Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1827 - 1315: The Trade of One Hundred Jin of Gold—Is It Worth the Price?

"Cough! Ichiro, take these four gold tokens and keep them safe!... Cough! Don't wear them around your neck! Put them in the bamboo basket behind you. With so many Samurai around, relax, they won't get lost!..."

The sun was already setting in the west, casting a golden-red twilight. The Samurai on both sides sat cross-legged on the ground to rest, eating simple dried rations and water. Although they remained vigilant, the atmosphere had eased considerably.

After handing over the gold tokens to his trusted aide, Kaozaki Yoshihiro finally regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, several Samurai escorted four craftsmen to the hands of the Shandan Tribe across from them. Sensing an ominous end, some of the craftsmen wept silently, some cried bitterly, some were expressionless, yet none of this shook the Samurai's resolve.

After all, these craftsmen were conscripted under the pretext of "Beikou Shandan" from the Matsumae Guardians' territory. They were not compatriots of the Kaozaki warriors. Even if they were compatriots, as long as they weren't family, and if the Family Head they served made a decision, they would execute it resolutely!

In this era of Japan, the compassion of the Samurai was only extended towards fellow Samurai of the same status or to the nobler impoverished military families. As for the humble farmers and ordinary craftsmen, they were not within the Samurai's realm of respect. It's much like the Europe of this era, where the Knight's respect for women was confined to the noble lady of a high status! Facing women of commoners, there was no need for ritual, contrary to the beautified portrayal in later generations...

"Respected Shandan Chieftain, please allow me to present to you several other skilled craftsmen!..."

With a sincere smile, Kaozaki Yoshihiro waved his hand again. Three trembling craftsmen came forward, each holding their tools. This time it was another combination of craftsmen. First was a leather worker, who took out a pre-shaped cowhide, fashioned it into a bulging leather armor, and strung the joints with iron rings. Then, a tailor meticulously stitched it with thick thread, bringing the leather armor together simply.

The process of making this leather armor seemed different from that of the Nomadic Tribes in the far north. Zuwaro watched with keen interest, this time genuinely understanding. Until finally, a Lacquer Craftsman came up and applied the cheapest brown great lacquer to the leather armor. With an acrid smell, an Ashigaru-style leather armor took shape. Zuwaro's gaze shifted from intrigued to puzzled.

"Japanese Chieftain, this final coating of dye, it's black and sticky... what is it?..." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Upon hearing this, Kaozaki Yoshihiro raised an eyebrow, thoughtful. He looked deeply at Zuwaro and said with a smile.

"Buddha bless! This is great lacquer, which can be applied to leather armor tools, making them more durable! As for the color of the lacquer, simply add cinnabar, and it will turn a nice red. And this excellent craftsman is a senior lacquer craftsman from Japanese Land, called Qishang Chunshu!..."

"As for the other two, they are leather worker Niue Jinbo and tailor Weiyi Langda. Although their skills are good, they can't match the level of the Lacquer Craftsman, merely ordinary craftsmen..."

"Chief Divine! Great lacquer? Lacquer craftsman?... I've never heard of such craftsmen. Not even mentioned in Your Majesty's prophecies! But being able to reinforce leather armor and tools seems very important! Hmm... The key is this black lacquer, how is it made?..."

Zuwaro carefully examined the leather armor in the craftsman's hand, looking at the thick layer of great lacquer on it, his expression turned serious. Clearly, he recognized the military value of this "great lacquer." Compared to this new leather armor coating, the Japanese Chieftain, observing and adapting, calling what might be an ordinary "lacquer craftsman," a "senior artisan"… that now became irrelevant.

After all, at most, it was just giving half a token more, at most a full gold token. Not a big deal! He was even pleased to give more so that the Japanese Chieftain would diligently search for craftsmen unknown to the Kingdom!

"... Japanese Chieftain, my Japanese friend. Where does this great lacquer come from? Is it black oil asphalt from the ground, or rubber sap flowing from the trees?..."

"Eh?... Black, oily stuff from the ground? What's that?... Oh! My Shandan good friend, you're right! This great lacquer is indeed sap that flows down from trees, initially a milky white! But after sitting for a while, it naturally turns black..."

Kaozaki Yoshihiro nodded with a self-satisfied smile. Clearly, he wasn't aware of the true importance of the "black oil" and "white glue" the "Shandan Chieftain" referred to. Zuwaro's eyes lit up, eagerly asking Kaozaki Yoshihiro.

"Ha! My Japanese friend! Do you have seeds of the tree that produces lacquer? Since you have given me a lacquer craftsman, how can you not give me the 'lacquer tree'?..."

"Ah, this? Seeds of the lacquer tree?... Oh! Right, the northern lacquer trees are scarce, they won't grow in the cold. So the Shandan Chieftain hasn't seen lacquer trees. So the lacquer craftsman in their tribe might be useless!..."

Kaozaki Yoshihiro was momentarily taken aback, then had a sudden revelation and patted his head. But he kept the specifics of the lacquer tree's growing environment tight-lipped. He merely smiled and nodded, assuring his "Shandan good friend" that he would definitely bring some lacquer tree seeds next time. Then, he smiled and gestured toward the three craftsmen, inquiring.