In search of the secrets of Damascus steel ...

The recipe for making swords was not easy. He came to Small-An, from the Persians, and they received it from the Arabs. In the manufacture of sial swords there were subtleties about which only those who knew were aware. It was a mystery. But as you know, any secret sooner or later becomes a reality. It is all a matter of time, and the right circumstances. The Chinese had their knowledge of making silk ... and the Arabs ... steel. Now Li-Ban was hoping to find clues on how to create Damascus steel, or at least improve on having steel in the Tang Empire.

And for this, manufacturing methods were needed. This is forging, and the choice of material, and additives, secrets ... which can not always be bought for money. We need people, contacts, connections, promises and promises.

Dara was just such a person in front of whom the closed doors opened.

Dara, remarked, chuckling at the young and ambitious imperial, "hey Li-Ban, now you have to get off your horse and go to the mountains, can you handle it"?

"Why can't I?" Li-ban replied

"Well, in your armor it will be difficult to do."

"It is so uncomfortable, there's little use for her, our Damascus steel will cut her like a reed."

"And it weighs a lot."

- "I'm strong"!

"Well, well ... we'll see ..."

"Anyway, in the mountains, armor is of little use."

- "I can't take them off, it shows my status."

Dara, "Hey, who cares about status, it's mountains, not plain, it's not cities, here, in the mountains, status is not important, but what kind of person is he, is he a person or not."

- "Why are you Dara, then do not remove your chain mail?

"Ehe hehe, well, so I'm in my homeland!"

"We set the rules for ourselves and our guests."

"My chain mail is thin, has the effect of repulsion, blades, arrows."

"Lightweight and comfortable"!

"Not like your leather armor."

"In the mountains, the main thing, except for jokes, is to be able to dodge, to be plastic and flexible more important than to have strong protection."

"A rock will fall over your head, your armor will not help but you can dodge the stones, maybe you will survive!"

- "Oh, well, you're Dara's cunning!" Lee Ban said.

"And in the East, not to be cunning means to be deceived!"

Dara, noted - "now we are going to the mountains, to the blacksmith, he knows the secret ... but we can't share with us how to cook damask steel."

"But for money and promises to resolve the issue of supplying goods from Gaochan, namely iron, we will be able to find out a couple of tips and possibly methods for making other types of steel to create swords or armor."

"Well that's how it goes."

"It will be seen!"

Lee Ban was a little disappointed that he would not be able to find out the secret of Damascus steel, but even if it was a tuft of wool, it was better to learn nothing about making armor and swords.

Climbing the mountains was difficult and difficult ...