Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Just as the Jia family was celebrating, dark clouds loomed over Yangzhou City, allowing people to enter but not leave.

Soldiers and yamen runners were on duty in every street and neighborhood of the city, and armored soldiers constantly patrolled the streets and alleys.

People could only walk on the streets with their household registration and the ward official's token. Soldiers from the government office and garrison troops searched the entire city to arrest thieves, and anyone found to be unidentified was killed on the spot.

Last night, the Salt Inspector Lin Ruhai was surrounded and attacked by a large number of men in black as soon as he left his residence. Fortunately, he was rescued by the Rongguo Mansion's retainer who came south before the New Year, who led his soldiers and successfully fought off the bandits and returned to the mansion.

This created a depressing atmosphere in the city, and people were filled with anxiety.

Inside a garden.

This garden features pavilions, terraces, ponds, and waterside pavilions nestled among green pines and cypresses; artificial hills and strange rocks, flower beds and bonsai, vines and bamboos dot the landscape; the gate tower is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters; the courtyard is covered with lush greenery; and the surrounding mountains echo each other, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Inside the waterside pavilion, a group of people were gathered and discussing something: some were nonchalant, with sneers on their faces; some were scratching their heads, extremely anxious; and some looked fearful and terrified.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a beautiful blue-and-white porcelain teacup was smashed to the ground. Ma Yuelu, one of the eight major salt merchants of Lianghuai, shouted angrily: "Didn't you say it was just a bluff? You dare to kill the soldiers sent by the Ning and Rong prefectures of Xianjing? This is blatantly courting death, and you're dragging all of us, young and old, down with you."

Jiang Chun, one of the eight major salt merchants and the most powerful among them, also said in a deep voice with a dissatisfied expression: "Xiang Liu, tell us your plans for the future, and let us old men hear your insights."

"Uncles and elders, what are you afraid of? This was done by the Fragrance-Enhancing Sect; it has nothing to do with us. Besides, the Jia family has already declined. Do you really think that boasting about Jia Tang will convince the world?"

Wearing a square headscarf and a fine brocade robe with cloud-shaped patterns, Cheng Zhiying, whose courtesy name was Xiang Liu and who was one of the eight great salt merchants, spoke with a face full of disdain.

Jiang Chun pressed on with a dark expression, "You dare to act rashly just because you don't believe me?"

"The Fragrance Cult's madness is known worldwide, what does that have to do with me?"

Cheng Zhiying took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Besides, Lianghuai is the territory of us salt merchants. When the Jia family sent people, we surrounded and killed them. After that, do you think anyone else from the founding lineage would step forward? No way."

"You tell me how much silver we donated to the Great Zhao Dynasty, supporting the two emperors, Taizu and Taishang, in their campaigns in the north. Yet, since the current emperor ascended the throne, how many things has he ruined for us by sending Lin Ruhai? He's even preparing to audit the accounts and demand back taxes."

"As for Xiang Liu, we can take it slow. But with you doing this, it'll only create a deadly feud," said another salt merchant, Wang Yinggeng.

"A blood feud? Back when the late Crown Prince went on an inspection tour in the south, my father was whipped to death by Jia She for saying the wrong thing. It's an irreconcilable blood feud."

"That's just you, not us," said another salt merchant, Huang Zhijun.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhiying laughed loudly, his tone mocking: "Since I came to power, everyone has contributed money and manpower to the assassinations that Lin Ruhai has suffered. Isn't it laughable to say such things now?"

Huang Zhijun narrowed his eyes, staring at Cheng Zhiying without saying a word. Bao Zhidao, a salt merchant standing to the side, clapped his hands approvingly upon hearing this, saying, "Good tactic. Now we're all in the same boat. Tell me your plans for the future."

Everyone knows that at the beginning of last year, after a member of the Jia family was surrounded and killed by bandits in Baoding Prefecture, Jia Tang led his Tiger Guards and soldiers to conduct a large-scale search of bandit strongholds in the deep mountains and forests of Beizhili, and massacred all kinds of outlaws, leaving no survivors.

