Chapter 0005: The Tyrannical Means

It is ... ... is ... ... ah

This is the most challenging aspect

Although they have settled in Fangu City for a year and a half, the origins of the Red Sleeves remain shrouded in mystery. No one knows where they came from, nor does anyone understand why they have chosen to reside in this remote and desolate place.

The momentum of the little Dingdian immediately weakened

It is ... ... him

Little Ding said with utmost seriousness

I am going to see Aunt Xi right now and tell her that you are pimping!

Alright, then tell me, who is that private room reserved for

She is the personal maid of Lady Xi, and of course, her status is far above that of a mere maid

While cracking sunflower seeds, she shook her head and said earnestly: "Did I not tell you before? The one thing that must not be mentioned in this building is this matter. If Aunt Xi finds out that I have been gossiping, she will definitely break my backside."

"Go ahead, which one is it? You seem like a decent person, bringing me good food every time you come. I could help you make a connection or something... If it really works out, it wouldn't be too much of a loss for whichever girl ends up with you; after all, you are a wealthy man. Moreover, you are a good person, seemingly quite devoted."

Do not ... ...

A man that Fang Jie will never forget after just one glance

No one knows why such an outstanding song and dance troupe as Hongxiu Zhao chose to settle in the small city of Fangu, and no one would doubt that a troupe with such strength could quickly establish itself even in Chang'an, and it would not be impossible for it to become a leader in the song and dance industry within the city of Chang'an.

The reason the law enforcement border troops did not apprehend this individual is that his identity is somewhat special

A man is standing at the door

But today is clearly different

However, his attire does not resemble that of a wealthy person, which convinces Fang Jie of this point... This person entered empty-handed, bringing nothing with him

A box of gold, silver, and jade artifacts is intended to buy off everyone... This matter indeed seems quite amusing

Do you want to say it or not

The Han people of the Central Plains are absolutely prohibited from selling iron tools to the people of the grasslands

Fair trade

Little Ding was trembling as he looked at the door, his face filled with disbelief: "It really has come... it actually has come!"

Standing on the second floor of the wooden building at the market, Li Xiaozong waved his hand in annoyance and said: "Clear out all the onlookers, whether they are Han people or herdsmen, leave no one behind... Close the market! Also... send someone to find Fang Jie, and do it quickly!"

This building is covered by Fang Jie, and his name is also written on the land deed

The little girl wore a goose-yellow velvet dress, which made her look extremely adorable

Since the sun rose, Fangu City has been bustling like a pot of boiling water. The expressions on the faces of the herdsmen from various tribes of the grasslands, who have come to Fangu City for trade, are all quite joyful. Trading in Fangu City is reassuring and secure, because there is a strict Han general who has established rigorous trading regulations. These regulations are simple yet effective, summarized in just four words.

Thus, Emperor Li Xiaozong was quite troubled

No!

Xiao Ding was taken aback, suddenly coldly pointing at Fang Jie’s nose and scolding, "Shameless!"

A sore bottom can heal, but curiosity is something that cannot be suppressed

It is surprising that someone has come to Fanggu City to sell horses

... ...

Horse

Red Sleeve Tower, Red Sleeve Call

What a domineering tactic

Even the maid Xiaoding, who had the closest relationship with him, was unwilling to tell him, stating that it was a strict order from the Xi family. In the Hongxiu Zhao, there are two members of the Xi family: one is the head of the Hongxiu Zhao, Madam Xi, and the other is naturally the one who can dance the flowing flower sleeves, Xi Zhuxin. Xi Zhuxin is not Madam Xi's daughter, but she shares the Xi surname.

On the second floor of the Hongxiu Building, directly facing the stage, there is a private room that is always reserved for a certain individual. Regardless of whether this person comes or not, no one else is allowed to enter this private room. Even the person in charge of Hongxiu Building would not easily enter this private room, nor would the owner of Hongxiu Building, Fang Jie, be permitted to do so.

For Fangu City, Hongxiu Zhao is indeed a golden phoenix

Fang Jie chuckled and said: "What kind of thinking is this? I can choose any other girl at will, but I can't select you? If this matter gets out to Aunt Xi, she would surely give you a good beating."

