This time, Prince Gong could not help but be tempted. As a representative of the powerful establishment, he was innately contemptuous of merchants, to say nothing of the influence traditional scholar-official thinking had exerted on him. The choice before him required no further thought.
Yet Yixin calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip before looking at Hans and saying, "I understand."
However, the other man did not leave. Yixin felt displeased and was about to say something when he suddenly realized a problem: this was not his home.
Hans Liu understood that the other party was using tea to signal that his guest should leave. Yet in his experience, this matter was already eight or nine parts certain, since Prince Gong had not refused outright.
Still, Hans Liu feared that delays might breed trouble, so he hoped to add a little more weight to the scales.
"Your Excellency's concern for the nation and its people is truly admirable. But one's body, hair, and skin are received from one's parents; Your Excellency should cherish yourself as well."
Hans Liu spoke with an expression of deep concern, but Yixin had no trouble hearing the hidden meaning beneath his words.
"Mr. Hans, if you have something to say, you may as well say it plainly."
"Very well. Prince Gong truly is forthright. Then I shall be direct. Since Your Excellency is a devout believer in Buddhism, have you ever considered letting go of your obsessions and going somewhere peaceful to cultivate yourself?
"If you wish it, then we are willing to bring this good karmic bond to fruition for Your Excellency."
Yixin's interest was immediately piqued. "Somewhere peaceful?"
Hans Liu promptly produced a world map and marked out the Austrian Empire's colonies one by one, from the Far East to Europe, from