Chapter 1198: The True and Fake High Priests! (1/2)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Five hundred dan… in addition, I also need your hybrid rice from Jiaozhi!”
The five hundred dan was secondary, but when Wang Chong heard the High Priest's second request, he finally showed a hint of shock.
The hybrid rice was a secret plan that Wang Chong was advancing in Jiaozhi, and also one of the most important points in his overall plan. He had always kept this matter under very tight wraps, and not even the important ministers in the court knew about it. Wang Chong had never imagined that the Sindhu High Priest would know of its existence.
”Impossible!”
With little thought, Wang Chong rejected the Sindhu High Priest's demands.
”The hybrid rice is not allowed to be circulated in any country except the Great Tang.”
Whether out of selfishness or callousness, Wang Chong would never allow anyone else to touch the hybrid rice, and no country could enjoy its benefits until the Great Tang was able to enjoy them. Not only that, Sindhu bordered Arabia, so the moment the hybrid rice entered Sindhu, it might as well have entered Arabia as well. The Arabian Empire might even choose to enslave all the Sindhu and have them farm the hybrid rice.
When they learned of the potential benefits, the Arabs would do this without hesitation! And Wang Chong could never stand for offering such a great boon to his enemy!
Buzz!
The temple fell silent. Ablonodan and Arloja had awkward expressions. In Sindhu, Wang Chong was truly a most benevolent figure. At the very least, the Sindhi had never enjoyed such treatment from the Arabs. Moreover, Wang Chong was the only one capable of raising the price of one jun of Hyderabad ore from three hundred taels all the way to seventeen hundred taels.
The two of them regarded Wang Chong as a true friend, and the High Priest's actions seemed like extortion, making the two of them feel rather ashamed.
”Haha, it's fine if you don't agree.”
To everyone's surprise, the High Priest faintly smiled, not haggling at all over the matter.
”But, I hope that the Young Marquis can provide an additional five million dan of grain!”
The High Priest revealed his true motive. From start to finish, the High Priest had never thought about actually getting his hands on Wang Chong's hybrid rice. Such an important thing that was tied to the well-being of the entire Great Tang Empire could not be recklessly given to outsiders.
In the end, the High Priest's true goal had always been grain.
”Okay!” Wang Chong cleanly replied without the slightest hesitation.
The High Priest's thoughts were no secret to him. He had known from the start that the High Priest did not truly care about such things, but only about the grain that could feed the Sindhi. From Khorasan to the Hyderabad mines, Wang Chong had seen far too many emaciated corpses.
The poverty, primitiveness, and famine in Sindhu were far worse than Wang Chong had imagined.
In comparison to the grain that Sindhu required, any amount of gold or silver was insignificant.
”…However,” Wang Chong finally said after a few moments of silence. ”Although I cannot give you the hybrid rice, if High Priest is only seeking to help the Sindhi survive, I can assist by taking a certain number of Sindhi into the lands of the Great Tang to live. Although they will not live a life of wealth and prosperity, they definitely will not starve!”
At this moment, the High Priest was finally moved.
”Young Marquis, thank you.”
The Great Tang was renowned throughout the world for its prosperity, and no one understood more than the High Priest that to obtain the aid of Wang Chong and the Great Tang was something that no amount of gold or silver could replace. This condition alone would save countless Sindhi lives every year.
”…I represent all the Sindhi in thanking you. Ablonodan, Arloja, I leave the matter of the ore to you. Starting from now, we will cease the selling of ore to Charax Spasinu, Arabia, and all the other countries. All the ore will be sold to the Great Tang. In addition, we will not require seventeen hundred taels for each jun of Hyderabad ore. Let us go with Lord Marquis's initial offer of fifteen hundred.”
Buzz!
The group behind Wang Chong was excited to hear these words. The goal of this excursion had been the Hyderabad ore, and now the Sindhu High Priest was cutting off the supply to all the other countries and offering the total production to the Great Tang. This was far better than they had expected.
”Many thanks, High Priest!”
Wang Chong smiled, and then he paused and took out a folded sheet of paper from his bosom.
”In addition, Wang Chong has another matter that he would like to seek guidance from the High Priest on.”
The matter of the Hyderabad ore had been settled, as the High Priest's words were like law. Now that he had spoken, there would be no mishaps. However, Wang Chong still had another matter which he regarded with even more importance than the Hyderabad ore. Wang Chong quickly unfolded the paper and revealed its contents.
Buzz!
On the white paper was that mysterious black eye. The ever-composed Sindhu High Priest suddenly shivered and staggered back several steps, his face instantly paling.
”How did you find out about something like this!”
The High Priest's eyes were brimming with shock.
”So High Priest also recognizes it.”
Wang Chong suddenly stepped forward, his expression turning grim. Bahram had been correct. The Sindhu High Priest truly did know many secrets.
”You have still not told me just where you came to learn of this symbol.”