From the Red Mansion, you can travel through the world of martial arts

Chapter 256: Clear Wind and Bright Moon
The Jinyiwei official ship sailed down the Chengxi Canal and arrived at the border of Gusu. Jia Wei was accompanied by only a small group of soldiers and took a small boat to the Salt Island.

Jia Wei also knew that his identity was sensitive, and it would be extremely dangerous for him to go to Yan Island at this point in time.

That's why he didn't even bring a maid like Zhou Zhiruo with him, just so he could run away in an emergency...

On the Yandao Wharf, the two deputy gang leaders, Wei Zheng and Wang Qianyuan, stood side by side, having been waiting for a long time.

When the fog on the lake cleared, a small boat was seen approaching slowly. Standing at the bow was Jia Wei, who was wearing white python sleeves and a pearl and jade belt.

Seeing this, Wang Qianyuan lowered his head and waited quietly, keeping himself within the law.

Wei Zheng at the side glanced at him and snorted with disdain.

Wang Qianyuan came from the famous Wang family in Suzhou and liked to make friends with local gentry and officials.

Wei Zheng is just the opposite of him. He comes from a humble background and has a stronger underworld atmosphere. He is also known in the underworld for his generosity, loyalty and righteousness, and has many fans in the Salt Gang.

Wei Zheng looked directly at Jia Wei and his group again. When he saw that Jia Wei only brought a few Jinyiwei and Tiqi, he suddenly had an idea...

The boat approached, and Wang Qianyuan immediately went to greet him, bowing and saying, "Welcome Yong'an Hou to Yan Island!"

Although Wei Zheng disliked Jia Wei, as the deputy gang leader, he was used to playing tricks on the spot, so he followed Wang Qianyuan in paying his respects.

"Boss Wang, Boss Wei, I haven't seen you for a long time." Jia Wei looked around at the people on Yan Island and suddenly smiled and said, "Why don't you see Boss Song? Doesn't the Yan Gang welcome me?"

Within the Salt Gang, Wei Zheng was the second in command and Wang Qianyuan was the third in command. But now, when Wei Zheng heard Jia Wei put Wang Qianyuan ahead of him, he became furious, his face darkened and he said nothing.

Wang Qianyuan apologized quickly, "My Lord, the leader has not been feeling well lately and can't even get out of bed. I heard that you are coming and wanted to come and greet you, but I am powerless, so I asked the two of us to come and greet you. Please forgive me, Lord!"

Jia Wei agreed with a smile and did not ask any further questions.

It was obvious that Song Ming, the leader of the Salt Gang, was avoiding him. Song Ming was about to retire, and a major event that shocked the industry, the salt administration reform, happened.

Song Ming carefully considered the situation. He did not want to offend the seven major salt merchants, nor could he afford to offend Jia Wei. He could only seek neutrality and retreat behind the scenes.

It was already afternoon and the Salt Gang was preparing for an evening banquet. The two deputy gang leaders, Wei and Wang, sat around and chatted.

In the evening, more than a dozen buffet tables were set up inside and outside the Salt Gang. Jia Wei sat in the main seat and met with some of the top leaders of the Salt Gang one by one.

Combining the intelligence sent back by the Jinyiwei spies, he analyzed the situation of the Salt Gang.

Apart from the gang leader Song Ming who clearly wanted to abdicate, the Salt Gang was divided into two major factions and some people who were sitting on the fence and watching.

Wei Zheng had the greatest influence in the Salt Gang and had close relations with the Ma and Cheng families among the seven major salt merchants. He was also the most fierce in resisting the court's new salt policy.

Wang Qianyuan was born into the Wang family and was in the same camp as the Huang family. They realized that God's will could not be violated and showed weakness to the imperial envoy and Lin Ruhai, hoping only to cut off their tail and survive in order to preserve their family.

The Salt Gang has more than hundreds of thousands of members, and no matter how the salt policy changes, the production and transportation of the salt still depends on the salt workers.

The Salt Gang might suffer a setback this time, but it would not threaten its survival. Wang Qianyuan could still analyze the pros and cons...

