Chapter 1068: Trade Representative

He had just finished speaking when several guests in the dining hall looked up, silently walked to the open kitchen, and asked for a fresh bowl of yellow croaker noodles.

He Lingchuan led the way; Dou Wenguan set down his chopsticks without eating, while Dou Wuxing earnestly finished the last few dumplings.

"Your coming brings honor to my humble abode," He Lingchuan said, calling for the shopkeeper to bring wine. Dou Wuxing shook his head, though: "No wine. Later I want to wander around a bit."

He was a straightforward man, so He Lingchuan ordered a pot of hot tea instead. Seeing he was still not satisfied, he also ordered two steamers of fresh bamboo shoot and meat buns and two steamers of crab roe soup dumplings for the two brothers.

He remembered Dou Wenguan liked sweet things, so he ordered a serving of aphid-sugar sesame shaobing as well.

Sure enough, Dou Wenguan ate with unstinting praise: "This flavor is very special. It isn't honey, is it?"

He Lingchuan smiled: "It isn't. This spicy note also comes from the sugar itself." The aphid-sugar's flavor was personally blended by Zhu Erniang, more versatile and changeable than honey.

The strangeness of meeting again after a year was polished away in a few polite exchanges. Dou Wenguan sighed with emotion:

"Your islands are properly impressive — everything everywhere is neat and orderly. Lingxu City has so many scions of great clans; their storefronts look magnificent, but their own hands may not command such a vast enterprise!"

Lingxu City has no shortage of one thing: second-generation officials and second-generation tycoons fill every street. Throw a brick at random and you'll hit at least two.

Flaunting wealth, scattering money, buying out venues — none of that is news anymore.

Such a great Chosen City, a veritable den of dissipation and fame-seeking.

Dou Wenguan's gaze at He Lingchuan also carried a tinge of emotion.

Back then they were a group of young companions drinking and making merry together in Lingxu City, their statuses indistinguishable in height; a year unseen, He Lingchuan suddenly sent them a letter, suddenly said he had an island...

An entire archipelago, forty-two islands in total.

Look at the two of them brothers in turn? They traveled a thousand li to come work for someone else — just like that the gap yawned wide.

He Lingchuan picked up a shaobing and took a bite: "They live in luxury, their enterprises managed by their families. Unlike me, born to a life of toil, having to attend to everything personally!"

He inquired further about the Dou brothers, and only then learned their aspiration to stay in Lingxu City had indeed already shattered.

Speaking of it, this still had to do with He Lingchuan. Ever since he raised havoc in the Heavenly Palace and Fang Canran summoned Lei Qing's giant beast to wreak large-scale destruction in the Between Between Between Beijia imperial capital, both Lingxu City and the Heavenly Palace were furious. Besides further escalating the eastern war, the Demon Emperor personally ordered a strict investigation into the backgrounds of Mou nationals in Lingxu City.

Whether their background was problematic or too vague to ascertain, all were arrested as spies.

One meaningful look from the leadership, and subordinates knew what to do. The Demon Emperor said "strict investigation"; by the time it reached the bottom it had been layered with added severity, turning into expulsion.

The Dou brothers' backgrounds were clean, otherwise they would have been detained long ago. But they were also anxious and uneasy, knowing a new storm had already formed.

Sure enough, the Lingxu Grand Academy soon issued them expulsion orders, giving them ten days to leave Lingxu City or be handed over for legal prosecution.

Dou Wuxing had originally been poised to serve as a minor official under the Grand Minister of Agriculture; Dou Wenguan had also earned the appreciation of the Director of Guests. With this upheaval, both brothers' prospects evaporated, and they could only return to their country dejectedly.

Strictly speaking, the two of them didn't even count as Mou nationals, but the official background they submitted at the time was "Mou student," so being expelled left them no grounds for complaint.

He Lingchuan immediately expressed sympathy for their plight, then clenched his fist in indignation: "I thought Lingxu City was open and inclusive. Who knew it still ultimately judges people by their country of origin."

Dou Wenguan nodded: "All under heaven is like this. Why would Between Between Between Beijia be an exception? Where a person is born, that place's brand is stamped on them — this lifetime it's very hard to change."

The two returned to Shahe and only managed to secure posts at the local prefectural government office. Leisurely it was — they had hardly any matters to handle all day — and both felt unable to put their talents to use.

Upon receiving He Lingchuan's letter, the brothers deliberated for several nights and decided to come over.

They were alone in the world anyway; what harm in venturing out to make their way? They also asked about He Lingchuan's experiences this past year. He only said he had traveled through various countries, sailed to the Yangshan Archipelago, saw the land was spirited and the people outstanding, and so put down roots.

Dou Wenguan immediately said: "The Yangshan Archipelago is a good place. It can serve as a hereditary treasure land."

He Lingchuan had dealt with him before and knew this fellow was starting to probe. He glanced at him: "A mere archipelago — what hereditary treasure land?"

"What does Brother He have in mind?" Dou Wenguan stroked his chin. "If I recall correctly, there isn't any unclaimed empty land around here."

The subtext of Dou Wenguan's words was asking whether He Lingchuan intended to settle in a corner or had grander ambitions. He Lingchuan replied with deep meaning: "There will be."

If he only planned to peacefully be an island lord, would the Dou brothers still stay? Dou Wenguan was faintly moved.

At this moment Dou Wuxing also stuffed the last crab roe soup dumpling into his mouth and downed a large mouthful of tea: "The food here is truly delicious — much better than back home."

Seeing they had eaten and drunk their fill, He Lingchuan personally took the two around to tour everywhere.

By now the palm harvesting season had already ended, but the laborers were not idle; they had been transferred to Suoding Island for expansion.

Before Fang Canran left the Yangshan Archipelago, he drew up a detailed plan for the islands' commercial district for He Lingchuan — thorough, mature, and thoughtfully conceived. He Lingchuan just had to follow the blueprint.

Suoding Island would add inns, restaurants, teahouses, and many entertainment facilities, and build a portion of private residences.

Real estate is a crucial wealth-bearing industry in any city or territory. Seeing the Yangshan Archipelago thriving, Fang Canran suggested He Lingchuan pay attention to residential land prices and lease or sell at the right time.

Bladeport is an ice-free harbor with many merchants and travelers plying this route year-round. They purchase property and shops in valuable, high-potential coastal areas as investments.

Other islands used for farming and habitation must have market towns, industrial zones, and residential zones delineated, and drainage and other infrastructure properly built.

While improving living comfort, this also reduces pollution and inconvenience.

So when the Dou brothers arrived on the islands, construction was underway everywhere, people working with great vigor.

Dou Wenguan found it greatly interesting and couldn't help saying to He Lingchuan: "This place is interesting! I want to seek a post under Brother He."

He Lingchuan clapped his hands: "Exactly what I wish!"

Dou Wenguan was silver-tongued and adept at handling affairs, with a whole set of skills for dealing with people.

The position He Lingchuan arranged for him was Tongjia Shi — that is, Trade Representative. The Yangshan Archipelago's industries would need to grow large and comprehensive, inevitably opening major trade routes and dealing with merchants coming from south and north.

When necessary, he would also serve concurrently as the Yangshan Archipelago's Special Envoy, dispatched to other countries.

He Lingchuan had subordinates like Ding Zuodong and Guan Ke, but their responsibilities were too heavy and their energy limited; they couldn't take on this kind of work. Besides, the more talent the better — He Lingchuan didn't want to just keep shearing those two sheep.

Sure enough, Dou Wenguan agreed at once, beaming with delight.

Thanks to Congcong Baobao for the reward

(End of chapter)