In the eyes of the Han soldiers, it was not money, but the blood debts they owed.
Under the menacing gazes of the Han soldiers, the Xiongnu and Xianbei people trembled as they paid their debts and hurriedly left Bingzhou.
The official in charge of the trade finally understood why Zhang Huan had sent Gao Shun and his soldiers to be in charge of security here.
If it were Lü Bu or Dong Zhuo sent, there would probably be no need to open this trade market.
With the trade market closed, Zhang Rang happily loaded three large carts full of the valuables given to him by powerful and influential families, and then had the dozens of slaves captured by Dong Zhuo escorted back to Luoyang.
Zhang Huan, Lü Bu, and others did not question Zhang Rang's blatant acceptance of bribes. They did not believe that Zhang Rang would dare to embezzle such valuables in front of the Imperial Guards. They thought that the powerful and wealthy families were merely trying to curry favor with the emperor through Zhang Rang.
Meanwhile, in Liangzhou, the trade market remained open, with not only Qiang people but also merchants from the Western Regions selling their goods.
After selling all the grain and salt he had brought, Zhao Ning did not rush back, but instead spent his days wandering among the stalls of the merchants from the Western Regions.
Looking at the novel artifacts from the Western Regions, Zhao Ning bought them without hesitation. These exquisite artifacts were rare even in Sili, and he was sure they could fetch a good price if he brought them back.
Like Zhao Ning, the others also felt that these things must have a huge market in China, so they began to buy them in large quantities.
Cheng Yu also came here. Unlike the others, Cheng Yu had no interest in those trinkets and simply wandered around looking for things unique to the Western Regions.
What is this?
Arriving at a stall, Cheng Yu picked up a clump of white, willow-like fluff, which felt unusually soft in his hand.
"This is white pine!"
(Note: In Zhang Qian's "Biographies of the Western Regions", there is a record of Baidiezi in Gaochang Kingdom, which is today's Turpan region of Xinjiang.)
"White flakes?"
Cheng Yu thought for a moment, then asked, "What is this for?"
The merchant from the Western Regions quickly replied, "The flowers it produces during its growth period are very beautiful, and these things can also be used for decoration; they are very popular where we are!"
Cheng Yu frowned slightly. "Nothing else?"
The Western Region merchant was somewhat taken aback. Wasn't it beautiful enough? He thought hard for a moment, then said:
"When I encountered a cold wind once, I discovered that this item also has a miraculous effect in keeping warm!"
"To keep warm?"
"Yes, it does keep you warm!"
This merchant from the Western Regions brought a large quantity of white silk this time, but no one came to buy it. Seeing that the newcomer seemed very interested, he couldn't help but look at Cheng Yu with great interest.
Cheng Yu nodded and said, "It's really good. How many do you have? I'll take them all!"
If it can keep you warm, he thinks these white cotton sheets are much better for stuffing quilts than those made of kapok, and can even be used to stuff clothes.
"Oh, generous guest, it is my honor to meet you! Please follow me!"
The Western Region merchant was extremely excited when he heard that Cheng Yu wanted to buy all the white berries he had brought. He then led Cheng Yu to his caravan.
"To express my gratitude to this guest, I would like to offer you these seeds!"
After some haggling, Cheng Yu bought all the white berries, and the Western Region merchant also brought over several bags of seeds and handed them to Cheng Yu.
Thank you!
Cheng Yu didn't stand on ceremony. Although he didn't know what kind of seeds they were, he thought the emperor might be interested in them.
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