I'm the Farmgirl You Can't Mess With

Chapter 1356: Side Story: Having the Whole World in View (33)

Editor: Atlas Studios

Qi Haoran left after giving his sons a difficult problem, but the children got busy.

Just as Qi Haoran had said, the imperial court did not approve of the diplomatic mission to the west. Firstly, it would cost a lot, and secondly, they felt that it was unnecessary.

Since Great Qi was a powerful country, they could just wait for other countries to send their envoys to Great Qi. Why go through so much trouble to send Great Qi envoys to other countries?

Qi Xiuyuan understood the children’s tempers, so he neither supported or objected. He simply sat on the dragon throne and watched them argue. He decided that if the children could convince the ministers, he would agree. If not, he would drag it out.

However, in addition to the diplomatic mission, there were many more important things to deal with in the Imperial Court, so the children did not have much time left to argue this matter every day. They, too, could not think of a better solution themselves.

Even after Lu Deyin brought the culprit who caused her parents’ death to justice, they still made no progress. Not only Little Leopard and Little Fu, but even the usually calm Little Bear became so anxious that the corners of his mouth were bubbling.

After some discussion, the children felt that the money for the diplomatic mission could be taken from the principal for the sea trade that their parents had given them previously. After a few years of operation, the sum had already reached three million taels, which was enough for them to go on a diplomatic mission.

However, the children were used to being thrifty. They were unwilling to waste 300 taels of silver at once, so they wanted to persuade the ministers in the court to let them bring along goods and earn money as they traveled.

However, this way, there would be less space for them to bring along the national treasures. Hence, the children had been choosing treasures from Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran’s private vault from the inventory list.

Most of the items in Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran’s private vault were obtained from war. This was the collection of the two royal families and several noble families. Naturally, there was an impressive array of items, which dazzled the children.

These national treasures were meant to be given to countries that were on good terms with Great Qi. At the thought of how some of these items would never return, Qi Xiuyuan immediately felt reluctant. He summoned Qi Haoran into the palace and said, “SinceTiger Head and Little Lion are not young anymore, you should hurry up and arrange their marriage. Once Little An’s wedding is over, we’ll immediately hold a wedding for Tiger Head and Little Lion. By the time Tiger Head and Little Lion’s weddings are over, Little Fu and Little Leopard would’ve forgotten about this matter since two to three years had passed by then.”

“Big Brother, do you think I can make the decision for their marriage?” Qi Haoran’s face was filled with worry. “Ah Ling brought them to meet a few potential partners, but they ran away before they even met. When they did meet with the girl, they scared her so much that she burst into tears. Immediately after the meeting, they told me that they didn’t feel anything. If I choose a marriage partner for them without their agreement, they’ll just run away from home.”

Qi Xiuyuan glared at him. “What’s wrong with you? As their father, you can’t even decide their marriage on their behalf?”

However, Qi Haoran was not ashamed. He said, “Our sons are the ones spending the rest of their lives with their wives, not Ah Ling and me. Of course, they have to be the one to make the decision. A melon that’s forcefully plucked won’t be sweet. Since they’re not yet enlightened, we’ll wait a few more years.”

“Oh, now you’re over it. Who came to the palace to drink with me in the middle of the night when Little Bear refused to get married?” Annoyed by the sight of Qi Haoran’s face, Qi Xiuyuan couldn’t help but toss a memorial at his head and shout, “Get lost. My heart hurts when I see you.”

Qi Haoran immediately ran home. He still had to accompany Ah Ling shopping today. As it was the Mid-Autumn Festival in two days, he had promised to give her a big gift.

When he returned home, he saw the children chattering together, including his precious daughter. He immediately walked over and pulled Baozhu to his side. Then, he pointed at their noses and vented his anger. “You guys are really dumb. It’s been so many days and you can’t even think of a solution. You still have to rely on me to cover up for you in front of your Royal Uncle. Baozhu, don’t hang out with them in the future, lest you become dumb too.”

