Chapter 841: We Should Talk About Who Comes First and Who Arrives Later

Xiao Ze gave a slight nod, and Xiao Ningxun kept nodding: "Big brother, this move of cutting the firewood under the pot is ruthless."

Xiao Ningchen praised: "Indeed, not bad."

Xiao Er laughed: "Now that's refreshing!"

Lu Qi drained the cup in one gulp: "Exactly!"

Luo Zhenjiang let out a soft hiss, his gaze toward Xiao Ningyuan clearly changed: "Eldest son, you're not skilled in martial arts, yet you're so proficient in the way of commerce; I admire you."

Xiao Ningyuan gave a naive smile: "Gang leader Luo, you flatter me."

Tuan Tuan, having finished eating, put down her chopsticks contentedly,

she leaned back against the chair, her two little hands resting on her belly, looking just like a well‑fed kitten.

Luo Hongli was amused by her cute demeanor and laughed, reaching out to gently poke her little belly: "Are you full?"

"I'm full! My tummy's round now." Tuan Tuan patted her belly, "So delicious!"

Luo Zhenyue set down his cup, looked at Xiao Ze, his expression sincere: "Seventh Prince, you have business to attend to in Jiangzhou; staying at an inn is rather inconvenient."

"My old house may not be spacious, but it's clean and all are our own people."

"If you don't mind, you could stay at the bridgehead's gang house, what do you think?"

Luo Hongli chimed in: "Indeed! Tuan Tuan rarely comes, staying at an inn is boring, I'd like to spend more time with her."

"When we get back I'll have people prepare a few rooms, I'll look after you; it'll be ten times more comfortable than an inn!"

Tuan Tuan leapt from the chair, ran to Xiao Ze's front, tugging his sleeve: "Third Elder Brother, let's stay at Sister Luo's house, okay?"

"Alright, wherever Tuan Tuan wants to stay, Third Elder Brother will stay with you." Xiao Ze pulled her into his arms, looked at Luo Zhenyue, "Since that's the case, I'll be a bother."

The group stood up and left Wangjiang Tower, Luo Zhenjiang clasped his fists and took his leave.

The party returned to the bridgehead gang's headquarters.

Luo Hongli hurriedly had people tidy up a courtyard and led the group inside: "You've had a hard journey, rest quickly."

Everyone looked and saw a row of five proper rooms in the courtyard, windows bright and floor clean, and they kept thanking repeatedly.

Early the next morning, the group walked into the hall and sat down; breakfast had already been laid out on a table.

"I knew you certainly hadn't finished eating!" Luo Zhenjiang strode in.

"Uncle Luo!" Tuan Tuan shouted, "Come eat with me!"

"Alright!" Luo Zhenjiang didn't hold back, pulled out a chair and squeezed in between Tuan Tuan and Xiao Er.

"Brother Xiao Er, make way; you get to see Tuan Tuan all the time, I only have these few days to accompany her."

Xiao Er smiled and stepped aside.

Luo Zhenjiang sat down, picked up a piece of water‑chestnut cake and placed it on the small plate before Tuan Tuan; "Good girl, eat up."

"Mmm!" Tuan Tuan grabbed it, took a bite, sighed contentedly, "Jiangzhou's water‑chestnut cake is truly tasty!"

Luo Zhenjiang laughed heartily, and picked another piece for her: "If you like it, eat more; you won't find such fresh ones elsewhere."

He looked at Xiao Ze: "Seventh Prince, where do you plan to go first today? I'll go with you. With me there, those merchants will give us a few concessions, making negotiations more pleasant."

Xiao Ningyuan exclaimed with joy: "Thank you, Gang leader Luo! The Canal Gang is influential in Jiangzhou; with you, I'm like a tiger with added wings!"

Xiao Ningxun teased: "Tiger with added wings? I think it's more like a fox borrowing the tiger's might!"

Xiao Ningyuan laughed heartily.

Xiao Ze gave a slight nod: "You've been a great help, young gang leader."

"Your Highness, no need to be formal!"

"Where to go first…" Xiao Ningyuan thought for a moment: "Silk is a specialty of the Jiangnan Region; other places don't have it, so let's start with the cloth shop."

