Yang Ling threw out the bait, and Archbishop Lamario and Marquis Bamond began a heated debate about which two items to choose as agents. Sander and the others also kept interrupting. They spoke so fast that even the translator could not translate them.
Yang Ling stopped the translator with a smile. He didn't need to listen to them arguing about which two goods were faster and more convenient to transport and which would bring him more profits. Yang Ling had achieved his goal no matter what they chose.
Ming Destiny needed to develop quickly, but the continuous wars had left the country extremely weak. Now, there was still an uncertain factor in the northern grassland, which could turn into a war at any time. Ming Destiny did not have enough financial resources to build an ocean-going commercial fleet and a fully-armed escort fleet.
Only by sharing profits could Ming Destiny's various products be developed as fast as possible, and the economy would grow rapidly.
At the same time, every Western country had the right to represent one or two products. As their market operations expanded, they would occupy an important position in the internal economy of their country. Then, the dependence of the other country on the Great Ming Dynasty would increase. The Great Ming Dynasty would stay in the East, and they could use economic leverage to control the distant Western world like a puppet.
Also, from the experience of the future generations, it could be foreseen that when a large number of Ming Dynasty products were dumped, the other country's industry would shrink, and a large amount of silver would flow to the East. Then, the economists of the other country would be alarmed, and the government would intervene and implement anti-dumping measures to protect the national industry. Although they could still continue to import products through smuggling, the sales would be greatly affected.
However, what if the ruling class of the other country became the direct beneficiaries of this trade? Even if there were a few selfless, far-sighted, and patriotic people among them, how much influence could they have? They could not influence the political situation and economic policies at all.
Yang Ling's economic theories and political views were not necessarily better than the politicians and scholars of the East and the West, but he had five hundred years of experience, after all. These things that the future generations had experienced and only had a superficial understanding of were indeed very forward-looking to the people of a country that had yet to become industrialized.
This kind of tender plunder was more in line with long-term interests. That kind of plunder with pure force would only create some nouveau riche who did not want to develop. After a hundred years, they would still have nothing. How could robbing ten fish be better than making a fishing rod?
The Archbishop and Monsieur the Marquis had at length reached an agreement, and had settled on silk and tea.
Yang Ling waited for them to make a decision before he raised his glass with a smile and said, "Very well, then the dealership of these two products belongs to you. Next, you can decide where to build shopping malls, warehouses, and transportation docks. Missionaries can also invest in the construction of churches and schools nearby.
Oh! You can also build western hospitals, and even recruit Ming Destiny's students and treat Ming Destiny's patients on a voluntary basis. Look, our Ming Destiny is very generous. "
He was simply too generous! These westerners, who had been restricted and boycotted by India, Luzon, Japan, and other countries along the way, did not expect to receive such preferential treatment in Ming Destiny. Archbishop Lamario and Marquis Bamond were overjoyed. They quickly thanked him and raised their glasses.
Yang Ling continued, "As for the detailed negotiation terms, since these basic things have been settled, it'll be easy. You can write a letter later, and then our two countries can sign it officially. "
He smiled and said, "His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will be returning to the capital soon. He will first go to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and other places that are known as paradise on earth. If the envoys are interested, you can board our official ship. If your preparation speed is fast enough, then before His Majesty the Emperor returns to the capital, you will be able to obtain a document signed by His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to report to your country's king."
The Archbishop, Marquis Barmond, and the others hurriedly expressed their gratitude. They had originally wanted to set up shop in Suzhou and Hangzhou, which were the wealthiest and most convenient places in the region. If they could accompany the Ming Emperor there, it would naturally be more convenient.
Things were settled like this. Both parties had achieved their goals. After the banquet, Archbishop Lamario and the others excitedly rushed back to Siyi Hall to discuss the specific matters and construct their beautiful blueprint. Yang Ling also rushed into the palace to see the emperor, wanting to report the results of today's negotiations.
The palace in Nanjing had always been idle. Although there were annual maintenance fees, the huge palace had limited funds. In addition, the eunuch guarding the palace knew that it was impossible for the emperor to leave the Forbidden City of Beijing for inspection, so the maintenance had always been lax. Many places were already dilapidated and uninhabitable.
As a result, although the emperor, the imperial concubine, the princess, and the others lived in the palace, they could not live according to the style in Beijing. They gathered in a building complex that was repaired in a hurry after the emperor went on a southern tour. Although it was a little crowded and the management was a little messy, it was only a temporary residence. Zhengde was a casual person, so he took it calmly.
Yang Ling entered the palace and found out from the palace eunuch that the emperor was currently in the imperial study, so he hurried over. When he reached the long corridor of the palace walls, he saw Princess Xiang 'er walking out from a moon door on the opposite side, separated by a fish pond.
