People in the Song Dynasty were lawless

Chapter 491 The Big Deal
In mid-May of the twelfth year of the Qingli period, after nearly a month of sailing across the sea, the Song Dynasty envoys crossed the Bay of Bengal and arrived in the Chola Dynasty.

When the Chola King Rajati Raja Chola I learned that the Song Dynasty envoys had arrived, he gave them extremely high treatment.

In 1000 AD, the Chola Dynasty was considered a relatively powerful dynasty. They had three large legions, each with soldiers, including war elephants, cavalry, archers, and heavy infantry.

They also obtained the technology of Greek fire from Arab merchants who were trading between China and the West at that time. Their soldiers were equipped with heavy armor, iron shields, swords and were very powerful.

More importantly, the Chola Dynasty was a populous country. Around 1048 AD, their population had reached million, and their strength was very strong.

If placed in East Asia, the Chola Dynasty should be a country with a population second only to the Song Dynasty. After all, the Liao Dynasty, the second most populous country in East Asia, now has less than 7 million people and its military power has also declined greatly.

The Chola dynasty was at its peak at this time. The previous king, Rajendra Chola I, had just completed an expedition to Bengal, and his territory spanned half of the Indian peninsula.

At present, apart from the fact that the Chola Dynasty has been fighting its mortal enemy, the Chola Dynasty, for a hundred years without a single victory, it is still a small bully at least in the Indian Peninsula and even in Southeast Asia.

However, when they heard that the Song Dynasty envoys were coming, they did not adopt a hostile attitude.

There are three reasons.

First, although they also wanted to fight for the Strait of Malacca and expand their sphere of influence to Southeast Asia, first of all, they did not have the ability to launch a cross-sea expedition, and secondly, there was no geopolitical conflict between them and the Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty was currently managing the northern region of Southeast Asia, which is what later became Vietnam, the Philippines and other places, and had no intention of getting involved in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Although the Chola Dynasty had ideas about Indonesia and Malaysia, it currently did not have the ability to put them into action.

So the two sides do not interfere with each other.

Second, Chola merchants also traded with the Song Dynasty. Even in the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song Dynasty, the grandfather of the current Chola king, the then Chola king Rajaraja I, sent envoys to pay tribute to the Song Dynasty.

Therefore, the Chola Dynasty needed to continue trading with the Song Dynasty, selling precious commodities such as pearls, ivory, spices, gems, etc. that were produced in their country to the Song Dynasty to make money.

Third, as mentioned above, Chola merchants had close trade relations with the Song Dynasty, so the Chola Dynasty was not a country isolated from information.

Of course, they also know the strong position of the Song Dynasty in the East and the dominance of the Song Dynasty navy in the South China Sea.

Therefore, we also know that the Song Dynasty was powerful.

With the combination of geopolitical factors, military fears and vested interests, the Chola Dynasty had no reason to conflict with the Song Dynasty unless it was crazy.

Under such circumstances, Rajati Raja Chola I certainly had to maintain good relations with the Song Dynasty envoys.

They warmly welcomed the envoys at Oraiur, the capital of the Chola Empire, which was later the city of Thanjavur in the Tamil state of India.

The Cauvery River flows through this place, connecting to the Bay of Bengal, so large ships can reach it directly. It was the main inland waterway for trade between the Chola Empire and Eastern and Western countries at that time.

The Cauvery River is as wide as the Musi River. The narrowest part of the river is three or four hundred meters, and the widest part can reach one or two miles. The river water flows as if there is no end in sight.

The ironclad ship rumbled in, and the Chola king Rajati Raja Chola I came to greet it in person. Standing on the bow of the ship, one could see the prosperous port with all kinds of buildings standing side by side and crowds of people coming and going.

In the distance, a magnificent palace stood tall. Outside the city, people were cultivating the fertile land, and elephants were strolling among them.

Rajati Raja Chola I was dressed gorgeously. Indians seemed to have a special obsession with gold. He was covered in jewels and the sapphire ring on his hand alone was priceless.

It’s no wonder that later generations like India so much. It’s rich and has fertile land. Who wouldn’t like it?

"Your Majesty, the King."

Chola merchant Fulian, who served as a guide and part-time translator, was the first to get off the boat. He then placed his right hand on his chest, bowed to Raja Chola I and said, "This is the envoys from the Song Dynasty."

