The revival of Shu Han

Chapter 358 All the way to the West ([-])

After the grand entrance ceremony, of course, there was a detailed discussion between the real power faction on the Byzantine side and Li Mi and others.

The first thing Aurelian said after sitting down was: "Dear Li, just now you said that you brought us equipment that can improve the combat effectiveness of cavalry?"

"Yes, General Austrian, this is the stirrup. With it, the knight's power on horseback will be doubled."

……

"Thank you very much! Thank you very much! But, my lord Lee, did you give them your stirrups when you came from Persia?"

"Of course, General, this thing is just a matter of thinking. It is not difficult to imitate. Our cavalry have used it all the way. It is almost impossible to keep it secret."

"...Uh, well, but Lee, you know. We are enemies in Rome and Persia. In the war between the two countries, the enemy can compete with us mainly because their cavalry is better. You gave them the stirrups ..."

"Hehehe, General, I don't think so. On the contrary, according to what my chief Sima said. The appearance of the stirrups is a huge loss to the side that used to have the advantage in cavalry."

"Oh? How do you say that?"

"Think about it, General. Without stirrups, it will take at least five years to train a skilled cavalryman. But what about with stirrups? It only takes one to two years. When there are no stirrups, Of course, Persia, which rules many nomads, can directly mobilize many warriors who have been riding horses since childhood to directly form cavalry, but your country needs to spend a long time and pay a lot of money to slowly train cavalry. But after having stirrups, Persia The source, quantity, and training speed of cavalry have not changed, but the speed of cavalry training in your country has accelerated several times. Do you think that after the appearance of this thing, will it be good or bad for a country that is dominated by farming?"

"Well... what the envoy said makes sense. Well, let's not talk about this matter. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude and gratitude to the big man."

"Thank you General Ao for your generosity and understanding."

"So, Dear Li, can you tell us about the history and present of Dahan?"

"As ordered!"

……

"I see. Sure enough, the greater the country, the more hardships it has to endure. As Li said, Guan Kaiser of your country is really a great hero."

"Guan Kaiser..." Forget it, I don't bother to worry about what to call him: "Then, General Ao, can you also send someone to explain to us the history and current situation of your country?"

"Of course, this is the minimum etiquette for friends."

Dahan and Rome are two countries with extremely long histories.In this way, the history of the two countries has come to an end, and one day has passed.

That night, in the posthouse of Byzantium.

"It turns out that the Roman Empire, like my big man, rebelled everywhere and fell into civil war. In this way, there is no need for us to go to Rome."

"Yeah, but I think this general Austrian is also an ambitious figure. I can't say, once the current Roman emperor dies, I guess this one will stand on his own."

"That's for sure. I just don't know if this Austrian general will have the last laugh in the ensuing civil war?"

"Hehehe, I think this great Austrian general is bold but yet meticulous, full of ambition but not arrogant. And during this period of time we have contacted ordinary soldiers and civilians in Rome, and found that the hearts of the army and the people are against this general. Extremely supportive. Although I don’t know the abilities of the Roman generals further west, but from the point of view of this general alone, I am very optimistic about it.”

"Shuhe is right. But even if the general fails in the next competition, it doesn't matter. Rome is too far away from us, and Rome itself is too big. In your lifetime, I, a big man, can only To associate with him, not to fight with him. So, call him a general, a general. Whoever controls the eastern part of the country, we'll deal with whoever."

"Huh? Zihui's words are quite good!"

The next day, the talks between the two sides continued.

"Dear Li, I am very sorry to inform you. Due to the invasion of the Vandals in the north, I have to lead the army to fight northward. Today, the various legions began to prepare supplies. Tomorrow at the latest. Therefore, I only have one day and You discuss."

"Shan, General Ao, let's be direct. According to the habit of my family's chief Sima, let's talk about what we can provide you first, and then talk about what we need."

"Okay, please tell me."

"We came this time with accompanying merchants who brought a large amount of silk and porcelain. Some of these things were sold in Persia. The rest, I hope we can be allowed to sell in Byzantium. As for the price, just follow the market as you go. "

"Yes, but no matter how much you sell, you have to collect commercial tax according to the tithe."

"Of course. Then I will move on to the second item. On the order of the great Sima of our country, I will send silk, ceramics, soap, white paper and other gifts to General Austria, the generals of the legions, and the governors of the provinces."

"Thank you very much, thank you Guan Kaiser for your generosity."

"Uh...needless to say about silk and ceramics. Let me specifically explain two things, soap and white paper..."

And then, of course, there was the shock and the jitters.Aurelian and others are equally eager to obtain the production technology of white paper.For this point, Li Mi and others are of course not sensitive.Just a guarantee: if the trade roads are smooth, white paper can be supplied to Rome as a commodity for a long time.

