Chapter 1065: Another Message from an Old Friend

This position truly suited him; he could definitely showcase his talents!

Dou Wuxing, for his part, requested to visit the farming islands in person.

He Lingchuan had no objection and personally took them by boat, visiting four or five islands consecutively.

Along the way, Dou Wuxing meticulously inquired about the geology, soil, and hydrology of the Yangshan Archipelago, often appearing lost in thought.

When he stepped onto Dragon Ridge Island and saw the agricultural area, he squatted down to examine the soil, even tasting a few mouthfuls. He couldn't help but frown.

He Lingchuan immediately asked him, "Is something wrong?"

"These islands of yours appear to have fertile soil and excellent land quality, so getting a good harvest for a few crops shouldn't be difficult."

"So where's the problem?"

"The farmers on the island cultivate the land too... rudimentarily, too roughly. Their methods are extensive; the farmland lacks proper planning, and leased plots are haphazardly arranged, wasting boundaries and resulting in poor harvesting efficiency."

He Lingchuan was pleased: "After this winter wheat harvest, Dou Er, you can re-organize everything."

He had taken over the Yangshan Archipelago in September, right at the peak of the busy farming season. Being unfamiliar with agricultural matters himself, his only concern at the time was to get the crops planted on schedule; he couldn't possibly attend to more details.

Dou Wuxing didn't stand on ceremony: "Alright, there's a great deal that needs to be reorganized here."

Dou Wenguan coughed beside him. His second brother was simply too blunt, offending people the moment he opened his mouth.

He Lingchuan didn't mind at all: "It's fine. This is precisely why I asked Dou Er to come and help."

Dou Wuxing then asked, "Are there frequent hurricanes here?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied truthfully. "Several hurricanes visit every year. Just over a month ago, a hurricane made landfall on the Yangshan Archipelago."

"Islands are near the sea, and under the influence of seawater, they naturally have high groundwater levels and high salinity. Since hurricanes are frequent here, storm surges cause seawater to flood inland, and after evaporation, the salt remains in the soil. These conditions readily lead to saline-alkali land. Eventually, the soil will harden, fertility will decline, and crop growth will steadily worsen."

"So, that's why I heard some plots on the island couldn't grow crops?" He Lingchuan had heard of soil salinization before but hadn't paid it much mind at the time. His current tasks were too numerous and complex, so these future concerns hadn't yet been prioritized. However, now that Dou Wuxing was here, he asked, "Is there any way to improve it?"

"Yes, there are many methods. For example, pulverizing wheat straw and returning it to the fields, or adding materials like pine needles, wood chips, and horse manure to the soil. At the same time, these fields must have proper drainage ditches, not just irrigation without drainage. Furthermore, given the soil conditions here, Dragon Ridge Island and a few other freshwater-rich islands should be converted from wheat fields to rice paddies after next summer's wheat harvest. This is known as 'rice planting to wash away salt.' After the autumn rice harvest, you can then switch back to planting winter wheat. This method not only yields an additional rice crop but also ensures the long-term productivity of the fertile land."

Continuous cultivation of wheat and rice is a highly efficient farming method, but it also demands specific soil fertility. Since Dou Wuxing proposed this suggestion, he clearly had a solution in mind.

"Our rice seeds from the Sha River basin have been improved over hundreds of years. They now yield nearly five hundred catties per *mu* and have good resistance to pests, diseases, and lodging. Why not transfer them to the Yangshan Archipelago for a trial planting? If the spiritual energy of heaven and earth becomes even more abundant, the *mu* yield will increase rapidly."

He Lingchuan nodded: "I will send someone to Sha River to purchase them."

Dou Wuxing was enthusiastic. He had only inspected a few fields and next wanted to investigate ocean currents and fish migrations, then examine the island's flora and fauna. Both Beijia and Mou nations were overflowing with talent; his presence would not add much, nor would his absence detract. Even if he had more insights and ideas, unfortunately, his voice carried little weight.

The Yangshan Archipelago, however, would allow him to put his ideas into practice and act freely.

Dou Wuxing immediately felt he had come to the right place.

Dou Wenguan, knowing that He Lingchuan, as island lord, was burdened with many duties, gave a slight cough: "Brother He... Island Lord, please go attend to your affairs. I will accompany my brother to look around."

He Lingchuan handed them a token: "This token grants you passage. Remember, you cannot approach the fenced area at the southwest tip of Dragon Ridge Island; that is the territory of the Shadow Hydra. You also cannot go near Pan Si Island; the monsters there eat people. Furthermore, you cannot approach the southern islands of the Yangshan Archipelago; people will naturally emerge to stop you then."

Without this token, the Dou brothers would be arrested and imprisoned as illegal intruders.

The island's prisons were also brand new, built only after the Bailong people caused trouble.

"The archipelago is vast; you won't be able to explore it all in a few days. Since you two have decided to settle in the Yangshan Archipelago, return to Suoding Island this evening. After signing the contract, I'll treat you to a drink." He Lingchuan grandly waved a hand. "Don't stay in an inn; I'll give you a house. Suoding Island is convenient for living and travel, while Centipede Island is quieter. You can choose whichever you prefer."

The two brothers were overjoyed and expressed their gratitude.

As He Lingchuan turned to leave, Dou Wenguan suddenly remembered something: "Oh, by the way, we also wrote to Old Du. He should be interested in the Yangshan Archipelago."

"Old Du?"

"Du Shan," Dou Wenguan replied with a smile. "Shan Yu Nation wanted to invite him to be an official, but he found the position too low-ranking, so he didn't go. A few months ago, he went to the North Sea to watch whales."

He Lingchuan was delighted: "Do you two usually keep in touch?"

