The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

After Min Xi accompanied the Baron's family in the capital for several days, he was summoned by the Minister of War Weng Ji.

When Weng Ji saw Min Xi, he smiled and said, "Lord Min, we meet again. You always surprise me, and this time you even presented me with three galleons."

Min Xi said respectfully: "Sir, these three galleons were not donated by me, but needed to be purchased by the Ministry of War."

"It doesn't matter. The Ministry of War will need money to build it. I called Lord Min here this time. I'm sure Lord Min knows what I'm doing." Weng Ji said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Min Xi looked at Weng Ji and said, "I'm so bold, the Lord wants me to come forward and negotiate the price of the galleon with Baron Fernando, right?"

"That's right. The baron is your friend, and it will be easy for you to communicate with him. I will send someone to negotiate with him. You should try to lower the price to the lowest possible level. The treasury of our Ming Dynasty court is in a tight situation and we can't afford to spend too much money. Lord Min is a pillar of the country and is highly appreciated by Your Majesty. He will definitely help Your Majesty solve problems, right?" The old man is cunning. Once Weng Ji put a high hat on Min Xi, Min Xi had no way to refuse.

Min Xi had no choice but to accept the task: "I obey your orders!"

To be honest, this was not an easy thing for him to do. He didn't want to let the baron suffer, nor did he want to let the court suffer. This really put him in a difficult position.

Min Xi asked again: "How much does the elder intend to spend on the galleon?"

Weng Ji said, "We will negotiate the exact price. Ask your friend to quote first, and we will bargain with him. As long as the price is right, your friend and his family will have no problem living legally in our Ming Dynasty."

This statement is somewhat suggestive, or even threatening. If the baron does not understand, their legal residence may be affected.

Min Xi had no choice but to say, "Sir, I will do my best and will not bring disgrace to the reputation and dignity of our great country!"

Weng Ji glanced at Min Xi and knew that this guy was also a smart guy, so he waved his hand and said, "Go."

The person sent by Weng Ji to negotiate with the baron was an acquaintance of Min Xi, Yu Liang, the former director of the Ministry of Works, who had been promoted to the director of the Ministry of Works from the eighth rank to the sixth rank because of his contribution to the construction of the battleship. In order to build the battleship, Yu Liang worked for several more years in the position of the Director of the Ministry of Works, and his performance in the examination was outstanding, so he was promoted out of turn.

When Yu Liang saw Min Xi, he couldn't help but smile and clasped his fists towards Min Xi: "Master Min, we meet again!"

"Sir Yu! It is you who is in charge of this matter! When did you return to the capital?" Min Xi was also very happy. He looked at the egret patch on Yu Liang's green robe and knew that he had been promoted.

"I have been in office for less than a month, and I haven't had the chance to visit you and Lord Yun. Speaking of which, I have to thank you two for your support!" Yu Liang thanked sincerely.

"Congratulations, Lord Yu, on your promotion! That is what you deserve, and I dare not take credit for it. I must let my brother and I host a banquet to celebrate for you!" Min Xi was sincerely happy for Yu Liang and invited him sincerely.

"Then I'd better obey your command! I am about to go and pay a visit to the two gentlemen." Yu Liang said.

Min Xi started to talk business: "Master Yu, you are the head of the Ministry of Works. Why would Lord Weng let you go to negotiate with me?"

Yu Liang said: "Mr. Weng knew that I was familiar with warships, so he specially asked the Minister of Works to second me to come here and let me estimate the value of the ships."

"Didn't the Ministry of War send anyone itself?" Min Xi asked doubtfully.

"Of course I sent one!" Someone pushed the door open from outside. It was Min Xi's acquaintance. Zhao Shizhen stood outside the door and laughed, "Brother Quanzhen, we meet again!"

Yu Liang looked at Zhao Shizhen and couldn't help but laugh: "They are all acquaintances!"

Zhao Shizhen saw Yu Liang and was stunned: "Master Yu?! They said a shipbuilding expert from the Ministry of Industry came to estimate the price. It turned out to be you! Congratulations to Master Yu on your promotion!"

"Thank you very much!"

Min Xi was also overjoyed: "That's great, we are really destined to meet."

The matter of buying the boat was actually handed over to the three of them. It was good this way, as they could discuss things with acquaintances.

They had not seen the ship yet, so naturally they could not estimate the price immediately. They could only negotiate with the baron first. The baron gave a psychological price, and they also gave a price range. The specific price would be determined after they saw the actual ship.

In order to buy the ships, Min Xi and others had to go to Yingtian Prefecture, because the three galleons would be shipped to the Longjiang Shipyard for inspection, and they would then go to Yingtian Prefecture for an appraisal.

After the intention was reached, the court also relented, registered the baron's family, and allowed them to stay in the Ming Dynasty.

As for the specific place of residence, Min Xi did not hide it from the Baron and told him that the winter in Beijing would be very cold and the cost of living would be higher. If he wanted a climate like that of Portugal, it would be best to go to Quanzhou or Macau. There are more foreigners in these two places and they can adapt more easily.

The baron and his wife and daughter discussed for a long time and finally chose Beijing. Because they like Beijing, a square city with neatly planned everything, clean and beautiful. It is the capital and can match Lisbon.

As for whether the winter is cold, the Baron learned from chatting with Diego that it snows here in winter, the lake freezes, and people can slide on the ice. This is really attractive for the Baron's family who rarely see snow.

Min Xi also thought Beijing was pretty good, and if they stayed here, he could take care of their family. It was just that they had never experienced the cold weather in Beijing, and he just hoped that they would not regret it in the future.