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

As soon as Aurelian sat down, the first thing he said was: "Dear Lee, just now you said that you brought us equipment that can improve the combat effectiveness of the cavalry?" ”

"Yes, General Oku, this is a stirrup, and with him, the knight's power on horseback is multiplied."

……

"Thank you very much! Thank you very much! But, dear Lee, did you come from Persia and give them stirrups as well? ”

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

“…… Uh, well, but Lee, you know. Rome and Persia are enemy countries, and in the war between the two countries, the main reason why the enemy can compete with us is that their cavalry is better. You gave them the stirrup......"

"Hehehe, General, I don't think so. On the contrary, according to my family's Da Sima. The appearance of stirrups was a huge loss for the previously superior side of the cavalry. ”

"Oh? How do you say that? ”

"General, you think. Without stirrups, to train a skilled cavalryman, not ten years, at least five years. But what about after having stirrups? It only takes about one to two years. When there were no stirrups, Persia, which ruled many lower herders, could of course directly draw many warriors who had been riding horses since childhood to directly form cavalry, but your country needed to spend a long time and a great price to slowly train cavalry. However, with the stirrups, the source, number, and training speed of the Persian cavalry have not changed, while the speed of training of the cavalry of your country has accelerated several times. You say, after the appearance of this thing, is it good or bad for a country that is mainly agrarian? ”

"Hmm...... The messenger's words make a lot of sense. Well, let's not talk about that. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude and gratitude to Dahan. ”

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

"So, respected Li, can you tell us about the history and present of the Han Dynasty?"

"As told!"

……

"I see, sure enough, the greater the country, the more tribulations it has to endure. As Li said, your country's Guan Caesar is really an amazing hero. ”

"Guan Caesar......" Forget it, don't bother to care about what to call it: "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 a friend."

Han and Rome are two countries with extremely long histories. In this way, the history of the two countries has been mutually represented, and a day has passed.

That evening, in a Byzantine inn.

"It turns out that the Roman Empire, like my Han Dynasty, rebelled and fell into a civil war. As a result, there is no need to go to Rome. ”

"Yes, it's just that I think this general is also an ambitious person. I can't say, once the current Roman emperor dies, it is estimated that this one will stand on his own. ”

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

"Hehehe, I think this Ao Da General is bold but delicate, ambitious but not arrogant. Moreover, during this time, we came into contact with the ordinary soldiers and common people of Rome, and found that the military and the people were extremely supportive of this great general. Although I don't know the skills of the Roman generals further west, but from the perspective of this general alone, the lower officials are very optimistic. ”

"Uncle He has a point. But even if the general loses in the next battle, it doesn't matter. Rome is just too far away from us, and Rome itself is too big. In the lifetime of you and me, I can only associate with them, not fight with them. So, whatever he is concave general, convex general. Whoever controls the eastern part of the country, we will deal with whomever we want. ”

"Huh? Zihui has a level of what he said! ”

The next day, talks between the two sides continued.

"Dear Lee, I'm very sorry to inform you. Due to the invasion of the Vandals in the north. I must lead my army north to fight. Today, the corps began to prepare supplies. It will be pulled out tomorrow at the latest. So, I only have one day to talk to you. ”

"Good, General Ao, then let's be more direct. According to the habit of my family's big Sima, we will first say what we can provide you, and then we will say what we need. ”

"Okay, please."

"We came with merchants who accompanied us, and brought with us a large quantity of silk and porcelain, which we sold in Persia. The rest, hopefully, will allow us to sell in Byzantium. As for the price, just go with the market. ”

"Yes, but no matter how much is sold, the commercial tax must be drawn according to the tithe."

"Of course. Then I will continue to talk about the second article, according to the order of the great Sima of our country, to send gifts of silk, ceramics, soap, white paper and other gifts to General Ao, the generals of the legions, and the governors of the provinces. ”

"Thank you very much, thank you for Caesar Kwan's generosity."

"Uh...... Silk and ceramics go without saying. Let me especially mention the soap and the white paper......"

And then, of course, there was another shock and a flurry of chickens and dogs. Aurelian and others were eager to get their hands on the technology to produce white paper. For this, Li Mi and others are of course grateful for it. It was just a guarantee: if the trade routes were smooth, the same blank paper could supply Rome as a commodity for a long time.

