novelraw Chapter 236: Lisbon
Chapter 236: Lisbon
Near the port, a small rowboat intercepted Helgi's flagship. A port official climbed the ropes onto the deck of the two-masted brigantine, inquiring about the guests' identities and their purpose for visiting.
"I am the Minister of Naval Affairs for the Kingdom of Britain, ordered to open new trade routes. This is His Majesty's diplomatic letter."
Helgi produced a parchment scroll sealed with sealing wax. The port official accepted it, then took his small boat back to the shore to deliver the message.
While waiting, dhows occasionally sailed past the waters near the flagship. The sailors leaned lazily against the bulwarks, soaking in the sunlight and the gentle sea breeze.
Judging by the hull's dimensions, the two-masted brigantine was nearly thirty meters long, attracting the gazes of many locals. The giant ballistas mounted on the bow and stern decks, in particular, projected a tremendous deterrent force to the outside world.
An hour passed before the port official boarded the deck once more. "My lord, the Governor permits your entry into the port, but you must dismantle the components of these giant ballistas while docked."
"Understood."
Helgi ordered his crew to comply. Under the port official's guidance, the ship slowly moored at the Lisbon docks.
Currently, more than half of Iberia was under the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate. Due to frequent local rebellions, the garrison in Lisbon was heavily guarded. A massive number of soldiers crowded behind the battlements, warily watching this group of unfamiliar guests.
"Look sharp, don't embarrass me!"After issuing a few warnings, Helgi walked down the gangway. Ahead of him gathered over two hundred armored soldiers, led by a plump, middle-aged noble.
This man wore an ankle-length, loose white robe, its collar and hem embroidered with intricate patterns. A brocade belt was tied around his waist, suspending a Damascus scimitar and a spice pouch.
In comparison, Helgi's attire was rather shabby. Everything he wore combined was not worth as much as the scimitar at the other man's waist.
Sizing up this tall, robust, and stern-faced one-eyed man, the Moorish noble spoke first, "Two years ago, many merchants came to me to complain, saying that Aslaug raised taxes without reason, causing more than twenty people to go bankrupt. What explanation does your kingdom have for this?"
Upon hearing the translator's rendition, Helgi responded calmly, "King Sigurd died of illness, Aslaug perished at the hands of a mob, and Princess Enya was taken captive by West Francia. The rule of the old royal family has ended, and past matters have nothing to do with us. The one in power now is Wigg Teyne."
"The North's Serpent?"
The Moorish noble had heard this name before and proceeded to ask for news regarding Gunnar and Ivar. After listening to his guest for about ten minutes, he gazed out at the sea and let out a long sigh. "The transition of kingship... I never expected it to be so brutal."
Since the old royal family had fallen, the previous disputes vanished into thin air. The noble, who introduced himself as the Governor of Lisbon, permitted the merchant ships of the Kingdom of Britain to sell their goods, provided they paid a hefty tax.
Hearing the prices and tax rates of various commodities from the translator, Helgi calculated inwardly. Selling furs, amber, and whale oil yielded higher profits, while ordinary textiles offered lower margins. They should focus on selling dyed cloth or high-end printed fabrics with complex patterns.
"Thank you for your kindness."
With the agreement settled, Helgi arranged for the sailors to trade their goods at the open-air market by the riverside. The variety of goods here was abundant; aside from spices and cane sugar, there was also olive oil, dates, and cotton cloth. If they used the revenue from their sales to purchase local goods, they could make another massive fortune upon returning home.
After keeping busy until the afternoon, Helgi received an invitation to attend a banquet at the castle on the hilltop.
Following the Governor's servant, he left the chaotic riverside docks and entered the higher-altitude Alfama District.
The exterior walls of the buildings here were whitewashed, and the narrow streets and alleys intertwined like a labyrinth. Orange trees were planted in front of some courtyards, their dense branches adorned with many unripe fruits, instantly catching Helgi's eye. "What are these?"
The servant explained, "Oranges. They aren't edible yet. It will take some time for them to ripen."
From Helgi's perspective, the higher the elevation, the more respectable the architecture along the way became. The streets were paved with cobblestones, and there were even fountains in certain areas.
"It truly is a city built on a hill," he murmured in awe.
"Not just one hill. Lisbon is built upon seven hills."
Seven hills? Helgi recalled Wigg's description of Rome; it seemed the latter was also known as the City of Seven Hills.
'Does the number seven hold some special significance?'
Before he knew it, the castle was right before him. Helgi cast his stray thoughts aside and carefully observed this sturdy and extravagant fortress.
This place was originally a camp left behind by the Roman Legions, later rebuilt by the Moors into a stone fortress. The outer perimeter consisted of soldier barracks, storehouses, and stables, while the innermost area was the Governor's official residence.
"My lord, we have arrived."
After walking a short distance, a square courtyard appeared before them. The surrounding walls were similarly whitewashed, and the ground was paved with geometric glazed tiles. In the center of the courtyard sat an octagonal fountain, with citrus trees and roses planted in the corners.
Entering the main hall of the residence, he found it laid with soft, luxurious Persian carpets. The air was filled with faint incense. In the most conspicuous spot stood a colorful porcelain vase, its hues gentle and its texture fine. The window frames on both sides were carved wooden lattice screens, draped with woolen tapestries to block the sun.
"This is porcelain, a luxury item from the Far East."
Noticing his guest's surprise, the Governor lightly flicked the surface of the vase, producing a crisp clink. "The Great Tang Empire is in turmoil, causing the prices of porcelain and silk to soar. The cost of this single item is equivalent to twenty warhorses. Alas, it is simply too expensive."
The rest of the banquet was incredibly dull. Helgi was highly displeased with the Governor's flaunting but could not afford an outburst. He forcefully endured it until the feast concluded, politely bidding his host farewell.
After staying in Lisbon for five days, Helgi inventoried their supplies and prepared for the return voyage. Bathing in the warm, gentle sunlight, he suddenly felt a melancholy sense of loss.
In Northern Europe and Britain, overcast and rainy weather was frequent. Especially during the long autumn and winter seasons, the sky was always a hazy gray, leaving one feeling inexplicably depressed.
But in Lisbon, sunlight was not a scarce resource; it was a part of daily life, just like air and water. Feeling the clear, azure sky above him, the gloom in his heart eased significantly.
"Boss, what are you thinking about? Reluctant to leave?" The first mate noticed Helgi's preoccupation. "The environment down south really is nice. If you're willing to take a little risk, maybe..."
Helgi interrupted the first mate's words. "You want to mutiny and defect to the Moorish noble?"
"No, absolutely not. I heard that there's an archipelago in the southern waters of Iberia. It has plenty of sunshine and no one in charge. Why don't we seize that territory?"
With a dark expression, Helgi walked into the captain's cabin and spread out the nautical chart. To the southwest of Iberia, directly west of the Sahara Desert, a line of small text was written: "Suspected existence of islands."
After weighing his options for a long time, he returned to the deck and looked coldly at the first mate. "The route is unknown. I cannot risk the kingdom's fleet."