Chapter 211: The Portuguese Merchant

Chapter 211: The Spanish Merchant

In his letter, Zhu Jingcheng briefly explained the situation of the two merchants, giving Qiu Huanian a general understanding. More specific details would have to wait until their meeting.

In the stories Zhu Jingcheng told the foreign merchants, Qiu Huanian was portrayed as a young, wealthy, and high-ranking noble of the Yu Dynasty who loved novelty and cared little about money—essentially, an easy mark.

Thus, these two merchants had paid a hefty price to secure an opportunity from Zhu Jingcheng to travel to Tianjin and meet Her Highness the County Princess, hoping to strike it rich through her.

However, once they arrived in Tianjin and met Qiu Huanian, it would be unclear who would come out on top.

Zhu Jingcheng had failed to procure tomato seeds. By the time Qiu Huanian's letter arrived, the foreign merchant who had brought tomatoes as a novelty gift had already left the Yu Dynasty.

Luckily, the seeds from the two wilted tomatoes had sprouted, producing over a dozen seedlings. Qiu Huanian personally designated a small plot in the courtyard, building a shelter to protect the seedlings from wind and rain. He carefully transplanted them there, hoping for a harvest before winter.

When the seedlings grew to two inches tall, Zhu Jingcheng returned to Tianjin with the two foreign merchants.

Tianjin's official post station housed the two merchants, and Qiu Huanian did not meet them immediately. Instead, he had people monitor the post station, secretly observing their personalities and backgrounds.

The merchant from Spain had a typical European appearance: pale skin with unhealthy red streaks, dark red hair, a burly build, and an abundance of body hair.

The post station clerk reported to Qiu Huanian with a look of utter dismay, saying the foreigner had a strong, unpleasant odor. Despite daily baths with scented water and strong cleaning agents, the smell lingered.

However, the merchant claimed he had a way to make himself smell pleasant on the day of his audience with Her Highness the County Princess.

Upon hearing the clerk's report, Qiu Huanian was both amused and slightly embarrassed and rewarded the clerk with ten taels of silver as compensation for his ordeal, instructing him to share it with his colleagues.

Due to racial differences, many Europeans naturally have stronger body odors than Asians, and this merchant seemed to be an extreme case. While Qiu Huanian held no prejudice against such natural differences, he decided to meet the merchant in an open, airy space for everyone's comfort.

The other merchant, from Malacca, had a closer resemblance to people of the Yu Dynasty, though he was darker and thinner, with a somewhat sharp, angular face. He claimed his ancestors were Han Chinese who fled to Malacca centuries ago. While the truth of this claim was unverifiable, his Chinese was far better than that of the Spanish merchant.

The Fuzhou region had long maintained open ports, with officials specially trained in foreign languages. To prepare for the Tianjin port, the court had transferred a group of such talents, so language barriers were not a concern.

After consulting Fuzhou officials, Qiu Huanian identified the modern equivalents of Spain and Malacca.

If his inference was correct, Spain was likely the early European empire that rose to prominence through maritime trade, while Malacca was modern-day Malaysia, a strategic location in Southeast Asian navigation.

Since Qiu Huanian adopted a cold approach toward the two merchants, and they were restricted from wandering outside the post station, they focused their energy on trying to win over the County Princess, competing with each other to present their "gifts" in increasingly creative ways.

Qiu Huanian received a heap of strange and curious items, some of which were downright laughable. He sorted through them and invited Du Yunse, back for a midday rest, to take a look.

Du Yunse's gaze swept over the flowers and oddly scented cards on the table, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.

He picked up a card with flamboyant handwriting, read it, and tore it up.

The card had just arrived that day, and Qiu Huanian had not yet had time to have it translated by an official, so he had no idea what it said.

Half curious and half amused, Qiu Huanian asked, "Yun Se, do you understand the writing on this?"

As a modern high-achiever, Qiu Huanian excelled in English and had even studied German in preparation for studying abroad, though he ultimately did not go.

Unfortunately, he had no exposure to Spanish or Malay. If he had known, Qiu Huanian would have pursued additional degrees in foreign languages. But it was too late for regrets now.