Xiang 'er saw Yang Ling walking forward from the opposite corridor and quickly quickened her pace. She hurried forward two steps and suddenly realized that there was a personal maid following behind her. She wiped away her smile and coughed. "I want to walk around, there's no need to wait on me."
The maid hurriedly responded and quietly retreated. Zhu Xiang 'er saw her flash through the moon door and immediately lifted her skirt to chase after Yang Ling.
"Hey, hey! Wait, look at those long legs of yours. " Zhu Xiang 'er saw that Yang Ling was still running toward the imperial study with his head high and chest out, looking straight ahead. She couldn't help but shout.
Yang Ling turned his head and saw that it was her. He hurriedly stopped and waited until she stopped in front of him, panting heavily. He then said, "Little Princess, if you're still like this when you return to Beijing, the Empress Dowager will definitely scold you. I have something to discuss with His Majesty, what business do you have? "
Xiang 'er was originally very happy to see Yang Ling, but she didn't expect Yang Ling to pull a long face as soon as he saw her, as if she owed him some money and would scold her at every turn. Xiang' er couldn't help pouting and angrily stomped on his boot.
Yang Ling let out an 'oh no'. Xiang 'er angrily said, "Can't I look for you for no reason? I haven't even married into your family yet and you already know how to bully me all day. "
Yang Ling said with a bitter face, "Isn't this the guilty one complaining first? I only said one sentence and you already hit me. Have I even touched a finger of yours? "
Xiang 'er glared at him with sparkling eyes and said, "Who hit you? If you say another word I'll kick you."
Yang Ling giggled and said, "Yes yes yes, it was my foot, not my hand. We just kicked each other. Heh heh, alright, your husband really has something to do. I'm in a hurry to see His Majesty, you go back to the palace and play with Yongchun and the others. "
When Xiang 'er heard the words' your husband ', she couldn't help but feel a sweetness in her heart. A sweet smile also bloomed on her face, but her mouth was unforgiving as she said, "You're coaxing me like I'm a child again. What do you mean go and play with Yongchun? I'm a big girl now, okay?"
"Fine fine fine," Yang Ling helplessly said, "I wonder what Eldest Miss Xiang 'er wants me to do?"
Xiang 'er looked left and right and mysteriously said, "Didn't you say you were going to put on a show with Yongfu jiejie? What about now?"
"Now?" Yang Ling jumped in fright and quickly said, "I was planning to go to Su Hang to find an opportunity. We're in the palace now, is it convenient?"
Zhu Xiang 'er said, "What if there's no opportunity when we get to Su Hang? A long night is fraught with dreams. Today is a more suitable day. Yongchun accompanied Imperial Sister-in-law to sneak out again. Yongfu jiejie doesn't seem to be feeling well these two days, so she didn't go with them. She's in the palace now. Won't it be convenient for you to act alone? "
Yang Ling hesitated and asked, "She must have servants by her side, right?"
Zhu Xiang 'er curled her lips and said, "Where can she go without servants by her side? When the time comes, I'll just chase them all out. They're all the Princess's servants. Would there be anyone who has nothing better to do and run to Imperial Brother to report? "
Yang Ling thought for a moment and stomped his feet. "Fine, then we'll prepare immediately. Hey, will you cry when the time comes?"
Zhu Xiang 'er giggled and said, "You scoundrel, you're a scoundrel who deceives even the dead. Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh. How can I cry?"
Yang Ling complained bitterly, "Can't cry? How can it be like that? Yongfu is meticulous. Won't she see through me? "
Zhu Xiang 'er laughed and said, "No, no. Won't I be angry if I can't cry? I just need to be angry. As the saying goes, concern leads to confusion. I think Sister Yongfu has been unhappy for the past few days. It's most likely because she hasn't had the chance to talk to you. When the time comes, she'll only be worried about you. Will she still have the mood to observe me? "
Yang Ling looked her up and down and praised, "Good job. I've always been fooled by your pure appearance. I didn't expect you to be even more ruthless than me!"
"Ouch!" Zhu Xiang 'er raised her eyebrows and waved her hand as she felt another kick on her boot. "Come, follow me. We'll start right away."
* * *
Princess Yongfu rested her chin on her hand and sat lazily on the cushion. She was the only person in the empty main hall. When she looked carefully, she saw four maidservants standing quietly in the four corners of the walls.
She came to the South full of hope and finally got her sweetheart's promise. The little girl was so happy that she could not wait to be with her beloved husband at all times.
However, her character prevented her from being as bold and bold as Yongchun and Xiang 'er. She kept many of her feelings in her heart but did not dare to express them. For many days, she did not even get to see Yang Ling. This made her so depressed that she could not do anything.
She silently thought about her worries and sighed faintly. Just as she was about to get up and play a game of chess with Xiang 'er to relieve her boredom, she heard someone calling from outside, "Princess! Your Highness Yongfu! "
Yongfu stood up in surprise. This was Yang Ling's voice. Why was he here?
