Chapter 172 Good Arms Dealers in Bonded Zones
In recent days, "Taman, the utterly despicable man," has become the most popular person in Malacca. At a royal banquet, a sorcerer named Kacha cast a death curse on dozens of people, including the Sultan and the Prince, causing them great physical and mental harm. It was only through Taman's appropriate treatment and "medicine" that their symptoms gradually disappeared.
The Malacca Royal Palace's security mechanisms were clearly inadequate, and detailed information about the banquet quickly spread throughout the city, plunging panic into Malacca. Left with no other option, Qin Mo had to postpone her trip, sending Taman and his two sorcerer apprentices to distribute "potions" throughout the city to help them overcome their psychological barriers.
After all the Rao people had fully recovered, the three "giants" finally reunited, but not in the disgusting Rao royal palace, but at the empty dock.
“Barimisula, after you sell this bay to me, I will build a ‘bonded zone’. Within the bonded zone, we will only deal in buying and selling, not in the law. Once outside the bonded zone, nothing will concern me. What do you think?”
Qin Mo was very generous this time, placing exquisite porcelain, fine wine, and gourmet food in front of each of them, which broadened the horizons of the two country bumpkin nobles. He also offered a sufficient price for a bay he had his eye on; with that money, the Sultan could easily build a new palace.
"Young Master Xia, this bay is only a few miles from the port of Malacca. Shall we choose another location?"
It was Prince Wirabhumi who spoke. His face was still very pale. Although the curse was broken halfway through, how could a mortal body recover so easily?
"Why choose another location? The concessions are full of merchants. When they have money, they will naturally want to go into the city to shop. This is very beneficial to Malacca's tax revenue. Why does the prince want to cut off the Sultan's source of wealth?"
“Young Master of Great Xia, there are soldiers stationed in your concession, so close to Malacca… These soldiers are hot-tempered, I’m afraid something might happen!”
After witnessing Qin Mo's "divine power" firsthand, Prince Wirabumi gained a completely new understanding of the power of cultivators. Consequently, his attitude towards Qin Mo became subtle, filled with both hatred and fear, leaving him utterly insecure.
"The soldiers of my Great Xia are all well-mannered. They will never forcibly take anything from the people. They will pay for meals and will never renege on their debts for prostitutes. At worst, I will write these terms into the contract."
The prince's pale face flushed red. His men had committed numerous atrocities in the area, and the people of Malacca were fleeing the city, all thanks to him.
"The good thing about Daxia is that Malacca is very poor and really needs taxes."
Bairimisula finally nodded in agreement. He had thought about it for a long time and felt that this matter was entirely beneficial. The goods from Great Xia would inevitably bring wealth. As for the troops stationed in the bonded zone? Even if there were no bonded zone, could you stop them if they wanted to come?
“I, the prince, will also buy a piece of land and build a market. I think the Sultan’s original palace is quite nice. Since the Sultan has decided to build a new palace, let’s sell that land to me, Majapahit!”
Prince Wirabumi gritted his teeth and uttered these words, his heart bleeding. He had used so much power, yet failed to take down Temasek, and now it seemed even the Sultan of Malacca was about to slip out of his control and join the fold of the Great Xia. How could he not be anxious?
“This…Young Master of Great Xia, what do you think…”
Bairimisula's face turned from white to green, but he dared not show his anger and could only look at Qin Mo with pleading eyes.
Qin Mo felt a surge of disgust. "You're such a hypocrite. Before I came, you were completely obedient to Wilabomi. You probably wouldn't have refused if I asked your wife to sleep with you. Now that I'm here, you're clinging to my coattails. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"I will never interfere in your country's internal affairs. I am only here to discuss business. Now, please take a look at this item."
Aya carried up a wooden box and placed it neatly on the table in front of the two of them. The style of the box looked very familiar to Kaihime; it was the kind of gift that Qin Mo had given to Narita Ujicho, but the contents inside were somewhat different.
The armor in the box was polished to a gleaming shine, which made the eyes of the Sultan and the Prince light up as well, and the Prince's fingers even began to tremble slightly.
"Please allow me to try them on."
Prince Wirabmi snatched the wooden box and put it on himself. The thick linen lining was very comfortable, and the breastplate and leg armor fit him very well. When he pulled down the visor on the helmet, boundless power filled his body and mind.
"How many suits of armor can you sell me?"
The prince asked tremulously, his voice trembling. His father's armored guard was a mountain weighing on his heart. But those armors were nowhere near as sturdy or refined as this one.
"Heh! That depends on whether the prince... knows what's good for him!"
As the two walked to the other side to discuss, the prince blushed, while Qin Mo remained calm and composed. In the end, she nodded firmly and left.
“My esteemed sir, Malacca is currently short of funds. Could you possibly extend me a loan…?”
Sultan Parameswara has not yet received the money from Majapahit, and the land grant from Qin Mo is still useful. He must build a larger and more beautiful palace, otherwise his subjects will lose faith in him.
"The Sultan laughed. How could the mighty Kingdom of Malacca lack money? It's just that it has gold and jade but doesn't realize it. I will have someone negotiate with you. As long as you follow me, your wealth will fill your new palace."
Watching the flushed and excited Bairimisula leave, Kaihime asked Qin Mo with concern, "Your Highness, can those armor really be penetrated by rifles?"
"Hmm? With your eyesight, you should be able to see the difference in those armors. They're thinner and more brittle; they'd definitely be pierced through at a distance of thirty meters."
"But...that's armor after all. With an armored army, won't that prince be a threat to our pioneering caravans? The pioneering caravans don't have rifles."
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