Du Yunse replied calmly, "After learning I would be responsible for the Tianjin port, I sought out materials and people fluent in foreign languages to study several common languages used in maritime trade."

Du Yunse had only learned of his responsibility for the Tianjin port no earlier than the Palace Examination at the beginning of last year. In less than two years, he had already mastered several foreign languages to a practical level.

Qiu Huanian marveled, "I didn't realize your talent for languages was so strong. I plan to learn a few foreign languages and beat you at it."

At this, Qiu Huanian felt a long-lost thrill of competition.

A faint smile flickered across Du Yunse's lips as he nodded. "I await Brother Hua's challenge."

Qiu Huanian cleared his throat. "Don't deflect the subject. What exactly is written on that card? How could you tear it without my permission, hmm?"

Du Yunse answered evasively. "The foreign merchants are here for profit, not for any noble intentions. Remember to take me with you when you meet them, Brother Hua."

Qiu Huanian couldn't help but laugh.

Although he wasn't sure of the exact content of the card, based on the language style of previous cards and Du Yunse's reaction, Qiu Huanian had already guessed most of it.

"Foreigners are bold and exaggerated in their speech. Without even laying eyes on me, they can claim I'm their angel, their divine dream. It's all about the money, really," Qiu Huanian said with a shake of his head and a laugh. "Do you think if I set a few chests of silk and porcelain before him, he'd declare me his ancestor and God?"

Du Yunse gazed at Qiu Huanian's smiling face. His eyes darkened slightly as he leaned down to press a kiss to the corner of his lips.

"That's not necessarily the case."

"What?" Qiu Huanian's voice was soft, and he hadn't caught what Du Yunse said after being caught off guard by the sudden kiss.

Du Yunse rubbed Qiu Huanian's lips with his thumb, straightened up, and calmly changed the subject.

"Brother Hua plans to meet the two foreign merchants separately to set them against each other, right? Have you decided which one to meet first?"

Qiu Huanian nodded. "It's about time. Let's meet the Spanish merchant first. If you're free tomorrow, Yun Se, let's set it up for then."

Du Yunse hummed in agreement. "We'll meet him in the front reception hall. I'll have someone tidy it up and prepare it."

Qiu Huanian reminded him. "Remember to arrange an incense burner and ensure all windows and doors are open."

Du Yunse didn't ask why. Before leaving, he gathered up all the flowers, cards, self-portraits, and other items on the desk.

Qiu Huanian watched Du Yunse's retreating figure with a smile, deciding to discuss these matters further with Du Yunse that evening.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, Qiu Huanian changed into the grand ceremonial attire of the County Princess of Great Yu. He waited until someone came to inform him that the clerks from the posthouse had escorted the Spanish merchant before leisurely making his way to the front hall.

The meeting was set in the western annex of the hall, which had been prepared as Qiu Huanian had instructed. Even from a distance, Qiu Huanian caught the heavy aroma of incense.

The staff in the official residence's second courtyard stood at attention, bowing to welcome Her Highness the County Princess.

Qiu Huanian nodded in response as he walked toward the western annex. Before he could enter, a large figure lunged toward him, trying to seize his hand.

Qiu Huanian instinctively dodged, and in the next moment, several people had already pulled the figure back. Du Yunse approached from the other side, his expression stormy.

Qiu Huanian took a closer look. The person being restrained was clad in bizarre, flamboyant attire, with a white, frilly ruff encircling his neck. His deep red hair was messy and thick, and he emitted a peculiar, overwhelming scent. It was unmistakably the Spanish merchant.

Even restrained, the Spaniard remained unruly. Ignoring the palpable tension and ire, he kept rambling.

Qiu Huanian, who had been momentarily startled, quickly regained his composure. He called over the interpreter clerk and asked what the man was saying.

The clerk stepped forward and exchanged a few words with the Spanish merchant. His face showed a mix of subtlety and indignation.

"What did he say?"

The clerk took a deep breath, glanced at the prefect, who was radiating coldness, and reluctantly translated.

"This man is utterly uncouth and shameless! He expressed a desire to kiss the hand of Her Highness the County Princess!"