Yongfu's heart warmed. She did not have time to think and rushed to the door. Just as she opened the door, Yang Ling rushed in and said anxiously, "Your Highness, Your Highness, please save me."
Yongfu looked over in surprise, only to see Xiang 'er clenching her teeth, one hand holding her skirt, the other holding her sword, baring her fangs and brandishing her claws as she charged over. Yongfu was shocked, and hurriedly opened her arms like a hen protecting its chicks, blocking in front of Yang Ling. She said in panic, "Sister Xiang' er, what's going on? Why are you pointing your sword at the Duke? "
"You … Ask him!" Xiang 'er was panting as if she was so angry that she could not speak. She used her sword to support herself on the ground and took the opportunity to catch her breath. The sword was so tiring that her wrist was sore.
Princess Yongfu looked at Yang Ling with a questioning gaze. Yang Ling stammered, "This … I have been wronged. I really did not think that Your Highness was … so …"
Princess Yongfu saw that he did not speak clearly and seemed to have something difficult to say. She calmly waved her hand and said, "All of you leave. Don't go out and talk nonsense!"
"Yes!" The four maids hurriedly left.
Yongfu quickly closed the door and said, "Xiang 'er, you're crazy. You're chasing after the Duke with a sword. Quickly give me the sword!"
"No! Sister, if you force me again, I … I'll kill myself on the spot! " Zhu Xiang 'er placed the sword across her neck. She did not have enough strength in her wrist and the sword swayed unsteadily. Yong Fu's heart skipped a beat as she watched. She hurriedly took two steps back and waved her hand. "Alright, alright, I won't go over. Quickly put down the sword. What exactly happened? Why did you use your sword?"
"I … I can't say it. Ask him yourself. What did he do to me? I'm a girl. How could such a shameful thing happen to me? If I don't kill him, I won't be able to face anyone!" Zhu Xiang 'er said in a' heartbroken 'manner.
Yongfu's expression changed. She turned to look at Yang Ling and said in a trembling voice, "You … What did you do to Sister Xiang 'er?"
Yang Ling smiled bitterly, "Your Highness, I dare not do anything. I have been wronged."
He told Princess Yongfu about the last time he mistakenly entered Xiang 'er's cabin and was surprised to see her taking a bath today.
In fact, if he had told her about that day, Yongfu would have felt even more guilty. From Xiang 'er's description of the situation, it was clear that Yongfu and Yongchun had set him up that day, but he had accidentally entered Xiang' er's cabin.
However, this incident had happened a long time ago. Xiang 'er had been talking and laughing with Yang Ling along the way. If she were to be' indignant 'now, even the little girl Yongchun would know that something was wrong.
Yongfu heard from Yang Ling that Xiang 'er had summoned him to see the Emperor and wanted to discuss the purchase of gifts for his father. But Yang Ling had rushed over first. Coincidentally, Xiang' er was in the middle of bathing, and the maidservant who was waiting by the door had left at the last moment. As a result, he had mistakenly entered the room and told Yongfu about how he had seen her naked body.
Yang Ling looked at her expression and knew that she was thinking of her own scheme. He wanted to laugh. He glanced at Xiang 'er. Xiang' er's face flushed red as she recalled the embarrassing situation that day. She did not need to pretend to look like she was angry out of humiliation.
Yongfu looked at the angry Xiang 'er with the sword in her hand. Her hair was still dripping wet and her face was flushed. She looked as if she had just bathed. Yongfu did not want to believe her. She looked back at Yang Ling and whispered: "Go to the back of the hall and hide. I'll talk to her."
"If that's the case, thank you, Princess." Yang Ling looked deeply at her. He felt ashamed.
"Ah!" Yongfu frowned as she watched Yang Ling hide in the back of the hall. She walked over and took Xiang 'er's hand. She pulled her to sit at the table and whispered: "Xiang' er, what happened today was a misunderstanding. Yang Ling is a duke. Although he is a foreign official, his status is not inferior to us princesses. Moreover, he is the most important official by my brother's side. If you kill him, who can bear the responsibility?"
"A girl starving to death is a small matter. Losing chastity is a big matter. This matter is known to the heavens, the earth, ghosts and gods. I know it myself. Do you want me to pretend to be deaf and mute? "
"This …" Yongfu was speechless. If she had encountered such a thing, she would not have let it go. In her view, a woman's chastity was more important than anything else. Regardless of whether Yang Ling did it unintentionally or not, it had already happened. How could she change his mind?
Xiang 'er quietly said: "Sister, I know you like him. My brother also wants to make an exception and make him his son-in-law. As long as I can bear it, I will bear it even if I have to suffer a little. That day in the palace, I accidentally fell on top of him in order to send a message for his wife. This matter has already become a joke in the court and outside the palace. Sister endured it in shame. This time, he saw my body. What do you want me to do? What should I do? "
As she spoke, she threw herself into Yongfu's arms and burst into tears.