He had a wide circle of acquaintances in Lingxu City, and Du Shan was among his frequent drinking companions. This person always preferred unconventional approaches in his actions and schemes and had few moral qualms, leaving a deep impression on He Lingchuan.

"Before my brother and I returned to Sha River to look for work, Du Shan also gave us some ideas," Dou Wenguan said with a slight cough. "We didn't adopt them."

He Lingchuan understood: "They weren't good ideas, were they?"

The Dou brothers shook their heads in unison: "No."

Du Shan's tricks had always been quite unconventional, even unsettling.

But He Lingchuan always felt there was no harm in listening.

The boatman who had ferried the three of them, named Yu Liang, was originally a subordinate of Min Tianxi. He Lingchuan left him to serve as a guide for the two, while he himself returned to Suoding Island to handle official business.

Ever since he became island lord, his miscellaneous duties had become endless; he was busy from dawn till dusk, regretting that he didn't have three heads and six arms.

He resolved to recruit more talented individuals, delegate tasks, and become a hands-off general manager himself.

If he couldn't be lazy, what was the point of being a big boss?

He Lingchuan's official residence was located by Ding Lake on Suoding Island. From the second-floor balcony, he could see the shimmering blue waters and weeping willows.

Little did he know, just as he sat down to sip some hot tea, Reini sent someone to report again:

"Island Lord, you have guests!"

"Guests?"

"There are ten of them in total, claiming to be from Songyang Manor, here at your invitation," the steward said. "You were not on the island earlier, so these guests have been arranged in the Yingxiang Pavilion."

"Invite them in quickly!" He Lingchuan tossed his cup aside, stood up, shaking out his robes. "No, I'll go greet them myself!"

What a good day this was! Two batches of his invited VIPs had arrived consecutively!

Yingxiang Pavilion had only recently been completed. It was built specifically for distinguished guests, offering accommodation and dining two levels higher than ordinary inns. It also boasted a private, secluded bay with white waves and fine sand, accessible only to guests staying in the pavilion.

This was a high-end business venue, also providing many quiet spaces for negotiations and meetings. Stepping inside felt like entering a different world from the bustling Suoding Pier.

He Lingchuan hurried to Yingxiang Pavilion and immediately confirmed that these "distinguished guests from Songyang Manor" were genuine, as there were two familiar faces among them:

Chief Grand Artisan Li Fubo of the Central Furnace—

his direct disciples!

Upon seeing He Lingchuan, the two immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Li Mingyang and Li Mingrong pay their respects to Elder He!"

Both were twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He Lingchuan had first seen them standing behind Li Fubo when he visited Songyang Manor in Shihuancheng, Yuan Nation.

Songyang Manor sending these two indicated their recognition of their abilities.

He Lingchuan held the esteemed title of Guest Elder of Songyang Manor, enjoying numerous privileges, and his status far surpassed that of these disciples. He now smiled broadly, supporting their arms: "Why be so formal? Come, come, everyone, please be seated."

The two sat down, but the five individuals behind them remained standing, their faces showing deference.

After a few pleasantries, it was mostly He Lingchuan asking questions and the others answering.

When he left Panlong Desert, he had decided to head south by sea. So, he sent a swift message to Li Qingge, the master of Songyang Manor, stating that he was about to travel to Blade's Edge Port, deep in Mou Nation's territory, and asking if Songyang Manor would like to open a branch there in that distant foreign land.

After the letter was sent, it was like a stone sinking into the sea.

He Lingchuan didn't pay much attention to it; firstly, he was too busy himself, only thinking of Songyang Manor when contemplating equipment for his guard squadron. Secondly, Songyang Manor was truly far from Blade's Edge Port, with several nations in between, especially the two behemoths, Beijia and Mou Nation, making communication back and forth incredibly difficult.

He hadn't expected that Li Qingge hadn't replied to his letter at all but had sent people directly!

According to Li Mingyang and Li Mingrong, after receiving the message, the manor master immediately instructed them to head south to Baisha Bay and then travel east by boat. The journey was very smooth, and their ship arrived at Blade's Edge Port after two and a half months.

He Lingchuan was renowned there, so the Songyang Manor team, with a quick inquiry, came directly to Suoding Island to seek him out.

Li Mingrong took out a letter and presented it to He Lingchuan with both hands.

"This is a letter from the Manor Master, please read it, Elder."

He Lingchuan broke the wax seal, pulled out the silver-flecked paper, and quickly read it.

The handwriting was elegant yet strong, and it began:

"Young Master, reading your words is like meeting you in person."

He Lingchuan could imagine Li Qingge's expression as she wrote the letter.

In the letter, Li Qingge stated that Songyang Manor had long wished to expand into Mou Nation, but unfortunately, the border was too distant, and she was constantly busy, never finding an opportunity. He Lingchuan being able to expand Songyang Manor's presence into a foreign land was truly a joyous outcome for everyone.

As for the selection of personnel to send east, Songyang Manor had considered it for a long time, finally deciding to have the Li brothers lead the team, bringing along disciples of several other Grand Artisans.

Li Mingyang and Li Mingrong were not only disciples of Li Fubo but also his nephews. They had been practicing artifact forging with their uncle since they were eleven years old, and Li Fubo often kept them by his side, guiding them meticulously.

In terms of age, they couldn't be called master craftsmen, but their skill and mastery of the craft were first-rate. Both had dozens of excellent completed works, demonstrating highly consistent forging skills and a high success rate.

For this long journey across the ocean, none of Songyang Manor's Grand Artisans came personally. Once people reach a certain age and accumulate experience, they generally dislike battling winds and waves to travel far. Those like Ding Zuodong, who at the age of knowing destiny still had the ambition to achieve something, were ultimately a minority.