allonlinenovel Chapter 1207 I only want your money, but you want my life?
Chapter 1207 I only want your money, but you want my life?
The two gift bearers chattered on and on, but Yang Shaofeng understood almost nothing, relying entirely on Mo Siha's attendants to translate.
He said his name was Blacksmith, he was thirty-seven years old, and he was a nobleman from Byzantium.
"This one is called Donkey. He's thirty-five years old and a priest from France. I heard he wears red clothes and seems to have a pretty high status in his church."
Yang Shaofeng nodded with a smile.
This is how money comes in, right?
Even if the black sesame dumplings were confiscated from all the aristocratic families, officials, and merchants along the coast, so what? The money and grain were still finite, and they would have to be given to the Huimin Pharmacy, the Almshouse, and the Leaky Garden.
With just a little trickery, I can seize control of the entire European continent.
Even though Europe was practically dirt poor at this time, and even the Ottomans, who were being thoroughly defeated by the Timurid Khanate, could bully them, there's a famous saying in business: the poor's money is the easiest to earn.
The poorer Europe is, the easier it is to make money from them!
Yang Shaofeng smiled and took a sip of the small dragon ball, then instructed Mo Siha's attendant: "Ask these two barbarians, since they went to the Ottomans to negotiate peace, did they receive any official documents or anything like that from the Ottomans?"
Mosha's attendant did not ask directly, but instead replied with a strange expression, "Your Highness, these two barbarians do not have any documents or anything like that on them, and the Ottoman did not give them any documents either."
"According to them, there is no proper writing system in Europe now, and the languages of different small countries are different. In some countries, there are even multiple languages in use."
"The language that was spoken in Europe was called 'Latino,' but Latino was never written down."
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Mo Siha's entourage with considerable curiosity and asked, "Since there is no written language and their languages differ, how do you communicate with them?"
Mosha's attendant's expression changed, and he whispered, "Your Highness, I spoke to them in Mongolian, and they can understand me."
What is that?
You, an envoy of the Timurid Khanate, communicate with these barbarians of Europe not in the language of the Timurid Khanate, but in Mongolian instead?
The key point is that these two European barbarians, who are the masters of the Liede son-in-law, can actually understand Mongolian.
But on second thought, Yang Shaofeng felt it was understandable—if Möngke hadn't died at Diaoyu City, the Mongol army might have actually swept through Europe. These two barbarians knew some Mongolian, so it was somewhat plausible.
But this means... even more opportunities to make money!
Yang Shaofeng put down his teacup, turned his gaze to Mo Siha, and said, "I will take this attendant of yours. I will have someone take him to register his household in the Ming Dynasty and specially recruit him to work as a clerk in the Court of State Ceremonial."
After a slight pause, Yang Shaofeng added, "Oh, and his parents, wife, and children, send them to the Ming Dynasty later as well."
Mosha dared not refuse, feeling a mixture of joy and worry, while Mosha's entourage felt as if they had ascended to heaven in broad daylight.
So I've become a citizen of the Ming Dynasty?
Moreover, he was a clerk in the Court of State Ceremonial during the Ming Dynasty.
So, what name should I choose?
Well, I've heard that the Mongols originated from the Xiongnu, who were descendants of Chunwei, and Chunwei was a descendant of Yu the Great of the Xia Dynasty—so, I am also a legitimate descendant of the Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor, and should take "Xia" as my surname.
Since I have become a clerk in the Ming Dynasty, I must be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Why don't I call myself Xia Zhong?
Seeing Xia Zhong slowly straighten his back and a hint of disdain flash in his eyes, Mo Siha's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, the worst has happened.
Despite being merely a clerk, Babur completely sided with the Ming Dynasty.
And he himself, as an envoy of the Timurid Khanate...
By now, they're probably considered barbarians in his eyes, aren't they?
Perhaps he will be even more ruthless than Yang the Madman when it comes to dealing with the Timurid Khanate!
God above, if I had known Babuer was this kind of person, I shouldn't have brought him to the Ming Dynasty in the first place!
Mo Siha secretly regretted it, but Yang Shaofeng instructed Xia Zhong: "You should think of a Chinese name for yourself first."
As soon as Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, "Xia Zhong" hurriedly bowed to Yang Shaofeng and said, "Your Highness, I have admired the Celestial Dynasty for many years. I have long thought that if I am fortunate enough to be incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, I will call myself Xia Zhong. The surname Xia means to remember my ancestor Chunwei, and the character Zhong means to be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty forever."
As Xia Zhong finished speaking, Yang Shaofeng couldn't help but laugh.
It's true, when you become successful, everyone around you is a good person.
The saying "When you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, even distant relatives come calling" is perfectly exemplified in Xia Zhong's life.
Yang Shaofeng smiled again and instructed Xia Zhong, "Now that you have chosen a name, I will give you a task."
Xia Zhong was overjoyed and bowed to Yang Shaofeng, saying, "This humble servant is willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness, even unto death!"
Yang Shaofeng hummed in agreement and said, "Tomorrow morning, I will have someone take you to the Ministry of Personnel to obtain your official title and start working as a clerk in the Court of State Ceremonial."
"What you need to do is work with the people from the Ministry of Rites to properly transcribe the language of these two barbarians and have the Ministry of Rites create a written script for them."
"You need to act as the interpreter in the middle."
Xia Zhong quickly acknowledged the order, and Yang Shaofeng continued, "Now, ask these two barbarians if they have any indentures on them. Also, ask them if they want to communicate with their gods."
Xia Zhong didn't dare to delay and quickly rattled off a bunch of things to the blacksmith and the donkey. The barbarian called the donkey, on the other hand, had a look of joy on his face. He first took out a palm-sized object from his pocket and handed it to Xia Zhong. Then he continued to talk and gesture, his expression becoming more and more excited.
After the donkey finished braying, Xia Zhong presented the object the donkey had pulled out to Yang Shaofeng and said, "Your Highness, this barbarian called the donkey says this is an indulgence, and he also says that Your Highness knows about indulgences and can even communicate with their gods. It must be their gods..."
Seeing Xia Zhong's hesitant expression, Yang Shaofeng first picked up the indenture and glanced at it, then asked with great curiosity, "Why did you stop talking?"
Xia Zhong gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness, what that barbarian said was disrespectful. He said that their gods must have sent Your Highness to save them, and he is willing to go back and ask their pope to crown Your Highness."
What is that?
Yang Shaofeng blinked blankly.
I am sent by your gods to save you.
No, how dare your gods order me around?
Furthermore, do you wish to ask the Pope to crown me?
So, all I want is your money, while you want my life?