Chapter 51: Desert Ventures and Unexpected Guests

“Zhu Qiang? The contestant from the challenge?”

Yang Yuan furrowed his brows even deeper.

“Yes, him. He’s a graduate of an international top school with an exceptionally sharp business acumen. He likely spotted the commercial potential in Xu Hao’s desert venture, which is why he invested in this company in Mingsha County.”

“A survival challenge that even managed to produce two mavericks. It’s just bad luck!”

Growing more agitated, Yang Yuan flicked a cigar between his fingers.

“Yang, what do we do now? Xu Hao’s latest stunt has stirred up a storm and attracted tons of fans. I heard many couldn’t book a homestay and are now begging in the live stream for him to build more.”

After a brief silence, Liu Qing whispered.

“Hold on—desert construction is nothing but a sham and a bottomless pit. Once Xu Hao’s funds run dry, just wait till you see him struggle!”

“Our Tianchen Culture, regardless of its size, wouldn’t dare step into this minefield, especially not someone like Zhu Qiang who’s long been into wilderness survival.”

Taking a deep breath, Yang Yuan gritted his teeth and waved his hand dismissively.

“So you’re saying we press on?”

“Exactly! We have a visitor growth contingency agreement with Ning An Cultural Tourism for three months. There’s plenty of time. We can ignore those fans for now.”

“I agree. Some viewers are clearly just trying to stir up trouble.”

“Hah! If we always bent over backwards for fans and onlookers, how would we ever get anything done? In desert construction, only a fool like Xu Hao would be swayed by public opinion.”

“Yang, then I’ll have Zhang Chi start working on the small cabins and pavilions.”

“Mm! And remember, when constructing these cabins, you must use every trick in the book to make them appear even more challenging than Xu Hao’s.”

“No problem.”

Time flew by, and before long it was around 10 o’clock.

Inside Mingsha County’s government building, staff bustled about their duties. At that moment, Qin Xuan briskly entered Office No. 1.

“Secretary, I have something to report,” he said, closing the office door behind him.

“Huh? Old Qin, weren’t you supposed to pick up Director Li? Why are you back already?”

The man was clearly taken aback.

His name was Wang Xun, the top leader of Mingsha County.

“Leader, today while picking someone up at the station, guess who I ran into?”

Qin Xuan took a deep breath.

“Who else? Besides Director Li, could it be another official from the Institute of Ancient Architecture Culture?”

Wang Xun’s expression shifted noticeably.

“Not from the Institute, but from the high ranks of the Su Province Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department and the Su Province Cultural Relics Bureau.”

Qin Xuan’s mood remained uneasy.

If the Long Kingdom Institute of Ancient Architecture Culture has little to do with Mingsha County, then these two departments are deeply connected to it.

“How did these two leaders manage to come all the way here?”

Wang Xun suddenly leapt to his feet in shock.

“I only found out after asking the accompanying staff. They were once college roommates of Director Li and are extremely close. When Director Li was passing through Su Province this time, he gave them a call.”

“And where are they now? Didn’t you follow them?”

“They should already be at 256 Hongsha Gang Village. I planned to go too, but when I reached the village I was turned back. They said they were just there for a look—no need for me to tag along.”

Qin Xuan bit his lip in thought.

Apparently, if the leadership from Wei City hadn’t caught wind of this, they would have been forced to come over as well.

“So, what did they say along the way? Did they mention coming to our county seat in Mingsha County again?”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xun hurriedly asked.

“While at Hongsha Gang Village, they saw villagers at the entrance busy packing wheat straw for Mingsha Tourism and remarked casually, ‘Not bad—this is true poverty alleviation. It boosts local incomes and employment and even helps fight desertification. Enterprises like this deserve full support.'”

After a brief pause, Qin Xuan continued,

“That’s for sure. Any other details?”

Zhang Xun slowly settled back and inquired further.

“They also mentioned that, at the desert’s edge, they noted, ‘It’s a pity there’s no road. Otherwise, tourists would find it much easier to get here—something that needs work.'”

“They said there’s no highway? That’s exactly what they said?”

Zhang Xun leaned forward,

“Yes, that’s exactly what they said!”

“Oh!”

There was a long, contemplative silence.

Finally, Zhang Xun lifted his head and asked Qin Xuan, “How far is 256 Hongsha Gang Village from the village’s country road?”

“Leader, the direct distance from the sold desert plot to Hongsha Gang Village is five kilometers, but Xu Hao’s Shadao is ten kilometers away.”

Qin Xuan quickly rattled off the numbers.

“Five kilometers isn’t far at all. With some budget adjustments, it should be manageable. We’ll have a meeting soon to discuss paving a five-kilometer road from Hongsha Gang Village to 256. The rest will depend on how Mingsha Tourism arranges it.”

Tapping his fingers on the desk, Zhang Xun said,

“Leader, that’s a great idea. At least it proves to higher-ups that our county is genuinely supporting local enterprises.”

Qin Xuan’s eyes lit up as he immediately replied,

“Alright, it’s settled. Meeting in a bit!”

“I’ll go notify the other leaders.”

Mingsha County’s top officials hadn’t expected Director Li to bring along two big shots, and Xu Hao certainly didn’t see it coming.

At the nearest Shaji to Shadao,

Xu Hao stared at the group before snapping back to attention.

“Director Li, let’s head to the guest room and rest for a bit!” Xu Hao hurriedly exclaimed.

Just twenty minutes earlier, he had received a call from Li Jue saying they were nearly at Shadao, so he rushed over to greet them.

He hadn’t expected there to be more than three people—instead, there were seven.

Apart from the three mentioned on the phone, there were four young men lugging bags full of tents, food, and supplies. Xu Hao was even more surprised to learn that Li Jue and his colleagues turned out to be his old classmates—a revelation that had genuinely startled him during introductions.

“Guest room? Xiao Xu, you only have a log cabin! Where did you get a guest room?”

Li Jue was taken aback.

Despite the surprise, Xu Hao had a very positive impression of him and sincerely respected this level-3 ancient architecture researcher.

“Director Li, over the past couple of days we managed to quickly erect a few homestays—with food and drinks all sorted.”

Xu Hao explained.

“You built homestays in just two days?”

Li Jue and his two old classmates exchanged incredulous glances.

“Yes—it’s a wooden brick loft constructed using ancient methods, so it went up quickly. You’ll see when you get there.”

Xu Hao nodded and pointed toward the entrance of a wooden boardwalk not far behind him.

“Ancient methods? You mean you used an all-tenon structure with a team of carpenters?”

Xu Hao didn’t offer more details—any explanation would have only heightened Li Jue’s astonishment, as it did his companions.

All three had studied the same discipline in college, so they naturally understood its significance.

“I built it myself, though I did hire many carpenters to process the wood in Hongsha Gang Village.”

Xu Hao replied honestly.

“I see. Now, hurry and show us around.”

Regaining his composure, Li Jue grew visibly excited.