Yang Ling stood behind the pillar and listened to her miserable cries. He worriedly poked his head out to take a look. He saw Zhu Xiang 'er lying on Yongfu's shoulder, her shifty eyes darting around. She was crying miserably, but there was no rain. When she saw Yang Ling, she glared fiercely at him. Yang Ling hurriedly gestured for her to be careful and hid behind the pillar.
"What should I do? What should I do?" On one hand was her beloved husband's life, and on the other was her pitiful sister's chastity. Zhu Xiuning, the Princess Royal, hugged Xiang 'er, who was crying so hard that she could not catch her breath. Her heart was in a whirl and she did not know what to do.
* * *
"Sigh! We are waiting for the Emperor to summon you. Why are you running around? "Taoist master Zhang saw his sister return and hurriedly reprimanded her.
"You go. I want to see Yongfu and Princess Yongchun." Zhang Fubao rolled his eyes at his brother.
Celestial Master Zhang smiled bitterly and said, "Then go. I really don't dare to bring you to see His Majesty if you don't know your place."
Zhang Fubao pulled his brother's sleeve and said, "I went, but I came back halfway. Brother, I saw Yang Ling and Her Highness together. Their relationship … seems to be special."
Taoist master Zhang became nervous and looked at the two little eunuchs standing at the door of the imperial study. He hurriedly grabbed his sister's wrist and pulled her in front of a bush of flowers and trees. The plants were a little withered, but they were still dark green. Because no one had cleaned them all year round, they were densely covered with vines and vines.
"Sister, don't talk nonsense. The less you know about the royal family, the better." Taoist master Zhang looked serious and said, "Don't cause trouble for our family. To tell you the truth …"
At this moment, a person strolled over lazily from behind the dense bushes of flowers and plants. He had his hands in his sleeves and was deep in thought. Celestial Master Zhang looked around and saw a few eunuchs and palace maids lazily basking in the sun in the distance. There was no one passing by, but they were completely unaware that someone was standing behind the bushes nearby.
He said cautiously, "Silly girl, you can see it? Let me tell you, when I met Duke Wei for the first time, I found Princess Yongfu's embroidered handkerchief. At that time, I was so shocked that I didn't dare to make a sound.
This time, when Princess Yongfu came to Mount Longhu, I specially looked at her physiognomy and deduced for her in the quiet room. I didn't expect that she and Duke Wei were really fated to be husband and wife. But logically speaking, how can the Princess of Ming Destiny marry someone who already has a lot of wives and concubines? I can't understand this matter no matter how much I think about it. It seems that the mysteries of creation are not something that humans can pry into. Let's just wait and see and not talk nonsense. "
Zhang Fubao was stunned and said, "What? Princess Yongfu and Yang Ling are fated to be husband and wife? I … I just saw Yang Ling and Princess Xiang 'er entering the garden side by side. Their expressions and tone were quite ambiguous. How did it become Princess Yongfu again? "
"It can't be? You're so young, what do you know about ambiguous? You must have seen wrongly. "Taoist master Zhang became nervous again." This is impossible, absolutely impossible. How … how is this possible? "
Zhang Fubao rolled her eyes and said, "The current Emperor has only ascended the throne for three years and has already done too many impossible things. I don't find it strange if he's even more absurd …"
Taoist master Zhang covered her mouth and said nervously, "Don't talk nonsense. You can't touch the matters of the royal family. Duke Wei Yang Ling also has an indescribable fate. Trouble comes from the mouth! Have you forgotten that Uncle was banished to another place and still can't return to his hometown? "
He thought for a while and said with his hair standing on end, "Don't talk nonsense. When I see Princess Xiang, I'll look at her physiognomy again."
"What are you looking at?" Zhang Fubao didn't know why she was a little angry. She flung her brother's hand away. "Look at your cowardly look. I'm just telling you, do you think I'll go out and make a fuss? I'm still a Taoist Master! "
When she raised her head, the bright sunlight shone on her face. Taoist master Zhang could see her complexion clearly. Zhang Fubao swung her hand and walked away angrily.
Taoist master Zhang stood there in a daze and thought strangely, "Sister's face is like the spring breeze, her cheeks are like peach blossoms, her glabella is shining, and there's joy at the tip of her eyebrows. It's clearly the sign of a red phoenix. Strange, could it be that her destined one is not far away? I … Could it be that I'm seeing things? No, I have to chase after her to see clearly! "
Thinking of this, Taoist master Zhang chased after his sister. The person standing behind the bushes inadvertently heard such a strange story and was stunned for a while. Then, he hurriedly turned around and left quietly …
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
