"You're from the French Empire?"
The governor studied the two men carefully.
His eyes moved briefly from their faces to the enormous iron warship anchored behind them.
Then he looked back at them.
"You arrive in our river with a fleet of warships," the governor said calmly. "Naturally we must ask why."
Villeneuve heard the tone but did not understand the words.
He glanced toward Remy.
The merchant stepped forward and listened carefully as the governor finished speaking. When the governor stopped, Remy turned toward Villeneuve and spoke quietly in French.
"He asks why we have arrived with a fleet of warships."
Villeneuve gave a small nod.
He answered calmly.
"We came on an imperial mission. Tell him that."
Remy turned back to the governor.
"Your Excellency," he said in Chinese, "Monsieur Villeneuve is the official envoy of the French Emperor. Our arrival here carries a diplomatic purpose."
The officials behind the governor exchanged glances.
