[Pride and Prejudice] Stupid life in the 18th century

Curry went smoothly to the dining table of Gardinal's house, and Barry Weir, a crew member of the British East India Company, also met with Edward.

Gardinal struck up a friendly relationship.This intersection is a major turning point in their lives.

Edward, who was born in a lawyer's family, certainly did not have the arrogance of some country gentlemen and minor nobles.It is precisely because of his low-key, modest, and good upbringing that he was affirmed by his father-in-law, and he proposed to marry a beautiful and gentle wife with a dowry of 2000 pounds.And these also became the capital for his start-up. Facts have proved that he is indeed successful. Relying on the contacts of his father and father-in-law, he dealt with all parties and managed this shop.

Barry Weir not only sold the goods he brought back to Edward, but also helped him contact many colleagues; Mr. Gardinal also gave him an additional commission.As a result, Barry Weir, who had a small fortune, also dressed decently. Although the total was only 100 pounds, it was considered a considerable asset in the 30th century when 18 pounds a year could live well.If he wanted to find a woman who was born in the East District like him now, there would definitely be a long queue!

The door-to-door visit on this day surprised Elizabeth and Jane.How could this young man with neat short hair, a smooth chin, and neat clothes have the look of premature aging?It only took two or three days, and the change was too huge!

"Good afternoon, Miss Bennett." Barry Weir was very grateful to these two ladies.

Elizabeth smiled, who doesn't like young and handsome men?Playfully paused, glanced back and forth at him several times, with an expression of disbelief.

"Hello, Mr. Weir, you look more and more gentlemanly!"

Jane also laughed when she said this: "Mr. Weir, come in first, we are preparing afternoon tea."

"Thank you for your compliment! It seems that I am lucky."

During the past few days in London, the two sisters tacitly forgot even the only embroidery that could be continued because they did not use students' writing, piano and painting.I became bored within two days, and during the free time from 2:3 p.m. to [-]:[-] p.m., Elizabeth suggested an afternoon tea party, which was unanimously approved by the women in the family.Everyone sat together drinking drinks, eating biscuits, chatting, or reading newspapers, very comfortable.

Since there was afternoon tea, even Mr. Gardinal, who was out shopping or visiting friends, would try his best to come back before, and Elizabeth and Jane would also ask him about some things he had seen and heard about London.Naturally, Mr. Gardinal was also very happy to be the focus of the afternoon tea party. Even Mrs. Bennett also increased her knowledge, and Mrs. Gardinal became more intimate and affectionate with her husband.

Every time, Jane is mainly responsible and Elizabeth assists, which does not increase Mrs. Finger's work, but also exercises their cooking skills.For afternoon tea this time, the two of them prepared a small beef sandwich, which contained eggs, tomatoes, lettuce and beef, cut into

One bite size.There are also popping puffs and peanut chocolate biscuits made with cream and eggs.The drink is Ceylon black tea

The milk tea made is mellow and delicious, without any milky smell.

Mrs. Finger couldn't help nodding, and after asking the employer's consent, she packed a few pieces and prepared to go home for the children to eat.The Gardiner family has always been kind to their servants and their own employees, and naturally they will not forget the saleswoman downstairs.

Knowing that Barry Weir is coming to visit, everyone is waiting for him; he has more knowledge than Mr. Gardiner.Although not well-educated, he was not vulgar in his conversation in front of the ladies, on the contrary he was somewhat cautious.Mr. Gardinal was also glad to have men join him at tea, so that sometimes his conversation did not feel shallow and boring.Ladies love jokes, dresses, romance, no doubt.Well now, Barry Weir's sailing adventures and knowledge of the Indian continent can also attract these curious ladies.

"Mr. Gardner, I have to say that you are really happy! Your wife is beautiful, gentle and good at housekeeping, your son is healthy and lovely. Your sister is kind and friendly. Although your two nieces are still young, they have grown up. You can see the ladylike demeanor! Especially the afternoon tea they prepared, I think as long as you come here as a guest, you will never forget it." The words complimented the whole room, and Mrs. Bennett also had a very good impression of him.

Mr. Gardinal was delighted to be told. "Hehe, it's just that the atmosphere is good. Although the refreshments are novel, they are not troublesome. Are you going to India with the British East India Company this time?"

"Yes, although it is dangerous, but with your support, I decided to go again. I have agreed with a few good crew members that we will disperse the purchase of the goods you requested, so as not to cause trouble from others and the bosses. Attention. The quality of the sarees provided to you before was still very average. After all, our financial resources were limited at that time, and many people pooled their money to buy them together. We have seen more gorgeous and exquisite sarees in India, as well as high-end gemstones. Some workmanship Exquisite handicrafts, because they take up too much space and are not as profitable as gems, we didn’t buy them last time, nor did we buy more expensive essential oils.”

