Chapter 453: Ancient Egypt
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
But then again, the colored glass was already so beautiful. There was no need for anything else. Su Changsheng’s aesthetic taste was simply superb.
“The price is a small issue. The main problem is that it’s difficult to obtain. If not for that reason, I could give you a piece as well.”
Su Changsheng explained as he walked behind her.
Xiaoguo leaned listlessly on Jiang Danhe’s strong arm and shook her head. “Forget it. The price is making me dizzy.”
Su Changsheng chuckled softly. Speaking of this colored glass, the process of getting hold of it was a long and difficult process.
“How did you get your hands on it?”
Xiaoguo was feeling a little curious. Su Changsheng must have had a wide social network. Natural colored glass was still not available in the Shao Nation, but he was able to get his hands on such a large piece.
“There was a time by chance, when I crossed the borderless desert, drifted across the Atlantic Ocean, and walked across parched and dry plains. I came across various tribes who lived in countries that were not recorded on the atlas. These people were long-limbed and unclothed. Their bare bodies were covered with pieces of leaves. There were some others who had dark skin, but their entire bodies were covered in red mud. They lived in cramped, clay houses and drank from muddy waters…”
Xiaoguo was very surprised. Had he been to Africa? His description sounded very similar to those primitive tribes in Africa. When he mentioned those tribal people whose bodies were covered in red mud, that was the characteristics of the Himba tribe in Africa.
The people of the Himba tribe consider nudity as beauty, so it is common for them to go topless regardless of age or gender.
On the other hand, covering their entire bodies with red clay is considered not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves as protection against sunburn and insects for the Himba tribe. This practice has gradually developed into a cultural tradition for the group.
These primitive tribes have detached themselves from society and created their own distinct languages and customs that were exclusive to each ethnic group.
“Did you meet any cannibalistic tribes?”
Xiaoguo’s interest was piqued by what Su Changsheng was saying. She suddenly thought of the Nufeta villagers, whom she had only seen on the Internet. They were a cannibalistic tribe.
It was said they used human bones to make various household items or hunting tools. Human bones were a common sight in the village.
Su Changsheng gave her a strange look before nodding. “I heard from the local guide who was accompanying us, but I didn’t dare to visit that place. We took a big detour to avoid passing through that village.”
It was no joke. Coming in contact with the tribe would mean getting roasted over the fire. Was this something that a woman would know?
Jiang Danhe looked at the two of them, who were deeply engrossed in their conversation. He couldn’t help but start wondering to himself. “Should I buy an atlas too? Or should Igo on an overseas trip?I would need a clearance document for that. Yes! Its still not too late to prepare now!”
“Being in that place is even more difficult than living through a natural disaster or famine. The living conditions were harsh, with a lack of water sources. Any normal person would have a hard time staying there for just one day.”
Xiaoguo nodded in agreement. She had watched documentaries about primitive tribes in Africa before and was both shocked and grateful after watching them. She was truly grateful that she wasn’t born in such a place.
Africa is indeed a very rich and fertile continent with abundant natural resources and favorable natural conditions for development. However, it could also be due to these favorable conditions that Africa was still so backward now.
As the saying goes, one thrives and survives under suffering and hardships,
but perishes from complacency. The abundant resources in Africa have, in many parts of the continent, fostered a lackadaisical attitude and a lack of motivation for progress and development.
This was the case thousands of years later, let alone thousands of years ago.
Africa is also a continent with the largest number of tribes. Most of these tribes are still detached from modern civilization and adhere to primitive and ancient customs. From a modern perspective, many of these practices are now seen as extremely cruel and barbaric.
“Did you find the colored glass from there?”
Xiaoguo couldn’t remember any records in history that involved the discovery of stained glass in those primitive tribes.
“No, it’s in a place called… Kemet.”
Su Changsheng looked at her tentatively, waiting to hear what she had to say.
As soon as he said that, Xiaoguo understood. The name “Kemet” was used in hieroglyphics to refer to Ancient Egypt. It spanned across two continents, Asia and Africa, with most of it located in the northeast of Africa. It was bordered by Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, the Red Sea to the east, Palestine and Israel to the northeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
Kemet means “black land”, and with the disappearance of hieroglyphs, it is now called Misr in modern Arabic, meaning “vast country”. Later Egypt was transliterated as the Arab Republic of Egypt.
“You know about Kemet?”
Now, Su Changsheng’s curiosity about her has increased by more than just a little bit.
Xiaoguo didn’t sense anything amiss, so she just nodded. “Of course I know.”
There was a period of time when she became very interested in the Egyptian pharaohs, pyramids, sphinxes, and mummies, so she did a lot of research on those topics. As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy. To understand a place, it is best to start from its background and history. Not only did she know everything about Egypt, she can even recite its history from the back of her mind.
Su Changsheng chuckled softly. “A name that only the locals know. She…”
“The World Atlas records it as “Misr”, how do you know it as Kemet?”
Xiaoguo was stunned, but she didn’t show it on her face. She calmly replied, “I heard it from a storyteller and I thought it was all made-up. I didn’t expect it to be true. Haha.”
Su Changsheng narrowed his eyes, not quite believing her words. “Then you have a good memory. Introduce me to that storyteller when you have time.”
“Sure.”
Xiaoguo smiled and nodded.
Jiang Danhe unconditionally believed in whatever Xiaoguo was saying. Not only that, he even patted her head proudly and thought to himself, “My wife is really knowledgeable and intelligent.”
Feeling guilty, Xiaoguo quickly changed the subject and asked, “By the way, did you find that glass in Kemet?”
“That’s right.” Su Changsheng stopped smiling and continued, “I was tempted the moment I saw it. So I spent more than three years acquiring all of these pieces at a high price. It was with much difficulty that I managed to collect enough to assemble into one large piece.”
Xiaoguo nodded. She seemed to have some impression of it. According to historical records, glass first appeared in ancient Egypt. It was formed by the condensation of acidic rocks from volcanic eruptions and some other minerals. Natural colored glass was really rare. Instead of calling it colored glass, it was more accurate to call them colored crystals.
Currently, the Shao Nation also has the craft of making glassware, but the glass produced was colorless. As for this kind of natural colored crystal, it is indeed expensive, but the biggest problem is its rarity.
The more Xiaoguo looked around the shop, the more shocked she became. Her legs were becoming soft and weak.
She only had one thought. How could she chase Su Changsheng out and monopolize this place?
The renovation was simply amazing. With no comparisons, one would never be harmed. Not only were the decorations high-end, even the cellar and processing room were perfect. There were no night rocks in this place, but there were a few super big night pearls embedded in the walls to illuminate the place. It was inhumane.
In summary, this place was perfect.
She didn’t dare to stay there any longer. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would rush back to Yonghai County and redecorate her two-story building.
After politely rejecting Su Changsheng’s request to send them off, the two of them decided to take a walk.
On the way back, Xiaoguo was in low spirits. Holding on tightly to Jiang Danhe’s sleeve, she looked dejected and listless.
“How about I make a trip to Misr?”
Jiang Danhe couldn’t bear to see her looking so sad, so he had decided to set off after the new year.
Xiaoguo grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. “No, it’s too dangerous. I can’t let you go there.”
Her man was so handsome. What if he was captured by a certain tribe?
Xiaoguo was very good at consoling herself. Her love for natural colored glass had disappeared in a flash.
Although her two-story building was not as luxurious and elegant as Su Changsheng’s shop, it had its own unique charm. She still liked her own renovation style very much.
Looking at the woman, who was beaming with joy again, Jiang Danhe stroked her head gently. His dear Xiaoguo was just so cute. She was awesome, obedient, and adorable..