Luo Zhenjiang nodded: "Makes sense, let's go to the cloth shop first."

After finishing breakfast, the group followed him to the Jiangzhou cloth shop.

Luo Zhenjiang raised his hand and pointed: "We've arrived."

Everyone looked up and saw a modest courtyard gate, pink walls and black‑tiled roof, with a black lacquer plaque over the lintel bearing the characters "Cloth Shop."

Luo Zhenjiang strode to the door and knocked loudly on the big gate.

A moment later, a worker cracked the door open a slit, and immediately saw Luo Zhenjiang.

He instantly swung the door wide, beaming: "Gang leader Luo! What wind has brought you here? Please, come in!"

Luo Zhenjiang bent down, scooped up Tuan Tuan, and stepped inside, the others following closely behind.

"Gang leader Luo, please wait!" the worker called after them.

The group's steps halted.

The worker hurried forward a few steps, looking uneasy: "Gang leader Luo, it's truly inconvenient; Wang Hangshou is entertaining guests inside, a great merchant who has come from afar."

"Could you all wait a moment in the side room? I'll go fetch a pot of good tea for you!"

Luo Zhenjiang frowned: "From afar? Where did they come from?"

The worker replied: "Taiyuan Island."

The group exchanged glances.

A great merchant from Taiyuan Island—that's the Red-haired Barbarians, isn't it?

It truly was a case of searching in vain, yet we ran into them on the first day.

Luo Zhenjiang was about to glare when Xiao Ningyuan calmly gestured to the worker: "Oh? Merchants from Taiyuan Island?"

"What a coincidence, we are also merchants, having traveled thousands of miles from Jingcheng especially."

"Speaking of traveling from afar, our route isn't as short as that Taiyuan merchant's."

"Please have the junior inform them that we're wealthy merchants from Jingcheng, here to pay a visit."

Xiao Er choked slightly, and Lu Qi gave a light cough.

The two exchanged a glance; the eldest son truly lived up to being a businessman, saying it just right!

A wealthy merchant?

The clerk sized Xiao Ningyuan up from head to toe.

He wore an indigo‑blue silk robe, the jade pendant at his waist clearly not ordinary, his manner gentle, his speech unhurried—indeed he bore the air of a major merchant house from Jingcheng.

Looking at his companions, each was dressed in splendid attire and bore an extraordinary demeanor.

To have the chief of the Canal Gang personally accompany him, he must be someone not to be offended!

He dared not delay, turned and led the way: "Honored guests, please follow me."

Everyone followed him through the courtyard into the main hall.

The hall's furnishings were simple yet elegant: a long table of purple‑sandalwood stood in the center, with several rose‑wood chairs on each side, and a painting titled *Weaving Illustration* hung on the wall.

The brushwork was meticulous, depicting each step of mulberry picking, silkworm rearing, silk reeling, and weaving.

Two men sat before the table, talking about something.

One of them looked up, saw Luo Zhenjiang, and hurried to his feet with a beaming smile: "Chief Luo, your august presence honors us—Wang here has failed to welcome you properly! Please, take a seat."

Luo Zhenjiang waved a hand, stepped aside to let his entourage through, and said: "Chief Wang, these are my friends from Jingcheng; they want to buy a batch of fine silk."

You'd better bring out your best goods—no holding back!

"No dare," Chief Wang hastily bowed, saying, "Ah, they are Chief Luo's friends—my apologies for the discourtesy."

"Honored guests, please be seated."

"Serve tea!"

Everyone took their seats.

Tuan Tuan obediently sat on Luo Zhenjiang's lap, looking around curiously.

Xiao Ningyuan glanced at the man opposite—about thirty, wearing a square‑flat cap, clearly a capable fellow who'd long been running errands for others.

He cupped his fists and said, "I am Xiao Ningyuan; may I have your honored name?"

The man's gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Xiao Ningyuan's face, where their eyes met.

"Not at all," he returned the salute, saying, "I am Wu Shuang."

Xiao Ningyuan raised an eyebrow: "I heard Boss Wu was just discussing business with Chief Wang. I wonder what fine goods you have—might I take a look?"

Wu Shuang tugged at the corner of his mouth, lifted his teacup and took a slow sip, then drawled, "Everything has its order, Boss Xiao."