Chapter 1038: Opening for Business

Assistant Administrator Zhao answered "yes" repeatedly and went out to give instructions.

Administrator Wu leaned back, stroking his increasingly shiny forehead. Things change so fast in this world. He was glad he hadn't completely fallen out with He Lingchuan; otherwise, how awkward would it be to be arrogant before and deferential now? He just wondered about Bailie...

That He fellow really had some skill, even connecting with the Grand Preceptor of Mounation. From this perspective, it was a wise move for him to maintain good relations with He, and for Blade Harbor to maintain good relations with Pleasant Isles.

Just then, the junior official from earlier rushed over again, presenting an invitation to him. "Sir, the Pleasant Isles' store is about to open, and you're invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony!"

"Let me see." The gilded invitation indeed confirmed this. Administrator Wu knew that Pleasant Isles' first store in Blade Harbor was originally scheduled to open, with a date already set, but it was temporarily delayed by a hurricane. Now that the wind and rain had stopped, the plan was back on schedule.

But when he saw the address on the invitation, his gaze suddenly sharpened. Pleasant Isles' first two stores on the mainland were not opening in Blade Harbor, but in Qucheng, the capital of Bailie?! The signature was He Lingchuan's own. Of course, Island Master He wouldn't make a mistake about such an important matter.

"Interesting, very interesting," Administrator Wu couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems Bailie has also been influenced by Mounation." Otherwise, with Bailie openly and secretly targeting Pleasant Isles, how could He Lingchuan's store obtain permits and open smoothly? But this way, the Lu family must be feeling quite aggrieved, right?

Administrator Wu smiled and said, "Go inform Pleasant Isles that I will definitely attend the opening day."

The undercurrents from all sides finally transformed into superficial cordiality on this auspicious day. Pleasant Isles' two stores simultaneously opened in Qucheng, the capital of Bailie!

The opening ceremony was very lively. After all, the new owner of Pleasant Isles had already made a name for himself, becoming the most talked-about person among relatives and neighbors in the surrounding area. Ding Zuodong had been advertising the new stores for days, and combined with the significant opening discounts, the place was packed with residents from early morning. Notables and gentry from Bailie and Blade Harbor were all invited to attend and show support.

However, the common people didn't expect that even Lu Qingan, the eldest son of Bailie's lord, and Administrator Wu of the Blade Harbor Maritime Affairs Office, would be present, smiling as they greeted Island Master He and bowed to the curious onlookers. Rumors had circulated that Island Master He was at odds with the Lu family and Administrator Wu, but wasn't the scene entirely harmonious? Only those familiar with the Lu family could tell that Lu Qingan's smile was actually a little forced.

The master of ceremonies hired by Guan Ke was an excellent speaker, often drawing thunderous applause. Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, dragon dance teams performed several spectacular shows, earning widespread applause. When the time came, several local VIPs stood at the storefront, picked up scissors, and snipped the red ribbon with a "snip," thus completing the opening ceremony for the new store.

He Lingchuan extended his hand towards Lu Qingan in a gesture of invitation: "Elder Master Lu, thank you for your trouble." Lu Qingan's cheek muscles ached from smiling today; he just wanted to get through the process quickly. Fake smiles were so incredibly tiring.

He and He Lingchuan worked together to unveil the red cloth from the restaurant's signboard. It read: "Dragon's Ridge Restaurant." Behind them, three hundred strings of firecrackers exploded with a crackling sound, celebrating the grand opening. After the ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling, He Lingchuan welcomed the distinguished guests to their seats, and the people of Qucheng could also enter Dragon's Ridge Restaurant to order food. For a moment, the place was bustling with people.

"Elder Master Lu, the future business of Pleasant Isles will still require your continued support," He Lingchuan said, bowing to Lu Qingan. "Let's keep in touch!" With that, he waved his hand, and someone brought seven gilded gift boxes. Lu Qingan's expression changed, and he instinctively took half a step back. Last time, Pleasant Isles sent seven severed heads to his family in gift boxes! He immediately realized he had shown weakness and quickly tried to cover it up: "Oh, Island Master He is too kind!"

In front of such a crowd, He Lingchuan certainly wouldn't do anything so outrageous. He considerately opened one of the gift boxes, revealing a variety of beautifully packaged gifts inside: "This is for the Lu Clan Chief, this is for Madam An, this is for you, Elder Master Lu, and this is for Second Master Lu..." He introduced them one by one.

Standing next to him, Lu Qingan felt particularly uncomfortable. He had already received reports that this young man could casually kill people without any prior warning. When the six hundred Bailong people failed in their uprising, the Lu family could still attribute it to the Wanshi uncle and nephew being brainless brutes with too little capability. But what about the Beijia captain and numerous demon guards who also fell in Pleasant Isles? Yes, he now knew that those who had approached Lu Zhensheng for help were not Beijia bounty hunters, but regular officers of the Black Tiger Army from Lingxu City! Even such Beijia elites had been defeated and returned from Pleasant Isles. If the Lu family offended He Lingchuan again, they would have to seriously reconsider.

So when Lu Qingan finished reading the Grand Preceptor's personal letter, he felt less anxious. Since the Grand Preceptor requested that both parties maintain good relations, and He Lingchuan apparently agreed, the safety of the Lu family should not be threatened. It was just frustrating. He Lingchuan had just sent them severed heads, and immediately after, he demanded that the Lu family come and endorse his grand opening. Pleasant Isles' first store, of all places, opened in Qucheng! And it wasn't far from the Lu family's residence! This was deliberately meant to sicken them right under their noses. Yet Lu Qingan still had to come. He looked at Administrator Wu, the old fox whose every smile seemed to come from the heart; he wondered how he managed it.

