Chapter 862: Where?

Xiao Ningyuan waved his fan and smiled: "Governor, your goods are all in my hands. The fine items you just saw are also in my hands."

"But, when doing business, one must not be impatient."

"We've only been here three days; we haven't seen enough of the island's customs yet. Once we've explored enough, we can sit down and chat slowly; it's not too late. What do you think?"

Mei Er, without waiting for Cai Tong to translate for Kui Yi, hurriedly said, "Boss Xiao, we have been waiting a long time."

Xiao Ningyuan folded his fan: "Mr. Mei Er, my business rules have always been like this; if you cannot wait…"

He glanced at Kui Yi: "Should we also ask the Governor's opinion?"

Kui Yi watched the two converse back and forth, his brows tightly furrowing.

He looked at Cai Tong, so anxious that he actually shouted a Central Plains phrase: "Cai! Speak quickly!"

Everyone: "…"

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Wow! You can speak Central Plains!"

Cai Tong hurriedly bowed and translated the conversation between Mei Er and Xiao Ningyuan.

Kui Yi, after listening, glared at Mei Er and scolded him in a rapid tirade, his tone clearly unfriendly.

Mei Er did not retort and shut his mouth.

Kui Yi turned to Xiao Ningyuan: "Taiyuan Island is picturesque; you may enjoy yourselves. Ten days later I will host a banquet at the Governor's Office; then we can discuss."

Cai Tong translated it once.

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ze exchanged a glance; their eyes met, and they instantly understood each other's meaning.

Xiao Ningxun said, "Governor, you are courteous, but whether ten days is enough depends on our interest."

"After all, today we came bearing gifts, yet the Governor greets us with countless gun muzzles."

"If after ten days we have not arrived, the Governor would not intend to seize our ship, then seize our people, would he?"

Mei Er's heart leapt.

Cai Tong's eyes widened; "Third Young Master, you really dare say that!"

Xiao Ningxun raised his hand toward him.

Seeing this, Cai Tong translated his words to Kui Yi word for word.

Kui Yi's expression darkened.

Today, upon hearing that these Central Plains people had arrived, he specifically ordered soldiers to come, intending that regardless of what they say, once they finish, they would be seized and subjected to harsh interrogation.

He lowered his eyelids and looked at the three brocade boxes before him.

He pondered briefly, lifted his head toward Mei Er, and spoke to him in Holland language: "No wonder the Central Plains emperor hasn't launched an attack in thirty‑eight years."

Mei Er nodded: "Indeed, we originally thought it was because Taiyuan Island is remote, and they have been engaged in continuous wars with no time to attend."

"Now it seems that the good things in Jingcheng far exceed those in Jiangnan, so no one really cares."

"In Central Plains speech, you and I are frogs at the bottom of a well!"

Kui Yi nodded: "Mei Er, these three items are truly rare treasures; none of us have seen them, and the Holland people have never seen them either."

"I fear that no one in Europa State has ever imagined such a treasure existing in the world!"

He lifted his gaze to Xiao Ningyuan, his eyes darting rapidly.

"With such fine goods, if we ship them back, we can set any price; no matter how high, people will line up to buy."

Mei Er's eyes gleamed: "If we can sign a long‑term trade contract with them, it will be a remarkable achievement, greatly benefiting both our official careers."

Kui Yi's thoughts raced: "Perhaps after we return, we could become one of the top seventeen councilors of the Chamber of Commerce."

"Future glory and wealth will far surpass what a short three‑year term can compare to."

Mei Er nodded.

Cai Tong listened silently, his heart sinking deep inside, silently admiring.

It seems the Seventh Prince and the Third Young Master were well prepared, remaining unflustered.

Tuan Tuan stared at Kui Yi's face and, with a serious expression, asked, "Your eyes are green too, but why isn't your hair red?"

Mei Er: "…"

Kui Yi, looking puzzled, glanced at Cai Tong.

Cai Tong helplessly translated it for him.

Kui Yi was first startled by the words, then burst into hearty laughter: "Children are truly amusing!"

"Cai, tell them that after ten days I will host a banquet here, merely inviting friends, unrelated to business!"

Cai Tong translated Kui Yi's words.

Xiao Ningyuan, hearing this, folded his fan and tapped it in his palm: "Good!"

He bowed to Kui Yi and Mei Er: "If so, I shall take my leave."

Everyone immediately rose to their feet.

Kui Yi and Mei Er personally escorted them to the Governor's Office entrance, repeatedly reminding Cai Tong to take good care of them.

The group mounted horses, clasped fists, and headed out of the city.

Watching their departing silhouettes, both felt an itch of impatience.

Mei Er sighed: "Governor, it seems the abundance of good things in the Central Plains far exceeds our imagination. Since they are not ready to negotiate now, we shall wait."

Kui Yi nodded: "We must not offend them; this transaction must be concluded!"

The group returned to the inn, entered the guest room, and closed the door.

Only after Cai Tong relaxed did he recount Kui Yi and Mei Er's conversation, one by one.

Xiao Ningchen laughed: "Their ideas are rather beautiful."

Xiao Ningyuan laughed heartily: "What we need is that they convince themselves with daydreams, so they won't act against us."

Feng Zhou, however, was glum, his head hanging low.

Tuan Tuan walked up to him, tugged his sleeve, and said, "Feng Zhou, what's wrong with you?"

Feng Zhou sighed, "Such a fine thing, given to those two red‑haired devils, I think it's not worth it."

"They are plundering the people here, oppressing the virtuous, and even if I beat them up, I still feel it's not enough."

"So that's the reason," Xiao Ningxun shook his head and laughed, "Don't worry, what they can't take away—once Father surrounds the island, when they retreat, we'll take it back."

Feng Zhou snapped his head up, "Can something sent away be taken back?"

Xiao Er smiled, "Of course it can be taken back; when the blade is at their throats, see if they'll spit it out."

Lu Qi also laughed, "These few items today are just fishing hooks; once we catch the fish in the bucket, we pull the hook out of its mouth."

Luo Zhenjiang gave Xiao Ze a thumbs‑up and said, "Your Highness, excellent strategist!"

Xiao Ze smiled faintly, looked at Cai Tong, and asked, "Mr. Cai, could you take me tomorrow to meet the Han civilian armor‑chief Lin Jiang?"

Xiao Ningxun said, "We need to find a suitable place; we can't let Mei Er become suspicious."

"Don't worry," Cai Tong nodded, "I've already arranged with him; it will be a place no one could imagine. Even if Mei Er learns of it, she won't be suspicious."

Xiao Ningchen raised an eyebrow, "Where?"