Jia Wei held the wine glass and glanced at Wei Zheng who was being cold and rude to him, and he understood what was going on.

There are peacock screens in the hall and lotus mattresses.

Jia Wei sat high on a large rosewood chair inlaid with green and white jade, enjoying wine and food while watching the play.

Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times, and the level of the opera troupes here is higher than that of the capital city.

There was a melodious flute tune and graceful singing. After the song ended, the stage began to perform plays such as "Ding Lang Recognizes His Father" and "Jiang Ziya Beheads the General and Becomes a God". Suddenly, gods and ghosts appeared, and suddenly demons and monsters appeared. The sound of gongs, drums and shouting was endless, making the place very lively.

Jia Wei often cheered and ordered people to disperse and give gifts, and the atmosphere at the table was tense.

Suddenly, Wei Zheng, who was drunk, stood up and apologized, and left the hall. Jia Wei only saw a figure moving behind the screen. From time to time, Wei Zheng returned to the table and raised his glass to drink.

These actions of his were very common, but Jia Wei knew the danger of Salt Island when he came here, and he was very cautious. At this moment, he was a little paranoid and overly sensitive, so he secretly paid attention...

After the banquet, they drank tea for a while and chatted about the customs and habits of the Jiangnan area without mentioning the salt business at all.

Jia Wei said, "I heard that the surrounding islands have a pleasant climate, green mountains and clear waters, and beautiful scenery. I was thinking of taking a tour."

Wang Qianyuan immediately agreed, "Since my Lord is in such a good mood, why not let me accompany you?"

Jia Wei chuckled: "The Salt Gang is very busy these days. What did Gang Leader Wang draw?"

Wang Qianyuan also smiled and said, "Regarding the matter of Salt Island, we are just following the orders of the Salt Administration and letting things take their own course. My Lord, you still have to let me fulfill my duty as a landlord..."

After some chatting and laughing, it was already late at night and Jia Wei got up and left.

The wind was clear and the moon was bright, and the night was very quiet. Wang Qianyuan personally took Jia Wei to the house where he lived last time.

The last time he learned the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, he collapsed a wall, and now it has been repaired.

To be on the safe side, Jia Wei still let the Jinyiwei in and searched the place thoroughly. Only after finding nothing unusual did they enter.

Wang Qianyuan looked calm as usual. He went into the courtyard and sat with Jia Wei to drink tea. He also called a group of singing girls and dancers to play music and dance.

It was early summer at this time, and a group of dancers, all wearing light clothes, were dancing to the sound of stringed instruments.

For a moment, Jia Wei was staring at them intently. All of these women were as beautiful as flowers and had attractive figures.

When dancing, her clothes fluttered, her figure was graceful, and her colorful silks flew, appearing and disappearing.

Moreover, each of them was looking at Jia Wei with beautiful eyes, and their gazes were full of radiance. No matter which beautiful girl Jia Wei looked at, he would meet a pair of affectionate gazes.

The ambiguous and dreamy atmosphere gradually heated up.

Jia Wei patted Wang Qianyuan on the shoulder: "You are so thoughtful!"

Wang Qianyuan smiled and said, "As long as the Marquis is satisfied..."

Jia Wei was admiring a woman's slender and graceful waist, watching with great interest.

These women were all good, but he was used to eating all kinds of delicacies, so his taste was inevitably picky and he didn't have much interest in them.

It would be better to wait until tomorrow to go back and let the sisters from the Ancient Tomb Sect serve him...

If Wang Qianyuan was willing to give his niece Wang Yuyan to Jia Wei, Jia Wei would definitely accept it with pleasure.

As he was thinking this, he suddenly turned his head to look at the row of singers next to him, and his eyes immediately froze!
In the middle of the queue sat a beautiful and graceful singer with hair like clouds and a rosy face.

She wore only light makeup, but her appearance far surpassed the others, and her temperament was even more unique, like a crane standing out among chickens. No wonder Jia Wei noticed her at a glance.

The girl seemed to feel Jia Wei's burning gaze and turned her head to look at him. Her expression was so beautiful and her demeanor so gentle that Jia Wei couldn't help but be distracted.

(End of this chapter)