Chapter 261: Schemes and Celebrations

“Hm?”

Upon seeing the incoming call number on his phone, the Chief Leader’s expression shifted slightly. He then picked up his phone and left the conference room.

After a few minutes, the Chief Leader finally returned to his seat.

“This H Country.”

“What’s wrong?”

A nearby Leader couldn’t help but ask.

“A staff member from the relevant department just called. They said that H Country’s international cultural organization has filed a complaint, claiming our kimchi display segment tarnishes the reputation of their intangible heritage. They demand an apology and insist we stop using the term ‘authentic kimchi’ in promotions.”

The Chief Leader displayed a trace of disdain.

“What did the cultural organization say?”

The Leader beside him frowned.

“They’ve accepted some complaint documents from H Country, but haven’t reached any conclusion. They only mentioned that further verification would follow.”

The Chief Leader continued.

“And us?”

“I’ve instructed the staff to compile a set of materials for submission to the international cultural organization. We’ll claim that H Country’s kimchi is infringing on the reputation of our Long Kingdom’s traditional kimchi, and request that the title of intangible heritage be revoked.”

The Chief Leader chuckled.

“Complaint? Who doesn’t know how to complain!”

“Either produce historical evidence or stop your nagging. If they dare get serious, Long Kingdom will counter-sue on more than just the kimchi issue.”

“Sounds good.”

“By the way, later call the person in charge at the branch. Tell them to turn up the volume a bit more—let them loosen up a little.”

After a brief pause, the Chief Leader added.

“Clearly…”

He had only just begun to feel the grandeur of Long Kingdom’s Cultural Expo spirit, and it was far from satisfying.

“Turn up the volume even more? Isn’t that asking too much of the branch? You know, the main person in charge there, Xiao Xu, had just led the Ancient Architecture Research Institute team in renovating two annexes at the West Sixth Palace of 49 Imperial City.

To manage a culinary performance of this scale is already beyond expectations.

“And not to mention this morning’s Wedding Sedan Chair incident— the branch has earned tremendous credit for Long Kingdom.

If we add more weight to the prepared performance project, I’m worried that if the pressure becomes too much—remember, tomorrow’s performance is on traditional ancient architecture, which is not like the culinary show.”

At this, the Leader beside him hesitated slightly.

In his view, as long as the branch’s performance for the ancient architecture show could generate even half the buzz of today, it would be considered a success—excessive expectations were unrealistic.

“Exactly, Leader! Traditional ancient architecture performances are not like other projects.”

At these words,

a Middle-Aged Man from the other side also spoke up.

To them, the ancient architecture show was essentially a demonstration of Long Kingdom’s traditional construction techniques and actual buildings—it could never reinterpret historical events the way traditional cuisine did.

“Too much pressure? Pressure breeds motivation! And of course, we’re not just handing over pressure. Tell the branch manager that after the Cultural Expo, the relevant departments will address some practical issues with special measures!”

The Chief Leader waved his hand and added,

“Practical issues?”

The Leader beside him was taken aback.

“Yes, from what I know, although the branch has made significant improvements in serving and greeting visitors, there remain several shortcomings—such as transportation. Right now, visitors can’t catch a train directly to Mingsha City; if we wait for planning at the national level, it could be years. Only with better transport can Mingsha City fully shoulder the responsibility of promoting our traditional culture across Long Kingdom and Lanstarr.”

“Understood, Leader!”

Time ticked by until it was half past five in the afternoon.

Despite the numerous culinary performances at Mingsha City, the live broadcast continued. The appearance of Long Kingdom’s traditional Four Great Banquets once again sparked fervent discussion.

This was because Fang Hou, in charge of Zhaixing Pavilion, clearly stated while introducing the exhibit area that in the future, the cluster of ancient buildings above Lutai and Zhaixing Pavilion would host domestic banquets, and the dishes from the Four Great Banquets would all be on the menu.

With that,

how could the people of Long Kingdom not be amazed? Previously, the Vermilion Bird Building in Mingsha City had been hailed by some netizens as the pinnacle of banquet venues in Long Kingdom, and now Lutai and Zhaixing Pavilion had burst onto the scene.

Imagine hosting a lavish traditional wedding in Mingsha City, then dining at Zhaixing Pavilion above Lutai with a full Manchu-Han feast—what could be more extravagant?

Of course, the public knew that hosting a first-rate wedding or a grand banquet in Mingsha City wouldn’t come cheap. But then again, Long Kingdom never lacked the wealthy!

It was only places like Mingsha City that were scarce.

Unbeknownst to everyone—while netizens at home and abroad were still immersed in the culinary performances—Xu Hao did not go to the food exhibition area. Instead, he reappeared at the altar atop Langya Mountain.

