In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

"This is the Zhang family's new headquarters?"

Arans looked at Zhangjia Wharf in front of him; the two wharves were clearly distinguishable at a glance.

The difference between a threshing ground in the countryside and an entertainment plaza in a big city is quite obvious.

Moreover, around the Zhang family's dock, there are many large warehouses, including private warehouses belonging to the Zhang family and other prominent families, as well as a large public warehouse for storing goods.

“Lord Arans, Young Master 19 has been waiting for you for a long time.”

At this moment, Uncle Zhang stepped forward and greeted the Persian merchant, Arans.

He knew that this Persian merchant was an important partner of the Zhang family, and Zhang Xiaoshan had given instructions to bring him over a few days ago.

"Please lead the way!"

Arans greeted a Persian warrior, took the prepared gift box, and followed Uncle Zhang to the meeting place.

As for the others, they began unloading the cargo.

Dragon elephant horses, saffron, spices...

On three large ships, tons of cargo were being unloaded, making the merchants near the dock extremely envious.

Although Persian spices, carpets, and saffron were not unique to the Zhang family.

But such a huge quantity was far beyond what the Silk Road could transport.

Even the cargo pulled by hundreds or thousands of camels is not as much as the cargo of a single large Fujian ship, let alone three ships.

Moreover, according to the Zhang family

Another example is the dragon-elephant colt, unique to the West.

At this time, the Zhang family already possessed over a hundred powerful and massive Shire horses, which could form a considerable cavalry force.

It should be understood that once these dragon-elephant steeds form an Ironclad Pagoda army, they will undoubtedly be an extremely terrifying force.

With their powerful impact and immense carrying capacity, the Dragon Elephant Steeds were absolutely deadly cavalrymen on the battlefield.

There's also Wootz steel, which was taken from Ghost Street and sent to the Dongming Sect to train weapons; it's an indispensable combat support.

These are benefits that only the Zhang family enjoys.

After all, most merchants from the Central Plains would at most buy one or two Damascus knives from Persian nobles as souvenirs or for self-defense.

"Some good stuff has arrived at Zhangjia Wharf?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I heard they are merchants from Persia, who came specifically to see Young Master Zhang, and therefore brought a lot of Persian goods, which are currently being unloaded at the dock."

"Is that so? Prepare the imperial carriage; I, the princess, will go and take a look."

"Yes, princess!"

Princess Taiping wasn't interested in the spices, carpets, or jewels... but rather in wootz steel!

She knew that the Zhang family could bring back a lot of Wootz steel from Persia each time. Ghost Street alone could produce hundreds of weapons forged from Wootz steel every year, and these were even forged using the Wootz steel forging method.

Based on the success rate of forging, it would require approximately two hundred pieces of Wootz steel.

That's why Princess Taiping was so eager; if she could seize this batch of Wootz steel, she would have an invincible guard under her command.

Moreover, it is extremely useful in critical moments, whether for assassination or direct confrontation.

However, when Princess Taiping arrived at the dock, she did not see any trace of Wootz steel.

Upon inquiry, it was learned that those Wootz steel billets had been taken away by people from Ghost Street back in Lin'an Prefecture.

Undoubtedly, this was permitted by Zhang Xiaoshan.

Otherwise, neither the Persian merchants nor the Ghost Street leader would dare to touch this batch of Wootz steel.

···

"Lord Arans, please!"

This time, Zhang Xiaoshan invited Arans not to the villa, but to the Empire State Building—the reception building.

It was for no other reason than to demonstrate the Zhang family's foundation and strength.

Only in this way can we keep those Persian merchants in check and prevent those Persian nobles from looking down on the Zhang family.

It should be noted that this upheaval in the Zhang family has had a certain impact on the Zoroastrianism and the nobility in Persia.

He wanted Arans to see a more powerful Zhang family!

Undoubtedly, the Empire State Building is a testament to power.

"Miss Hongxiao, the person has arrived."

"Thank you for your help, Uncle Zhang!"

"No trouble at all. In that case, this old servant will go and get on with it."

Hongxiao was Zhang Xiaoshan's personal maid, and her virginity was taken early on.

In addition, most of these servants have grown old over the years, but Hongxiao and Jiangxue are still as beautiful as flowers, with no trace of time on their faces.

They then realized that they, the old folks, were no longer from the same world as Hongxiao and Jiangxue.

They were always just servants, but Hongxiao and Jiangxue were Zhang Xiaoshan's "own people".

After all, those mysterious experts were not a secret in the Zhang family.

Arans looked around; ever since entering the city, he had noticed the spot where the light was reflected.

When you actually stand in front of the Empire State Building, you can imagine the shock you will feel.

The entire building appears to be a massive restaurant made entirely of glass. While it doesn't tower into the clouds, it is many times more magnificent than the Red Mansion.

Once inside, the extremely luxurious decor was even more magnificent than any palace he had ever seen.

"Miss Hongxiao, is this the Zhang family's restaurant?"

"Your Excellency Arans is joking. If this is not a restaurant owned by the Zhang family, which restaurant in Kyushu could produce so much glass?"

Moreover, in terms of decoration style, the lobby is exactly the same as the villa, except that the decoration here is more luxurious, while the villa is more minimalist.

After all, a villa is not a restaurant.

Hearing Hongxiao's question, even Arans couldn't help but gasp.

He originally thought the Zhang family would gradually establish themselves in the Wu Tang Empire, but it's clear they're a powerful newcomer.

