Chapter 216: New Horizons in Mingsha City

It’s not impossible! Researcher Xu behind Mingsha Tourism holds a high rank. In his eyes, the Cultural Expo is far more significant than any TV drama.

Ren Long added.

Ordinary people may not know who really steers Mingsha City, but how could an Editor-in-Chief who’s worked with Haofang Culture for so long be unaware? Every time our station chief goes to Mingsha to discuss projects, he meets Xu Hao.

“Umm… if that’s the case, won’t the quality of this xianxia drama suffer?”

Upon hearing Ren Long’s analysis, the Editor suddenly grew anxious.

“The quality will be fine! Anything coming out of Mingsha City is top-notch. Whether they proceed or not, they won’t cut corners—only the timing might be an issue.”

Ren Long waved his hand decisively.

“Since the quality is assured then…”

Ding-dong! Just as the Editor was about to speak again in relief, Ren Long’s phone rang.

Seeing this,

the Editor wisely nodded at Ren Long and returned to his work while Ren Long picked up his phone.

Glancing at the caller ID, Ren Long was first taken aback, then pleased, and quickly answered.

“Hello, Mr. Fang.”

“Director Ren, hello. Our film’s rough cut is complete and staff will deliver it to Yan City TV tomorrow. I was supposed to go myself, but I have plenty on my plate. Could you handle the review submission?”

At that moment, Fang Hou’s voice came through.

“Alright, no problem!”

Ren Long responded promptly.

Everything was falling into place exactly as planned, especially since the review process with the authorities was prearranged.

“Then I count on you. I’ll have Haofang Culture’s staff contact you tomorrow.”

“Mr. Fang, you’re too kind!”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they hung up.

“Xiao Zhang, notify the Advertising and Operations Department so they’re ready to promote ‘Legend of Swords and Heroes’ over the next couple of days. It’s set to premiere on May 31st.”

Standing up,

Ren Long swept away his earlier worries with a hearty shout.

Night deepened.

Mingsha – Ancient Building Courtyard of Wudi City.

Xu Hao finally lifted his tea cup and leaned back in his chair.

Nearly two months of grueling work had come to an end. Fortunately, Fang Hou had lent a tremendous hand during the filming of ‘Legend of Swords and Heroes’, especially with the indoor scenes; otherwise balancing repairs at Nanzhao Ancient City with filming would have been impossible.

Moreover, Xu Hao realized something important.

With several major films and dramas by Haofang Culture now online, Fang Hou’s directorial skills were soaring. When the shooting script was detailed, his work replicated the original drama on Earth with almost 98% similarity.

Some details were even better executed than in the original.

He could easily take charge of future productions! This time, Xu Hao planned to test Fang Hou by handing over all projects in collaboration with Yun Province TV once the scripts are finalized.

That project is tied to Wulin Wai Chuan and requires many settings. It should work out fine.

“Brother Hao, what do you think of our plan for the new Mingsha Medical Hospital?”

Across the tea table, Zhu Qiang and Luo Peng were present. After a pause, Luo Peng spoke up.

For over half a month now,

Xu Hao and Fang Hou have been busy at Oasis 23. They haven’t been idle—juggling river repairs with tracking down inheritors of traditional medicine. Their hard work is paying off!

Meanwhile, projects they headed have been steadily progressing. Especially Zhu Qiang’s projects for the staff dormitory and office building, which are nearing completion pending only interior fittings.

Mingsha Tourism has built a total of ten office buildings (three exterior, seven interior), two complex service and staff entertainment buildings (six exterior, nine interior), and fifteen staff apartments (three exterior, seven interior).

These structures rear behind the current office block, marking significant southern expansion of the base.

“That’s a brilliant idea! The location is spot on! But the day after tomorrow, I’ll be at Yan City Taiyuan, so I’ll have to wait until I return.”

Reviewing the project plan on the table, Xu Hao nodded in satisfaction.

If the Taiyuan is built as per the plan, this place might become Long Kingdom’s most authentic hub for traditional medicine. As for the Cultural Expo performance? Doesn’t H Country think that applying for Eastern Medicine Treasure is a big deal?

Regardless of its history, the traditional medicine heritage at Mingsha Medical Hospital will easily outshine H Country’s Eastern Medicine Treasure, compiled in 1610.

“But rest assured, once I’m in Yan City, I’ll make time to visit the Dragon Kingdom Museum, study its ancient texts, design the Mingsha Medical Hospital in advance, and then speed up construction! The standards of our traditional medicine experts are already rigorous.”

After a pause, Xu Hao added,

“Going to Yan City isn’t just for refurbishing the 49 Imperial City; it’s a golden opportunity to learn from the Dragon Kingdom Museum. With my current understanding and memory, a museum visit is as effective as shopping in bulk.”