"Dear distinguished guests from the East, on behalf of the Chola Kingdom, I extend my sincere and friendly greetings to you."

Rajati Raja Chola I also bowed with his right hand on his chest.

Although the delegation did not understand what he said, Fulian quickly translated it for them, which made Tan Wenxue and others quite flattered.

"The king is polite."

Everyone bowed in return.

Then Rajati Raja Chola I said something else.

Folian explained, "His Majesty the King has expressed his great welcome to you and has invited you to the palace for a banquet."

"Thank you, King."

As representatives, Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei agreed immediately.

So, under the warm hospitality of Rajati Raja Chola I, the group arrived in the Chola Kingdom.

The kingdom is magnificent, with all kinds of buildings, lush flowers and plants, just like a fairyland.

A large number of tower-shaped buildings with exquisite reliefs and gorgeous temples were built around it, with carvings of some Hindu gods on them.

Many believers crowded around to worship.

Further away, many low-caste civilians are engaged in production work.

Among the crowd that received the king, a group of monks and nobles stood in the front.

Those who have studied high school history in later generations know that this is India’s caste system.

By the middle of the 11th century AD, Hinduism, which already has a history of more than years, had already taken root.

The predecessor of this religion was Brahmanism, which originated around 1600 BC, when my country was still in the period when the Shang Dynasty destroyed the Xia Dynasty.

Later, Buddhism and Jainism gradually emerged in the thousand-year-old culture of ancient India.

However, the Indian ruling class continued to suppress Buddhism and Jainism and actively promoted Hinduism, eventually making Hinduism the largest religion in the Indian peninsula today.

The reason is easy to understand.

Just as Confucianism is more suitable for the ruling class to rule, the theory of the caste system in Hinduism is also very suitable for the ruling class, helping them to maintain their rule.

The only difference is that the Eastern empires believed in the divine right of kings rather than the divine right of kings, so the king's power was not bound by religion.

In India and the West, kings are basically granted by God.

For example, the status of bishops and monks in Christianity and Hinduism is much higher than that of the king. Although it is only in name, it is enough to prove that the feudal ideology in the West at that time was more serious than that in the East.

Therefore, at this time, the elder monks of the Brihadeswara Temple represented by the Brahmins of the Chola Dynasty and the kings and nobles represented by the Kshatriyas became the two major groups to welcome the envoys from the Song Dynasty.

They stood in clear positions. The monks were few in number but stood at the front of the team, with their hands clasped together, wearing simple monk robes, and with peaceful expressions on their faces.

The ministers were dressed in luxurious clothes with cloth wrapped on their heads, standing by very solemnly.

Everyone entered the palace.

The palace was quite prosperous, but the embarrassing thing was that they had no tables or chairs, only rope beds.

And not everyone can sit on the rope bed. Only the king and monks can sit on it. It is shaped like a square chair with a fence, and a corner of the chair is missing for people to sit on.

However, Jatiraja Chola I had several rope beds prepared to ease the embarrassment, but it was a little uncomfortable to sit on.

Diplomacy is based on the principle of reciprocity.

The rest of the dignitaries and ministers were standing, the monks and the king were sitting, and the envoys from the Song Dynasty were also sitting. This unequal scene was indescribably strange.

It’s just that this is the etiquette of other countries, so it’s not easy for us to say anything.

After everyone sat down, the maid placed various fruits on the coffee table in front of them in golden vessels, as well as various curries, roast chicken, yogurt, juice, honey and various pastes.

"Dear guests, this is the best food in our kingdom. Your Majesty, please don't despise it!"

Folian said.

Everyone looked embarrassed, not because the porridge made with various spices, ginger, onions, etc. was so unpalatable, but because there were not even chopsticks.

"How do you eat this?"

Zhang Youwei asked in a low voice.

“It seems like I’m grabbing it with my hands.”

Tan Wenxue recalled a book he had read in the Ministry of Rites, which recorded that there were no chopsticks here, and everyone used their hands to eat. It was said that they even used their hands to eat when they went to the toilet.
"I should have brought a few pairs of chopsticks from the boat."

Wang Shining complained.

"Eat first."

Seeing that everyone around them was looking at them eagerly, Tan Wenxue had no choice but to bite the bullet and take a glass of juice and said to Jatiraja Chola I, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Let us offer our blessing to our guests."

