The onlookers were increasing rapidly. There were much more people today as compared to the first two days. In fact, there were signs that it was still increasing.
Chapter 50: Placating the Sindhu Monks
If it was just anyone else, no one would pay it any heed. However, the Bluebottle Pavilion was clearly backing the seller of the sword, which made the meaning behind the incident completely different. In any case, such an interesting affair had attracted the attention of more and more people from the capital.
When it reached the Cheng, Huang, and Lu Clan, the prestigious swordsmithing clans couldn’t remain as calm as they once did.
Even so, they couldn’t imagine that what that would shock them the most would occur in the third day’s evening. It was precisely this unexpected matter that changed their perspective on this matter, as well as the clans’ view on Bluebottle Pavilion.
“2400 gold taels! This should be the most expensive sword in the entire Central Plains!”
As the sun started to set, no one noticed a bearded Western Region merchant appearing below the Bluebottle Pavilion. This Western Region merchant was known as Mosaide. and he was a weapon merchant from Charax Spasinu.
（Charax Spasinu, otherwise known as Iraq in modern times.）
Different from the typical merchants, Mosaide didn’t treat the trade of swords as a business. Rather, he regarded it as a pursuit and a hobby.
Mosaide adored swords, and it was to a fanatic level.
He held overwhelming passion for top-notch swords. If he saw such a sword, he would use all means possible to purchase it.
Mosaide’s greatest ambition was to view the greatest sword in the world.
Thus, the first thing he did, upon coming to the Central Plains, was to tour all of the weapon shop within Great Tang’s capital.
However, there wasn’t a single sword here which caught his eye.
“This should be the greatest weapon shop in the Central Plains!”
Mosaide saw the banner on the pavilion and thought.
After touring almost a thousand weapon shops, this was the place where he found the most expensive sword. Furthermore, there wasn’t a single weapon shop which was as luxurious as this.
2400 gold taels for a sword; such a price was rare even in the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu.
Mosaide understood very little about the Central Plains, but based on the rules in Charax Spasinu, only the best swordsmith and weapon shop could offer the highest price.
Judging from this, this was, without a doubt, the best weapon shop in the Central Plains. Those who dared to sell their weapons here had to be the best swordsmiths!
“Before I came here, I’ve heard that the weapon industry of the Central Plains was far inferior to that in the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu. From the looks of it, that isn’t the case. The owner of the weapon shop must be extremely confident to charge 2400 for a sword covered in a black cloth.”
Mosaide had studied the characters used in the Central Plains, so he was able to read the words on the banner of the pavilion and couldn’t help but feel impressed by the swordsmith.
The Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu had a massive amount of top-notch swordsmiths, and their weapon forging industry was advanced. However, even the greatest swordsmith wouldn’t dare to sell a hidden sword like this swordsmith did.
In the view of the man from Charax Spasinu, this master was definitely the greatest swordsmith of the Central Plains.
Suddenly, Mosaide felt a strong urge to meet with this incredible ‘master swordsmith’ of the Central Plains.
Da!
As the thought flashed through his mind, he immediately headed into the Bluebottle Pavilion. However, right after he took a few steps, a wind blew across.
“Ah! My scarf!”
Not too far away, an exclaim of a lady could be heard. Amidst the wind, a green scarf flew into the air.
Initially, Mosaide didn’t pay much heed to the matter. However, after taking a few steps, Mosaide realized that the green scarf was heading toward his face.
“Master, careful!”
His loyal guards that followed him here from Charax Spasinu immediately rushed forward.
“He!”
Upon seeing this sight, Mosaide laughed heartily. He stopped his footstep, and without waiting for his guards to step forward, his hands moved to his waist.
Shua! A cold gleam flashed across, and the scarf, sliced into two, slowly floated to the floor.
The Charax Spasinu guards stopped in their footsteps.
In the distance, the lady’s exclamation was abruptly silenced. She stared at Mosaide, terrified.
Splitting through floating hair!
This was the quality of a top-notch saber in the Charax Spasinu!
After cutting through the green scarf in the air with a single slash, Mosaide laughed haughtily and placed the saber back into its sheath.
This was the best weapon in his possession, as well as his favorite one.
“Pass two gold ingots to that lady!”
After saying so, Mosaide entered the Bluebottle Pavilion. Behind him, two of his guards hurriedly passed two ingots to the terrified lady.
…
After entrusting the matter regarding the Wootz steel sword to Wei Hao, Wang Chong started to devote his attention to his martial arts training.
“With my Panther Bone, I should be able to practice some techniques of my previous life.”
Early in the morning, in the Wang Clan’s backyard, Wang Chong was playing with a string of beads and a thought flashed across his mind.
Wang Chong possessed the knowledge of many techniques from the memories of his previous life. However, Wang Chong had been unable to cultivate most of these earth-shattering skills due to the limitations of his bones.
But now, the situation was different. Even though Wang Chong’s bones weren’t exactly strong yet, with the Panther Bones, as well as the fundamental knowledge from his previous life, he could start learning those less advanced techniques.
“I should start from Herculean Punch!”
