Chapter 1229 - 318: Frigid Snow Locks Suzhou, Machinations Startle the Jianghu (Part 5)

Huang Zhenyue furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment: "This idea is good, but the journey to the South Seas is far, and pirates run rampant, making it quite risky."

Zhuge Yi, confident and unfazed, unfolded his fan: "Gang Leader, rest assured, I have thoroughly investigated. There is a ’Coral Island’ in the South Seas, strategically situated, easy to defend and hard to attack, which could serve as our gang’s transit station. We can build docks and warehouses on the island, stockpile goods, and even train a navy to fend off pirates."

Huang Haitian listened, his blood boiling with excitement: "Great! I am willing to lead the fleet and pioneer the way, we must establish the Sea Sand Gang’s reputation in the South Seas!"

However, opening a new trade route was not an easy task.

The first time the Sea Sand Gang fleet headed south, they encountered a storm, and several merchant ships were damaged, with cargo soaked.

Huang Haitian stared at the turbulent sea, gritting his teeth: "Do you think these storms can stop my Sea Sand Gang? Repair the ships and continue forward!"

The fleet made a brief rest and set sail again, only to encounter a pirate attack.

The pirate ships surrounded them like a pack of wolves, with pirates brandishing large knives, letting out bizarre cries.

"Release arrows!" Huang Haitian commanded, and the disciples of the Sea Sand Gang drew their bows and shot arrows like locusts at the pirates.

At the same time, the "Crashing Waves Thunder" on the ships was ignited, and with a series of loud explosions, the pirate ships were blown to bits.

After a fierce battle, the pirates fled in disarray, and the Sea Sand Gang fleet continued southward, finally reaching Coral Island.

On Coral Island, the Sea Sand Gang worked day and night, quickly building docks and warehouses. The gang’s flag was raised high on the island, fluttering in the wind.

As the fleet traveled back and forth, trade between the Sea Sand Gang and the South Sea nations became increasingly prosperous, with silk and porcelain being shipped continuously to the South Seas, and rare goods like spices and jewelry brought back to the Central Plains.

But the Imperial Court soon became aware of the Sea Sand Gang’s activities.

Commander of the Imperial Guard Lu Bing, upon hearing the news, was furious: "This Sea Sand Gang dares to defy the Imperial Court’s ban and conduct private maritime trade! Summon the navy; we must capture the entire Sea Sand Gang fleet in one fell swoop!"

A great naval battle was imminent...

The summer wind swept across the boundless grasslands of the Naiman Tribe, turning the herds of cattle and sheep into moving clouds.

In the Royal Palace of Wulang City, the sandalwood incense mingled with the scent of milk from the gilded incense burner, forming a melody with the sound of hooves shattering the dewdrops outside.

Shi Feiyang reclined on a tiger skin cushion, the deerskin pouch at his waist glowing warmly, as if harboring all the secrets of the world. "Though the grassland is beautiful, I still feel it lacks a bit of Jiangnan’s grace."

Lin Wanqing gently shook her round fan, the gentleness in her eyes flowing like spring water, "But as long as I can see you safe, I am willing to stay even in the most remote places."

Before she finished speaking, Bai Zhi was already kneeling at Shi Feiyang’s feet, the silver ornaments of Miaojiang jingling with her movements: "Shi Lang, although the grassland’s summer is beautiful, the sun is scorching. You just went out to patrol; what if you get sunburned?"

Saying this, she took out a herbal ointment from her bosom and carefully applied it to Shi Feiyang’s exposed wrists.

Gong Simeng brought over a three-stringed lute, lightly plucking it with her fingers, and the melody of "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" flowed out: "When it comes to remarkable men in this world, who could compare to my husband? Transferring hundreds of thousands of brothers safely in a few months, truly a master of military tactics."

Her eyes were fixed on Shi Feiyang, her admiring gaze undisguised.

Liu Guihua, however, tossed a wine bag to Shi Feiyang, laughing heartily: "Who cares about strategic prowess! Now we can drink and eat freely; that’s what matters! But..." She suddenly leaned close, whispering in Shi Feiyang’s ear, "If you dare wrong us sisters, be careful, my knife doesn’t show mercy." As she spoke, the sound of tinkling ornaments echoed within the palace.

Queen Yili, draped in a colorful cloak, walked in gracefully like a fairy.

Behind her stood Qi Meizhen, blushing as she held a bowl of steaming goat’s milk, awkwardly standing in the corner. Having stepped down from the position of Jiangnan Cao Bang Gang Leader, Qi Meizhen had given Shi Feiyang another son, making it three sons now, and she just wanted to have a daughter.

"Feiyang, though this grassland is vast, the young men of our Heroic Sakura Association are of marriageable age." Yili lightly sipped her tea, full of grace, "But there are just so many grassland girls, I fear not enough."

Shi Feiyang stroked the deerskin pouch at his waist, musing: "Alliances through marriage have always been a strategy for expanding power. We can first offer some money and grain to the surrounding tribes in exchange for girls, solving the immediate issue and laying the groundwork for future alliances."

"But..." Qi Meizhen suddenly spoke, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, instantly drawing everyone’s attention to her.

She nervously twisted the hem of her dress, her face flushed deep red: "If you overwork yourself for these trivial matters, what will we do if you fall ill? Leave the exchange of girls to others, just take care of yourself."

Shi Feiyang was slightly startled, yet to respond, when Qi Meizhen quickly stepped forward, handing him the goat’s milk: "I specially made this, with the most nourishing herbs from the grassland; drink it while it’s hot."

Her fingers inadvertently brushed Shi Feiyang’s hand, withdrawing swiftly as if frightened, her earlobes turning crimson.

Seeing this, Lin Wanqing smiled teasingly: "Meizhen sister’s care for her husband is indeed meticulous."

Gong Simeng joined in the teasing: "Looks like we’ll all have to learn from sister Meizhen on how to look after our husband."

Qi Meizhen was so shy she almost buried her face in her chest, stammering: "I... I just..."

She looked up, her eyes full of deep affection and determination, "As long as my husband is well, I’ll do anything."

Shi Feiyang gazed at the goat’s milk in his hand, the rising steam making the summer of the grassland suddenly seem warmer than usual.