Chapter 1291: 疑点

"Yes. But for the exact details about the crops, you'll have to ask my younger brother; I can't remember them." Dou Wuxing was the agronomist. "Oh, and those were gifts from foreign envoys. Peppercorns were also introduced at the same time."

"So, date palms weren't in the Sand River Basin three hundred years ago?" He Lingchuan mused.

"That's right. It seems to have taken another fifty years or so from successful introduction to widespread cultivation."

"Since I'm already here, let me ask you one more thing." He Lingchuan picked up a date and ate it. "The imperial surname of the Mu Nation, I believe, originated in the Sand River Basin?"

"That's correct. The founding ancestor of the Mu Nation, whose surname was Xin, came from our Sand River Basin. They are known as the Xin Clan of Sand River!"

Dou Wenguan continued, "Even today, a branch of the Xin Clan remains in Sand River. As descendants of immortals and the imperial family of the Mu Nation, they hold immense power and prestige. I've been to their residence; it's a vast estate, sprawling and magnificent, like a palace. For any major local matter, the Prefect must consult the Xin Clan before making a decision."

He cleared his throat lightly. "When my elder brother and I left Lingxu City to find work back home, we found employment under the Xin Clan."

His previous job was working for the Xin Clan.

He Lingchuan nodded. "The Mu Nation has existed for a hundred and fifty years, hasn't it? What do you know about this founding ancestor?"

"The founding ancestor, Xin Haiping, launched his uprising one hundred and fifty-four years ago and established the Mu Nation in just three years after eliminating his rivals," Dou Wenguan added. "Legend has it that when he came into the world, a hundred birds flocked to pay homage. The Sand River had been gloomy for a hundred days, but at the moment of his birth, the clouds parted, the sun rose, and golden rays bathed the land."

He Lingchuan chuckled. "Is that a true story, or an embellishment?"

In this world, auspicious omens from the heavens were not uncommon.

Dou Wenguan scratched his head. "I haven't verified the authenticity of these local legends myself."

He had already divulged everything he knew. Deeds from over a hundred years ago had become legends over time; how could one verify their truth now?

"How many brothers did this founding ancestor have? What were their names?"

"Uh, well..." Dou Wenguan found his lord's questions today rather odd. He could only say, "Shall I send a swift message back to inquire?"

"Please do." He Lingchuan then posed another unusual question, "Does the Xin Clan of Sand River keep a portrait of the founding ancestor?"

Dou Wenguan racked his brain and finally remembered, "Oh, yes, they do. The Xin Clan keeps a portrait of the founding ancestor in their ancestral hall. I recall he had a square face, large ears, a solemn demeanor, and a dignified presence."

"A square face and large ears?" He Lingchuan frowned.

"Elders who have visited Mu Capital told me that the portrait displayed in the Xin Clan's ancestral hall is quite different from the one in the Mu Nation's imperial capital. This is because the founding emperor left home at a young age and didn't return to visit his ancestors until his twilight years. So, the portrait kept in the ancestral hall depicts him in his old age."

"I see." It sounded like the portrait wasn't particularly valuable for his purposes.

He Lingchuan also knew that descendants tended to embellish their ancestors' appearances. Xin Haiping's portrait, having been re-painted by several generations, was likely no longer accurate.

After the lord finished his questions, Dou Wenguan was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, I received a letter from Du Shan a few days ago. He has set off from the North Sea, traveling both by water and land. If all goes well, he should reach Yangshan in another seven or eight months."

That was quite a journey. He Lingchuan nodded. "Understood."

Dou Wenguan then took his leave.

He Lingchuan pulled a wicker chair onto the long veranda and sat down, closing his eyes to rest.

One hundred and fifty-one years ago, the Xin Clan established the Mu Nation.

While that specific number, one hundred and fifty-one years ago, might not mean much to others, He Lingchuan found it highly significant.

This was because Dragoncoil City had fallen one hundred and fifty-two years ago!

The Mu Nation was founded just one year after Dragoncoil City's destruction. Was there a connection between these two events?

The Xin Clan were descendants of immortals, and the establishment of the Mu Nation was very likely connected to the support of Mount Ling.

He Lingchuan recalled the replica Thunder Spear that appeared at the Platinum Isle auction. It had once been General Hong's personal weapon but later became the founding emperor's.

In the Dragoncoil World, Xin Yi, who was an envoy of Mount Ling, also shared the surname Xin and hailed from the Sand River Basin.

What was the relationship between this person and Xin Haiping, the future founding emperor of the Mu Nation?

The Xin Clan of Sand River, indeed, warranted further investigation.

Fortunately, the Sand River Basin wasn't too far from Bailie. He needed to write to Ding Zuodong and send someone to gather intelligence there.

The light rain returned, pattering on the roof tiles and the ground, like a tranquil lullaby.

He Lingchuan pondered deeply until Dong Rui arrived, clad in a straw cape.

After returning to Ju City, Dong Rui continued his reclusive life, coming every few days to request materials, then immediately leaving once he had them.

Having obtained so many treasures from Que Yu's underground palace, he was like a child with new toys during the New Year; his entire focus was on them, and he couldn't even spare a glance for He Lingchuan.

"Hey," He Lingchuan chided with a smile, "Is that how you treat your patron?"

He provided him with food, drink, and experimental materials, and vast sums of money seemed to vanish into a bottomless pit without a ripple. Now, Dong dared to treat his patron like this?

Dong Rui finally looked up, rubbing his eyelids. "I'm busy. What do you want?"

Que Yu was also a research fanatic. Although he had destroyed all his research materials before he died, Dong Rui was no ordinary man. He could always glean insights from Que Yu's scattered notes and find clues in the burial grounds of the underground palace, leading to many revelations.

With such revelations, naturally, he was engrossed in his work.

With no one else around, He Lingchuan asked him, "Have you made any progress on the things Que Yu was working on?"

"How could it be that fast?" Dong Rui sighed. "He was far, far ahead of me."

For one thing, Que Yu's understanding of the Sky Demons far surpassed his own. Que Yu had personally killed them, dissected them, and perhaps even modified them. The value of live research was immense. Unlike him, who could only tinker with corpses and bones.

He Lingchuan said sternly, "Let me warn you first: don't even touch the direction of his research!"

"Wh—" Dong Rui was startled but immediately understood. "Oh, I see."

Que Yu's research had attracted Sky Demons, demonstrating its profound impact. Dong Rui was merely an unlisted fugitive. If he were to follow in Que Yu's footsteps and be discovered by the Sky Demons, wouldn't the Yangshan Islands face disaster?

He Lingchuan knew Dong Rui's nature all too well and was determined to make him abandon that thought. "If you dare touch it, you'll get no more funding from me, and I'll reclaim Clover Island."

"Don't worry, don't worry, I won't research in that direction," Dong Rui said grumpily, waving his hand. "I always keep my word. Don't you trust me?"

"Remember, if anything goes wrong, I won't be able to protect you!"

Dong Rui retorted sullenly, "I know, do you have to tell me?"

He Lingchuan pondered for a moment before saying, "In your opinion, how will the Sky Demons return to the human world?"