Chapter 207: Gathering in Tianjin [Bonus Chapter]

Chapter 207: Gathering in Tianjin "Bonus Chapter"

Preparations to lift the maritime ban at Tianjin Port have been ongoing for over a year. Looking further back, the Yuanhua Emperor had the intention to connect with overseas nations three to five years ago. By now, the large ships for the voyage are almost ready.

Qiu Huanian reviewed the shipbuilding records sent to Du Yunse. The Yu Dynasty's shipbuilding technology was inherited from the previous dynasty, and to combat pirates and protect coastal territories, the construction of warships has never ceased. Several major shipyards have the capability to build large ships.

However, the Yu Dynasty has never sent envoys overseas. More research and experimentation are still needed to build ships capable of long voyages.

The first batch of twelve large ships for the voyage has its basic structure complete, but the Ministry of Works and shipyard officials are still undecided on the detailed designs of the masts and cabins.

Du Yunse is not an expert in this field and can only issue instructions for careful study while posting reward notices to widely recruit relevant talents from the public.

Qiu Huanian has introduced two basic mathematics books, laying a foundation for mathematics in the Yu Dynasty. Although this foundation is still shallow and far from the goal of universal numeracy, it has cleared the fog for those who already needed these skills. It is said that many craftsmen in the shipyards are now using geometry and equations to solve problems.

Qiu Huanian thinks further: besides gathering talents for research, they can also analyze and learn from existing products.

Although the Yu Dynasty does not send envoys or trade missions overseas, it does not completely prohibit foreign merchants from arriving. Trading ports in the Fuzhou area often see merchant ships from distant seas.

These merchants are not allowed to enter areas beyond the ports, but the foreign glass, enamel, clocks, and other crafts they bring circulate into the hinterland of the Yu Dynasty, exchanging for shiploads of silk, porcelain, and tea.

The current variety of maritime trade goods is very limited, which Qiu Huanian views as a complete waste of opportunity and a squandering of natural gifts.

These merchants' ships are ready-made references tested by long voyages. Their sea charts, navigation techniques, and oral accounts of foreign customs are very valuable.

These things cannot be directly collected by the Yu Dynasty's officials, as it would have the opposite effect, arousing the other party's vigilance and resistance.

The best method is to send Yu Dynasty merchants in a non-official capacity to negotiate, euphemistically called cooperation, but in reality, it's about mutual deception.

No one is truly foolish, and to gain benefits from foreign merchants capable of organizing long-distance maritime trade, the merchants sent by the Yu Dynasty must not be simple; their cunning should at least match that of a nine-tailed fox.

Qiu Huanian first thought of Zhu Jingcheng for several reasons. Firstly, Zhu Jingcheng himself is highly qualified, intelligent, worldly, and has rich business experience, making him absolutely capable of this job. Secondly, the Zhu family is a powerful merchant house, allied with the Left Administration Commissioner of Liaozhou, making them impressive enough to intimidate others. Thirdly, there is the personal desire to help a friend.

Promoting talent without avoiding personal connections, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse discussed and finalized this plan.

Even if there are people more suitable than Zhu Jingcheng, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse dare not use them, because understanding and trust take time to build.

Qiu Huanian has long missed Su Xinbai and, after finalizing the plan, immediately wrote to him, discussing official matters and sharing many things about Gu Gu and Yang Yang, finally expressing a warm welcome for their family to move to Tianjin.

After finishing the letter, it was already dark outside, and Qiu Huanian sealed the letter and set it aside, planning to send it by fast horse to Xiangping Prefecture the next day.

At this time, the kitchen reheated the various snacks Qiu Huanian brought from Jixian, serving them on a set of ice-cracked, sparrow-blue, silk-wrapped agate plates.

Qiu Huanian brought buns and fried dough twists, but not the pancakes, as they would not stay crispy for long.

The charm of these folk snacks lies in the atmosphere of being freshly made and eaten on the spot, and while their flavors may not be particularly stunning or extraordinary, they cannot compare to the exquisite pastries of high society. Du Yunse still enjoyed them very much, as they were specially brought back for him by Brother Hua.

Late at night is the perfect time for a midnight snack, and Qiu Huanian, watching, also felt tempted. He picked up a large bun with both hands and had just taken a big bite when his face was pinched by Du Yunse.

"Mmm?" Qiu Huanian puffed out his cheeks, looking puzzled.

Du Yunse, with a smile on his lips, kept his hand on Qiu Huanian's face, feeling the texture was good, and pinched a couple more times.

"Brother Hua has lost weight recently," according to Du Yunse.

"Really?" Qiu Huanian swallowed the bun. "It's just returning to normal after gaining weight during pregnancy," Qiu Huanian explained.

When it comes to whether he is fat or thin, Du Yunse clearly has a completely different standard from Qiu Huanian himself.

Qiu Huanian smiled and dodged Du Yunse's hand, then reached out to hook his chin, lifting it up and tsking in appraisal.

"I see that Little Raccoon is as graceful as ever, even more radiant than before."

Du Yunse didn't resist, keeping his eyes lowered in this posture, his handsome brows relaxed and a smile on his lips.

Qiu Huanian suspected that Du Yunse was well aware of the devastating charm of his face and always knew how to use it skillfully at the right moment.

Although the two had been together for several years as a seasoned couple and had two children, every time Qiu Huanian took a serious look at Du Yunse's face, he couldn't help but feel a secret thrill bubbling up in his heart.

He had embraced the most pristine moonlight in the world.

"Try this fried dough twist quickly," Qiu Huanian said meaningfully as he let go of Du Yunse, "or you'll be complaining about being hungry during the exercise later."

Du Yunse's eyes suddenly turned dangerous as he reached out to hold Qiu Huanian's waist, lowering his voice to say, "It's Brother Hua who'll be complaining about being hungry, right?"

...

Taking over a new place required a variety of tasks. After settling in Tianjin, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had been busy all along, and time flew by unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, it was already July.

Qiu Huanian had been keeping an eye on news about sixteen but had found out nothing. He could only comfort himself by thinking that no news is good news. Sixteen had asked him to wait, and for now, he could only wait.

As the summer heat waves rolled in one after another, and the lotus flowers in the back garden's small lake bloomed in a vibrant display, Qiu Huanian still hadn't waited for sixteen but instead welcomed other friends first.

Upon receiving the message from Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, Zhu Jingcheng immediately arranged his affairs and prepared his belongings. After about twenty days, he finally arrived in Tianjin.

Su Xinbai and Little Raccoon had also come, but they were still on the road and would arrive in a few days. Zhu Jingcheng had hurried ahead to Tianjin to purchase a mansion and unpack his belongings, so that Su Xinbai and his son could move right in when they arrive.