Houghton let out a perfectly tid smile: "Sir, our visit to you this ti is no big deal, just delivering so goods. Richard Hoot used to be my assistant at the company and asked the other day to get him so fine tobacco. After asking in detail, I learned you had arrived in Moscow."
Arthur heard Houghton’s words and smiled slightly, his gaze lingering on him for a mont.
He lightly nodded and said: "Richard certainly knows how to enjoy life, but him having you co all the way is indeed a surprise to ."
Houghton smiled slightly, sowhat reservedly: "Sir, Captain Hoot and I have known each other for many years. He helped quite a bit when he worked at the Moscow Company. This visit can be considered an old friendship, and I take this opportunity to visit you, hoping it will benefit our cooperation."
Arthur nodded, turning to look at the wooden box on the ground: "Is this tobacco?"
"Yes, Sir." Houghton patted the lid of the box: "This is the finest Virginia tobacco, directly shipped from North Arica, rich in flavor, perfect for those with distinctive tastes."
Houghton gestured for the assistant to open it. The lid was gently lifted, revealing beautifully packaged tobacco.
Arthur picked up a packet, opened it, and sniffed lightly before nodding: "Indeed, it’s top-quality. You pay attention even to such small matters, no wonder you’ve established a foothold in Russia."
As soon as the fine tobacco was laid on the table, Arthur weighed the packet in hand, and as a seasoned smoker, he imdiately had a basic assessnt of its value.
There are roughly ten pounds of tobacco here, which is of such premium quality from Virginia that it can easily sell for 1 shilling per pound in London; considering the mariti costs to Moscow, even pricing at 2 shillings per pound would swiftly sell.
In other words, the tobacco here is approximately equivalent to half a month’s wages for a worker in London.
For the present Arthur, this amount isn’t much, even negligible.
Perhaps Houghton had taken this into account, making this gift neither too extravagant nor lacking in class.
He knew Arthur wouldn’t refuse, hence the guise of delivering goods to et the young sir, said to be favored by the Earl of Dalmo.
Arthur lit a cigar, gently exhaled a wisp of smoke, and said with a half-smile: "Since that’s the case, let’s get straight to the point. Besides this tobacco, is Moscow Company encountering any difficulties?"
Houghton didn’t expect the young man would be so straightforward, but clearly, he was prepared for it. He gave a signal to his assistant, who retrieved a roll of finely crafted parchnt from the bottom of the box and handed it to Houghton.
Houghton placed the parchnt on the table, opened it, and pushed it toward Arthur.
"Sir, this is an analysis report on our recent trade in Moscow and St. Petersburg."
Houghton’s tone was calm, yet sowhat probing: "We’ve noticed that the Russian governnt recently tightened regulation on import trade, especially on transportation permits for timber and iron ore. Though we can still obtain permits through traditional channels, the costs have increased by nearly thirty percent, affecting our profits..."
Before Houghton could finish his sentence, Arthur raised his hand to stop him: "Mr. Houghton, what do you think I am? You’ve spent more ti in Russia than I have, so you should know better; there’s no way I can help you with permits. If the Moscow Company wants the embassy to protest, you should see the Earl of Dalmo in Moscow. But frankly, protests likely won’t have much effect."
Houghton wouldn’t believe Arthur’s nonsense.
Because when Hoot visited the company days ago, he divulged all of Arthur’s details to him.
Moreover, look at the house he’s living in; it’s the old residence of the Moscow Governor, Duke Golitsyn. As long as he’s willing to speak to the Governor, even asking the Governor’s secretary, Zubkov, to say a word would save the company substantial ’necessary’ expenses for permits in various Moscow offices.
Houghton took a gold-edged envelope from his pocket and handed it over without changing his expression: "Sir, this is a letter of credit issued in your na, which you can use at all Moscow Company branches in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Whether acquiring resources or arranging logistics, there will be dedicated personnel to serve you."
"What are you doing?" Arthur feigned surprise, as if he forgot he was the one who dispatched Captain Hoot to the Moscow Company to plant this information himself.
Arthur sternly reprimanded: "Are you trying to bribe a diplomat serving His Majesty the King?"
Houghton hurriedly denied: "Of course not, Sir. I just heard from Captain Hoot that you are soone who likes to make friends, and I ca to visit to make your acquaintance. As for this letter of credit, consider it a testant to our friendship."
Arthur repeatedly declined, with a serious face he said: "Mr. Houghton, friendship cannot be asured by money. Between friends, it’s about the bond, about being there for each other at critical monts, not about letters of credit! If you really consider a friend, take it back!"
Houghton persuaded several tis until it was clear that Arthur genuinely didn’t intend to accept, then he gave up.
Arthur pressed him into a chair and began: "I’m not complicated, Captain Hoot was right about one thing, I am soone who likes to make friends. Since you sincerely consider a friend, I naturally have the duty to help out. Regarding the permits, I’ll talk to so people, but I cannot guarantee it will be effective."
Upon hearing Arthur relent, Houghton’s eyes lit up: "You..."
But before he could finish, Arthur interrupted him again: "The letter of credit, I won’t take it. However, if this matter is settled, I have a favor I need you to do."
Houghton’s heart which had just relaxed quickly seized up again: "You can tell more, I understand a bit about comrcial matters, but in so areas..."
Seeing Houghton hesitantly evading, Arthur chuckled lightly: "Don’t worry, Mr. Houghton, this is not a personal matter, but one concerning the entire embassy in Russia, concerning Britain’s diplomacy and His Majesty the King’s dignity."
"You... you speak..."
Arthur took off the cigar, gently exhaling a wisp of smoke: "I rember Captain Hoot told that besides your business in Russia, the Moscow Company also has several trade routes through the Caucasus to Persia, right?"
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