Chapter 1009 Handling

Chapter 1009: Handling Chapter 1009: Handling Editor: Atlas Studios Contrasting the jubilant atmosphere among the people of Guangzhou, the foreigners were a little frightened.

They wondered if Great Qi’s policy towards them had changed.

At this moment, their expectations of Great Qi’s tariffs had changed from requesting a reduction to hoping there wouldn’t be an increase.

They worriedly went to the Maritime Trade Bureau and the government office to ask for information.

When Fan Zijin received the news, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“This is a pleasant surprise.” “Sir, the Portuguese envoy is here again.

He came to ask us how we are going to deal with Pedro and the captives.

He asked if we can hand them over to their country to deal with.

Also, the Portuguese envoy hopes that we will hand over to them any criminal matters involving the Portuguese in the future.” Fan Zijin laughed out of exasperation.

“How bold of them to ask.” While Fan Zijin didn’t know the concept of an independent judiciary, he knew the consequences of letting an outsider criticize the laws of Great Qi.

Fan Zijin said directly, “Send them out directly and send someone to the Foreigners’ Chamber of Commerce to ask about the identity of the Portuguese envoy.

Tell them that we suspect that he’s a fake envoy.” Yanmo, who was standing at the side, was embarrassed for a moment.

He felt that his master’s move was ruthless.

Likewise, the subordinate who was given the orders was also stunned for a moment before silently retreating.

So the magistrate wanted them to check the documents in the envoy’s hands?

Considering only the Portuguese envoy’s identity was under scrutiny out of all the envoys from so many countries, that would be a great humiliation to him.

However, one couldn’t blame Magistrate Fan; that envoy was simply too daft.

On one hand, he was fighting the magistrate to the death, but on the other hand, he spent a lot of money to bribe the officials working under him.

Little did he know that once they left, those officials had brought the things to the magistrate and handed them over obediently.

Everyone knew that Prince Rong detested corrupt officials.

Besides, with the sharp-eyed Magistrate Fan in charge, who would dare to play tricks under their noses?

Although Magistrate Fan kept half of the bribe in the warehouse and distributed the other half to his subordinates, no one was grateful to the Portuguese envoy.

If anyone were to secretly keep the bribe for themselves without reporting it, there would definitely be another upheaval.

Two years ago, one-third of the officials in Guangdong had been killed and arrested for colluding with pirates.

Even until now, some of those positions had yet to be filled.

They did not want to experience another upheaval.

After the low-ranking official led his men to the Foreigners’ Clubhouse, Fan Zijin began to consider how to deal with the captives.

They couldn’t kill everyone.

If they wanted to do so, they would’ve directly done so on the island.

However, if they didn’t kill them, they couldn’t keep them locked up indefinitely either, for they would have to expend grains keeping them alive.

On the other hand, it would not be appropriate to exile them either.

These Westerners were different from the Han people.

When they arrived at a desolate place of exile, they would either be burned to death or they would kill and escape.

Therefore, Fan Zijin was troubled.

Should he continue to use Haoran’s method and execute on the beach those who had killed Great Qi citizens?

Should he let the Portuguese redeem those who didn’t have blood on their hands?

Fan Zijin’s plan was good, but it was useless.

This was because other than Pedro, the Portuguese envoy was unwilling to redeem the other pirates.

However, the problem was that Fan Zijin had never thought of letting Pedro go.

Besides, the envoy only wanted to redeem that one person who had committed murder in Great Qi.

What would Fan Zijin then do with the remaining pirates?

However, the Portuguese envoy was clearly enraged by his series of methods.

Like a dead pig who was not afraid of boiling water, he indicated that he did not have money, and could only try his best to redeem Pedro.

Fan Zijin went home angrily, only to find that his wife and children were not at home.

He asked the butler angrily, “Where are Madam and the young masters?” Butler Xia lowered his head and whispered, “Governor Yan’s family is holding a chrysanthemum banquet.