"It sounds like India is very rich in products. Will it cause trouble for you? After all, you are all employees of the British East India Company. I heard that the management on the ship is very strict."

"The salary of our crew is very low, and the environment on the ship is very bad. The captain turned a blind eye to the small amount of personal belongings. After all, our purchasing power is very limited. This time, thanks to your support, we are planning to Convince the chief mate to participate, so that we can bring back more personal belongings, but do you think the purchase amount can be a little more? If your friends can also support some personal belongings that can eat our entire ship , it would be better."

Mr. Gardinal thought about it carefully. Although the short-term expenditure is relatively huge, the subsequent profit can also be imagined.This opportunity is rare, and maybe it can bring him closer to individual merchants in the chamber of commerce. "Well, what you said is very reasonable. Taking advantage of the fact that there are not many materials flowing into India now, it is a good time; more people will get involved in the future. I invited a supplier to the afternoon tea party the day after tomorrow. How about you Come too. If you can persuade him and add a few people I know well in the chamber of commerce, basically there will be no problem. Why don’t you make it bigger, do you think the captain needs to deal with it?”

"It's not necessary. The captains are all sent by the company, maybe a small shareholder in the East Indies of Great Britain. The first mate, the second mate and the third mate are all promoted by experienced crew members, and the relationship is quite harmonious, although they The remuneration is also relatively higher, this time because there are no channels, and the items carried by private individuals are sold, they don’t make a lot of money.”

"Okay then." Mr. Gardenal nodded with a smile. Barry Weir is a clear-headed person, but he lacks some good education, but he does not lack judgment and vision.

Watching the men finish their serious business, the two wives began to inquire about Indian women and accessories.According to Barry Weil, there's no shortage of beauties out there.

"Their big brown eyes look forward to shining, although they don't have the fair skin of Europeans, but they are delicate and flawless. They are used to having auspicious moles between their eyebrows, their noses are straight and straight, and there are various nose ornaments on the nose wings, some are nose rings and some are nose studs." .”

Jane was a little surprised and amused at the same time. "Nose ring! Isn't that what cows have!"

"It's much more exquisite and luxurious than a cow's nose ring. They are all made of gold, some are inlaid with pearls and gems, and there are tassels. They are very beautiful. In addition, there are many ornaments on their bodies, from head to toe."

"It's so heavy, it must be very inconvenient to walk." Jane frowned, feeling a little pity for those beautiful but low-status women.

Barry Weir was so funny talking to these two little ladies. "How can women bother with adorning themselves? It's a hobby for women everywhere."

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Two days later, Mr. Gardinal's supplier, Baldwin Stocker, was invited to visit.Of course, the gentlemen went to the study room to discuss the business first, and then sat down to chat with the ladies.

Baldwin Stoke is a sharp-eyed and courageous speculator. He is only 26 or seven years old, single, and has contacts with several small shareholders of the British East India Company.In fact, Barry Weir is even younger than Stoke. He is only 20 years old, but he joined a ship as a crew member at the age of 17. Of course, he had no money to marry a wife before, and now he has no time to marry a wife.This time, Stoke wants to be ahead of the trend and find some people to form a partnership to organize a fleet and go to the Qing Dynasty in the east.He also affirmed Barry Weir's idea. After all, the Qing Dynasty is too far away, and India's risk is relatively small, and the profit is also in sight.After all, the goods leaked from the hands of those small shareholders were limited. If it was a ship of personal belongings, it would be several times more.

"Although Europe has always admired the exquisite items of this big country in the East, such as porcelain, silk, and their favorite tea, it is still too far away. It is said that the regime of this big country has changed, and it is now called the Qing Dynasty. The people there Men without exception are bald and have long braids, which is really a strange aesthetic." Stoke said that he was already looking forward to it.

Elizabeth and Jane asked a lot of questions, one was to inquire about the news, and the other was genuinely curious.

Since Mr. Gardinal might want to intervene in some funds, Elizabeth acted like a baby and asked Budwin Stoker to bring her some spices and seeds from there.

Baldwin Stoke needs a lot of money to share the risk. Knowing that Mr. Bennett, a squire with a rental income of 2000 pounds a year, will come to pick up Mrs. Bennett and the little ladies back to Hertfordshire next week Time has moved my heart.He believed he could persuade Gardinal's brother-in-law.