Chapter 201: Plans, Announcements, and a Surprise Trip

This way, after the forum ends, we’ll come up with a detailed plan for each tier—including pricing for every guesthouse, construction costs, and even the services provided at each level. Every detail must be covered.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Hao added.

“Alright, Brother Hao!”

Zhu Qiang immediately took notes in his notebook.

Once he noticed Zhu Qiang was set, Luo Peng spoke up again, “Brother Hao, the support facilities on the Protectorate’s side have been fully completed, passed inspection, and the staff can now officially move in!”

These facilities include a dormitory building (three external, five internal units), an office building (three external, seven internal units) and a comprehensive building (three external, three internal units) with an employee cafeteria, activity room, and more. Overall, the support area is rather small—a minor project! “Alright, I’ll contact Director Feng today to see when they can send someone over.”

Xu Hao glanced at his watch.

“Brother Hao, if the Cultural Relics Bureau sends someone over, won’t they also announce the Yeguang Cup news at the same time?”

Luo Peng replied hastily.

“More or less. There might be a day or two’s gap. We must first have the Yeguang Cup and other relics from the Protectorate securely in-house before the official announcement.”

After a pause, Xu Hao responded.

The Yeguang Cup is a top national treasure. Earlier, Feng Wancheng called to say that after expert evaluation by the relevant departments of the Long Kingdom, the Yeguang Cup was classified as an artifact that cannot be exhibited abroad.

Thus, such a high-level item will undoubtedly be quietly delivered to the Protectorate before any public announcement.

“Oh, so when will the Protectorate officially open to the public? Once it does, the Qingming Scroll will undoubtedly be unveiled as well.”

Luo Peng asked again.

The Protectorate faces south, with a 300-meter long and 200-meter wide square in front of its main gate. Lining both sides are various ornamental trees and several displays detailing the history of the Ancient Protectorate of West Liang, including an in-depth introduction to the ‘Grape Wine and Yeguang Cup.’

On the east side of the square, right next to the city wall, stone steps lead up and down. To the south, a river channel, diverted from Weng City, runs alongside a boat docking area.

It is from here that one officially steps into the ten-mile-long street known as the Qingming Scroll.

Any tourist heading to the Protectorate will inevitably pass through the Qingming Scroll.

“We can open both simultaneously, but for now, don’t display the plaque or related introductions for the Qingming Scroll. We’ll only unveil them after expert evaluation.”

After a moment of reflection, Xu Hao made the arrangements.

There’s no other option—announcing it immediately would attract so many tourists that the Qingming Scroll would be overwhelmed. If a few unruly visitors end up damaging something, there won’t be time to fix it before the experts review the site.

Waiting for the experts means that even if some damage occurs, it can be remedied later.

In short,

Our targets this time are twofold: securing the construction contract for the Ancient Architecture Academy and obtaining the official title for the Mingsha Ancient City.

“Brother Hao, got it. I’ll arrange everything tomorrow. When it opens, the extras—over 800 of them—will sit out for now, and they’ll officially make their appearance on March 31.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Peng nodded emphatically.

No attraction can guarantee that all visitors are impeccably well-behaved. Even Yan City’s 49 Imperial City has its share of unruly tourists, let alone the Mingsha guesthouses.

“Alright!”

And so, all preparations moved forward in a steady, orderly manner. Time passed quickly until, before anyone knew it, it was March 29—just three days away from the Mingsha Ancient Architecture and Cultural Heritage Forum.

By then, the weather had warmed considerably. New leaves had sprouted along Yan City’s roads, and flowers were beginning to bloom, heralding a vibrant spring.

At Yan City University, in an office within one of the teaching buildings, Han Xiaoqing finally exhaled in relief as she looked at her computer screen. Despite her exhaustion, her gentle smile still shone through.

She had been working non-stop on this project for what felt like ages, and now there was finally progress—enough to report back to her grandfather at home.

“Ah! No way! Thank goodness I booked a guesthouse in advance!”

Just as Han Xiaoqing was about to pack up and leave, a female colleague in the adjacent office suddenly became excited, prompting several coworkers to turn and look.

“What’s going on, Xiao Liu? You’re so excited!”

Coming back to her senses, a professor in her fifties glanced at the young woman.

The woman, Liu Shanshan, was an experimental teacher who had joined the staff just last year.

“Professor Zhang, I can’t believe it. I truly didn’t expect Mingsha County to rebuild the Ancient Protectorate of West Liang on its original site—and that the Su Province Cultural Relics Bureau has officially announced it. Plus, the Yeguang Cup will now be housed in the Protectorate.”

Liu Shanshan pumped her fist excitedly.

“Ah? Really?”

Upon hearing this,

the rest of the office immediately perked up.

Though they were professors at Yan City University, they weren’t the detached, ivory-tower types you’d expect from a top-tier Long Kingdom institution. They kept up with current events and trends—especially when it came to high-profile items like the Yeguang Cup.

