The twilight gradually spread, the water and sky floated with the evening glow. The river water converged into the Golden Sea, dividing the northern and southern shimmering waves. Eight large ships were anchored at the estuary, quietly awaiting the transaction onshore.

Mori no Kiyoshi was dressed in Chinese clothes, with a folding fan strapped to him, standing by the river. His expression was heavy, fingers clenching a piece of parchment, eyes intensely focused on the "illustrations," carefully reading.

"The Divine Spirit bestows prophecy, urgently needing medical craftsmen who can heal? Especially those who know the 'smallpox vaccination,' to guard against 'smallpox'?... Buddha! What is 'human smallpox,' what is 'smallpox'?..."

"What? The so-called 'smallpox' is depicted as shown in the image, the whole body with 'pox sores,' a widespread plague leading to death... Oh! It turns out to be the terrifying 'pox' bestowed by the 'pox sore god' in Shinto! What did you say? This dreadful 'pox' can actually be prevented by 'smallpox vaccination'?!..."

Mori no Kiyoshi was taken aback, he had never heard of the 'prophecy' written on this paper, it was simply unbelievable. He furrowed his brows deeply, continuously opening and closing the folding fan, paced a few steps back and forth, and finally spoke to the expectant Zuwaro.

"Respected Golden Chieftain... Your ancestors traversed ten thousand miles, conquered countless territories and cities, even entered the Central Han Land, thereby receiving many secret method inheritances!..."

"However, Japan is isolated overseas, particularly backward in medical knowledge. Ignorant of these secret methods, unable to have any inheritance... Over seven hundred years ago, 'Dharma Transmission Master' Jianzhen Superior crossed over five times, bringing 'Buddha's True Teachings' and 'Han Medicine' to Japanese Land. And five hundred years ago, 'Medical Ancestor' Danbo Kanglai compiled the medical knowledge from Han Land, creating the 'Medical Heart Method,' then the lineage of doctors formally formed..."

"Since the Yuan Invasion... ahem!... since the Mongol Yuan alternation, communication between Japan and Han Land has diminished and discontinued. There hasn't been any new 'writings' passed down in 'Han Medicine' either... Furthermore, Japanese Land has been free for over two hundred years from the frightful 'pox' outbreak like during the Heian Era!..."

"Buddha bears witness! Next transaction, I will carefully gather some 'Han Medical Books' for you, such as the 'Inner Canon of Huangdi,' 'Shanghan Lun,' 'Tang Materia Medica,' 'Medical Heart Method'... As for doctors who can treat 'pox,' or those who know 'smallpox vaccination,' I have yet to meet any! At most, I can strive to find two ordinary medical craftsmen who have recovered from 'pox sores' for you..."

At this point, Mori no Kiyoshi paused for a moment, a hint of a smile appearing on his face. He spoke meaningfully.

"Respected Golden Chieftain! When it comes to medical excellence, of course, the Ming Dynasty takes the lead! But the Ming Dynasty is far away, and its maritime territory is sealed off, making communication extremely difficult... However, Korea's medical knowledge has always been inherited from the Ming Dynasty. Their doctors' skills are undoubtedly superior to Japanese Land!..."

"Moreover, individuals like great doctors typically have renowned reputations and vast connections... I truly find it inappropriate to 'invite' them abruptly. But inviting Korean medical craftsmen is much more convenient!..."

"Therefore, the matter of opening the 'trade route' with Korea that I mentioned earlier, what do you think?... This requires me to spend considerable effort and funds, connecting various Japanese Martial Families, from Ezo all the way to Kyushu... The thirty gold talismans deposit I've proposed, although indeed substantial... but with the strength of your Golden Clan, surely it's just a drop in the ocean, easily done!..."

"Chief Divine bears witness! Sen, with just thirty gold talismans, can you open the trade route with Korea's Great Tribe Alliance, and bring back the craftsman master and doctors I need?... If you deceive me, then afterwards no transactions will be possible at all! Not only that, I will muster forces southward to retaliate against the South Japanese Land!..."

Saying this, Zuwaro's eyes burned intently, tightly focusing on Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes, his hand also resting on his waist, on the Bronze Axe. The Kyoto Merchant, meanwhile, remained calm, eyes full of sincere expression, bowing a full 90 degrees.

"Before Buddha, no lies are spoken! Zuwaro, these thirty pieces of gold is the cost I need to open the trade route... Once the route is open, I will surely bring back the Korean craftsmen and doctors! Your trade has truly benefitted me immensely, it is absolutely irreplaceable..."

