[Fantasy] The Deer and the Cauldron: A Sequel (Complete) - 19-21

Chapter Ten: Encountering Two Beauties on the Qinhuai River

It is said that the Four Treasures of Tianshan, upon learning of Emperor Qianlong's return, gathered together to discuss matters.

Xiao Bao said, "He'll go back to Beijing, we'll travel around Jiangnan. Anyway, Zhou Riqing's plaster is already on him; he can't get it off even if he wants to!"

Which of these treasures wouldn't enjoy playing?

Xiao Laizi was the first to agree.

Er Tuzi said, "We haven't dealt with the Banner Army for a long time; this is tantamount to abandoning our duties!"

Xiao Bao said, "Bullshit! You need to know that things have a priority, an order of importance, and a distinction between what's important and what's urgent!"

"Damn it, what's the order of importance? Tell me! Tell me!"

Xiao Bao didn't speak! Da Niu said, "You damn stupid bird, Xiao Bao lost the Kangxi jade pendant; finding it should be the most urgent thing!"

Xiao Bao said, "Finding the jade pendant isn't urgent!"

"Ah! Finding the jade pendant isn't urgent? Damn it, what's the rush?"

"Brother Da Niu, the jade pendant is in Pink Butterfly's arms, just like it's in my wife's treasure bowl; what's the rush?"

Er Tuzi kicked Xiao Bao's butt.

Xiao Bao glared and said, "Why the hell did he kick me?"

"You son of a bitch, it was agreed that each of Huo Lao'er's four daughters would be one of us. Da Niu, you son of a bitch, got the eldest, and you son of a bitch, you got the fourth one. All that's left is me and Xiao Lai Li, who's been masturbating all the time. You son of a bitch, not only did you get Huo Yujie, but you also hooked up with Princess Yu Rong and her mother, Yu Hu Die. If you guys don't help me and Xiao Lai Li solve this problem today, we're not done yet!"

"How are we not done yet?"

"If you don't get those two Huo family girls, you son of a bitch, the three of us will 'stick together,' and I and Xiao Lai Li will each sleep with one of your three wives!"

Just then, Yu Hu Die walked in and overheard the last sentence, and asked with a smile, "What are you going to share?"

Xiao Bao said, "He said I have three wives, and he's still single, so each of them has to share one with me!"

"Great! If they separate Yu Jie and Princess Yu Rong, you'll be mine alone! That's wonderful! Besides, the royal family doesn't value chastity!"

Her words embarrassed Er Tu Zi and Xiao Lai Zi, who quickly ran away.

Xiao Bao told her about his plan to travel around Jiangnan.

Yu Hu Die said, "Great! My sister is in Jiangnan right now. If I meet her, I can get the jade pendant back!"

"Would your sister give it to you?"

"When you see my sister, you can just admit defeat, right?"

"Isn't your influence enough?"

"Hehehehe! When I see your sister, I'll take her in. She's even a size younger than you, hee hee! Hee hee! Hahahaha!"

"Go to hell! My sister is over twenty. Would she marry you?"

"Hmm! Maybe she'll chase after me, but I might not even want her!"

"You wish! You're just daydreaming!" "

If you don't believe me, you'll see!"

"I'm looking forward to it!"

Jinling!

It is also one of the six ancient capitals of China.

From the time when Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of Wu, established his capital here during the Three Kingdoms period, through the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms periods of Song, Qi, Liang, Chen, and Southern Tang, this area was the capital.

Wu called it Jianye, Jin called it Jiankang, and when the Ming Taizu established his dynasty, it was renamed Yingtianfu. Later, Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Yanjing, making Yanjing Beijing, and Yingtianfu established a small court, hence the name Nanjing. After the Qing Dynasty moved the capital, it was renamed Jinling.

Jinling's terrain is both rugged and beautiful, a naturally formed scenic spot. Zhongshan Mountain lies to the east, with its majestic forests, and Shitou Mountain to the west, forming a strategic gateway. Therefore, Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period said, "Zhongshan Mountain is like a coiled dragon, and Shitou Mountain is like a crouching tiger; truly, this is the residence of King Liang!"

Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty wrote in his poem "Remembering Jinling": "Climbing high and gazing afar, it is late autumn in the old capital, the weather just beginning to turn crisp.

A thousand miles of clear river resemble a ribbon, and emerald peaks cluster like clusters.

Returning sails and departing oars are in the slanting sunlight, against the west wind, wine flags stand askew.

Colorful boats float on the clouds, egrets rise like stars in the Milky Way; words cannot fully express it.

Thinking back to the past, the prosperous farmland, the joyous gates outside the towers... " Heads, etched with sorrow and resentment.

A thousand miles away, standing atop this high place, I sigh at the fleeting glory and disgrace.

The past of the Six Dynasties flows like water, but this smoke, the reeds green and lush. Even now, courtesans still sing the lingering melodies of the Imperial Court! "

After crossing the river to Jinling, Xiao Bao and his party first found the 'Xingde Money Exchange'!"

The head manager, Li Hao, was sitting in the accounting office drinking tea. Upon seeing the seven stylishly dressed young men and women enter, he hurriedly came out to greet them, clasping his hands in greeting, "Whom do you gentlemen seek?"

Xiao Bao also clasped his hands in greeting and asked, "Is it Brother Li who is in person, Head Manager?"

"I am Li Hao, and you are...?"

"No, no, we're all on the same side!"

"Since we're family, please give us your names!"

"Xiao Bao, Da Niu, Er Tu Zi, Xiao Lai Li!"

"Brother, you're too kind. Who are you all?"

"The Four Treasures of Tianshan!"

"What are the Four Treasures of Tianshan, and how do you identify yourselves?"

Xiao Bao took out the Muni Bead and handed it to Li Hao, saying, "Will this do?"

As soon as Li Hao took the Muni Bead, he hurriedly asked, "Are you all from the mountain?"

"Didn't anyone tell you we are the Four Treasures of Tianshan?"

"Brother, you're too kind. Since you came with the Muni Token, of course you're on the same side!"

"Should our own people be punished by you?"

"I apologize for my rudeness!" He first returned the Muni Token, then said, "Please, everyone, have a seat in the living room!"

The group entered the living room, took their seats according to their status as hosts and guests, and servants served tea.

Li Hao said, "You all came bearing the Muni Decree, surely you have something to say!"

"Second Brother Li, to tell you the truth, I am Kaiyue!"

"Kaiyue, Duan Kaiyue? The two brothers?

" "Indeed!"

"And who are these guys...?"

Xiao Bao pointed at Da Niu and said, "Ge Meng, also called Da Niu, is the son of Uncle Ge Suiyi, and the eldest of our Tianshan Four Treasures!"

Li Hao quickly cupped his hands twice and called out, "Brother Ge!"

Da Niu also cupped his fists and replied, "Second Brother Li!"

Xiao Bao then pointed at Er Tu Zi and said, "Ma Ji, also called Er Tu Zi, is the son of Uncle Ma of Qianli Ranch, and the second of the Four Treasures!"

Li Hao bowed again and called out, "Brother Ma!"

Er Tu Zi also cupped his fists and called out, "Second Brother Li!"

Xiao Bao then introduced Xiao Lai Li and said, "Xiao Cheng, also called Xiao Lai Li, is the descendant of the righteous Xiao Gang, and our third brother!"

Li Hao bowed again and called out, "Brother Xiao!"

Xiao Lai Li also cupped his fists and called out, "Second Brother Li!"

Xiao Yu finally pointed at the three of them and said, "My wife!"

"Really?"

"Is it not possible?"

"It is! You're better than Junior Uncle, you got three at once!"

"Hmm! Let me tell you, there are six more waiting in line!"

His words drew laughter from everyone. Then, he introduced them one by one.

First was Princess Yu Rong: "Second Brother, did you know the Seventh Princess when you were in the capital?"

"The Seventh Princess of Prince Su?"

"Yes!"

"I knew she had a relationship with Uncle Mei back then, but it ended because Manchus and Han Chinese couldn't intermarry, and Uncle Mei said she was a virgin!"

"Yes, Yu Rong is the Seventh Princess's daughter!"

"So she's not an outsider now!"

At this moment, Princess Yu Rong called out generously, "Second Brother!"

Then she introduced Yu Jie, "Sister Hong Yanzi's apprentice, Huo Dabantou's adopted daughter in the Xi'an Secret Green Standard Army—Huo Yu Jie!"

"Yu Jie greets Second Brother Li!"

Finally, she introduced Yu Hu Die, "Old Shi's grandniece!"

Li Hao said, "You two are even more related!"

"Not at all! The Shi sisters are competing with the old man for her affections!"

Li Hao laughed heartily, "Interesting, interesting!"

Xiao Bao asked, "Where's Second Sister-in-law?"

"Second Sister-in-law? What Second Sister-in-law?"

"Your wife!"

"My wife? Hahahaha! I'm a Tang Dynasty 'rolling pin'!"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm an old bachelor!"

"Second Brother, you're not young anymore. To be honest, if your son is wasted, even your grandson will be ruined!"

"Hahahaha! Second brother, I'm already approaching fifty, why would I want to find a wife? I'm originally from the Beggars' Sect, as you know. Later, for the sake of our great cause, the Beggars' Sect supported Uncle Mei and established the Colorful Robe Branch. We eat oil and wear silk, that's enough for this lifetime!"

They laughed heartily again! After laughing, Li Hao asked solemnly, "How is the old immortal on the mountain?"

"She's fine! Although she's nearly a hundred, she looks like she's in her sixties!"

"How are the Ancestor and Grand Master Uncle?"

"Fine! No illness, and plenty of wine!"

"He should be enjoying his retirement on the mountain!"

"Of course!

" "How are Junior Uncle and your two aunts?"

"Thank you for asking, thank you for your concern!"

"How are Uncle Mei and Aunt Mei?"

"They're all fine! They're all fine! Junior Sister married my eldest brother!"

"That's even better, the two families are now one!"

"You came down the mountain this time...?"

"Second Brother, I won't lie to you, the old immortal and Master sent us down the mountain to eat, drink, gamble, and bet!"

"Second Brother, you're really joking!"

"Second Brother, I'm not lying, it's true!"

"Second Brother, don't tease your older brother. Uncle Mei is cautious all his life, how could he let you go on a frivolous escapade?"

"Really! I'm not lying to you!" She then recounted the mission she received before descending the mountain and everything she did afterward.

"Ah! You helped Lü Siniang kill Yongzheng!"

"Yes, indeed!"

"Ah?" At this moment, Princess Yurong exclaimed in surprise, "You..." "

That's right! I helped kill Yongzheng. Go and turn yourself in. Qianlong is still in Haiding. Go quickly!"

"I'd give up my imperial lineage for you, I don't care who you kill!"

"Hmm! That's my good wife!"

"Thick-skinned! Shameless!"

"Second Brother still has some shame, he's still using a Tang Dynasty rolling pin!"

This remark amused everyone! Li Hao said, "Second brother, you're even more remarkable than Uncle Mei!"

"How can I compare to Master? Normally, decisions made on the mountain wouldn't affect Man You, but the Lü Siniang family was truly tragic. One hundred and twenty-three people died in that case alone. I couldn't bear to see it, so I helped Lü Siniang. Fortunately, the mountain didn't punish me; instead, they rewarded me!"

"Second brother, what are your plans for the future?"

"Second brother, you've been in Jinling for almost thirty years. Have you had any dealings with the Banner Army?"

"Our Xingde and the government are practically inseparable. You know, before Yongzheng ascended the throne, Uncle Mei personally managed Xingde, and he and Yinzhen were never separated. Later, after Yongzheng ascended the throne, Uncle Mei retired, finally severing ties with the government. But business dealings have actually increased; we've practically become the official treasury!"

"I only ask you, have you had any dealings with the Banner Army?"

"Only with the Banner Army's general's office. Aside from the buglers, who still receive twenty taels a month each, we have no other dealings!"

"Master said the buglers receive fifty taels from us?"

"That was at the beginning. Later, when there were buglers all over the country, we only paid 20 taels a day for buglers of battalion level and above. There were no buglers anymore!"

"We'll start by befriending the flag officers!"

"They're all people from the mountains, secretly infiltrated!"

"That makes things easier!"

"You settle in today, and tomorrow we'll contact the buglers!"

"I'm taking your three younger siblings, how will we find accommodation at the counter?"

"Didn't Uncle Mei and Aunt Ying'er often stay at the counter back then? You can stay in the house they used to live in!"

Li Hao, being nearly fifty, couldn't accompany the group of young people, so he specially asked a young gentleman who worked at the counter to act as a guide.

Under the guidance of this Jinling expert, everyone toured Jinling.

First, they visited the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum! The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is located on the sunny side of Zhongshan Mountain. It is a majestic site. Originally, it was the site of the Kaishan Temple and Baozhi Taoist Temple of the Southern Tang Dynasty. The tomb pagoda of Baozhi Gong was built there. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty valued this place and designated it as a burial mausoleum. He then reburied Baozhi Gong at Linggu Temple and built the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

The original ancestral hall and palaces were magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Eight stone figures of civil and military officials stand before the tomb, along with twelve stone dogs—lions, unicorns, qilin, elephants, and horses—all vividly and powerfully carved. A moat

flows outside the gate, spanned by an imperial bridge. At the foot of the imperial road is the Lingxing Gate; beyond that gate are inscribed the four characters "治隆唐宋" (meaning "Governance Surpassing Tang and Song"), the calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi.

Next is the Xiaoling Mausoleum Hall, surrounded by evergreen pines and cypresses.

The guide led the group into the Xiaoling Mausoleum Hall, where everyone reverently performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows, silently praying to the spirit of Emperor Taizu for the early restoration of the nation.

Even Princess Yu Rong, a former Manchu noblewoman, followed her husband's example and paid her respects.

Afterwards, the group visited Linggu Temple, the first monastery on Zhongshan Mountain.

Located on the southeastern slope of the mountain, Linggu Temple, with its deep pines, is renowned as one of the forty scenic spots of Jinling (Nanjing).

Inside the mountain gate, a grove of tall pines covered the path, their verdant green vying with the mountain's hue. Occasionally, the sound of the pines roared like waves, echoing through the forest.

Among the many halls within the temple, the most striking was the Hall of No Beams.

This hall was entirely constructed of brick, without pillars or beams, purely brickwork. The Ming dynasty scholar Lü Dan, in his travelogue of Linggu, remarked, "The halls are all tiled, forming the Three Peaks Cave, without using wood for beams!"

In the 46th year of the reign of Emperor Shengzu (Lixi), during his southern tour, he bestowed upon the plaque "Linggu Chanlin" (Linggu Zen Forest) and inscribed the couplet, "Heavenly fragrance wafts through the grand halls, mountain air lingers in the empty corridors."

After touring Linggu Temple, it was already late, and the group returned to their lodgings.

The next day, they went to visit Xuanwu Lake.

Xuanwu Lake is located two li north of Jinling City, with a circumference of forty li, vast and clear, its waters reflecting the surrounding mountains like a painting. The five islands dotting the lake are composed of several landmasses, namely Huan, Ying, Liang, Cui, and Ling. Among them, Liang Island is the most beautiful, with a pavilion on it inscribed with "Water Country and Flower Village".

The scenery is serene and picturesque, with pavilions and terraces offering tranquil views. In spring and summer, vibrant flowers bloom everywhere; in the heat of summer, water chestnuts flourish, and pleasure boats glide among the lotus leaves and willow shade. The setting sun casts its glow on the city walls, truly a paradise on earth!

On the shores of Xuanwu Lake lies a section of the ancient city of Taicheng, originally the site of the Wu dynasty's last mausoleum and the Jin dynasty's Jianye. Taicheng is situated on higher ground, surrounded by ancient trees, offering excellent shade. Looking out over Xuanwu Lake, the long dike reflects the willows shrouded in mist. The Tang dynasty poet Wei Zhuang wrote in his poem "Jinling Guyong": "South of the Yangtze River, the grasses grow lush and green; the Six Dynasties are like a dream, only birds cry in vain;

most heartless are the willows of Taicheng, sweeping away the mist along the ten-mile dike."

After spending another day exploring Xuanwu Lake, they unexpectedly discovered a large gambling den on Liangzhou Island called Yuhuatai, where the stakes were extremely high, often reaching tens of thousands.

After everyone returned, Xiao Bao and the other three men wanted to explore the Qinhuai River and experience the charm of the Six Dynasties; however, the three women felt it inappropriate to frequent such places. Yu Hudie said, "Let's go to the casino!"

"Okay!"

The next day, the men and women parted ways. The men went to cruise the Qinhuai River.

The women went to the Yuhuatai Casino.

Let's start with the men's group. Guided by their guide, they were led to the banks of the Qinhuai River, where they saw painted boats everywhere, with constant music and singing—it was truly lively.

Xiao Bao suddenly remembered Du Mu's (Tang Dynasty poet) poem about the Qinhuai River and recited: "Smoke shrouds the cold, the moon veils the sand, I moor near a tavern on the Qinhuai River, the courtesans know not the sorrow of a fallen nation, still singing 'The Flowers of the Rear Courtyard' across the river!"

Xiao Lai Li wasn't far behind, saying: "The Qinhuai River is shrouded in mist, its waters flowing endlessly, the bright moon evokes countless thoughts throughout the ages, spring goes and autumn comes, the scenery changes, I recognize the tavern with my zither playing!"

Da Niu said: "You two are like a damn vinegar jar meeting sour cabbage water, you've made everyone swallow their leftovers!"

Er Tu Zi also said: "Damn, it's so sour it's heavenly!"

The two were scolded and dared not say another word.

Including the guide, there were five people in total, who boarded a painted boat.

The madam hurriedly invited everyone to sit in the front cabin! This front cabin was decorated like a large living room, with famous paintings and calligraphy hanging on both sides. Everyone carefully admired them; they were indeed the work of famous artists! There were four lines of poetry: "Gods and immortals are nowhere to be found in the lower realm, lowly women need the help of noblemen, in the bridal chamber they recognize their new guests, as the stars shift and husbands change!"

Everyone laughed heartily. Xiao Bao said, "Perfect, perfect!"

