After inspecting the large construction site, the sun was already high in the sky. Tang Youde and others invited Zhao Hao to take a car to Songyue Mountain Villa, seven miles away, for lunch.

Songyueshan Villa was rebuilt on the basis of the original naval base for Tang Youde and others to temporarily live in before the completion of the New Port Fort.

It was called a temporary residence, but it was not ambiguous at all. The original building of the Water War Center was almost completely demolished, and only its foundation was used. So what Fatty Tang said was that it was rebuilt on the "foundation" of the Water War Center, which was not wrong.

The newly built Songyueshan Villa is a castle-like square building with a corner tower with flying eaves and brackets at each corner. There is a half-moon-shaped pond in the front, and entry is only possible via a suspension bridge.

"Old Tang is quite alert." As the carriage passed the suspension bridge, Young Master Zhao said jokingly, "It seems we don't have to worry about you getting careless."

"When you are overseas, safety comes first." Tang Youde said with a smile, "Only if you stay alive well can you continue to serve you, young master."

"Hahaha." Zhao Hao got off the carriage with a big laugh.

The carriage stopped in the yard. Zhao Hao got off and looked around. He saw that the courtyard was well-arranged, with flowers and trees and gurgling water. It actually had a bit of the feeling of the Jiangnan area overseas.

"It cost a lot of money, right?" Young Master Zhao asked with a smile.

"We all pooled our money together, and didn't spend a penny of silver from the market." Tang Youde explained hurriedly. He had been frightened by those little hounds of the Procuratorate and Supervision Commission recently. He took the opportunity to meet with Mr. Zhao and took the initiative to bring up this matter, so that those little hounds would not use this villa to bite people in the future.

"Don't be so nervous." Zhao Hao smiled and patted Old Tang's belly and said, "At your age, it's only right that you be nicer to yourself." Anyway, all the offending matters were under Jiang Xueying's responsibility, so he could pretend to be a good guy at will.

"Translator Jin also contributed money and effort, and was very enthusiastic." Tang Youde glanced at the lapdog-like Jin Xishan and added.

Zhao Hao knew that this tower was most likely given to Tang Youde by Jin Xishan, who at least paid the lion's share.

He smiled and glanced at Jin Xishan and said, "I'm sorry, something urgent happened in the capital and I left you here for so long."

"You are too kind, sir. I am willing to wait as long as it takes to have the honor of serving you." Jin Xishan was overjoyed and nodded and said, "Besides, I have not been idle either. I have learned a lot from Mayor Tang."

"Haha, you guys still get along?" Zhao Hao asked with a smile.

"Old Jin is a good guy. We get along very well." Tang Youde quickly invited Zhao Hao to take the seat.

The autumn weather was clear and the red maple leaves looked like fire, so we had lunch under a big maple tree in the yard.

Under the maple tree, there was a large mat covered with rushes several feet long. On the mat, two rows of square dining tables were placed facing each other from east to west. Under the maple tree on the north side, there was a screen with a painting of the sunrise over the sea. In front of the screen was a slightly larger sandalwood table, which was the main seat for Mr. Zhao.

A maid from the Joseon Dynasty, wearing a yellow short jacket, a bright red long skirt, and colorful silk trims on the cuffs and lapels, knelt on the rush mat to help Zhao Hao take off his boots. Then he was led by two other maids to sit in front of the screen.

The rest of the people were served by maids, and they took off their boots and sat down. There was a set of rosewood dining tables and chairs for each person, precious porcelain tableware, a musician playing the black crane harp, and graceful dancing girls dancing in the courtyard, allowing Zhao Gongzi and Zheng Ruoceng to experience the rich life of the Li Dynasty for the first time.

"It's really very Tang-style. It's rare to see people sitting on the ground like this in the Ming Dynasty." Zheng Ruozeng couldn't help but sigh. He had recuperated in the capital for several months and was in good health. This time he insisted on going out to sea with Zhao Hao.

The pretty maids carried trays and began to serve the dishes. Copper bowls of all sizes soon filled everyone's dining table...well, that was because the dining table was a little small.

However, there were more than a dozen bowls and plates on the table, steamed, baked, hot and mixed, in colorful colors, making the dishes look very rich.

This made Zheng Ruozeng, who had returned several times, marvel at the fact and start to look at the Li Dynasty with a new eye. They all said that it seemed that they were not completely boasting when they called themselves Little China.

Zhao Hao was not surprised, because this thing was basically the same as the Korean set meal of later generations. It looked good, but tasted just so-so.

Park Sung-sung boasted proudly that this was prepared according to the standards of royal cuisine. Even the maids who served the dishes were selected according to royal standards.

He was not bragging. Hanjeongsik was indeed cooked up by the nobles of the Joseon Dynasty based on the royal cuisine. The reason why it looked shabby was because their king also ate shabby food.

Moreover, among the official slaves on Jeonra Island, there were many wives of the nobles. They were originally beauties from the Joseon Dynasty, and they intermarried with the Central Plains refugees on the island, which gave birth to some beauties who were not fat and round-faced.

Unfortunately, everyone always thought that Mr. Zhao was still young, so no one gave him any, which made Zhao Hao quite disappointed. After the New Year, he would be seventeen years old.

But it's really not appropriate at this age to act like a sex-hungry ghost. He withdrew his gaze from the bow on the maid's skirt with some disappointment and asked the chattering Park Sung-sung, "Have you received the order from our dynasty?"