Pleasant Isles' two stores included one called "Dragon's Ridge Pavilion," specializing in dim sum and tea. Guests there enjoyed various pastries and snacks made from Pleasant Isles' produce, such as flaky pastries made from island nuts, fine wines brewed from grapes and berries, three-delicacy buns made from giant dragon bamboo shoots and yellow mushrooms, and soup dumplings made from large prawns and mackerel caught in the Pleasant Isles waters, among others. Of course, palm oil and aphid sugar were used in many of the pastries. Guests who paid and left would also receive a beautiful bottle of palm oil and an aphid sugar shortbread as a complimentary gift before departing.

Due to the grand opening discounts, Dragon's Ridge Pavilion was bustling with people, seeming almost on the verge of being collectively carried away by the crowd. That day, there were more merchants trying the new offerings than commoners. In such a place, the food was meant to be savored bite by bite; it was clean and elegant, very suitable for a business lunch or a casual discussion of business. Except for today, of course.

And next to Dragon's Ridge Pavilion was Pleasant Isles' other store: Crane's Call Pavilion. This store displayed produce from Pleasant Isles and also conducted wholesale business, with a warehouse at the back. Merchants who finished eating and drinking at Dragon's Ridge Pavilion, finding the taste good and the products fine, could walk a few steps to Crane's Call Pavilion next door to discuss business. How good was its business? To say nothing else, six hundred glowing spores were sold in just one morning. Later customers who wanted to buy them were out of luck; they were out of stock. Madame Zhu Er had only recently settled in Pleasant Isles, and new mycelial mats took time to cultivate, so the output of glowing spores was limited.

With delicious food before him, Administrator Wu ate with great enjoyment, observing his surroundings. After he toured Crane's Call Pavilion, he was surprised by the abundance of goods: Did Pleasant Isles really have so many things to sell? He personally saw many merchants enter, discuss with the clerks and managers, and then leave with gift boxes or shipping manifests. Pleasant Isles had rented several large warehouses by the docks in Blade Harbor. Customers ordering bulk goods could pick them up at the docks with their manifests and load them directly onto ships; for those not in a hurry, goods could also be shipped from Pleasant Isles. The ship delivery service was provided free of charge by the seller, Pleasant Isles, which was very thoughtful. The restaurant, stores, separate storage of goods, and direct logistics — although a bit chaotic, it was generally well-organized. This group of people led by He didn't seem like amateurs when it came to business.

Just then, Principal Clerk Yang of Bailie was nearby, and Administrator Wu quietly asked him, "Old Yang, did Pleasant Isles used to produce glowing spores? I've never seen anyone use them before." (He didn't need to buy them; He Lingchuan simply put a few in a gift box for him.)

Principal Clerk Yang gave an awkward laugh. "About that, I'm not very clear." Could it be a newly developed island specialty?

Administrator Wu continued, "Your Third Master Lu and Sixth Master Lu are both here. They greeted me in a private room on the second floor of Dragon's Ridge Pavilion just now. I also saw them chatting cheerfully with Island Master He."

"I saw them," Principal Clerk Yang rubbed his face. "They've been involved with Pleasant Isles for a while now. I heard the gifts they sent for Dragon's Ridge Pavilion's opening were very substantial." For the opening of Dragon's Ridge Pavilion, Island Master He invited his partners to show support, and these two members of the Lu family were among them, appearing particularly familiar with Island Master He. Lu Qingan was forced to come, but these two Lu family members were not. When He Lingchuan gave them gifts, they took them quite happily.

Principal Clerk Yang asked him, "Is Pleasant Isles' store in Blade Harbor also opening soon?" Anyone wishing to open a business in Blade Harbor had to first obtain an opening permit from the Maritime Affairs Office, so Administrator Wu was naturally very clear about this: "Yes, in just two days, I'll have to go show my support again." A bustling store in a downtown area could boost sales. This was peak season for palm oil, so Pleasant Isles certainly couldn't delay opening their store any longer.

He walked to a secluded shelf and softly cleared his throat: "Did the Lu family also receive a letter from an important figure?" The word "also" was used very cleverly, and Principal Clerk Yang's eyes widened: "You received one too?"

"The Grand Preceptor of Mounation wrote a letter to Consort Yu, and then Consort Yu..." Administrator Wu spread his hands. "Anyway, that's how it became like this. What about the Lu family?"

Principal Clerk Yang looked left and right, making sure no one was around before whispering: "The Grand Preceptor of Mounation sent a personal letter to the Clan Chief."

Oh, the Grand Preceptor personally wrote to Lu Zhensheng? "In the letter, the Grand Preceptor said that the Bailong people and Beijia people caused trouble on Pleasant Isles during the hurricane night, and he, as an esteemed guest on the island, was quite disturbed by it..."

Administrator Wu was startled: "The Grand Preceptor was on Pleasant Isles that day?!" The master of Pleasant Isles truly had incredible connections, able to invite even the venerable Grand Preceptor to the island!

"Lower your voice!" Principal Clerk Yang shushed him. "The Grand Preceptor also specifically mentioned that those Beijia individuals were from the Black Tiger Army of Lingxu City. Did you know about this?"