Chapter 2029: Chapter 1484: This Is a Huge Deal! You Can Go Back for the Money...
"Buddha! What a tranquil Long River, flowing down from Mount Fuji in the Northern Country, like ’Emptiness’ and ’Impermanence’ at its core..."
Korobetsu River flows quietly, passing through the confronting fleets, skimming over the stern military formations of both sides, merging into the Western Sea of Ezo. It has witnessed, at the same place but different times, the meeting of two groups of people, both alike and different, crossing the river with swords, meeting with smiles.
In the local Ainu Language, "Korobetsu" means "river belonging to the mountain," "a river born from the mountain." And that conspicuous high mountain naturally serves as the boundary between the Japanese and the Ainu People, between agriculture and hunting and fishing, standing at nineteen hundred meters high as the "Ezo Fuji."
"The pure white snow cap is the pinnacle of the spirit. It should not be stained by the dust of the mundane world, nor tainted with the slightest crimson, but only shine brilliantly, as radiant as a golden glow!..."
At this moment, Mori no Kiyoshi, carrying the book chest-bearing Matsushita Zou Jirou on his back, crossed the "river of the mountain," heading towards the Shandan People’s military formation. In his heart, there was a moment of melancholy, a fleeting regret. But quickly, as he approached Feather Crown Ceremonial Dress and Zuwaro’s smiling face, his expression instantly transformed into a beaming smile, bowing deeply in greeting.
"Respected Golden Chief! All things in this world are due to destiny, joy and sorrow are impermanent, winds rise and clouds surge... Meeting you again at this moment is also the fate arranged by Buddha, grateful for the profoundness of this connection!..."
"Haha, may the Chief Divine protect us! Sen, we meet again! I am eagerly anticipating what kind of craftsman and goods you have brought me this time?..."
"Indeed! As Buddha said, all is emptiness, everything arises from connections. Many craftsmen are connected to you, and we are merely the ferrymen of the vessel, bringing those connected individuals before you..."
By the Korobetsu River bank, the two of them chatted for a while, disregarding everything else. Then, Mori no Kiyoshi bowed again, for some reason, behaving as though he was meeting for the first time, with restrained courtesy. Perhaps it was because they hadn’t had tea yet? But swiftly, he turned his head towards Matsushita Zou Jirou, rebuking and instructing.
"Zou Jirou! What are you dawdling for?! Quickly take out the ’goods catalog’ and present it to the generous Golden Chief!..."
"Yes... yes!..."
Matsushita Zou Jirou pursed his lips, also bent over in a bow, performed a deep gesture of respect. He had been secretly observing the "formidable like demons" Shandian Warriors, peering at the imposing figures, draped in Double Armor, towering like bears, of Xiong Da and Hu Nu, his knees trembling uncontrollably. Until Mori no Kiyoshi’s reprimand awakened him abruptly, and with some trepidation, he lowered the book chest. Soon, he took out an extremely thick volume, respectfully, even a bit nervously, handing it over to Zuwaro.
"Respected Nobles! This... this is the catalog of this transaction, please... please review it!..."
"Hmm? Three hundred and fifty sets of Tang’s Book, totaling five thousand and forty-eight volumes? Craftsmen without families, all are craftsmen, totaling eighty-one people? Rice one thousand and eighty Stones? Salt one thousand and eighty pounds? Swords, spears, bows, armor one thousand and eighty pieces?... Chief Divine! The Japanese have brought only five types of goods this time, yet the quantity is so large?!..."
Zuwaro took the "transaction directory," glancing briefly, and his face showed surprise. He hadn’t expected that the Japanese would bring so many goods this time. And while it seemed the same number of five Large Ships as last time, how could they possibly hold so many goods this time?
Thinking of this, he carefully looked towards the sea, examining the five Japanese Large Ships facing him. Among them, the lower three ships were clearly the "Biancai Ship" that appeared last time, of which he had bought two, the "tall sail flat-bottomed merchant ship." This ship is nicely designed, flat bottomed and nimble, convenient for docking, suitable for long-distance navigation, with a carrying capacity likely around four hundred Stones, about 50 tons. The other two ships, with their peculiar design, flared head and tail, clearly had deeper drafts, larger and taller hulls! These two new ships may have a carrying capacity far beyond "four hundred Stones," looking towards five hundred or six hundred Stones. But even with a six hundred Stones carrying capacity, the goods are still too many. Can just five ships truly hold so many goods and supplies and transport them thousands of miles here?...
"Hmm? The shape of this square ship, with such a high body, resembles a square turtle shell? If met with larger waves at sea, this ship could directly capsize, definitely unable to withstand!..."
Zuwaro frowned slightly, evaluating the "customs ship" of the Japanese with the eye of a "professional navigator." This new ship had two rows of oar positions, vertical sails on both sides, with a deck twice as high. Evidently, it is a large oar-sailed vessel, similar to the longship of the Kingdom!
However, the shape of this ship, while its length seems similar to the Kingdom’s longship, clearly exceeds the oar-sailed longship and the flat-bottomed merchant ship in width and side height, and exceeds them by a substantial margin. This design proportion doesn’t resemble a slender fish in the water, but instead a thick turtle on land, appearing very peculiar and lightweight! Obviously, this ship is entirely unsuitable for extended navigation into the deep sea, more like... intentionally heightened and widened for naval warfare!
"Chief Divine bears witness! The turtle-shelled ship, though large and high... is undoubtedly impractical!..."
Zuwaro observed for a moment, formed an opinion about the "customs ship" in his mind, then once more extended his hand, swiftly clasping Mori no Kiyoshi’s arm, "kindly" asking.
"Sen! Are the five ships you brought this time, especially those three flat-bottomed merchant ships, for sale?..."
"Ah! Zu, my friend, esteemed Golden Chief... these three merchant ships are my last ones! The new ships are still under construction, have to wait until next year..."