"I got it." Park Sung-sung nodded hurriedly and said, "Last month, the royal capital sent an envoy down to read out the imperial decree that the imperial court would transport grain by sea and stop at Tamra on the way, and required Jeolla Province and Jeju Governor to provide all conveniences."

After a pause, he leaned forward and said flatteringly, "They appointed me as the envoy with full powers of hospitality, and also stated that this was the will of the Celestial Empire."

"Well, I asked them to mention it." Young Master Zhao said calmly, pretending to be nonchalant.

Park Sung-seong and Kim Hee-sun naturally flattered him disgustingly. In their opinion, Master Zhao was so powerful and unfathomable that he could influence the will of the emperor of the Celestial Empire!

Such thighs must be held tightly, and the hair on the thighs must be done!

Of course, Zhao Hao would not tell Park Chengxing that in order to obtain this imperial edict, he was extorted another 20,000 taels.

Oh no, he willingly donated 18,000 taels of writing fee in exchange for a golden signboard with the imperial calligraphy of "Da Ming Royal Shipping Corporation"... The other 2,000 taels was a tip for the eunuch Teng on duty.

~~

"In that case, everything I asked you to do should have been done, right?" Zhao Hao asked with a smile.

"Of course, of course. If I can't do it properly, how can I still show up in front of you, sir?" Park Chengxing answered happily, "I've already informed the two classes, and no one will say anything. Our governor also said that he will fully cooperate with the supply of the Celestial Empire fleet, and ordered me to stay in Jeju Island. From now on, I will be the escort for the Celestial Empire fleet."

In the past, this would have been equivalent to exile, but now everyone envied him, Lord Park. From now on, not to mention the governor, even the nobles in Wangjing would have to be polite to him.

"What's Li Mu's attitude? Where are the two county supervisors?" Young Master Zhao asked a slightly pointed question. He thought that these three would have a representative, but unexpectedly, none of them showed up.

"This..." Park Chengxing sighed and said, "Lord Li is quite dissatisfied with renting such a large place to the Celestial Empire, and the Dajing County Magistrate is probably the same." He said with a smile, "But it doesn't matter, the arm cannot bend the thigh. Even if it is a little uncomfortable at first, you will get used to it after a long time."

"Many things require cooperation with local officials, and we still need to maintain good relations with the local authorities." Zhao Hao looked at Tang Youde and said, "Find an opportunity to pay a visit to the local officials. We are a country of etiquette, and we should treat people with courtesy."

"Yes." Tang Youde nodded quickly. Calling each other brothers and building relationships is his strong point.

Zhao Hao then asked Park Sung-sung, "How is the Tamra Chamber of Commerce going? Are all the merchants willing to join?"

"Of course I am willing!" Park Chengxing was eager to change the subject and nodded quickly, saying, "They saw the great power of the Celestial Empire and wiped out the Japanese pirates on the three islands, and thought they would have no business in the future. Now I heard that they have obtained the franchise from the Celestial Empire, so why don't they sign up enthusiastically?"

"There are a total of 35 companies that signed up, and each of them paid a membership fee of 20,000 taels as initial capital." He quickly took out a list from his sleeve and presented it to Zhao Hao, saying, "In fact, there are more than 35 companies. There are also many companies that cannot afford the 20,000 taels membership fee, so several companies joined together to join."

"The more the better. There is plenty of business for them to do." Zhao Hao smiled faintly and glanced at the list casually. He didn't recognize anyone except Jin Xishan. "The Chamber of Commerce should be located in New Port Castle."

He looked at Jin Xishan who was scratching her head anxiously and said, "How about Jin the translator being the chairman?"

Jin Xishan's eyes were full of stars, and she held her hands to her heart and said, "Thank you very much, sir. I will definitely live up to your expectations! I will do my best until my death."

Although he was close to Park Sung-sung, he was not the most qualified merchant to be the chairman. The top merchants had connections with the Seoul Yangban. Park Sung-sung could not drive them to go across the ocean to contact the Japanese in person.

Zhao Hao knew this very well, so he promoted him to a higher position. Just like when he promoted Liu Zhengqi to be the president of Dongting Chamber of Commerce, only when such a person with a weak foundation and insufficient popularity gets to a higher position will he cling to him tightly instead of always thinking about being independent.

In order to make others more jealous of Jin Xishan, Zhao Hao added: "President Jin, are you interested in serving as a municipal counselor and helping Mayor Tang?"

"Sir, is it true?" Jin Xishan shed tears of excitement. He thought only people from China could enter the municipal committee.

Little do people know that the position of municipal counselor has a united front nature, and the population composition of the city will be fully considered in the selection of candidates.

"Hey, sir, how can you joke? Why don't you thank me quickly?" Tang Youde said to Jin Xishan with a smile.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, sir. I swear to be loyal to you and to the Jiangnan Group until death!" Jin Xishan quickly leaned over and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Hurry up and get up." Zhao Hao raised his hand to support him and gave him some gentle encouragement. Just as he was about to concentrate on eating and filling his stomach, an employee came in quickly, leaned close to Tang Youde's ear, and whispered a few words.

Tang Youde looked at Park Chengxing in surprise, then quickly stood up and reported, "Sir, Li Mu's envoy wants to see you."

p.s. I’m going to write another chapter and ask for monthly votes!