Chapter 104 Fishing Reminiscing for a few words, Yunqi picked up the teacup,...

After reminiscing for a few sentences, Yunqi picked up the teacup and took a few sips of tea. He calmed down again and told Qiuhua some things to plan and do.

Qiuhua tried to lighten the mood and joked, "I originally thought that since the number of people brought as a dowry was not large, I could save some trouble and just look for herbs and the like. But now you have conscripted me."

"There's no other way. Mules have to be used as horses. There are really not enough available manpower." Yunqi said, "The girls and orphans in the school have all been moved to naturalization. They have also studied for two years. When you go back, remember to pick out those who can be used as clerks and use them immediately. Give them monthly wages."

"Don't worry, I remember them and I've picked out a few."

As they were talking, they suddenly heard a little maid come to report that Zhou Qiniang wanted to see her.

"Why did you choose this time?" Yunqi picked up the teacup and added some hot tea. "Just give her some perfunctory treatment."

Yunqi's first impression of Mrs. Fan was not very good. He vaguely remembered that she was a weak woman who often cried and followed Fan Yuqi like a shadow. In addition, Fan Yuqi would occasionally tell others how his wife acted in a petty manner, so he had some prejudice against her.

"When a man has been away for three days, he should be treated with new eyes." Qiuhua said, "Who else but me could stand your ruthless temper? Now let's talk about others. Okay, let her in."

Zhou Qiniang entered the tent and bowed twice. After exchanging a few words with Qiuhua, she quietly explained the purpose of her visit.

It turned out that she had seen a group of Russian merchants suddenly appear, and seeing that the quality of their fur goods was indeed good, she wanted to ask if she could do business with them.

"If possible, I also brought some good silks, which can be directly bartered with those merchants, which is quite cheap."

Qiuhua nodded after hearing this, and looked at Yunqi. Seeing that she didn't say anything, he said, "You can give it a try. There should be someone among them who knows Mongolian. Ask your servants to go and negotiate with them."

Hearing their permission, Zhou Qinnan smiled, twisting her handkerchief in her hands, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

"What? If you have anything else to say, just tell me." Qiuhua said with a smile.

Zhou Qiniang lowered her eyes and clenched the handkerchief tighter: "Can our Fan family's caravan also come here to trade with Russian merchants?"

Her idea was beyond the expectations of the two.

Yunqi raised his eyebrows and finally put down the teacup in his hand. "Why did you suddenly think of this?"

Zhou Qiniang seemed to be startled and spoke even more quietly: "Isn't this... inconvenient? Just pretend I never said anything."

"That's not it. I want to hear what you think."

"I was thinking that the border areas are relatively peaceful now, and Russia seems to be a big country, so there must not be many nobles in the country. Maybe some of our exquisite silks and fine teas can find some new markets."

Yunqi smiled: "But, can you be the master of the Fan family?"

This sentence made Zhou Qiniang stunned. Be the head of the Fan family? No, she couldn't do that now.

Seeing her somewhat embarrassed expression, Yunqi's smile quickly disappeared.

"Since you can't make the decision, why are you asking me? Well, go back and take a rest."

"I..." Zhou Qiniang gritted her teeth and said, "I will definitely explain to my family in detail the benefits of doing this. Even if... even if my husband and father-in-law don't agree, I have my own money and dowry to invest in this kind of business. Please rest assured, aunt, I definitely don't mean to cause trouble for you."

Yunqi nodded: "Okay, I know what you mean. I will find an opportunity to inform the princess later."

"Then I would like to thank Aunt Yunqi and Aunt Qiuhua very much."

Zhou Qiniang thanked him and left according to the etiquette. After they left, Qiuhua nudged Yunqi with her elbow, her eyes clearly showing "Look what I said".

Yunqi chuckled and stood up. "It would be good if she could hold on to the wall. We want to build a trading city here in the future. We will need people. Okay, I have to get busy now."

The weather was fine for the next two days, so Muxue was in no hurry to leave. She sent people to survey the terrain nearby, and summoned the Zasak of the banner where the place was located to discuss matters. Together with Dorji, she asked him about the exchanges with the Russians in recent years. She also privately told Dorji that she wanted to find a good place here to build a trading city.

If there is an area dedicated to business transactions here, it means that commercial taxes can be collected. Although in the beginning, in order to attract Russian merchants and inland merchants, it is inevitable to temporarily exempt or reduce them, but once the scale is established, taxes can be levied again, which will be an income for the Tushetu Khanate.

Dorji would naturally not refuse, as he was well aware of his wife's ability to make money.

In her spare time, Muxue asked Monk to teach her how to use the repeating gun.

Mu Xue's eyesight has always been very good, and her aim is also good, but her strength is slightly worse, and her bow pulling effect is similar to that of her fourth brother. But when it comes to this chain gun, the effect is completely different, and the hit rate is extremely high.

Duo Erji looked at the target she had shot and praised it highly, saying that she could use it to hunt tigers and wolves next time. Although it was a bit of a lie, Mu Xue was still very happy to hear it.

