Xijigang Port in Nanyun Province, to be precise, it should be called Xijicheng City now.
Because of its unique geographical location, Xiji Port is located on the east coast of the Black Sea and the west of the South Caucasus. It is the westernmost port of the Ming Dynasty and the most important mainland window of the Ming Dynasty to Europe, West Asia, Arabia and other places.
Therefore, Xiji Port has developed extremely rapidly in these years. It was originally a small fishing port, but in just a few years, it has now become one of the largest, most prosperous and lively cities around the Black Sea.
The teahouse Yunwu Pavilion next to the port has five floors. Standing next to the port, it is one of everyone's favorite places in Xijicheng.
At Yunwu Pavilion, order a pot of fine tea from the Ming Dynasty, a few plates of snacks, and a newspaper from the Ming Dynasty. Invite a few friends to read the newspaper, chat, and take a look at the busy Xijigang Port from time to time.
, this Yanran has become the daily life of many prominent people here in Xijicheng.
Tea, a thing that originated in the Ming Dynasty, quickly became popular as soon as it was introduced to Nanyun Province, and it became something that people in Nanyun Province could not live without.
At this moment, above the Yunwu Pavilion tea house, many tea guests were drinking tea and chatting.
Li Ge took a sip of hot tea. Suddenly, his whole body felt warm, and the coldness in his body seemed to have completely disappeared.
Look out the window again. Even in the winter, the West Pole Port is still very busy. From time to time, large ships leave the port loaded with goods from the Ming Dynasty. You can also see ships filled with slaves and goods arriving at the port.
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The docks of the port are extremely busy. The dock workers loading and unloading goods and the gantry cranes are so busy that even in the winter, you can see the big beads of sweat on their bodies.
Look at the Xijicheng City around the port. There are tall buildings standing with huge signs hanging on them. All the world-famous large commercial banks have set up offices here.
“My favorite is still the West Lake Longjing!”
Li Ge tasted it carefully, put down the tea cup gently, and said to several friends around him with a smile.
Li Ge is not a Han, but a Georgian. He was also a businessman. His previous name was Ballat, but since the South Caucasus region was included in the rule of the Ming Empire.
The local Georgians and Caucasians have all changed their Chinese names and adopted Chinese surnames. Even a large number of people who originally believed in Christianity also converted to Ming Dynasty Buddhism and Taoism.
Li Ge also followed the trend and changed his surname from Ming Dynasty to a Chinese name. He even imitated the Chinese in language, clothing, diet and other aspects, and drinking tea gradually became a habit.
"Did you make a lot of money by going to Eastern Europe this time?"
Next to Li Ge, Wang Xinming asked with a smile. He is also a Georgian and has a good relationship with Li Ge. They are both businessmen. Now they are mainly engaged in business and trade. Because of the special geographical relationship here, they have also followed in just a few years.
Earned a lot of property in a short period of time.
"Haha, it's okay, it's okay~"
Li Ge smiled and responded vaguely, and then said with emotion: "Life is better now. Wherever we Ming people go, no one dares to bully us. Unlike before, we didn't dare to go at all.
If you don’t do business outside, you won’t even know how you will die.”
Li Ge also felt this. As a native of Nanyun Province, he has always been in business.
In the past, the Kingdom of Georgia was bullied by all parties, from the Persians to the Mongols, to the Aries and Black Sheep Dynasties, to the Timurid Empire and later the Ottoman Empire.
Almost all the surrounding countries and tribes can bully and invade here, capture the Georgians and Caucasians as slaves, and sell them to all parts of the world.
These businessmen who do business in various places naturally feel the most about this.
Many times, after hard work, I have accumulated some goods to sell to neighboring countries. However, I encounter various difficulties. Sometimes I not only fail to make money, but the goods are lost, and I even lose myself.
There were several times when I almost couldn't save my life.
Without the support of a powerful country, businessmen like them, even if they have great abilities, can only make a small profit on the tip of a knife.
Many times you have finally earned a lot of money after a hard-working trip, but then you encounter greedy officials from an enemy country who deliberately impose heavy taxes on you, and you have nothing to do.
Georgia knew that it could make a lot of money by selling goods from the East to Europe, but they had never dared to do so because it would touch the interests of the Ottoman Empire. Once discovered by the Ottoman Empire, they would definitely die.
The business they can do is to sell some local specialties of Nanyun Province to Persia and the Ottoman Empire. They make very little money and are always on guard.
But it's different now.
They are now citizens of the Ming Empire, subjects of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, and are protected by the powerful Ming Empire.
