Chapter 42: Unexpected Support and Desert Ventures

Xu Hao: Everything went extremely smoothly. I even met with the top leader of Mingsha County. They fully backed us and promised that once our company is running, policy support will be plentiful – they might even designate us as a poverty-alleviation enterprise.

On the phone, Zhu Qiang’s excited voice soon came through.

“You actually met with the county officials from Mingsha?”

Xu Hao was a bit surprised.

(Joking aside, this book stays clear of politics – we’re all about rural revitalization and poverty alleviation.) “Yes. Initially, because of our company’s registered address, the staff couldn’t make decisions on their own. They had to contact their supervisor. Before long, county officials showed up, and they held an encouraging meeting.”

Zhu Qiang sounded full of confidence.

He’d expected a run-of-the-mill business environment in a remote northwestern county, so the smooth progress was a pleasant surprise.

In fact, when he heard that the company was just starting and had no employees yet, the leading official immediately contacted the head of the Labor and Social Security Bureau to recommend some fresh university graduates who had just returned home and were between jobs.

“So our registered address got moved to our area?”

A thought struck Xu Hao – he had already mentioned this to Zhu Qiang when the latter left Shadou area.

“Yes, the registered address is No. 256, Hongsha Gang Village, Mingsha County, Wei City, Su Province.”

“No. 256 in Hongsha Gang Village – that’s a pretty neat address!”

Xu Hao didn’t care much about numbers; as long as the package got delivered it was fine. Who would have thought that the casually assigned No. 256 would later become a symbol of sorts?

“By the way, Xu, I’m coordinating the delivery of lumber for the octagonal pavilion and the row of log cabins, along with some essential machine tools. But the folks over there said they can offer a discount—they’ll only deliver the goods to the entrance of Hongsha Gang Village.”

Getting down to business, Zhu Qiang’s tone turned a bit worried.

The log cabin is ten kilometers from Hongsha Gang Village, and it’s uncertain if there’s a proper road. Apart from large off-road vehicles, ordinary trucks have a hard time getting through.

Mingsha Wenlv only has under 5 million at hand, so there’s no way they can match Tianchen Culture’s budget. Using a helicopter is simply out of the question.

“So the supplies can’t reach the site?”

Xu Hao rubbed his chin and instinctively glanced at the two camels by the log cabin.

He had anticipated this.

Camels, the backbone of ancient merchant caravans, possess remarkable endurance and strength – perfect for desert transport.

If the company can’t afford a helicopter, maybe we can at least buy some camels? One adult camel costs about 20,000. If we purchase another thirty-eight, we’d have a forty-camel caravan. Besides hauling materials, they could also transport tourists, giving visitors a taste of a desert voyage.

“Alright, Qiang – go ahead and purchase the supplies and get them to Hongsha Gang Village first.”

Xu Hao snapped back to focus.

“Yes, I was thinking the same. Lumber and machinery can come in later, but food and other essentials should be delivered immediately.”

“Got it. You keep busy over there!”

“Okay, I’ll interview a few potential employees now. More hands mean easier work.”

“Sure – just handle things on the company’s side as you see fit.”

“Alright, Xu!”

After a few brief exchanges, Xu Hao ended the call.

He’d already told Zhu Qiang that he’d handle marketing and basic construction, while Zhu Qiang would take charge of operations.

“Camels. Perhaps local farmers have some, or you could even ask viewers during a livestream – they might know something.”

Muttering to himself, Xu Hao turned and headed back toward the log cabin.

“Xu, Xu!”

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared on Shaji in the distance. Upon seeing Xu Hao, the young man eagerly waved and shouted before sprinting towards him.

“Huh?”

Xu Hao paused, taken aback.

Looking closely, he realized he didn’t recognize the newcomer. Could it be a fan who came to see the scene? With that thought, Xu Hao stopped in his tracks.

If he was just a fan here for the spectacle, he’d still count as the log cabin’s first visitor.

A few minutes later, the young man arrived in front of Xu Hao. “Xu, hello!”

“Hello!”

“Xu, I’m Luo Peng from Hongsha Gang Village – one of your fans. You can just call me Xiao Luo.”

Luo Peng beamed a genuine smile and extended his right hand.

“From Hongsha Gang Village? No wonder you’re so fearless coming here alone. Hi, I’m Xu Hao – pleased to meet you!”

Xu Hao smiled in return.

For some reason, Luo Peng’s natural, unpretentious aura was hard to resist.

“I came over just to see how you did it. I’m really curious about your methods.”

Noticing Xu Hao’s humble and courteous demeanor, Luo Peng couldn’t help but feel even more favorably toward him.

“Sure thing. Come on, let’s head down and take a look around.”

Xu Hao gestured toward the log cabin.

“Thanks, Xu!”

Luo Peng quickly followed him.

“Wow, Xu – seeing you live in person is a whole different experience from watching your livestream. No wonder you have so many supporters online.”

But after only a few steps, Luo Peng halted, stunned by what lay before him.

Greenish sand slopes, a long wooden corridor, and a fenced courtyard – it was hard to believe one person could set all this up in less than half a month.

“You must have had incredible luck; otherwise, this would have failed long ago!”

“Don’t be silly. Even with luck, no one could achieve this without Xu’s skills. By the way, Xu, aren’t you planning to stick around and take on more challenges?”

Coming back to the moment,

Luo Peng looked at Xu Hao with earnest determination – it was clear why he had come to Shadou area.

“Yes, I’ve registered a company here. I went to the county today to procure supplies, and deliveries should start arriving gradually from tomorrow.”

Xu Hao made no excuses as he explained.

Then, a sudden thought struck him. “By the way, Xiao Luo, do you have any camels in your village?”

Being a local, Luo Peng surely knew the answer.

“Camels? Xu, Hongsha Gang Village is short on everything – except camels. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been lucky enough to have two come knocking on your door.”

Luo Peng paused in surprise.

“Really?”

“Really! That’s great. Could you possibly sell us a few? After all, if the wood supplies can’t be transported from Hongsha Gang Village, I’m thinking of forming a camel caravan for transport.”

Xu Hao replied immediately.

“Don’t worry, Xu – I’ll handle it. And even if you don’t purchase them, if you continue your desert ventures, our village will gladly help transport supplies for you.”

Hearing that logistics were covered, Luo Peng’s face lit up.

“But of course, buying camels is a different matter – you know there are costs involved!”

“Xu, don’t be so modest. By the way, what’s your phone number? I’ll contact you tonight.”

“My number is 138xxxxxxxxxxx.”

The conversation split in two directions.

Just as Xu Hao casually solved the transport issue, news buzzed from Tianchen Culture Headquarters.

Yang Yuan, glancing at Liu Qing, raised an eyebrow and remarked, “So you’re telling me that Xu Hao isn’t taking the challenge route? Instead, he’s going for a desert cultivation path – not only building an octagonal pavilion but also setting up a guesthouse to entertain fans?”