"Sulfur? Red cedar?" Zhuo Wu Lue and the others behind Liang Xiao's heart trembled, suppressing their reactions.
These were the resources the Great Gan Kingdom needed most!
Seeing Liang Xiao did not respond, Babaris quickly explained, "The Great Gan Kingdom's reputation is renowned among nations. Our fleet is by the East Coast; you can send people to inspect the cargo at any time."
Liang Xiao suppressed the surprise in his heart and calmly replied, "Military equipment design blueprints are state secrets, and our country cannot provide them. However, we can sell you some infantry armor and fine steel shields to better resist the archery of the Tian Ri tribe."
The technical content of infantry armor was limited; each country had its own style, and production relied on national strength.
Babaris could not hide his disappointment and explained, "We understand that military equipment design blueprints cannot be provided. Our ships carry twenty thousand catties of sulfur, one thousand logs of red cedar, one thousand catties of frankincense, and five hundred Damascus-crafted swords. After discussions with your kingdom's Ministry of Revenue, their estimated value exceeds one million taels of silver! Besides exchanging for seeds and saplings, we also wish to obtain Great Gan's blue-and-white porcelain, silk, and infantry armor..."
"We can sell you five hundred sets of infantry armor. The best seeds and saplings will cost twenty thousand taels in total for each type, with blue-and-white porcelain and silk to supplement. How about it?" Liang Xiao asked.
Babaris hurriedly said, "What's important is building good relations, even forming an alliance! The great Saladin arranged for our fleet to visit Great Gan a year ago, but due to the Tian Ri tribe occupying Central Asia at the time, we dared not act rashly. We delayed until half a year ago when we occupied Central Asia, and only then did we dare to set sail. We sailed around and even received resupply at the coast of Da Liang, where we were hosted by the Regent. You should understand that across such a vast distance, we have subsequent fleets en route..."
"Once our Great Gan Kingdom annihilates the Jiangnan rebels, we will surely fight a decisive battle with the Tian Ri tribe at the Kushan Dynasty and annihilate their cavalry! The Tian Ri tribe is our common enemy. Even without your request, our country would still prepare for an expedition. Even if it takes a hundred or a thousand years, we will surely exterminate the Tian Ri tribe!" Liang Xiao declared resolutely.
Seeing the determined expressions on Liang Xiao and those behind him, Babaris nodded ecstatically, "As expected of a nation and people recognized by Ms. Liang Jing, we are willing to trade with the Great Gan Kingdom!"
Over a hundred foreign guards from the Court of State Ceremonial entered, carrying fifty large chests. They opened the lids, revealing the weapons inside.
Each chest contained ten swords, with handles two chi long and blades three chi long. They bore demonic patterns on their surfaces, comparable to the water-patterned steel weapons of the Great Gan Kingdom.
Upon seeing the weapons, Zhuo Wu Lue and the others were stunned and took out their own waist swords.
"How does the Great Gan Kingdom also possess such weapons..." Babaris was also stunned.
An astonishing and prolonged silence fell upon the scene.
After a long while, Liang Xiao finally spoke, "Our country has unexpectedly developed the craftsmanship for this type of steel."
Babaris drooped his head, "Truly a pity!"
Liang Xiao consoled him, "Rest assured, according to our country's valuation, each of these swords is still worth over a hundred taels."
Babaris's expression slightly eased, and he secretly did some calculations.
In fact, Damascus weapons only cost the equivalent of two taels of gold each where they came from, ten times the price of silver of the same quality. A long voyage could increase their value fivefold, which was commendable.
With Xiao Qing's approval, the Great Gan Kingdom provided a large quantity of fine blue-and-white porcelain, silk, five hundred sets of infantry armor, and the best three types of crop seeds and saplings from the north to Babaris's fleet.
Upon receiving the goods, Babaris finally felt the sincerity of the Great Gan Kingdom and revealed information to Liang Xiao.
"The Tian Ri tribe has collected and restored the weapons of various European peoples. They are likely to pose a threat to Great Gan's heavy infantry, especially their ballistae, which have caused us immense suffering. We hope the Great Gan Kingdom can hasten to contain the Kushan Dynasty."
"The Tian Ri captives we captured revealed to us that the Tian Ri tribe originated from the far north of Europe. We have also discovered that this race once concealed their cannibalistic nature, dealt disingenuously with various peoples on the European continent, supported puppets and traitors everywhere, and finally, taking advantage of weaknesses, destroyed countless civilizations, including the Roman Empire, usurping them for their own use, and then devouring the women and children of those nations..."
"According to our rough estimates, more than half the population of the European continent has been wiped out by the Tian Ri tribe. They also brought various plagues, but these plagues have also had adverse effects on themselves, greatly hindering their destruction of other surviving civilizations. Once they reorganize and mobilize, it will be the beginning of the annihilation of all civilizations."
"They have also mastered superior shipbuilding technology, enabling them to cross oceans and conquer overseas territories! Furthermore, the Tian Ri tribe is approaching the northern deserts of your Great Gan, and may invade the southern deserts at any time. Be extremely vigilant!"
...
This wealth of intelligence greatly shocked those behind Liang Xiao.
Babaris's intelligence coincided perfectly with Liang Xiao's own deductions and finally earned his trust.
In return, the Great Gan Kingdom provided the fleet with a large quantity of fresh water and dry rations, and sold them five hundred sets of ordinary crossbows and bolts, enabling the fleet to effectively defend against pirates along the way and successfully return to the Ayyubid Dynasty.
For safety reasons, the Great Gan Kingdom still did not sell its innovative weaponry.
"The Great Gan Kingdom has won the sincere friendship of the Ayyubid Dynasty, and our second fleet is already on its way!"
Before their departure, Babaris and his entourage were filled with gratitude and returned laden with goods.
Half of the Damascus swords and one thousand catties of top-grade frankincense were stored in the treasury, while the rest were bestowed by Xiao Qing upon court officials and generals from various regions.
In the Great Gan Kingdom, one catty of frankincense was priced at nearly two hundred taels of silver, an exorbitant luxury item!
The East Sea also received twenty thousand catties of sulfur and one thousand logs of red cedar, which were urgently transported to the capital and handed over to the Ministry of Armaments for safekeeping.
Babaris's arrival also made the Great Gan Kingdom understand that there were indeed people on the western continent fighting against the Tian Ri tribe, which was incredibly good news.
After all, this war of races might last for a century or even a millennium, and Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing could not fully guarantee what lay beyond their time.
Several days later, Liang Xiao received a secret report from the Jiangnan region, his brow furrowed, "Is it reliable?"
The shadow guard responsible for relaying the message nodded solemnly, "Liu Nanfeng has guaranteed the Old Duke of Dingguo that even if that person's defection is a genuine act, Wourongzhou will suffer no losses, and troops can be withdrawn into the city in a timely manner!"
Liang Xiao was somewhat relieved, but still cautioned, "Not a single city or territory in Jiangnan can be lost. It is better to achieve no merit than to be defeated! Inform the Old Duke of Dingguo and the Great General who Conquered the South that once affairs in the capital are settled and the Zhongzhou troops have completed their training, I will personally lead troops south to provide support."
The shadow guard, carrying Liang Xiao's letters and tokens, urgently returned to Jiangnan.
Double agents were the most anxiety-inducing, as you never knew which side they truly belonged to.
In the Western Palace Villa, Liang Xiao was accompanying his wife and children in practicing calligraphy and playing chess when Ning Xuejun brought a treasure box.
"My Lord, Royal Consort, the designs for the banknotes are ready."
Liang Xiao and his wives leaned over to look and praised them highly.