Grinning, Baozhu said, “Daddy, I think my older brothers are very impressive. Now that we’ve settled the funds issue, we just need to convince the courtiers.”

Qi Haoran said in disdain, “You’ve indeed made your younger sister stupid, too. I’ve never heard of an envoy forking out the expenses from his own pocket when going overseas to represent the country. Furthermore, it’s three million taels. You kids truly have too much money to burn. Also, I have no objections to you wasting the money on this since I’ve already given you the money. However, you have to keep Baozhu’s share since that’s her dowry. Aren’t you embarrassed to spend your sister’s dowry?”

Little An slowly put away the ledger on the table and said with a smile, “Fourth Uncle, we have no choice. The Imperial Court doesn’t agree to pay, and Little Leopard and Little Fu insist on going to the west. Tiger Head, Little Lion and I also think it’s good to go to the west to take a look. Even Baozhu wants to tag along…”

He was about to subtly say that if Qi Haoran could help them convince the courtiers, they wouldn’t have to spend so much effort. Unexpectedly, Tiger Head had already widened his eyes in dissatisfaction and said, “This is already the best solution we came up with. Yet, you rejected it the moment you arrived. Unless you have a better solution, don’t interrupt and tell us to start all over again. At this rate, we won’t be able to sail next year.”

Qi Haoran smacked his head and looked down at the group of children condescendingly. “I said you’re stupid, but you still refuse to admit it. To think you can’t even handle such a simple matter. Why do you have to get the courtiers to agree to go to the West? Isn’t it enough to simply get your Royal Uncle to agree?”

Little Leopard shouted, “Weren’t you the one who asked to persuade the courtiers?”

Qi Haoran looked at him with a tragic expression. “So you remained fixated on this goal just because I said so? Don’t forget that your goal is to go on a diplomatic mission to the west. You should set your sights on this instead. Achieving this goal is what matters the most. Convincing the courtiers is just a means of doing that.”

The corners of Little An’s mouth twitched as he asked humbly, “Fourth Uncle, how do you think we can bypass the courtiers? Considering Royal Uncle is not a dictatorial ruler, I’m certain he’ll ask the courtiers for their opinion.”

“If it’s not a national matter, there’s naturally no need to discuss it with the courtiers.” Qi Haoran said smugly, “You can represent the Great Qi royal family on a diplomatic mission. Then, just tell the officials that your cabin can still hold a few more people and ask them if they’re willing to send some officials along to represent Great Qi to build diplomatic relations with other countries.”

Under the dumbfounded gazes of the children, Qi Haoran continued, “Since this fleet belongs to the royal family, it’s naturally up to the royal family to decide. You can bring as many people as you want and as many supplies as you want. If you want to do business, do it. Yes, since you kids are broke, tell them that they can also contribute to the sea trade this time and take the chance to earn some pocket money.”

“As for me and your Royal Uncle’s private vault, don’t even think about it. Our hearts ache for those treasures and we can’t bear to see them wander overseas.”

Startled, Little Leopard immediately said, “Daddy, you can’t go back on your word. Don’t tell me we don’t even have a single national treasure on such a large fleet? The Westerners also gave us gifts when they came to Great Qi.”

Qi Haoran looked at them disdainfully. “What kind of gifts were those? You’re too stupid. I’m forbidding you kids from taking anything from the private vault, but I didn’t ask you not to give them national treasures.”

Qi Haoran raised his chin proudly and said, “Are gold, silver, and jewelry considered national treasures? The real national treasure is the culture of Great Qi!”

The children’s mouths fell open.

Qi Haoran waved his hand and said, “Therefore, go back to the royal publishing house and get them to print a batch of exquisite books like ’The Analects’ and ’The Book of Chuang Tzu’. Bring them on the diplomatic mission. Hmm, don’t Westerners like to send missionaries to Great Qi to preach? You should choose some monks and Daoists and bring them along, too. Let them spread their teachings and convert more believers.”

All the children’s jaws dropped to the ground, surprised at just how shameless Qi Haoran could get. However, what he said was perfectly reasonable, and they actually had no way to refute him.

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