Sometimes, it was very uncomfortable for people not to be believed by others.
Zhang Xiaobao was currently in such a situation. Other than Wang Juan, who was chatting with a few girls beside her, who had a trusting expression, Takeshita Junichiro and the three people from the Ministry of Works were not willing to admit from the bottom of their hearts that Zhang Xiaobao really wanted to help Japan.
"Takeshita-kun, what I said is the truth. You should believe me. Before coming, I did some research. The others were not willing to agree with you and had declined many times. Today's wine was on you, right?"
Zhang Xiaobao looked sincerely at Takeshita Junichiro, then raised a full glass of wine and gestured for a toast.
Before Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan arrived, Takeshita Junichiro had already drunk a lot of wine with the three people from the Ministry of Works. Although the wine did not feel too strong when he drank it, and it was still sweet, the aftereffects were still there.
After drinking two glasses in a row, the wine he drank earlier had already begun to take effect. Especially when he was trying to guess the truth of Zhang Xiaobao's words, Takeshita Junichiro felt sleepy. His eyes were half closed, one hand holding the glass, the other pinching his thigh.
He gritted his teeth and poured the wine into his throat, then flipped it up and forced himself not to spit it out. His eyes were red from holding it in. Weiwei's hands were trembling. He picked up a cold cucumber with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth. After suppressing it, he let out a sigh of relief.
He raised his head and looked at Zhang Xiaobao, who was looking over with concern, and said, "It's fine. I think they have their difficulties."
Takeshita Junichiro did not dare to say anything that would offend the people from the Ministry of Works. In order to express his thoughts, he even smiled at the three people from the Ministry of Works.
The three people from the Ministry of Works did not have the leisure to care about Takeshita Junichiro. Their thoughts were all on Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. Today, they realized for the first time that Wang Juan was so beautiful. She had a figure, appearance, and temperament. No matter how they looked at her, she did not look like a person who would kill people like flies.
As for Zhang Xiaobao, he seemed to have deliberately dressed up today, attracting the glances of the nearby girls from time to time, but no one dared to approach and speak.
The three people from the Ministry of Works were led by a director, who was an official like Li Bai, a sixth-ranked official. He and the other two sat there obediently and accompanied them. When Zhang Xiaobao raised his cup, they drank with him. They were not that afraid of Zhang Zhong. Even if Zhang Zhong was the Minister of Works, they could always find someone to replace him. What they were afraid of was Xiaobei. They were worried that they would offend Zhang Xiaobao with their words. Zhang Xiaobao and Li Bai were magnanimous, but Xiaobei would be unreasonable if she found out.
Zhang Xiaobao pursed his lips and thought for a while, then said, "Indeed, the matter is a little too big. Normal people wouldn't dare to agree, but... since I've met you, and based on the friendly relationship between Japan and the Great Tang, I have to help. How many steamships and gunboats does Takeshita want to rent?"
"Uh! Young Master Zhang, I was just thinking about it abruptly and haven't confirmed it yet. I'll go back and find someone to discuss it before I can get a specific number. Perhaps I won't rent them in the end. "
Takeshita Junichiro really didn't dare to agree. If it were someone else, not Zhang Xiaobao, he would have agreed happily. Of course, the more boats that could be rented, the better. When facing Zhang Xiaobao, he thought of Yamamoto, the mountain temple, and the Windy Bridge.
The three of them had great ambitions when they came to the Great Tang. In the end, they met Zhang Xiaobao, and all of them were defeated, especially Windy Bridge Shoji. No matter how they thought about it, they couldn't think of a way to break it. How was the structure? They had lost everything.
That was sulfur and silver worth a million strings of coins. Now, the price of garlic was still stable, and the garlic sprouts were selling well. There was also the sweet garlic. If Xinluo joined in the fun, who knew how much they would lose in the end?
It's right to go back and find more people to think about it. We mustn't blindly rent steamships and gunboats, especially gunboats. When the time comes, even if we rent them, we won't let others board them. It's just a form of employment to help in battle. It costs a lot of money, the distance it takes to sail, the difficulty of resupplying, and the wear and tear of the cannons and shells when firing the cannons. "
Zhang Xiaobao agreed. He turned his head and instructed the three people from the Ministry of Works, "In the future, don't always think about keeping the Ministry of Works a secret. When it's time to keep it a secret, keep it a secret. When it's time to make money, make money. If you want to go out and seek new development, if someone comes looking for you, you can take it to the Ministry of Works for everyone to study.
It's the same no matter who you rent it to. There's no difference between renting it to Xinluo and Japan, but as long as it's rented, it can only be rented to one side to prevent our ships from being damaged when there's friction at sea. Especially for gunboats, we can't rent to both sides. Otherwise, wouldn't others pay for it and we kill each other? "
The three people nodded in unison.
Zhang Xiaobao didn't persuade others to drink anymore. He finished the wine himself, stood up, and politely smiled at Takeshita Junichiro. Then, he said to Wang Juan, "Cuckoo, let's go back."
"Oh, sister Han Zui, let's talk when we have time. Remember not to use the new perfume released by the Shuiyun Group casually. Everyone's skin is different. You have to choose the right one. The expensive ones might not be good for you."
Wang Juan nodded and reluctantly explained the choice of the new perfume to Han Zui. She even asked Han Zui to ask about the jasmine fragrance on her body. Only then did she hold Zhang Xiaobao's arm and walk out under the starry gazes of the girls.
After walking for about ten steps, Zhang Xiaobao suddenly turned around and said to the three people from the Ministry of Works, "I just thought of something. The Ministry of Works can develop a few small electrical appliances suitable for navigation. It just so happens that we can use the steam engine ships to generate electricity. It's best to set up a separate department and find merchants from Tang to discuss the matter of renting. Let them travel further and bring back more valuable goods."
"Young Master Zhang, don't worry. We'll remember it." The director of the Ministry of Works stood up and nodded vigorously as he sent them off.
After Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan walked out, the director said to Takeshita Junichiro, "It's getting late. The three of us should go back. We'll talk again next time when we have the chance."
After saying that, the three of them also left.
Takeshita Junichiro sat there, confused and distressed. The matter that he had been begging for but couldn't get was suddenly presented to him. He didn't dare to accept. What did Zhang Xiaobao mean by this?
Wang Juan, who had just left, was also puzzled. She boarded the carriage and while making tea for Zhang Xiaobao, she asked, "Xiao Bao, tell me directly. Those who know you won't agree. I'm afraid. What do you plan to do?"
"Let me kiss you and I'll tell you." Zhang Xiaobao leaned over with a smile.
"Your breath reeks of alcohol. No." Wang Juan dodged to the side.
"Then don't tell me."
"Count the moon yourself at night."
"Then I'll tell you in detail at night."
"Tell me one thing first."
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