BDSMST -Chapter 144 An Exchange Valued in Knowledge

Arthur looked at Jiang Suisui in puzzlement. That chest of gemstones—enough to shake the finances of a kingdom—was, in his eyes, the utmost sincerity the Frank royal family could offer. He couldn’t imagine what else she could possibly want. Could it be harsher political conditions? Territorial concessions?

Gu Yan’s hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his body leaning slightly forward to shield Jiang Suisui behind him. His gaze was fixed on Arthur, assessing and wary. To him, these foreigners’ desires seemed vast and unpredictable; even the slightest lapse could sow disaster in the future.

“I do not want your gemstones,” Jiang Suisui repeated. Her voice was calm and clear, slightly easing the tense atmosphere in the private room. “Because seeds are not meant to be ‘sold.’”

She looked into Arthur’s sincere yet confused blue eyes and continued, “I will give you the seeds, but this is not a transaction. I need an exchange.”

“Please, speak,” Arthur immediately responded. “Anything within our power, we will do.”

“I need your people,” Jiang Suisui said.

The words stunned everyone present. Even Bai Yutang’s previously bright expression dimmed; he had expected Jiang Suisui to propose some sort of commercial collaboration, not this. People? Was she talking about taking hostages or demanding slaves? That made no sense.

Gu Yan’s brow furrowed even deeper.

Seeing their expressions, Jiang Suisui realized they had misunderstood. She clarified: “I am not asking for slaves or hostages. What I mean is this: these crops cannot yield just by scattering the seeds in the soil. They require specific cultivation techniques. From seedling care and transplantation to fertilization and pest control, each step is precise. I could give you the seeds directly, but if your farmers don’t know how to grow them, they may fail to thrive on your barren land. That result would benefit neither you nor me.”

She paused, giving them time to digest her words.

“So my condition is this: you send people to my estate to learn how to farm. I will teach them everything about cultivating these crops without reservation.” She looked at Arthur. “What I want is not your wealth, but your scholars—your brightest young minds. Let them come as students, learn the methods, and then take the seeds and techniques back to your homeland. That is the ‘exchange’ I want.”

Arthur was completely stunned.

He had imagined countless possibilities. Perhaps she would demand ten times the value in gemstones; perhaps she would request that the Kingdom of Frank open a port for exclusive trade; maybe even demand blueprints for weapons or warships.

But he had never expected this condition.

No money, no goods, no privileges.

She wanted… to establish a school? And have them send “students” to learn?

It was a mode of thinking he had never encountered, one that transcended pure material exchange. The foresight and vision embedded in her proposal shook him deep in his soul. She did not see the chest of gemstones before her; she saw the potential for those crops to truly take root, flourish, and save lives on another continent across the seas.

This was no longer a merchant’s way of thinking—this was… this was the compassion of a deity.

“Madam…” Arthur’s voice was slightly hoarse. He didn’t know how to express the emotions stirring inside him at that moment.

Gu Yan also relaxed his grip on his sword. He looked at his wife, his heart stirred. His initial worry had been that she might soften and easily hand over such a crucial strategic resource. Now he understood—she wasn’t soft-hearted. She wanted to control the knowledge itself, to hold the authority over this technology at its source.

It was the difference between giving someone a fish and teaching them to fish. If she merely gave the seeds, they could cultivate them, and the matter would end there. But if they sent people to learn, the source of knowledge would remain firmly in Woniu Village, firmly in her hands. This connection was far stronger than a one-time financial transaction—and far wiser.

Bai Yutang’s mind raced as well. At first, he had been stunned, but then his eyes lit up even more brightly—hundreds of times brighter than when he had first seen the gemstones. He understood! This wasn’t some agricultural exchange; it was a completely new business model! By exporting cultivation techniques and training personnel, Woniu Village could become the center of agricultural technology. In the future, any nation wanting to introduce new crops would have to send people here to learn, following its standards. The potential leverage and long-term benefits were unimaginable!

“I agree! I completely agree!” Arthur came back to himself and responded excitedly. “On behalf of His Majesty the King of Frank, I accept your terms! We are willing to send people to learn, no matter how long it takes!”

“At least one full year,” Jiang Suisui specified. “From spring planting to autumn harvest. We will provide food and lodging, but they must work in the fields just like our farmers. Knowledge is gained in the fields, not from books.”

“No problem!” Arthur agreed immediately. Even ten years would be worth it if it meant bringing this technology back home.

And so, it was settled.

The chest of gemstones was kept by Arthur as the “tuition” and “deposit” for the first batch of students.

After sending off Arthur and his entourage—satisfied, even with something akin to a pilgrim’s reverence—the private room was left with only Jiang Suisui, Gu Yan, and Bai Yutang.

“Suisui, how does your brain even work?” Bai Yutang exclaimed, looking from the chest of gemstones to Jiang Suisui with awe. “I was just thinking about how to exchange seeds for more money, and you’ve already come up with establishing an ‘Agricultural Technology Academy.’ I, who pride myself on being clever, feel like a shortsighted fool in your presence today.”

“I just think spreading knowledge is more meaningful than spreading seeds,” Jiang Suisui said with a smile.

Gu Yan stepped beside her, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His touch was light, but his gaze carried a husband’s admiration and pride. “This plan is excellent. It helps them and keeps our advantage. We just need to prepare for more foreigners in the estate; security will need reinforcement.”

“Leave that to me,” Gu Yan said in a low voice. “I’ll pull another squad from the guards to specifically oversee the perimeter of the estate.”

“When will our ‘Agricultural Technology Academy’ officially open?” Bai Yutang asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

Jiang Suisui looked out toward Woniu Village. The vast fields there were alive with vitality.

“Let’s call it the Woniu Village Agricultural Technology Academy,” she said. “Once the first batch of students arrives, the academy will officially be established.”