Potential Allies!

It took me 2 and a half months to translate everything. And that was with me sitting in the office 6 days a week with 2 scribes writing everything for me. Completed work was sent bit by bit to the upper echelons of the palace, who were rapidly holding meetings and making decisions. Since this was a diplomatic affair, the decision was not solely left to the Ministry of Foreign Exchange and Trade.

I handed the last document to Minister Hui myself. "Minister Hui, this is the last of it. But I really need a break now." I said frankly. "Of course, of course! You've done a great job." said Minister Hui, in a great mood after having completed such a big project. I dragged my tired body home.

Good news was the Norse were open to trade and sandwiching the North Western tribes. They weren't particularly fond of them either, and saw potential in trade with Yuan An after the tour and reception. So we were working on developing that small route they carved into a passage, with roads and stopovers so that goods could pass through. However, after that was done, we would still need to decide on prices, a way for merchants and trade to communicate, and then strategies to deal with the tribes.

We also had to figure out what was good to send back and thank them for their gifts. I would need to write a short manual with Norse-Huaxia translations for traders. Common phrases, greetings, names of goods, locations, basic conversation, food, prices, as well as some to-dos and to-avoids about culture, customs, rules and regulations, and things not to say or do to avoid miscommunications. There also needed to be a department set up at the post to mitigate conflicts since both parties were prone to miscommunication.

The ministry was working on getting the Huaxia language version out, following which I had to translate and write it in Norse, and then send it for printing. The Government Press as I spoke were working on getting my Norse characters out onto their ancient printing press or practicing handwriting.

They weren't very successful as of late and it still looked rather shoddy. Every week, I got a stack from the press of the best handwriting compiled to mark and point out errors. It was difficult to teach them Norse characters since there was no direct translation, media or any materials. So this was the only way.

I would really rather translate it into modern English but what could I do? At any rate, this would keep me busy for months.

This time, I had an official 2-week break. After that, although most of my work was already done, if they needed me, I still needed to be in the office 2 days a week. Nevertheless, this gave me the opportunity to do what I had wanted to do for some time. I gave the order for no one to disturb me, then shut myself in my private office with a pile of paper and a brush.

I had strong views about some things. As an independent modern woman, it was difficult for me to accept transmigrating into this era. Transmigrating into the palace, while treacherous, at least allowed me some sort of luxury – I could take hot baths whenever I wanted, have any changes of cloth pads I needed, servants to wait on me when I felt ill, servants to fan me when I felt hot in the summer, and not have to work. However, most women did not get this privilege, from what I gleaned. I wanted to do something about it, one step at a time.

I spent these 2 weeks shut in my office, working on my secret project – even Qiu Ci and Qiu Le weren't carelessly allowed in my office. At the end of my break, I carefully locked away a thick bound wad of paper and numerous bottles in a large chest. "This is my project. No one can touch or move it." I advised seriously, before I left for work.