Wang Chong mused for a long moment before coming to a decision.
In his previous life, when those steel cavalries that came from a foreign land appeared in the Great Tang, their overwhelming defense left all of the infantry units in the country helpless.
That was until the Herculean Punch was created.
This kind of punch focused the strength in one’s entire body into one’s fist, allowing a low-level warrior to exert strength far greater than his physical limits. The very creation of this move changed the situation then.
Honestly speaking, it wasn’t a truly profound or powerful move.
But in the Origin Energy Realm, it was an extremely powerful skill. Given Wang Chong’s current situation, this military skill was the most suitable for him.
“Gongzi, someone is looking for you outside!”
Just when Wang Chong was about to start practicing, Shen Long’s voice suddenly reached his ears.
“It’s the two Sindhi monks.”
“Oh.”
Wang Chong contemplated for a moment before smiling. He had already understood what was going on. After a long moment of absence, it was about time for them to make a move.
“Invite them in.”
“Yes!”
Shen Long turned around and left.
In a moment’s time, two figures walked in.
“Gongzi!”
Ablonodan and Arloja bowed. Those words were spoken in Sanskrit.
“Masters, you aren’t able to wait any longer?”
Wang Chong smiled, seemingly aware of their intentions here.
“Gongzi, I am truly apologetic. Just that, this matter is of absolute importance to us. Back then, we have made a deal with gongzi that as long as you are able to come up with 90000 gold taels, you would be able to obtain the 300 jun of ore from us, as well as the right to distribute the Hyderabad ores in the Central Plai
ns.”
“A long time has passed since then, and the deadline is approaching quickly. I am curious to know how is gongzi faring?”
Putting their both hands together, they asked apologetically.
“Haha, so the two masters are doubting if I can pay 90000 gold taels or not?”
Wang Chong burst into laughter as he pointed the reason behind their arrival.
“I hope that gongzi won’t be offended by our words as this matter is truly of great importance to us.”
Having their intentions pointed out, the two felt awkward and embarrassed. But after hesitating for a moment, they spoke the truth:
“Gongzi, I won’t hide it from you. Sindhu is currently in a dire famine, and the longer we drag on for, the greater the number of people who die from starvation. During this period of time, we have received several letters from Hyderabad urging us to return. We have no choice but to rush you.”
As they spoke, an anxious look appeared on their face. This wasn’t an act. Without a doubt, the situation in Sindhu was extremely dire. If the situation wasn’t that severe, they wouldn’t have come over to rush Wang Chong.
“Please don’t worry. I will gather and pay you all the 90000 gold taels soon. As for Sindhu… If you all are worried, I can contact Turkic merchants first and have them send a batch of cows and lambs to Sindhu.”
Even though Wang Chong didn’t have much gold left, cows and lambs weren’t as valuable as swords. One could still buy quite a few cows and lambs for 100 gold taels.
“Do you mean it?!”
The duo was surprised and delighted. They were moved by Wang Chong’s actions. The Turkic Khaganate was much closer to Sindhu than the Central Plains. If Wang Chong could contact some Turkic merchants and have them send cows and lambs over in time, that would be the best for Sindhu.
Given Sindhu’s current situation, that was truly a great help, even though Wang Chong didn’t have the obligation to do so.
“Of course.”
Wang Chong nodded his head with a smile. No one was more aware than him that the Sindhis were in dire need of help now. Even the slightest bit of help could be exchanged for their gratitude, and it was the best time to win their favor.
‘Grant a thirsty man a drop of water and he would repay you with a fountain’. These words rang true in the entire world. This would prove to be a good leverage in future negotiations over the Hyderabad mine.
“As for the 90000 gold taels, if you all still don’t believe me, please follow me.”
The matter regarding the cows and lambs weren’t something that could be accomplished now. It would at least take a dozen days or so for it to be sent to Sindhu. However, the 90000 gold taels was an urgent matter now.
Talk is cheap. Since the two Sindhi monks were already doubting Wang Chong’s abilities, they wouldn’t rest easy if he didn’t produce the evidence to showcase his abilities.
These were all within Wang Chong’s expectations.
Thus, he called for a carriage and brought the two over to Bluebottle Pavilion.
“Ss! 2400 taels!”
“Gold!”
Wang Chong added in with a grin by the side.
Standing within the crowd, the two Sindhi monks stared at one another in astonishment. On the other hand, Wang Chong was chuckling within. They had arrived early today, so the price they were seeing was still the one from yesterday.
By the time afternoon comes and the banner was changed, it would be 4800 gold taels. By then, it would be impossible for Wang Chong to imagine their shocked faces.
“2400 taels… Are the swords in the Central Plains that expensive?”
Even though the duo did not recognize the characters of the Central Plains, they were still able to read the ‘2400’. The price that was written in large characters before them left them deep in shock.
They didn’t expect the weapon market in the Central Plains to be that prosperous.
“Is that the weapon you forged?”
“Un.”
Wang Chong nodded his head, not denying it at all.
“Are you all still worried that I will be unable to produce 90000 gold taels?”
“No, no!”
