“For me, Dubai Harbor is like the edge of the sky. I'm sure it's a beautiful place, but it's also a distant one,” Ye Tao shook his head and said.

Regret, even a hint of frustration, immediately appeared on Assad's face.

“However…” Ye Tao paused and said, “I think building a clock tower doesn't necessarily require me to go to that distant place in person, does it?” Ye Tao explained, “I am not just an architect, but also an official of the Dongping Kingdom. I also have a wandering heart, but I also have my country, my responsibilities. If possible, I would also like to go to that distant and beautiful Dubai to see the Persian country and its people. However, at least for the short term, that is difficult. But in terms of the construction of the clock tower, I am willing to serve."

Assad perked up immediately. He cautiously asked, “Are you willing to send your assistant to Dubai Harbor?”

Ye Tao chuckled and said, “For an architectural masterpiece that is bound to become the pride of your hometown, don't you think it's better to have your compatriots design and build it? I can see profound talent in the picture you brought.”

“Are you saying you're willing to teach the construction techniques of the clock tower?” Assad looked at Ye Tao in disbelief.

The definition of an architect varies in different people's minds. Through nearly ten years of effort, Ye Tao has finally been able to make his work more like that of a modern architect. He needs to examine the environment and site, solve problems through construction methods, make designs, and resolve issues in the construction process, but he doesn't need to be tied down to the construction site. Now, his eldest brother Guan Haishan and Dai Yuege have become two major forces in realizing Ye Tao's designs. The technology they possess has surpassed this era by ten, twenty years, or even more. For a long time, Ye Tao doesn't have to consider whether his designs can be realized.

But in the Persian region, it is not like this now. Architects often have to take on the work of on-site command and construction. Generally speaking, famous architects either come up with convincing designs and construction plans and look for sponsors to realize their plans, or they design according to the requirements of those large families and important ministers of the kingdom, and oversee everything until the building is completed. Each famous architect has relatively unique skills, and as a result, different schools have formed. The competition between different architectural schools is more than just arguing; it's practically persecution and sabotage. As for the inheritance of technology, it is strict beyond strict. The disciples and assistants around a famous architect, unless they have the architect's written consent, are not allowed to build even a residential house.

Therefore, Ye Tao's willingness to teach the clock tower construction technology appears particularly generous, great, and noble in the eyes of Assad, who already has a fixed impression of the architectural profession.

“Yes,” Ye Tao nodded and said, “Naturally, waiting for you to send craftsmen and then having them learn for a period of time will take more time than me going to Dubai. But I think you would prefer this approach, right?”

“Yes,” Assad nodded happily, then asked, “So, what kind of compensation do you need for teaching this technology to our craftsmen?”

Ye Tao shook his head and said, "I think that being tens of thousands of miles away, teaching your craftsmen will not threaten my construction business here. I believe that those you send to learn are all first-class craftsmen and architects. During their learning period, aren't they also working for me? You just need to be responsible for the salaries of these people… In addition, I am also a member of the Seven Seas Trading Company. I hope that the Samir family can have more cooperation with the Seven Seas Trading Company. That's all… By the way, some watchtowers and lighthouses will be built on Crescent Moon Island. Although they are not so grand, the basic architectural form is the same. Mr. Assad, if there are craftsmen who are familiar with carpentry and stonework, if they can participate in the construction of these buildings, they should be able to gain a preliminary understanding of some architectural forms.”

Assad placed his hand on his chest, bowed, and said sincerely, “You will be a noble friend of the Assad family.”

Landmark buildings cannot be built too often. Even if Ye Tao doesn't actively teach, as long as a clock tower is really built in Dubai Harbor, the craftsmen and architects involved in the construction will inevitably learn something. Although they may not be able to build buildings over two hundred chi in height, ordinary tower-style buildings will still be no problem. Rather than that, it's better to be generous and use this technology as a stepping stone for cooperation between the Seven Seas Trading Company and the Samir family. Especially now, at a time when the Seven Seas Trading Company is confronting the Chunnan Maritime Trading Group, if it can have the Samir family's inclination in the direction of trade, or even further help and support, the benefits will be immeasurable.