It seemed that the middle-aged man, who appeared ordinary yet somehow exuded an overwhelming charm, sensed Fang Jie’s gaze and slowly shifted his attention. He cast a faint glance at Fang Jie, and suddenly raised his eyebrows slightly, unable to resist taking another look, followed by a very soft "oh".

Fang Jie has always been curious about whom this elegant room is reserved for

The young women in the entire building speak to Xiao Dingdian with utmost politeness. Without mentioning anything else, it is worth noting that their monthly dividends are all distributed through Xiao Dingdian. From this alone, Xiao Dingdian's status in Hongxiu Zhao is self-evident

Since the Great Sui Emperor and Khan Mongke signed the agreement, trade between both parties has indeed flourished. However, there are two items that are absolutely prohibited, and if discovered, the merchants or herdsmen will be executed immediately

... ...

Xiao Dingdian is indeed a little one, but only about twelve or thirteen years old. With red lips and white teeth, she is a quintessential beauty. Although small, she is already strikingly beautiful. It is said that she is currently learning dance skills with Xi Zhu Xin, and she is very likely to become the next leading performer of Hong Xiu Zhao in the future

I will not charge you

It is said that later the troublemaker from that small tribe was brought to the Mongol court, because he was a relative of Khatun Huixiu, the wife of Khan Mongke. As a result, without needing Khan Mongke's intervention, Khatun Huixiu directly ordered the Golden Tent guards to take the troublemaker out and whip him one hundred times. The unfortunate troublemaker, severely injured, encountered bandits on his way home and ultimately met a tragic end.

There was no direct trade relationship between the Northern Liao and the Great Sui

Hui Xiu, the noble lady, does not allow anyone to tarnish her reputation; she knows what Kublai Khan despises the most

He wore a slightly faded green robe, with long hair casually tied at the back of his head. His brows resembled distant mountains, and his eyes were like the sun and moon, giving off a refreshing and clean appearance. His complexion was calm, and his gaze was indifferent. This was the type that could instantly captivate a group of young girls, around thirty years of age, exuding a mature charm. Although he was not the most extraordinarily handsome man, nor was he the most robustly built.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Ding Dian suddenly leaned over and asked in a lowered voice: "Fang Jue Xiao, you keep coming to this building when nothing's wrong, is it because you've taken a liking to some girl?"

The envoys of Northern Liao had visited the capital of the Sui Dynasty, Chang'an, several times to pay their respects to the Sui Emperor, expressing their willingness to submit to the Sui. However, the Emperor never met with them, merely instructing the Ministry of Rites to receive them well. When the envoys of Northern Liao departed, they often received generous rewards. The court's attitude towards Northern Liao has always been ambiguous.

Of course, as the duration of transactions between both parties increases, the border troops enforcing the law in Fangu City often turn a blind eye. For instance, Central Plains merchants sell inferior iron pots to the people of the grasslands, while the grassland people sell weak, cart-pulling horses to the Han people. Such transactions, conducted in secrecy, remain unpunished.

The merchant dressed in a filthy leather robe is selling more than 500 horses, and they are all fully equipped warhorses suitable for an army

He is not merely a pastoralist of the Mongol Yuan Empire; he is a person from the Northern Liao.

Although there is a building called Hongxiu Tower here, it is undoubtedly true that no matter how luxurious this building is, it cannot match the beauty of these celestial-like women. Even the border city general Li Xiaozong is still puzzled as to what folly the owner of Hongxiu Tower committed to actually stay and not leave. What is most intriguing is who established the rule that Hongxiu Tower only performs songs and dances and does not receive guests.

After saying this, she suddenly realized something, and her face turned red.

Some possess a scholarly air, while others exude a carefree and unrestrained spirit

Generally speaking, by noon, trading is almost concluded. During the period before the city gates close at dusk, herdsmen often rush to their preferred places for leisure, whether to feign sophistication in a teahouse while learning to appreciate tea and listen to storytelling, or to engage in gambling with abandon in a casino, or to enjoy the dazzlingly beautiful dances at the Red Sleeve Pavilion

Having nothing to do, Xianlai Wushi was watching the singing and dancing at Hongxiu Zhao and couldn't help but glance back at the elegant room on the second floor. Shaking his head, he asked the little one beside him, who was munching on sunflower seeds, "Are you really not willing to reveal anything?"

