"Your Majesties." In the Golden Palace of Constantinople, the Venetian envoy, dressed in the robes of a wealthy businessman, spoke eloquently.
"There is a problem with the bank loan for shipping: Given the uncertainty of your country's war with the Seljuks, our bank's audit team believes that your country may not be able to repay the next three installments of the loan, so we need to audit your royal family's income flow."
"Go ahead and try them." Theodora threw her fan on the table and said tiredly, "But put those Frankish knights down first. How many days do you plan to continue drifting on the sea?"
"Your country's loan procedures have not been completed, so strictly speaking, the freight has not been paid in full." Envoy Venis said politely, "The ship can only sail after the down payment is delivered, and it can only dock after the full payment is paid. This is our rule."
"Aren't you Solomonic?" Theodora became annoyed. She found it extremely difficult to communicate with these businessmen who were obsessed with money.
"We are of course devout believers of the Solomon religion," said Envoy Venis with a smile. "But to be honest, even if His Holiness comes to take our ship, he must not pay less than a single copper coin. Our auditing rules are accurate to the sixth decimal place of the copper coin."
Zoe also sighed beside him. The Venetian ship, loaded with Frankish knights, had been drifting on the Sea of Marmara for three days, but the Venetian loan procedures had never been issued and completed, and the two sides had been entangled and tug-of-war over various trivial details.
For example, the delivery time, location and transporter of gold, the specific time of reconciliation and settlement and the measures for breach of contract, and even the stamp on each piece of gold must be what kind of stamp, and what measures to take to verify if the stamp is wrong.
However, after all, the Frankish knights had already reached the open sea, so the two Majesties managed to suppress their anxiety and negotiated in detail with the Venetian envoys.
Another day has passed, and the two sides finally reached a consensus of more than 60% on the various controversial points that they were entangled in yesterday. The only things left are some insignificant details that can be compromised.
After the Venetian envoy and the two majesties said goodbye, they left the Golden Palace and went to the Venetian embassy in Constantinople and called the ships on the high seas outside.
Governor Enrique was in the secret room. After listening to the envoy's report, he lowered his head and walked out of the cabin.
On the deck outside, Count Memphirat and the Frankish knights were anxiously awaiting a reply from Constantinople.
"Constantinople refuses to pay." When Governor Henry said this, the Frankish knights burst into a cry of disappointment.
They had been drifting on the sea for three days, and the Venetians promised to communicate with Constantinople as soon as possible, but every time they communicated, the result was that the two majesties refused to pay.
The knights' little remaining patience was gradually worn out by these repeated disappointments.
Governor Enrique and Count Monferrate looked at each other, and each read the message of launch from each other's eyes.
The latter immediately slammed his spear heavily on the deck and shouted angrily: