Chapter 37
Lin Shuge looked at the prince in surprise. Taran suddenly covered his mouth and a hint of red appeared on his face.
Ale quickly explained, "The prince doesn't speak Chinese well, and he was afraid you would laugh at him, so he didn't speak."
So you were so surprised that you spoke Chinese?
Seeing that the prince looked a little embarrassed, Lin Shuge, like every Chinese who has heard foreigners speaking Chinese in later generations, said sympathetically, "Your Highness speaks Chinese very well."
Ale was so shocked that his mouth opened wide. The people from the Central Plains were indeed eloquent and eloquent.
Taran blushed with excitement, "You...you said I speak Chinese well?"
Lin Shuge nodded.
After receiving his affirmative response, the prince said modestly: "Ale, we don't need you as an interpreter anymore." He praised me for my good Chinese speaking.
Ale: “…”
Ale was stunned and speechless.
There was a lot of noise here, and Xu Yu heard his waiter come to report that County Magistrate Lin and two foreigners had arrived, so he hurried over in a hurry.
"Greetings to County Magistrate Lin. May I know who these two are?" Xu Yu bowed.
"These two are the attendants of the Xiye Kingdom's envoy. They are here to help the envoy with some tasks." Lin Shuge said before A'er could speak.
Ale looked at Lin Shuge strangely, but didn't say anything else.
There are many people here and there. If people with ulterior motives knew that the little prince of Xiye Kingdom was here, there would probably be trouble.
"So you are a visitor from a friendly country. What would you like to read? Our shop has all kinds of books in the Central Plains."
Lin Shuge thought to himself: Boss Xu is quite considerate and didn't say anything rude today.
The prince was indeed a little aloof at the moment. He whispered something in Ale's ear, and Ale turned around and said, "Do you have the Book of Songs? I want the annotated version by Mao Gong, the great scholar of the Yan Dynasty."
Xu Yu wondered in his heart: This envoy from the Western Regions also likes the "Book of Songs"? Is it possible to understand it?
However, he did not show it on his face, and immediately said, "Yes, Mao Gong's biography is a must-read for scholars in our dynasty. The day before yesterday, our store received a batch of paper for binding the Five Classics, and the customer just happened to arrive. This batch of Five Classics is a serious hardcover edition."
The prince was very interested. These books written on paper had already opened his eyes, and there were even better ones.
He signaled to Ale with his eyes, and Ale understood that the prince was very interested.
"Then take it out and let us have a look."
Xu Yu told his servant to get it, glanced at the two strange envoys from the Western Regions, and asked with his eyes what was going on with Lin Shuge?
Lin Shuge turned around and flipped through the books on the bookshelf, pretending not to see his gaze.
The waiter brought the book, Xu Yu took it and handed it to the prince, but Ale took it first and waved his hand, saying, "You guys go down first, come back later if you need anything."
Xu Yu looked at him strangely and retreated with his waiter.
"Prince, come and take a look at your favorite poem." Ale took out a volume and handed it to Taran.
Taran's eyes sparkled, and he even rubbed his hands on his sleeves before taking the book.
Then he picked up the book and read it with fascination.
"Your Highness, do you like reading The Book of Songs?" Lin Shuge asked.
"I like it, but I don't quite understand it. A Confucian scholar from the Central Plains came here before and taught the prince to read some of it. He has liked it very much since then."
Ale glanced at the prince quietly, seeing that he was immersed in the book and couldn't extricate himself, and whispered to Lin Shuge, "He actually likes reading the love poems in it."
"Oh, I heard it." The prince said angrily, holding the book.
"The love poems in the Book of Songs are written in a simple and pure style. I like them too," said Lin Shuge.
It is normal for a prince of his age to like reading love poems.
"You like her too? There is a beautiful person, pure and graceful. It is my wish to meet you by chance. County Magistrate Lin, do you have a favorite woman?"
Lin Shuge shook his head.
The prince wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by Ale, "Prince, do you want to buy this book?"
If you don’t want to buy it, let’s leave quickly. We still want to see the cashmere shawls. He is not interested in these poems and essays.
Seeing the prince nod, he paid the money and took the book quickly. Lin Shuge gave the waiter a few instructions and asked him to take him directly to the post station.
The three of them then walked out of the bookstore, and the prince's face was still excited, "Where are we going now?"
Lin Shuge said, "Let's go to Zhouji Clothing Store."
Ale smiled and said, "I'm going to buy a shawl and a cashmere sweater."
He was telling the prince in vivid detail how surprised he was when he first bought it last year, and the prince nodded frequently as he listened.
Lin Shuge followed behind and sighed countless times.
Finally, he arrived at the clothing store. As soon as he stepped into the door, Ale saw a piece of clothing. It was a dark blue dress with a circle of cashmere inlaid on the cuffs and neckline, and cashmere lining. The size and cut were very fine, and it looked elegant, generous and decent.
"Prince, look at this one." He strongly recommended the dress to Taran.
Taran nodded, it was indeed a good idea, and the two of them were eager to try it.
Lin Shuge talked to the waiter, and the waiter took Taran in to try on clothes.
"Why didn't County Magistrate Lin tell you he was coming?"
Lin Shuge turned around and saw Zhou Yuan.
"Bring your friends over here, Boss Zhou's business is booming."
Zhou Yuan smiled slightly, "Thanks to County Magistrate Lin, the business is indeed good."
