Chapter 68: Blueprints of Intrigue

“Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong?”

After a long pause, Li Jue slowly regained his focus.

“Nine times out of ten, that pedestal is exactly identical to the one in Gan Province.”

“Let’s go!”

Without hesitation, Li Jue immediately set off.

“Old Li, do you want a cup? And take these materials along — review them as you go.”

“What materials? I don’t need them!”

A few minutes later

Li Jue and Liu Shan settled into the conference room. To get a clearer look, Liu Shan connected the live broadcast to the projector.

“Look at this: aside from lacking those stelae, the pedestal is virtually identical, and even the columns being installed now bear no difference from Tengwang Pavilion.”

Liu Shan pointed excitedly at the screen.

“Yes, that’s true. But to confirm if it really is Tengwang Pavilion, we need to check the first floor. If it’s built exactly like Tengwang Pavilion, then we can be almost certain.”

Li Jue’s eyes were fixed on the large screen. Ever since the live feed started, he hadn’t once looked away from the projection.

“Old Li, what will we do if Xiao Xu actually manages to recreate Tengwang Pavilion? This structure is far more valuable than the Ancient Building Courtyard — they’re on entirely different levels.”

Watching the flurry of activity from the laborers and Xu Hao on the screen, Liu Shan’s expression turned serious.

“If it really comes together, we’ll have to report it to the higher authorities. Xiao Xu would have pulled off a major breakthrough this time!”

Li Jue took a deep breath.

Currently, this Tengwang Pavilion isn’t a relic from history. It’s a structure built last century by a renowned architect who, inspired by an ancient Song Dynasty painting, designed it using eight conceptual sketches and modern techniques.

To put it bluntly, the exterior is there, but it completely lacks the inner charm of ancient architecture.

However, Xu Hao’s approach is different—by employing an all-wood construction, this Tengwang Pavilion essentially becomes indistinguishable from its ancient counterpart; it’s the closest replica to an authentic relic.

“It definitely needs to be reported to the higher-ups! The old man’s eight sketches are still kept like treasures at the Ancient Architecture Institute in Long Kingdom. I suspect Xiao Xu’s sketches might even be collected directly by the Long Kingdom Library.”

Liu Shan exhaled deeply.

Only the late former director of the Ancient Architecture Institute managed to have his design blueprints collected by the Long Kingdom Library.

There is a tradition at the Architectural Institute:

Anyone whose design sketches are included in the Institute’s collection qualifies to apply for the Level 1 Ancient Architecture Researcher title. If the Long Kingdom Library takes them in, they can even apply for the Special Level title.

Holding that title not only earns recognition as a National Art Master but also brings equivalent administrative upgrades.

“And it isn’t just the design sketches — the pavilion itself might also be designated as a landmark by the relevant Long Kingdom authorities!”

Li Jue added thoughtfully.

“So, should we prepare some documents in advance?”

“No rush. If we report too early and Xiao Xu ends up building something different, what then?”

After a long pause, Li Jue responded.

“You’re right! Let’s wait until Xiao Xu is nearly done. I’m convinced there’s hardly any chance of failure.”

“Agreed!”

Experts recognize the nuances while onlookers simply enjoy the spectacle. As construction progressed, chaos erupted in Xu Hao’s live stream. Fans of Xu Hao and even viewers from Zhang Chi’s stream flocked to get the latest updates.

“What’s going on? It looks like Brother Hao isn’t building the Ancient Building Courtyard!”

The more they watched, the more confused Xu Hao’s fans became.

“Have confidence — drop the ‘seems like’! When have you ever seen an Ancient Building Courtyard start with such thick foundational columns? It’s obvious they’re building walls first.”

“Why? Brother Hao clearly said he’d build the Ancient Building Courtyard, so why change course now?”

“Heh, don’t you see?”

One viewer sent several mocking emojis in quick succession.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What else? He’s afraid of losing!”

“Afraid of losing? Brother Hao has never been one to fear defeat!”

“Then why not build the Ancient Building Courtyard instead of this? That kid, Xu Hao, is just being crafty. Knowing his building area isn’t as large as Zhang Chi’s, he’s resorting to all sorts of tricks. In the end, Xu Hao will insist they’re not even comparable!”

“Your analysis makes sense. I think Zhang Chi should have kept it low-key during his live stream. If he hadn’t exposed his plans for a 9,000-square-meter build, Xu Hao’s project would definitely be recognized as the Ancient Building Courtyard.”

“Uh…”

Faced with the mockery from Zhang Chi’s fans, Xu Hao’s supporters were momentarily at a loss, unsure how to respond.

After all, any true comparison must be between similar types of buildings. Right now, Xu Hao’s other projects just can’t match up to the Ancient Building Courtyard.

“Forget it. This is pointless! We can’t afford to lose!”

“If you can’t handle defeat, then stop making comparisons in the live stream.”

“Hahaha, I’m out!”

“This round goes to Zhang Chi.”

“Exactly. Once Zhang Chi’s Ancient Building Courtyard and the guesthouses are completed, we’ll go over, check them out, and help boost his popularity.”

“Absolutely!”

And so, amid Zhang Chi’s fans stirring up the conversation, casual viewers began leaving Xu Hao’s live stream. They were there for a proper comparison, not popular tricks.

Even some of the fans who had only recently followed Xu Hao clicked out. To them, as Zhang Chi’s supporters claimed, Xu Hao was simply cutting corners out of a fear of losing — leaving them with a sense of betrayal.

Within two hours, the viewership plummeted from 100,000 at the start to just over 10,000.

Only Xu Hao’s most loyal fans remained.

They not only wanted to see what Xu Hao would eventually build, but they also yearned to ask him directly: Why didn’t you build the Ancient Building Courtyard to compete with Zhang Chi? Before they knew it, it was already 8 PM.

Over in the Shadou area, the lights were blazing. The first shift of workers had been replaced by a second, and the pedestal was now densely lined with foundational piles.

At Haishi, the meeting room in the Tianchen Culture Headquarters remained brightly lit.

“Zhao, take a look at what Xu Hao is planning over here.”

Yang Yuan pointed at the screen and turned to the boss of the Faux Ancient Architecture Company, Zhao Fei.

“With so many piles driven in, it seems he’s aiming to construct either a loft or a tower-like structure.”

Zhao Fei stroked his chin, pondering for a long moment before speaking.

However, after speaking he shook his head in dismissal, “No, if he wants to support such a massive pedestal, he’ll need a loft or tower of substantial height — and it must be entirely wooden.”

“A loft? Zhao, are you sure?”

Hearing that Xu Hao might be building a loft, Yang Yuan let out a slight, relieved sigh.

After all, the Ancient Building Courtyard stands a level above a loft.

“For now, that appears to be the case.”

Zhao Fei nodded slightly.

“Oh, as long as it isn’t one of those bizarre ancient structures…”

“Yang Yuan, Yang Yuan…”

Just as Yang Yuan was about to ask another question, Liu Qing burst into the meeting room, clearly excited.

“What’s going on?”

Yang Yuan glared at Liu Qing in irritation.

“Yang Yuan, good news! Xu Hao’s project has backfired! Many viewers have now flocked to Zhang Chi’s live stream to support us!”

Without worrying about who was around, Liu Qing couldn’t contain his excitement.