"What is this?" Manuel asked curiously.
"When I was in Constantinople, I knew some jewel merchants. This time, I specifically contacted a renowned jewel merchant, ordered this amethyst, and had them bring it to Theodosia," Barbara said with a joyful smile.
No wonder that group of Persian merchants was unwilling to sell it even after he offered a high price; it seemed they were afraid of offending Barbara. And her mysterious disappearances during the day these past few days must have been to arrange for that merchant caravan to enter and be met. Understanding the reasons behind these events, Manuel nodded in realization and subtly gestured to stop Badars from speaking.
Taking the large and exquisite amethyst, he couldn't help but exclaim, "What a magnificent gem! It radiates a noble, pale purple luster. Such a gem should be set in a crown or a scepter. By the way, Barbara, how many ducats did you spend on this amethyst?"
"Not much, just around 1000 ducats. I bought it with my personal savings," Barbara said, proudly straightening up.
1k ducats is quite a lot, isn't it? Manuel was astonished. A low-ranking soldier's monthly pay was only 5 dukats. The luxury expenses of royalty and nobles are indeed a major cost, only slightly less than warfare. Speaking of which, the last war between Theodore and Genoa seemed to have cost over 24,000 ducats in military expenses.
As he pondered these issues of increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, Tukharovsky's gift interrupted his thoughts.
"What is this?" Manuel asked, looking at the short, refined pistol-like object he presented, adorned with precious metal patterns, somewhat puzzled.
"It's a hand cannon, Your Highness. I specifically found a master gunsmith who moved to Mangup, I think his name is Philippilan, to make it. Although its range is short and it's not accurate, so it has no real combat significance, it's very good for decoration and emergencies," Tukharovsky explained.
Manuel was touched, and gratefully accepted their gifts, then prepared to cut the cake himself.
"And me, Your Highness," seeing that everyone else had presented gifts, Badars eagerly offered his gift to Manuel.
"Here, I specifically compiled a plan for an intelligence agency." He looked proudly at Manuel, hoping to see an encouraging look from his Crown Prince.
It's truly you. Even on my birthday, you haven't forgotten to remind me to work overtime, have you? Manuel looked at his chief attendant with a beaming smile, resisting the urge to punch him. His squinted eyes made Badars feel uneasy, unsure of what he had done wrong.
And so, Manuel's seventeenth birthday passed amidst these surprises. In the days following his birthday, he continued to push for reforms in the tax system. The plans for dealing with the Church's influence and the tax reform proposals were almost finalized. Next, he needed to formulate a new tax law for the various lords. Regarding the tax law, Manuel's initial idea was to use both a poll tax and a land tax.
However, to formulate a feasible new tax law, it needed to be supported by real and reliable data. For this, Manuel took out the previously prepared report on population and land, compiled from the cadastral and household registers left by the Genoese. According to this report, the entire Theodosia region, including Sugdaea and Panticapaeum, had a resident population of nearly 200,000 or more, significantly more than Mangup's population of just over 100,000. Although the Crown Prince and his father had been promoting the relocation of people to Mangup since last year, due to Theodosia's good foundation, its population was still in a state of positive growth.
Manuel carefully read this report, compiled from archives left over from the Genoese period, and marveled at the meticulous governance of the Genoese, who had even clearly counted the household servants and serfs in the estates, which were generally not allowed to be known to outsiders, although it was based on 1400 statistics.
"The number of people must be even greater now, so it's time," Manuel's face showed a confident smile, "to promote land surveying and a census."
After lunch, returning to the council chamber in the palace, Manuel gathered a group of officials and lords and announced his decision, which startled everyone. Some of the lords present suggested that they report themselves, but Manuel flatly refused: "I heard there's a proverb somewhere in Western Europe that says, 'An Englishman's home is his castle,' meaning 'The wind and rain may enter, but the King cannot.' Is that what you mean?"
"No, no, we wouldn't dare."
"Rest assured, I swear to the Holy Father, this census and survey will truly only be a census. Any person who takes this opportunity to extort or deceive, if discovered and verified, will be severely punished."
"Yes, Your Highness." These lords thanked him tremblingly.
After seeing off these important officials, Manuel quickly instructed Badars and Isaac Arno to issue assessment directives, asking them to select a group of capable individuals from the mid-to-high-level officials responsible for finance to form a cadastral and population survey team.
"Regarding the criteria for members, among those who pass the assessment, prioritize selecting individuals who are good at financial management, loyal and trustworthy, and young and reliable," Manuel instructed. The two accepted the order. After they left, Manuel had Badars called back.
"Your Highness, please command," Badars said respectfully.
"There's one more thing I didn't mention before," Manuel said seriously, "and that is to try to choose those who don't have many connections with the lords."
"Yes, Your Highness." After accepting his instruction, Badars cautiously asked, "Your Highness, are you beating around the bush because you don't trust the person from the Arno family?"
"Somewhat." Quickly glancing at Badars to confirm he wasn't testing him, Manuel candidly said, "Isaac Arno's abilities are indeed good. His economic and commercial acumen can be said to be quite excellent for the Principality. I'm considering bringing him into the decision-making circle. If he can recommend the capable without favoritism and select the worthy without avoiding talent this time, then he will have passed. If not, then it's regrettable," at this, Manuel nervously rubbed his hands, "if he keeps clinging to his family's small gains, then I can only look for someone else. After all, if loyalty is not absolute, it is absolutely disloyal."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The next day, Manuel received a result that greatly pleased him. "Reporting to Your Highness, the list is out, and it's gratifying that Isaac Arno did not disappoint your expectations." Saying this, Badars handed him the list and the background information of the people on it.
Manuel took it and read it carefully, finding that most of those selected were from urban commoner backgrounds, currently mostly exaktors, with some grassroots tax collection experience. He nodded in satisfaction, smilingly affirmed his contributions, and had Isaac called in to seriously discuss the form of the census.
After Isaac arrived, the three gathered and began to talk. When it came to the start time and such, Manuel told them to be patient for now, "I've requested a few reliable exaktors from Mangup; they should arrive in a few days. We'll set off then." The other two quickly understood the Crown Prince's intention: he wanted to use officials from other regions to avoid any potential, undiscovered nepotism.
"In a few days, I can prepare for my grand project." Manuel was full of ambition, intending to clear away all potential threats during this cadastral and population census.
① In reality, this quote comes from a parliamentary speech by William Pitt, the 14th Prime Minister of Britain in the 18th century. In the 15th century, the idea of limiting monarchical power had not yet reached such radicalism; Manuel misremembered it here.