Below was a painting, depicting half a beautiful woman, not only skillfully painted but also remarkably lifelike. Four lines of poetry were inscribed on it: "A hundred kinds of figures, a hundred kinds of beauty, but only half the waist is painted, not the whole body; it's a pity the painter lacks the skillful brush, failing to depict the most captivating aspects.

" Xiao Laizhi, after reading it, exclaimed, "Perfect, perfect!"

This made everyone burst into laughter again!

Opposite was a seven-character quatrain: "A courtesan, charmingly dressing, in the bridal chamber she recognizes her new groom; a pair of jade wrists, a thousand men's pillows; half a vermilion lip, tasted by ten thousand guests.

She feigns several kinds of shyness, making a false heart; how many new guests does she know? She deliberately sheds two lines of shy tears."

Xiao Bao looked at it and asked curiously, "Why do you musicians post poems like this? Aren't you afraid your guests will be heartbroken?"

The madam replied, "Sir! This was written by a failed scholar. I refused to post it, but my eldest daughter insisted!"

"Why?"

"She said that although we are a musician family, posting this seven-character poem tells them the heart of a prostitute, and that their willingness to come is not our fault, but rather that beauty doesn't bewitch people, but people bewitch themselves, so it's not our fault!" "Your eldest daughter's insights are exceptional; we

must meet her properly later!"

The guide said, "Young master, the two young ladies on this boat are the best on the Qinhuai River in Jinling! The famous Xu family's Twin Phoenixes!"

"Ah!"

"The eldest, Zi Feng, and the second, Jin Feng, are unparalleled in their talents in playing instruments, singing, dancing, and all other arts. You'll see their beauty when you see them!"

At this moment, the madam ordered wine to be served.

The boat had its own cook, maids, and servants.

In an instant, a large table was filled with wine and dishes.

After the five men were seated, a pair of sisters emerged from the rear cabin.

The older sister carried a white jade flute, while the younger sister held a pipa.

They bowed to the guests and then announced their identities: "Zi Feng!

Jin Feng!"

Xiao Bao, based on his experience, could tell that Jin Feng was still a virgin.

How did he know?

She was a virgin! The most obvious signs were her clear, bright eyes, which seemed to have a thin layer of oil on them, her eyebrows pressed tightly against the corners of her eyes, and her swaying hips as she walked.

After the two women announced their identities, Zi Feng said, "My sister and I will first perform a short song for you gentlemen. Please do us the honor!"

Xiao Bao said, "Sing what you're good at!"

Zi Feng said, "Then I will first perform a piece of Li Qingzhao's 'Sheng Sheng Man' for you!"

Jin Feng quickly adjusted the strings and began to play the pipa! "Searching and searching, so desolate and lonely, so sad and miserable!" She

sang these fourteen characters in one breath, her voice powerful and resonant, rising from low to high, each phrase building upon the last, until the final note truly shook the rooftops and lingered for three days.

After she finished, everyone applauded enthusiastically.

Then, accompanied by a xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute), Jin Feng sang a poem: "Who has ever been a hero? One a fisherman, the other a farmer! In the dark of Nanyang, in the desolate East Sea; a single stroke of success! The Eight Formations became a dragon formation, the Six Secret Teachings were mastered by the Flying Bear; Hegemony came to naught, regret remained, the cold clouds of the riverbank, the autumn wind of the Wei River.

Only two old men, their lives intertwined. One a fisherman, the other a farmer, If they hadn't met their time, They would have grown old heroes! Tang and Wu met by chance, like dragons in the wind! Rise and fall are but a matter of laughter, Even now, a thousand years later, who can rival their achievements?"

Everyone was deeply moved and applauded again! The two women put down their instruments and began pouring wine for everyone.

The pleasure boat was already moving on the Qinhuai River.

Everyone drank and enjoyed the scenery.

It wasn't until evening that the boat docked.

Xiao Bao handed over five hundred taels of silver notes, returning them to the madam and asking, "Are these notes accepted nationwide?"

The madam took them, saw they were from 'Xingde Money Exchange,' and quickly replied, "These notes are accepted nationwide. Thank you for your generosity, sir. Please come early tomorrow!"

Good! Just those words from her made Xiao Bao obsessed with the boat, and he remained captivated for half a month.

After they returned to Xingde, the three women from the gambling den had not yet returned.

Da Niu said, "Xiao Bao, are you fucking rich?! Five hundred taels for a cup of tea!"

"Da Niu, you really are something! People spend a fortune on a smile, and I'm only paying half!"

"Do you even know how many years five hundred taels can sustain someone?"

"Brother Da Niu, let me tell you, I'm planning to spend a lot of money on them!"

"What are you going to do? Let me tell you, you already have three wives. If you try anything funny, I'll report you all the way to Tianshan, hmph!"

Er Tu Zi said, "That's right, if we're going to have women, it should be Er Tu Zi and Xiao Lai Li. Even if you're the boss, you can't monopolize them!"

Xiao Bao roared, "Stop arguing! Stop arguing!"

Er Tu Zi said, "It's not about arguing, we need to be reasonable, right?"

"Three brothers, listen to me, didn't Xing De Wai Gui say that they're the best in the Hua family, the entertainment district of Qinhuai in Jinling? I want to use them to do something big in the future!"

Da Niu and the others asked in unison, "What big thing?"

"I want to keep them by my side, so that when I go to Beijing in the future, I can use them to visit some relatives!"

"What relatives are you going to visit?"

"He Shen!"

"Huh? He Shen?"

"Yes! He Shen is currently the most favored person in the capital. I'm going to find an opportunity to offer them to He Shen so they can help him disrupt the court!"

Da Niu asked, "How are you going to do that?"

"I'll first recognize the madam as my godmother, live with her in the capital, and lure He Shen to see me so he'll come looking for me!"

"You really have a lot of tricks up your sleeve!"

Just as everyone was discussing this, the three female generals returned! Huo Yujie exclaimed excitedly, "I have good news for you all! I ran into my second sister today!"

Everyone hurriedly asked, "Where?" "

At the Yuhuatai Casino, of course!"

"Just her alone?"

"Of course! My third sister is currently staying with her master in Shanyang, Dabie Mountain!"

Xiao Bao asked hastily, "Sister Hong Yanzi came to Dabie Mountain?"

"Who told you that's Sister Hong Yanzi?"

"Isn't Sister Hong Yanzi your sister's master?"

"That was before. Now they have a new master!"

"Who?"

"I don't know!" "

What? She didn't say?"

"Yeah! She doesn't even know her master's name!"

"This...? Who in the world is more capable than Sister Hong Yanzi than us?"

Yu Hudie chuckled and said, "You're shameless enough to try and flatter yourself. You lost your things and didn't even find a trace of them, yet you're bragging. Aren't you ashamed!"

"Ah! It's your sister, Maggot! Alright, Baldy, it's up to you now!"

Baldy said, "I'm not as good at gambling as you guys. If she's Pink Butterfly's apprentice, what hope do I have?"

"You're stupid, you really are stupid. If you can't win, can't you at least lose?"

"If you lose, everything will be over!"

"Jade Butterfly and I lost, but now we're all happy!"

"Okay! I'll face her tomorrow!"

"Good! Good luck!"

At this moment, Jade Butterfly chimed in, "Tomorrow, we'll see your true skills and hard work. We'll remain neutral and not help anyone!"

"Okay! Sister-in-law, don't worry! I'll only lose this hundred jin to her at most!"

Everyone laughed heartily! The next day!

Except for Xiao Bao, who still went to the Qinhuai River to enjoy the pleasures, everyone else went to the casino.

This casino was the largest in Jinling, offering all the popular gambling games of the time. There were six large tables: Big Pai Gow, Small Pai Gow, Four Doors Treasure, Odd/Even with Two Dice, Eighteen with Three Dice, and Herding the Sheep with Four Dice.

Cui Feng, Huo Yanfen, was the dealer at the last table, Herding the Sheep.

Everyone gathered at her table.

After greeting her uncle, Yu Hudie, Cui Feng greeted her younger sister, Huo Yujie, and Princess Yurong, then attended to the gamblers' betting.

Experienced gamblers always watched a few rounds before placing their bets.

Da Niu and his companion, being veteran gamblers, were no exception.

Cui Feng didn't rush them, letting them enjoy the spectacle.

Er Tu Zi first scrutinized his secretly chosen wife—Cui Feng, Huo Yanfen.

Huo Yanfen truly lived up to her name, Cui Feng; she was dressed entirely in green.

A green jacket, a green floral pleated skirt, her hair adorned with jewels, short sleeves, and a pair of dark green jade bracelets on her wrists.

Except for the red rouge on her lips and the cinnabar on her ten fingernails, almost everything else was green, truly captivating.

Looking at her figure and appearance, she was by no means inferior to Huo Yugu. He was overjoyed, thinking, "If I win her over as my wife, I can be happy for the rest of my life."

After watching a few rounds, they began to place bets.

They realized the bookmaker's methods weren't sophisticated, with wins and losses.

So, following gambler's habits, they started small and gradually increased their bets.

During the bets, the wins and losses weren't significant, and by nightfall, the difference was still around a thousand taels.

The eldest, being more astute, said, "It's getting late, let's go back! We'll come again tomorrow!"

With the eldest speaking, the second bald man and the little rascal had no choice but to give up for the day! The three of them left.

The three of them, including Jade Butterfly, played for a while longer before leaving.

After everyone returned to Xingde, Xiao Bao also returned! They exchanged their experiences and decided that the next day, the nephew would carry the lantern—the same as before (referring to the uncle).

After dawn! Xiao Bao went alone to meet the courtesans of Qinhuai.

The rest of the group went to the casino.

When Xiao Bao returned that evening, he had made a fortune. The madam, learning he was the young master of Xingde, asked him to help Jin Feng

with her hair! Xiao Bao, however, was playing the long game, not giving a direct answer, but upon returning, he paid a thousand taels for tea. The madam was overjoyed to see a thousand taels for tea alone! That night, Xiao Bao told everyone what had happened. Yu Hudie was furious, yelling, "You rascal! You've brought a whole bunch of girls! How are we supposed to face our in-laws and elders back in the mountains?"

Xiao Bao laughed, "Marriage is marriage, marriage is about food and clothing. As long as I have clothes to wear and enough to feed you (a double entendre), what's wrong with that?"

Yu Hudie blushed with anger.

Everyone was amused!

Xiao Bao solemnly declared, "Die'er, if you can set up Miss Huo with Baldy, I'll give up on the Shuangfeng sisters!"

"I said I wouldn't get involved in this, and I mean it!"

"If you won't get involved with Baldy's business, then you shouldn't get involved in mine either!"

"Fine! I won't get involved. When I see my in-laws, I'll tell them everything!"

"Even if I get beaten up later, that's a matter for later!" Then he turned to everyone and asked, "Right?"

Everyone burst into laughter!

Xiao Bao went to the painted boats on the Qinhuai River every day! Princess Yu Rong said, "If you like those two sisters, why not redeem them?"

"Sigh! Wife! The three of you are enough, what more could I ask for?"

"You're still so infatuated with them!"

"All you know is how big my dick is, what else do you know?"

"Look at you, so frivolous, always going down that path!"

"You women know nothing! I want them to do something important for me!"

"Can prostitutes do important things?"

"None of you sisters can do this!"

"Oh! Are we three sisters even as good as those two little prostitutes?"

"It's not that you're inferior to them, it's that what I want them to do, you can't do!"

"What is it?"

"I want them to infiltrate He Shen's mansion, to influence that cunning old man He Shen, can you do it?"

"Why not? As long as you're forced to become a cuckold, we three sisters aren't necessarily inferior to those two little prostitutes!"

"Unfortunately, I don't want to wear a green hat!"

Saying this, she hugged Jade Butterfly and kissed her, saying, "Anyone who dares to touch my wife will have to seduce me first!"

"Oh! You're quite jealous, aren't you? I'll try to find someone to test you tomorrow!"

Xiao Bao hugged her tighter and said, "Don't try, as long as you're willing, I'm very generous!"

The two laughed at the same time!

Yu Hudie said, "What do you plan to do with those two sisters on the pleasure boat? Or will you use your unique technique to subdue them?" As she spoke, she touched Xiao Bao's big penis.

Xiao Bao nodded and said, "To make women listen, you have to settle this matter with them. Only then will they truly listen to you, just like you, right?"

After he finished speaking, he kissed her again.

Yu Hudie glared at him, but in her heart she was completely convinced.

Xiao Bao's three wives all nodded in approval of his affair with the boatwoman under his righteous and stern words.

The next day, Xiao Bao boarded the pleasure boat. Upon seeing the madam, he smiled and said, "I'd like to have Jin Feng's hair styled and waxed. Shall we set

the price, madam?" "Young master, you're an old hand at this! Jin Feng is the top courtesan in all of Jinling. You can't compare yourself to them!"

"No comparison, but you have to name your price!"

"Once a girl's virginity is gone, she's like a broken jar. Prices here are fixed. Aside from patrons, we don't earn much in a year. So, this virginity-breaking..."

Xiao Bao knew she was being coy and secretly chuckled, but he said seriously, "Do you have a price? Otherwise, if I go to other places, won't I just get a thin membrane and a little red mark?"

Seeing his expression, the madam panicked a little and hurriedly said, "Yes! Yes!"

Xiao Bao smiled and asked, "How much?"

"Ten thousand taels!"

"Hahahaha! Jin Feng is only worth ten thousand taels?"

The madam was both anxious and regretful. She originally wanted thirty thousand taels, but Xiao Bao forced her to stop asking for too much. She lost twenty thousand taels for nothing and regretted it to death! "Mother, after I redeem Jin Feng, will you agree to help her and her sisters?"

The madam thought for a long time before saying, "It's said that a patron redeeming a girl is a great favor to her, preserving her chastity for life. But for me, her foster mother, it's a huge loss. Don't you think more than ten years of hard work would be completely wasted?"

"You entertainers just want to earn more money so you can redeem her when you're old!"

"That's true, but we also need to support ourselves in our old age."

"Alright! I'll give 100,000 taels to redeem her and her sisters, and another 20,000 taels to deflower Jin Feng. Do you agree?"

"Are you serious?"

"Young Master Xingde, would you make empty promises?"

"Would you be willing to swear an oath with this old woman?"

"No need. Isn't giving you 120,000 taels of silver notes better than a swearing oath?"

The madam laughed, her mouth stretching to the back of her neck if her ears weren't covered.

Xiao Bao gave her 120,000 taels of silver, saying, "I'll have these sisters accompany me on the boat for three days. After three days, there might be some great news for you, young lady!"

"Me?"

"Yes!"

"What great news?"

"That depends on Shuangfeng and her sister."

The madam was completely confused, but of course, she thought the best and was just waiting for the good news to arrive.

The boat was bustling with activity that day, all in preparation for the wedding the next day.

Xiao Bao dressed like a groom the next day and arrived at noon. As

soon as he arrived, firecrackers were lit on over a hundred pleasure boats. It turned out the madam was quite generous; she not only gave wedding cakes and gifts to all the pleasure boats on the river, but also gave each boat a hundred taels of red envelope. Everyone accepted the gifts and bought firecrackers, which were set off at noon.

Xiao Bao, the groom, boarded the boat, and all the girls who were close to Shuangfeng and her sister came aboard to congratulate him. Although the pleasure boat wasn't large, two tables of wine were set up on board.

The twenty-odd girlfriends were all envious.

The boat set sail and anchored at the willow-lined embankment.

Wow! The riverbank was even more lively, with a grand banquet of thirty tables, a feast for the boatmen on the river.

The madam was deliberately showing off, announcing her departure from the industry.

The drinking continued until nightfall before everyone dispersed.

All the guests on the boat were gone! Only the newcomer, the madam, and two maids remained; even the old women and cooks had been sent ashore.

The two maids slept at the bow, ready to serve, while the madam slept at the stern, also acting as helmsman.

The two sisters served Xiao Bao alone in the cabin.

As the night deepened, all three went to bed.

Zi Feng said, "Husband, deflower your sister first!"

Jin Feng said, "No, let the elder sister go first, let me learn!"

"Yes! Zi Feng go first, let the younger sister have a good lesson!"

The two sisters undressed Xiao Bao first! Zi Feng exclaimed, "Wow! This is the first time I've ever seen one this big!"

"Big is good! It'll make you feel like you're in heaven!"

"That's hard to say. There are many big ones that are cleaned up in no time!"

"Mine is a diamond rod, you'll know once you try it!"

Xiao Bao and Jin Feng stripped Zi Feng completely naked.

Zi Feng lay flat on her back on the bed.

Xiao Bao and Jin Feng admired her beautiful body.

Zi Feng's body was truly beautiful to the extreme! White and tender, with distinct curves, her sexy delicacy even made Jin Feng's heart flutter.

Her breasts were round and high, with two red nipples pointing towards her chest. Even without a bra, her breasts maintained a remarkably perky shape, naturally alluring, making one want to reach out and play with them.

Looking at her lower body, her buttocks were so full and white, with round, graceful curves extending from her waist, stretching out in an arc into two large, fleshy lobes, their protrusion even surpassing that of her breasts! The curves beautifully connected to her glistening thighs, so symmetrical and perfectly proportioned, extending downwards, every part exquisitely beautiful, even her ankles and toes, breathtakingly beautiful.

Her lower abdomen was even more sensual, moderately rounded, slightly receding downwards to form a half-melon-shaped mons pubis, truly a unique genital feature, at least unlike Xiao Bao's three wives. Her full mons pubis was as large as two of theirs, with only a few sparse pubic hairs, the pores and skin a captivatingly reddish hue. Her

labia were large and reddish, the cleft three or four inches long, the mons pubis surrounded by tender, red flesh, with a thumb-sized clitoris protruding from the center.

I'd only ever heard that the girls of Datong Prefecture in Shanxi had "good holes" because the Datong entertainers forced female prostitutes to squat on jars from a young age. But Zi Feng's "hole" was definitely several times better than the "holes" of the Datong girls.

After admiring it, Xiao Bao made his move! His hands were as light as feathers, but wherever his fingers lightly touched Zi Feng's body, it trembled as if struck by lightning! Xiao Bao started from her ribs, gently moving his hands, then climbing up and down, until he reached the peaks of her breasts.

Zi Feng not only trembled all over, but also twisted.

