These lower-to-middle-class merchants now have the leisure and capacity to bicker here, which, in a sense, is indeed thanks to the various measures Manuel has taken since gaining control of the situation.
For example, a while ago, after reaching a resolution with the Mamluk and other nations to expand Black Sea trade, he genuinely expanded Black Sea trade.
The constant stream of merchant ships carrying various goods to and from the Trabzon port is the best proof of this.
As for the scene currently unfolding among these lower-to-middle-class individuals, Manuel, who is still diligently working inside and outside the Imperial Palace for the prosperity of the Autocratic State, is not yet aware.
After all, in the eyes of him, Caesar, it would be better to wait until he has the capacity to truly look after the common people under his rule, after he has further solidified the framework of the Autocratic State in the coming days.
While Manuel was doing his best to make Bosporus increasingly prosperous, outside of Bosporus, Serenus, the Chief Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Autocratic State, had already arrived in Warsaw, the capital of the Principality of Masovia, a Polish vassal, from Kiev in Lithuania.
He planned to stay and rest in this area for a while, and at the same time, discreetly ascertain the Poles' views on Bosporus and its neighboring countries.
Incidentally, after a series of political turbulences caused by partible inheritance in the 12th century, Masovia has existed as a vassal Principality of the Kingdom of Poland since 1186.
Up to the current 15th century, it has been directly ruled by the Masovian branch of the Piast dynasty, rather than by the King of Poland.
In real history, Masovia was truly reincorporated into Poland in 1526, when the last Piast Duke of Masovia, Janusz III, allegedly died.
As for the 15th century, where was the capital of Poland, ruled by the Jagiellonian dynasty?
The answer is the city of Kraków, next to the Holy Roman Empire.
Although from a military perspective, Kraków, being close to the border, might not seem like an appropriate choice, its long history as the Polish capital since the 11th century and its prosperity as a commercial center, despite its overly western location, still make it the most suitable capital for Poland in the current 15th century.
Compared to the prosperous Kraków, Warsaw at this time was somewhat lacking.
Although under the development and construction of successive Dukes of Masovia, it was already considered one of the most fertile lands in Eastern Europe as a princely territory, Masovia had more than just this one good piece of land.
Fortunately, the city of Warsaw still had a geographical advantage, so in 1413, it was finally established as the new capital of the Principality by Duke Janusz I, who nominally ruled Masovia and Belz.
Yes, nominally.
Because of the admirable partible inheritance system of the Piast dynasty, as early as the previous century, the 14th century, Masovia split into three political entities: the Principalities of Warsaw, Płock, and Rawa.
Later, due to complex experiences of extinction and division, Płock and Rawa were merged by one Piast, who also united the Principality of Belz in Red Ruthenia.
Even so, the divided principalities still revered the main branch of the Piast-Masovia as their suzerain, meaning the Duke of Masovia.
This is why Masovia found itself in the extremely abstract situation of being a Principality, with its liege being the King of Poland, but having Dukes as its vassals.
"It's a Principality, yet it's split into three Principalities; the Slavic hierarchy is truly indescribable and unfathomable."
Upon arriving in Warsaw and preparing to rest, Serenus, after quickly catching up on Polish knowledge, couldn't help but frown.
He had initially only thought about how to build good relations with the Polish nobility to avoid delaying his mission, but he never expected to encounter such an incomprehensible phenomenon as he delved deeper.
However, this way, at least he wouldn't inadvertently offend the sensitive points of these Poles in subsequent conversations.
Besides, he was only in Warsaw today to rest, not to meet the Duke of Masovia.
A few days later, after he submitted his request to the Duke of Masovia, Duke Boleslaus IV unexpectedly conveyed his wish to meet him, a Roman.
"?"
This was Serenus's first thought upon learning of the other party's attitude.
But because he had important duties and didn't want to offend anyone, he could only ambiguously convey his unclear attitude.
The result was that the Duke of Masovia indeed summoned him the next morning.
"These lower-ranking West Slavs are making a fuss…" Serenus hadn't expected his polite gesture to actually attract the other party's attention.
He thought he was just passing by to say hello.
So, at noon that day, the Duke of Masovia officially received Serenus in St. John the Baptist Archcathedral in the city of Warsaw.
Upon seeing this Duke of Masovia, Serenus suddenly understood why the other party was acting so unconventionally—because he was a teenager!
Recalling the knowledge he had crammed before and after coming to Warsaw, this Duke was seemingly born in 1421, which means he was only 14 years old this year…
Now his confusion was completely resolved.
Furthermore, when talking with this young Duke, Serenus clearly felt the other party's reverence for his Caesar, and he suddenly had an epiphany: this little Duke was treating his Caesar as an object of worship and imitation!
At this moment, Manuel, far away outside Trabzon, training and comforting soldiers, involuntarily sneezed again, "Achoo!"
"Your Majesty, are you alright?" Dungar and his deputy, who were by his side, asked with some concern.
"I'm fine; it just reminded me that autumn is coming soon.
Rest assured, I will ensure that all the soldiers have enough clothing, unlike myself today."
"Holy Father bless, long live Caesar!!!" Cheers erupted from the camp upon receiving Caesar's clever reply.
And Manuel, after admirably deflecting the topic, couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Who is speaking ill of me behind my back this time?"
Meanwhile, in St. John's Church in Warsaw, Serenus finally concluded his discussion with the Duke of Masovia.
It was called a discussion, but he felt like he was practically coaxing a child.
Then, recalling that the other party had received him, an Eastern Orthodox, in a Roman Catholic cathedral, he suddenly felt quite uneasy.
"However, it seems this blond little Duke was convinced by my words, at least avoiding getting entangled in Polish internal affairs."
Serenus sighed, while pondering the intelligence he had gathered during his conversation with the other party.
"According to this little Duke, Manuel seems to have become active before he was 16 years old.
This is… Your Majesty, you don't seem to realize the extent of your current reputation."