“…… That is, for you, there is a shortage of such a thing as daily life! One pound of salt can be exchanged for two sheep in a trade, which is something I didn't expect in the past! After I said this, I looked at them with confidence, waiting for what they asked of me, but the result was completely unexpected.

"This ...... Is this price high? Isaac asked me with a puzzled expression: "According to the previous records of our Cossacks and the experience of traveling around the world, this price is not very high!" When we were still in the Volga valley west of the Ural Mountains, we exchanged horses and precious furs for salt with merchants from Scandinavia and Crimea, which was not expensive for the salt necessary for the maintenance of human health! This situation has not changed much in our journey eastward. On the shores of the Bering Sea in Siberia, we learned from the locals the technique of 'boiling salt', which has made us now largely self-sufficient in salt. It takes two days and two nights of non-stop stirring and filtration, and boiling more than ten pots of seawater in a row to get 1 pound of salt. ”

"Oh......" I was dumbfounded for a moment, it turns out that they are thinking like this! But I also understand a truth: summer insects can't talk in winter, and even if the things you haven't seen are facts, I'm afraid they will make people feel like they are talking about the Arabian Nights! Yes, they used to live in places that were either far inland or bitterly cold, and it was naturally impossible to understand the beautiful coastal tidal flats of the warm south. If they saw the white-flowered salt field several miles wide and dozens of miles long, they didn't know what kind of expression it would be. "Actually...... In fact, there are some other factors in this, such as ...... "There is no way, in order to strengthen the credibility of my following proposal, I have to give them a "literacy" education first! Yes, "science blind"! I don't know if they can understand it.

"Actually...... There is such a thing! Huo Sijin muttered to himself with a blank expression, he couldn't imagine that such a natural thing would have such a big impact on him.

But old Isaac, who got my answer, closed his eyes expressionlessly, and didn't say a word, not knowing what he was thinking.

"And how much salt can you give us each year?" Huo Sijin asked nervously.

I watched as he stretched out his right hand and raised his middle, ring and little fingers. "Mifune! Full of three big boats! ”

"It takes...... What do we pay? "Hoskinn is like a poor man who suddenly gets a huge fortune, and although he is excited, he can't help but suffer some gains and losses.

"I don't want money, and I don't want a big boy!"

"Don't want money?!" He seemed to think there was something wrong with his ears.

"Yes!" I nodded affirmatively.

"Boss Dale must have his own reason, be patient!" Old Isaac was an old man, and he stopped Hoskin's impatience and waited for me to answer.

"Salt is very cheap in two places in the south called Kyushu and Shikoku, and the money I spent on buying it was actually negligible, even for the volume of the three major ships! The difference is that the salt works are like mineral deposits, and the people who control the wholesale are powerful merchants themselves, even if they are not local lords, and in a sense, money sometimes takes a back seat! I looked at the two people opposite, and they nodded thoughtfully. …… In addition, a large amount of salt is also like pig iron, as an important strategic material, it cannot be cleared at will, and it cannot be transported here thousands of miles without the backing of strong political forces! And unlike pig iron, it is too large, 2,000 pounds of pig iron can be brought in a dozen or so large wooden barrels, but there is no way to do anything about this shipload of salt! ”

"In other words, if we can't reach an agreement for further cooperation, then this salt plan will have to be abandoned?" With his long business experience, Hoskin also has a keen grasp of the key message in my words.

"Yes!" I'm not beating around the bush and admit it bluntly. “…… Presumably, the two of you must be able to understand that if the 'power' used along the way is converted into money, then the cost is too high! It may be a matter of just one sentence for a certain 'party', but the cost of obtaining such a promise through pure commercial behavior is often unimaginable! In the face of a higher cost than boiling salt, I don't think you will be interested anymore! ”

"If we decide how we want to work together, is that a reward?" Old Isaac was clearly not happy with such an offer.

