Chapter 50: Placating the Sindhu Monks (2/2)
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 Plains.”
“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 google, 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.