After the luncheon of the guests, the high-ranking civil and military eunuchs of the navy arrived at a wing room on the east side. At this time, the eunuch Wang Jinghong made room and summoned Shi Jinqing, the envoy of the old port, to speak.

Shi Jinqing's appearance on the ship of the Semu people and his arrival in Da Nang is a surprise in itself.

In the "Three Buddhas" (located in the area on the west bank of the Strait of Malacca), or the place known as the Old Port Propaganda Division, Shi Jinqing is one of the best figures; Liang Daoming, known as the King of the Three Buddhas, has a status on the side of the Ming Dynasty and is even inferior to Shi Jinqing. Why is Shi Jinqing, such a leader-like figure, in Da Nang?

There were eunuchs, military generals, and civil officials in the wings, and there were many people seated. And Shi Jinqing has obviously become the person that everyone pays the most attention to.

He is a Han Chinese from Guangdong, and his appearance is that he is from the Liangguang region at first glance. His skin was dark from the wind and sun, and his facial features were more prominent than those of the Han people on the Jingshi side, with a flat forehead, high eyebrow bones, and a relatively flat face.

After greeting each other for a while, Shi Jinqing took the initiative to talk about his experience: "When Xiaguan left the old port, he took his own boat. But it was attacked in the sea near Longya Gate (Keppel Harbour, Singapore), and the ship was scuttled by thieves. Xia Guan floated along the prodigal son to the mouth of the Longyamen River, and was lucky to get out. ”

The head of the Ministry of Works, who accompanied the army, asked, "Who did it?" ”

"Can't be sure." Shi Jinqing replied.

He did not name the object of suspicion, and even seemed to deliberately avoid talking about it, and then recounted: "Later, the men of the Indian lord Ji'er Da'er led the merchant ships and anchored at Dragon's Tooth Gate. I went up to ask for help, took out my valuable ornaments to buy food, and befriended Ko'er, an Indian. ”

Shi Jinqing took a sip of tea, moistened his throat and said: "At that time, if I had explained my identity, promised a reward, and asked the Indians to send me back to the old port, it would have been possible; The Dragon's Tooth Gate is not too far from the Old Port. But when I get back to the Old Port, I'll have to go north again; Now that there has been one attack, there may be a second.

On the trade-off, I might as well stay on the ship of the Indians and find the Ming officials when I arrive in Annam. And the thieves should not know that I am on the Indian ship, and they have no reason to attack the Indian ship (to prove that it is not a pirate who robs money). After such a decision, the lower officials can see their colleagues such as Wang Gonggong and Hou Gonggong here today. ”

Wang Jinghong asked: "What is the matter, the envoy has to go north in person?" ”

Liu Ming, who was present, immediately pricked up his ears when he heard this. He is not immune to vulgarity, and he is also very curious about things that he can't figure out. When Liu Ming looked back at his colleagues around him, he saw that everyone was similar to him, and some people almost held their breath.

The room was suddenly very quiet, and if a needle was dropped at this time, I am afraid that people could hear it.

Shi Jinqing finally spoke: "The situation in the old port is not very good these days, and it has indeed taken a lot of twists and turns for Xia Guan to go all the way north. ”

At this point he said no more. That is, he was rude and did not answer, and did not say anything important. Liu Ming was confused when he heard it.

At this moment, Ma Huan, the general secretary, suddenly got up and said: "The prince, the prince and the envoy are old friends, and it is just right to renew after a long absence." The lower official retired first. ”

Liu Ming and others suddenly woke up, and got up one after another to say goodbye.

Wang Jinghong said: "Why don't Chen Dashuai stay? ”

Chen Xuan nodded and said, "It's okay." ”

So in addition to Shi Jinqing in the wing, there were only Wang Jinghong, Hou Xian, and coach Chen Xuan left.

Liu Ming stepped out of the threshold and walked to another side room, ready to take a nap. Although he really wanted to let go of the doubts in his heart, he also understood that Shi Jinqing might have any confidential matters, and he had to discuss them with the people at the top of the navy first.

came to a room with a straw mat, Liu Ming leaned on it, still thinking about Shi Jinqing's strangeness in his heart.

In addition to guessing what secret things Shi Jinqing has, there is at least one point that makes Liu Ming very confused: why did Shi Jinqing work so hard and had to come in person?

Liu Ming turned over a few times, but he was still in good spirits and did not feel sleepy. At this time, a eunuch walked to the door and whispered: "Liu Yuanjun, Liu Yuanjun?" Did you sleep? ”

"What?" Liu Ming turned over and sat up.

The eunuch said: "The prince said that he would not see the Indians in the afternoon, and ordered the little one to come and inform Liu Yuanjun and ask Liu Yuanjun to take over the matter." You are in charge of diplomatic relations, and the people of the lords of India should also trouble you to come forward. ”

Liu Ming immediately got up and arched his hand: "The lower officials obey the will of the prince." ”

It's not difficult, it's just a matter of time.

First, India is still far from the area touched by the Ming Dynasty, and even the matter of the Indian lords is not so important; Second, Koer and the others are just subordinates of the lord, in order to make money. Therefore, there will be no serious consequences when receiving such a person, and Liu Ming can be more casual.

Not long after, the general secretary Ma Huan also came, and he will be Liu Ming's deputy and mainly responsible for translation.