When Jatiraja Chola I saw them start eating, he also picked up the juice cup in his right hand and raised his left hand flat in the direction of the envoys to signal them.

"bless all of you."

The monks also picked up the juice.

Then a bunch of dancers came in from the door and started dancing happily. Musicians played music nearby, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.

"It's the first time I drink from a golden cup. This doesn't seem to be wine."

"It's juice."

"The Chola dynasty was so rich that it served juice in golden cups."

Several members of the diplomatic corps responded to each other while whispering among themselves.

Soon the banquet was over.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, we began our business.

Tan Wenxue wiped his mouth with the silk cloth on his body, and then said to Jatiraja Chola I: "Your Highness."

"The Song Dynasty will hold a grand celebration on January 1st next year. We came here this time in the hope of inviting Your Highness to send someone to the Song Dynasty to participate in this grand event."

Fulian translated the meaning at the same time.

The Song Dynasty court attached great importance to this event and required Eastern countries to participate unless there were special circumstances, such as the king being seriously ill.

The same was true in the Tang Dynasty. If the emperor of the Tang Dynasty wanted to hold a celebration, he would invite the kings of the Western Regions to come.

Some, like the King of Gaochang, who did not obey the imperial edict, were scattered by the Tang army. However, the Tang army was relatively open-minded towards those distant countries, and did not force the kings of the other side to do so. This included Brunei, Java, Srivijaya and other Southeast Asian countries, which did not have such requirements.

After all, these countries are still too far away from the Song Dynasty. It takes a month for the Song Dynasty navy to get there. They themselves take their own small sailboats, which takes one to half a month to Guangzhou and two months to Quanzhou. The journey is still very long.

However, Tan Wenxue still extended an invitation to them at that time. Brunei and Java had no objection, but Srivijaya was ungrateful and eventually changed its king.

As for the countries in South Asia, the Middle East and Europe, they do not need to send a king, just envoys.

Firstly, the Song Dynasty's military might was not enough to irradiate them completely. Ironclad ships were more than enough to destroy a country, but it was difficult to occupy it. Secondly, the distance was too far, and forcing the king to come was indeed somewhat inhumane.

Therefore, Tan Wenxue did not invite Jatiraja Chola I this time, but just asked him to send an envoy.

After hearing his words, Jatiraja Chola I pondered and said, "In response to the invitation from Song, I can certainly send an envoy. My grandfather also sent an envoy in the past. It is a good thing to communicate with the great Eastern country."

"Then we can take the Chola envoys with us on our way back."

Tan Wenxue said happily.

"Of course, but"

"But what?"

Seeing Fulian say this, Tan Wenxue was puzzled.

Could it be that the Chola king had something else on his mind?

"But I heard that the Song Dynasty has very powerful firearms. I'm very curious. Can you let me see them for myself?"

Want to see some of this?

Tan Wenxue, Zhang Youwei, and Wang Shining looked at each other.

He said he wanted to gain some experience, but I'm afraid he just wanted to test the waters.

"nature."

Tan Wenxue winked at Wang Shining and said, "Let's demonstrate the power of the artillery to His Highness."

"That's great."

Jatiraja Chola I was very happy.

The group then left the palace.

The city-state of Oraiur was divided into seven levels, with the royal palace in the middle, followed by the temple, then the residences of the powerful, then the government residences, the common people's homes, the market streets, and the slums outside the city.

These seven layers clearly demonstrate the caste system to its fullest extent.

The first four floors are the residences of Brahmins and Kshatriyas, and the last two floors are the residences of Vaishyas and Shudras.

Outside the city are the habitats of a small number of Shudras and a large number of Dalits and Chandalas, who are known as untouchables and untouchables.

They were not even allowed to stand outside and watch the delegation. The palace guards kept them far away. The delegation, led by a group of high-caste dignitaries, arrived at the port again.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they went to a high tower near the port with Jatiraja Chola I and began to watch the naval guns.

Wang Shining held a flag in his hand and waved it in the direction of the ship, giving orders.

He looked around and saw that there were city-states and densely populated areas all around him, with only the other side of the river being an open space. So he said to Jatiraja Chola I, "Your Highness, please look. We will be here and fire cannonballs at the other side."

"It's so far away, won't it be hard to see clearly?"

Jatiraja Chola I asked.

"No"

Wang Shining was about to say no when they prepared a telescope for him.

