This era is an era of strict hierarchy. More than 90% of the countries in Europe, Asia and Africa have kings and aristocratic systems, and the rules of superiority and inferiority are extremely strict.
Of course, Samuel Baker looked down on these backward peoples in Asia, especially countries like Ryukyu that had little ability to survive.
In his eyes, the national strength of Ryukyu is no different from that of the indigenous African countries. The only difference is that this country relies on the nourishment of Chinese civilization, so its etiquette system is more civilized.
Samuel would not respect these weak countries, but he did not dare to disrespect the kings and nobles of these weak countries.
why? Because he respects the system, not the people themselves!
The aristocratic system has been throughout human history for thousands of years. This is a tradition that has been implemented for too long. The United Kingdom is an absolute supporter of this system, and Samuel Baker himself is a British knight and an Egyptian pasha.
He is a double honorary noble!
Such a person must respect tradition and this system. Even if he despises King Shangtai in his heart, he still has to hold his nose and admit that King Shangtai is the only legitimate monarch of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom.
Even though the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom has donated its soil to join the Chinese, the Chinese have not abolished the Ryukyu Kingdom's name and ancestral temple, and the title of King Shangtai is still there.
Disrespecting King Shangtai means disrespecting the aristocratic tradition. If he does not respect the aristocratic tradition, then his own title is not worthy of respect.
Under the influence of such thoughts, Samuel had to struggle to get up and salute even if he had a broken leg, let alone typhoid fever.
King Shangtai didn't have much arrogance. He stretched out his hand to help Samuel, "You are a patient, so don't salute. Sit down...Bring our stone sculpture over and let Mr. Samuel take care of it!"
Samuel did not expect that King Shangtai also spoke English with a surprised expression on his face. The guard behind the king smiled and said, "Your Majesty is also a disciple of the head of state. He learned the ability to see the world with open eyes... Don't speak English, French and German are also spoken." Someone who has dabbled in something!”
King Shangtai smiled faintly, "As a king, I don't have to give birth and accept the support of the people. I am just a rice worm... This kind of life is quite boring if you don't learn much..."
"I just used the time of ordinary people who are struggling to make money to support their families to learn a little more. There is nothing surprising..."
While talking, the one-foot-square stone sculpture was brought in by his guards and placed next to Samuel's bed. The famous explorer took out the magnifying glass in his backpack and began to look at it carefully.
"Yes, yes... my judgment is correct... this stone sculpture is a sculpture of Zoroastrianism, that is, Zoroastrianism!"
"This is a god in Zoroastrianism called the God of Victory. The symbolic image of this god is a bull's head, a lion's mane, and a rhinoceros horn... Take a look, it's absolutely correct!"
"What else was unearthed?"
When the man on the left heard that there was indeed a way, he immediately took out a dozen gold coins from his pocket and said, "Look, there are some gold coins from the tombs!"
"Haha... There is nothing wrong with the gold coins of the ancient Roman era... A large number of these gold coins were unearthed in Asia Minor... Although I have not seen this tomb group, I have a bold idea based on the things you unearthed. Judgment!”
"This place was an important trade route between China and Europe in ancient times. All caravans had to take this ancient road... Along with the trade routes came not only wealth and goods, but also religion and art..."
"The identity of the owner of this tomb may be a businessman who believed in Zoroastrianism who died on the way, or it may be the tomb of a believer after Zoroastrianism spread here..."
"I really want to see it with my own eyes! My disease is really difficult to deal with..."
Everyone chatted slowly. Samuel was really an expert on the cultures of Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, and the cultures of these places were inextricably linked to the Western Regions.
The exchange was really informative, especially when Samuel told the story of when silk was first introduced to the ancient Roman Empire, it moved the Chinese people present.
"The earliest records of silk in European history can be traced back to the time of Julius Caesar, and that period seems to be the Han Dynasty for you Chinese..."
"Once Caesar returned victorious from a battle, the Roman Senate, Parliament and the citizens of the whole city were waiting to celebrate Caesar. I originally thought that Caesar would return to Rome in glory wearing a suit of armor..."
"But no one could have imagined that Caesar would appear in front of the Romans wearing a robe of the gods. That was the first time silk appeared in Europe!"
"Soft and smooth like a girl's skin, its charming light can arouse the deepest desires in people's hearts. At that time, the Romans just wore linen. Even the nobles could only dye and draw. In essence, they were still linen. …”
"There is no comparison at all. Silk immediately conquered the nobles of Rome. At that time, one pound of silk required twelve ounces of gold to purchase..."
"The huge profits have led more businessmen to embark on the difficult journey across Eurasia. History records that many European businessmen can successfully travel across Europe once in their lives, and the money they earn is enough to open a good business in Europe. I have lived my whole life in this shop..."
After listening to Samuel’s story, the person on the left quickly took out some dry silk fragments. “Yes, there is a lot of silk unearthed in the tombs. The climate here is too dry. Many silk fabrics have not rotted. We can still see them.” The patterns of the past and the luster of the past..."
"It's so beautiful. I really want to take a look... Can I collect a few of these silk fragments?"
There were a lot of silk fragments found in the tombs, and Zuo didn't care how many pieces were given to him. Samuel Baker carefully opened his notebook and solemnly put the silk fragments inside.
When I saw this notebook on the left, my eyes suddenly lit up!
Ghost Eye Zuo Chaofeng didn't stay in Europe for a long time. He only knew some simple words and simple daily conversations in English. He couldn't understand the things in Samuel's thick notes.
But as a minister of Liulichang who spent his whole life dealing with antiques, he only needed to glance at it to know that this notebook must contain many of Samuel's archaeological records.
Maybe there is some secret treasure or the location of the tomb hidden in the notebook!
The left person smiled and said, "I also have some sketches of tombs here. Do you want to collect a few..."
"Of course! Thank you very much, thank you very much..."
The sketches of the Guazhou ancient tombs were also collected. The little eyes on the left stared greedily at the illustrations and paintings in the notebook. The more I looked at them, the more interesting they became.
