LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 138 Portuguese Merchants Visit Part : 5 (END)
When the merchants showed interest in visiting the shop, Laksh's complexion visibly grew nervous, as he did not want to meet that woman again. Despite his apprehension, seeing that the merchants still wanted to go inside the shop, he swallowed his nervousness and reluctantly let towards the door.
"Aye, loaper!, this is how I make it. If you want, you take it, or else get lost."
"How can you say such a thing? I just wanted you to make a small alteration here. Why are you acting like this? Do you know who my father is?"
"Idiot! Even You don't know your own father. Why are you asking me? Get lost before I punch you in the face."
Laksh stood there in a daze as his heart dropped. Soon, a young man dressed in silk attire stormed out of the shop with tears in his eyes. The merchants did not understand what the ruckus was about, so they asked, "Landon, what is that about? Why did that young man run away?"
"Ah, ah, he got his heart broken, Yes, he got his heart broken, " Laksh said in a hurry.
"Ohh, no wonder," they thought as they looked in the direction the boy ran off and had a look of pity in their eyes. As they remembered their own dark histories, a sigh audibly came out of everyone's mouth as they decided to enter the shop.
As the merchants entered the shop, Laksh at the back joined his hands and prayed to God, hoping for nothing bad to happen. He soon entered the shop as if he were going for a big battle.
Entering the shop, they saw silk sarees embroidered with various artistic designs spread alongside the wall, like wallpaper. They even saw the white skirt with artistic embroidery colours. They even saw many small artistic pieces that looked like paintings made from clothes. The entry of this group of white men soon caught Latha's attention as she stared at them, singling out a familiar face among them. She flicked her head as if asking, 'What's up with these men?
Seeing Latha's gesture, Laksh soon answered in a nervous tone, "Big... big Sister, these are the foreign guests from Portugal who came to visit our workshops. You might not have noticed, but we also visited your family's workshop, but you were very occupied. So I did not have a chance to introduce you to this gentleman."
"OK then. Hey, why are you shaking? Answer correctly. I am not going to beat you or something," she said with a blank expression that sent shivers down Laksh's spine. He could still remember the beatings he took from her when they were studying in the Gurukul. One day, while he and his friends were messing with each other like boys, his friend pushed him. Unfortunately for him, he ended up stepping on Latha's new Chudidhar. After that, he saw how this good-looking little girl turned into a fierce tigress and punched him in the stomach. Subsequently, she punched his face as he bent down in pain it was a combo. After sprawling on the ground, she did not show mercy and started kicking him. Starting from that day, he had developed a fear of this girl.
Alexio, remembering that he still had to buy a gift for Rajesh, the Minister of Trade and Commerce, soon came to the counter and asked, "I want to buy a gift for a distinguished person in the Empire. Can this miss please suggest what would be appropriate? Money is not a problem; I can afford it." He said with a broad expression.
Latha, not understanding, turned her head towards Laksh for him to quickly translate what they said.
After hearing the translated request, she asked, "Married?" Instead of translating, Laksh nodded his head, as he could guess who Alexio was referring to.
Latha thought for a while and brought out her newly designed peacock-patterned Doti and a matching saree to go with it. "This is my best design. Only I can do it in the Empire. After many tries, I finally figured out how to use gold and silver threads as normal threads. And be careful; you should not wash these clothes. Well, you could wash them if you are not worried about putting your money down the drain. On the other note, if you do end up washing them and I do find out, I will not only not sell you anything else, but I will also beat you up."
She said with a contemplating expression as if she did not just threaten to beat someone up for no reason. Laksh knew she would do what she said, so he translated everything she said except the part where she started to derail and talk about how money was down the drain and how she would beat them up.
Alexio laid his hands on the ivory white dress and a red saree with gold threading, adorned with a peacock symbol as small accents made with gold and silver.
"Oh wow. I like this a lot. Excellent. Excellent. I have never seen craftsmanship like this," Alexio exclaimed. Looking at the delicate clothes, he thought to himself, "Looks like the reputation for Indian clothes is not false." Feeling a little tempted, he continued, "Your designs are extraordinary, Madam. So I would like to order two separate sets. One with the original design and one more with my family crest on it. Changing the design of the clothes similar to the Portuguese one would be very appreciated."
"Noo! " Laksh got scared out of his wits, as what he didn't want to happen happened. But still, he had to translate the words honestly.
Hearing the request, Latha's face became more ruddy as she was getting angrier and angrier.
"Hey, ash-faced asshole, how did you say that you want me to change my designs? whatever I do, that is my final design. No one should change it. Louday."
"At first sight, you looked like a fat pig. How can you understand my art?"
"Hey, what are you seeing? Like buffoons. NinAmmun... Go away."
"....."
"...."
"...."
Before this could go on further, Laksh quickly ran over the counter and pulled Lata inside the room. A few moments later, they both came back after she had calmed down, she looked like she was in a better mood. But it was Laksh who looked like he suffered, with a red mark on his face and a few tears that he was trying to hold back.
"Hey, what happened? Is there anything wrong?"
The merchants asked.
"No, nothing. She just said that the clothes could be redesigned."
Laksh said, not revealing what she actually said.
Alexio was skeptical because the woman seemed very angry and was going on and on about something. He was very certain that what she was saying was not good.
"Are you sure? She looked like she was saying something else."
"Absolutely. That is what she said."
Laksh said, not revealing what she actually said. He clenched his fist tightly, determined to take the secret with him to the grave.
But this exchange quickly ended as he convinced Latha to sell the clothes to the merchants for the sake of international relations. That was the word he used, which convinced the brute who was actually patriotic.
The shopping spree was over as they quickly met up with Rajesh in his office. Alexio, as soon as he saw Rajesh, quickly knelt forward and fell to Rajesh's feet, apologizing.
"I am very sorry for my arrogance I had shown in the beginning. My eyes have opened, and I would like to have friendly relations and exchanges with you, Sir."
He said as he quickly got up and presented the clothes he had brought from Lata's shop.
Rajesh was really surprised as the arrogant white man fell to his feet and apologized. He was very taken aback by these events that had unfolded in front of him. "Who thought them all this ?" He thought as he sidelong glanced at Laksh, only to see that Laksh was acting as if he hadn't seen him. finally, he understood what happened, And quickly Had the guest get up and sit down on the chair. But he had to say, having the arrogant Whiteman apologize to him, felt a little bit better, so he decided not to punish Laksh too much.
Next, the discussions took place about the export of cement and paper. Both its technologies and products. Hearing the request, Rajesh quickly shook his head in denial.
"I am sorry, gentlemen. Both these technologies are core technologies of Vijayanagar and will not be exchanged for anything. While paper will not be exported as it is still in short supply in our empire, cement could be considered for export. But keep in mind that only the product will be exported, not the technology."
Despite the disappointing turn of events, there was a silver lining. The procurement of 4000 tonnes of cement provided the Portuguese with an opportunity to test its efficacy and assess its potential value. The paper, though not a priority, surprised them with its quality and scale, making it more cost-effective than their own production. The absence of it, however, did not pose a significant concern.
The Portuguese merchants concluded their trip by placing more orders for the future. Satisfied with their dealings, they filled their 150 ships with cargo brimming with profitable Indian goods, departing with a sense of contentment and anticipation for the success of their ventures.
P.S. Offensive Scale (1-10)
1. loaper, No English equivalent Word. (6)
2. Louday,No English equivalent Word. (8-9)
3. NinAmmun , MF (9-10)
User discretion is needed When Using The Words, as The Scale ranking could depend on the context of the situation, in one situation Loaper could be 9 or 2 in another.