"Article 3, China's Great Sima said that although the civilization of the Han Dynasty is unique in the East. But because of this, the progress of our civilization seems to be very difficult. Therefore, long-term communication with your country is very necessary. Therefore, if your country agrees, we will send 50 to 100 young people to your country to study and live in your country the next time our envoys visit your country. ”

"Oh! Dear Lee, this is very constructive. Rome also needed to send the same mission to lead the same number of young people to study in the Han Dynasty. ”

You're trying to send someone to learn papermaking and silk weaving, right? But when you come, you will know how strict the control of these two departments is.

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

"Well, Governor Dibines, you are responsible for this matter. It's important to choose smart, determined teenagers to travel. ”

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

"Well, dear Lee, please continue."

"Fourth, we provide your country with the history books of our country in various eras and the compilation of the thoughts of our Chinese sages."

"Thank you very much! We also need it very much! But Lee, please leave the outstanding scholars with us for a little longer. So that we can translate it accurately. ”

"There's no problem with that. Because what we need to do in your country next, it will take some time to think about it. ”

"Oh?" Aurelian smiled playfully: "What can our country do for the great Han?" Please speak. ”

"First, we have concluded a trade agreement with Persia. Possession of a royal merchant corps issued by the Great Sima Mansion of our country will be protected in Persia as long as they pay a certain percentage of the commercial tax and abide by the laws of the country. We hope to reach a similar agreement with your country. ”

"Yes! Stand to reason! And, if the merchants of your country are brave enough, we can open two more trade routes that bypass the Persians. ”

Aurelian said that the other two trade routes were from the north of present-day Sassanid Persia to bypass the Persian territory: after turning out of the green mountains of the Western Regions, he did not go south, but went directly northwest to the Aral Sea, through Khorezm, across the Caspian Sea, and then through the Caucasus to enter the Black Sea. To enter the Black Sea was to enter the sphere of Roman rule.

For the Han Dynasty, in order to ensure the safety of the trade route, it was necessary to expand its influence to the west of Lake Balkhash. For Rome, it was necessary to penetrate deep into the Caucasus. This is extremely difficult for both countries.

And the other way, of course, is the sea route. This is also a long-term prospect for Jihan, a country that has not yet had access to the sea.

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

“…… Well, then, please say the second one. ”

"Second, we need all kinds of books from your country. In particular, books by philosophers and jurists, as well as the history of your country. ”

"Hahahaha~~~ I understand why your envoy said that you have been staying with us for a long time. No problem! Although the Byzantine library did not have as many books as Rome and Alexandria, it also had nearly 10,000 books. I'm in charge, you can read and transcribe as you like! ”

"Thank you for the generosity of the Great General. Thirdly, we have brought soybeans, pears, plums, peaches, millet rice, garlic, onions, leeks and other seeds from the Han Dynasty to your country, and we also want to introduce rape flowers, 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 information and improve the diet of the people of the two countries. ”

As an agricultural student, the history of the migration and spread of crops is to be learned. Guan Yi knows very well that in the 21st century, there are about 300 kinds of major food crops, vegetables and fruits in the world, including more than 50 species native to Europe, more than 30 species native to the Americas, more than 70 species native to China-East Asia, and more than 50 species native to the South Asian subcontinent. The remaining nearly 100 species are from West Asia and the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, such as Egypt, Asia Minor, Persia, and the arc of the two river basins, so this area is also known as the fertile crescent zone, which became the first area where human beings gave birth to and developed civilization. It is indeed impossible to go to the Americas now, but all kinds of good seeds in the fertile crescent must be found in Rome and Persia this time!

As for the good breeds of the Indian peninsula, hehe, that is the work of Wang Qi, the governor of Nanzhong, and others.

"Uh...... Well, this one. Dear Lee, I can only fight, I don't know about agriculture. But rest assured, I support the exchange of crops unique to both sides in principle. I will ask the official in charge of agriculture in the province of Bithynia to discuss with you in detail later. ”

"Thank you very much General Ao, then in the fourth article, our Great Sima of the Han Dynasty sincerely invites Roman scholars to give lectures in the Great Han."

"I don't oppose this, and I don't support it. As long as the scholar is willing, and he knows that what he is learning does not involve the military secrets of his country, we can let him go. ”

"Thank you very much for your open-mindedness. General Ao, the boss of the subordinate only arranged these tasks for the subordinates. However, given that we still have to stay in your country for quite some time. So add a temporary request below? ”

"Please."

"The dragon general next to me is a cavalry officer with some command experience in our military. If it is convenient, this time the general went north to quell the rebellion, can you bring him with you? ”

"Hahaha~~~ Of course you can! Dragon! I'm more than happy to accept your help! ”