"Of course not, it's an extra thought!" I was afraid that he would have some unnecessary misunderstanding, so I hurriedly added: "I think you have already been mentally prepared for what I want to say, and I can't avoid the cruel reality that may happen in the future!" The remuneration we offer mainly is for individuals, and they will be given gold, silver, and glory commensurate with their heroic deeds, and even a small plot of land in the warm sun. ”

The room fell silent again, old Isaac and Hosking exchanged glances with each other, in fact, they just said it directly, Mitsui Takafuku and I still didn't understand anything. Mitsui was visibly nervous, and he hadn't had a chance to speak the whole time. I knew that he could not be pointed at all in such a matter, and in fact none of my retainers could be pointed at, because to them the Cossacks were completely from another world, and even if I did, it would be difficult for them to understand, even Nagano and Takenaka Hanbei. But since I came, I am not afraid, as long as there is common ground of interest, there is hope.

"There is a story in my family that is very clear despite its age!" Old Isaac abruptly diverted the subject, and seemed to be lost in thought. “…… It was more than 500 years ago that one of our ancestors traveled to Constantinople as one of the first followers of Christ in Transcaucasia to meet the great Emperor Basil II...... At that time, Byzantium was still a vast and powerful empire, and His Majesty the Emperor was wise and powerful! Our ancestors met His Majesty the Emperor in the splendid palace, and with him appeared a group of mighty warriors. These Viking warriors from Scandinavia were armed with huge gilded axes, and even our Cossacks were completely intimidated by their strength, but it has to be said that the bane of the penchant for pompous and hypocrisy has been planted! What I am asking you now is...... What role would you like our Cossacks to play in your play? ”

"I think you have already understood that it is I who wants the Cossack service!" I straightened my waist and took out the "momentum" that I had been cultivating for a long time. “…… I don't want to say what my personal qualities are, in fact, I also yearn for fame and mundane things! But I can pride myself in the fact that at least I can see the situation clearly, and the current situation is actually far from the point where I can relax and slacken. As you said, the struggle of the southern princes is about to enter its final moment, and the hundred-year-old melee is about to bear fruit. Whether to pick the last fruit or completely destroy it is what I am most concerned about at the moment! ”

"I am touched by your honesty, so what do you want our Cossack warriors to do for you?" Old Isaac cautiously continued to ask. "And if it's not a secret, I'd like to know what kind of position you're in!"

"The nominal emperor of the south has lost his authority for hundreds of years, and the control of the world is currently being contested by several heavyweight dukes!" I will try to explain what is happening in Japan with theories that are easy for Europeans to understand. “…… My status is the equivalent of an earl! The Duke I serve has gained some advantage, but he is in the predicament of being attacked by several others. In a series of wars, I relied on a group of loyal and brave men to build up my feats and my own power, but my duke also developed certain suspicions against me. The grim situation has forced him to rely on me, and I am taking the last opportunity to expand my power, so that no one can disadvantage me and my men when the situation is stable in the future! This is a bloody moment in the dark ages, so I hope ......" I took a deep breath and said in a deep tone: "The Cossack warrior can be a sword in my hand, ready to lose blood and even life at any time!" ”

"This ...... It's really a matter of 'life and death' decision! It took a long time for Huo Sijin to sigh.

"The Cossacks have never been cowardly in the face of death, but we will not waste precious lives either!" Isaac said solemnly. "Death is not terrible, but it must be for something worth it! We are generally clear about your requirements and the conditions you have proposed, and I am personally willing to meet your wishes, but this is not my own business, not even just a matter of Gilitz. As you said, the historical process of the South has entered a critical moment, and if we are not careful, we may fall into a situation from which we will never recover! The Cossacks, even with their bravery, could not stand up to the powerful economy and large population of the south. Once your cause fails, we as vassals will have to face the catastrophe of another massive migration, which can almost be said to be the beginning of the destruction of our 13 tribes! ”

"I can understand your concerns! I'm willing to wait here for a while for you to make your final decision! "I know that this can only be the case now, especially after learning about their social structure.

"Then you can rest!" Isaac stood up. "I will send a message to all parts as soon as possible, and I will inform you as soon as the day of the presbytery is set!"

"Thanks, please!" I'm also ready to send off guests.

"What if...... If the cooperation can't be established! We can't act alone, but we may be able to recruit dozens of guards for you......" He stopped abruptly at the door, it seems that my conditions are still extremely tempting.

"Thank you for your concern, but I already have a strong guard!" I shook my head and rejected his kindness. “…… Moreover, I am a newcomer to the aristocracy with very shallow roots, and once the foundation is destroyed, there is little hope of revival! That being the case, my personal ......"

Isaac nodded silently and walked out, Hoskin following him.