Usurpation of Mongolia: My father-in-law is Genghis Khan

Chapter 85: Go down and calm down!
Zardusht said, "This isn't difficult. Our Amir family still has some influence in Persia. What about the second thing?"

"Second thing, I heard there's a good kind of Damascus knife. Can you find a way to get the technology to forge Damascus knives?"

The Damascus blade, also known as the Wootz, is not only beautifully patterned with various patterns, resembling flowing clouds and water, but also incredibly sharp. While the average hardness of swords in this era was below 30, the Wootz's could reach 60.

If the Mongols could obtain the forging method of Damascus swords, their military strength would take off immediately.

"This..." Zardusht looked embarrassed and said, "Let the prince consort know that although this sword is called a Damascus sword, it is mainly sold in Damascus. In fact, the steel ingots used to forge this sword are produced in India. Our family's influence has not yet expanded to India."

"Then I don't care."

It was a seller's market anyway, so Zhao Shuo sat back and said calmly, "In short, if you can get me forty Arabian horses and the skills to make Damascus knives, you can become my agent in Persia. If you can't do that, then we'll just pretend we've never met."

"This... can be done! Within two years, I will accomplish these two things for the Prince Consort!"

Zardusht gritted his teeth and nodded.

Although Zardusht's family were all Zoroastrians, they once enjoyed a prosperous life in Persia.

It was only by the generation of Zardusht's father that the business gradually declined due to poor management.

When Zardusht learned that those expensive novelties came from the grassland, he traveled thousands of miles to the grassland in order to restore the glory of his family, determined to get them.

Although he doesn't know how to obtain the smelting technology of Damascus swords yet, he has made up his mind to complete Zhao Shuo's test at all costs.

Later, Zhao Shuo asked about the current situation in Persia.

According to Zardusht, the Abbasid dynasty that ruled Persia had been divided and declining since more than two hundred years ago.

If the Khwarezmians had not defeated the Seljuks thirteen years ago, the Abbasid Dynasty might have been replaced by the Seljuks.

The Abbasid dynasty is now divided into three main factions. One is the orthodox Abbasid dynasty, ruled by Caliph Nasser. Another is the Ayyubid dynasty, ruled by Saladin's brother Adil. And the third is the Zengid dynasty, ruled by descendants of Turks.

This is too complicated.

Zhao Shuo felt a headache after hearing this. He told Zardusht to pay attention to the intelligence from Persia and ordered him to leave.

As luck would have it, just as Zardusht left, a servant hurried into the workshop and said, "Prince consort, we've found you. Two scholars from the Southern Kingdom of Song have come to visit you."

For the grassland people of that era, the scholars from the Southern Song Dynasty were truly rare guests that they had never seen before.

"A scholar from the State of Song? What's your name?"

"One is called Lu Zibu, and the other is called Xin Lu."

"Lu Zibu? Xin Lu?" Zhao Shuo thought for a moment. He had never heard of these two names before. He said, "Why rush? They are just two ordinary scholars. Let them wait in the tent."

After going around the workshops with Sun Wei, Zhao Shuo returned to his tent and met the two young men from the State of Song.

The one on the left looked to be about twenty years old, gentle and elegant, with a face as white as jade, and was wearing a dark blue brocade raccoon fur coat.

The one on the right seemed to be two years younger than the one on the left. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and looked very heroic. He was wearing a dark robe with narrow sleeves and a crotch, and the cold light of the chain mail lining was faintly visible.

The two of them quickly greeted Zhao Shuo and introduced themselves.

Zhao Shuo then realized that the young man on the left was Lu You's sixth son, Lu Zibu, and the young man on the right was Xin Qiji's youngest son, Xin Qi.

Zhao Shuo was of course very familiar with Lu You and Xin Qiji.

But why would their two sons travel thousands of miles to the Hulunbuir grassland?
Zhao Shuo frowned slightly and asked with deep doubt.

"The distance from Song State to the Hulunbuir Grasslands is at least five or six thousand miles, if not ten thousand. What brings you two all the way here to see me?"

"Don't say those nonsense about how you've admired me for a long time. It's disgusting, and I won't believe it even if I hear it." Zhao Shuo added. "This..."