There were several architects in Assad's fleet. Originally, they were considered to come and discuss with Ye Tao, and some professional talents were needed to give Assad advice, but these people now have an opportunity that excites them. The news that Ye Tao agreed to teach the clock tower construction technology reached the ship, immediately causing a burst of cheers from those architects. How much they can learn depends on their comprehension ability. They also understand that the Samir family cannot wait for them to learn all the skills before going back to work. It is likely that each person will master a part of the technology. But even so, if they can build a clock tower in Dubai like the one in Yicheng, it would be enough for them to become highly respected famous architects, and after that, a steady stream of wealth and prestige would be almost inevitable. As for staying on Crescent Moon Island to start work, and probably working and studying in Dongping for quite a long time, these architects have no complaints.

With the clock tower problem solved, Assad showed great enthusiasm for a series of matters of cooperation with the Seven Seas Trading Company, and made considerable concessions. He almost unhesitatingly agreed that a few months later, when he brought the next batch of architects and craftsmen to learn the technology, he would evaluate a series of products and agency commodities of the Seven Seas Trading Company in Yicheng and Danyang. Especially silk, porcelain, grandfather clocks, and other products with huge profits. If there is the same quality and price, the Samir family's fleet will give priority to goods produced in Dongping, replacing the original purchases made in Chunnan. Assad could not express his position on the struggle between the Seven Seas Trading Company and the Chunnan Maritime Trading Group, but he also said that doing some things secretly would not be difficult.

In terms of developing shipping routes and commodities in the Nanyang region, Assad, on behalf of the Samir family, agreed to jointly establish an expedition fleet to explore Nanyang with the Seven Seas Trading Company. When discussing some specific matters, Assad was very interested in the nautical supplies produced by Ye's Workshop, which had been popularized in Qi Zhentao's fleet, as Ye Tao had mentioned. After Ye Tao introduced him to the sextant, marine chronometer, high-precision multi-functional compass, mechanical rangefinder, and other items, he immediately expressed his intention to purchase a batch, and also said that if they were indeed useful, all of the Samir family's fleets would replace their original astronomical navigation instruments with limited accuracy with these supplies.

Muhammad, who had been acting as an interpreter all along, was initially surprised as to why Ye Tao so easily gave away the clock tower construction technology, but as the friendly meeting progressed, he couldn't help but secretly admire that Ye Tao was indeed good at doing business. The profits that Assad had already promised would bring to the Seven Seas Trading Company each year in the next few years were astronomical figures. You must know that the Samir family is the largest trader between the Central Plains and the Western world, and the goods they handle account for 40% of the total circulating goods.

Qi Zhentao had woken up long ago, but he did not rashly join Ye Tao and Assad's conversation, but listened to the servants constantly relaying the progress of the meeting, while drinking tea and eating snacks, looking leisurely and carefree. However, Tan Weiran and Tan Weishi, the siblings who were also awake and in relatively good spirits, were a little impatient. Accompanied by two guards, Tan Weishi rushed to Suiguang Hall.

“Ye Tao, I heard you have some fun things here, what are they?” Tan Weishi asked bluntly.

“Fun things?” Ye Tao glanced at the scroll still being held by Assad's attendant, and turned to ask Assad, “Mr. Assad, could you let Miss Tan also take a look at this painting?”

Muhammad whispered Tan Weishi's identity in Assad's ear, and Assad was startled. He had never known that Ye Tao's relationship with the Dongping royal family was so close. He respectfully agreed, “Of course.”

The attendant and Ahmed unfolded the scroll again, and Tan Weishi was also deeply attracted.

“So beautiful,” Tan Weishi praised sincerely after watching for a while, and then she asked Assad, “Can I have this painting?”

Tan Weishi has always been very interested in collecting such beautiful things, but she also knows that such paintings must be extremely precious. She didn't have much confidence in making such a request. After all, she is not an unreasonable princess.

“It is an honor to be able to present the painting to such a charming young lady.” Assad was also generous. “Please forgive me for not knowing in advance that the esteemed lady was also on the island, and I did not prepare a gift specifically for you. However, there happens to be a very interesting little thing on the ship that I can give to you.”

After a while, two Persian servants brought two rattan baskets from the ship. When they saw what Assad was actually going to give to Tan Weishi, even Ye Tao was a little envious. Both baskets were lined with fluffy velvet blankets. One basket contained four puppies that were still asleep, looking like they were newborn Afghan hounds, while the other basket contained four bluish-gray eggs, covered with light brown spots. They should be golden eagle eggs.

These are not valuable things, especially for the people of the Samir family. Perhaps, these are just playthings that Assad personally brought with him, but for a young girl like Tan Weishi, these lovely gifts are so suitable and so charming.