Apart from a contingent of Imperial Guards left to protect Chen Ziliang and Zhang Yang, the rest of Liang Xiao's original retinue from the capital followed him, heading for the foreign merchant ship, eager for a new experience.
Foreign merchant ships rarely visited. The people of Da Qian could only hear tales of their immense treasures, and in the past, before the rampant piracy, they were even said to carry exotic beauties.
As soon as Liang Xiao arrived at the pier, several Imperial Guards rushed forward with reports.
"Marquis Anguo! This is a large vessel, with four hundred and twenty-one individuals aboard. Only that old woman and the young man survived. Among them, over a dozen bear a clear Da Qian physiognomy, similar to the old lady. Furthermore, judging by the quality of their attire, they appear to be the leadership of this foreign merchant crew!"
Liang Xiao nodded slightly. "Perhaps they are Da Qian nationals adrift in foreign lands, returning home. Once the old lady is settled, we can question her... Has anyone touched anything on the ship?"
The Imperial Guard nervously shook his head. "Everything awaits Marquis Anguo's inventory. Everyone is hesitant to even enter the cabins, fearing accidental damage!"
Liang Xiao, satisfied, then led his entourage onto the ship. The Imperial Guards had already replaced the Eastern Sea soldiers who had been responsible for towing the vessel, maintaining strict security.
Jian Qinwan and the others behind Liang Xiao exchanged puzzled glances.
They were accustomed to Liang Xiao's meticulous caution, but why was this foreign merchant ship so important to him?
Reaching the depths of the deck, Liang Xiao gazed at the large cabin ahead.
The Imperial Guards, armed with keys found on the deceased, approached the cabin.
The cabin door creaked open, revealing darkness within.
The Imperial Guards, prepared, entered first with torches. After a few breaths, shouts of surprise came from inside: "Congratulations, Marquis Anguo! There are many treasures!"
Everyone's hearts leaped, seemingly understanding Liang Xiao's motive.
Treasures!
Liang Xiao, with a calm demeanor, simply said, "Then we must congratulate His Majesty."
In his haste to save lives, Liang Xiao had killed Duguling, which was bound to enrage the Duguling family. If he were to claim these treasures as his own, impeachment memorials would surely flood the capital from across the land, putting Xiao Qing in a difficult position.
Yang Huan and the others couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
If it were someone like Duguling, this entire ship's treasure would likely...
Following Liang Xiao into the cabin, they immediately saw gold and various rare treasures piled in the center. "What kind of foreign treasures are these?"
Liang Xiao glanced at them and smiled. "These are Tridacna shells,玳瑁 (a type of turtle shell), pearls, agate... The treasure on this ship is worth over a million taels of silver."
Everyone rejoiced, their breathing becoming shallow. A million taels, such a rich bounty! This was a rare vessel of fortune!
Only Liang Xiao, scanning his surroundings, grew increasingly anxious.
There were only treasures and some inferior equipment here; nothing that Liang Xiao truly expected.
"Is this the only cabin?" Liang Xiao asked the Imperial Guard.
The captain of the Imperial Guard nodded. "Reporting to Marquis Anguo! This is the only cabin for precious goods. The other cabins are open, but ravaged by the fight with the pirates, covered in blood!"
"Where are the kitchen or the food storage?" Liang Xiao asked urgently.
Chen Shaoling and Yang Huan exchanged glances, finding it incomprehensible.
Were these treasures not the most important thing?
The Imperial Guard chuckled dryly. "The kitchen is also in disarray..."
They couldn't understand why, with such an astonishing haul, the Marquis Anguo was still so anxious to go to a place like the kitchen.
Liang Xiao immediately left several Tianshan knights and Imperial Guards to secure the area, then led the others to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Liang Xiao looked at the smoked meat and dried rations scattered on the floor, silent.
Chen Shaoling, looking at the smoked meat, exclaimed, "The method of smoking this meat is identical to our traditional Da Qian smoked meat. Where exactly did this ship come from?"
Everyone froze, looking at Chen Shaoling with questioning eyes.
Chen Shaoling's face flushed, and he chuckled sheepishly. "I enjoy smoked meat, so I'm quite knowledgeable about it..."
Liang Xiao glanced at Chen Shaoling and casually advised, "You should eat less of this. If you do eat it, consume it with fruits and vegetables to avoid harming your health."
Chen Shaoling was astonished. "My wife also advises me similarly... Marquis Anguo, your suggestion about smallpox prevention, and now this. Do you truly understand medicine?"
Everyone was startled.
A scholar who governed the nation also had time to study medicine?
"I know a little!" Liang Xiao replied vaguely, his disappointment evident.
Chen Shaoling quickly apologized. "Marquis Anguo, please forgive my chattiness!"
Liang Xiao shook his head. "It has nothing to do with you, Shaoling. My distress isn't because of you, but because I haven't found what I was looking for."
The history of Da Qian was similar to his homeland during the pre-Qin period, but it had diverged onto a completely different path. Its geography also shared many similarities: Helan Mountains, Yan Yun region, the Western Regions of Qiuci, the Wanluo region, Jiangnan, the Yangtze River, the Eastern Sea...
Liang Xiao had superimposed his homeland's geography onto Da Qian's, which was generally practical.
Seeing the corpses of the foreign sailors, Liang Xiao became even more excited: their appearance bore a resemblance to the "Mayans" he knew!
And the Mayans were in the Americas, the birthplace of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn...
Alas, reality cruelly shattered Liang Xiao's fantasy.
In this kitchen, where food was stored, these items were nowhere to be found!
Moreover, it was unlikely that these foreigners would have specially brought these crops to Da Qian unless they were for consumption.
"What you were looking for?" Everyone was even more perplexed.
Liang Xiao asked, "Are the storage areas only the kitchen and the cargo hold?"
A certain Imperial Guard hastily replied, "Reporting to Marquis Anguo! There is another cabin that is locked, but the key doesn't work. Fearing I would violate your orders, we dared not force it open..."
Liang Xiao immediately had the Imperial Guard lead the way to the door.
"Marquis Anguo, the key won't open it!" Yang Huan, holding the key, was sweating profusely.
Without a word, Liang Xiao looked at the large lock. He took out a thin iron wire from his waist pouch and approached it, fiddling with it.
Under the shocked gaze of everyone present, the large lock was opened with a "click!" by Liang Xiao.
Everyone stared blankly. This Marquis Anguo opened locks faster than a thief!
Jian Qinwan watched, suddenly recalling the time Liang Xiao had stolen the iron door open and entered her bathing area. Her face flushed crimson, and she cast a resentful glance at Liang Xiao.
After Liang Xiao pushed the door open, the Imperial Guards entered first to observe. Yang Huan's voice then came from within: "It's all plants. What are these things!"
Liang Xiao's expression changed. He rushed in, and looking around, saw that the room was indeed filled with numerous flowers and plants, as well as several large water vats!
"These foreigners, sailing across the sea, wasting so much fresh water to cultivate these things? Are they mad!" Yang Huan said with a wry smile.
But as Yang Huan turned, he saw Liang Xiao staring intently at several wooden basins in the distance.
Liang Xiao's hands were trembling violently!
"Marquis Anguo?" Yang Huan was startled.
Liang Xiao didn't respond. He walked alone to these wooden basins, his expression shifting rapidly, his pupils constricting.
The left basin contained several corn cobs and a full basin of corn seeds...
The right large basin held hundreds of reddish-white tubers mixed together...
In the center were hundreds of pale yellow tubers, some of which had already sprouted...
Corn! Sweet potatoes! Potatoes!