Scandinavian leftovers

1

In August 64 AD the Asian community in London became terrified of the terrorist attacks in Italy and Gaul. The Han Chinese embassy in Rome had informed them that they might have to return to their homelands if the Emperor decided to scapegoat foreigners. There were 2200 people from East Asian countries in London, among them 40 Han Chinese people. The other's were from 8 tributary states that paid tribute to the Han dynasty. There were 8 ambassadors, from each tributary country one ambassador, that were send by their domestic leaders to settle in the Han's embassy in Rome. Because the Han dynasty dependent much upon the trade of those tributary states the kings of those countries demanded their own envoys to join the Han envoy in Rome. When Claudius invaded Britain the Han ambassador persuaded the eight ambassadors and their relatives and slaves to migrate to the capital of Britain. The Asian envoys agreed only if 40 Chinese from the Sino-Roman community would be send with them as hostages. The Han ambassador agreed. The Asian envoys established eight embassies in London and each embassy received military protection by the British governor. The embassies established trading deals in silk, rice wine, olive oil, coconut oil, wine, beer, slaves, cultural artifacts, bronze jewelry, cosmetics and clothes between the native nobles of Roman Britain and their homelands. For almost 15 years there has been much exchange in goods between Roman Britain and the Far East. Rice wine, Rice and silk had become common luxury goods among the civilians in Roman Britain. There were even restaurants opened in some of the big towns to accommodate Asian cuisine at an affordable price.

While the ambassadors were freaking out, there was a black Rhaetian adventurer named Thriomphus that sailed into the harbour of London. He returned from a two year journey throughout Scandinavia. When he sailed into the harbour the maritime guard arrested him. After two days in prison he was released. They checked his baggage, but they couldn't find anything illegal. He had a lot of bottles of beer, much grain, herbs and bronze mirrors. Thriomphus shew his Roman citizen papers: he was born in Rhaetia, in the town Clunia, he was a small farmer which grew a tiny vine. He told the maritime officers that he was ''seeking out some trade with the Scandinavians''. They made him pay a fine of 10 Denarii and let him go. The arrest of the Rhaetian was witnessed by the Asian community. When he was released a man from the Kyushu embassy asked him about what happened. Upon this, he told the truth and that Scandinavia was in a depressing economic state. He informed them that the Scandinavian tribes were upset that the Roman occupation of Britain has decimated their income and caused civil unrest in their communities.

The Kyushu ambassador heard this and he commanded his slaves to inform more about ''that country called Scandinavia''. The other ambassadors also wanted to know more about Scandinavia. Thriomphus heard about their curiosity. He offered to sail back to Scandinavia to see if he can arrange some trading deals for the Asians. He didn't accept any money from them. Instead, he wanted them them to aid him with some silk, bottled rice wine and mirrors in order to persuade some Scandinavians to made a deal with him on their behalf. The Rhaetian bought all the products for the price of 1 Aureus. The Aureus coin was worth almost 30 Denari. One day before he would sail away to Scandinavia, he requested one of the Mahan women as payment from the Mahan ambassador. He also paid another Aureus for the request. He was permitted to choose any as long as it wasn't the wife or daughters of the ambassador. He selected a young woman named Yu, a painter of pottery. Yu became sad with the idea that she would have to leave behind her cat. Thriomphus accepted the cat also. Thriomphus didn't trust the Asian leaders. That's why he rather paid them than being paid by them for this service. He wanted an excuse to sail back to Scandinavia - an excuse which would be a valid one for the Roman maritime troops that patrol the British rivers. He decided to exploit the opportunity by gaining a girl. Thriomphus, together with the ambassadors, informed the London authorities of his departure to Scandinavia. When they heard this, the Roman minister of finances, requested to speak to Thriomphus. He was escorted to the office of the minister.