Chapter 564: New Business Ventures
Even as Bai Yuan extended Gao Family Village's influence into Jiangzhou,
Gao Family Village.
Gao Yiye and her guard detachment had just returned to the village.
Upon their return, Gao Yiye and Dong Xue retreated to the main keep to rest. Qiu Ju, meanwhile, had remained in Puzhou City to manage the large-scale textile factory there.
Back in the main keep, sitting on the observation tower's balcony, the two young women suddenly felt a pang of loneliness.
Such was human nature. When someone you had lived with for a long time was suddenly gone, it was inevitable to feel a sense of melancholy and sadness.
Gao Yiye turned to Dong Xue, saying, "Oh, it's just the two of us now."
Dong Xue sighed in agreement, "Yes, just the two of us."
Gao Yiye said, "Qiu Ju isn't here either; you must feel her absence more keenly than I do."
But Gao Yiye knew she had assented. Among the four secretaries, Qiu Ju and Dong Xue had the deepest bond. It was said they had both been sold to a brothel at the same time, grown up together since childhood, learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting side-by-side, their affection like that of true sisters.
Gao Yiye added, "It seems we'll have to visit Puzhou City often from now on, to see Qiu Ju more frequently."
Dong Xue's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Gao Yiye replied, "I can tell from your expression; this is something we absolutely must do."
Dong Xue was overjoyed. "Thank you, Saintess."
Just then, the Heavenly Lord, depicted in golden embroidery on Gao Yiye's clothes, suddenly chuckled, "This is a business opportunity."
His voice startled both women, but after a brief moment of surprise, they quickly composed themselves and bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Heavenly Lord."
The Heavenly Lord chuckled again, "Dong Xue, it seems you have a new task."
Dong Xue respectfully said, "Please enlighten us, Heavenly Lord."
The Heavenly Lord announced, "It's time to start developing tourism."
"What? Tourism?" The two women exchanged bewildered glances.
The Heavenly Lord explained, "Dong Xue, you've had much contact with the wealthy in the past, so you must know how they enjoy spring outings, autumn excursions, countryside strolls, and snow viewing, correct?"
Dong Xue quickly confirmed, "Yes! The rich gentlemen absolutely love engaging in such activities. They even venture into the wilderness and forests to compose poetry and prose, feigning elegance."
The Heavenly Lord burst into laughter. "Feigning elegance isn't the main point, but sightseeing and leisure travel are genuine needs. Life isn't just about the mundane struggles before you; it also requires poetry and distant horizons."
This casual utterance of modern wisdom deeply resonated with Dong Xue, who nodded and said, "The Heavenly Lord speaks so profoundly, far more eloquently than those who merely feign elegance."
The Heavenly Lord sharply drew in a breath. "It sounds like I've just been roasted? But I have no proof."
"Dong Xue! Since you'll be frequently visiting Qiu Ju in Puzhou from now on, why not develop a tourist route from Gao Family Village to Puzhou?" the Heavenly Lord suggested. "There's a saying: 'Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.' Gao Family Village is too small; if the villagers stay confined to such a tiny place, their horizons will never broaden, and that's extremely detrimental. Take them out, let them explore everywhere. Let them see Heyang County, the Linyi Yellow River Bridge, the endless cotton fields of Puzhou City stretching to the horizon, and the rich cultural heritage of the world... The more they see, the broader their minds will become, and the grander their worldview."
The two women didn't fully grasp the concept of a "worldview," but they understood the rest of his words.
Dong Xue curtsied slightly. "How exactly should we go about this?"
The Heavenly Lord, disinclined to further lengthy explanations, printed a document from the internet, and with a swoosh, placed it before Dong Xue. "Give it a try," he said. "Whether it makes money or not isn't important; the key is that it's enjoyable."
Making money truly wasn't their primary concern.
Gao Yiye flipped through the documents Li Daoxuan had placed down and smiled. "This looks quite interesting."
Her biggest problem currently was a lack of entertainment options. All day, she longed for something to do, so now, seeing a potential source of amusement, she was naturally eager to try it.
Dong Xue leaned closer to look. "First, we need to finalize the travel route planning, connecting various points of interest along the way, arranging for inns and local specialty dining, and providing introductions to historical sites... This actually sounds quite fun. Not only can we have fun and visit Qiu Ju, but we can also earn some money along the way, and accomplish what the Heavenly Lord called the goal of 'letting the people of Gao Family Village go out and see the world.' It truly is killing several birds with one stone."
Gao Yiye chuckled, "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's start preparing right away. How much should we charge for this? Should we ask a Middle School graduate to calculate it for us?"
Dong Xue replied, "No need for that! There's no need to be so precise with these things. Those willing to spend money on travel are all wealthy individuals. They won't care about the price. Let's set it a bit high to start..."
The two young women conducted their research.
Early the next morning, Dong Xue set off.
This time, Gao Yiye did not accompany her, because if Gao Yiye moved, her guard detachment would have to move with her. A large retinue of over a hundred people, marching out to scout a tourist route, would be an unnecessary expense and drain on resources, wasting Gao Family Village's treasury silver.
Dong Xue, on this occasion, embarked on her journey as an ordinary woman.
She first took the train to Heyang County, then transferred to another train bound for Qichuan Ferry. This route was well-established, presented no difficulties, and was extremely safe.
Upon arriving at Qichuan Ferry, a choice had to be made. Should she take a boat directly to Yongji Ancient Ferry, or travel north by carriage, along the newly constructed cement road, to the Linyi Yellow River Bridge?
Ultimately, she chose the land route. She arranged for drivers and horses, negotiated the price, and traveled a dozen li by carriage, reaching the Linyi Yellow River Bridge. After pondering there for a while, she penned a long description of the bridge. Then, crossing the bridge, she arrived at Sunji Town.
Here, arrangements for inns and local dining would need to be made!
Tourists should rest here for a night, using the evening to fully experience the Yellow River Bridge. They could enjoy the river breeze on the bridge, and local restaurants could prepare roast lamb for them.
Then, rising early the next day, they would continue by carriage to Puzhou City.
After making these preliminary arrangements, Dong Xue returned to Gao Family Village. She and Gao Yiye secluded themselves in the observation tower, and whispered in discussion for the entire night.
Early the next morning...
As the villagers of Gao Family Village were just waking up, they discovered a huge advertisement plastered on the entrance to the main keep. It read: "Gao Family Village Travel Group, departing for Puzhou in three days, only ten taels of silver, take you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Yellow River, see the new city of Puzhou, now accepting registrations and reservations."
Zhang Laowu, head of Gao Family Village's Disciplinary Committee, was patrolling with a few of his subordinates. Spotting the advertisement on the main keep's gate from afar, he immediately became displeased. "Who? Who dares to deface the main keep's gate with an advertisement?" he roared. "Do they have a death wish? That's a celestial fortress bestowed by the Heavenly Lord! Gao Sanwa got beaten to a pulp by his mother for doodling on the walls once. And now someone dares to post an advertisement? Arrest them and beat them into a..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he clearly saw the signature at the bottom of the advertisement.
Zhang Laowu's expression instantly shifted. "Oh my, the Saintess's handwriting is truly beautiful."
Everyone: "..."
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