This resulted in a second-tier bandit attack, but unexpectedly, Jia Tang was followed by a second-tier martial artist from the founding lineage, who killed the bandit on the spot.

Afterwards, Jia Tang, together with the various families of the founding line, massacred the bandits in the north, almost wiping out all the bandits, leaving corpses strewn everywhere.

Now that the Jia family's elite soldiers have been killed, how can the people not be afraid?

Cheng Zhiying put away his boastful tone and said seriously, "We can gather our best men to kill him outside the city. The Wenxiang Sect has already deployed elite troops in the surrounding area, and they also have crossbows. With our intentions against his lack of intentions, the outcome is self-evident."

Everyone fell into deep thought upon hearing this. After a moment, Ma Yuelu said, "What if they're not dead?"

"If he doesn't die, then we die."

Cheng Zhiying downed her tea in one gulp and declared firmly, "Besides, the Jia family of Xianjing has been in decline for one or two decades. Are we afraid of a mere child who suddenly appears? Furthermore, let me tell you all, the Wenxiang Sect has a great leader who has arrived in Yangzhou. With the right timing, location, and popular support, the area outside the city will be his burial ground."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up in surprise. "The Great Transmission of the Second Stage of the Divine Path of Incense Offering and Spirit Seizure?"

Ma Yuelu then asked, "What about the imperial court? Assassinating an official of the imperial court is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family."

Cheng Zhiying stood up, glanced at him contemptuously, and turned to leave, her voice carrying far away: "The imperial court follows the rules. Officials have two mouths; let's see who you find to talk to."

After Cheng Zhiying left, everyone in the garden turned pale upon hearing this and began to complain.

"Hmph, what an arrogant brat, he's dragged us down with him."

"Why not just accept the taxes and pay them? Why make it a fight to the death?"

"Alright, it's too late to say anything more. We've had no way out since we got involved with the Fragrance Sect. Go back and prepare." Jiang Chun interrupted the crowd's complaints loudly and gave them the order to leave.

The group went out alone or in groups. After they left, Jiang Chun's face immediately darkened. He had been tricked by a brat. After a moment's thought, he called out, "Master Jiang, please send an invitation to Lord Lu to have tea at Qingyun Tower the day after tomorrow."

"Yes."

···

The Liaodong Mountains, with their continuous, undulating peaks stretching across the vast expanse of sky and earth, resemble a winding dragon lying prostrate on the ground. Lush vegetation covers the entire mountain range, creating a picturesque scene with distinct layers.

The earth is nourished by gentle breezes, the land is blessed with auspicious rain, the mountains and rivers are beautiful and enchanting, the grass and trees are lush and green, and birds sing sweetly.

But at this moment, the mountains were filled with scattered beasts and birds in disarray, for behind each beast were a continuous stream of elite soldiers with swords in their hands, charging towards them.

Within the mountain range, continuous blade-like energy appeared in mid-air, slashing down on the countless paws of a grizzly bear enveloped in yellow energy, producing muffled thuds.

Originally, Jia Tang was leading his troops to hunt Yuan Beasts when they encountered a second-tier Earth-Splitting Bear. So he ordered his soldiers to scatter and hunt the other birds and beasts, while he led his three generals to try to surround and kill it.

This bear has thick hide and flesh, making it move rather slowly. With Jia Tang holding the Yuan soldier's Tiger Demon Banner, it was the perfect opportunity to surround and kill it.

The next moment, the earth rumbled and crashed. With the collision of the blade and the bear's paw, rocks flew everywhere, dust filled the sky, and chaos erupted amidst shouts of battle and roars of beasts.

······

December 26th, Xianjing.

The Ning and Rong mansions were bustling with activity early in the morning, as it was the day Jia Tang, who had been away on campaign, was returning to the capital to present captured prisoners.

Just now, Xia Shouzhong led a team of Imperial Guards to deliver Emperor Changwu's edict. Inside the Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia and the masters of both mansions knelt down to listen respectfully.