Ever since being pulled in by County Magistrate Lin to do the cashmere business, Zhou's business has taken a step forward. Recently, the wealthy families in the county have seen him openly praising him as if he were the reincarnation of Tao Zhugong, and have been secretly jealous with red eyes.
But Ganzhou County is still too small after all, and Yandu is not something he can get involved in, so he still has to think about how to expand his business.
As they were talking, Taran came out after trying on his clothes. Ale was so excited to see him that he praised him, "King... you look like the elegant gentleman described in the Book of Songs when you are dressed like this."
Seeing that there were outsiders present, Ale stopped himself from calling him by the name in time.
There is a gentleman who is as sharp as a knife and as polished as a jade.
Taran was obviously in a good mood. When the waiter quoted a price, he took out the money without blinking and threw a small gem to the waiter.
The waiter was stunned holding the gemstone and looked at Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan took the gemstone and said, "You just need to pay for the dress."
Ale looked proud and said, "Just take it if I give it to you. My husband doesn't need this little thing."
"This..." Zhou Yuan could see that the two guests were of unusual backgrounds and it was difficult for him to make a decision.
Lin Shuge came out to smooth things over, "Boss Zhou, since you've given it to me, just take it."
Taran and Ale talked a few more words away from the crowd. Ale looked at him in shock and said to Zhou Yuan, "Boss, your cashmere is soft and delicate. My husband likes it very much. Do you have any idea to trade with my Xiye country?"
Of course Zhou Du was willing. He had dealt with some nobles from small countries in the Western Regions in his early years and knew these people's preferences. Cashmere can be made into clothes, and the inferior ones can also be made into carpets, which is exactly what these nobles like.
Although Ganzhou County can trade with foreign merchants through mutual trade, the quantity is limited after all. If it could trade directly with some small countries, the profits would be unimaginable.
However, the trade between the two countries still depends on the government's intentions.
He suppressed his excitement and looked at Lin Shuge expectantly.
Lin Shuge curled his lips and smiled, "Trade between the two countries is a big deal, and we need to think about it carefully."
The envoy of Xiya Kingdom has not met with the envoy of Yandu yet. They must formally exchange documents before conducting trade. Moreover, some official trade certificates cannot be produced in a short time.
"It's getting late, you two should go back to the post station."
Ale curled his lips and said, "We have only been strolling for a short time and we have to go back. I am almost going crazy staying in the post station and doing nothing but eating and sleeping."
Taran didn't say anything, but he nodded.
Lin Shuge was cold and ruthless and sent the two back to the post station.
Ale reluctantly said, "Lin County Magistrate, I heard that you are an excellent cook, especially barbecued meat."
He openly and secretly wanted to go back with Lin Shuge to have dinner, but how could Lin Shuge dare to let these two big Buddhas go to his house? If something unexpected happened, he might lose his life.
But how did Ale know he could cook?
Perhaps it was because he saw the doubt in Lin Shuge's eyes, "Your Chief Zhou said so. I asked him to recommend some delicious local food, but he said none of them were as delicious as the barbecue you make."
Is this how my friend sells Zhou Erlang?
Ale was clamoring to eat barbecue, and Taran looked at Lin Shuge with anticipation. Lin Shuge could only verbally respond that he would definitely do it next time.
I will definitely take you there to eat next time.
As if he had noticed Lin Shuge's perfunctory attitude, A'er insisted on high-fiving him. Lin Shuge had a headache, so he could only high-five him reluctantly, and finally coaxed the two of them into agreeing to go back to the inn.
Before leaving, Ale suddenly spoke.
"Lin County Magistrate, do you really have no idea about trading with our country?"
You should know that Xiya Country is rich in gems and has plenty of money. The nobles in the country love gorgeous clothes. The silk originally produced by Dayan is deeply loved by them. If clothes made of cashmere are introduced to their country, it is estimated that it will set off another craze.
By the way, there is also paper. Ganzhou paper is as white as snow and of high quality. If it is sold to various countries in the Western Regions, not only can we make money, but there are also other unexpected benefits.
Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Your Highness must meet with our country's envoy before discussing this matter. I am a lowly person with little influence, and I cannot make the decision on such an important matter."
"Then County Magistrate Lin might as well come to our Xiye. We will guarantee that you will become a high-ranking official. You work yourself to death in Ganzhou, but your emperor only gives you so little money." Ale made such arrogant remarks.
Lin Shuge was so scared that he quickly covered his mouth and said, "Ancestor, if this gets out, my life will be in danger."
Ale's mouth was covered and he could only blink at him, so Lin Shuge let him go.
He said a little aggrievedly, "I only said this because I treat you as a friend."
"But Ale, I am from Dayan, and I will never change in my life."
Taran, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Let's go, A'le. County Magistrate Lin should go back early. We will visit him next time." After that, he dragged A'le, who looked reluctant, back to the post station.
Looking at the sky that was getting dark, Lin Shuge dragged his tired body towards home.
He was the only one at home and was too tired today, so he just fried a dish and took out the leftover rice from yesterday to make a simple fried rice, which he ate in one gulp.
Just after finishing his meal and preparing to clear the dishes, he heard a hurried knock on the door. He was surprised. Who could it be at this late hour?
Could it be Al?
He quickly put down the bowl and ran to open the door. The post station attendant had a panicked look on his face, "Sir, the little prince is missing."
What?
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