As a citizen of the Ming Empire, no one dared to mess with him wherever he went. Merchant ships full of goods walked on the Black Sea, and pirates from the Ottoman Empire did not dare to rob them. Even the Ottoman Empire had no right to attack merchants from the Ming Empire.
tax.
This time he organized a shipload of goods and transported them to Eastern Europe for sale. Although there were dangers along the way and he encountered pirates from the Ottoman Empire, he finally returned safely with the help of the Ming Dynasty's dragon flag.
He transported silk, porcelain, sugar, glass products, cloth, etc. from the Ming Dynasty to Europe and sold them, and then bought white slaves from Eastern Europe. The money he earned from such a simple round trip was more than he had ever done in business before.
Unbelievable numbers, a huge profit.
"Yes, life is better now."
"Looking at now and looking at the past, I can't believe that we can live such a good life."
Wang Xinming also nodded solemnly.
In the past, the Georgians and Caucasians were just a piece of fat that tribes and countries from all over the world could come to bite.
The Ottoman Empire, Persians, Mongols, Tatars, and in ancient times, even the Genoese in Mediterranean Italy knew that the slaves here were the best slaves.
Men are strong and powerful and are the best charge warriors on the battlefield. Women are tall, fair-skinned, and have exquisite facial features and are beautiful, making them the best partners in bed.
There is no strong country. They have been humiliated and suffered a lot from all sides since ancient times.
"Good news, good news~"
At this moment, someone excitedly came to the tea house with the latest Tomorrow Morning News. He shouted excitedly before he arrived. spanstyle>谷/spanstyle>
"Good news just came from the capital~"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Ming Dynasty's concubine Juan Anna gave birth to a prince, His Highness, on the eighth day of November!"
"Juanna gave birth to a little prince for His Royal Highness!"
His voice sounded very excited, as if his wife had given birth to a son for him.
"real?"
"Very good!"
"Very good!"
"What a great event to be happy about!"
As soon as this excited voice fell, cheers erupted throughout the teahouse.
"real!"
When Li Ge heard this, he stood up excitedly.
"Very good!"
Wang Xinming almost jumped with excitement.
"This is really the most exciting and happiest thing in our Nanyun Province. Anna is really striving to do her best for our Ming Dynasty royal family!"
Li Ge also shouted excitedly.
"Bang~"
"Bang~"
"Crackling~"
The tea patrons in the teahouse were cheering for joy. As the news spread quickly in the streets and alleys of Xijicheng, people who were immediately happy took out fireworks and set off firecrackers. It was as lively as during the Chinese New Year. The whole Xicji City
All of a sudden we were plunged into a sea of celebration.
There were newspaper boys selling newspapers carrying thick newspapers and shouting excitedly. In the blink of an eye, the newspapers that had just arrived were sold out. Many locals were holding newspapers and excitedly running to tell each other.
Anna, who went to Beijing to choose a concubine on behalf of the Georgians and Caucasians, lived up to expectations. Not only was she named a concubine by the prince, but she also successfully gave birth to a little prince for His Highness the Ming Dynasty Crown Prince.
This news is undoubtedly huge news for the locals in Nanyun Province.
This is no longer just as simple as the Ming royal family spreading its branches.
It represents that the local Georgians and Caucasians in Nanyun Province are gradually integrating with the Ming Dynasty and becoming an inseparable whole.
It also means that the Emperor of Heaven regards them as his own people, and even the noble royal blood has been integrated into their Georgian blood.
This little prince, his existence proves this point.
For Georgians and Caucasians, this is definitely the happiest thing this winter.
The powerful Ming Empire allowed them to live a good life. They were eager to truly integrate into the Ming Empire and gain recognition from the highest level of the Ming Empire.
"I'll pay for everyone's consumption in the teahouse today ~ celebrate the birth of the little prince!"
Li Ge happily shouted to everyone in the teahouse.
"Shopkeeper, please give every table here a jar of good wine. It's my treat~"
Some generous people shouted excitedly when they heard it.
"Haha~"
"Bring another pot of good tea to each table and treat me to a treat~"
Wang Xinming also said proudly.
"Good news, good news~"
"There is another good news~"
"On November 25, the 21st year of Hongzhi, the imperial examination gold list was announced. Li Nanyun, a talented man from our Nanyun Province, ranked first in the second class!"
Everyone cheered and celebrated with great pride. However, at this moment, someone came to the tea house excitedly and shouted.
"Li Nanyun won the first place in the second class and was awarded the Hanlin Academy Shujishi!"
Hearing this news, everyone in the teahouse immediately cheered again. Li Nanyun is also a local of theirs. He is now a high school Jinshi and is still ranked first in the second class. This is another miracle for the Georgians and Caucasians in Nanyun Province.