She kept singing lewd songs like "ee-ee, ooh-ooh, yo-yo, wai-wai."

Xiao Bao ignored her and continued to wander over her breasts.

Suddenly, Zi Feng's breasts stood erect, and Zi Feng cried out, "My love, I'm so itchy!"

At this moment, Xiao Bao pressed one hand against the erect nipple, while the other hand was still moving between her chest and abdomen, but now he used both his hands and mouth, sucking on the nipple.

"Mmm...oh...ah...brother...brother...faster...faster...come...up...inside...it...it's...so...itchy...dear...brother...oh...I...can't...take...it...anymore..."

Xiao Bao used his mouth to block her mouth.

Zi Feng immediately offered her tongue.

Xiao Bao sucked on her tongue while his right hand kept moving downwards.

By the time they reached Honghekou, Zi Feng was already overflowing with desire! Xiao Bao knew it was time and immediately mounted her.

Afraid that he had gone to the wrong place, Zi Feng hurriedly guided his big penis to her vulva with both hands.

"Sizzle...gurgle...gurgle...ah..." straight to the bottom!

Zi Feng's face was flushed with pleasure, she was breathing sweetly, her vulva really felt like a snake swallowing an elephant, her big penis was completely swallowed!

Xiao Bao not only felt that her vulva was tight, warm, fragrant, and shallow, but also that her vagina was trembling with tightening and loosening, and her inner vulva was sucking like a baby suckling, which was really intoxicating, a phenomenon he had never experienced even after marrying three wives.

A surge of joy welled up within him! He began to move gently in sync, his movements so delicate. Gentle and slow, he pushed in slowly with a tender, nurturing tone.

After a few thrusts, Zi Feng let out a beautiful song: "Mmm...oh...brother...brother...so...beautiful...so...comfortable...I...I...want...to...fly...to...heaven...so...so...good...my...bones...are...tingling...oh...oh..."

Hearing her moan, Xiao Bao sank his buttocks down sharply, and Zi Feng's body trembled violently, her limbs grabbing Xiao Bao's back like an octopus.

"Oh...beautiful...so...good!"

After a few thrusts, Jin Feng heard a "squeaking" sound.

It turned out that Zi Feng had already been penetrated and was wet! At the same time, Zi Feng twisted her vulva below, responding to Xiao Bao's teasing.

Xiao Bao then worked even harder, each time his large penis entered, the glans pressed tightly against her clitoris, grinding and rotating, making Zi Feng feel ecstatic.

Although every woman longs for this divine, trembling pleasure, few men in the world can truly achieve it, but Xiao Bao is undoubtedly a master!

Zi Feng's juices flowed more and more abundantly, the sounds of "gu gan, ji ga!" growing louder and louder. Jin Feng, who hadn't even entered the fray yet, already had her pants soaked.

Xiao Bao finally unleashed his signature move, relentlessly grinding his penis after penetrating her.

Zi Feng also rocked her vulva, her teeth grinding together! Xiao Bao employed a "one-pull, two-fist, three-pounding, four-sending, five-pressing, six-turning hook!" He pulled out completely, and when he thrust in, he almost pushed his testicles in as well.

The two of them went at it for a full hour.

Zi Feng came three times before finally stopping.

Looking at Xiao Bao's penis, it remained proudly erect, standing tall and proud, like a mountain! Zi Feng grabbed her and kissed her, then slapped her, laughing, "You're truly the best in the world! Since I was deflowered, you've been the best! You made me feel so incredibly good!"

Xiao Bao and Zi Feng then helped Jin Feng undress. When they took off her pants, Zi Feng noticed they were wet and laughed, "Second girl, you're already so wet before you've even been deflowered! You'll probably have an orgasm tonight, hehe!"

Jin Feng was so embarrassed she covered her face with her hands.

After they undressed her, they admired the courtesan's beautiful body.

Like Zi Feng, she had delicate, white flesh that seemed to drip with moisture!

She was thinner than Zi Feng, but not bony; she was shapely in all the right places, no less so than Zi Feng.

Xiao Bao gently touched her body.

Jin Feng was struck dumb, trembling for a long time, like a temple bell tolling at midnight, its echo carrying for miles.

Because it was Jin Feng's first time being deflowered, Xiao Bao was especially fond of her. Also, since Jin Feng had witnessed what had just happened, her lower body was already aroused, making the deflowering process much easier.

Even so, Jin Feng's first experience inevitably resulted in soft, melodious cries! Xiao Bao finally deflowered Jin Feng, and gradually Jin Feng began to let out wanton moans, "Ah...ah...so beautiful...so wonderful...I...like...this...being...fucked...by...you...yes...harder...inside...with...your...big cock...fuck...fuck...my...little hole...you...you...fuck me to death!"... "Details need not be elaborated.

At dawn, all the servants on the ship returned to the ship. After serving the newlyweds, they all came to congratulate the new master and lady.

Xiao Bao was generous, giving each person a thousand taels regardless of age.

Everyone was overjoyed.

Xiao Bao stayed on the ship for three days.

But after the second day, he made his stance clear to the two women.

Xiao Bao said, "We have now consummated our marriage, but I cannot take you as concubines!" "

His words were a huge blow to the two of them, especially to Jin Feng. It was an unbearable shock. She had wanted to stay with him for life, but two days later, she fell into the water. She was devastated...

As for Zi Feng, since she entered the brothel and lost her virginity, Xiao Bao was the only man who satisfied her. Now that was gone, she was naturally very upset. However, she was an experienced brothel owner, and she remained relatively calm. With tears in her eyes, she asked, 'Husband, if you don't intend to take us two sisters, then why spend so much money to redeem us?'

'Sister! I redeemed you so that I could find you a better home!'

'This humble servant is ignorant and doesn't understand your profound words!'

'Let me put it simply! I want to use you two sisters to establish a connection with a relative!'

'What relative?' '

A relative by marriage!'

'I still don't understand?' " "

I want to adopt you as my sisters and find an opportunity to marry you off as concubines to a high-ranking official in the court. This way, you'll have a good future, and I'll gain a good relative. It's a win-win situation. Don't you agree?"

"We were bought by you, sir, with a large sum of money. According to the current imperial law, we're slaves, at your disposal, including our lives. How could we dare refuse?"

"No! I want you to be willing!" "

I don't know about my sisters, but I'm unwilling!"

"The man I plan to marry you off to is a first-rank official, the most favored by the Emperor!"

"To be honest, I don't want to!"

"Let me tell you, he's very young and beautiful!"

"Unwilling is unwilling!"

"Frankly, I'm reluctant to part with you. Putting aside everything else, in bed, you're far superior to my three wives. But I'm doing this to establish this relationship..."

"Why don't you give the other three to him?"

"They're not good enough; they can't seduce this high-ranking official!" "

Who exactly is this high-ranking official?"

"I can't say unless you agree!"

"This...?"

"Zifeng, I have a question for you from the bottom of my heart!"

"Please speak, my lord!"

"Are you Han Chinese?"

"Ah! Ha, ha, ha!"

"What are you laughing at?"

"If I were a member of the royal family, would I be selling my body on a pleasure boat!" Then she cried, cried very sadly.

"I'm sorry, little sister, I've hurt your feelings. But when I first arrived, I noticed your considerable knowledge of Chinese classics. Could you tell me more about it?"

"Husband, how many scholars perished when the Manchus entered the pass?"

"I know about the several literary inquisitions. Could it be that you…?"

"To tell you the truth, my sister and I are sisters, and we were both victims of the Manchu invasion, forced into the entertainment industry. It's thanks to our mother's kindness that we are where we are today!"

"Since you've spoken the truth, I won't hide it from you anymore. I am a junior subordinate of the former dynasty's eldest princess, and I work in anti-Manchu activities!"

"Ah! Is the One-Armed Nun still alive?"

"Because of her profound cultivation, although she is over a hundred, she still looks like she's

in her sixties!" "Where is she?"

"In Tianshan! Huh? How do you know her?"

"My grandfather often mentioned her when he was alive!"

"Who was your grandfather?"

"He was one of those who escaped the case of Grandpa Lü, but he was later killed!"

Xiao Bao took out the "Muni Bead" and handed it to her, saying, "Do you recognize this?"

"This bead is made of wood and is heavier than money. Is it the Muni Bead, the sacred token of the Divine Nun?"

"Exactly!"

"Since you possess the Divine Nun's token, I will follow your arrangements!" "

Since my virtuous sister is so understanding, I will tell you my plan!"

"Please speak

, my husband!" "My identity is the young master of Xingde, the adopted son and successor of my master's great-grandfather, the nameless Zen master, and my master's wife, on behalf of my late master, Mei Zonggan. Actually, this is just a story to deal with the Manchus. My master faked his death and left the capital; he is not dead at all. He is now assisting the Divine Nun in handling important matters in Tianshan. My father and master are sworn brothers!"

"Ah!"

"I will use a false identity and say that I was adopted by my mother when I was young, and that I am your adopted brother and sister. Later, I was taken away by my junior master's wife and became the young master of Xingde. We met here on the Qinhuai River. Do you think, with my identity, would you still be forced to sell yourselves?"

"Good idea! But who do you want us sisters to marry?"

"He Shen!"

"Ah! He Zhongtang?"

"Yes! He is currently the most favored person by Qianlong's side!"

"What do you want us to do after we marry him?"

"Nothing but be officials' wives, eating well, dressing well, and using the best things!"

"Then...?"

"His relationship with Emperor Qianlong is extremely special. No matter how corrupt he is, selling official positions and titles, Qianlong won't punish him. You just need to work together with his other wives to collect jewelry!"

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing else!"

"That's simple. A high-ranking official's concubine, eating, drinking, spending, using... hahahaha..."

"So you agree?"

"No!" "

Huh? No?" "

Right! I don't agree, but..."

"But what? "

"I can agree, but there are conditions! "

"What conditions? Tell me quickly!"

"After we marry him, we have to go back to our parents' home two or three times a month!"

"That's no problem, of course!"

"But..."

"But what?"

"Every time you go home, you have to maintain your current relationship with us!"

"Hahahaha! Excellent! If it weren't for the great cause, who would be willing to give you up? They'd be damned sons of bitches! That's settled, that's settled!"

"When do we go to the capital?"

"After three days, you'll move into Xingde as my godmother and godsister. I have some small matters to attend to, I'll leave as soon as I'm done!"

After clarifying this, the three of them huddled together again.

Meanwhile, Xiao Bao had a resounding victory! But Er Tu Zi had suffered a crushing defeat! What happened? Xiao Bao had been acting as the groom these past two days, while Er Tu Zi and his friends had been gambling, but they had suffered repeated defeats, losing a whopping 300,000 in just three days.

Xiao Bao, along with his fake godmother and godsister, moved into the Xingde Money Exchange, naturally wanting to have some fun. Xiao Bao also explained his fake marriage to everyone.

His three wives were now completely at ease with him.

The sisters were even closer than before.

When Xiao Bao asked about Er Tu Zi, Yu Hu Die told him everything.

Xiao Bao laughed, "That's easy, we'll settle it today!"

Er Tu Zi said, "We've already lost 300,000, what are we going to do?"

"We'll settle it today!"

"How?"

"Either win her back, or lose you to her!"

"Lose me to her?"

"Why not? I lost to Yu Hu Die, look how well-behaved she is now!" He said, pulling Yu Hu Die close and kissing her.

Yu Hu Die slapped him.

Everyone burst into laughter! Xiao Bao asked, "Er Tu Zi, what do you think? A beating is a sign of affection, a scolding is a sign of love!"

Everyone roared again! Except for Zi Feng and the others, everyone went to the "Yu Hua Tai" casino.

Upon seeing them, Cui Feng and Huo Yanfen smiled and said, "Gao Lu Kingdom is coming to the capital. How much are you sending today?"

Xiao Bao replied, "One trip here means one move away. Either you come to my house as my wife, or he comes to your house as your servant!"

"Alright! How about we bet?" "

Pick your best bet and bet three rounds with my second brother!"

"Okay!"

"Second brother, they've agreed. It's up to you!"

"Banker, we can't cheat!"

"You've been playing here for so many days. Have you figured out we're cheating?"

Er Tu Zi blushed! "Alright! Whatever you say, we'll see!"

Xiao Bao said, "Today, my second brother will gamble with you on a person!"

"Okay! Tell us your plan!"

"If we win, you'll marry into our family and become my second sister-in-law!"

"And if you lose?"

"My second brother will marry you!"

"Bullshit!"

"Let's talk this out! Why are you getting so angry?"

"Damn it, I'm the one who always loses. If I win, I'll be your wife; if I lose, I'll still be your wife. I'm determined to be your wife, win or lose!"

"Fine!"

"Fine my foot! You're the worst of this group!"

"Not only the worst, but also the best, right?"

Huo Yanfen glared at him fiercely.

Xiao Bao didn't care and instead stuck out his tongue and made a face at her.

Huo Yanfen was amused!

In the end, it was decided that if Huo Yanfen lost, she would be a slave for a year, but not a wife or concubine; if Er Tuzi lost, he would be a slave for a year. They would not object to the casino's dealings or help the dealer. Three dice to herd the old sheep, best two out of three rounds, all the gamblers as witnesses, so the two high-fived three times.

The competition began! The two played rock-paper-scissors to bet on who would roll first, the winner rolling second, and the bald guy won.

Huo Yanfen rolled a four-of-a-kind, a triple.

Baldy threw a random toss and got a perfect six!

He won the first round, and everyone was happy for him.

The second round, Huo Yanfen got another five.

Baldy threw very carefully this time.

Alas, he stumbled! Three sixes landed, but one was still wobbling and landed a five. He lost!

It was a tie, one to one, so they had to decide the final round.

Huo Yanfen threw again, another five!

Baldy was sweating profusely!

Normally, the Four Treasures of Tianshan could easily get a six, but they'd already missed. If they missed again, they'd be doomed!

Seeing Baldy's nervousness, Xiao Bao reminded him, "Baldy, don't be nervous. Even if you lose, you can still spend time with the girls and have some fun!"

Huo Yanfen scolded, "If there's no grass by the river, where will you find such a talkative horse and donkey?"

Baldy gritted his teeth and threw again! Again, three sixes landed, and one kept spinning.

The spinning die had everyone on the edge of their seats.

Then, with a loud "Oh no!" it landed as a four!

It was over!

Baldy was going to be a slave for a year!

Xiao Bao suddenly noticed a tiny white pebble, about the size of a millet grain, in the bowl and exclaimed, "This bet is rigged!"

Huo Yanfen said, "You call yourself a gambling champion, yet you don't even know the difference between cheating and dishonest betting. Did you see it rigged?"

Xiao Bao was speechless, and had no choice but to let Baldy be a slave for a year. (Chapter 11
, 01-21) Li Hao, holding a wax-sealed bamboo tube, said, "Second brother, urgent news from Tianshan! Quickly see what major event has occurred!" Everyone rushed to the hall. Xiao Bao, impatient, crushed the bamboo tube and pulled out a white silk scroll covered with densely written instructions. Everyone gathered around to look. The first paragraph was written by Mei Zaisheng: "By divine instruction from the nun, Qianlong's southern tour presents an excellent opportunity to instigate border unrest. We have already informed the Ma brothers and reached an agreement with the Dzungars. We will support a group of skilled warriors from the mountains and supply them with their necessities. They can rebel against the Qing and declare independence at any time. Currently, they have approximately 20,000 men. We plan to support 2,000 men from the mountains as the vanguard. We have also allocated one million taels of silver and one hundred cartloads of daily necessities. Although a complete victory in this war is unlikely, it should be enough to wear down the Manchus for two to three years. In this way..." The strength of the Manchu army has been greatly weakened, but once the war begins, Jiayuguan is the only passage to the mountains and may be closed. Therefore, ten million taels of silver should be urgently transferred in the near future, and the more supplies the better. If twenty or thirty thousand pieces of jewelry worth thirty or fifty taels each can be obtained, that would be even better. Furthermore, the previous report stated that the garrison commander of Jiayuguan is under control. Da Niu should be ordered to take his family to Jiayuguan to make contact nearby. If necessary, he should be heavily bribed. Remember this! Also, "You can go to the capital as the young master of Xingde and, as in the Kangxi era, guarantee their salaries. You can also profit from it!" The master then instructed: "Xiao Bao, I am very happy that you have married three disciples for me. If it weren't for the greater good, I really wouldn't have been willing to give Shuangfeng to He Kun. Sigh! I have to endure it for the greater good! But after the greater good is achieved, you should bring them up the mountain as well. Remember this! Little Master's wife Zhu Ying instructed." The third paragraph was written by Ma Pingshan, the eldest of the Ma brothers: "Ji'er, we are going to fight." "Your father and your second uncle are leading men to support the Dzungars this time. Let's have a good fight. You must cooperate with Qiyue and do your best. Don't embarrass your father!" "Father !" Everyone was eager to fight the Manchus. Xiao Bao said, "Everyone, everyone, don't be nervous. The war is between the mountain people and the Dzungars. It has nothing to do with us. Let's just prepare according to the instructions!" He dampened everyone's enthusiasm. Da Niu said, "Uncle Mei wants my wife and me to go to Jiayuguan. When are we going?" "We'll go as soon as we decide!" "Er Tu Zi lost to them. What should we do?" "Don't worry. This war will last for several years. Besides, Er Tu Zi isn't a novice. I guarantee you'll be back with Huo Yan Fen within three months!" "Are you really sure?" "Of course!" Xiao Lai Zi said, "If he doesn't come back, we'll hold you responsible!" "No problem. If all else fails, we'll use you to exchange for him! " Everyone burst into laughter at his words, easing the tense atmosphere considerably. Xiao Bao asked, " Second Brother Li!" Li Hao replied, "Brother, what's the matter?" "Second Brother, how much money do the Xingde Money Shops in Jinling and Nanchang have?" Li Bin roughly calculated and said, "Since their establishment, besides the monthly support of 50,000 taels to the mountain, they've had an income of about 30,000 to 40,000 taels. Over these twenty years, it's at least ten million! How much do you need, brother?" " Second Brother, urgently transfer three million taels to Xi'an from here. We'll head there right away!" "Good! Ship it within three days!" "Good! I'll count it at Uncle Shen's place!" Xiao Bao and the others rushed to Xi'an overnight. Shen Kui's "Green Field Manor!" Da Niu went home to meet his wife. As soon as Shen Kui saw them, he asked, "Where are Da Niu and Er Tu Zi?" "Uncle, Da Niu went home to hug his wife! Er Tu Zi lost to someone!" "What? Lost to someone? What happened?" " Xiao Bao told me about Er Tu Zi and Shuang Yan Fen. "Hahahaha! Only treasures like you could come up with something like this!" Shen Kui then asked, "How many of them are there?" "Come! Come and pay your respects to your uncle!" Princess Yu Rong, Huo Yu Jie, and Yu Hu Die all came over! Xiao Bao pointed at Yu Rong and said, "Yu Rong, the daughter of the Seventh Princess!" "Yu Rong pays her respects to her uncle!" she said, bowing down. "Get up, get up! Your mother and your Shi Ren Yun had a past relationship, ahahaha! You younger generation are getting together!" Xiao Bao then pointed at Huo Yu Gu and said, "Old Master Huo's youngest daughter, you should recognize her, Uncle!" "Hahahaha! I recognize her, I recognize her, Hong Yan Zi is right, she really did follow you!" Shuang Yu Jie hurriedly bowed down and said, "Yu Jie pays her respects to Uncle Shen!" "Get up, get up!" Xiao Bao then pointed at Yu Hu Die and said, "Shi Yu Die, Old Master Shi's grandniece!" “ Shi Yudie greets Uncle Shen!” She also bowed. “Ah! Old Master Shi has a grandniece?” Xiao Bao briefly recounted the Shi family affairs. “Ah! Is that so!” Then he took Yudie’s hand. Xiao Bao then introduced the Qin Huai Shuangfeng and the madam, saying only that they were his godmother and two god-sisters. The madam and Shen Kui exchanged greetings. The Shuangfeng bowed deeply in greeting! After all the introductions were finished, Shen Kui asked, “What brings you here this time…?” Xiao Bao presented him with the instructions from Tianshan. Upon seeing them, Shen Kui exclaimed excitedly, “Ah! A war is about to break out! Good! Good!” “Uncle, the plan on the mountain is to fight for several years, and they need us to prepare silver and supplies!” “No problem. The Dzungar tribe alone only has more than 20,000 people. They can fight for ten years without any problem. The four branches I manage alone have more than 50 million taels. I’ll have them prepare tomorrow, and they can be shipped at any time!”