“It’s true. The Su Province Cultural Relics Bureau’s official website has already announced it! Mingsha Tourism’s website has updated the news too. Moreover, the Mingsha website stated that from today, the Ancient Protectorate of West Liang will officially welcome visitors free of charge until the end of the Ancient Architecture and Cultural Heritage Forum.”

And that’s not all—the Cultural Relics Bureau’s notice mentioned that at specific times, the Yeguang Cup will be filled with grape wine to revive a famous verse!

“The internet is already in an uproar!”

Worried her colleagues might not believe her, Liu Shanshan pulled a nearby coworker aside and pointed at the computer screen.

“See for yourself!”

A few colleagues glanced and expressed their amazement.

At the doorway, Han Xiaoqing paused in surprise before resuming her typing.

“Shanshan, you mentioned you booked a guesthouse there. Are you planning to go over?”

The woman known as Professor Zhang asked.

“Yes, especially since our university is hosting its Spring Sports Meet the day after tomorrow, and we have a nice four- to five-day weekend! I originally planned to visit the Langya Pavilion in Mingsha, but I never expected Mingsha Tourism to pull off such a huge surprise.”

Liu Shanshan smiled contentedly.

A die-hard fan of ‘Legend of Langya,’ she had long been enchanted by Mingsha and had planned a visit for the end of March.

But then, an unexpected surprise emerged.

“Hearing you say that, I’m tempted to go too. There’s been nonstop chatter online about Mingsha—about a forum on ancient architecture and how incredible the sites are.”

Professor Zhang appeared visibly tempted.

After all, the university’s Spring Sports Meet wasn’t exactly their responsibility; the Sports College could handle it on its own.

“Exactly. If Xiao Liu hadn’t mentioned it, I might never have considered going.”

Another female teacher beside Professor Zhang agreed.

“How about we form a group? There’s enough time for a little break and some fun.”

That’s just the way things go in the office—once one person suggests an outing, many quickly join in.

“Professor Zhang, you all are thinking of going now? That might be too late; the guesthouses in Mingsha could already be fully booked. Once the news about the Yeguang Cup spreads, hordes of netizens might follow. I even suspect that hotels in Mingsha County might—”

Hearing that everyone was eager to go, Liu Shanshan hesitated.

“Ah…”

The room fell silent for a moment.

“Really, Professor Zhang, you have no idea how hard I struggled to book that wall guesthouse. I stayed glued to my computer until midnight—it was even tougher on my fingers than during a shopping festival.”

Liu Shanshan sighed.

“Ah? So there’s no chance now?”

Professor Zhang looked dejectedly at the other colleagues.

“Why wasn’t the announcement made sooner? If it had, we could have booked guesthouses in advance just like Shanshan. Without a booking, staying in another city in Su Province wouldn’t make for a proper outing.”

A nearby female colleague expressed similar regret.

“Professor Zhang, if nothing else works, I can check out the place for you, and you can head over later.”

After a brief pause, Liu Shanshan said shyly,

“Later… later there won’t be another opportunity this perfect. If we wait, the next chance may not come until the summer break.”

Professor Zhang smiled wearily.

If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do.

“Professor, do you really want to go?”

Just as a few professors began to lose hope and return to their seats, Han Xiaoqing came up beside Professor Zhang.

Han Xiaoqing had completed both her undergraduate and master’s studies at Yan City University, and her advisor now taught there as a doctoral supervisor. It was safe to say she was Professor Zhang’s proudest student.

Moreover, after so many years together, they had grown as close as family.

“Xiaoqing, have you finished your work?”

Noticing Han Xiaoqing, Professor Zhang asked with genuine concern.

“Teacher, I sent off my thesis today. I’ve revised it many times; it should finally pass this time.”

Han Xiaoqing nodded.

“That’s great. After being busy for over half a year, you finally deserve a proper break!”

Professor Zhang looked at his student with a touch of sympathy.

Only she knew just how hectic the past six months had been for Han Xiaoqing.

“It’s time for a well-deserved rest. By the way, Professor Zhang, do you really want to go to Mingsha?”

As Han Xiaoqing nodded, she continued,

“I do want to go, but Shanshan just mentioned that the guesthouses there might be booked solid until summer. You want to go too? If so, let’s plan a trip together during the summer break.”

Professor Zhang smiled.

It was evident that his tone toward Han Xiaoqing was notably softer compared to his attitude with the other teachers.

“Teacher, since you’re eager to go, let’s head over together tomorrow. We can form a group—I’d love a break, too.”

Han Xiaoqing exchanged a glance with Professor Zhang before addressing the other professors,

“Eh? We’re going right away? But Xiaoqing, didn’t Shanshan mention there’d be nowhere to stay?”

At that moment, another teacher beside Han Xiaoqing, thinking she might have missed Liu Shanshan’s remark, asked.

“Exactly, Professor Qing. Over there is so popular right now. There are even scalpers reselling accommodation spots! Wait—Professor Qing, you’re not planning on booking a guesthouse from a scalper, are you?”

Liu Shanshan added.

Liu Shanshan also chimed in from that side.