Fun fact, the metal the Chinese used was EXTREMELY TERRIBLY FUCKING SHIT, now this wasn't their fault, it just happened that the metal they could get their hands on was of crap quality and extremely shit, which is why they had to fold swords like one million times to achieve any sort of "decent" durability.
Source?
I find it highly unlikely that barbarian civilization had such superior weapons as you said, and superior culture was so inferior in weapons. That would be, I guess, the only time in history such a thing ever happened. At the time of the game (13th century) both India and China are waning but are still super-powers, and most technologically advanced.
I've searched online a bit and couldn't find anything to support your comment. On contrary. However, I am interested in truth so I am ready to correct myself if you give me the source.
"In their various campaigns, the Chinese armies through the ages, employed a variety of equipment in the different arms of the army. The most notable weaponry used by the Chinese consisted of crossbows, rockets, gunpowder weapons, and other "exotic weapons", but the Chinese also made many advances on conventional iron weapons such as
swords and spears that were far superior to other contemporary weapons."
wiki