"Good! If that's the case, then I'm relieved! I've allocated three million taels from my second brother, Li Hao, and it will be delivered within three days!"

"Good! Let's send ten million taels to the mountain first, and then you can use the pretext of guaranteeing wages to get another ten million taels to the mountain. That's enough for ten years of fighting!"

"Good! Uncle, let's do it that way! As for the supplies, you can handle that too! I'll go to Beijing in a few days and make arrangements there!"

"Good! Let's do it both ways. Tell Da Niu to quickly take his wife to Jiayuguan to guard the gate; that place absolutely cannot afford any problems!"

"Don't worry, Uncle! Those guards have already been bribed!"

Meanwhile, Emperor Qianlong returned to the capital. He ordered the ministers who had accompanied him on this trip, skilled in painting, to each paint forty scenes of the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, and then rebuild the Yuanmingyuan according to these designs.

He entrusted this cushy task to his favorite ministers and the Grand Secretary.

When He Shen took over the case, it was a golden opportunity—a chance to make a fortune. He first issued a nationwide order to collect imperial timber, then, most notably, to list the wealthy across the country and donate to the project.

He let them run wild, but Emperor Qianlong didn't interfere.

Xingde, the largest money house in the country, had a donation limit of one million taels set by He Shen.

Xiao Bao saw this as his chance to shine. Not only did he obey the order, but he also led the way, doubling his donation. The very next day, upon receiving the donation notice, he presented two million taels of silver notes to the Grand Secretary.

He Shen, who had only ordered donations yesterday, was overjoyed to see someone double the amount—two million taels in one go! He immediately ordered an audience

. Xiao Bao followed the order to the reception room to pay his respects to Grand Secretary He.

He Shen said, "Young Master Mei, you truly support my policies!"

"Your Excellency! It is a great honor for this humble subject to be summoned by Your Excellency!" He then presented a brocade pouch.

He Shen opened it and read… Wow! They were all jewels the size of longan fruits, dazzlingly bright. He'd seen the world; each of these large gems was worth at least ten thousand taels of silver, fifty in total.

"What is this...?"

"A small token of my greeting, please accept it, sir!"

"Ah...this..."

"This humble subject will rely heavily on your esteemed assistance in the future!"

"Hahaha! I'm ashamed to accept it!" He accepted it without hesitation! Then He Kun said, "Young Master Mei, you're really generous!"

"Your Excellency, you probably don't know the relationship between Xingde and the royal family?"

"What did you say? Xingde is related to the royal family?"

"When my late master was alive, the late emperor was still a prince. The two were bosom friends. My late master personally promised Xingde everything he had to support the late emperor!"

"Ah! Is that so?" "

After the late emperor ascended the throne and my late master passed away, Xingde severed ties with the royal family. Even now, when the Empress Dowager is still the wife of Prince Yong, she still wants to recognize my little master's wife as a god-princess!"

"So you're not exactly close to the royal family!"

"Of course, people like the three-dynasty veteran, Lord E, are all relatives and friends of my late master!"

"Oh! Then I'll take some time to pay my respects when I have the honor of visiting your Xingde brand!"

"To have Your Excellency grace us with your presence would truly be an honor for us humble people!"

"Alright, I'll take some time to pay my respects in the next couple of days!" Then he picked up his teacup.

Xiao Bao hurriedly said, "This humble subject takes his leave!" (It turns out that in the Qing Dynasty, serving tea was a way of saying goodbye.)

As soon as Xiao Bao stood up, He Kun said, "See Young Master Mei out for me!"

The servants hurriedly replied, "Yes, sir!"

He Kun actually went to the palace to ask Emperor Qianlong about the relationship between Xingde and the late emperor. Qianlong didn't hide anything, saying that without Xingde, it would have been difficult for the late emperor to become emperor, and he also told him about losing his personal jade pendant during his southern tour. Upon hearing this,

He Kun realized that everything Xiao Bao said was true, and he returned the visit the next day.

Xiao Bao invited him into the back hall, and as they were chatting, they heard someone call out from outside the door, "Is Brother here?" Then the door was pushed open, and two simply dressed but beautiful women appeared, as beautiful as flowers, as lovely as lotuses emerging from the water, extremely charming! The elder one said, "Oh! Those maids and servants are really hateful, my brother met with the official, and didn't even tell him!" As she spoke, she glanced at He Kun.

Upon seeing these two beauties, He Kun was completely captivated.

But the two women quickly closed the door and left! He Kun hurriedly asked, "Young Master Mei, who are these two...?"

"Ahem! Your Excellency, this is a thorn in my side!"

"What is it?"

"Your Excellency, you don't know my background?"

"Aren't you a descendant of the legendary Young Master Mei of Yangzhou?"

"Ah! Hahaha! I've never even met my late adoptive father and master!"

"What's going on?"

"My lord! To be honest, I was an orphan from a young age, raised by a kind foster mother for eight years. She had two daughters, one seven years old and the other one year old. When I was eight, I met my grandmaster and his wife, who bought me from my foster mother for a thousand taels of silver to become my master's adopted son and successor!"

"Oh! That's how you became the Young Master Mei!"

"Yes! I'm with three other sworn brothers like myself in the Mei family, but my mistress put me in charge of reorganizing Xingde!"

"And what about you and these two young ladies?"

"Ahem! It's like this, my original foster mother's family suffered a great calamity, and I ended up in Jinling's Qinhuai River area!"

"Yes!"

"What are they doing?"

"Those two sisters have become prostitutes on pleasure boats!"

"How did you run into them again?"

"Well, I went to Nanjing to check on the business of the Xingde branch. The salesman took us on a pleasure boat tour. I look different, but my adoptive mother hasn't changed at all. I recognized her immediately!"

"How old is your adoptive mother?"

"She was in her thirties when I left, and she's only in her forties now!"

"Hmm! People don't change at that age!"

"After inquiring, I found out that the Qinhuai Twin Phoenixes are my two adopted sisters!"

"And then?"

"Later, I pretended to give them 200,000 taels of silver to redeem them, and they were released from their status and came to the capital with me!"

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Sigh! This is what's troubling me!"

"Why not marry them off?"

"Difficult, difficult. Difficult!"

"What's so difficult about that?"

"My lord, please think about it. Given my current status..."

"Hmm! The young master of Xingde, the richest man in the world, hahahaha!"

"Do you think you can give them to someone of questionable character?"

"Hmm! That's true!"

“But think about it, if they want to marry a respectable gentleman, and given their backgrounds in the pleasure quarters of Qinhuai, what would happen if people found out…?”

“You mustn’t let people know!”

“Sir, can secrets stay hidden forever?”

“…Well, what do you plan to do?”

“I’m really struggling with this. Do you have any suggestions, sir?”

“Why not just tell them directly!”

“If you tell them, will they still be willing?”

“This…”

“This humble subject does have an idea!”

“What idea?”

"The only way is to find a good master to be my concubine!"

"A concubine?"

"Yes! Find an official who isn't too old, and a wife who isn't too demanding, and I'll be his concubine. That way I can feel at ease. To avoid being looked down upon, my brother can offer a large dowry of jewels!"

"Is that really your idea?"

"Tell me, is there a better way?"

"Hmm! That's quite a good idea!"

"Unfortunately, I don't know many officials in the capital!"

"What do you think, Your Majesty?"

"Show them out!"

He Kun, seeing his change of attitude, also became angry and said, "If you don't want to, then don't. Is this how you treat me?"

"Ah! Hahahaha! Send Your Majesty back to your residence to prepare. I'll send those sisters to your residence tonight!"

He Kun also laughed loudly, "So you're telling me to go back to my residence to prepare!"

"Your Majesty, please consider this: you are second only to the emperor, above all others. I would never dare to presume to be your equal. Now that you have spoken, would I, a humble subject, miss this opportunity?"

The two of them laughed loudly at the same time! He Kun said, "So I really have to go back to my residence to prepare!"

"I sent her sisters to the Zhongtang Mansion. Once you enter the gates of a noble family, it's like entering a deep sea. This will be a hardship for my foster mother!"

"You can send your foster mother to my residence too!"

"She's the mother of your concubine, her position is awkward!"

"Then I'll have them come back to visit more often each month!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. You go back to your residence first. Her sisters will be there before the lanterns are lit!"

At dusk, Xiao Bao, accompanied by two sedan chairs carried by four men, rode a tall horse into the Zhongtang Mansion.

The Zhongtang Mansion was already prepared. As soon as they entered, there was music and celebration! The newlyweds alighted from their sedan chairs in the back hall.

A huge lantern burned brightly in the bridal chamber! He Kun sat in the center on a large armchair. A servant acted as the master of ceremonies, announcing: "The newlyweds alight from their sedan chairs

!" At this moment, the Shuangfeng sisters alighted.

Maids and servants came to help them up! Then the master of ceremonies called out again: "Greetings, Master!" The two sisters bowed to He Kun.

"Rise!"

The two sisters bowed and rose! Xiao Bao, standing to the side, said, "We should pay our respects to the lady. Where is she?"

He Kun laughed heartily, "I have seven or eight wives, including those bestowed by the Emperor, but I haven't decided who should be the Grand Secretary's wife. They are all sisters!"

As he spoke, seven or eight brightly dressed women entered from outside the door. They were all He Kun's concubines, and they became very affectionate with the Shuangfeng sisters!

Xiao Bao asked curiously, "The Grand Secretary doesn't have a principal wife yet?"

"Indeed, my relationship with the Emperor is probably not something you can hide from me."

Xiao Bao didn't know how to respond at this point, so he just smiled and remained silent.

He Kun said, "Sometimes he gives me two women he's had left outside. We're like two people, so we can't refuse. Sometimes he comes to me and takes a fancy to these sisters, so I can't refuse to let them serve him. That's why I haven't established a principal wife; I only play with concubines, not a principal wife!"

Xiao Bao laughed, "Our emperor is strange; he especially likes to play with noblewomen. This time during his southern tour, he slept with all the wives, daughters, and courtesans of those who received him!"

"That's right, the emperor has this quirk!"

"I heard that Grand Secretary Fu Huan's wife, Dong E, is having an affair with him?"

"This sister-in-law is a great beauty among the Eight Banners, and she gave him an illegitimate son named Fukang'an, which he adores!"

"And what about in the future?"

"He'll surely be rewarded with a yellow sash and a noble title!" "

Is that alright?"

"His own flesh and blood, who dares to say anything?"

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily! At this moment, the Shuangfeng sisters presented two pieces of their dowry jewelry to each of the ladies of similar height.

Upon seeing them, He Kun's eyes lit up. Each jewel was worth twenty or thirty thousand taels of silver. He laughed heartily, "Your two sisters truly have the bearing of a noble lady. I can choose one of them to be my wife!"

"My lord, you absolutely cannot! They are unfortunate and of lowly birth. If you do this, you will only bring them misfortune!"

The two laughed again! He Kun smiled and said, "They are more generous than me! They hang their jewels on others to admire, while mine are all kept in the storeroom!"

Xiao Bao said, "Jewels in the storeroom are useless!"

"What do you mean?"

"They can't be eaten, nor can they be looked at. They are only for the person in charge to admire!"

"What do you suggest we do then?"

"Hang them all on shelves to admire every day!"

"How many shelves would that require? How many people to watch over them?"

"Hang them all on the concubines. With the concubines in charge, not a single one will be missing. When you see the concubines, you also see the jewels!"

"Right! How did I come up with that idea? Good! Tell the storeroom manager to set the jewels into ornaments and give them to all the ladies to wear!"

From then on, he amassed even greater wealth! The wedding banquet began.

Perfectly, twenty people at a large round table.

He Kun sat in the center, with Shuang Feng on either side.

Xiao Bao sat opposite him.

The rest were He Kun's concubines.

It seemed most of He Kun's concubines were former prostitutes; otherwise, why would they keep rubbing against Xiao Bao during the banquet?

As the second watch of the night approached, Xiao Bao said, "It's getting late! A moment of bliss is worth a thousand pieces of gold; I should take my leave!"

He rode back to Xingde. Upon entering, everyone was waiting for news in the hall. He recounted how Shuang Feng had been sent to the Zhongtang Mansion.

Old Godmother (the madam of Qinhuai) said, "From now on, we'll have to see how these two children behave!"

Yu Hudie blurted out, "Maybe they'll even get to the Emperor's bed!"

Xiao Bao scolded, "Children don't know any better; how can they say such things!"

Everyone burst into laughter! Kang Wu said, "This has really put a plaster on He Kun, but this method isn't very clever!"

Little Rascal said, "Grandpa, haven't you heard? Great men don't concern themselves with details. Think of Guan Zhong shooting the hook!"

"Hahaha! That's the only way to comfort myself!"

Now, let's talk about He Kun!

After the wedding, there was nothing more to say, let's go to the bridal chamber!

The old man had killed two birds with one stone tonight. He was overjoyed! After entering the room, he had to undress.

The two sisters helped him undress. Don't be fooled by his status as a first-rank official, a high-ranking official among the Three Ministers. Compared to Xiao Bao, his manhood was nothing!

Less than five inches, pointed and thin, and still covered. However, the two women had other purposes in marrying him, so they tolerated this three-inch withered bark! "Who wants to go first?"

Zi Feng said, "My sister has only been deflowered for a few days, her hole is still warm, sir, hurry up and go, the cover is almost like the original!"

"Oh! Hahaha!" He Kun laughed and went to Jin Feng! Although Jin Feng and Xiao Bao had been doing it for several days, Xiao Bao was naturally well-endowed, and although he made Jin Feng feel like she was dying and she was having a great time, Xiao Bao's penis was still extra large, and it still hurt a little when it was inserted. But that's better, it's like she was just deflowered.

As soon as He Kun got on top of her, he felt that Jin Feng's vagina was completely different from any he had ever used before. It was tight, warm, fragrant, dry, and shallow! Absolutely wonderful! Jin Feng then used all the techniques she had learned on the pleasure boat: sucking, licking, clamping, arching, and kneading.

He Kun exclaimed, "Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful! I've never encountered such a beautiful vagina since I started having sex. How did you train?"

"My lord! Don't ask anymore, just hurry up and move! When I'm with my sister, you'll know what a human vagina feels like! Hehe!"

"Your sister's is even better than yours?" "

Oh—so much better, otherwise how could she be a famous courtesan of Qinhuai, hehe!"

Good! In order to end the war as soon as possible, He Kun buried himself in his work!

Fifteen minutes later, it was done! The Shuang Feng sisters busied themselves cleaning him up, even washing his anus repeatedly.

At this time, the Shuang Feng sisters held him on their left and right sides, so that he could recover his energy as soon as possible.

A full quarter of an hour later, He Kun's penis finally rose again.

Seeing that the time was right, Zi Feng quickly asked Jin Feng to massage him while she rinsed her mouth with fragrant tea and then began to use her tongue.

Normally, flirting with the tongue is initiated by the man, but the sisters knew that He Kun was a high-ranking official and would never flirt with women. To cater to his tastes, the two sisters took the initiative.

She did as men would with women, starting with licking his earlobes, then his breasts (women licking a man's breasts actually elicited a response), then his navel, lower abdomen, and finally, they both licked his five-inch glans and testicles simultaneously.

He Kun was already fully erect from the licking, his legs stiff and taut!

Zi Feng knew that Emperor Qianlong was skilled in this area, possessing a large penis, so she rinsed her mouth again and licked his penis, making him feel incredibly good. Only then did Zi Feng begin to engage him. He Kun

mounted her! Jin Feng helped support him.

*Sizzle—gurgle—gurgle—*aww*, she thrust all the way in! Zi Feng began to exert her power, causing her to tremble incessantly below! He Kun was so pleased with himself that he almost ejaculated right away.

