

Passing through the Palermo Strait is acceptable, as the Normans, despite their pirate origin, wouldn’t trouble merchant ships flying the Crusader banner too much—unlike during the first Crusades. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

But the Moors in North Africa were different, having a long-standing pirate tradition and being Saladin’s affiliates, often raiding white people along the Western Mediterranean coast, selling them in the palaces of various chiefs.

They navigate on fast coastal rowing sailboats with triangular sails, easily catching up with solitary merchant ships against the wind, using their numerical advantage to rip apart and consume the cumbersome Kirk ships like African hyenas.

"May the Heavenly Father bless them."

Turriados was not overly confident about this voyage either, despite hiring several experienced crew members, running a business this age was akin to being a mercenary, with one’s life hanging by a thread.

To earn a lot, one must take risks.

Newcomers cannot compete on easy trade routes against old merchants who have managed well over the years, the water runs deep within, hence many would rather be mercenaries than engage in commerce.

"In any case, well done, Turriados."

Losa patted Turriados’s shoulder; as a member of the Imperial Knights, he worries not about Turriados’s loyalty, but Turriados has his family and subordinates behind him.

Therefore...

"In the future, you can keep a third of Limassol City’s profits for personal use each year. Regardless of the merchant convoy’s returns, continue to increase investment. If funds fall short, feel free to contact me anytime."

Losa handed over a Double-headed Eagle Badge: "This is Anna’s badge; you can use it to contact Anna, who will act as an intermediary to transfer communications to me, saving time wasted in mailing letters back and forth."

"Anna’s badge? For me?"

Turriados swallowed.

"What? Do you hesitate to trouble Anna?"

Losa laughed.

Turriados awkwardly nodded: "After all, she’s the Empire’s most noble Purple Robe Princess, the foremost among kings’ daughters, second only to Her Majesty the Empress in prestige..."

"Alright, put your heart in your stomach. As long as it’s business, feel free to have Anna assist with the handover; we are very close friends—of course, if the matter is not urgent, try not to bother her at midnight, lest you invite a scolding."

Turriados accepted the badge, nodding solemnly: "I will remember, my Lord."

"The opening of new routes bears great significance to me, a synergy to realize the potential of Eira Port and Limasol Port. Establishing a stable, continually profitable route means I won’t worry about money for years."

Spices and other precious goods are valuable due to various tax levies, numerous hands along the route snatch profits, forcing merchants to dramatically increase prices to shift costs.

And as these precious goods reach Eira Port, fewer handlers are involved. Once Losa consumes them, he ships them to the ports of the Holy Land, where other Crusader nobles, seeing his banner beyond his domain, would give him some face.

Thus, after loading and shipping from Jaffa Port, the cost remains controlled within a low range.

If the route is established, it becomes a hen laying golden eggs, the gains expanding Losa’s emerging fleet, granting him his own naval power in the Mediterranean.

The two complement each other.

With a navy, pirates face deterrents, greatly increasing the merchant fleet’s safety.

"I understand, my Lord, I will certainly give this matter my full attention. During this period, I will continue urging the shipyard to build new ships, recruit experienced sailors. Even if the first attempt fails, I will initiate a second trial as soon as possible."

Losa nodded: "If the first attempt fails, then I must consider letting professionals intervene."

"Professionals?"

"A seasoned captain under my command, currently clearing pirates holed up in the Red Sea and Aden Bay."

Though employing Captain Hog to escort merchant ships seemed somewhat beneath his qualities, the stakes justify it.