The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

In order to appease these sailors, Captain Reis stayed in Macau to help the Baron deal with the follow-up matters of these sailors. Min Xi had already told Captain Reis that the European route would not be launched again, and new routes should be opened in the future.

Captain Reis accepted this fact. He had no plan to return to Portugal, as long as he could continue to go to sea in the future.

Although the sailors were somewhat dissatisfied, they also knew that the status of the nobles was different from that of commoners like them. Although they had left Lisbon, their deep-rooted cognition still made them subconsciously respect the nobles. They considered themselves inferior to others and obediently accepted the arrangement.

While the Baron was dealing with the sailors' affairs, Min Xi, Yu Liang and Zhao Shizhen took advantage of the days when they looked over several galleons from top to bottom, inside and out, and estimated the value of these ships.

From Min Xi's standpoint, he naturally didn't want the baron to suffer losses, but he also couldn't let himself and the Ming court suffer losses, so he was very cautious in making the offer. He discussed it repeatedly with Yu Liang and Zhao Shizhen before making an offer to the baron.

After listening to Min Xi's offer, the baron said, "Old friend, I trust you. This price is the result of your careful consideration. I have no objection. Let's take the price you quoted."

The two sides happily reached an agreement, which was probably the smoothest foreign trade deal in history. The price of these ships was several tens of thousands of taels of silver cheaper than the Xiangyun that Min Xi bought in Lisbon. Although they were older than the Xiangyun, they were fully armed, with cannons installed in all the gun ports on the ship, at least 28 cannons, and their combat effectiveness was far superior to the Xiangyun.

After the price was agreed, the officers and soldiers of the Fujian Navy assisted the baron in driving the ships back to Quanzhou. They stayed in Quanzhou for some time, and Min Xi helped the baron sell all the goods that needed to be handled.

Among the baron's four ships, one was bought by Min Xi and Yun Ji, and was left in Quanzhou and handed over to Yun An for management.

The remaining three ships were purchased by the imperial court and needed to be sent to the Longjiang Shipyard for inspection and repair. They were still escorted by the Fujian Navy and there were also the baron's gold, silver and treasures on board.

After arriving in Yingtian Prefecture, Min Xicai found a grain boat, unloaded the gold, silver and treasures on the boat, and then transported them to the capital via the canal.

It took almost two months from the time they set out to buy a boat to the time they returned to the capital. It was still spring when they left, and it was midsummer when they returned.

When they returned to the capital, the house the Baron had bought had been renovated and was just waiting for him to move in. The Baron was very satisfied with this house full of lush greenery, birdsong and flowers, and he had already begun to imagine how to gather with family and friends in the yard.

Min Xi and Yun Ji organized a grand housewarming ceremony for them and invited most of their connections in the capital. This was to introduce friends to the Baron and to tell everyone that the Baron was their friend and hoped that everyone would take good care of him in the future.

Although Min Xi and Yun Ji did not hold high official positions, the invited guests were very respectful to them. After all, with Yun Ji's speed of promotion and the court's attention, he would surely be a loyal minister in the future.

The two men's greatest connections in the capital are naturally the emperor and Zhang Juzheng. These two certainly cannot be invited, but it is enough to give face to the baron.

The Baron is a lively and sociable person by nature. Min Xi and Yun Ji use this method to help them integrate into local life as quickly as possible, which wins his heart.

After two months of traveling north and south, the baron's stiff Chinese was already enough to communicate with people, which further stimulated his interest in socializing. After a housewarming party, he made several friends. His social skills were really amazing.

Although Min Xi did not invite the emperor, the emperor took the initiative to ask about the baron. After all, he sold three galleons to the court and paid such a large naturalization tax to the court. It was also guaranteed by Min Xi and Yun Ji. It would be strange that Wanli was not interested.

"I heard that your friend is a noble?" Wanli asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Fernando is a baron." Min Xi replied.

Wanli thought for a moment and said, "Baron is not a high title, right? How can he be so rich?"

Min Xi said: "The baron has a good way of making money, so he is so rich. And his grandfather was a duke, not a commoner."

Wanli nodded: "I see. I heard that the last time you held a housewarming party, it was very lively and you invited many people. Why didn't you ask me to go and broaden my horizons? I have never attended a housewarming party before."

Min Xi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "I was negligent. I didn't expect Your Majesty to be interested in this. Next time if there is a chance, I will definitely invite Your Majesty to come."

Wanli nodded with satisfaction. Just as he was about to say something, a eunuch came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang is ill and cannot enter the palace today."

Wanli was stunned: "Teacher is sick? What's wrong with him?"