Chapter 90: Scarcity Makes Things More Valuable

The Buda envoy had described all this in detail to Songtsen Gampo in a secret letter, along with his own opinions. However, after waiting for more than half a month, the only reply he received was "return quickly", which left him confused.

Xu Luo glanced at Buda, a smile appeared on his lips, and he said leisurely: "Old Bu, who in this world can compete with the Tang Dynasty in the trade of sweet potatoes and refined salt?"

At this time, the female character next to her gently fiddled with the hair by her ear, her eyes moving as if she could see into people's hearts. She smiled, revealing her seductive lips inadvertently, as if hinting at something. Her jade-like skin and elegant neck exuded an irresistible temptation.

The Buda envoy's heartbeat accelerated, but his thoughts returned to Xu Luo's words. He had to think carefully about the deep meaning behind this.

Xu Luo's expression suddenly changed and became serious. Buda couldn't help but waved his hands and said helplessly: "Where can there be anyone else!"

"Ha, that's right. As the saying goes, things are valuable because they are rare!"

"These sweet potatoes and the refined salt are rare treasures in the world!"

"Except for our Tang Dynasty and me, where else can you find such a business?"

"Although the sweet potatoes from our Tang Dynasty are nothing in His Majesty's eyes, how could he easily allow them to flow into your Tubo?"

"Not to mention this refined salt, who else can supply you except our Tang Dynasty?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Buda envoy nodded deeply, with a glimmer of understanding in his eyes.

"Thank you very much, sir. If it weren't for your help, I would never have the chance to see these two treasures in my life!"

"You're welcome, you're welcome!"

"You are a smart man, and your big shopkeeper is not a fool either!"

"He naturally knows that the value of these two things cannot be leaked casually."

"It has to be kept secret. Once the news leaks out, won't those foreign merchants come like crazy to rob them?"

"So he only told you to 'come back soon', which means you should keep your mouth shut, keep a low profile, and go home early!"

Xu Luo smiled and tapped Buda's shoulder.

Hearing this, Buda seemed to have suddenly realized something, and a cunning look appeared in his eyes. Sweet potatoes and refined salt are certainly important to the Tang Dynasty, but they are also treasures that Tubo is eager to obtain. Especially refined salt. In this world, where is there no shortage of salt? In these foreign countries, let alone refined salt, even coarse salt is very scarce.

At this time, Cuihua, a female character standing beside him, pursed her lips gently, her eyes rolling, her fair neck and looming chest seemed to be silently telling of some kind of temptation. She walked slowly to Buda's side, with a smile on her lips, and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Master Buda, since this refined salt is so precious, I wonder if Cuihua can have the honor to accompany you to taste this delicacy in the world?" Buda and Xu Luo were thinking about how to exchange the refined salt in their hands for a lot of silver. Think about it, just like the Tuyuhun next door, the gang fought every day for a little bit of coarse salt. If they could take this refined salt back, even if they didn't touch it, they would get a lot of silver and buy a lot of coarse salt. For Tubo, this would be a good business that could only make money.

Buda was imagining his future wealth and glory while smiling from ear to ear, "Sir, your idea is great. I, Buda, have really broadened my horizons!" He slapped his thigh and bowed deeply to Xu Luo, "Thank you very much for clearing up my doubts, sir. I am deeply grateful!"

He was happily planning for the future, but Xu Luo poured a bucket of cold water on him, "Old Bu, don't be in a hurry to leave. Let me tell you, although refined salt is precious, it is not so easy to get." Xu Luo frowned, as if he had just swallowed a bitter melon, "Lao Li and I just started working on this refined salt last night. The ten stones of salt you ordered will take at least three to five days."

When Buda heard this, the smile on his face disappeared immediately. "What? Still have to wait?" He touched his nose, looking impatient. "Okay, I'll wait another three days. But Xu Luo, let's be frank. Friendship is friendship, and business is business. If you still can't deliver the goods after three days, don't blame me for being rude."

At this time, Cuihua, a female character, happened to pass by. Her eyes were rolling, her mouth was smiling, and she gently shook her hair. Her jade-like neck and looming chest made Buda and Xu Luo stop arguing involuntarily and lose their minds for a while. Cuihua walked up to the two of them and smiled, "Two brothers, arguing over and over again will only hurt the harmony. Why don't you drink some tea first to cool down?" The voice was soft and pleasant to the ears, making people's bones soften.

"Brother Buda, just relax. If I still can't hand over ten stones of salt after three days, I will compensate you ten times the deposit!" Xu Luo patted his chest and promised carelessly.

Buda listened, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, nodded, and was about to say something else, when suddenly the roar of a car on the street broke the silence. He looked back, frowned, and looked a little confused. Xu Luo, however, was laughing at the side, thinking to himself: "What a coincidence!"

As the dozen or so cars slowly stopped in front of the fortune-telling stall, a soldier jumped out of the car and reported respectfully. Buda was stunned, and Xu Luo was also slightly stunned, but he quickly came to his senses and guessed that the cars were probably loaded with the obsolete weapons that Lao Du promised.

"Old Du is really efficient." Xu Luo secretly admired. They had just agreed to deal with the obsolete weapons not long ago, but they didn't expect it to be done so quickly.

He waved his hand and ordered the soldiers to transport the weapons to the warehouse outside the city. Only then did Buda come back to his senses from his surprise, looked at Xu Luo, and asked in confusion: "Brother Xu Luo, what was in that car just now?"

Xu Luo listened with a sly delight, thinking to himself, "I'm afraid this Tibetan envoy has fallen into my trap."

At this moment, a gust of wind blew past, gently brushing the hair of the female character next to her. She smiled with her eyes and slightly parted her lips, as if she was also attracted by the sudden bustle. She casually lifted the hair beside her ear, and her chest rose and fell slightly with her laughter. That look made Xu Luo couldn't help but take a second look.

During the conversation between Buda and his partner, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of helplessness. He waved his hand and said with a wry smile: "Hey, buddy, since we are partners, I won't hide anything from you."

"You don't know, those are all old weapons discarded by the Tang Dynasty's military department!"

Hearing this, Buda's eyes were stunned.

"Does that mean the Tang Dynasty's army replaces these weapons every year?" Buda asked in disbelief.

Although the Tibetan Plateau where he was located was powerful, the lack of weapons and armor had always been their weak point. For these, Songtsen Gampo had to spend a lot of money every year to purchase them from outside. This expenditure had already made them feel heavy pressure.

Once these hard-earned weapons were distributed to the soldiers, they would not be easily replaced unless they were seriously damaged. After all, this was not a small amount of money.

(End of this chapter)