Chapter 839: How It Was Sold to the Red‑Haired Barbarians

The crowd looked toward the doorway and saw a broad‑shouldered man stride in through the courtyard.

It was the young chief of the Canal Gang, Luo Zhenjiang.

Tuan Tuan sprang from Xiao Ze's arms and rushed toward him: "Uncle Luo!"

Luo Zhenjiang bent down, scooped her up, weighed her briefly, and stared at her little face: "Not bad, still the same plump, pink‑white flesh."

Tuan Tuan clenched her tiny fist and waved it at him: "I'm not chubby!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Luo Hongli shook his head: "I sent someone to invite you here, yet you're the one making her squeal."

Luo Zhenjiang scanned the room: "Eldest son, second son, third son, Xiao Er, Lu Qi, you're all here?"

He turned to Xiao Ze, paused slightly, and asked, "Who is this?"

Xiao Ningxun rose and said, "This is the Seventh Prince."

Luo Zhenjiang's expression hardened; he gently set Tuan Tuan down, straightened his robe, and prepared to kneel.

Xiao Ze stepped forward, reached out, and said, "Young Chief Luo, no need for formalities; I came uninvited, sorry for the intrusion."

Luo Zhenjiang's eyes filled with gratitude: "Seventh Prince, His Majesty's favor toward the Canal Gang is etched in my heart."

"With the imperial 'Canal Guard' banner hoisted, no officials along the way dare to trouble us."

"The shipping routes granted to us are practically treasure basins for the Canal Gang! Have you eaten? Today I'll treat you to Wangjiang Pavilion; we won't leave until we're drunk!"

"Young chief," a lanky tall man behind him whispered, "you promised yesterday to meet the two chiefs of the Golden Sand Gang and the Salt Boat Gang today."

Luo Zhenjiang waved his hand: "Send them back."

He bent down and pulled Tuan Tuan into his arms: "I'm not going anywhere today; I'll stay with Tuan Tuan."

Tuan Tuan gave him a sweet smile: "Uncle Luo, you're so kind!"

Xiao Ningxun laughed: "We'll stay in River Prefecture for a few days. Young chief, if you have urgent matters, feel free to attend to them first; we can reconvene later."

Luo Zhenjiang gestured: "Third son may not know, the Canal Gang is no longer what it used to be; people chase us daily, begging to join."

"It won't hurt for a few days; after you leave, I'll meet them later."

Having said that, he sat down, still holding Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan clutched his neck, suddenly recalled something, turned to Luo Hongli: "Sister Luo, how are Zhou Ping and Zhou An now? What about Kong An?"

"Is my old yellow horse still pulling carts?"

Luo Hongli laughed: "The old yellow horse is in the backyard."

"It's old now; I no longer make it pull carts, only take it out occasionally for a stroll, let it move around and bask in the sun."

"Kong An's little shop is thriving; don't worry."

"As for Zhou Ping and Zhou An," she lifted her hand, pointing at Luo Zhenjiang, "you should ask him."

Tuan Tuan turned back, looked at Luo Zhenjiang with a shocked face: "Did they go to the Canal Gang?"

Luo Zhenjiang nodded: "The silver you left for them last time, they both gave to their father for treatment."

"I think the two brothers are clever and filial, so I'll have Hongli bring them over."

"Now the old master's illness is completely cured; I let him stay at headquarters to boil water and make tea, giving him no heavy chores."

He paused: "I sent the two of them to the Water Relay Academy."

"When they graduate, I'll promote them myself."

Xiao Ningchen raised an eyebrow: "Water Relay Academy? Isn't that run by the government?"

Luo Zhenjiang grinned proudly: "His Majesty granted permission for Canal Gang youths to enter the Water Relay Academy, to learn ship handling and water literacy."

"They're exempted from fees and board, and after graduation they may stay or leave as they wish."

"The Canal Gang today is full of talent; no wonder so many small gangs want to join."

Everyone silently nodded.

Xiao Ze said: "Great kindness."

Tuan Tuan looked up at him with her little face: "Uncle Luo, you must be kinder to Zhou Ping and Zhou An in the future! They're pitiful."

Luo Zhenjiang solemnly nodded: "Don't worry, with Uncle Luo here!"

Tuan Tuan nodded contentedly, waved her small hand: "Then let's hurry to Wangjiang Pavilion! I'm starving!"

Hearing her claim hunger, everyone stood up at once, set off immediately, and soon arrived at the largest tavern in River Prefecture.

As soon as they entered, the proprietor greeted them: "Two heads of the Luo faction, why are you meeting together today?"

Luo Zhenjiang, carrying Tuan Tuan at the front, declared boldly: "Today I'm here to entertain distinguished guests; bring out the finest feast, no need to skimp on costs!"

The proprietor beamed: "Got it! Private rooms upstairs, please!"

The group followed him into the largest private room on the third floor.

"Please have a seat, the wine and dishes will be right up," the proprietor said before stepping out and closing the door.

Everyone took their seats.

Tuan Tuan scrambled with hands and feet onto the chair by the window.

Xiao Er hurriedly steadied her: "Miss, want to look outside?"

"Mm‑mm!"

"It's too low here, Seventh Uncle, come." Lu Qi pushed the table and chairs aside, scooped up Tuan Tuan, and helped her stand steadily on the windowsill.

"Wow!" Tuan Tuan clutched the window frame with both little hands, gazing outward and exclaiming, "So beautiful!"

Outside, a great river spread out majestically, its waves breaking into silver scales under the sun, dazzling the eyes almost to the point of blindness.

White sails dotted the surface like clouds, a thousand vessels racing, layered upon the horizon.

The piers on both banks bustled even more, bare‑armed laborers hauling burlap sacks across the gangplank at lightning speed, their shouts rising and falling in the distance.

Luo Zhenjiang and Luo Hongli, seeing this, walked over.

Luo Zhenjiang pointed and said, "Tuan Tuan, look, about half of those ships belong to our Canal Gang."

Luo Hongli smiled and said, "Look at the porters on the dock, they're working so hard, all brothers from our Bridgehead Gang."

Tuan Tuan's eyes widened, nodding nonstop: "Great!"

The door of the private room opened; several attendants placed the dishes and drinks from the tray one by one on the table: "These are all signature dishes of our Wangjiang Pavilion, honored guests, please enjoy at your leisure."

Luo Zhenjiang picked up Tuan Tuan and walked back to the table: "Try our River Prefecture specialties—you won't be able to stop eating!"

Luo Zhenjiang placed Tuan Tuan in the chair beside them, and together with Luo Hongli they shielded Xiao Tuanzi in the middle.

The two kept putting fish meat, shrimp, lotus root… into her small bowl.

Tuan Tuan dug in enthusiastically: "This is delicious!"

"That one is fragrant!"

Everyone looked at her, smiles appearing on their faces.

After a moment, Luo Zhenjiang set down his chopsticks, his tone serious: "The Seventh Prince has graced River Prefecture with his presence; I wonder what brings you here?"

"As long as it's something our Canal Gang can do, we will certainly lend our support!"

Luo Zhenyue nodded: "Our Bridgehead Gang is the same!"

"First, thank you both," Xiao Ze said, raising their cup to the two, and got straight to the point: "I wonder how the silk, fine porcelain, and tea produced in Jiangnan Region are sold to the Red-haired Barbarians?"

"Besides these, what else do they regularly purchase in bulk?"