Portugal. Vasco da Gama has just returned from his first mission to India, and sets sail on a second, but gigantic, mission to the Indies. Old Diaz also embarks, sadly to his death. Thirteen ships with 1,500 men set sail. The profit prospects for pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and nails are enormous: the purchase price for cinnamon alone is 2.5 ducats per quintal, while in Lisbon it sells for 80 ducats per quintal and in Venice for 50 ducats per quintal. Spain may have reached the Indies from the West with Columbus, but there’s no sign of spices. From now on, Portugal will lead the spice trade in Europe.
