Finest Servant

Lin Wanrong couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Tavernier, a master of theatrics, had clearly met the Eldest Miss during his last visit to the Lin residence. Yet here he was, showering her with flattering words as if it were their first encounter, a blatant attempt at currying favor.

"Indeed, I have always thought the same," Lin Wanrong said, smiling as he lightly touched his nose. "Tavernier, wasn't your ship in Shandong? What brings you to Lianyungang?"

Tavernier replied, "Mister Lin, thanks to your introduction, I had the honor of meeting His Majesty, the Emperor of your great nation, in the capital. We've reached an agreement on matters of trade and tariffs. Like you, the Emperor of Great Hua is astute. Most of the money our French fleet earns goes right back to Great Hua, alas!"

How could he not be astute? Lin Wanrong thought. Imposing high tariffs on the French fleet was a strategy he had taught his father-in-law. With the old man's cunning, who could outplay him?

Lin Wanrong, with a weighty pat on the Frenchman's shoulder, said, "Tavernier, don't say that. Trade is, after all, about mutual benefit. Our Great Hua silk, tea, perfume, and soap are top-quality goods in high demand in Europe. It's only fair to charge a higher tariff. These products can easily turn a profit once they reach Europe. Just recently, British and Portuguese fleets docked in Fujian and Guangdong for trade expansion."

Tavernier, startled by this revelation from Mister Lin, realized its truth. Britain and Portugal were maritime trade powerhouses; it was no surprise their ships came to Great Hua. But to think they were already facing competition so soon!

"Mister Lin, remember, we French were the first to reach this agreement," Tavernier said, grasping his hand anxiously. "Please, honor your commitments!"

Lin Wanrong reassured him with a laugh, "Rest easy. The current tariff level for you will remain unchanged for three years. Even if Britain and Portugal enter the trade, their tariffs will certainly be higher. This is a friendship price, Tavernier! It wouldn't be the same with others, haha!"

Tavernier, with a wry smile, said, "Then I hope you'll continue to look favorably upon our French fleet. King Louis also asked me to extend a heartfelt invitation to you and your ladies. If you're free next year, we would be delighted to host your family in France. You could visit Marseille, the Louvre, and the towering Eiffel Tower. King Louis would personally welcome such esteemed guests from the distant East, ensuring you and your family a most pleasant time."

Lin Wanrong's improvised mention of the British and Portuguese fleets had instilled a deep sense of urgency in Tavernier, prompting him to sweeten the deal.

Lin Wanrong, quite unexpectedly, had become the first official from Great Hua to go abroad for an inspection, and that too with his family in tow. He couldn't help but laugh and joke, "Let's talk about that later, Tavernier. I asked how you arrived at Lianyungang, and you still haven't answered me!"

"Yes, yes," Tavernier replied. "After reaching the tariff and trade agreement with your Emperor and gathering enough goods, I planned to sail back to Europe from Shandong. In Rizhao, I heard from Miss Xu Zhiqing of your country that you were preparing to embark from Lianyungang to Goryeo. I've received such warm hospitality in your country, so naturally, I wanted to bid you farewell. Truth be told, we've been here for two days just to see you."

The Frenchman's words carried a deep sense of gratitude, but inwardly he was relieved. Fortunately, they had stopped at Lianyungang and met Lin Wanrong; otherwise, how would they have known about the British and Portuguese entering the business? What a stroke of luck!

Lin Wanrong chuckled coldly. This old fox was a master of deceit. It was actually because of the thirty young men he had prepared to study in France, who were currently interning on the ironclad ship at Lianyungang, that Tavernier had to stop here. Yet he made it sound like he was here for Lin Wanrong. 'After I've levied heavy tariffs on you and struck such a hard bargain, would you really think fondly of me? That would be against all reason!'

"Tavernier, you're too polite," he said with a forced smile. "We've had a long relationship; no need to be so formal. Oh, are you leaving already? What a pity, I haven't had the chance to treat you to a meal. Such a regret!"

'You invite me for a meal, but I'll surely be the one paying in the end!' Tavernier knew all too well, and hastily said, "It should be me inviting you. Unfortunately, during my recent visits to your residence, you were not at home. Next year, I'll bring the best chef from King Louis and treat you and your family to an authentic French feast!"

"Is that so? Oh, I've been to the Turkic lands recently. You know, we won the war, but there are still many aftermaths to handle, right? After fighting the Turkic people for so many years, it's strange not having them as opponents anymore. I wonder who our next adversary will be? Oh, Tavernier, don't get me wrong, I'm not a warmonger, just don't like others bullying the people of Great Hua, haha!"

Listening to Lin Wanrong required careful consideration to discern truth from falsehood. The poor Frenchman, confused and dazed by his words, only remembered one thing Mister Lin said: Never bully the people of Great Hua!

"By the way, Mister Lin," Tavernier suddenly leaned in and whispered mysteriously, "Those two French beauties I sent you last time are still waiting in your mansion! You really shouldn't waste them. One of them is the sister of the French Queen, even more beautiful than the Queen herself. Even King Louis has had his eye on her—"

Lin Wanrong quickly glanced at the Eldest Miss beside him, thankfully she didn't understand much English and just stared at him with wide, clueless eyes.

"Tavernier," Lin Wanrong quickly straightened up, his face serious, "I'm not such a vulgar man! To me, beauty is as indifferent as a skull or poison!"