"Third, the great Sima of our country said that although the civilization of the Han Dynasty is unique in the East, it is because of this that the progress of our civilization is very difficult. Therefore, long-term exchanges with your country are very necessary. Therefore, if your country Agree, when our envoy visits your country next time, we will send [-] to [-] young people to study and live in your country."

"Oh! Dear Lee, this is very constructive. Rome also needs to send the same mission, leading the same number of teenagers to Dahan to study."

Are you trying to send someone to secretly learn papermaking and silk weaving?But when you come here, you will know how strict the control of these two departments is.

"Yes, we very much welcome young talents from Rome to study and communicate in our country."

"Okay, Governor Dibinis, please take charge of this matter. Be sure to choose smart and determined young people to travel."

"As you order, Lord Commander."

"Well, Dear Li, please continue."

"Article [-], we provide your country with the history books of each era in your country, and provide a compilation of the thoughts of my Chinese sages."

"Thank you very much! We also need it very much! But Li, please leave outstanding scholars to stay with us for a while. Only in this way can we translate it accurately."

"There is no problem with this. Because we need to do things in your country next, it will take a certain amount of time to think about it."

"Oh?" Aurelian smiled playfully: "What can our country do for the great man? Please tell me."

"Article [-], my country has reached a trade agreement with Persia. With a team of imperial merchants issued by the Da Sima Mansion of our country, as long as they pay a certain percentage of commercial taxes in Persia and abide by the laws of the country, they will be protected. We hope that we can also Reach a similar agreement with your country."

"Yes! Of course! Moreover, if the merchants in your country are brave enough, we can open up two other trade routes that bypass the Persians."

The other two trade routes mentioned by Aurelian, one is to bypass the Persian territory from the north of what is now Sassanid Persia: after turning over from Congling in the Western Regions, instead of going south, go directly northwest to the Aral Sea and pass through Khwarazm , across the Caspian Sea, through the Caucasus, and into the Black Sea.Entering the Black Sea is naturally entering the sphere of Roman rule.

For the big Han, in order to ensure the safety of the trade route, it is necessary to expand their power to the west of Lake Balkhash.For Rome, it is necessary to push its influence deep into the Caucasus.This point poses great difficulties for both countries.

The other way is naturally the sea way.This is also a long-term prospect for Ji Han, a country that has no access to the sea.

"The new trade route mentioned by General Austria is still difficult for our country. We are willing to send a team to explore the new trade route. But before the new trade route is safe and stable, we have to trade with your country through Persia .”

"...Okay, then, please tell me the second item."

"The second article, we need all kinds of books from your country. Especially books from various philosophers, jurists, and history books from your country."

"Hahahaha~~~ I understand why your envoy said that you will stay with us for a long time. No problem! Although the library of Byzantium is not as good as Rome and Alexandria, it still has nearly [-] books. I decide Now, you can read and transcribe as you like!"

"Thank you General for your generosity. Third, we have brought soybeans, pears, plums, peaches, millet, garlic, onions, leeks and other local crop seeds to your country. We also want to Import rapeseed, celery, radish, flax, asparagus, spinach, apples (red apples, China is the origin of green apples), cherries and other crops from your country. In this way, we can exchange what we need and improve the diet of the people of the two countries.”

As an agricultural student, the history of the migration and spread of crops must be learned.Guan Yi is very clear that in the 21st century, there are more than 300 kinds of main food crops, vegetables and fruits in the world, of which more than 50 kinds are native to Europe, more than 30 kinds are native to the Americas, more than 70 kinds are native to China-East Asia, and 50 kinds are native to the South Asian subcontinent. Many kinds. The remaining nearly 100 species are from West Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region, such as Egypt, Asia Minor, Persia, and the arc-shaped area of ​​​​the Mesopotamia, so this area is also called the Fertile Crescent. The region where civilization was born and developed.It's true that America can't go now, but all kinds of good breeds in the Fertile Crescent must be found in Rome and Persia this time!

As for the fine breeds from the Indian Peninsula, hehe, that is the job of Nanzhong Governor Wang Qi and others.

"Uh... well. Dear Li, I only know how to fight and don't understand agriculture. But please rest assured, I support the exchange of unique crops between the two sides in principle. For specific matters, I will ask the person in charge of agriculture in the province of Bithynia later. Officials will talk to you in detail."

"Thank you very much, General Ao. Then let me talk about the fourth item. Our Great Sima sincerely invites Roman scholars to give lectures in Dahan."

"I don't object to this, nor do I support it. As long as the scholar is voluntary, and what he knows and learns does not involve the country's military secrets, we can let him go."

"Thank you very much for your enlightenment. General Ao, my boss has only arranged these tasks for me. However, since we will stay in your country for a long time, why do I add a request temporarily?"

"please say."

"The General Long beside me is a cavalry officer with certain command experience in our military. If it is convenient, can you bring him with you when the general goes north to suppress the rebellion?"

"Hahahahaha~~~Of course! Dragon! I am very happy to accept your help!"

(End of this chapter)