Bobo followed the two to Xiangyuan Inn.
Upon arriving at the destination, Fei Hong said, "I am truly sorry for today."
Bobo: "Young Master Fei, there's really no need to take it to heart. It was just an accident."
After exchanging pleasantries, Bobo became much closer to the two of them.
Bobo listened to the two talking and confirmed their situation: Fei Hong and Lu Mian's families were both wealthy merchants in the capital, and they were childhood friends.
Bobo: "Excuse me, I overheard Young Master Fei wanting to go to sea at the teahouse. I'm quite interested in that. Would you be so kind as to tell me more?"
Upon hearing that someone was interested in going to sea, Fei Hong immediately became interested: "Young Master Luo also knows about going to sea?"
Now, under the policies set by Yinzhen, there are already quite a few maritime merchant fleets. However, ordinary people don't care much about going to sea, and even many scholars don't know anything about it.
Those who know this are usually businessmen. Fei Hong also learned from his conversation with Bobo that his family is not a merchant family, so he found it strange when he heard that Bobo was going to sea.
Bobo laughed and said, "I have an aunt whose family owns a merchant caravan that goes to sea. My parents often talk about it, and I've heard a bit about it from them. Today, when I heard that Young Master Fei wanted to go to sea, I became interested. I think going to sea must be very attractive, otherwise Young Master Fei wouldn't be so interested in it."
Fei Hong: "So that's how it is."
Lu Mian said, "Young Master Luo, you asked about going to sea, are you planning to...?"
Bobo was somewhat interested, but he knew the gravity of the situation; his status didn't allow it: "I'm just interested. I'd like to go, but my family probably won't allow it. My younger siblings are still quite young, and I don't want to worry my parents."
Lu Mian: "Young Master Luo has considered everything very thoroughly."
After saying that, Lu Mian said to Fei Hong, "You should learn from Young Master Luo. Your uncle only has you as his son, and he is not young anymore. You should behave yourself for a few years and let him live a peaceful life for a few years."
Fei Hong knew perfectly well that Lu Mian was right. It was precisely because he knew that he felt uneasy. He could abandon everything and ignore everything, but in the end, he couldn't truly let go of it.
Fei Hong sighed and said, "I understand."
Bobo asked in confusion, "Why is Young Master Fei in such a hurry to go to sea? I think Young Master Fei is not very old. Why not stay at home with your family for a few years before making a name for yourself?"
Fei Hong said, "It's not that we're in a hurry. Nowadays, our Qing Dynasty has more and more skilled craftsmen, and we can manufacture many imported goods ourselves. In a few years, I'm afraid we won't be as good as we are now in terms of going global."
Bobo then understood his concerns, but he felt they were unnecessary.
Bobo: "If you ask me, Young Master Fei, you can actually rest assured."
"What do you mean by that?"
Bobo also knows a bit about this.
"Young Master Fei, you may not know this, but although our Great Qing has its own imported goods, there are some things that we may never be able to replace, such as overseas jewelry and diamonds, as well as overseas gold and treasures. These are the main goods for maritime trade in the future. Although maritime trade has seemed lively in recent years, it has not yet reached its peak. Therefore, Young Master Fei does not need to worry about not having business to do in the future. On the contrary, the potential for profit in the future is even greater."
Furthermore, I don't know if you've noticed, but the ships used for maritime trade have improved a lot compared to a few years ago, and they're still being improved over the years. In the future, the ships used for maritime trade will only be safer. The reason your uncle doesn't want you to go is simply because he's worried about your safety. Otherwise, businessmen wouldn't turn down money. This will put your uncle's mind at ease.
Another point is that some people involved in maritime trade these days are willing to risk everything. For profit, no one knows what they might do. Young Master Fei is getting on in years, so people might look down on him. The sea is a remote place, and human nature is unpredictable. Perhaps he could gain some experience in a few years before going, wouldn't you say?
Fei Hong listened attentively to what Bobo said, and more importantly, what Bobo said made sense, so Fei Hong began to waver.
However, "How could Young Master Luo know so much?"
Bobo said, "I once went to Guangzhou with my parents. There was a lot of news there, and my family also had some sources of information, so I learned about these things."
"I see. Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Luo."
Bobo: "Young Master Fei, you're too kind. Fei Hong could have easily found out these things by asking around, but you were just too eager to know, so you overlooked it."
Fei Hong knew better than anyone that he couldn't really abandon his aging father, but he was feeling resentful and needed a reason, even if that reason wasn't particularly convincing.
Bobo gave him a reason today, a reason to comfort himself. The reason he invited Bobo over for dinner to apologize was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. But when he saw Bobo, Fei Hong didn't know why, he suddenly felt like he wanted to treat her to a meal to apologize. Unexpectedly, he ended up benefiting from the situation.
Bobo is still young and didn't drink much. Fei Hong was in a good mood and drank quite a bit with Lu Mian. Although the two of them had a good tolerance for alcohol, they were still a little tipsy in the end.
Fei Hong was even more grateful to Bobo and left his residence's address.
"I live in ×××. If it is convenient for you, Young Master Luo, please come and find me. May I ask where you live, Young Master Luo?"
After thinking for a moment, Bobo provided a place to stay, which was arranged by Yinzhen for him to rest during his incognito visits.
"I usually accompany my father on business trips, so I am not at home most of the time. I don't stay in this house for long. However, if Young Master Fei and Young Master Lu need anything, they can send someone to inform the gatekeeper."
When Fei Hong and Lu Mian finally said goodbye to Bobo, they had already become like brothers.
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