"Understood, understood," Tavernier smirked. "Looking at your wives, it's evident you're already deep in 'poison'! So, I suggest, why not fight poison with poison—"

"Fight poison with poison?" Lin Wanrong glanced at Tavernier, and they both burst into laughter. Indeed, men around the world were all alike in their vulgarity!

Their conversation continued as the two ironclad ships behind them gradually docked. Tavernier had brought four ironclads, but since Lin Wanrong had purchased the flagship for a hefty sum of ten taels of silver, only three were returning to Europe.

Lin Wanrong, accompanied by Xiao Yuruo, slowly approached to inspect these Western ironclad ships closely. Each ship, about sixty-six meters (~216 feet) in length and six point six meters (~22 feet) in width, towered like a two-story building. The ship's body, made of solid steel plates, resonated with a dull thud when Lin Wanrong tapped it with his hand.

The deck featured four crossroads, leading to the helm, resting cabins, and ammunition stores. The living quarters were located towards the rear, with a large sail at both the front and back. Each side of the ship housed over ten oars and more than twenty gun ports in the center, from which several robust Western cannons protruded, all exquisitely crafted. Additionally, there were forty to fifty musket ports on either side.

Lin Wanrong looked at the ships and sighed. These were genuine ironclads, not merely wooden hulls wrapped in iron, a testament to the advanced level of Western mechanical engineering. However, the large oars on the sides and the sails at the front and rear gave Lin Wanrong a glimmer of hope. The West had not fully entered the steam era, presenting an opportunity to catch up.

Seeing the surprise in Mister Lin's eyes, Tavernier proudly patted the ironclad behind him, "Mister Lin, what do you think? This is our French ironclad. There isn't a cannon in the world that can penetrate it."

"Is that so?" Lin Wanrong laughed heartily and pulled out a golden blade, thrusting it forward with a swish.

With a slight squeak, the iron armor was surprisingly pierced with a small hole. Tavernier's face turned pale, "How is this possible?"

Lin Wanrong, face flushed red with effort, had used all his strength to barely make a small dent in the armor. He quickly sheathed the blade, trying not to let Tavernier spot the effort it took, and laughed heartily, "Brother Tavernier, this armor is just average, not even a match for my small blade. And you talk about cannons not piercing it!"

The golden blade in his hand was a personal gift from his little sister, a supreme treasure of the Turkic people, capable of cutting iron as if it were mud. That it had almost failed to penetrate the Western ironclad spoke volumes about the strength of its steel.

Tavernier, unaware of this fact, was shocked to see a mere blade create a hole in the pride of France. Stuttering in awe, he said, "Mister Lin, Mister Lin, does Great Hua possess such armor-piercing weapons?"

"Of course," Lin Wanrong replied, laughing as he patted his shoulder, his arm aching from the exertion. "That's why one must remain humble. See, we in Great Hua have such treasures but never boast about them. This is the beauty of Eastern modesty. Ah, your ironclad, if it ever encounters our Great Hua's armor-piercing weapons... well, well, my friend, there's room for improvement in your invention!"

He tucked the golden blade back into his chest, inwardly thanking his little sister a thousand, ten thousand times over. Facing Tavernier, Lin Wanrong spoke with a hint of mystery in his eyes, revealing only half of his thoughts.

Seeing him so "reserved," Tavernier reluctantly lowered his proud head. "Mister Lin, I must say, the East is truly mysterious! Upon my return, I will suggest to King Louis that our nations should frequently interact and establish a long-term, friendly cooperation. As friends, we won't fight each other!"

"Is that so? We'll consider it," Lin Wanrong replied nonchalantly, sending Tavernier's heart racing. Lin Wanrong seemed to be posturing again, making Tavernier think he might need to offer more diamonds and beauties to maintain good relations with Great Hua.

Squinting at the ship's sails, Lin Wanrong asked with a smile, "Tavernier, do you cross the seas just with these sails and oars? Do you have any other power sources, like, say, a machine that produces smoke?"

The Frenchman jumped in alarm. "A smoke-producing machine? How did you know?"

"What?" Lin Wanrong was even more surprised. "You, you actually have a steam—oh, that smoke machine?"

Tavernier nodded. "I only heard about the smoke machine before coming to Great Hua. It was invented by a French miner named Savery*. It's said to draw water from mines. It's only been a few months, and I'm surprised you already know about it here."

'I know nothing.' Lin Wanrong sighed in relief, realizing that the Westerners had only just begun exploring steam technology. It would take them at least two hundred years to fully enter that era. There was still time, everything was still possible!

Laughing heartily, Lin Wanrong said, "I was just guessing. Tavernier, don't take it seriously. Let's pretend I never said anything. By the way, which ship is mine? I've come into some money recently and gathered another ten taels of silver, thinking of buying—"

"This one, this one, let me show you!" The Frenchman, pale with fear, turned to lead the way. He knew Lin Wanrong's nature all too well. If this rip-off king really took out thirty taels of silver, they might all have to walk back to France.

The ironclad bought by Lin Wanrong for a hefty sum of ten taels was the French flagship, the last to dock. It was larger and more lavishly decorated, with dozens of young men with yellow skin and black hair busily working on the deck.

Having waited so long, Lin Wanrong finally had his own cruise ship! Holding the Eldest Miss's hand, he stepped aboard and, seeing the massive vessel, burst into laughter.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law—" From among the group of youngsters, a clear, tender voice rang out, and a striking figure hurried towards him.

……………………

[Author note]

Note 1: For the purposes of the story, Savery is set as a Frenchman. Readers familiar with the history of the steam engine need not debate over his nationality; just enjoy the read.

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