Chapter 926 Doubt

Chapter 926: Doubt Chapter 926: Doubt Editor: Atlas Studios With a frown, Qi Haoran said, “If you want to replenish your supplies, doesn’t Guangzhou have a seaport?

Other than Guangzhou, there’s also Guanghai Bay, Huizhou, and other ports.

You don’t have to worry about your supplies at all.” Smiling, Andre replied, “Such ports are too busy, and there are some things that can’t be done.

I want to ask for a small port that only accepts our Spanish fleet to dock and lets us replenish supplies.

Your Highness, most of the merchants doing business with your country now are from our country.

We’re just hoping to get some discounts.” Seeing that Qi Haoran’s expression was calm, Andre continued, “We don’t dare to ask for too big an island.

There’s a small fishing village called Riviera Village outside the Guangzhou port.

I wonder if Your Highness can confer that fishing village to us and let our ships dock here to replenish their supplies and for their crew to live here.” Qi Haoran’s heart skipped a beat.

With a solemn expression, he said, “Master An, our dynasty doesn’t have the tradition of conferring territories.

Besides, you haven’t done meritorious service to our dynasty, so it’s even more impossible for us to confer you the land.” Although Qi Haoran did not know much about sea trade, he was especially sensitive to land ownership.

Now that they were fighting with Great Jin’s West Xia over an inch of territory, how could they easily cede a village to a bunch of Westerners?

Andre hurriedly said, “We can pay rent.” Qi Haoran rolled his eyes and said, “If your country’s crew wants to settle in Great Qi, they can also buy or rent houses in Guangzhou City.

As for the supplies for your ships, if Guangzhou Port is not up to the task, I will discuss with the Imperial Court and request for them to open another port.” Seeing that Qi Haoran insisted, Andre could only change the topic.

“Then about the reduction of tariffs…” “It’s not up for discussion.

The tariffs of the dynasty are all set by the Imperial Court and the Ministry of Revenue.

I don’t have the right to reduce them.” Andre didn’t believe it.

He had interacted with several officials, and they all said that as long as this Prince Rong was willing to speak up for them, tax reduction could be easily achieved with a word from him.

It was said that the Emperor of this dynasty doted on his younger brother.

Andre wanted to beg again, but Tiger Head was getting impatient.

Didn’t this person say that he was here to explain the beauty of the sea to them and broaden their horizons?

He asked anxiously, “Master An, is your house far from here?” The child stared at him with his round eyes.

Andre, who had been interrupted, was a little impatient.

But seeing Qi Haoran looking over gently from the corner of his eye, he hurriedly put on a solemn attitude and said to Tiger Head with a smile, “It’s very far from here.

It will take about 70 plus days to travel by sea day and night, nearly three months.” Little Lion came up to Tiger Head and counted with his fingers, then opened his mouth and said, “Wow that’s a really long time.” “Do all the people there all look like you?” Little Bear also came over and asked curiously, “Do they all have blond hair, fair skin, and such blue eyes like you…” With a beam, Andre nodded.

“Of course.

Just like how you have black hair and yellow skin, our country has white skin and blond hair.” “That’s not right, our Guangzhou City also has people like you.

Then, are there people like us in your country?” Little Lion asked.

Andre shook his head and said, “No, the merchants who come and go there are all from our continent.

There are no merchants from your country.” “Why not?” Little An asked curiously.

“You’re a businessman, and so are they.

Aren’t there a lot of gems, spices, and glass there?

Why don’t our businessmen go to your country to acquire them?” Andre said proudly, “Perhaps it’s because your country has just lifted the maritime ban.

Your ships aren’t strong enough, and your people don’t know the route and don’t have a sea map, so they can’t reach my country.” “But won’t you go back to your country?

Can’t they just follow you?” Little Bear didn’t think this was a problem.

Andre choked.

Little An asked thoughtfully, “You just asked my Fourth Uncle to confer you a harbor to dock at.

If our ships go to your country, can your Emperor confer us a harbor too?” Andre laughed awkwardly and said, “Young Master, I’m just a businessman.

I can’t make the decision on behalf of my king.

I don’t even know if he would allow that.” Little An nodded thoughtfully.

“So we have to find a Prince like my Fourth Uncle, or meet your Emperor directly?” “Does their Emperor have white skin and blond hair like them?” Tiger Head wrinkled his nose and said, “That’s ugly.

I think Father and Mother are still the best-looking.” Little Lion stole a glance at Andre and nodded in agreement.

Little An smacked each of them on the head and scolded them, “Don’t change the topic.

We have to ask more questions.

So that in the future, when we do sea trade, we’ll know how to make the most money.” Shocked, Little Lion and Tiger Head quickly pulled him back and asked, “Are we also going to do sea trade?” Little An nodded solemnly.

“My father said that the sea trade is very profitable.

When the Zhou family’s ship comes back this time, after deducting all the costs and taxes, they’ll earn at least three times what they put in.

My father said that even a 30% profit margin is considered very high.” Tiger Head asked with starry eyes, “How much is three times?” Little An looked at him disdainfully.

“You didn’t listen to the teachers seriously.

Three times is three hundred percent.” Tiger Head’s jaw dropped.

He couldn’t remember when their teacher had said this.

“That’s why we have to do the sea trade business in the future too.” The businessman in Little An was activated.

“Let Brother Tao Sheng be the captain and Brother Ping Lang be the boatman.” Little Bear floated over and interrupted, “Get Heizi to build ships for you.

He has become quite an excellent carpenter.” Heizi was a student of the Treasure-Bear Academy in the farmstead in Lingnan.

He had chosen woodwork as his future career goal and was working hard to become an outstanding carpenter.

The three little ones nodded repeatedly in agreement and asked him to make it cheaper.

As the children’s voices were not soft, Andre and Qi Haoran heard the entire conversation.

Knowing that these boys weren’t just saying it in jest, Qi Haoran was worried that they would all go overseas when they grew up.

On the other hand, Andre only treated it as casual talk among children.

After all, the eldest Little Bear was only seven years old, and the youngest Tiger Head and Little Lion were only four years old.

He would be crazy if he took it seriously.

After the four of them agreed upon the idea, Little An turned around and continued pestering Andre.

“Then will your country’s port collect taxes from us?” Smiling, Andre said, “Of course.

Tariffs are an important income for a country.” Qi Haoran, who was listening in, raised his eyebrows.

‘Since tariffs are an important income for a country, why are you asking me to reduce your tariffs?’ Qi Haoran calmly stepped back and smiled at Andre.

“Master An, help me keep an eye on the children.

I’ll go to the cabin to take a look.” Happy to build a good relationship with the young masters, Andre nodded repeatedly.

“Your Highness, go ahead.

I’ll take care of the young masters.” When Qi Haoran turned around, he gave the four children a look.

Little Bear’s gaze shifted and he shot a look at Little Lion and Little An.

Seeing that, Little An secretly pinched Tiger Head and started bombarding Andre with questions.

Little Bear quickly pushed Little Lion out and stood behind Andre, raising a few questions from time to time.

If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.