When she held the repeating rifle, she always felt her back straighten a little bit. Perhaps this was the sense of security that firearms gave her.

It’s a pity that the leatherworker who came with the dowry did not come along, otherwise he could have asked someone to make a beautiful gun bag for her to wear crossbody.

Mu Xue was enjoying herself and even found time to sit by the lake and fish. Over there, the Russian businessman was getting a little anxious.

"What on earth are these people thinking? They left the firearms alone and actually started trading." The bearded merchant sat down on the ground, looking quite annoyed. "We wanted to leave, but they wouldn't let us. They said there might be wolves nearby that would endanger our lives. I really don't know what that princess from the Far East was thinking. I think she just acted on impulse and sat there fishing for a long time this morning!"

"They are very patient. You should be patient too." Alexander held a piece of soft silk and pointed it at his body. Under the sunlight, the silk shone brightly. "The Europeans like these silks. If you take them back and sell them to them, you can make a lot of money."

"Yes, I will obey your orders."

Alexander threw the silk casually on the wool felt: "Princess, are you still fishing?"

"Yes, I just glanced from a distance, and he was still there. But the Khan was not with him, and he seemed to be discussing something with the Zasak."

Hearing that the Khan was not there, Alexander raised his eyebrows.

This is an opportunity to have a private talk with the Far Eastern princess.

He had understood one thing in the past two days: Khalkha was indeed submitting to the Qing Dynasty and was very respectful. The Khan himself also loved and respected the princess. If they really wanted to talk about something, the princess who represented the Qing court would be the perfect candidate.

He instructed his men to fetch a basin of clean water, washed his face carefully, combed his curly hair with his fingers, straightened his clothes, and made sure that he looked like an elegant young nobleman in the small mirror. Then he walked out of the tent and went to the lake.

The sky was clear and the air was fresh. The lake was as calm as a mirror. Alexander saw seven or eight people standing guard on the lakeshore in the distance. Not far away on the lakeside, the princess was sitting on a small stool, holding a fishing rod. She was wearing a lavender silk spring dress with very oriental charm, but she wore a lace straw hat to protect herself from the sun. It looked a bit like a European noblewoman's outfit, but strangely harmonious and beautiful.

Alexander pursed his lips and slowly approached. He was quite confident in his charm. Once a lady from his country or abroad saw him, even if they didn't like him, it would be difficult for them to really hate him.

At a perfect distance, not too close to arouse the guards' vigilance and expel them, nor too far to attract the princess's attention, Alexander stopped, cleared his throat, and began to sing a song loudly in his native language, praising a cluster of delicate rowan trees.

As the exotic song sounded, several guards by the lake turned their heads, but the princess never looked back. She just continued to hold the fishing rod, quietly facing the tranquil lake.

Only after the song was over did the princess slightly lean towards the maid beside her. Then two burly guards came towards Alexander. After searching him and confirming that he had no weapons or firearms, they led him towards the princess.

"Excuse me, dear princess. I hope my singing didn't scare away your fish."

The princess did not look back, leaving him with only her back. After listening to the translation, she said, "Since you knew you were disturbing me, why did you insist on singing here?"

Alexander smiled and said, "Perhaps it's because the lake scenery in spring is so beautiful that I want to praise it."

"Really? Then keep praising me."

This reply froze Alexander's smile. Knowing that the princess was not the kind of person who could easily attract people's favor with her beauty and manners, he quickly changed his attitude and said with a smile, "Actually, I want to discuss a business deal with you."

"oh?"

"You seemed to like the musket I gave you before. I can get you more new firearms like this."

"What do I need these new firearms for?"

"That would be very useful. You can equip your beautiful guards, so that they can have an extra layer of protection when traveling across the grasslands."

He took a step closer and lowered his voice, "I think the princess is not an ordinary person, so I want to maintain a friendly relationship with you."

The princess finally turned her head, and the pair of eyes beneath the brim of her hat were gentle, yet unusually clear.

She looked him in the eye. "Maintain friendly relations?"

"Yes," Alexander straightened his back and said seriously, "I am a Russian noble, a count, which is roughly equivalent to your prince. Please believe me, I have the ability to talk to you."

The princess smiled softly, "Really? Count? This means you were not telling the truth before."

"It was our first meeting, and we were in such an embarrassing situation. I didn't know your character very well." Alexander kept smiling and explained, "I am very sorry. Now, I fully understand the virtues of the princess. Please forgive me."

Mu Xue gave him a meaningful look, and the fishing rod in her hand suddenly sank. Alexander noticed and immediately reminded: "The fish is hooked, please pull it up as soon as possible."

Mu Xue quickly lifted the fishing rod, and in the sunlight, a silver fish was pulled out of the water, leaving a string of water droplets.

She ordered her followers to put the fish away carefully, then turned to look at Alexander.

"I may not be able to forgive you like this. Maybe you are still not telling the truth now."

Alexander narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean, Princess?"

"For example, your name is not Alexander at all, but another name," Mu Xue said, "maybe Peter or something like that, who knows?"

His smile froze completely.