Lu Zibu was a gentle and honest man, careful in his actions, but lacked quick wit. Now all the words he had painstakingly prepared for half a year were blocked by Zhao Shuo. He didn't know how to respond for a moment and could only look at Xin Lu.

"Your Highness is indeed a man of quick wit!" Xin Yu spoke eloquently, "Think of our Great Song. Although we have a population of hundreds of millions and a wealth of literary talent, we were unable to defeat the Liao Kingdom and unify China at the time of its founding. Later, our situation deteriorated further, and during the Jingkang Incident, we lost half our territory.

As citizens of the Great Song, we two are deeply ashamed. Now, hearing that your husband, a descendant of Han Chinese, single-handedly slew Wang Han, killed Taiyang Khan, and captured Jamukha on the grasslands, earning such a great reputation and earning the title of the grassland's greatest warrior, we are truly envious. Today, we two have come here specifically to learn from your husband how to strengthen his army.

Lu Zibu added: "If I can help the prince consort to build a career, that would be even better."

Zhao Shuo actually had some guesses about the purpose of these two young men - no matter whether their intentions were good or evil, the essence remained the same, and it must be related to his military power.

He shook his head slightly and said, "I have already reached the highest position in Mongolia. Why do I need your help? As for strengthening the army, the Mongolian army is strong and powerful, and it is not my own achievement.

How about this, for your father’s sake, I won’t let you make this trip in vain.

Now, I give you three choices.

First, join my workshop and learn from the craftsmen. If you're good, you can become a manager or something like that. Second, join my caravan. Even if you don't do well, you can still earn a living. If you do well, you can not only become a wealthy man, but also make a name for yourself in foreign lands. Third, stay temporarily with ordinary herders, learn horseback riding, archery, and shepherding, and then think about what you really want and what you can do.

Zhao Shuo could see that Lu Zibu and Xin Fu were quite capable. However, he couldn't offer any backdoors to the Song people. If Lu Zibu and Xin Fu wanted to make a career under him, they would have to start from the bottom, just like other Mongols, Xixia people, and Han people, and rise through the ranks based on merit.

If they are capable, they will be promoted sooner or later. If they are incompetent and worthless, they should get out of here as soon as possible.

In Brother Quan’s words: Go down and calm down.

Xin Yu said anxiously, "We are here to learn how to strengthen the army. Can't we join the army?"

Zhao Shuo scoffed and refused, "Everyone on the grassland is a soldier. My standing army, the Black Cavalry, is made up of one in ten grassland warriors. Are you good at riding and shooting arrows, or fighting in battle? Can you compare to the warriors who have emerged from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood?"

"Ok."

The two looked at each other and nodded slightly.

Lu Zibu said, "I want to stay temporarily at an ordinary herdsman's home."

Xin Yu said, "I'll go to the caravan."

Xin Yu wanted to achieve something quickly and gain Zhao Shuo's appreciation.

"Hedaheibatu'er, first find a tent and let them rest for three days. Then, we can make arrangements according to their wishes."

"Yes."

……

……

That night, in Lu Zibu and Xin Lu’s tent.

With no one around, Xin Yu finally couldn't help but ask, "Wen Heng (Lu Zibu's courtesy name), what do you think of this Prince Consort Zhao Shuo's plans for us?"

Lu Zibu looked calm and said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with it. As the saying goes, no merit, no reward. If Prince Consort Zhao Shuo gives us important positions just by mentioning our father's name, I'm afraid we wouldn't be considered a wise ruler. Besides, with our talents, we'll find our own advantages when we're in a good position. Why should we be afraid of not being able to stand out?"

"You're quite open-minded." Xin Lu shook his head slightly and said, "I think that Prince Consort Zhao Shuo simply doesn't think highly of us two scholars from the Song Kingdom."

"Shouldn't it be?" Lu Zibu said with a wry smile. "When it comes to scholars, the Song Dynasty has many times more than the Liao and Jin. Why did they first suffer humiliation at the hands of the Liao, and then later become vassals of the Jin?"

"I just don't believe it!" Xin Lu gritted his teeth and said, "In three years, no, two years, I will definitely make a career. I want to show Prince Consort Zhao Shuo that the scholars of our Song Kingdom are not corrupt scholars. We can also pick up swords and mount horses and make great achievements on the battlefield!"

(End of this chapter)