Due to troubles in Jinlong Ancient City, this Palace Festival had to be executed flawlessly. The ambiance had to reach its zenith so that everyone could truly feel the difference between Mingsha City’s ancestral rite and what H Country offered.

At that moment,

the altar was fully arranged. At the top of the main platform stood the Nine Cauldrons, and on the second tier there was a massive incense burner and offering table.

Beneath the second tier lay a small square on the mountaintop, its perimeter lined with Five Elements flags.

When the time came, Li Jue would deliver the ritual text in front of the square and then proceed through nine rituals, culminating in the ancestral rite.

Of course,

this was only the visible arrangement for the public. In reality, Xu Hao’s altar was set up exactly as prescribed in Daoist Master’s “Eight Thousand Questions.” In fact, many items had been pre-buried beneath the altar.

There were talismans from all five directions and even the Kunlun Mountain Jade was intact.

However, as clearly stated in the “Eight Thousand Questions,” once the altar is set up, only at the moment of incense offering will it come to life. Until then, the altar merely exuded an imposing aura without any special effect.

“Xiao Xu, good news!”

Just as Xu Hao was about to double-check if anything was missing from the altar, Li Jue suddenly approached from a distance.

“Dean, what’s the good news?”

Xu Hao paused and looked toward Li Jue.

“Xiao Xu, a leader just called again. They said the branch needs to keep up the momentum and flawlessly execute the four upcoming performances! In the end, they even mentioned that after the Cultural Expo, they’d coordinate with the relevant departments to get a train station approved for Mingsha City, connecting it to the national railway network.”

Li Jue relayed the news.

“A train station? Dean, is that for real?”

Xu Hao couldn’t hide his delight.

Currently, it wasn’t very convenient for visitors to get to Mingsha City. Since it had neither an airport nor a train station, many tourists had to fly to a nearby airport and then take a bus to Mingsha City.

Alternatively, some took a train to Wei City, then switched to a bus to Mingsha County, and finally transferred to another bus to reach Mingsha City.

If they could build a train station right at the City Gate of Mingsha City and connect it with the local subway, it would be nothing short of perfect.

Then visitors could have a one-stop journey straight into Mingsha City.

Moreover, this would be great news not only for tourists but also for the local residents of Mingsha County.

They would no longer have to travel to Wei City to catch a high-speed train—direct access to Mingsha City would be available.

“This was personally guaranteed by a leader—no doubts about it! I also suspect that the station planned for Mingsha City won’t be an ordinary one; it should bypass Mingsha County and connect directly with Wei City.”

Li Jue nodded.

The leader in charge of the Cultural Expo is of such a high rank that his words are as good as gospel—if he says it will be done, it will.

“That’s fantastic!”

Xu Hao beamed with joy.

Remember, Wei City only got its high-speed rail a few years ago. If Mingsha City is linked to the high-speed rail network, it would take at most two hours for visitors from Lanshi to get here.

“But you can tell the leader has his conditions! If the branch performs as flawlessly as today’s culinary event, then the high-speed rail station project will definitely be implemented without delay!

However, if the branch falters, then the project might not advance as quickly as you imagine.”

After a brief pause, Li Jue continued,

“Dean, I understand, and I promise that the upcoming projects will not encounter any issues!”

Xu Hao nodded in agreement.

Some things can only be felt and not spoken of. Everyone understands that if things go awry and Long Kingdom’s reputation is tarnished, there’s no way the projects will be hastily approved.

“Alright, it’s getting late. I’ll take my team to review the Palace Festival procedures. You go check on the ancient architecture show—after all, it’s scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”

Li Jue added.

“Dean, it’s fine. The ancient architecture show isn’t overly complicated. I’ve already coordinated with Engineer Li’s team.”

Xu Hao waved him off.

The conversation split into two parts.

Just as Xu Hao mentioned that the ancient architecture show wasn’t too complex, at the Mingsha Academy North Campus, Li Shaoqing was directing workers with their final preparations.

“Everyone, pick up the pace! Once we finish here, we evacuate the North Campus. There’s a new assignment from the leadership tonight.”

Glancing at the workers arranging the items, Li Shaoqing spoke up.

Meanwhile, at the ancient architecture show area, a red carpet and velvet ropes had been set aside to form a designated visitor path. Tourists weren’t free to wander once they entered the North Campus.

A sign at the entrance specifically reminded visitors to follow the guided path or risk being denied access to the core exhibition area.

This time, the core area of the ancient architecture show was the Jixia Academy, with the heart of it being the Forum Hall!

“Mr. Li, wait a minute—almost done!”

Hearing Li Shaoqing’s words, a worker hurriedly responded, clearly still rattled.

“Yes, Mr. Li! Please don’t rush him—Xiao Wang is in the restroom. Don’t lose him.”

Interestingly, as one worker finished speaking, another quickly chimed in in agreement.