Then Jatiraja Chola I said, "Why not shoot over there?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the south bank of the river.

Everyone looked over and their faces suddenly froze.

That side is a remote part of the city-state, but there is still a village there.

Although a cannon shot may not hit someone, who can be sure of such a thing?

It seems that the Chola Dynasty really does not take human life seriously.

"It's okay, Your Highness, just use this to see it."

Wang Shining's face twitched slightly and he handed over the telescope.

Jatiraja Chola I took the telescope and used it under Fulian's instruction. He was so amazed that he asked, "Does the Song Dynasty sell this thing?"

"Your Highness, please be patient and wait until after the demonstration."

Tan Wenxue smiled and said.

Then Wang Shining also waved the flag.

This tower is very tall, with six floors, and overlooks the river.

After seeing the instructions, Guangzhou on the river immediately began to load ammunition into the shell holes in the left cabin.

In order to demonstrate the effect, shrapnel bombs, that is, explosive bombs, were specially installed. Their lethality may not be greater than that of solid bullets, but the explosion effect and sound are definitely better than solid bullets.

"Prepare!"

"emission!"

The deputy commander on the ship shouted loudly.

In an instant, more than ten artillery shells were fired from the left gun port of the Guangzhou.

More than a dozen shells drew a brilliant arc in the air, and then quickly fell in a parabola, landing on the grass on the other side of the river a mile away.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!"

In an instant, explosions sounded everywhere, dust flew, and all kinds of grass, wood chips, and sand were flying in the sky.

Then came the sound of "bang bang", which had weakened a lot, causing Jatiraja Chola I's eyes to widen and his lips to tremble.

"Does Da Song sell this?"

he asked excitedly.

"This is a major national weapon. In principle, we don't sell it."

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

Finally found a buyer.

"We have gold, lots of gold."

Jatiraja Chola I waved his hands in front of his chest and said to Tan Wenxue: "We can buy it with gold!"

"this one"

Tan Wenxue pondered and said, "Its technical content is very high. Even in our Song Dynasty, there are not many of them."

"How much will it cost you to make a fire machine like this?"

"It will take about three pounds of gold."

Zhang Youwei said without changing his expression.

In the early Northern Song Dynasty, the ratio of silver to gold was about 1 to 5.

Later, as silver was mined, the amount of silver on the market increased and gold became scarce, and the ratio once rose to 1:8.

However, the ratio of gold to silver has now reached 1 to 12, and has maintained this ratio for several years without continuing to rise.

The reason for this is that although a large amount of silver from all over the world is flowing into the Song Dynasty, with the rapid prosperity of the commodity economy, the demand for silver is also skyrocketing.

Including minting silver coins, making silver jewelry, making it a common currency, etc., the court also purchased a large amount of silver to use as an anchor.

Therefore, even though the amount of silver flowing into the Song Dynasty reached millions of taels every year, the proportion remained very stable.

If calculated in this way, three kilograms of gold is equivalent to 36 kilograms of silver, or 576 taels of silver. According to the current ratio of one silver dollar to one tael of silver and one string of coins, the equivalent is 576 strings of coins.

It may not seem like much, because one of the bronze cannons used in the Song Dynasty's war against the Liao people during the Baoyuan period cost more than 500 strings of cash, so this price is about the same.

But the problem is that it was a bronze cannon.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, an iron cannon cost only two hundred taels of silver.

In the early Qing Dynasty, when fighting against Zheng Chenggong, Li Shutai, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, built a batch of red cannons.

Each statue cost only 193 taels, plus 300 shells and 1800 kilograms of gunpowder for each statue, it was only about 500 taels per statue.

It's not the 120mm rapid-fire cannon of the late Qing Dynasty that could fire five or six rounds per minute at a range of seven or eight kilometers.

The manufacturing process of an ordinary red-coated cannon weighing one or two thousand jin is simple and the cost is not expensive at all.

So these three pounds of gold and a cannon are obviously just killing pigs.

But the pig, Jatiraja Chola I, really took the bait.

He thought about it for a moment.

Although he felt that three kilograms of gold per statue was a bit expensive, he still gritted his teeth and said, "If the shipping cost is included, I am willing to buy fifty statues at the price of four kilograms of gold per statue."

Here comes the big life!

Tan Wenxue and Zhang Youwei looked very happy.

(End of this chapter)