My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 86 Oh, a rare item from the Western Regions
"Ahui, look here, look here, see what your uncle bought for you?"

Gao Yu magically pulled a rattle drum from his pocket, squatted down, and shook it from side to side, making a 'dong dong dong' sound.

It quickly caught the attention of Ahui, who is Gao Cheng.

After Gao Cheng was born last year, Gao Huan named him Cheng, and A Hui was his nickname. Lou Zhaojun originally wanted to give Gao Cheng a Xianbei name, but Gao Huan refused on the grounds that the court had issued an edict to change his surname, so the matter was dropped.

Gao Cheng is now a little over a year old and can barely walk a few steps on his own. The maid beside him carefully protects him, but after a few unsteady steps, he falls to the ground.

But because his attention was entirely focused on the rattle drum, Xiao Gaocheng didn't cry; instead, he crawled over.

Gao Yu picked him up with one hand and continued to spin the rattle to amuse him.

Gao Cheng was amused and kept giggling, constantly reaching out her little hands to grab the rattle drum.

After teasing him for a while, Gao Yu handed him over to the maid beside him.

Lou Zhaojun and Gao Huan came out of the inner courtyard and saw Gao Yu teasing Gao Cheng. Lou Zhaojun said with a hint of disgust, "He's so naughty at such a young age. Who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause in the future?"

Gao Yu smiled and praised, "It's good to be naughty when you're young. You'll definitely be successful in the future. I remember my older brother and sister saying that I was just as naughty when I was young. Ah Hui will definitely be brave in the future."

Lou Zhaojun beamed with joy at Gao Yu's praise.

"Husband, Erlang, you go ahead with your business. I'll take Ahui back to the inner courtyard."

Lou Zhaojun took Gao Cheng from the maid and gave the two brothers space to talk.

The two brothers exchanged a glance and then moved to the banquet hall, where the servants were preparing for the feast.

After returning from Luoyang.

Gao Huan underwent a complete transformation. No one knows how he persuaded Lou Neigan, but Lou Neigan sponsored him, giving him everything he had and squandering his entire fortune.

Gao Huan did nothing else but frequently hold banquets, inviting renowned young talents from all around Huai Shuo to his residence.

When asked by others, Gao Huan replied, "With the current state of government, things are predictable. How can wealth be kept forever?"

The frequent banquets have indeed allowed me to meet quite a few people.

Sima Ziru, the provincial governor of Huai Shuo; Jia Xianzheng, a native of Zhongshan; Sun Teng, the clerk of the Huai Shuo household registration office…

These families all have considerable influence. For example, although Jia Xianzheng himself does not hold an official position, his father is the Chief Clerk of Woye Town, and his brother Jia Xiandu is currently a Deputy General in Bogulu Town. Bogulu Town is located west of Woye and Xiazhou, in the shape of the Yellow River, with the left side being the vertical line.

It's roughly the area around modern-day Yinchuan.

Before long, someone came to visit.

Sun Teng and Sima Ziru arrived at the same time, clearly indicating that they had arranged to visit together.

"I never expected Erlang to be here today! We're definitely going to drink until we drop!"

"Erlang, I heard that Wuchuan Town will send someone to compete in a few days. Are you confident? I will definitely bet heavily on you to win."

Gao Yu bowed to the two men and smiled, "Wuchuan is nothing to worry about. Bet heavily! At least three goals, and remember to give me 20% afterwards."

"Erlang really knows how to do business. He wants to take 20% of my investment without me having to pay anything."

A few people talked and laughed.

Soon Hou Jing arrived, bringing Mulan, Bilugu, and others with him.

With more people, the banquet becomes more lively, and with beautiful women dancing to add to the festivities, it naturally becomes even more lively.

They drank and chatted until sunset.

Gao Yu had just left Gao Huan's residence when his servants were already waiting outside in a carriage to take him back to the mansion. Once back, maids served him as he bathed and changed.