"The Imperial Guard's army that aided Liaodong has returned in triumph today. At noon, a ceremony to present the captured prisoners will be held outside Anding Gate. His Majesty has decreed that all civil and military officials of the fourth rank and above are permitted to set up tents to watch the ceremony, in order to demonstrate the might of the army. It is hoped that you, the civil and military families, will not hesitate to teach your descendants to achieve meritorious service or govern a region, and to serve the emperor and the country loyally."

After saying this, Xia Shouzhong accepted the tribute from Jia Lian and turned to go to the other residences.

Xia Shouzhong never delegates these kinds of lucrative jobs to others.

The Jia family joyfully saw off the eunuch, and Grandmother Jia immediately said, "According to the regulations, our Ning and Rong mansions need to build two decorated pavilions. Lian'er and Rong'er, you two quickly take the servants there and do not delay. No matter which servant, regardless of their generation or what face or ability they have, if they dare to cheat or shirk their duties, they will all be beaten to death."

"Eldest daughter-in-law, Zhen'er, quickly prepare the necessary items and have them sent over. Second daughter-in-law, along with Feng'er and Keqing's great-granddaughter-in-law, will coordinate and make sure anything is missing."

Grandmother Jia spoke quickly and methodically, and everyone accepted her orders and left with their servants to make the arrangements.

As they left, Madam Wang remained expressionless, while Madam Xing smiled with delight. Grandmother Jia noticed but paid no attention.

"Grandmother, can we go too?" Xichun suddenly asked.

"Grandma, please let us go," pleaded Shi Xiangyun, a tomboy with a wasp waist, a slender back, a crane-like posture, and snow-white skin.

As soon as winter arrived, Grandmother Jia took the girl in and she spent every day with Sanchun.

Looking at the girls' eyes, Grandmother Jia thought for a moment and said, "Alright, alright, then let them go. It's not overstepping your bounds. Yuanyang, go and tell Feng to bring the younger girls from the manor along as well, and arrange for them to go in comfortable rooms."

The women were immediately overjoyed and hurried back to the courtyard, where they took out their most gorgeous clothes and began to change into them one by one.

By the time all the women, maids, and servants in the mansion had finished preparing, it was already quite late.

At this time, a message came from the front saying that the colorful tent had been set up.

Afterwards, Grandmother Jia led the women of the two households out of the mansion, with Qingwen following beside You Shi.

The group boarded carriages and sedan chairs, accompanied by maids and servants, with stewards and servants guarding the perimeter, and headed towards Andingmen in a grand procession.

When they reached Anding Street, it was already extremely congested. Officials, nobles, and ordinary people from the city all went outside the city to pay their respects, and there were carriages and pedestrians constantly on the road.

The Jia family was spotted by Qiu Liang, the commander of the Western Division who was maintaining order, and a team of soldiers was sent to escort them out of the city quickly.

As soon as they exited Andingmen, crowds of people came to watch the ceremony, continuously pouring into the square formations of yamen runners on both sides of the road.

The Jia family procession continued forward, and soon they saw a continuous stretch of colorful canopies erected on both sides of the road.

Jia Lian and Jia Rong were waiting on the side. When they saw the convoy, they hurriedly went to greet it and led it to the innermost two connected high sheds before stopping.

The stewards and servants quickly pulled back the curtains, creating a closed passage. Inside, maids and servants greeted Grandmother Jia and the others as they disembarked from the carriage.

The decorated tent was divided into a men's section for men and a women's section for women. As soon as the women of the two households entered the tent, they found that the curtains were lifted high, and chairs and soft stools were set out, along with fruits, snacks, and tea.

After Grandmother Jia and the ladies led everyone into the inner room, Li Wan and Wang Xifeng, along with several women and their personal maids, found a bright spot to sit down. Qingwen, who was originally with You Shi, also came over upon seeing this. The women ate fruit and drank tea, chattering excitedly.