Chapter 879: I'll Just Wait for the Rest

Two days later, the group changed into splendid, luxurious garments and rode their horses to the Governor's Residence.

The scene before them was vastly different from when they arrived last time.

Outside the main gate of the Governor's Residence, two huge flags hung from white stone pillars.

One flag bore the orange‑white‑blue horizontal stripes they had seen before; the other displayed the same three‑color background with three black letters "VOC" stacked on it.

The soldiers at the entrance stood in perfect two rows, all wearing brand‑new deep‑blue uniforms, their bronze buttons polished to a shine; the muskets were not set at their sides but carried together on their shoulders.

"Well‑behaved," Feng Zhou looked up at the two massive flags, "what a grand display!"

The group dismounted, and Xiao Ningchen whispered to the Xiao Ningxun beside him, "They set a trap for us, yet make it so grand."

Xiao Ningxun curled the corner of his mouth but said nothing.

Xiao Ningyuan, dressed in an indigo silk robe, wore at his waist a white jade pendant of such obvious value, and his folding fan had been replaced with a new one of gilt‑metal surface; from head to toe he exuded the aura of a "Jingcheng wealthy merchant."

Tuan Tuan looked at her big brother: "Big brother, you look so handsome like this!"

Luo Zhenjiang pursed his lips: "Really can act."

Xiao Ningyuan raised an eyebrow, fanned his hand to his lips and said, "This is the final act; we must perform it well, right?"

He shook the fan and lifted his chin toward the group: "Let's go."

As the group stepped onto the steps, Cai Tong hurried out of the doorway.

He too had changed into a new robe today; although still plain, the fabric was clearly far finer than his usual one.

He bowed to the group, stepped close and whispered, "The spectacle today is no small matter."

Xiao Ningyuan folded his fan: "The bigger, the better."

As soon as his words fell, a deep, resonant horn blast sounded from inside.

The sound was not the clear, bright tone of Zhongyuan horns, but a profoundly dull roar, like a great beast exhaling a low growl from its chest.

Two men in dark‑red military uniforms stood in the hall, each holding a bronze long horn about a man's height, the bell mouths facing the interior.

Amid the horn, Kui Yi descended the stairs, with Mei Er following close behind.

Kui Yi wore a black formal suit, a golden medal pinned to his chest, glittering brightly.

Mei Er also wore a dark‑green velvet formal suit; the white bow tie at his collar held his chin up, making him look proud, upright, and full of vigor.

When the two reached the bottom of the stairs, the horn sound ceased.

Xiao Ningyuan stepped forward two paces, clasped his hands and smiled, "Governor, Mr. Mei Er, today's display truly makes Xiao feel honored beyond words."

Mei Er laughed heartily, stepped forward a few paces, and grasped Xiao Ningyuan's hand: "This is the highest‑standard ceremony we share with the Lan people, reserved only for signing the most important contracts!"

Xiao Ningyuan's smile grew even brighter: "Great honor, great honor indeed!"

Kui Yi gave a slight nod, raised his hand and said, "Please, Xiao." He turned and walked toward the deep part of the hall.

Mei Er chuckled, "Boss Xiao, come, today's agreement is worth everyone's lasting remembrance!"

The group followed them into the hall.

The long banquet table had been removed and replaced with a wide wooden table, covered with a snow‑white tablecloth; at each corner stood two small flags identical to those outside.

On the table lay a bottle of ink, a goose‑feather brush, a square inkstone, and a purple‑hair brush.

Two contracts were placed on the left and right; on the covers, the three letters "VOC" faced the two characters meaning "contract" across the table, solemn beyond measure.

The group approached the table, Kui Yi and Mei Er circled the wood table and sat on chairs at one side.

Hai Deng and Bo Erte stood behind the two, both dressed in crisp military uniforms, bronze buttons running from collar to waist.

Seeing the group draw near, Hai Deng's eyes brightened and he nodded proactively toward them.

Bo Erte broke into a grin, lifted his right arm and flexed it—the same motion he used that night when testing his strength.

Xiao Ningchen saw this and twitched the corner of his mouth; Luo Zhenjiang raised his hand generously and waved it, while Lu Qi smiled and nodded.

Cai Tong said, "Lieutenant Hai Deng and Colonel Bo Erte are the witnesses for this Lan side agreement; Boss Xiao, you also need both of them to co‑sign as witnesses."

Xiao Ningyuan glanced back; Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun gave a slight nod.

Xiao Ningyuan understood: "Then it will be me and my two brothers, is that acceptable?"

Cai Tong beamed, "Your brothers, Boss Xiao, could not be better; please both come forward." He pointed to the seats on the other side of the long table, "Boss Xiao, please sit here."