And it seems that they have already established a solid foundation.

"Young Master, Lord Arans has arrived!"

In a small private room on the top floor, Arans watched Zhang Xiaoshan waiting inside, eating pastries and snacks while reading a mysterious ancient book.

He was surrounded by two Persian beauties massaging his shoulders and legs, a lifestyle that could be described as extremely extravagant.

"Arans greets Your Highness!"

"Long time no see, Lord Arans!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaoshan stood up and smiled as he looked at Arans.

At this moment, the two Persian beauties had also stepped aside. Their identities were those of maids; however they might vie for favor in private, they ultimately had to be mindful of their status in public.

Seeing Zhang Xiaoshan, who remained as dashing as ever and unaffected, Arans knew that the Zhang family was not to blame for what happened in Lin'an Prefecture.

After all, the Zhang family is too wealthy; it's normal for them to be targeted.

Moreover, the Zhang family wiped out the entire prime minister's family, leaving only the ringleader, which shows the Zhang family's strength and power. However, in the end, they had no choice but to wander to other places.

However, the Zhang family has now been 'exonerated' and can return at any time.

The legend of Ghost Street is particularly illustrious. Zhang Xiaoshan kept a monstrous dragon in Ghost Street that was over ten zhang in size and could only be subdued by the Ninth Form of the Dragon Slaying Saber Technique. This frightened the Imperial Guards of the Song Dynasty so much that they had no choice but to sue for peace.

The Zhang family is simply invincible!

"Young Master Zhang, this is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't find it offensive!"

Arans took out a brocade box containing a stone that resembled crystal, but was not completely transparent.

"Meteorite from outer space?"

“Young master has a keen eye. This is indeed a meteorite from outer space, and it is even made of meteorite iron. It is a gift from the Persian royal family to you.”

The Persian royal family?

Zhang Xiaoshan was also somewhat surprised to hear this, because even the Persian royal family was still royalty.

Even the sisters, Tina and Shana, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Even though in their hearts, Zhang Xiaoshan was a god-like figure;

But as Persians, the majesty and nobility of the Persian royal family are also deeply ingrained in their hearts.

What are the Persian royal family's requirements?

"The Persian royal family wants the prince to supply musk coffee exclusively to the royal family."

Upon hearing Arans' request, Zhang Xiaoshan showed no reaction, only glancing at Arans and chuckling lightly:

"The Zhang family are businessmen, so they naturally prioritize profit. It's not impossible for them to agree to the Persian royal family's request."

But what terms could the royal family offer the Zhang family? At least they couldn't be worse than what Zhang had previously stated; otherwise, the Zhang family wouldn't risk harming their own interests.

"The royal family knows the young master's conditions, but the young master has requested too much Wootz steel, and the quantity cannot be guaranteed."

After all, the production of Wootz steel was limited; even the Persian Empire couldn't produce enough to meet its own needs each year.

Therefore, the royal family could only provide two hundred pieces of wootz steel per year; the rest were replaced with royal carpets, top-grade spices, and gemstones, and the price would not be less than what young master Zhang would pay.

"can!"

As long as there's Wootz steel, Zhang Xiaoshan knows this isn't Arans' bottom line, but it's enough for him.

After all, the Zhang family isn't aiming for supremacy; stockpiling some wootz steel to forge weapons is enough.

Moreover, even within the entire Persian Empire, not everyone's weapon was made of wootz steel. Most were either in the hands of nobles, or only the swords of warriors of exceptional skill were made of wootz steel.

Chapter 392 The Twin Dragons from the Celestial Ice Stone Seek the 'Account Book'

“Young master, just now Lord Arans was ‘invited’ to the residence by Princess Taiping.”

Zhang Xiaoshan was examining the extraterrestrial meteorite in his hand; it was a special piece of extraterrestrial iron.

I didn't pay much attention to the report about the willow catkins.

The Zhang family's dealings with Arans, and even with the Zoroastrianism behind them, are not a secret; they are legitimate business transactions.

Therefore, even if Princess Taiping wanted to intervene, she would need sufficient resources.

Arans was merely a representative promoted by the Persian Zoroastrianism.

"It's alright. Arans is a businessman who travels all over the country. He can handle this kind of thing."

Besides, Princess Taiping couldn't afford to offend the Zhang family in this matter. To get involved in the trade, one needed the resources; Princess Taiping's assumptions were obvious.

The Zhang family has its own base and its own specialty products.

Previously, they operated through cooperation with the Zoroastrian Church in Persia, but now the Zhang family's products are bestsellers in Persia.

Even though Princess Taiping was an imperial princess, she couldn't possibly get something for nothing.

"Oh, right, Piaoxu, take those coffees to the Persian caravan."

"Yes, son!"

Liu Sheng Piaoxu knew perfectly well what those musk coffees were.

Besides musk coffee, there's also elephant dung coffee, both of which the Zhang family has prepared very well. Once the price is agreed upon, the Zhang family can easily conduct the transaction in Lin'an Prefecture next time.

After Liu Sheng Piaoxu left, Zhang Xiaoshan continued to look at the extraterrestrial iron in his hand.

It looks like an opaque crystal; it must be a rare, extraterrestrial stone.

But judging from its weight and texture, this thing is undoubtedly made of meteorite iron.

Moreover, when True Qi was poured into it, Zhang Xiaoshan could feel a strange amplification, which was an amplification of the Extreme Cold True Qi.

"nice one!"