Chapter 400 (2/2)

When they heard this, they were more relaxed but were still guarded. Some things could be used to trade but there were many things not up for trade. Just like the method to plant their precious herbs, they would never trade the knowledge. Craftsmanship was one of them. While they could talk about it, they would never leak the core secrets.

When he heard that this was Shao Xuan’s only request, it seemed like the matter of the glowing stones were settled. At least this visit was fruitful, but… Quan Bai and the rest eyed the seedlings in the fenced plot of land.

Someone nudged Quan Bai, implying that he should ask.

Quan Bai mustered up his courage. “I wonder if you have more ‘Thousand Grain Gold’ with you?”

Shao Xuan regarded them. “What? You want some?”

“If you do, we are willing to make another trade.” Quan Bai’s eyes were filled with anticipation. They had studied the seedlings just now. When Qi Qi wasn’t looking, he even pinched off a leaf and smelled it, tasting it in his mouth. That was when he knew he wanted it. However, he had to calm himself down to negotiate the trade.

“Sure you can have some but I’ll make the decision after I talk to your craftsmen,” said Shao Xuan.

After?!

Quan Bai and the rest panicked. Who knew how long that was? They could fail if they missed the best season for planting! It would be unacceptable to these farming experts!

However, Shao Xuan had made up his mind. They knew Shao Xuan was forcing them to arrange for the meeting with the craftsmen so they could only do what he said.

The Taihe people who’d initially planned to drag the trade now quickly arranged for an experienced craftsman to talk to Shao Xuan. This craftsman was intelligent and talented at his work. They couldn’t send a dumber one, fearing anyone who was a little slower could accidentally leak their tribe secrets.

This craftsman was prepared for the meeting, fully alert as he went to meet Shao Xuan. He wondered how he would avoid answering questions about craftsmanship. However, Shao Xuan had asked about the Xia people instead.

The craftsman was much more relaxed, telling him what he knew. As for the cloud patterns he asked about, the craftsman did not know either.

After a thought, the craftsman said, “I think I remember there are some records about the Xia people’s cloud patterns in the ancestor scrolls.”

Shao Xuan, who was initially disappointed, perked up. “Your ancestors studied Xia cloud patterns?”

He nodded. “I think so, but after they passed on, no one continued the research.”

The truth was that the craftsmen from Taihe wanted to make imitations of the Xia people’s work because Xia artefacts sold at a high price. Their trademark pattern was complicated clouds. However, when they started to cast the bronze wares, they realised these seemingly easy patterns were difficult to achieve! Just a small mistake would affect the quality of the entire product. It was very obvious that it was fake.

These few craftsmen had spent their entire lives on this but it was a pity they could not figure out a way to replicate it. However, they did learn some things that were recorded down and passed to their descendants. The descendants were not interested in making fakes though so slowly, people did not pay attention to it, merely skimming through when they read the records.

To the Taihe people, the Xia cloud patterns belonged to other people so they were not considered secret knowledge. They were available for trade. However, they still couldn’t give him the ancestral records so the craftsman agreed to tidy up the stuff and send a copy to Shao Xuan.

Later, when Shao Xuan received the tidied records, he was so happy he gave them three glowing crystals. This was actually the agreed amount set by the Taihe people but they felt like they had gotten a great deal.

As for the Thousand Grain Gold they so desperately wanted, Shao Xuan also took out fifty grains in exchange for some medicinal herbs. Other matters were passed to Duo Kang for negotiation while Shao Xuan returned to study the records.

The Taihe craftsmen really had planned to forge Xia artefacts, it was a pity they could not overcome this block. The Xia cloud patterns looked simple but were really not that easy.

At least these notes taught Shao Xuan a lot. Although they did not completely understand the pattern either, their thought processes and solved questions were all inspirations for Shao Xuan.

Shao Xuan had been trying to crack the code when one day, Qi Qi came looking for him in panic.

When she saw his bloodshot eyes, she gasped. “Elder Shao Xuan, why… Did yours fail too?”

“What?” Shao Xuan asked, rubbing his eyes.

“The ones you planted.”

“Uh, what did I plant?”

“The Thousand Grain Gold.”

Shao Xuan did not say a word.