“Brother Hao, rest assured. Our hiring criterion isn’t about big names but about skilled, reputable local veteran doctors. We’ve even begun preparing traditional medicinal herbs, all sourced wild rather than cultivated.”

Upon hearing this,

Zhu Qiang hurriedly reassured.

“Agreed!”

“By the way, Brother Hao, with the xianxia drama about to launch, when will Oasis 23 open to visitors?”

Luo Peng inquired from the side.

“You two decide. Nanzhao Ancient City will finish up in just over ten days. As soon as investment and service staff are in place, it’s open for business.

As for Qing Brick Avenue on both sides, let’s hold off for now.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Hao remarked.

Oasis 23 is about twelve kilometers from Qixia Town. If we also build guesthouses along Qing Brick Avenue, completion will take much longer.

Moreover, continuously building guesthouses along Qing Brick Avenue isn’t a problem—we’ll just need further planning later.

“Understood, Brother Hao.”

“And remember, the grass lattice and green planting over the two to three kilometers around Oasis 23 must be maintained. Nanzhao Ancient City doesn’t need any desert or Gobi features. Also, for the Demon-Locking Tower, even though its interior has been treated, proper ventilation and fire protection are crucial.”

“Rest assured, Brother Hao!”

Night deepened further.

In Mingsha County, the office building still shone with lights.

Qin Xuan leaned back in his chair while a middle-aged man stood behind his desk. The man’s frustration was evident. “Leader, do we need more staff at the branch? For a fire station it’s understandable, given the many wooden ancient structures in Mingsha City, but what about our sector?”

After a brief silence,

the man continued, his resentment clear.

“Chief Zhang, you have to understand. Mingsha City is about to open another Oasis IP checkpoint, and its commercial scale will far exceed that of any township in our county.”

Qin Xuan glanced at the man and said.

That said,

as Mingsha City expands—especially after the Qingming Scroll’s completion—the Fire Station’s personnel have soared to 150, with ten fire trucks.

One fire station’s resources now far exceed those of Mingsha County’s Fire Brigade! Plans are underway to expand the brigade into a full battalion and establish its headquarters in Mingsha City.

It will become the main base! Meanwhile, the Administration and Taxation are facing similar issues, which has the county Administration Bureau official quite agitated.

“But Leader, if we send more staff over, there won’t be enough left for the county office! A branch of the Administration Bureau already has more personnel than our county bureau. How can that be justified?

Besides, when people from other townships come to the county for business without adequate staff, they’ll complain that we focus solely on Mingsha City.”

A brief silence followed.

The middle-aged man continued.

“Chief Zhang, Mingsha City’s commercial scale is enormous! Every time a new Oasis or IP checkpoint opens, the accompanying commerce far outstrips that of our largest township.

Especially along Langya Commercial Street in Langya Pavilion—the scale is staggering. Every weekend and holiday, visitors from Wei City and nearby counties come specifically to stroll along it.”

Qin Xuan smiled and explained further.

In fact,

it’s not just people from Wei City—staff from various county departments also flock to Langya Commercial Street on weekends to shop and dine.

Fortunately, with limited guesthouses in Mingsha City, many travelers who can’t book a stay there opt for lodging in the county town instead.

Otherwise, the county’s commerce would likely collapse!

“And if all goes well, Mingsha City might soon host a university. Once that happens, its scale will only grow bigger!”

After a brief pause, Qin Xuan added.

“Huh? Another university?”

The middle-aged man was taken aback.

Some things, at his level, he really didn’t know.

“Yes, it will be affiliated with the Ancient Architecture Research Institute. Since that institute falls under Long Kingdom’s Tourism arm, this university is essentially a government-affiliated college.”

Qin Xuan continued.

Ever since hearing the news, he knew relocating the county town northward was inevitable. So when the county government building moved to Hongsha Gang Village, it wasn’t surprising at all.

“So, there’s nothing we can do about it!”

“But Leader, with things going on like this, what are we supposed to do?”

Coming back to reality,

the middle-aged man still found it hard to accept.

“Maybe we could request additional staffing and recruit more personnel?”

After some thought, Qin Xuan suggested.

“Leader, you just mentioned that once Mingsha City opens a new IP checkpoint, its scale will surpass that of any township. I suspect new hires will soon be transferred over there.”

“Then what do you propose we do?”

Qin Xuan looked at the man.

“Leader, I say we handle it like the Fire Brigade—relocate the county bureau there and designate this branch as a sub-office. Then we can recruit directly for that location without all this back-and-forth!”

Immediately upon hearing this, the man responded.