"Of course, the Korean trade route needs time, the round-trip maritime journey alone requires one or two months, not to mention organizing 'human resources' to Korea... Next transaction, I will bring you the latest updated news! Moreover, I will bring all the goods you specify, selling them to you at 'discount' to offset this deposit you paid!..."

"Chief Divine protect! Then I will trust you just this once!... Sen, you are someone who can achieve great things, I believe in your abilities, don't let me down! Haha! I'll give you the deposit!..."

After contemplating for a moment, Zuwaro laughed heartily and looked at Warrior Captain Tamicao.

"Tamicao, how much gold do we have left on our ship?"

"Captain, this time we brought five hundred pounds of gold... The previous transaction used about a hundred pounds, leaving four hundred..."

"Alright! Then give him fifty gold talismans!... "

"Yes!... "

Upon hearing this, Tamicao hesitated not at all. Gold to the Kingdom was truly just a number. If using gold could exchange for the craftsmen and doctors in the 'Divine Revelation Prophecy,' then throwing down fifty pounds, even five hundred pounds would be no problem!

In no time at all, fifty gold talismans were packed into a sturdy wooden box, heavily landing in front of Mori no Kiyoshi, making this well-traveled Kyoto Merchant's body tremble once again.

"Sen, count it! Examine the quality! Giving you fifty gold talismans, you must open the Korean trade route!... Oh, and I want all the books you mentioned, Not only medical, but also various craftsmen's knowledge! Especially those diagram and historical books inherited from the Great Tribe Alliance... I want them all!..."

"Ah? Oh this! Fifty gold talismans deposit?! Buddha! Stop contemplating, stop contemplating! Calmness, calmness!... No, no need to inspect, I trust you!... You want books as well? I have a few on my ship... Next visit, I'll bring all books I can gather in Kyoto for you!..."

Mori no Kiyoshi uttered Buddha's name, striving to suppress the excitement and greed within. He quickly glanced over the 'golden box,' then trembling hand testing the weight and volume of this box of gold talismans, before solemnly ordering Matsushita Zou Jirou.

"Zou Jirou! Take two monk soldiers, immediately send this box of gold talismans to the cabin, and leave someone to guard it!... This transaction need not be counted, it's our cost to open the trade route, no need to share dividends with the Kaozaki Family..."

"Then, bring over all my Tang Wen leisure books for passing time on the ship! All of them, every single one!..."

"All Tang Books? Yes!... "

Matsushita Zou Jirou, with two monk soldiers, carried away the heavy 'golden box,' leaving hastily. Two quarters of an hour later, he returned, panting heavily, with more than a dozen books in hand. Mori no Kiyoshi received them, handing them over to Zuwaro, laughing and explaining.

"Zuwaro! This one 'North Dream Trivia' is written by the Song person Sun Guangxian, recording the intricate tales of Tang people from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, wisdom hidden, full of interest!..."

"This one 'Great Song Xuanhe Legacy,' another Song Yuan Storybook story. The divine spirits of the thirty-six heavenly stars follow Chief Divine Call Yan Bao Yi Song Jiang, from life to death, truly sigh-inducing and emotional!..."

"And this one, 'Three Kingdoms Popularized,' is a popular novel from the Ming Dynasty, widely spread in Kyoto for many years! Many heroes from the Three Kingdoms, from the mighty Yellow River to the rolling Yangtze River, their extraordinary heroic spirit, and earth-shattering ghost warrior strategies, truly evoke infinite longing!..."

"As for this last book, the Scissors... Uh! Zou Jirou! How did you bring out my bottom-of-the-box one too?..."

Upon seeing the cover of the last book, Mori no Kiyoshi's face instantly turned pale, about to retrieve the book. But Zuwaro's eyes were quick, already holding this thin booklet in his hand. He glared at Mori no Kiyoshi, then slightly furrowed his brow, puzzled as he glanced at the small book in his hand, reading the four large characters on the cover from top to bottom.

"Sen, what is this book? Scissors... Lamp... New... Chats?..."

"Cough... this one is the Ming Dynasty's banned book, but it's quite liked by Koreans, stealthily copied from the Ming Dynasty and passed to Japanese Land... The contents inside... cough! Generally speaking, it's about the sentiments between men and women, the union between humans and ghosts... Buddha merciful! I read this book with a great heart of compassion, without any distractions!..."

Mori no Kiyoshi uttered two sentences, timorously speechless, rarely showing shame. He covered his face with a hand, quickly pointing to the fourth ship, whispering.

"Zuwaro, you can take these Tang books and read them slowly later!... It's getting dark, let's quickly complete the last two ships' military supplies transactions! Especially the rice, I've hoarded for a month, brought a ship of four hundred Stones, enough for three hundred Samurais to eat for a year!..."