The two of them quickly shook their heads. They were feeling extremely excited at the moment. If a single weapon could be sold for 2400 gold taels, then raking up 90000 gold taels was no problem to this gongzi before them!
It would be a terrific news for Sindhu if he could truly raise 90000 gold taels in a single month.
They felt terribly embarrassed when they thought about how the doubted Wang Chong’s ability to produce 90000 gold taels in the past.
Taking all of this into sight, Wang Chong chuckled within.
Having 2400 gold taels written on the banner was a completely different matter from selling a weapon worth 2400 taels. The two Sindhi monks might have shouldered on the responsibility to sell Hyderabad ores in the Central Plains, but they were clearly ignorant of the condition of the weapon market here.
“It is fortunate that they aren’t adept at communication, only able to speak Sanskrit. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so easy to hoodwink them.”
Wang Chong could only feel glad at his luck.
“Masters, let us go upstairs to drink some tea!”
As he said so, Wang Chong led the duo up the Bluebottle Pavilion
My mistake, I’ve been spelling Charax Spasinu as Charac Spasinu. Have edited all chapters to reflect so
Splitting through floating hair:
It’s just an analogy. It’s said that if one’s sword could cut through flying, it is top-notch. Thus, it is often used to describe top-notch swords. In this case, the scarf was flying, and he managed to rip the scarf into two cleanly. (It is actually a highly difficult act, if you don’t know). According to baidu, it is said that 70% of it depended on the sharpness of the sword, 20% skill, and 10% luck.
In very rare cases will Hindu eat beef or fish as it’s banned to eat any livestock in the religion.
Due to the famine according in the story, the Hindu might be permitted to eat beef, but that’s mainly due to the dire circumstances. The very first preference to do under such circumstances will be to eat the bark of the tree or leaves. Only when things really get severe will one proceed on to eat one’s livestock.
Chapter 101: Elders’ Recognition!
The matters regarding the regional commanders and utilizing Hu talents were considered as minor affairs. Many of such discussions were being carried out in the royal court on a daily basis.
Furthermore, the utilizing Hu talents initiative came from the hands of the prime minister, and the emperor had given his approval as well. That made it even more difficult to object to it.
——It wasn’t worth falling out with them over such ‘minor affairs’.
But at this moment, after hearing Wang Chong’s words, no one dared to think of them minor affairs anymore.
A tinge of embarrassment colored the faces of the elders in the conference hall.
As experienced old officials, failing to notice the potential calamity that a policy could bring was a huge oversight. For an instant, the entire conference hall was silent.
Everyone was still unable to recover from the shock of Wang Chong’s final three words.
‘Autonomous military districts’, this wasn’t something that one should be underestimated. This was a gigantic torrent that would shake the pillars of the empire. Upon recalling how casually they treated this matter, the elders immediately felt terrified.
‘The Hu promoting the Hu’, this wasn’t just a possibility, it was a fact. They had seen many of such affairs back then, and Wang Chong was simply voicing it out.
The Hu started learning riding and shooting when they were ten. On the other hand, the Han were still studying classics, learning about propriety, or farming. On this aspect, the Hu possessed an inherent advantage.
If it was like Wang Chong said, the Hu would indeed monopolize the military from top to bottom. The H
an would find themselves being unable to be promoted, and this could potentially threaten the continuation of their society.
Wang Chong didn’t say anything, but the anxiety he felt didn’t pale to anyone else.
As though giant waves, memories struck him one after another. Upon recalling all that he had experienced in his previous life, Wang Chong’s heart felt incomparably heavy.
Just the regional commander policy and the decision to utilize Hu talents had caused the Great Tang to fall deeply into the calamity of the formation of autonomous military districts.
A huge portion of Great Tang’s brightest history was filled with the pages of the Hu and foreign tribes.
Geshu Han, Go Seonji, An Sishun, Kangya Luoshan, Fumeng Lingcha… Of these great generals, who of them is a Han?
Were there really no great generals among the Han?
If there were no great generals among the Han, how did the Qin manage to keep the Xiongnu beyond the Great Wall when they were at the strongest? If there were no great generals among the Han, how did the Han expel the the Xiongnu to the Yin Mountains? If there were no generals among the Han, then what did General Wang Chongsi, who promoted Geshu Han, count as?
What about those old subordinates who fought alongside grandfather against the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganate?
The regional commander and utilize Hu Talent policies caused the powerful sword of the Great Tang to be directed toward their own hearts. All Han talents found all their routes of promotion been shut down completely!
When that catastrophe struck, and all of the brilliant generals and commanders of the Great Tang met their demise, what Wang Chong was left with was a dark night sky.
In the skies of the Great Tang, the general stars were dim. Other than Wang Chong and a few other old elders who were in their eighties and nineties, there were nothing else. When their age took a toll on them, and those old elders left as well, what Wang Chong felt was unprecedented loneliness, pain, and helplessness.
What does standing alone on the shore to ward off the sea feel like?
What does standing alone in the storm to withstand the batter feel like?
What does standing alone at the top of the mountain to face the boundless darkness feel like?
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 48