19. Waiting

  The 3rd of February. So far all this guy does is sell goods and bide his time, he has bolt shooters and a lot of them, catapults and ballistae, this makes him more than formidable, it would be my subtle recommendation to infiltrate or at least disable some of these, more people have entered the city, and they have been impressed and converted. If the Holy See does not deal with this problem, he will be more potent than even the saracens. He makes the city basically impregnable, and not dealing with the city will be a problem to put it mildly. Adaneus patrolled his city, focusing on his processing plants, throwing 500 solidi in random charity, he earned instant loyalty and trust. Whether it be the army, the processing plants, or the docks, every segment of the city was happy, he spent another 1000 solidi on wheat and wood from the local merchants, giving it as a gift to the city. Depleting the city reserves to 57,000 before selling 1570 litrai of black pepper for 2000 solidi, and stacking up other goods for a larger haul the next day, the funds of the state were back up to 59,000, with food and work plentiful and the city thriving. The 4th of February, there was a chill, so Adaneus generously used the wood he bought, or at least a portion of it as firewood, he decided to sell more cloves, cardamon and cinnamon. 1570 litrai of cinnamon, 1253 litrai of cloves and 1253 litrai of cardamon; 4000 solidi, 6000 solidi and 4000 solidi of cardamon; 14,000 in total, 73,000 solidi in the state treasury that Adaneus could use to fund his new state, he was waiting patiently for Gocelin, for he did not know if he would return with the mercenary army like he promised. “Kwame, when exactly should that guy return?” Adaneus asked. “If he wants to, it should have been 6, maybe 7 days, well if there is any delays perhaps more.” “I’m worried, I have a feeling the Normans are going to circle around us, and the Pope is not going to be silent about it either.” “It’s true,” Butros said, “I would recommend we make Venice a key trading partner, if they can profit more than from war, they will stay out of our way.” “Can we send a diplomat?” Adaneus said. “They have a few merchants in our harbour, I think it is best we talk to them, perhaps bribe them.” Adaneus rushed down to the harbour, some harbour guards directing the cardamon, cinnamon and cloves into the Venetian trading vessels. “It is a wonderful city you have,” one of the traders said, “the customs are interesting, zero taxes makes this town a must stop for merchants,” “I’m glad to hear,” Adaneus said. “But there is going to be trouble soon, the Normans will not let you live in peace, Western Rome is a grand title for a state that occupies only one city, I’m not sure even the Eastern Romans will accept such a thing, and the Holy Roman Empire might take notice likewise, you play with fire Adaneus, I will tell you that now,” Butros said. The blonde looked at Adaneus with a reprimanding look. “Such is the way of Helios,” Adaneus said, “fire has an uncontrollable element to it,” he said, “it cannot be controlled by anyone, but it can give heat and light to those who appreciate and respect it.” 500 solidi were given to the Venetian merchants to pass good words, their smiles and nods showing an appreciation for the gift, giving a nod to Adaneus who likewise nodded. It was a strange thing, narrowing down the reserves to 72,500 for a timely agreement with the merchant cities. “We should probably make similar agreements with Eastern Roman merchants,” Butros quietly warned, “that’s how we can make ourselves indispensable without earning too many foes.” “They can at least apply pressure it’s true, Butros, go get the scribes to make a statement, I have an idea,” “Ok?” Butros said, confused but excited. “Tell them, to write down as follows:” Adaneus began, “we the Western Romans, wish for peace with eastern Rome and mercantile relations, and nothing more or less. We will not trouble you, do no trouble us, and we will have peace. Our economic might is something not to be trifled with, we are fighting the Normans, but we will fight you and anyone else with ferocious might. We wish peace and trade. The Republic of Western Rome.” Adaneus repeated the words again and again, and the scribe wrote it down, the parchment was handed to an Eastern Roman trader who was surprised to receive such an important document. “I will hand it to the guards, and I am sure they will relay the message,” the merchant said, “although I’m sure many will wonder where a Western Rome even came from, since not that long ago, it was an Eastern Roman possession.” “Eastern Rome would have lost this city,” Adaneus boldly said, “the city was starving, now it is a trade hub, and this is only the beginning.” “Noted,” the Eastern Roman trader said, “by the angels and our lord above, I will send the message in its entirety, perhaps even the Emperor himself will see it.” “Perhaps,” Adaneus said, “perhaps.” Diplomacy aside the city trundled along as it now always did, bakeries churned out loaves, fishermen bought boats and trawled larger catches. Adaneus saw the potential in the fishing boats for the Republic, maybe not for Bari but for new cities that would be joined. Ruminating as he saw the vessels dock and the fishermen come back to the harbour, there was a shortage of salt that had to be met from outside with personal salaries being used to pay for it, Adaneus could see the problem but also the solution. Bigger harbours, more fishing boats, salt flats, these are things other cities can have as well as larger markets. If my rate of tolls are lower than my neighbours it will still bring merchants, but it will also funnel them to Bari where I can sell my wares to them. Everything is a market, and the Western Roman Republic can tap into the biggest market there is, I wonder though, Western Roman Republic, the Holy Roman Empire might be suspicious, probably outright hostile since we claim their title of Romans of the West. The Eastern Romans did not accept the Holy Roman Empire to begin with, why would they accept the Western Roman Republic. It’s true, it wouldn’t make sense for them to do so. My craftsmen and processing workers can cook up something that I know for sure, but the issue comes with the fact that we are surrounded. I can at least have trading relations with Eastern Rome and the Venetians, my immediate enemies I can beat, and I can even trade with the Saracens, but I do intend to invade north Africa at some point, there are great riches there, riches I can tap into. The city was lively with banquets and feasts, but despite the festivities a degree of vigilance. While many drank, Adaneus quietly preached that sobriety was good for health and for vigilance. “I’m not going to forbid anyone, I just mean it has a corrosive element on the soul.” “Bah, the saracens say god will not listen to your prayers for 40 days,” Butros said. “In my experience those who drink are usually more honest,” Adaneus said, “then again what do I know? Men say one thing, do another thing and then mean to do something else entirely.” “Make him some tea,” Butros said, “on second thought let me do it. I can’t have you poisoned.” “Do not fret,” Adaneus said, he leaned very close, “this is a secret, but I can cure poison with my crystal, or plague or any ailment, I will not abuse it, but it can be done.” “Truly a miracle,” Butros said with eyes wide open, “truly, you could make the deepest believer become one of Helios.” “Magec goes by many names, but in this, it is Magec not Helios,” Adaneus said. “Oh are they different?” Butros said. “Perhaps not, it’s just I received this from Magec,” Adaneus said. Butros kept quiet, with a wry grin, he drank some mead and thought about the city of Bari. Kwame’s ex slave contingent had mixed around, but they still surrounded him, taking notes of their surroundings, counting coins and even having arguments on occasion. The night came and the day of the 5th of February was long anticipated.

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