Madam brought the seven young masters to the banquet.” Surprised, Fan Zijin asked, “How many?” “Seven.” Butler Xia said, “Madam originally only wanted to bring the five young masters along, but when Eldest Young Master and Prince Qi heard that the storyteller at the banquet was going to tell the story of how Prince Rong had displayed his might in eliminating the pirates, they made a fuss and asked to tag along, so Madam ended up bringing them, too.” The corners of Fan Zijin’s lips twitched.

Recently, the children had become obsessed with storytelling.

Every day, they would run to the teahouse after class.

After hearing a story of Qi Haoran heroically killing enemies, they would come back and imitate how the storyteller had told the story.

At first, the adults could still laugh and listen, but after two days, they were already tired of listening.

It was obvious that some parts were pure fabrication, but the children believed them.

“What about His Highness?” Butler Xia thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t see His Highness go out today.” Hence, Fan Zijin turned around and went next door to look for him.

At this moment, Qi Haoran was hugging Mu Yangling and about to do something naughty.

When Spring came to inform him of Fan Zijin’s arrival, Qi Haoran lay on Mu Yangling’s body and fumed, “Why is Zijin looking for me in the afternoon?” Mu Yangling pushed him away and said, “Hurry up and take a look.

Perhaps there’s something urgent.” Qi Haoran grumbled as he put on his clothes and went to meet him.

Upon learning what he was here regarding, he immediately said unhappily, “What’s the big deal?

Do you need to come personally for this?

You could’ve just sent someone to ask.” “Oh, that’s a bold statement.

So you already have an idea.

Prince Rong, do tell me about it and let me hear your brilliant idea.” Fan Zijin looked at him calmly while holding a cup of tea.

Qi Haoran said smugly, “I’ve already planned it.

Instead of killing Pedro, we’ll let the Portuguese envoy redeem him with gold, silver, and treasures.” Fan Zijin frowned.

“This Pedro has been dominating the territorial waters of Guangdong for more than ten years.

He’s not a simple character.

This time, you only managed to capture him because you caught him off guard.

You might not be so lucky next time.

Haoran, you’re good at war, but your subordinates don’t have your ability.

And you’ll leave Guangdong sooner or later.

It won’t be good for Great Qi if there’s such a poisonous snake lurking outside then.” “I know, but it’s precisely because Pedro is powerful that I can’t bear to kill him.” Fan Zijin’s frown deepened.

“Since when do you like to play with such fanciful tricks?” Although Fan Zijin reckoned he was smart, he was never arrogant.

When he encountered an enemy, he could crush the enemy to death in the early stages and definitely not give him a chance to thrive.

It was the same for Haoran.

As long as there was a chance to kill the enemy, he would never let the other party off and do something as silly as letting the opponent develop his strength further.

Qi Haoran said, “If I can kill Andre now, I will definitely kill Pedro.” “What does this have to do with Andre?” “It didn’t matter before, but now it does.” Qi Haoran’s eyes turned cold.

“As you know, Andre competes with Pedro, but they also work together.

Pedro said that not only did Andre bribe the officials in Guangdong, but he also has some connections with the officials in the capital.

Pedro’s identity as an earl is no secret, but very few are aware that Andre had also been conferred the title of earl in Spain long ago.

Even the merchants in their country have no idea about that.

What do you think he’s up to?” Fan Zijin was deep in thought.

Qi Haoran snorted coldly.

“Pedro said that the reason why he got the Portuguese envoy to suggest renting Great Qi’s land was because Andre wanted to rent it very much.

He hadn’t figured out the key yet, but he felt that it wasn’t simple.

I wanted to kill Pedro before killing Andre, but Pedro said that after more than 20 years, Andre’s operations in Great Qi had already penetrated deep into the mainland.

No one knew how many of his spies were in this country, and whether he would leave these resources to Spain.

I thought about it and realized that it made sense.

If I killed Andre now, it would be even harder for us to pull out those nails.

At that time, I simply pretended to be angry out of humiliation and told him that the reason why I could locate the island so accurately was because of the information Andre, who had spies there, had provided.

Pedro was at least 80% convinced.

If I let him out, do you think he would take revenge on me or Andre?”

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