I drank quite a bit of alcohol and felt a little dizzy. Although the alcohol content of the rice wine in this era was not high, I still couldn't keep drinking it.

Day two.

Gao Yu was still in a dazed, hungover state when he was woken up by the maid.

"My dear, my dear..."

"What's the matter?"

Someone came to report that the caravan had returned.

Gao Yu ignored his headache and immediately sat up in bed.

"Quick, quick, prepare your clothes!"

After the maids helped him wash up, Gao Yu changed his clothes and went outside, where he saw a familiar figure waiting for him.

"Liu Taozhi!" "My lord!"

Although they hadn't seen each other for over a year, Liu Taozhi immediately knelt down and bowed to Gao Yu upon seeing him.

Gao Yu quickly helped him up.

In the past year or so, Liu Taozhi has changed dramatically. He has grown taller and his skin has become dark and weathered from living outdoors. He doesn't look like a boy who is not even twenty years old.

You can tell how much hardship he endured on his journey westward.

Gao Yu patted him on the shoulder, "The journey westward for trade is fraught with difficulties and dangers; you've suffered a lot."

Liu Taozhi's eyes were red and tears were streaming down her face. She wanted to kneel again, but Gao Yu stopped her.

He didn't rush to ask Liu Taozhi what she had gained, but instead summoned his servants.

"Go quickly and prepare fine wine and food."

"No matter what it is, there's no need to rush to report it. Let's have a good meal first."

Liu Taozhi nodded.

After the servants brought him meat and wine, he began to devour them.

After eating until I was half full.

Only then did Liu Taozhi begin to tell Gao Yu about her experiences along the way.

In fact, they were following the Western Regions trade route that had been opened up during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, bringing light and valuable goods such as silk to exchange for other commodities. Of course, this trade route was not opened up by Emperor Wu of Han. It had existed and was quite well-established before Liu Che (Emperor Wu of Han) opened up the Western Regions. The history of trade between East and West was much longer than the history of opening up the Western Regions, a conclusion that has been established by numerous archaeological evidence in later generations.

Gao Yu set his sights on the Silk Road, although the term "Silk Road" only came into use in later generations until modern times; it is not used today.

It's mainly for two things.

First, sugar.

Second, cotton.

Ancient India had a sophisticated process for producing sugarcane.

Sugar is a wonderful thing!
Calling them 'legal banned drugs' wouldn't be an exaggeration; sweets are indeed addictive.

No living thing can resist sweets.

Including paramecium.

If we could master this technology, it would be like having an inexhaustible gold mine. The only remaining problem would be: once we had the sugar-making process, where would we find sugarcane? That would also be a problem.

As for cotton, it was of course for cotton textiles, for cotton cloth that would surely dominate the world in the future. He had once read a book called "The Cotton Empire" and was quite familiar with the impact of cotton on the world. From this book, he also learned that cotton had been cultivated in the South Asian subcontinent since ancient times.

If one could obtain cotton seeds and cultivate them, it would surely yield a great fortune.

“We followed the Lou family caravan westward, and after half a year we arrived at the Gandhara Kingdom that you mentioned. I also found the ‘rock honey’ that you mentioned in the local market.”

"Have you learned the craft of making 'rock candy'?"

Liu Taozhi shook her head, "I want to learn, but the craftsmen there absolutely refuse to teach us."

"so……"

Ok?
"On the way back, I gathered a few men and brought back the two craftsmen who made rock candy."

"Good good!"

Gao Yu praised it repeatedly!

You have to admit, Liu Taozhi is a quick-witted kid!

If it were one of Liu Yi's brutes, they probably would have drawn their swords and killed the craftsman on the spot after being rejected.

"Did you treat those two craftsmen well?"

"Don't worry, my lord, I will treat them to the best wine and meat along the way."

"What about people?"

"They are currently outside the manor. I will go and bring them in right away!"

Gao Yu nodded.

I couldn't help but become extremely excited!
If he could really obtain the sugar production technology, why would he have to worry about not being able to support his army?

(End of this chapter)