Chapter 1159: Cigar

When the Japanese envoy finally succeeded in using silver to find out why they were receiving “special treatment”, the negotiations between Great Qi and Spain had already ended. Both sides had signed a trade tax exemption treaty. Among them, Great Qi had 32 types of tax-exempt goods for Spain, while Spain had 16 types of tax-exempt goods for Great Qi.

Andre and Antonio were very satisfied with this result, as were Little Treasure and the others. It could be considered a happy ending for everyone.

What made Andre a little displeased was that Great Qi was still unwilling to allocate a separate region for their ships to dock and replenish their supplies. This was because Great Qi insisted that Spain also allocate a region to supply Great Qi’s fleet…

As every region in the empire was precious, Andre couldn’t make the decision. Antonio, who could make the decision, obviously didn’t agree, so this matter could only be put on hold.

Fortunately, Great Qi relented and said that when there were too many ships in the port, they would build another port at an appropriate time to specially provide berthing supplies for ships coming and going.

However, the truth was that Qi Haoran was extremely annoyed by Andre’s pestering. He said in a fit of pique, “If not, we can just randomly allocate an island at sea for them to dock and replenish their supplies.”

The very petty Little Bear insisted, “Islands are also Great Qi’s land. We mustn’t give it to them.”

Mu Yangling suggested, “We’ll only let them dock their ships there. We’ll manage the region and collect rent and so on. Then, we’ll allow the local people to sell things there for free. This way, the commoners would have another way out.”

“That’s right. As long as there’s consumption, the local people won’t lose out.” Little Treasure finally decided. “Considering the people along the coast live a hard life, it’d be good to give them another way out.”

Thus, the matter was settled. However, this was only a minor matter because no matter how many ships the other party had, they would only occupy a small place. Thus, no one took it to heart.

When the other Western countries saw that Spain had signed an agreement with Great Qi, they all requested to follow suit.

Fan Zijin simply got someone to draft a few agreements and modify some tax-exempt goods before sending them over. If they agreed, they could sign them. If they refused, forget about it.

After the English envoy signed the contract, he smiled at Little Bear and said, “Esteemed Prince, England has a specialty. I wonder if the item can join the tax-exempt list.”

“What specialty?”

The English envoy turned around and took out a box from his attendant’s hand. He opened it and took out a tube-shaped object. After handing it to Little Bear, he said, “This is a cigar. Considering our nobles like to use it, perhaps you’ll be interested.”

Before the negotiation, his mother repeatedly emphasized that other than weapons, all luxury goods used by nobles were not allowed on the tax-exempt list. Therefore, when Little Bear heard that it was favored by nobles, he immediately rejected it internally. However, he still sniffed it with interest. “I heard Andre mention that cigars are actually cigarettes, right?”

The English envoy was silent for a moment, then finally nodded and said, “You can say that.”

Little Bear passed the item to him regretfully and said, “What a pity. My Great Qi forbids smoking, so this thing can’t even enter the pass, let alone enter the tax-exempt list.”

The English envoy’s mouth fell open. “No smoking? Why is that?”

‘Because this thing is harmful to health and uses up land that could be used for planting precious crops.’ Those words lingered on the tip of Little Bear’s tongue. In the end, he grinned cheekily and said, “I don’t know either, but this is the law. It’s been hundreds of years since this law has been implemented. Moreover, the people of Great Qi don’t like to smoke. Even if you’re allowed to sell this thing, nobody will buy it from you.”

“No, no, no. I don’t believe there’s anyone who doesn’t love cigars,” the English envoy said firmly. “No one who’s tried a cigar before is able to resist it.”

Little Bear shrugged regretfully. “But smoking is prohibited in Great Qi.”

This sentence directly blocked all the prepared statements of the English envoy.

In the end, the English envoy insisted on giving Little Bear a box of cigars. He expressed regret that losing cigars was equivalent to losing a joy in life because cigars were as important as wine.

He hoped that Great Qi could change this law so that the nobles of Great Qi could at least enjoy the marvelousness of cigars.

Little Bear knew that Westerners liked to exaggerate. Besides, he was not interested in tobacco.

Great Qi had always banned the tobacco trade. Most people who liked to smoke would carve out a piece of land to plant some, just like planting vegetables. Although there were occasional tobacco transactions in private, they were in extremely small quantities.

Those who did not have money could exchange a basket of eggs for a basket of tobacco. As everyone turned a blind eye to such a deal and let it be, no one bothered to arrest commoners who engage in such deals.

As for those who had the means and smoked, most of them planted tobacco in their own farmsteads and did not need to buy it from outsiders.

As long as they did not make large transactions, the Imperial Court would not interfere.

If foreigners’ cigars gained popularity in Great Qi, not only would it break the law, but it would also change the living structure of the people.

Tobacco was not a beneficial thing and would occupy Great Qi’s arable land. Little Bear did not think that they would agree to let the other party’s cigars enter the market, so when he brought the box of cigars home, he did not take it to heart. Instead, he casually threw it in the small study.

Little Leopard sneaked into his big brother’s study along the corner with his sister. When he stepped on a chair to reach for the bow on the wall, Baozhu saw the exquisite box containing the cigar.

Without thinking, she hid the box in her arms before helping her brother move the bow out of the small study.

The two little fellows sneaked away with the bow. If not for the fact that Mu Yangling was returning from outside, they might really have succeeded in hiding the things.

Hearing the commotion, Little Leopard and Baozhu decisively threw away the big bow and ran away.

Seeing it from afar, Mu Yangling used her qinggong and jumped behind them. She grabbed the back of their collars and picked them up. She asked helplessly, “What are you planning to do with the big bow?”

The two children kicked their feet and shouted, “Put me down, put me down!”

The box hidden in Baozhu’s arms fell to the ground as she struggled. The cigar rolled out of the box and landed beside Mu Yangling’s feet.

Mu Yangling’s expression changed when she saw this. She put the two children down, picked up the cigar, and asked, “Where did you get this?”

Probably because Mu Yangling’s expression was very serious, the two children shrank their necks. Baozhu whispered, “From Big Brother’s study. The box is very pretty.”

Mu Yangling stroked her little head and said, “Don’t take your brothers’ things casually in the future. What if it’s something important?”

Mu Yangling picked up the cigar and placed it in the box. Then, she held the two children’s hands and walked into the house. Her expression softened as she said, “The big bow is too big for you at the moment. I’ll get your father to make two small bows for you later, okay?”

Little Leopard and Baozhu were very disappointed. “But you can’t kill a rabbit with a small bow.”

Smiling, Mu Yangling said, “Then just play with slingshots. That thing, though small, can easily kill a rabbit.”

“Then will Daddy bring us along when he goes hunting next time?” Little Leopard looked at his mother eagerly.

Mu Yangling smiled and said, “If you’re obedient, I’ll ask your father to do that.”

Mu Yangling patted their butts and let them play by themselves. As she twirled the cigar in her hand, she fell into deep thought.

This thing could only come from Westerners. But since smoking was prohibited in Great Qi, and Little Bear had never smoked before, where did this thing come from?

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.