Luckily, Jin Feng was there to help, pressing his acupoint to stimulate his ejaculation. He felt his penis harden, and although he was about to ejaculate, the pressure on his lower back prevented him from ejaculating, making him even harder. He was overjoyed! He then began to vigorously penetrate Zi Feng!

Zi Feng was naturally gifted, further enhanced by years of exposure to the pleasure boats of Qinhuai. Compared to the "extravagant" girls of Datong Prefecture, she was far superior! He Kun was ecstatic, utterly delighted!

Zi Feng used all her skills to please him.

Her

mons pubis was large and wide!

Her vagina was tight and smooth!

Her clitoris was hooked and curved!

Her clitoris was large and pointed!

Her vagina was large, wide, and high, making penetration easier.

Her vagina was tight and smooth, enveloping him tightly after penetration, yet without any pressure.

Her clitoris was hooked and curved, its base nibbling with pleasure during penetration, causing immense excitement.

Her clitoris was large and pointed, grinding against the glans and hooking it, a sensation of unparalleled pleasure! Zi Feng channeled her energy again, driving He Kun mad with pleasure! He felt his lower body being constantly gripped and loosened by her vagina, then sucked and licked, and then hooked and pulled! He felt waves of tingling, numbness, and itching—it was incredibly pleasurable!

He exclaimed, "Zi Feng!"

"My lord!"

"I've never felt so good in my life!"

"It's my honor to make you feel good!"

"I'm telling the truth!"

"I'm telling the truth too! Hehe!"

Zi Feng coaxed him.

"Zifeng!"

"My lord!"

"This is the first time in my life I've felt so exhilarated. Even the current emperor has never felt this good. We're practically inseparable. I think you could greet the emperor for me one of these days!"

"What? You want to greet him?"

"You don't want to?"

"My lord, I'm a slovenly girl from the Qinhuai River. Aren't you afraid I might offend the emperor? That would be a capital offense!"

"Ahem! You're exaggerating. Our emperor is no good at anything, except visiting brothels. There was a 'Third Sister' in the Eight Great Hutongs before, and this time in Jiangnan he's brought seven or eight brothel girls, all of whom are now staying at Wang Rulong's house!"

"I don't care about myself, but now I'm your concubine?"

"Oh! That's not a problem at all. We're practically inseparable!"

"My lord, what do you mean by that?"

"Now I don't need to hide it from you anymore. I'm a Manchu official student!"

"What's a Manchu official student?"

"It's like a scholar who passed the imperial examinations in Han Chinese!"

"Oh!"

"I come from the lower three banners, my status is only that of a bondservant!"

"Sir, what is a bondservant?"

"A bondservant is a servant in the household of the royal family and nobility!"

"And you, sir?"

"My family spent some money to hire me as a sedan chair bearer in the palace!"

"You've carried the Emperor's sedan chair?"

"Yes! One day the Emperor was going out, but the procession wasn't complete, and the Emperor got angry, asking whose fault it was. I boldly replied, 'The Yellow Guard cannot shirk responsibility!' The Emperor ordered me to look up, and he suddenly said..."

"What did the Emperor say?"

"How did you end up as a boy?"

"What does that mean?"

"I didn't know at the time!"

"And then?"

"The Emperor told me to loosen my collar, and after I did, he saw the bloodstain on my neck and asked me my age!"

"Sir, that year..."

"Twenty-four!"

"And then?"

"The Emperor stopped going out of the palace, called me to the inner palace, and pulled me into his arms. He kept repeating: 'How did you end up as a boy, how did you end up as a boy!'" "I heard a rumor in the palace that when the Emperor was a prince, he took a liking to the late Emperor's Consort Ma Jia. The current Empress Dowager discovered this and ordered her strangled. On a whim, I told the Emperor, 'Your Majesty has wronged me so badly!'

" "And then?"

"Of course, I suffered greatly, but I also rose through the ranks from a mere scholar to where I am today!"

"So you still sing 'The Song of the Rear Courtyard' with the Emperor?"

"Rarely! But back then I sang every night, but I was also rising in rank every day. Later, I sang less, and in recent years I haven't sung at all. But when he has other women, he invites me to try them out, and when I have other good women, I invite him to try something different!"

"Then what about me?"

"You are the first woman I've discovered who is truly feminine. I want to invite the Emperor to try something new. If you really don't want to, then forget it!"

"As long as Your Majesty doesn't care, what am I afraid of?"

"Alright, it's settled then. I'll invite His Majesty to the mansion one day!"

"What about those prostitutes the Emperor used to play with?"

"He's already had his fun, so what? Do you think he'd bring her into the palace?!"

"What about those 'Third Sisters' from the Eight Great Hutongs?"

"He's long forgotten them! Hahahaha!"

"My lord, Xiao Bao has a friend, known as Master Luo the Seventh, who is a patron of the Third Miss. Because the Third Miss was favored by the Emperor, the two of them are now linked!"

"That's easy. Tell your brother. Let them get married. I'll handle everything!"

"Thank you, my lord!"

He Kun was now aroused by her again.

Zi Feng used all her charms! Under the influence of Mei Jia Mei, He Kun ejaculated.

Three days later, the bride returned to her parents' home! Zi Feng told Xiao Bao about He Kun's arrangement for Master Luo the Seventh to marry the Third Miss.

Xiao Bao was overjoyed and hurriedly ran to the 'Yinglong Bookstore' to discuss it with the madam.

The madam thought back to when she was a prostitute, she was patronized by Emperor Kangxi. If it weren't for the young master of Xingde's intervention, she wouldn't have dared to accept clients. Now, the third young lady was just like her. A lustful emperor wouldn't care about a prostitute. Master Luo was not only the third young lady's patron but also a fourth-rank official. If the third young lady married him, she would immediately become a fourth-rank lady, and she would be the mother-in-law. Why should she continue to make this bloody money? So she readily agreed.

Xiao Bao asked about the third young lady's price. The madam immediately refused, "Not a penny!"

Xiao Bao said, "Madam, there must be a condition for not offering a price?"

"Of course, I want Master Luo to marry her properly!"

Xiao Bao thought for a moment and said, "How about I ask Lord He to send someone to be the matchmaker?"

"Having Lord He send someone to be the matchmaker is no less than an imperial decree. Of course, that's good. Can you do it?"

"Let me try!"

Xiao Bao returned and told Zi Feng!

Zi Feng said, "You've thought of everything. With He Kun as matchmaker, it's like getting permission from the Emperor. I think he'll definitely show up in person, but...?"

"But what?"

"I'll have to plead with him a bit!"

"That'll be a lot of trouble for you!"

"Ugh! You don't know how tiring it is to plead with him!"

"How so?"

"He's like an old, withered twig; it's so unbearable to keep at it!"

"There's no other way. You'll have to go back to your parents' home and I'll make it up to you!"

Xiao Bao hugged her tightly and caressed her. After a night of this, Xiao Bao had the sisters completely submissive and sent them home obediently.

The next day, He Kun sent a message that he had personally acted as matchmaker for Luo Xiaoqi and the Third Miss.

The madam was overjoyed! Her mouth was practically crooked with delight! Xiao Bao's gift to the matchmaker was a pair of large pearls, worth a full 100,000 taels of silver.

Luo Xiaoqi was the leader of the national military corps; would any military corps not send a gift for his wedding? Those who lived near Beijing all took leave to come, and those who lived far away sent their gifts. The total came to a full 200,000 taels of silver, which Luo Xiaoqi handed over to his new wife, who then entrusted it to Lao Taishui for safekeeping.

Although the madam didn't ask for a fee, the congratulatory gifts alone amounted to over 200,000 taels.

After all the celebrations were over, Xiaobao handled everything himself. Inside the Xingde Money Exchange, a high tent was erected, and a banquet of thirty tables was held. Everyone Luo Xiaoqi knew, except those who had dealings with Xingde, was invited. The last group alone included over three hundred members of the Beggars' Sect—it was quite a lively affair! Since

we're having a wedding in Beijing, let's send our writer to Jiayuguan!

Da Niu, along with his wife Huo Fenghuang and Huo Yanfang, arrived in Jiuquan.

Huo Fenghuang was still dressed in red, attracting attention everywhere.

As soon as the two entered the Weida Inn, the clerk greeted Da Niu, saying, "Uncle, who is this?"

He pointed to Huo Fenghuang and asked. "Brother, that's your sister-in-law!" he then called for Huo Fenghuang to come forward and pay her respects.

These past few days, Phoenix had been completely obedient to Da Niu,

so she stepped forward and called out "Big Brother," then bowed respectfully.

"Auntie, I dare not accept such a title!"

"Hehe! What's going on here? Big Brother and Little Nephew at the same time?"

"This is Li Hu from the mountain, you should just call him Big Brother!"

"Alright! Let's each call each other what we mean!"

And so, Da Niu and the others called her Big Brother, while the innkeeper maintained the respect due to a nephew.

"Big Brother, is our sworn sister-in-law still living in the inn?"

"Yes, yes, not only is she there, but she also gave birth to a big, healthy son!"

"Seriously, it's been several years since we entered the pass!"

The two of them burst into laughter! Just then, a chubby, pink-cheeked baby, just learning to talk and walk, came out!

Phoenix immediately picked him up and held him in her arms.

The child wasn't shy at all, and even playfully scratched her face with his little hands! The shopkeeper chuckled, "This is the jade doll of that sentry!"

Fire Phoenix reached behind her back and touched her robes, exclaiming, "Oh no!"

"What's wrong?"

"I didn't bring anything valuable!"

"What do you need valuables for?"

"Can we meet the jade doll empty-handed?"

"Oh dear! I only have a few hundred taels of jewelry on me! What should I do?"

"Uncle, don't worry, Grandpa Zui has a batch of jewelry, pick a few pieces!"

"Brother, let's not argue about titles. You call Grandpa Zui 'Uncle,' and I call you 'Uncle,' it's all a mess. Let's be brothers!"

"Alright, alright, brother!"

"That's much more straightforward!" Da Niu turned to Fire Phoenix and said, "Let's go kowtow to Grandpa Zui!"

Fire Phoenix handed the jade doll to the shopkeeper, and the two went to the Xingde Saquan branch.

Upon entering,

they saw Ren Changxing smoking his pipe.

Da Niu hurriedly led Huo Fenghuang to kowtow, saying, "Ge Meng and Huo Fenghuang greet Grandpa Zui!"

"Oh! Da Niu, there's one more mouth to feed! Where are their treasures?"

His words made Huo Fenghuang blush with embarrassment! "Er Tu has lost and become someone's servant, Xiao Bao and Xiao Lai Li are in Beijing!"

"Get up, get up! Why are you back?"

The two stood up and sat down.

Da Niu explained in detail what he had done over the past few years.

"I know you killed Yongzheng. Because I went back to the mountain, everyone said you were amazing. It seems you're going to do something great again!"

"We still need Grandpa Zui's guidance!"

"You look like a fierce Zhang Fei, quite the talker!"

Da Niu blushed deeply with embarrassment! "Besides coming to see me, is there anything else you need?"

"Does Grandpa Zui have any valuable jewelry with him?"

"Yes, how much do you need?"

"This junior wants to heavily bribe the garrison commander of Jiayuguan, and I have..."

"Didn't I tell you I have some!" He then went to the inner room and retrieved a brocade pouch, pouring out dozens of dazzling large jewels, which, to an expert, would be worth over a million.

Ren Changxing said, "Choose as much as you need!"

"This junior wants to give the garrison commander's son, Yuwawa, a small gift!"

"Hmm!" Ren Changxing picked out two jewels, one red and one blue, saying, "This is a fire oil diamond and a blue diamond, the best of these, worth about 100,000 taels. Use these! You can come and get them whenever you need them. Also, if you need money, just tell Shui Dongliu!"

"Grandpa Zui! Who is Shui Dongliu?"

"The innkeeper of Weida Inn! You can discuss things with him if you have any problems. He's not only mature and steady, but he also has a lot of ideas!"

The two returned to the inn with two diamonds.

As soon as they met, the innkeeper asked, "Does Uncle Zui have any?"

"Brother Shui, yes, yes, look!" Da Niu said, handing him the two diamonds.

Shui Dongliu accepted the two pieces and nodded, saying, "These are the two best pieces from Master Zui's place. This gift is quite substantial!"

"Brother Shui, could you prepare a few tables of food for me tonight?"

"No need tonight, tomorrow. They have a gathering tonight, you two can enjoy a free meal!"

"What kind of gathering?"

"It's a long story!"

"Brother, take your time, there's plenty of time!"

"It's like this, last time they made the opera troupe's leading lady their mistress, didn't they ask me to send her a thousand taels of silver every month?"

"I know about that!"

"This leading lady is cunning!"

"How so?" "

Although Xiao Bao said it was to let her take the thousand taels of silver every month to improve her status, she's an experienced opera singer and knows there's more to it than meets the eye. In the end, she refused and tried to force me!"

"Brother, what about you?"

"Of course I wouldn't tell the truth. I told her it was purely out of good intentions, to consolidate the sentry's leadership!"

"She believed me and also explained it to the sentry!"

"And then?"

"She distributed all the money to the soldiers, and they obeyed her even more than the sentry officer!"

"How did she distribute it?"

"She's a master!"

"How so?"

"Well, she didn't give it secretly, but openly!"

"How?"

"For the wounded and sick, she paid for the famous doctors' treatment, no matter how much it cost. After they recovered, she gave them several dozen taels for recuperation!"

"Great! Brilliant!"

"The army can't be sick every day, can they? But everyone has birthdays!"

"Yes! Of course!"

"Every month she holds a birthday party, gathering everyone celebrating their birthdays. After a big feast, she gives each person several dozen taels for their birthday!"

"A good idea!"

"She was originally a concubine, but now she's the elder brother's wife!"

"Tonight's gathering is probably..."

"Yes! Tonight they're having a birthday party!"

Evening! A large group of garrison commanders from Jiayuguan arrived.

Da Ke'er recognized Da Niu, so they became very friendly! Not long after, the sentry officer returned, and the other two sentry leaders also arrived.

Only one sentry commander remained at the pass with the rest of the men. Upon

seeing Da Niu, the sentry commander exclaimed, "Hey! It's been years! You're back! I've missed you terribly!" He clapped his large, hairy hand.

Da Niu said, "Phoenix! Come and greet the brothers at the pass!"

Good heavens! The border guards had never seen such a beautiful woman before; they were all stunned.

Frankly, even their own wives and young actresses paled in comparison.

Phoenix greeted everyone with great poise! The sentry commander asked, "And you are...?"

"Her? Her name is 'Phoenix'!"

Just from the name, you could tell she wasn't from an ordinary background.

Listen further! "The young lady from the Hongfa Casino in Xi'an, the wife I won over!"

Everyone burst into laughter! The roof almost blew up.

The sentry commander asked, "Where are the three brothers?"

"Er Tu Zi lost at gambling and is now working as someone else's lackey!"

Hearing this, everyone roared with laughter again! "Xiao Bao and Xiao Lai are in Beijing mobilizing troops for a big event!"

the sentry said. "Ah! Xiao Bao's become an official?"

"An official my foot! He's still messing around with Xingde!

" "Then why are they mobilizing troops?"

"I heard there's going to be a war, and he has to escort supplies and pay them!"

"A war? Where is it going?"

"I don't know, it's a royal secret, but Xingde has been ordered by the emperor to prepare actively and is ready to act at any time!"

"Then what about you, brother...?"

"I'm preparing too!"

"Preparing for what?"

"Hehe! A secret! Haha!"

Everyone thought he was joking, so they all laughed! Xiao Huadan came out carrying Yuwa'er.

Don't underestimate Yuwa'er because he's small. In his mother's arms, as soon as he entered the hall, he clasped his little fists and arms together, just like an adult, and called out, "Hello, everyone!"

There was another roar of "Hello!"

Some people came up to touch his face! Some people came up to kiss his cheek.

Xiao Huadan spotted Da Niu and his wife and hurried over to greet them! Jade Baby said, "I saw Dudu (Uncle) during the day!"

His words drew another burst of laughter!

Da Niu pulled out the two diamonds from his pocket, saying, "Dudu, here are two cat's-eye diamonds for you to play with!" He placed one in each of his little hands.

The sentry officer, a connoisseur, immediately rushed over, saying, "Brother, how could you joke like that!"

"Who's joking with him! I'm worried about him, so I'll keep them safe for him until he grows up and gets married!"

"Then..."

"What do you mean, 'then'? Once we've given them away, can we take them back? Hurry up and keep them safe for him!"

"Brother, I won't say anything about your kindness!"

"Nonsense! What's there to say between brothers? Hehe!"

Everyone laughed again at his antics! The sentry officer quickly put away the two diamonds and solemnly handed them to Little Flower Girl, saying, "These things are too precious; keep them safe for Jade Baby!"

Little Flower Girl, knowing they must be valuable, quickly hid them close to her body. Only then did she meet the Fire Phoenix sisters, and they had endless things to talk about.

The banquet began, and Da Niu and his wife became the honored guests.

Everyone flocked to them! Da Niu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Brothers, I can drink, but if you get me drunk, then tonight's game—" He made a gesture of looking at dominoes, saying, "Let's not play!"

Everyone thought, "That's right! Last time we befriended him, he lost five or six thousand taels in one night. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of him?" So their toasting gesture became just a formality.

The officer, while offering a toast, sighed and said, "You guys are truly a godsend. Last time we met you, we all made a small fortune, but as soon as you left, all our luck was taken away by you!"

"Brother, what do you mean?"

"Well! It's like this, we used to have five or six groups of silk merchants crossing the pass each month, earning about two or three thousand taels of extra income. But after you left, it's gotten less and less. Sometimes only one group crosses the pass every month or two. From last year until now, more than a year, not a single group has come!"

"So what do you do?"

"You know, your sister-in-law has been singing for several years and has saved up some money. They also give me a few extra taels when they're at the pass, so we just make ends meet!"

"Brother, can't you try to profit from their department store carts?"

"Heh! How much can a department store cart make? A cartload of goods isn't even worth two hundred taels. We only collect ten taels in tax per cart, and that's only twenty or thirty carts a month!"

"Oh my! Brother! You really don't consider department store carts a money-making machine!"

"Ah! They're money-making machines?"