The three circled to the back of the table; Xiao Ningyuan sat down, while Xiao Ze and Xiao Ningxun stood behind him.

Mei Er raised his hand and said, "Cai Tong, could you read the two contracts to Boss Xiao?"

Xiao Ningyuan nodded, "Thank you, Cai Tong."

Cai Tong took the Lan‑language copy and read it clause by clause from start to finish.

Xiao Ningyuan nodded after each clause, his expression steady and focused.

After finishing, Cai Tong picked up the Zhongyuan‑language copy and likewise read it clause by clause.

Tuan Tuan grew drowsy from listening, let out a small yawn, and asked Luo Zhenjiang by his ear, "When will they be done?"

Luo Zhenjiang patted her small back, "It's still early; if you get bored, take a nap, and I'll call you when it's finished."

Tuan Tuan idly played with a strand of Luo Zhenjiang's hair.

Mei Er kept his eyes on Xiao Ningyuan, silently admiring him; this Boss Xiao worked with such concentration, missing nothing, truly a man of great commerce.

After the two contracts were fully compared, Cai Tong stepped back one step, "Boss Xiao, the two contracts are completely identical, with no differences whatsoever."

Xiao Ningyuan tipped his head, "Good!"

Kui Yi was the first to lift the goose‑feather brush and wrote his name on both contracts.

Mei Er took the brush from his hand and solemnly wrote his own name beneath his.

Cai Tong stood beside Xiao Ningyuan, wetted the ink, and gestured, "Boss Xiao, please."

Xiao Ningyuan took the purple‑hair brush, soaked it fully in ink, hesitated a moment, then gently rested the brush on the edge of the inkstone.

Mei Er and Kui Yi's hearts both leapt.

Kui Yi's composed face turned toward Mei Er.

Mei Er patted his hand, looked at Xiao Ningyuan: "Boss Xiao, is there something wrong with the contract?"

"Mr. Mei Er," Xiao Ningyuan frowned, "once this contract is signed, my goods will definitely arrive on time."

"But the remaining balance isn't a small amount; are you truly confident you can raise it?"

Mei Er turned his head and glanced at Kui Yi, then asked in Hollandic, "Can you speak?"

Kui Yi's expression darkened, showing hesitation.

Xiao Ningyuan rose slowly: "What? You two aren't confident? Then regarding this contract, I, Xiao, dare not sign it."

"Boss Xiao, don't be hasty!" Mei Er hurriedly interjected.

He turned his head and said to Kui in Hollandic, "Governor, it's only this step left; tomorrow the tax officials will go, they will know anyway, so why conceal it?"

Kui Yi thought for a moment, glanced at the half‑signed contract on the table, and nodded at Mei Er.

Mei Er looked at Xiao Ningyuan, a smug expression on his face: "Boss Xiao, you need not worry; tomorrow we will have the tax officials collect the tax."

Xiao Ningyuan slightly raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"Previously it was ten parts taking four parts," Mei Er held up four fingers, then flipped his hand, "this time, raise it to ten taking seven."

Xiao Ningyuan sat down, his expression both surprised and admiring, clicking his tongue twice in praise: "Seven parts! It seems I need not worry about the remaining balance."

Mei Er laughed heartily: "Boss Xiao truly understands!"

"To be frank, we'll also have these islanders pay next year's tax early; after all they have to pay it next year anyway, whether early or late it's the same, isn't it?"

Everyone's heart leapt at the words: seven parts! And they'll also collect next year's tax early; this truly shows they don't care about the lives of the common people!

Xiao Ningyuan nodded repeatedly, his eyes narrowed: "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Inside, however, he cursed silently, "What a bunch of beasts!"

Mei Er stared intently at the brush before him: "Boss Xiao, please go ahead."

Xiao Ningyuan lifted the brush and, with proper posture, wrote the two characters "Xiao Yuan."

Then the two exchanged contracts, each writing their name again on the other's copy.

The two witnesses from each side stepped forward in turn, signing their names at the end of the contract.

Mei Er personally handed a thick stack of silver notes to Xiao Ningyuan: "Boss Xiao, here are the silver notes worth six million liang of fixed silver; please take them."

Xiao Ningyuan took them, counted them, and slipped them into his bosom: "Thank you, Mr. Mei Er; once the goods arrive, I will be waiting for the rest."

Mei Er let out a long sigh, a relieved smile blooming on his face.

He raised his hand, and the two trumpeters simultaneously lifted their long horns.

A deep, resonant horn sound echoed through the hall once more.

Mei Er proactively extended his hand toward Xiao Ningyuan.

Xiao Ningyuan grasped it firmly, squeezed, and broke into a grin.