Chapter 128: Fusang? Aren’t They Poor?
When Kyle heard Lorne’s words, he could not help but start pondering on what he meant by that.
Lorne’s words had a rather powerful effect on Kyle, and Kyle was easily swayed by Lorne’s schemes, most of the time.
The same conclusion coming out of Lorne’s mouth had a completely different effect than coming out of someone else’s mouth.
With the farsightedness and foresight of Lorne, since they said that the imperial court had not discovered it, then there must be a huge benefit that he and those officials had overlooked.
Therefore, Kyle immediately asked, “Lorne, when these envoys from Fusang came to Lolan City, I overheard something.
“They said that these envoys came to Lolan to learn the culture, knowledge, and our technology. Because Fusang is very primitive and simple, with a small population and poor conditions, they don’t understand many things.
“Such a country shouldn’t have any benefits to speak of. They’re so poor and backward thinking, so what else can we actually get from them?”
This was actually the common thought of all the Lolan’s subjects. Fusang was poor, and there was nothing good about it that Lolan could reap with.
Lolan was hundreds or thousands of times richer than Fusang. They allowed Fusang to send their envoys as if they were giving handouts to Fusang, but they never thought of getting anything from a poor country like Fusang.
Lorne immediately shook his head.
“You’re wrong to think that way. The officials in the imperial court and the people of Lolan City probably have the same thoughts as you.
“What do you think Fusang’s poverty means? Does it mean that they don’t have money? You’re just overthinking it.
“These foreign barbarians on the islands are actually quite rich. They just don’t know how to use money and have nowhere to use it.
“The poor Fusang people are reflected in the fact that their country is small. They don’t have much land to farm, and they don’t have a large population. Their commerce is shrinking, and their technology and cultural knowledge are backward. This is where their true poverty lies, not the money.
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“At least there’s a very clear contrast. They can spend a huge amount of money to buy a bunch of things that look like antiques from me. There’s not the slightest hint of heartache when they give their money away.
“Their country’s enlightenment and the imperial court’s system and etiquette can only be copied from our Lolan.
“Go you know what this means?”
Kyle was already somewhat stunned by Lorne’s words. He shook his head slightly slowly and stiffly.
Lorne picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, then said in a solemn tone.
“This means that they are a group of poor people who have gold in their hands but don’t know where to spend it!”
Kyle was shocked. At first glance, the poor people who had gold in their hands seemed to be self-contradictory and very awkward, but after the explanation just now from Lorne, Kyle actually understood what he meant.
He could not help but scratch his chin, frowning slightly as he thought about Lorne’s words.
After a long while, Kyle was still a little suspicious. “You said that Fusang has gold in their hands, but since their trade is declining and their agriculture is lagging behind, where did their wealth come from?”
Lorne revealed a mysterious smile at this time, and then explained, “It’s very simple. They dug it out!”
At the same time, he pointed to the ground, indicating that it was dug out from the ground.
Kyle’s eyes widened in disbelief.
This gold was just a literal meaning. Kyle had always thought that it referred to wealth.
“Lorne, are you saying that a small island country like Fusang has gold mines hidden in their land?”
Gold mines were a rare resource that not many places could achieve, and Kyle knew it better than anyone else.
The gold reserves of the entire Lolan Empire were not particularly huge. To Lolan, the currency was copper coins, and gold was only seen in a few large transactions.
If there were really gold mines buried under Fusang, then they really were a group of poor people with gold in their hands.
Lorne nodded happily in the face of Kyle’s incredulous look.
“You heard me right, alright. There’s a large number of gold mines hidden in their land. This is also the reason why they can casually take out gold to buy things, but their country doesn’t have many copper coins.”
Kyle could no longer remain calm. He sat on the chair and pondered for a long time, his fingers tapping the table non-stop.
If that was really the case, then this matter would have to be reconsidered between Fusang and Lolan. It seemed that he would have to go back and renegotiate the decision on dispatching Lolan from Fusang.
It was just that Kyle still had some misgivings in his heart about the relationship between countries. Therefore, after pondering for a long time, Kyle rubbed his face with his hands and put on a relaxed expression again.
Then, he said with a slight smile, “Lorne, our Lolan is an Empire of etiquette, and also the suzerain of the upper kingdom of the surrounding small countries.
“Fusang has requested to learn our Lolan’s advanced culture and knowledge and technology. In fact, Lolan hasn’t sacrificed much. If we use this as a threat to exchange for the gold they have, I’m afraid it won’t behave well in the future.”
Lorne snorted disdainfully and then looked at Kyle with a somewhat disdainful gaze.
“Old friend, sometimes I question if you can really do business. Your vision and knowledge are too immature.
“Doing business like this, you won’t lose all your capital. It’s a blessing you should take with open arms.”
Kyle scratched his head and then smiled calmly, as if he did not take Lorne’s evaluation to heart.
Of course, Lorne was just casually saying it. Seeing that Kyle did not respond, he did not continue.
Instead, he coughed lightly and made a hand gesture.
“First of all, you must understand that countries always have an interest in each other. They are relying on Lolan because there are benefits to be gained by following us.
“Lolan became the suzerain of these small countries precisely because there are considerable benefits. Otherwise, do you really think that the king agreed to protect these countries for the sake of power and status?”
Kyle nodded gently as he began to mutter in his heart.
As a king, sometimes he really had such simple thoughts. He had never thought that there were many more interests involved.
If it were not for Lorne teaching him to station troops and build blockhouses in other countries, Kyle would not have known that there was such a way to govern the smaller countries.
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