Chapter 257: Reviving the Tourism Business
Dive into Chapter 253 of "The Great Ming in the Box": Cheng Xu: âOh? Such as?âLiang Shixian hadnât intended to bring up âDonglin,â yet seeing no... Find out more!
Cheng Xu: âOh? Such as?âLiang Shixian hadnât intended to bring up âDonglin,â yet seeing no alternative, he declared clearly, âThis official once attended lectures at Donglin Academy, and is good friends with its esteemed scholars.â
Cheng Xu pretended to be shocked: âYou⌠Youâre from the Donglin Party?â
âDonglin Academy!â Liang Shixian raised his voice: âNoble gentlemen form friendships, never factions! We arenât any âDonglin Partyâ; we merely discussed classics together at the Academy and made some good friends.â
Muscles twitched on Cheng Xuâs face. Thankfully, the cloth mask hid it.
Back when heâd been âbranded Eunuch Party,â attacked by Imperial Guards, and nearly died, though the emperor was ultimately responsible, the emperor had used the civil ministerial group. Didnât that mean the Donglin Party had done it?
He truly harbored strong resentment against the Donglin Party deep inside.
Yet this Liang Shixian⌠seemed somewhat different.
Cheng Xu wasnât even sure if he should be angry at him!
Forget it. Personal grudges could wait. Securing what the Deity had tasked him with was important.
Cheng Xu spoke grimly: âAlright, I believe you have connections. But without proof, just your words, how dare I trust you? What if you trick me down the mountain and two hundred axemen charge from behind a screen? Iâd die without knowing how!â
Liang Shixian nearly wept with mingled amusement and frustration. Two hundred axemen behind a screen? Had he listened to too many storytelling performances? How would a seventh-rank County Magistrate like him muster two hundred axemen?
However, there was no doubt: the other side had loosened their stance a little.
Liang Shixian clasped his hands: âRest assured, General. This official cares deeply about his reputation. If I went back on my word, Iâd lose face entirely before my Villagers.â
âNot good, not good. Donât trust you,â Cheng Xu insisted. âAnyway, I absolutely wonât foolishly lay down my weapon. State your conditions. I might consider them, but no guarantee Iâll act.â
âNo need to lay down weapons,â Liang Shixian said. âI only wish to request the Generalâs assistance. Should bandits attack our Chengcheng, would the General help⌠defend itâŚ?â
Cheng Xu eyed him sideways: âUsing me?â
Liang Shixian sighed: âAh, this cannot be called âusing.â If the General aids Chengcheng in defeating marauders, rebels, or similar, wouldnât it be much easier for this official to plead for mercy later on your behalf? This is⌠a path to life for you, General. Isnât that reasonable?â
Cheng Xu pretended to consider, then snorted and turned to leave: âFine! Settled! Set up a large bell down the mountain at Bai Family Fortress. When you need me for something, ring that bell hard. Iâll send men down to Bai Family Fortress to hear what you want.â
Liang Shixian was elated: âThen we are indebted to you, General.â
Cheng Xu snorted again and strode away. He had no wish to linger because the Deity hadnât followed him! The sky was devoid of the low cloud signifying the Deityâs presence. This wretched place felt far too dangerous.
Only after he vanished into the woods did Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang exchange a glance.
Fang Wushang asked: âCounty Magistrate Liang, do you trust this man?â
Liang Shixian sighed: âIn his last sentence, he stopped using âIâ (in the rude form âčĺâ) and switched to âIâ (properly âćâ). Because of that, I believe heâll help us.â
Fang Wushang, being rather rough around the edges, was puzzled: âThat specific?â
Liang Shixian spread his hands: âLetâs go. Back to the county seat.â
Reading this, Li Daoxuan chuckled softly twice. It seemed settled.
Whether it was thieves, rebels, or other threats later on, the Gaojia Village Militia could venture out to fight under the guise of the ârebel band in Guyuan.â No more hiding or worrying about illegal equipment and weapons.
After fighting, they could simply retreat into Huanglong Mountain, and the government would be powerless.
This Huanglong Mountain was in history books!
Several notorious bandits through history, when pressed by officials, vanished into Huanglong Mountain to hide. The government searched to no avail, utterly helpless against them.
The only downside now? His vision couldnât penetrate the mountain yet. And Wang Zuogua of Yichuan still lurked somewhere inside, his location unknown.
He was musing idly when his phone rang.
Picking it up, the number was unfamiliar: âHello? Who is this?â
âHello, may I ask if you are the author of âDaily Life in the Tiny Kingdomâ, Mr. Li Daoxuan?â
Li Daoxuan detected a slight, very neutral, perhaps even slightly bureaucratic tone in the voice and was curious: âWho is this?â
âIâm Director Gao from the Chengcheng County Culture and Tourism Bureau.â The voice sounded sincere. âI saw the video you posted online about âChengcheng hand-pulled noodlesâ. It was truly wonderful! Using that unique perspective to show the making of our Chengcheng hand-pulled noodles. And at the end, when the little residents of the Tiny Kingdom combined all the noodles they made only to fill a tiny mineral water bottle lid? Haha, so imaginative! The special effects were top-notch, the promotional value absolutely full marks.â
Li Daoxuan: âAh, thank you, thank you. But what is this call regarding?â
Director Gao continued: âAhem, itâs like this. I wish to obtain authorization for your video so we can feature it on Chengcheng Countyâs official website for promotion. This will surely attract many people to our Chengcheng hand-pulled noodles. We might even emulate Zibo barbecueâs success overnight, bringing in tourism income for the Villagers of Chengcheng County.â
âI see,â Li Daoxuan laughed. âIf it can help Chengcheng develop its tourism business and help the common people escape poverty and prosper, Iâm more than willing. I authorize it unconditionally, absolutely free of charge.â
Director Gao was thrilled: âThis⌠this is truly too kind! Thank you so much! I will send you the electronic authorization contract shortly so we can swiftly conclude this. Once itâs set up, please come see our Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureauâs TikTok.â
Li Daoxuan smiled: âAlright, Iâll definitely come support.â
After hanging up, the electronic contract arrived quickly. Li Daoxuan âe-signedâ his name and sent it back, a genuine smile spreading across his face. Who could have imagined? People from ancient Chengcheng County were helping modern Chengcheng County develop its tourism business in such a unique way. Wasnât that an absolutely fantastical turn of events?
Li Daoxuan also felt sincerely happy for being able to assist the people of Chengcheng County.
Right, might as well check out the Chengcheng Culture and Tourism Bureauâs TikTok nowâŚ
The moment he opened it, he saw the ugly face of Director Gao. This middle-aged man, in his forties, was dancing with a sword while dressed in womenâs clothing.
Swish, swish, swish! The sword flickered wildly, his posture too awful to watch.
Finishing his dance, he struck a pose: âWelcome to Chengcheng County for travel.â
âPtooey!â
Li Daoxuan nearly sprayed out a mouthful of his old mala wontons.