Afterwards, naturally, Chen Deng invited this group for food and drinks. Although many dishes didn’t suit the Romans’ taste, well, how to put it, Chen Xi is a foodie, and everyone in the Great Han Dynasty knows it. The variety of dishes he has studied is enough to make the Romans lick the plates.
Of course, there were also quite a few Han people who licked their plates, so in the end, Chen Deng kept quiet about what the dishes were made of. Actually, the Romans were quite happy eating them, and this was one of the rare occasions where they didn’t start comparing the dishes aloud.
It was also after this event that Chen Deng pointed out to Wux Xi that there might be a few nobles in the Roman delegation. He provided many examples, ultimately convincing Wux Xi, who traveled all the way here, that this was highly likely.
But this isn’t such a big deal. After all, Ganasis is the Duke of a Roman Border County, and he doesn’t lack resources. Finding a few Roman nobles willing to co to the Han side isn’t impossible.
After staying in Xiapi for a few days, the Romans indeed witnessed the prosperity of Xuzhou. Silk and celadon, worth their weight in gold, could be bought for a single gold coin here, so the Romans went on a shopping spree like they were in a haze.
Unlike their ti in Sichuan and Shu, where the Shu Commandery was genuinely prosperous and Shu Brocade truly luxurious, the problem was Wux Xi didn’t take them into Chengdu nor give them a chance to shop.
In the end, seeing things go out of hand, Wux Xi forcibly took the delegation away. anwhile, seeing that these People of Great Qin were not buying any good stuff, Chen Deng ended up gifting them so genuine Shu Brocade, a set of white porcelain tea ware, and a mirror before they left.
No choice, Shu Brocade is incredibly expensive, and Chen Deng had to take it from his own family’s storeroom to gift it to the Qin delegation. As for the porcelain tea ware and the mirror, production has slightly increased recently, and Chen Deng had a few sets. When he took out one set to give to the delegation, their eyes almost popped out from surprise.
"Inspector Chen..." a Roman, speaking broken Han Chinese, grabbed Chen Deng, hoping to have a word with him.
"Would your esteed nation be willing to sell such treasures?" The Roman’s eyes were bloodshot; they had already considered celadon as rare treasures, and then there appeared white porcelain and mirrors. The Romans were beside themselves.
"I have no authority over that, these are all my personal belongings, gifted to you all as farewell gifts." Chen Deng showed a helpless expression, saying he had no say in the matter.
Seeing the Romans’ eyes about to burst, Chen Deng couldn’t help but shake his head. No wonder they’re called barbarians. No matter how precious, it wouldn’t do to tell the truth in front of others, that’s just calling to be slaughtered.
After seeing the Romans off, Chen Deng quickly sent soone to Ye City, needing to communicate with Li Youu. Whether the Romans were here to see the emperor or Liu Bei, they must now be seeing Liu Bei. By now Chen Deng pretty much figured out the Romans’ proficiency in Han language was amateurish, so as long as Li Youu and others manage things, they could make it seem like they were here to see Liu Bei.
As for why Liu Bei would be puzzled about being paid respects, that’s no problem; Li Youu can handle it. Given their level of proficiency in Han language, it’s not hard!
Of course, it’s not just about this; Chen Deng also wanted to notify his rchants to quickly stock up on white porcelain and mirrors. Even though these were luxury goods in the Han Dynasty as well, it’s nothing compared to how much more expensive they are in Ro. Watching the Romans buy porcelain, silk, and mirrors, Chen Deng felt it was like dealing with people who had no sense; the prices were so high, even Chen Deng was a bit taken aback.
The other side traded with gold and jade, and watching this made Chen Deng’s heart race. Such a windfall, to not take a cut feels like defying nature.
On the other side, the real Roman nobles were practically ecstatic. In their place, there was no lack of gold, as for jade, Romans didn’t use such things. To them, it’s just stone; but as for white porcelain, mirrors, and Shu brocade, they were rare treasures indeed.
"No wonder it’s the legendary wealthy empire of porcelain and silk. Indeed, we should get rid of Parthia, they charged at least twenty tis the route fee, and they didn’t even send over the true treasures!" Serali excitedly said initially, then thought of Parthia.
"Get rid of Parthia!" As soon as Serali said this, the other four Roman nobles all angrily shouted. Anyone who thought about being charged twenty tis the route fee by an enemy state would want to take them down.
But speaking of which, the fights between Ro and Parthia were indeed partly instigated by silk and porcelain, and later, the Byzantine and Persians fought a twenty-year-long "Silk War," when it all boiled down to the route fee for silk being too high.
Naturally, nothing ca out of that war. After fighting for twenty years, the silk money Byzantium paid to Persia resulted in a significant financial drain, and it ended without resolution. After all, silk was indispensable for Romans...
In the end, they could only endure these twenty tis route fees; wearing silk was still necessary. Could nobles still be called nobles if they didn’t wear silk?
"We can negotiate with the emperor of the Selesians. We will buy at ten tis the price, thus we can save half of our expenses. The Selesians can earn ten tis more." Serali said with shining eyes, "Let us and the Selesians eliminate Parthia, that scoundrel."
"Charging us twenty tis the route fee and not giving us good goods, if the elders of our Senate saw these items, they would probably be willing to go bankrupt to buy them. For the sake of the empire to avoid bankruptcy, let’s take down Parthia!" A Roman noble shouted excitedly.
"Oh yeah~" The other few also shouted, once again finding a reason they have to take down Parthia.
"What do you think they’re saying?" Wux Xi turned to ask Anyue beside him.
"They’re talking about taking down Parthia." Anyue, already a full-fledged Great Han citizen by now, after realizing that Han citizens need household registration, begged Chen Deng to help him obtain one, and as for his place of residence, he filled in Wusun.
"How bored must Great Qin be, thinking every day about taking down Parthia." Wux Xi said helplessly, "But it’s fine, let them fight. As for imperial wars, Wux Xi’s current understanding is that might makes right. Simple and straightforward."
After traveling a few more days, there ca another wave of awe, as they passed another city, quite similar to the previous Xiapi. Again soone asked if they had reached the capital, and Wux Xi once again denied it.
"When you reach the place, you’ll understand naturally, rather than asking these things." Wux Xi said with a roll of his eyes. He may not know how Fenggao has been developed, but with the journey thus far, he felt increasingly confident.
As the roads widened, and the places passed through beca more harmonious, the Qin delegation fell silent progressively.
Starting from entering Xuzhou, the prosperity of the Han Empire chilled their hearts. Owning silk and porcelain, the legendary wealthy empire entwined with silk and gold, stepped bit by bit out of myth, this terrifying prosperity!
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