perhaps if the trade were suspended for a time , while our respective governments should discuss such amendments to the treaty as would satisfy them both - `` but jia zhen was not to be persuaded , not without reason ; he did not refuse outright , but spoke in a calm and roundabout fashion of the difficulty of managing the sea-serpents , the impossibility of interrupting their peregrinations without causing their training to founder , and the expense of providing their food , which must be supported by the trade ; he also , to laurence 's dismay , spoke of the warehouses which were to be constructed , and added , `` by the order of the emperor , several craftsmen have already been commanded to prepare themselves and their families to make the journey : lung shen li will bring them hence on her next journey . ''