"Brother, you only know that their goods aren't worth two hundred taels of silver in Jiuquan. I saw them in Xi'an, and they weren't even worth two hundred taels in Jiuquan, not even a hundred taels. But if you get them to transport it to the north and south of Tianshan, one cartload—"

Everyone asked in surprise, "How about that?"

"How about that? At least four or five hundred taels!"

"Ah? Such a good profit!"

"Don't believe me? Brother, give me the whole route!"

"How?"

"Brother, make two hundred small triangular flags and stamp them with your army's official seal. I'll pay one hundred taels for each one. For every cart that leaves the border, one flag is returned. If we run out, I'll buy more from the team. I can get at least three hundred carts to the border every month!"

A squad leader exclaimed. "Goodness, three hundred carts, that's thirty thousand taels!"

"Second Brother, we get thirty thousand taels, I'll earn at least thirty thousand taels, maybe even fifty or sixty thousand!"

The squad leader asked, "Brother, are you serious?"

"Brother, once you've decided, I'll bring thirty thousand taels of silver to your team first thing tomorrow morning!"

The squad leader slammed his hand on the table and said, "Alright! Brother, it's a deal!"

Da Niu then found Manager Shui and said, "Manager Shui, tomorrow morning, take thirty thousand taels of cash from my stash and deliver it to the border!"

"Yes, Young Master Mei!"

"Brother, is that alright?"

"Good! Brother, you're really decisive!"

Everyone drank some more wine.

At this moment, the young actress brought two maids from the back, carrying two trays, each with eight fifty-tael silver ingots on it, and brought them to the hall.

Everyone knew that this was the most exciting part of the day: distributing birthday gifts! The birthday celebrants happily each received one.

In reality, there were more than thirty people present, but only half were birthday celebrants; the other half were squad leaders.

Da Niu thought to himself, "I'll give them another climax today." He then said to Manager Shui, "Manager Shui, I'll give each birthday celebrant fifty taels of the silver I've stored in the counter, each squad leader one hundred taels, and the two squad leaders five hundred taels. We'll settle the accounts tomorrow!"

Good! Not long after, Manager Shui and his staff brought the silver and distributed it according to the count.

The squad leader laughed, "Everyone else has some, except for me, brother!"

"Brother, if you want silver, isn't there thirty thousand taels over there for you?"

Everyone laughed heartily! Someone suggested that Da Niu gamble.

The sentry laughed and cursed, "You guys have money to gamble, who dares to gamble with him? He even won his wife, you can only play around with the small stuff!"

One of the sentry leaders asked, "Brother! Did you really win your wife?"

"Of course! If you don't believe me, we'll show you right here!"

Everyone gathered around.

Da Niu asked the servant to wash a large bowl.

He took out four dice and threw them, and it was four sixes and one day of a triple!

Huo Fenghuang took the dice and threw them, and it was the same, four sixes and one day of a triple!

The two of them each threw three times, and the results were all the same.

Everyone cheered like thunder.

The sentry said, "You two have the same skill, how did she lose to you?"

Da Niu shrugged, shrank his head, and made a face before saying, "Everyone can do magic tricks, but everyone has their own clever tricks!"

Huo Fenghuang chimed in, "I was tricked by Xiao Bao, but he also suffered a great loss because of my second sister, losing to Er Tu Zi!"

Everyone burst into laughter again! It turned out that these gamblers were betting on living people.

Da Niu said, "Let's play Pai Gow, I guarantee it's real!"

Everyone said, "You play, we bet!" "Okay! My wife and I will play at two

separate tables, and everyone bets!" They ended up gambling at two separate tables! Da Niu asked Manager Shui to send another five thousand taels of silver as the dealer. Everyone gambled all night, and everyone won several dozen taels, more or less. It ended happily for everyone. The next day! Manager Shui of the Weida Inn sent thirty thousand taels of silver by cart to the pass early in the morning. The sentry also cut three hundred triangular flags from yellow silk, stamped them, and used them as passes. In this way, the millions of taels of silver and countless supplies needed by Tianshan, with a pass fee of one hundred taels per cart, all entered Tianshan in less than five months. ( Chapter 12, "The Dzungar Rebellion Against Beijing," 800 li away, they reported directly to the Imperial Court's Military Affairs Department.) Despite his usual flirtatious behavior with the Emperor, He Shen, as a Grand Councilor, dared not be negligent upon receiving the border report and immediately went to see the Emperor at dawn! The next day at court, all the civil and military officials were guessing the contents of the report. Then, Emperor Qianlong arrived! Besides kneeling and kowtowing three times and shouting "Long live the Emperor !", the officials were ordered to rise . Only then did they stand solemnly before the palace, civil officials to the east and military officials to the west. Emperor Qianlong proclaimed in the palace: "The Dzungar Khanate of the Mongol League has rebelled; they want independence. What are your opinions, gentlemen? Please present them for discussion!" The General of Ili stepped forward and said: "The Dzungar Khanate has less than 30,000 troops in a single banner of Mongol soldiers. What is so strange about them? I am willing to lead a banner of soldiers to quell the rebellion!" "Zhao Hui!" "Your Majesty!" "I am here!" "Are you truly confident?" "Your Majesty, with the imperial army at your command, the rebels will soon be annihilated!" "Good! I now appoint you as commander-in-chief, leading 100,000 troops on the expedition. How will you proceed? Report back in the palace!" "Your Majesty! The only route from Beijing to the Dzungars is the Silk Road. The Silk Road is divided into two routes, north and south, which merge again at Huangqugang in the Tianshan Mountains!" Qianlong said: "Bring the Huangxing Map and explain it to me in detail!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" A short while later, the Huangxing Map was brought in by the Grand Council. General Zhao Hui, pointing to the map of China, said, “Your Majesty, if we take the Northern Silk Road to Junggar, it's about 5,000 li. We'll start from Datong, pass through Hohhot (Guihua), go to Baotou, then to Wang Zhaojun's tomb, cross Shaanxi into the desert to Heicheng, pass Su Niao La Xi to Huang Qu Gang, and then follow the main road through Hami and Qijiaojing to reach Junggar!” “Hmm! What about the Southern Silk Road?” “Your Majesty, the Southern Silk Road is a bit longer, about 6,500 li. It starts from Beijing, passes through Xi'an, Lanzhou, exits through Jiayuguan, goes to Huang Qu Gang, and then follows the main road through Hami and Qijiaojing to Junggar!” “Which route do you intend to take?” “I wish to take the Southern Silk Road via Xi'an!” “Isn't that a longer route, adding 1,500 li?” “Your Majesty, although it's 1,500 li longer, it will allow us to arrive a month earlier!” “Oh! Why?”

"Your Majesty, although the Northern Silk Road is closer, it is entirely desert, and our troops are not accustomed to it. At most, they can only march forty or fifty li per day. The Southern Silk Road, on the other hand, has good road conditions, and our troops can travel about seventy or eighty li per day!"

"Good! As you have suggested, the advance will proceed via the Southern Silk Road. As for the logistics, provisions, and salaries of officers and soldiers, you may report to His Majesty!"

He Kun said, "This is a matter for the Ministry of War. The two ministers will report to His Majesty!"

The Han minister said, "Your Majesty, since the Holy Emperor ascended the throne, the country has been peaceful and prosperous, and we have never waged war against foreign powers. Today, the Dzungars have rebelled, and the army is about to set out. As for logistical support, it is only appropriate to follow the precedent set during the reign of the Holy Ancestor!"

He Kun said, "Your Majesty, this is all nonsense. Why don't you just tell His Majesty what to do?"

The Han minister Shang You then reported, "Your Majesty, the transport of provisions and the salaries of officers and soldiers will be handled by the escort agencies!"

Qianlong asked, "Then why aren't the salaries of officers and soldiers transported by the army itself?"

"Your Majesty, when the late Emperor was alive, there was a rebellion in Qinghai, which was quelled by General Nian. At that time, the army guaranteed its own supplies, but there were frequent delays!"

"Frequent delays? How long?"

"Often three to five months!"

"Often three to five months?"

"Yes!"

"Ah! How could he still win battles then?"

"Your Majesty, General Nian's army was very disciplined. The current army is not comparable to the one under General Nian. In my opinion, it is better for the soldiers' salaries to be guaranteed by private escort agencies!"

"Let me hear your reasons?"

"Your Majesty, salaries are all in silver, small in quantity but high in value, and must be paid every month. The escorts in these agencies are all highly skilled in martial arts. If the army were to transport the supplies themselves, it would require ten or eight generals with good martial arts skills to escort them, which would affect combat effectiveness!"

"Hmm! That makes sense! Who can act as guarantor?"

Ertai said, "Back when the Holy Ancestor was fighting the Mongol rebels, it was Xingde who guarantored him. When fighting in Tibet, it was also Xingde who guarantored him. When General Nian was in power, Mei Shaodong died, and only then did he send his own general to escort him. But now Xingde has produced another young Mei Shaodong. This is truly a blessing for the master. It is still appropriate to have them act as guarantors!"

"Hmm! Who should go and talk to him about this?"

Ertai said, "Ministry of War. If he doesn't agree, this old minister will go again personally!"

Hekun said, "Lord Ertai, there's no need for the Ministry of War. I can talk to him myself and it will be fine!"

"You know each other?"

"Of course, we are relatives!"

"You are related to Mei Xiaobao?"

"Your Majesty, is that not allowed?"

"What kind of relatives?"

"Your Majesty, I will talk to you alone after the court session!"

The emperor and his minister smiled at each other, and that was the decision.

Finally, Emperor Qianlong said to General Zhaohui, "Zhaohui!"

"Your Majesty, I am here!"

"You need to choose a deputy commander."

"Does Your Majesty have anyone in mind?"

"Hmm! I think Fukang'an, the fourth son of Grand Secretary Fu Huan, is skilled in archery and horsemanship and has outstanding martial arts skills. I'd like him to be your assistant. Are you willing?"

Zhaohui understood at that moment that the Emperor wanted Fukang'an to achieve military merit so that he could be rewarded with a title of nobility upon his return. How could he refuse? He quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty obeys!"

After the court session, He Shen told Emperor Qianlong about his affair with Shuangfeng.

Emperor Qianlong said, "I didn't take you with me on this trip to Jiangnan. I was planning to bring you back a couple, but I didn't find anyone outstanding. I didn't expect you to have two adopted sisters of Mei Xiaobao. Congratulations!"

"Your Majesty, don't rush to congratulate me. Let me tell you, I was just thinking of introducing these sisters to you!"

"What's so good about them?"

"What's so good about them? Aside from being pretty, just look at Zifeng's skills. I guarantee you've never experienced them before!"

"I don't believe you?"

"Don't believe me? We can try it!"

"Okay! I'll go try it with you right now!"

"Hmm—no way!"

"Why?"

"If you try it and think she's one of a kind, and bring her to the palace, what will I do then?"

"Keeping her in your residence is the same as in the palace, and you'll avoid the nagging of the eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department!"

The emperor and his minister looked at each other and laughed heartily! Emperor Qianlong accompanied He Shen to the Zhongtang Mansion.

Emperor Qianlong was even more casual at Heshen's residence than in the palace, completely disregarding formalities for receiving guests. The two held a banquet in the back hall.

All of Heshen's concubines came out to drink with him, each carrying a musical instrument.

Qianlong recognized two unfamiliar faces among them as Shuangfeng.

Heshen intended for them to perform for the Emperor.

First, he had Jinfeng sing a song to serve the Emperor his wine.

So the concubines played music, and Jinfeng sang Li Yu's "Bodhisattva's Barbarian Tune": "Flowers bright, moon dim, light mist flies, tonight I'll go to my lover's side.

I'll slip on my robe and walk up the fragrant steps, carrying my golden-embroidered shoes.

I'll meet you on the south side of the study, trembling as I lean against you.

It's so hard for me to come out, so please, my lord, cherish me as you please!"

Her choice of this poem was perfect, because only lyrics related to the Emperor were appropriate for singing before him.

Not only were the lyrics good, but her singing was even better.

It could be said that her voice resonated throughout the house, lingering for three days!

Qianlong kept praising her!

Jinfeng hurriedly went to drink with him.

At this point, Qianlong's hands began to wander.

He Kun laughed heartily and said, "Zi Feng, give us something risqué! Our Emperor loves this kind of thing!"

Zi Feng then sang the following verse: "

Sweep and clean the pillows and mats, lotus blossoms and Di Xiang fragrance.

Double doors form a golden gate, lamps shine high and low.

Bright clothes and imperial scarves, round pillows are laid out.

The White Maiden is my teacher, her grace is boundless.

What all men desire to see, Heaven teaches the Yellow Emperor.

This night is the most joyful, unforgettable for a lifetime."

Qianlong, with his profound knowledge of Chinese classics, naturally understood the meaning and repeatedly praised it!

He Kun said, "Not exciting enough, give us something really risqué!"

Qianlong laughed, "Are there any risquér verses? I've never heard anything like it!"

Zi Feng then sang: "Clouds and rain scatter across the peaks, rainbow-colored garments are in disarray.

My lover's frivolous nature is even stronger, urge, urge, urge!

The jade pestle is raised high, the flute is played.

Deeply penetrating the cherry blossoms, quickly turning the soft cloves.

The flute-playing maiden, delicate and weak, can hardly breathe, tired, tired, tired!"

Fragrant saliva flowed freely, and jade dew was just released!

How intoxicating!

Emperor Qianlong clapped his hands in delight!

Zifeng came to offer wine.

Qianlong didn't accept it, but instead pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and said, "My jade pestle is already high and ready; you can play the flute and shout later!" He then laughed heartily!

Zifeng hurriedly replied, "This servant obeys!" Hekun

, seeing the time was right, quickly ordered the Shuangfeng sisters to serve the Emperor in the inner chambers.

Upon reaching the bedroom, Qianlong couldn't wait, embracing the two women and showering them with kisses and licks.

Hekun also followed him in.

Qianlong said, "Come, let's have a duet!"

"Don't be shy, it's all yours today, I have plenty of time!"

Qianlong asked Shuangfeng, "Which of you sisters will go first?"

Zifeng replied, "My sister will serve Your Majesty first, she's in a hurry!"

Jinfeng and Qianlong then sang "Dragon and Phoenix Match"! Heshen watched from the side, neither of the emperor nor his minister seemed to care.

Qianlong said, "Heshen, Jinfeng's 'hole' is much better than all the others in the palace, I want to bring her to the palace and reward her with Jinjia!"

"No, didn't you promise not to let them enter the palace?"

"She's better than all the others in the palace!"

"If you insist on bringing her to the palace, fine, but you're not allowed to touch Zifeng again!"

Qianlong thought about it and realized there was more to it than met the eye. He was reluctant to not touch Zifeng, but then he thought, what difference was there between Heshen's residence and his own in the palace? So he agreed not to bring her to the palace. After

his first performance, he had a taste of something unusual, and after a short rest, he sang "Plum Blossom Again" with Zifeng.

He was overjoyed the moment Zi Feng possessed him. He had thought Jin Feng was unparalleled, but Zi Feng made Jin Feng pale in comparison. Zi Feng then unleashed her full power, and Qianlong was ecstatic! From that day forward, he would visit the Zhongtang residence every three to five days to meet the two phoenixes.

The two phoenixes had become indispensable to Qianlong.

After the play ended, Qianlong said, "You should talk to your relative about serious matters!" "

Then I'll send someone to find him. Does Your Majesty wish to see him?"

Qianlong said, "It would be good to see him!"

He Shen sent someone to fetch Xiao Bao.

Upon seeing Emperor Qianlong, Xiao Bao quickly bowed deeply and said, "This humble subject kowtows to Your Majesty!"

Qianlong laughed, "You still haven't found the Imperial Ancestral Jade Pendant?"

"This humble subject is incompetent; the Imperial Ancestral Jade Pendant hasn't been retrieved!"

"Your kowtow tells me the jade pendant hasn't been found. Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" "

The Imperial Ancestral Jade Pendant is of great importance in the hands of these scoundrels. What if they use it to flaunt their wealth?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured! They have no use for the jade pendant!"

"How do you say that?"

"No use at all!"

"They can use the jade pendant to force me to submit!"

Xiao Bao laughed, "How dare these thieves come to see Your Majesty? Don't they value their lives?"

"They need to persuade the local officials!" "If

the Imperial Ancestral Jade Pendant is in the possession of someone of unknown identity, wouldn't the local officials report it to the court? That's how the thief is revealed!"

"Hahahaha! It seems you're quite confident!"

"Of course, the jade pendant is in my wife's hands; what am I afraid of?"

"What? Your wife?"

"Of course, her name is Fen Die'er, and she's currently in the Dabie Mountains!"

"When did you two get married?"

"Not yet. What I want, I'll have. Sooner or later, she'll be my wife!"

"Let's not talk about the Holy Ancestor's jade pendant! Let's talk about something practical!"

"What practical thing?"

"The Dzungars have rebelled, and there's going to be war!"

"War is war, but we have generals in the court, soldiers in the banners, and pay in the ministries. What's there to be afraid of?"

"Afraid! I'm not afraid. I've already sent Zhao Hui to lead troops to suppress them. But as for the soldiers' pay, I need you to guarantee it!"

"Since it's an imperial decree, what can this humble subject

say?" "So you agree?" "

An imperial decree is issued; who dares disobey!"

"Good! Go and discuss it with the Ministry of War!" " This humble subject

obeys the decree!"

Xiao Bao took his leave and went back.

This trip to guarantee the pay was expected. After returning home, Xiao Bao went to the Ministry of War the next day.

The Han Chinese Minister of War asked, "Young Master Mei, what about this expedition to secure supplies?"

"His Majesty personally issued the decree; how could this humble subject dare disobey?"

"Have you met with the Emperor?"

"Yesterday at the Prime Minister's residence, His Majesty summoned me and issued a special decree!"

"Since Young Master Mei knows, that makes things easier!"

"Sir, how many troops will be dispatched, and along which route?"

"A hundred thousand troops, led by General Zhao Hui, will advance along the Southern Silk Road near Xi'an!"

"Hmm! General Zhao Hui is indeed a renowned general; this expedition will surely be a resounding success!"

"Thank you for your auspicious words. Perhaps you also know about military affairs?"

