Chapter 1064: Tongjia Envoy

He Lingchuan smiled. "During the hurricane, we sold over six hundred bowls a day."

As soon as he finished speaking, several guests in the dining hall looked up, quietly walked to the open kitchen counter, and asked for a freshly prepared bowl of yellow croaker noodles.

He Lingchuan was leading, Dou Wenguan had stopped eating, while Dou Wuxing focused on his last few dumplings.

"It's an honor to have you here," He Lingchuan said, asking the shop owner for wine. But Dou Wuxing shook his head. "No wine for me; I'd like to explore later."

As Dou Wuxing was a straightforward person, He Lingchuan changed his order to a pot of hot tea. Seeing that he still wanted more, he ordered two steamers of fresh bamboo shoot and pork buns and two steamers of crab roe soup dumplings for the brothers.

Remembering Dou Wenguan's fondness for sweets, he also ordered a serving of aphid-honey sesame shortbread.

As expected, Dou Wenguan praised it profusely while eating, saying, "This flavor is very special; it's not honey, is it?"

He Lingchuan smiled. "No, it's not. The spiciness is also inherent in the sugar itself." He explained that the flavor of the aphid-honey was personally formulated by Madam Zhu Er, making it more versatile than regular honey.

The unfamiliarity that came with meeting again after a year quickly faded after a few words of greeting. Dou Wenguan remarked with emotion:

"These islands of yours are truly impressive. Everything is so well-organized. In Lingxu City, there are so many scions of powerful families. They might look splendid and ostentatious, but they probably don't have such a vast estate under their direct control!"

Lingxu City was not short on other things: second-generation officials and wealthy heirs were everywhere; you could throw a brick anywhere and hit at least two.

Competing in wealth, throwing money around, and booking entire venues were no longer news there.

Such a large Chosen City was a veritable playground of luxury and ambition.

Dou Wenguan's gaze toward He Lingchuan also carried a touch of emotion.

Back then, they were companions drinking and carousing together in Lingxu City, their statuses indistinguishable. A year later, He Lingchuan suddenly wrote them a letter, announcing he had acquired an island...

An entire archipelago, forty-two islands in total.

And what about the brothers themselves? They had traveled thousands of miles to work for someone else. This instantly highlighted the disparity between them.

He Lingchuan picked up a small shortbread and took a bite. "They live in luxury, and their family manages their estates, unlike me, who's naturally destined for hard work and has to handle everything personally!"

When he inquired further about the Dou brothers, he learned that their aspiration to remain in Lingxu City had indeed been shattered.

In fact, it was related to He Lingchuan. Ever since he caused a stir in the Heavenly Palace and Fang Canran summoned thunder-wielding beasts to wreak havoc in Beijia's imperial capital, Lingxu City and the Heavenly Palace were both furious.

In addition to further escalating the Eastern War, the Demon Emperor also personally ordered a strict investigation into the backgrounds of all Mou nationals in Lingxu City.

Whether their backgrounds were problematic or simply unclear, they were all arrested as spies.

A mere glance from a leader was enough for subordinates to know what to do. The Demon Emperor's single command for "strict investigation" was amplified layer by layer down the hierarchy, turning into outright expulsion.

The Dou brothers' backgrounds were clean; otherwise, they would have been detained long ago. But they were also apprehensive, knowing that a new storm was brewing.

Sure enough, Lingxu Imperial Academy soon issued them an expulsion order, requiring them to leave Lingxu City within ten days or face legal action.

Dou Wuxing had originally hoped to become a minor official under the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and Dou Wenguan had gained the appreciation of the Minister of Guests. With this turn of events, the brothers' prospects evaporated, and they could only return to their homeland dejectedly.

Strictly speaking, they were not truly Mou nationals, but their official background submitted initially was that of scholars from Mou, so they had no grounds to protest their expulsion.

He Lingchuan immediately expressed sympathy for their plight and clenched his fists in anger. "I thought Lingxu City was open-minded and inclusive," he fumed, "who knew they would still judge people by their nationality in the end?"

Dou Wenguan nodded. "It's like this everywhere under heaven; why would Beijia be an exception? People are branded by their birthplace, and it's difficult to change that mark throughout one's life."

The two of them returned to Shahe, where they only managed to find jobs at the local government office. While the jobs were leisurely, they had little to do all day and felt they couldn't utilize their talents.

After receiving He Lingchuan's letter, the brothers discussed it for several nights and decided to come.

They were unattached anyway, so what harm was there in venturing out to make a name for themselves?

They also asked about He Lingchuan's experiences over the past year. He merely said he had traveled around various countries, sailed to the Yangshan Archipelago, and, finding it a place of outstanding natural beauty and talented people, decided to settle there.

Dou Wenguan immediately said, "The Yangshan Archipelago is a great place; it could be a family heirloom."

He Lingchuan had dealt with him before and knew this fellow was starting to probe, so he glanced at him. "A mere archipelago? What's there to talk about as a family heirloom?"

"Brother He, are you implying?" Dou Wenguan said, stroking his chin. "If I'm not mistaken, there aren't many unclaimed lands nearby."

Dou Wenguan's unspoken meaning was to ask if He Lingchuan intended to merely secure a corner of peace, or if his ambitions were grander.

He Lingchuan said meaningfully, "There will be."

If he only intended to be a peaceful island master, would the Dou brothers still stay?

Dou Wenguan was slightly moved.

At this moment, Dou Wuxing also popped the last crab roe soup dumpling into his mouth and took a large gulp of tea. "The food here is truly delicious," he said, "much better than back home."

Seeing that they had eaten their fill, He Lingchuan personally took the two of them for a stroll around.

The palm harvest season had already ended, but the laborers were not idle. Instead, they were transferred to Sording Island for expansion work.

Before Fang Canran left the Yangshan Archipelago, he had prepared a detailed, comprehensive, and well-thought-out plan for the island's commercial district for He Lingchuan, who only needed to follow it.

Sording Island would gain new inns, restaurants, teahouses, and many entertainment facilities, along with the construction of some private residences.

Real estate was a crucial industry for accumulating wealth in any city or territory. Seeing the Yangshan Archipelago flourish, Fang Canran suggested He Lingchuan pay attention to property prices and rent or sell at opportune times.

Blade Harbor was an ice-free port, with many merchants and travelers using its sea lanes year-round. They would purchase properties and shops in valuable, high-potential coastal areas as investments.

Other islands used for agriculture and habitation would need distinct divisions for markets, industrial zones, and residential areas, as well as proper infrastructure for water supply and drainage.

While improving living comfort, this would also reduce pollution and inconvenience.

So when the Dou brothers arrived on the island, construction was underway everywhere, and people were working with great enthusiasm.

Dou Wenguan found it very interesting and couldn't help but say to He Lingchuan, "This place is intriguing! I'd like to find a position under you, Brother He."

He Lingchuan clapped his hands. "That is precisely what I desire!"

Dou Wenguan was articulate, eloquent, efficient in handling matters, and skilled in dealing with people.

The position He Lingchuan arranged for him was Trade Emissary, essentially a commercial representative. To fully develop and expand the Yangshan Archipelago's industries in the future, it was essential to open up trade routes and deal with merchants from all directions.

When necessary, he would also serve as a special envoy for the Yangshan Archipelago, sent to other countries.

Although He Lingchuan had subordinates like Ding Zuodong and Guan Ke, their existing tasks were too heavy and their energy limited, making it impossible for them to take on such additional work. Besides, the more talent, the better; He Lingchuan didn't want to overwork just those two.

Sure enough, Dou Wenguan readily agreed, his face beaming with delight.