Ma Huan said: "Although the Indians have helped the old port of the Ming Dynasty, they are just doing business. Liu Yuanjun arranged something, took them around, and sent the afternoon hour over. ”

Liu Ming thought for a while and said, "The new policy of the Holy Lord is to open up distant trade. Let's talk about the deal. ”

Ma Huan hugged his fists and said: "The lower officials obey the will of Liu Envoy." ”

So Liu Ming sent someone to call a few businessmen who accompanied the army and made preparations. Then, together with Ma Huan, he went to meet the Indians.

When a group of people saw each other, they each saluted according to their own rules. Ma Huan stepped forward and muttered, as he spoke, he pointed to the Ming people next to him, and Liu Ming guessed that Ma Huan was introducing the people present.

In addition to Liu Ming and Ma Huan, there are also Xu Gui sent by Shen Xushang's gang, and Zhang Shihua of the Zhang family of Jingdezhen Folk Kiln; and the people of the Lu family who did the Shu brocade business in Chengdu Prefecture, Sichuan, and the people of the Yang family merchant gang who did the Yun brocade business in the Gyeonggi area.

The most famous goods sold overseas by the Ming Dynasty were silk and porcelain. So Liu Ming called the relevant businessmen.

Talking through an interpreter is a bit unsmooth. Because when Liu Ming's tone, demeanor and emotions were expressed, the other party couldn't understand the content; When the other party understood the content, he could only feel Ma Huan's tone. So Liu Ming's feelings are a bit weird.

At this time, Zhang Shihua took a blue and white plate. Seeing this, Liu Ming immediately took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve pocket, put it on the table, and carefully rested the plate on it.

Zhang Shihua was stunned for a moment. Because this plate is indeed not too valuable, after all, the really high-quality tributes are from the official kiln; For the sake of overseas business, the plates made by this folk kiln are a bit nondescript, which is obviously not very acceptable in China.

However, the Indian Ko'er was immediately attracted to attention, and his eyes were drawn closer to take a closer look. When he reached out and stroked the plate, he was so cautious, as if he were touching some antique. Actually, this plate is not very valuable.

Liu Ming smiled and said: "The quality of a thing also depends on how you treat it." This sentence does not need to be translated. ”

Ma Huan said: "Of course. ”

Liu Ming casually began to talk about it: "Good porcelain not only picks up water and soil, but also has exquisite inheritance skills. This Qingbai porcelain from the Hutian kiln in Jingdezhen is quarried from clay and designated in a very small local area to have such a color. The ceramic skills of Jingdezhen have been passed down from generation to generation, and since the Song Dynasty, they have been precipitated for hundreds of years; Passed down from father to son, and continued to train apprentices. This thing came out.

Coming from a small place thousands of miles away, unique porcelain and exquisite dinner plates, if it is placed on the table of the nobility, the owner must be very dignified. If Mr. Broader buys it in bulk, the price will be lower. ”

After a while, Koel said through the translator: "We have many lords, and the estates of each lord cannot make everything, and the most powerful people will use the best items from all places. ”

Next, Liu Ming introduced Yunjin in the Gyeonggi area. He didn't know much about weaving either, but he knew a little bit about it, and he casually bragged about it.

Liu Ming said: "The silk itself has no pattern, if a large piece of embroidery pattern, it will make the silk uneven; So there was brocade. Mr. Broader, please see that the pattern of the brocade is not embroidery, but when weaving, different colors and different silk threads are used. After weaving, its pattern is neat and fine, and it is natural. Annam, Japan may also be able to make silk, but it is not possible to weave such a delicate brocade.

Chicken big ear collar is mainly willing to buy in large quantities, and can even ask Ming merchants to customize special patterns. ”

After hearing this, he said through the translator: "This one doesn't look smooth, but the other one seems to be easily damaged?" ”

Liu Ming said with a smile: "Just because the latter uses more silk, silk is very stingy and must be carefully protected." But a true noblewoman wants the most glorious moments, and does not need a durable coarse garment. ”

After Ku'er understood, he suddenly slapped his face and praised him, saying something he didn't understand, and his expression seemed to agree with Liu Ming.

Liu Ming probably said that the styles of Shu brocade and Yun brocade are different. Then he introduced the jewelry brought by Xu Gui, "Gold inlaid jade has always been a common production of Daming jewelry, but the jewelry of Shen Xu Shangbang is even better.

Since the elite royal expedition of the Ming Dynasty, they have occupied the jadeite production area, and repaired roads to trade with Burma; The green jadeite and rubies in the deep mountains were transported to the interior of the Ming Dynasty. Bordered by yellow gold, surrounded by small rubies, and a pool of jasper in the middle, it is bright, colorful and dazzling. ”

Broader said something "They don't like jade very much", but he couldn't put it down. Obviously, he is quite interested in the various goods produced by Daming.

After talking for a while, Liu Ming directly proposed: "We don't carry much cargo this time. If you want to buy in large quantities, you can pay some money at this time, and I will guarantee the contract of the merchant gang. The next time, the lord of the chicken's big ears sent someone to the Strait of Malacca, and he could get the goods nearby. ”

Broader began to bargain. Liu Ming asked Ma Huan and the businessmen to stay, and he took the opportunity to get out. He was just an official, not specifically in charge of business.