"This humble subject knows nothing about military affairs, but I know the Northern Silk Road is nearly 1,500 li, but it's all desert along the way. The Southern Silk Road, though longer, has main roads for marching, allowing us to reach Junggar Bao a month earlier!"

"Hmm! Young Master Mei is indeed extraordinary; so you must be knowledgeable in military strategy!"

"Sir, the Seven Books of Martial Arts are available in bookstores; most scholars have read them!"

"Has Young Master Mei read them?"

"I've only skimmed through Sun Tzu's Art of War, Wu Zixu's Art of War, and the strategic dialogues between Taigong Lü Wang and Huang Shigong!"

The two laughed heartily. Now it was time to get down to business!

"My lord, when will the army depart?"

"They are currently assembling, everything is ready, and they will set off within a month after the flag-raising ceremony!"

"From what date will my pay be guaranteed?" "From the

date of departure!"

"Until when?"

"Until the day the army returns victorious!"

"My lord, this war will last three to five years, and we'll be on our last legs!"

"Since you've received the decree, what else is there to say?"

"Very well! Let's serve the country!"

"Yes! Let's serve the country!"

"My lord, I have a request!"

"What request?"

"For this pay guarantee, please provide me with the necessary official documents!"

"I should give you the documents, but what are you guaranteeing?"

"My lord, please consider this: if the commander needs anything while fighting at the front, and he asks me to transport it, how could I refuse?"

"Hmm! That's true. Good! I'll process the documents for you!"

"Good! Thank you, my lord!"

"No need to thank me, it's what the department should do!"

"My lord, for this pay guarantee, I think I should learn from my adoptive father!"

"Learn what?"

"First hand over the goods, then use the command document to request more money from the ministry!"

"Excellent! This way, the royal family will benefit greatly!"

"How about this! Before the army sets off, give everyone two months' pay!"

"Why?"

"Firstly, to boost morale; secondly, money can be spent everywhere along the way, and if there are any additional pays, it's best to give them all at once, so officials can also settle their families!"

"Hmm! You make sense!" "

I'll give them the first pay when they reach Lanzhou, the second month's when they reach Jiuquan, and the third month's when they reach Hami and Dihua, preparing for battle. This will boost morale before the battle and make resupply easier!"

"Good! It's your plan!"

"Clerk, I'll have the shop manager come to the Ministry to get it. I'm taking my leave now!"

"Good! Let's wish you success!"

After Xiao Bao returned to Xingde Money Shop, he told everyone about his meeting with the Ministry of War.

Everyone agreed that this trip, cooperating well with the mountain forces, could at least deplete 50,000 of their troops, further weakening the Manchu Eight Banners.

Xiao Bao said, "Everyone, take some silver and go redeem some cheap jewelry worth 30 to 50 taels each!"

In three days, they actually bought more than 10,000 pieces.

Xiao Bao had someone make a large leather bag at a boot shop to pack them all.

Then he got three good horses; he and Xiao Laili each rode one, and the third carried only the jewelry, and they went to Xi'an.

Upon seeing him, Shen Kui immediately asked, "Have you finished dealing with things in the capital?"

"Uncle, yes, I have!

And what about here?" "Also, I have! The most remarkable thing is that Da Niu has already settled things at Jiayuguan!"

"How did he do that?"

"When he arrived, the silk trade had ceased, and the soldiers at the pass were complaining about the lack of extra income. The ten taels of silver per cartload of goods transported to the mountains weren't even enough to drink water. Da Niu made an agreement with them: one hundred taels per cartload of goods, and he would transport three hundred cartloads to the pass every month. That was a perfect match!"

"How much has he transported in total?" "He

's transported silver and goods together, several hundred cartloads already. Ten cartloads are sent from Xi'an every day for three months now, and they're still going strong!"

"Uncle, it seems like a few hundred cartloads will be enough for us. Once the army passes through, we'll stop, and I'll handle the rest!"

"What are you planning to do on this trip?"

"Go back to the mountains!"

"What for?"

"Firstly, to deliver jewelry to the mountains, and secondly, to arrange for the soldiers' pay!"

“You mentioning jewelry reminds me, we redeemed over ten thousand pieces in Xi’an, they’re kept in the money exchange!”

“Have them make a leather pouch, I’ll take it up the mountain!”

“Alright! Is there anything else?”

“Does Xi’an have cash?”

“Gold?”

“Yes!”

“What do you need it for?”

“To advance the salaries of the soldiers!” “How much do you need?” “How much do you have?

” “Three hundred thousand taels in Xi’an, and tens of thousands in other places!” “Uncle, can you cast one hundred thousand one-tael ingots within a month?” “No problem, because there are currently sixty or seventy thousand one-tael gold ingots, just another thirty or forty thousand, it will be ready in ten days!” “Then I’ll personally escort this batch of gold out of the pass!” Ten days later, the gold was cast, and the beads were bought. Xiao Bao personally escorted them on the road. Upon arriving in Lanzhou, he met the great hero of Gansu and Shaanxi, Master Yuan. Xiao Bao said, “Greetings, Grandpa Yuan!” and bowed down with the little leper. Yuan Gongbo smiled and said, "Get up! Get up! Where did you come from?" "Xi'an!" "How is Brother Shen?" "Good! Greetings!" "Brother Shen wrote to me, saying that you guys did something earth-shattering, truly remarkable. Now that war is about to break out, you'll have another major role to play!" "Grandpa Yuan, just like my master back then!" "Oh! Guaranteeing pay?" "Right?" "Good! We can use this opportunity to supply both sides, hahaha! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!" "Grandpa Yuan, besides the silver supporting the mountains, do you have any extra silver here?" "Yes! Plenty! Over the years, besides Xi'an, Lanzhou has been the best. Of the silver we transported into the mountains this time, three million taels to Nanjing, five million taels to Xi'an, and three million taels here, that's over ten million taels. I've also prepared five million taels to send into the mountains. How much do you need?" "When the army passes through, I need to advance a month's pay!" "How much?" "One hundred thousand people, at an average of fifteen taels, that's one million five hundred thousand taels!" “Okay! No problem, I still have over a million five taels of silver here!” “That’s even better!” “Let’s decide on this!” Xiao Bao and the others stayed in Lanzhou for one night and went to Zhangye the next day. Zhangye branch. The shopkeeper, the chivalrous Yuchi Lian, laughed heartily upon seeing them, "I knew you should have arrived long ago! Why are you only arriving now?" "Grandpa Lian, we waited ten days in Xi'an to forge one-ounce gold ingots!" "How many ingots do you need? I have plenty!" "I'm forging 100,000 one-ounce gold ingots in Xi'an!" "Ahem! I have over 100,000 one-ounce ingots ready-made. Whenever you need more, just bring them from here!" "Grandpa Lian, how's the situation here?" "Originally, when we first established it, it was just a transit station, not a chain like in Xi'an. But later, to accommodate the families of the buglers, we started some related businesses. Did you know that all the buglers in the country are registered as Zhangye?" "I know that!" "I was afraid something might happen, so I brought all their families to Zhangye!" "I've heard that too!" "But we can't let them do nothing, can we?" "Their sons sacrificed themselves for the cause of overthrowing the Manchus and restoring the Han, so it's only right to support their families!" "You don't understand, firstly, it's easy to be discovered and cause trouble, and secondly, it's a waste of manpower!" "Grandpa Lian, you...?" "I opened many chain stores, like inns, restaurants, department stores, general stores, grain shops, and taverns, and had them take on roles as owners and employees. Now they're all making a fortune!" "This is all Grandpa Lian's hard work!" "What's this compared to what you four will do when the war starts!" "Grandpa Lian values you highly!" "Hahahaha! The younger generation surpasses the older generation, I'm old!" "Grandpa Lian is an evergreen tree, never old!" "You have such a sweet tongue! Hahahaha!" "Grandpa Lian, I'm guaranteeing supplies for both sides in this war!" "How do you guarantee supplies for both sides?" " The Dzungars were launched from the mountains, and I'm going to provide them with all the necessary support. Moreover, this time, Uncle Ma from our Shanyang Ranch is leading two thousand brothers from the mountains as cadres to directly fight the Manchus!" "Ah! Is that so?" "I know, Brother Shen transferred 11 million taels of silver from Nanjing, Xi'an, and Lanzhou to the mountain, along with hundreds of department store carts, but I haven't transferred a single coin!" "And how much money do you have, Grandpa?" " 130,000 taels of gold and a full 9 million taels of silver. We can transfer it all to you for the mountain's needs!" "Next time we'll transfer your gold. If this war continues, your silver will be completely depleted!" "Hahahaha! As long as we win the war, let alone depleting the silver! I'd be willing to transfer my old life!"

"Grandpa Lian is afraid this battle won't end well!"

"Why?"

"This battle is mainly a war of attrition, aimed at weakening the Manchu's fighting strength. We'll mainly use guerrilla tactics to wear them down!"

"And what will the result be?"

"We'll wear them down for a few years, and then they'll submit and the matter will be dropped!"

"Hmm! That's a good idea!"

The two chatted for a while longer.

Lian Daxia said, "Let's go eat at 'Wanli Lou'! This place is run by the families of soldiers; it's not only well-organized, but also top-notch in Zhangye!"

Everyone went to 'Wanli Lou'.

The manager, seeing his boss (referring to Lian Daxia) with a large group of guests, treated them with the utmost hospitality.

There were quite a few of them, filling two large tables.

Soon the dishes arrived, all of them famous dishes.

These included: Assorted Platter,

Steamed Deer Jerky,

Roasted Chicken,

Crispy Duck,

Steamed Ham,

Osmanthus-Scented Shark Fin,

Sea Cucumber,

and Long Flour Salad!

Steamed pork hock.

A hundred-family-style young chicken!

Plus a mushroom soup.

Fine grape wine!

Wow! To be able to eat seafood in a mountain city, amazing!

Everyone really ate to their heart's content!

After spending one night in Zhangye, they went to Jiuquan in high spirits the next day.

Upon arriving in Jiuquan, they checked into the Xingde branch of the Desert Drunken Guest's inn.

The Desert Drunken Guest said, "Little Bao! You guys really showed off this time!"

"It's all thanks to Grandpa Drunken's teachings!"

"You little rascal, you're such a sweet talker!"

Everyone burst into laughter! "Grandpa Drunken, is the border crossing going well?"

"Da Niu is now on their side, he has them completely under his thumb!"

"That's good, otherwise our goods wouldn't be able to get out of the border!"

"Go check on him. He's at Weida's shop!"

Little Bao said goodbye to Grandpa Drunken and went to the inn with Little Rascal. The innkeeper rushed

over upon seeing them, calling out, "Brother!"

"Brother

, you've worked hard!" "Not at all, not at all, it's nothing compared to our hard work!"

"Where's my brother?"

"He's in the main room, you can go to him yourselves!" The two went to the main room in the courtyard. Da Niu was playing with Yuwawa when he saw them and said, "Oh! What brings you two here?" Xiao Bao didn't answer him, but quickly asked who Yuwawa was. "The son of the border garrison commander!" "The young master of the sentry officer, he's just like a jade carving!" At this moment, Yuwawa insisted on being held by Xiao Bao. Wow! Don't underestimate him just because he's only two years old, he's quite heavy in Xiao Bao's arms, so he started touching him all over. Yuwawa just kept giggling awkwardly! Their commotion alerted two female guests in another room. When they came in and saw it was Xiao Bao and Yuwawa, Xiao Huadan quickly called out, "Old brother!" Xiao Bao seemed not to hear, still touching Yuwawa. Suddenly, Xiao Huadan's eyes lit up, she understood, and immediately fell silent. It took him a full meal to finish examining the baby, and he exclaimed, "What excellent bone structure!" Only then did the young actress and Huo Yanfang greet him. Xiao Bao said, "Sister-in-law has given birth to a wonderful baby!" "You think he's so good? I'll give him to you!" "I don't want him now, I'll think about it later!" Everyone laughed heartily. Da Niu said, "If you don't want him now, he won't give him to you later!" "It's okay, you and Huo Fenghuang will give me one!" Everyone burst into laughter except for Huo Fenghuang. Only Huo Fenghuang blushed deeply. While everyone was joking, suddenly fifty or sixty soldiers arrived at the gate, each one as fat as a little pig. It turned out that ever since Da Niu and his wife went to Jiuquan and opened up the route for goods to leave the pass, he had been redeeming three hundred small flags at a time by applying for pass flags. He would return one flag for each cartload of goods leaving the pass. He transported no more than ten cartloads a day, which meant he collected a thousand taels of silver in pass fees every day. He had been transporting goods for over three months, filling a thousand carts with gold, silver, and other valuables, yet he continued to transport them relentlessly. Every night, he would treat half of the soldiers to dinner. Why only half? Because the other half had to guard the border. In this way, after three months, not only had all the soldiers become fat, but they had also become wealthy. How so? Don't let this rough-around-the-edges officer fool you; he had a knack for managing people. He divided the ill-gotten gains into four large shares. He took one share, the squad leader, quartermaster, and clerk each took one, the platoon leader took one, and the soldiers each took one. Firstly, everyone got a share! Secondly, even the lowest-ranking soldiers received a hundred taels of silver each month – who wouldn't be happy? Besides, Da Niu treated everyone to dinner every day, and afterward, each person would win a few coins. The young actress once asked Da Niu, "Brother, with all that spending, is your earnings enough?" "Hahaha! Sister-in-law, I earn at least a hundred taels from each cart, that's thirty thousand taels a month. What's a few hundred taels a day? This is child's play for me. If Xiao Bao were here, he'd dare spend two thousand of his thousand earnings. Don't believe me? He's coming soon, everyone just wait and see! He's incredibly generous!" Everyone eagerly awaited Xiao Bao's arrival, and sure enough, he arrived today. Everyone rushed forward to greet him. He put down the jade doll and warmly greeted everyone! Xiao Bao asked, "Brother, how have you been lately?" The officer replied, "Good! Good! With you all like gods of wealth guiding me, how could I be bad?" Everyone burst into laughter! The jade doll then started fussing, wanting a hug from Xiao Bao! Xiao Bao picked him up, and the jade doll was incredibly affectionate with him! The sentry said, "Without you, there would be no him. Since he's so close to you, I'll give him to you!" "No, a gentleman doesn't take what others cherish!" Then he turned to Yuwa and said, "Is Dudu right?" "Dudu doesn't know!" Good, the child doesn't know: The little flower girl laughed, "You wanted it just now, what? Your older brother really gave it to you, and now you're pretending not to want it?" "I'm too young now, I want to take on an apprentice when I'm older!" "Oh?" Everyone said "Oh" in unison, "Take on an apprentice"? At this moment, a sentry leader said, "Brother Mei, our sentry leader is the bravest general in the border town!" "Ah, ha, ha, ha! Brother is the fiercest general in the world, but that's just horseback spear fighting! I want to teach you some finesse!" The sentry leader said, "Brother, I know you know martial arts, but I don't know to what extent?" "The dealer's skill! But I'm confident when I roll the dice!" Hahahaha! Everyone burst into laughter! The sentry leader said, "Brother Mei, you probably won your wife too!"

Everyone knew that Da Niu and his wife were incredibly skilled at dice, yet he actually won against Fire Phoenix. Unless he could roll seven points on a single die? The food and drinks were served! Everyone took their seats.

Xiao Bao, Da Niu and his wife, the Sentry Palace couple, the two Sentry Chiefs, and the Advisor sat at one table. Yuwa insisted that Xiao Bao hold her.

The young actress laughed, "You two are really destined for each other!"

The Sentry Chief laughed, "Luckily you haven't been around these past few years, otherwise I would have mistaken him for yours!"

This remark caused another burst of laughter! Xiao Bao said, "Brother, weren't you going to test my skills?"

"Brother! You really want to show off your skills?"

"I want to perform a magic trick for you!"

"What kind of magic trick?"

Xiao Bao took a wine cup, placed it flat in his palm, and asked the Sentry Palace staff to fill it with wine.

In the mainland, porcelain, tin, or silver wine cups are mostly used, but in Jiuquan, they all use rough jade cups. Haven't you heard the poem: "Grape wine in a luminous cup, I want to drink, but the pipa plays on horseback; I lie drunk on the battlefield, don't laugh, for how many battles have passed since ancient times?"

It describes the rough jade cups of Jiuquan, thick and large, carved from rough jade.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup, it was like water boiling! The cup was full of wine boiling, but it didn't spill.

Everyone at the table, except for Da Niu, was stunned! After a long while, they started to cheer.

Other tables, not knowing what was going on, all looked over, and after seeing clearly, they applauded and cheered loudly! Then Xiao Bao used his internal energy to immediately cool it down. With his power, he could have frozen the wine into an ice cube immediately, but he didn't show off too much; the wine's temperature was just right.

The officer gave him a thumbs up and said, "Your 'Heart Fire Opens Lotus' internal skill has reached its peak! Come! I'll drink a big cup of wine for you!"

He then downed a large cup of wine.

Xiao Bao exclaimed in surprise, "Big Brother, you also know internal martial arts?"

"Back in Beijing, I studied with a lama at Huguo Temple for a few days, but it was all over after I got married! Luckily, I'm a member of the Eight Banners, so I became a squad leader, and I held that position for many years. Thankfully, my seventh brother pulled me up, and I became a squad officer, which I've held for almost thirty years! Life is truly like a dream!"

"Big Brother, would you like to go back to Beijing to serve?" "

I've been thinking about it for ages, but I just don't have a way!"

"Big Brother, I have good news for you! Seventh Brother got married!"

"Who did you marry?" "

The third daughter of Yinglong Academy in the Eight Great Hutongs!

" "Ah! Those three girls from Yinglong were given to..."

"Don't worry, with you here, why would I be afraid of the Emperor?"

"With you here, he's not afraid of the Emperor? How many heads does he have?"

"Listen to me! Although I may not be capable, I have a close relative who can protect me!"

"What kind of close relative can protect the Emperor?"

"A person second only to the Emperor, above all others, all the civil and military officials have to defer to him, even the Crown Prince, Prince Jia!"

"Is your relative perhaps He Shen, He Zhongtang?"

"What? Am I not allowed to be related to him?"

"Are you really related to Zhongtang?"

"My two adopted sisters became Zhongtang's wives, how could I, as his brother-in-law, be a fake?"