If this matter is not handled properly, it may lead to a dispute

According to common sense, by the time the sun is nearing the true south, the herdsmen would have already gone to leisure. However, today is evidently different, as there are still many Han merchants and prairie herdsmen gathered at the market, their hearts trembling at the shocking scene before them

The herdsmen exchanged their goods and precious items for the tea, salt, and fine, beautiful Shu brocade held by the merchants of the Sui Dynasty, each obtaining what they needed

The border soldiers who arrived later unceremoniously dragged all the troublemaking nomads out and executed them at the foot of Wolf Milk Mountain, facing Nirvana City. However, everyone knew that the wolf riders from Nirvana City would never come to rescue these errant herdsmen. This was an agreement reached between Emperor Yang Yi of the Sui Dynasty and the Great Khan Mongke of the Mongol Empire: any herdsmen who entered Fangu City and committed an offense would be subject to the punitive measures of the Sui Dynasty.

Northern Liao was a vassal state of the Mongol Yuan Empire

The people of the grasslands are absolutely forbidden from selling horses, especially warhorses, to the people of the Central Plains

Little Ding Dian suddenly let out a scream, as if she had been touched on the backside by someone. Of course, no one in Hong Xiu Zhao would dare to touch her backside; she was genuinely frightened. Fang Jie turned back in confusion to see what had scared this carefree little girl so much.

However, he neither had the right nor the power to enter the private room directly facing the stage. Not only him, but even Fan Gucheng and Li Xiaozong lacked the right and power to enter this private room. There was once an occasion when Li Xiaozong attempted to enter, but he found that no matter how he tried, he could not bypass that old cripple.

Of course, everyone knows what the bandits are all about

Could you please not speak of this to anyone?

Sigh

It is said that a prince from a small tribe was so astonished by the flowing sleeves dance of Xi Zhu Xin that he immediately had a large box filled with gold, silver, and jade treasures prepared to bring Xi Zhu Xin back to his tribe. As a result, he was ridiculed and called a small-town bumpkin.

Of course, Fang Jie often takes the opportunity to enjoy tea as a guest of the landlord

Beiliang is not even considered a country; it is a semi-nomadic large tribe that resides near the grasslands, nestled among the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Its population is less than one percent of the Mongol Yuan Empire, and it does not share a border with the Sui Dynasty, being separated by a vast expanse of grassland that belongs to the Mongol Yuan Empire. However, the people of Beiliang are extremely fierce and skilled in battle, having lived for many years in the frigid lands of the White Mountains and Black Waters, which has shaped their character to be resilient and courageous. Although their warriors are few in number, even the wolf riders are reluctant to provoke them lightly. Yet, the people of Beiliang are indeed fierce and skilled in battle, having lived for many years in the frigid lands of the White Mountains and Black Waters, which has shaped their character to be resilient and courageous. Although their warriors are few in number, even the wolf riders are reluctant to provoke them lightly.

Fangu City is somewhat too small and rather remote. Even if we plant the phoenix tree, how could we possibly attract the golden phoenix?

Xiao Ding glanced at him and spat, "How can you be so heartless? You only care about your own curiosity, without a thought for my well-being"

At the Red Sleeve Pavilion, which man would come empty-handed? Without carrying a bundle of silver, one would have no face to enter the doors of the Red Sleeve Pavilion

The enraged little tribal prince immediately ordered his attendants to seize people. Dozens of strong prairie warriors charged forward, intending to use force, but were all knocked to the ground by a limping old man guarding the entrance. That day, people first realized that the saying "do not judge a person by their appearance" was indeed true, as the seemingly frail old cripple managed to break at least three bones of each of the robust prairie warriors with just one hand.

Moreover, each person only threw one punch, and it took less than a minute from start to finish

Fang Jie was deeply shocked: "Are you pimping..."

Fang Jie sighed, saying: "Fortresses are indeed breached from within. What should I do if I say that I have taken a liking to you?"

If fortune smiles upon us, we might even witness the leading figure of Hongxiu Zhao, Xi Zhu Xin, performing a dance with flowing sleeves.

Often at this time, the wolf riders in Nirvana City will come to collect the bodies after the border troops of the Sui Dynasty have withdrawn. They will casually abandon the corpses in any place on Wolf Milk Mountain, allowing the wild wolves and vultures to feast on them

Fang Jie was momentarily taken aback, then immediately forced a profound smile.