"Ah!" Everyone was stunned.

He! He was actually He Zhongtang's brother-in-law! A cold sweat broke out on everyone's back.

Why? If He Zhongtang knew what they had done at the pass, it would be disastrous!

Xiao Bao raised a cup of wine and said, "Brothers, we've made friends before, I'll share both good times and bad with you all, come on! Cheers!"

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

They all drank together! Xiao Bao said, "Brother, since you have such a solid foundation in internal martial arts, would you be willing to serve in any of the prefectures in the capital?"

"I would like to, but I'm getting old!" "

If you'd like, brother, I guarantee I can recommend you for a position as a head guard. Firstly, you're from the Eight Banners, so your background is impeccable. Secondly, you've been the garrison commander of this city for many years; even if you haven't achieved great merit, you should at least have some credit!"

He finished speaking, took out the waist badge of a fifth-rank head guard from the Prince Su's residence, and handed it to him, saying, "Brother, do you recognize this?"

The officer took it and looked at it, saying, "Oh! Brother, a tiger-head silver waist badge. Which prefecture's head guard are you?"

"Brother, how did you recognize me as the head guard of the Prince's residence at a glance?"

"Back when I was with Master Nian, I saw all sorts of waist badges!"

"How do you distinguish them?"

"It's like this, the Emperor's attendants wear dragon-head waist badges, divided into five ranks: jade, gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Jade is for the Emperor's bodyguards, gold for the commanders, silver for the head guards, bronze for the guards, and iron for the attendants. Tiger-head waist badges are for the Prince's palace attendants; silver badges are also for the head guards, bronze for the first guards, and iron for the attendants!"

"What rank is the head guard?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"Fifth rank! Don't underestimate this fifth rank; in the outer palaces, even the governors and generals have to give them face!"

"Wow! Such power and influence!"

"Of course, the servant is as powerful as the master!"

"This is from the Prince Su's palace. Are you interested in the eldest brother of the Prince Su's palace?"

"Even if I were interested, I couldn't take away your job, could I?"

He still had some sense of loyalty! "Brother, how's the Prince Yu's residence?"

"It's as if you get to choose the guards for all the princes' residences in the capital. You should know, the head guards are all trusted advisors of the various princes!"

"Brother, do you think I'm not trusted enough?"

"Brother, although we're good friends, I know your background."

"Hahahaha! Let me tell you, Emperor Qianlong calls me brother, He Shen calls me uncle, I'm Prince Yu's Han Chinese son-in-law, and Prince Su's illegitimate daughter's husband. Isn't that enough?"

"How did you manage to cause so much trouble on your trip to the capital?"

"Since you knew my late adoptive father, you should know what happened back then. My adoptive father was sworn brothers with the late Emperor. Shouldn't Emperor Qianlong call me brother now?"

"Have you met the Emperor?"

"He summoned me in the capital, he personally visited the Mei family in Yangzhou, and we often meet in teahouses and taverns. I even did him a big favor. Besides, I recommended someone, and he trusted me implicitly, making him his trusted palace guard general!"

"Ah! You recommended Lord Zhou Qing on Sunday?"

"What's so surprising about that!"

"He's already a high-ranking official!"

"If you were twenty years younger and met me, wouldn't you have been a high-ranking official long ago with my recommendation?"

The young actress laughed, "Brother, you're really good at bragging!"

"Sister-in-law, I'm just telling the truth!"

The young actress smiled but refused to admit it.

The sentry officer then understood! He laughed heartily, "How much older were you than Yuwawa twenty years ago?"

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this! Xiao Bao didn't care, touching his neck with his left hand, "That's because you were born too early, and I was born too late!" As

soon as he said this, everyone burst into laughter again! The sentry officer said, "Stop joking, seriously, can you really transfer me back to the capital?"

"Would you like to stay in He Kun's residence, brother?"

"No prince's residence is as prestigious as Zhongtang's residence!"

"His residence isn't called the Imperial Guard, but a battalion under the Imperial Guard, actually only a little over two hundred people, nominally under Shi Yizhi's command, but actually independent!"

"That's good!"

"Here's what we'll do," he said. "When I go to Beijing, I'll have He Kun and the Governor-General of Gansu and Shaanxi take your entire company. You'll still lead it, and we'll expand it into a battalion. You'll be the commander, the company commander, and the rest of the officers are up to you! Anyway, war is coming, and it's not safe for you here, it's going to be tough!"

"Ah! War is coming? Who's fighting whom?"

"The Dzungars have rebelled, and the Emperor has sent Zhao Hui with 100,000 troops to suppress them. They've probably already set off!

" "Which route?

" "The Northern Silk Road!"

"That's right here,

isn't it?" "That's why I said it's tough for you here!

" "Brother, everything we have depends on you!" "

Big brother, I keep my word, don't worry. I still want this apprentice!"

he said, teasing the little doll.

The little flower girl cleverly said, "Little doll, quickly call me Master!"

"Dudu! Mother told me to call you Xifu!"

He had a lisp and couldn't speak clearly, which amused everyone! Xiao Bao kissed him and said, "He's too young now. Let him grow up with your mother before you become an apprentice!"

This caused another burst of laughter.

Hearing that war was coming, the drinking session wasn't particularly lively.

Seeing this, Xiao Bao laughed, "Gentlemen, don't look like you've lost your wives! Cheer up! You're going to be guards at the Prime Minister's residence soon. Easy work, lots of money, and a comfortable life. Even second-rank officials will have to bow to you! What the hell are you worrying about? Come on, everyone, cheers!" He stirred up the atmosphere again.

The sentry asked, "What will you be doing this time?"

"Protecting our pay!" "Oh! Just like Master Mei back then?"

"Yes! That's why I said you're having a tough time here. When the main army arrives, there will be troops everywhere, inside and outside the pass. Even a blind man could be bigger than you, a sentry. They're combat units, so your garrison will only suffer. What's more, besides your own pay wagons, no one else will be allowed to pass. If you don't move, you'll starve!"

His words made everyone dejected again.

Xiao Bao said again, "Don't be discouraged, there are still three months left. Try to get as much silver as you can. When the army arrives, I guarantee I'll transfer you all!"

Everyone's spirits lifted again! After a hearty meal and drink, they played a game of Pai Gow.

Tonight, Da Niu, Huo Fenghuang, and Xiao Bao were divided into three tables.

By the end of the night, everyone had won thirty or fifty taels of silver and happily went to the next round.

Da Niu used this time to transport silver and supplies up the mountain.

Xiao Bao, on the other hand, deposited the 100,000 taels of gold down to 70 cents and handed it over to the Tianzihao Money and Grain Bank, managed by Zhao Xing. He told Zhao Xing that regardless of whether he came or not, as soon as the army arrived, he would give it to General Zhao Hui. This was three months' worth of pay, which Zhao Xing would cover, and he would continue to send supplies later.

Then, he returned to Barkol Lake with the jewels.

The people on the mountain were overjoyed to see him return and gathered around.

Xiao Bao first paid his respects to the nun and the abbess!

The nun laughed, "Child, you've had a hard time this trip!"

The abbess also laughed, "You're getting married! That's a good thing, but you still need to be careful!"

Xiao Bao blushed deeply at her words.

The nun continued, "Go see your master and your parents!"

Xiao Bao, being polite, went to pay his respects to his master and mistress.

Mei Zaisheng (Zong Gan) laughed, "Child, you've truly lived up to everyone's expectations!"

His words were ambiguous.

Xiao Bao's mistress jokingly scolded his master, "I think three wives are too few; I'd prefer at least ten or eight!"

Mei Zaisheng laughed, "He has parents; why should you, his mistress, make the decisions?"

"Of course! I'll make the decisions, and let's see who dares to object!"

At this moment, someone outside the door laughed, "When the old lady makes the decisions, who dares to object!"

The door was pushed open, and Duan Fuguo and his wife entered.

Xiao Bao quickly kowtowed and called out, "Father! Mother!"

Duan Fuguo said, "Get up!"

Xiao Bao got up and stood respectfully to one side.

Duan Fuguo said, "Third brother (referring to Mei Zaisheng), look at your disciple, my son, isn't he good? He's caused chaos in the Qing Dynasty again!"

Mei Zaisheng laughed, "He is good, but he's a bit too fickle!"

Duan Fuguo protected his son, saying, "Third brother, who's as rigid as you? As long as he can accomplish great things, that's enough. Do you two have anything else to do? If not, go out and visit various places. Many grandfathers and uncles want to see you!"

Mei Zaisheng laughed, "I have nothing to do. Where's Xiaobao?"

"Master, Father! I brought back the jewels. Also, the Manchus sent Zhao Hui with 100,000 troops this time, and I'll still be responsible for their pay!"

Mei Zaisheng said, "As expected, you'll be responsible for their pay. Good! We can profit from this!"

Ying'er, the young master's wife, asked, "Did you give the two sisters from the Qinhuai River to He Kun?"

"He not only followed He Shen, but he also got involved with Emperor Qianlong!"

Duan Fuguo said, "Qianlong is a hundred times more cunning than his father. He's truly a formidable figure. Take his visit to Chen Shiguan's tomb in Haining, for example. He made people mistakenly believe he was Chen Shiguan's son, a pure-blooded Han Chinese, so that the Han people wouldn't rebel against him. At the same time, he promoted the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* extensively. Although *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is supposed to be a work of wits, it's actually a work without any sense of loyalty. It's seriously problematic for the sake of national righteousness!"

Mei Zonggan (reborn) said, "So, *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* doesn't respect the Han dynasty?"

"Of course, otherwise why would the Manchus promote it!"

"Then what should we do?"

"We should use the story of the Oath of the Peach Garden in the book, combined with the Liangshan heroes in *Water Margin*, and the spirit of the Peach Garden Oath, to go deep into the grassroots, strike at the Manchus, and restore the Han dynasty of China!"

"Good! Xiaobao, did you understand what your father said?"

"Disciple understands, you must work on this when you enter the pass again!"

"Yes!"

"Go and visit all the elders, they all miss you!"

Xiao Bao took his leave! He traveled around and

received a hero's welcome! That evening, Xiao Bao was given a banquet at Barkol Lake.

During the banquet, the nun said, "You've been running around too much! Take one of the Akhal-Teke horses down the mountain!"

"Old Immortal, if you want to reward me, please give me two more!"

Duan Fuguo said, "You don't have enough?"

Mei Zaisheng said, "He'll probably be useful, why do you want two more?"

Xiao Bao said, "Disciple wants to do a favor, I'll give one to Zhao Hui and one to Fukang'an!"

Everyone hurriedly asked, "Who is Fukang'an?"

"The current Vice Marshal!"

Everyone said, "How come we've never heard of such a general?"

"Actually, he's not very old, only sixteen or seventeen!"

Everyone exclaimed in surprise! Mei Zaisheng asked, "Does he possess supernatural strength or extraordinary abilities?"

"Neither!"

"Then why?"

"He's the illegitimate son of Emperor Qianlong and Dong E, the wife of Grand Secretary Fu Huan! He's now been appointed deputy commander!"

"Oh! So that's how it is!"

Mei Zaisheng nodded and said, "That's right! It's just like when I sent the precious clothes and pearls to Yinzhen back then. Alright! Take two more Akhal-Teke horses with you when you go down the mountain. It's a pity that these two fine horses were ruined under their feet!"

Duan Fuguo said, "We can't let them unleash their power and hurt us!"

Everyone burst into laughter! Xiao Bao said, "I've brought 100,000 taels of gold and placed it with Brother Zhao Xing at the Qijiaojing Money and Grain Shop, in preparation for paying the army when they arrive. Please ask the mountain to send someone to help!"

Mei Zaisheng said, "Are you preparing travel expenses like I did back then?"

Duan Fuguo said, "Then let's prepare some too!"

Xiao Bao said, "Father! The Dzungar Khanate is different from Tibet. Although Tibet is a plateau, it has many hills. The Tibetans are natives, making it easy for them to hide. The Dzungar Khanate is different. Because it's a desert plain, they use hit-and-run tactics. If the Manchus can pinpoint their location, that would be terrible!"

"Then what should we do?"

"Use the buglers! The bugles can reach the battlefield. When the army is assembled, there will be many bugle calls, and we should know where to flee. Fewer bugle calls mean fewer people, which is good!"

Mei Zaisheng said, "That's right! The buglers really proved their worth!"

Xiao Bao led three good horses down the mountain.

Upon arriving at Jiayuguan, the sentry exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Mei, where did you get such magnificent horses?" He could only recognize the horses' spiritedness, not their rarity.

Xiao Bao laughed, "They were a gift from the owner of Shanyang Ranch!"

"What a generous gesture! This one is worth at least several thousand taels!"

"You're a true expert! These three are worth ten thousand taels!" Xiao Bao was flattering him; in reality, each horse was worth thirty thousand taels, but he simply had the money but nowhere to buy them.

When Xiao Bao arrived in Jiuquan, everyone met.

Da Niu said, "Why did you bring them down here?"

"To give as gifts!"

"To whom? Not to me, are you?"

"Dream on, you're so arrogant!"

"Then to whom?"

"The First and Second Marshals!"

"Oh! Zhao Hui and Fu Kang'an!"

"Is that not acceptable?"

"Yes, yes, is it not acceptable if you've decided?"

"Only two? What about the other one?"

"I'll guarantee the pay; how can we manage without a good horse for such a long journey?"

Da Niu was speechless.

That evening, upon seeing the sentry officers, Xiao Bao said, "Brother, have you decided to return to Beijing? Once you've decided, I'll go to Beijing immediately so I can speak with my relatives and the Grand Secretary about transferring you to the 'Police Battalion'!"

"Great! I'm entrusting everything to you, brother!"

"Brother, tell them to prepare. Once the army arrives, you'll be transferred back to Beijing!"

"Why wait until the army arrives to transfer us?"

"Brother, think about it. Once war breaks out, Jiayuguan and Tianshan will become one unified force. Would Zhao Hui allow the Governor-General of Gansu and Shaanxi to leave a sentry post at this pass?"

"So, even if we don't go to Beijing, we'll have to be transferred back to Xi'an?"

"Of course!"

"I'll tell them to prepare now, but

what about your sister-in-law…?" "What about your sister-in-law?"

"According to regulations, border guards aren't allowed to bring their families. Otherwise, your sister-in-law wouldn't be staying in Beijing. If the higher-ups find out, it's a violation!"

"That's easy. Just send them away first, and everything will be fine."

"I can't send my people away!"

"That's easy too. Have Da Niu and his wife send them off!"

"How could I trouble you two, brother? Besides, they're still transporting goods across the border."

"No problem, let Xiao Laili handle the transport. Da Niu and his wife will help you move your family to Xi'an first. Luckily, Da Niu has a house in Xi'an. After I take up my post in Beijing, I'll keep that tigress in check and then settle them up!"

"Brother, you can rest assured. Your sister-in-law isn't jealous, and besides, your nephew is over twenty!"

"That's good!"

"Brother, I'm counting on you!"

"Brother, we're brothers, why are you saying this?"

He immediately instructed Xiao Laili on how to get Da Niu.

Da Niu and his wife took Xiao Huadan and Yuwawa to Xi'an.

Xiao Bao first went to Xingde to tell the Desert Drunkard Ren Changxing about the situation on the mountain.

Ren Changxing was happy for him too, and finally asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Grandpa Zui, how much gold and silver do you have here?"

"Hmm! I have fifty or sixty thousand taels of gold and more than three million taels of silver. Do you need it on the mountain?"

"No, I don't need it on the mountain, but I do!"

"How much do you need?" "

When the army arrives at Jiuquan, I need to pay a month's salary, about one and a half million taels!"

"Alright! No problem. All my silver is in fifty-tael, ten-tael, and five-tael ingots. No need to mint any more. I'll pay them for you whenever they come!"

"Thank you, Grandpa. When the silver is transported from Xi'an in the future, please keep ten million taels here for temporary allocation!"

"Alright!"

Xiao Bao had everything settled. The officer's move filled three large carts, with more than fifty thousand taels of silver filling two and a half carts.

Xiao Bao looked at it and laughed, "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with all this silver and your wife and children, making your life a waste!"

"Hahahaha! Brother, I'll give it all to you!"

Don't let his rough appearance fool you, he really had guts! Xiao Bao said, "Unload everything!"

"Why?" "

Xingde Money Exchange uses banknotes that are valid nationwide. You can send the silver to Xingde and they'll issue you banknotes. It's safe and convenient. It's best to send all the officials and soldiers at the pass to Xingde to exchange them for banknotes as well, so you won't be discovered. You'll have so much silver you can't even take a step!"

"That's right! Why didn't I think of that!"

In the end, after packing up, only two bags were left.

So it was decided that Fire Phoenix and Little Flower Girl would ride together.

Xiao Bao and Jade Doll would ride together, with one bag.

Da Niu would ride alone, also with one bag.

The problem of the three horses was solved, so they said goodbye and set off.

Don't underestimate Jade Doll; she was quite proud of herself on Little Bao's horse!

From Jiuquan to Xi'an, it's a full two thousand li, but with the Ferghana horse, it only took three days. This was because they didn't dare to let the horse gallop at full speed for the sake of Little Flower Girl and her child; otherwise, they could have arrived in two days.

After arriving in Xi'an, they immediately settled Little Flower Girl and her child at Da Niu's house.

Xiao Bao then reported to Uncle Shen Kui's "Green Field Manor."

Upon seeing him, Shen Kui immediately asked, "You've been to the mountains? How is everyone?"

"Everyone on the mountain is well! They especially asked me to thank you!"

Shen Kui was taken aback and asked, "Thank me for what?"

"You transported over ten million taels of silver and thousands of cartloads of supplies into the mountains. Shouldn't we thank you?"

"Of course! What kind of work is this? Xingde is originally from the mountains. I was just the manager in charge of the operations. We transported whatever the mountains needed. What credit did I have?"

"If it weren't for your management, Uncle, would there have been such good results?"

"That's nonsense! It's all thanks to those great heroes. What do I have to thank? If you want to thank someone, you should thank those heroes on behalf of the mountain!"

“I want to thank them!”

“What do you need a few good horses from the mountain for?”

“I’ll ride one between the mountain and the foot of it!”

“And the other two?”

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