Director Xiao said, "This is related to the intrinsic value of the relics. The protection level is determined based on the specific value of the cultural relics. I can’t decide on the protection just because I say so. I haven’t closely examined those three ancient kiln pools, but based on my experience, they are at most up to the county-level relic standard."

Xu Chunliang asked, "If the ancient kiln pools are listed as county-level key cultural relics, would it affect the development of the hot springs?"

Xiao Dong provided everyone with a brief overview of the policies regarding the protection of cultural relics.

The words were spoken without much thought, yet they resonated with Xu Chunliang, whose intention in inquiring about the relevant policies was solely for future preparation. Director Xiao’s policy interpretation gave him sudden clarity.

He Xingjian came aggressively, with a strong intent to develop the hot springs. Based on the current preliminary assessment, the hot spring and the ancient kiln pools are far apart, and they shouldn’t greatly impact each other. Moreover, the ancient kiln pools aren’t key cultural relics.

As for the underground tunnels and ancient architecture below, it seems they have already been looted, leaving almost no relics behind, and the remaining underground chambers lack significant archaeological value.

He Xingjian holds the exclusive rights to the hot spring development and can use policies as a basis to pressure Hu Shan Town. If Xu Chunliang wants to oppose him, he also needs to find a foundation in policies.

Therefore, he plans to use the Cultural Relics Bureau to counter the Natural Resources Administration Bureau, using policy to address policy.

Under Xu Chunliang’s earnest persuasion, Xiao Dong soon got tipsy and agreed to help apply for the ancient kiln pools to become a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Xu Chunliang suggested that municipal-level can be dealt with slowly; for now, getting approval for a town-level status would suffice.

Xiao Dong laughed, saying town-level was no problem, but Dongzhou had no precedent for it; they’d discuss it at a meeting later.

Xu Chunliang said, isn’t town-level up to you, Director Xiao?

Xiao Dong, in everyone’s presence, said that town-level matters are decided by the town itself, without needing higher-level application. With a bit of alcohol courage, he promised that as long as Hu Shan Town applies, he will approve it.

Those in the know at the scene realized Xu Chunliang was dragging the Cultural Relics Bureau into the situation; he wanted to label the Wine Culture Park as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit. Once that was done, even the Natural Resources Administration Bureau wouldn’t be able to decide on the hot spring development issue.

Xu Chunliang acted swiftly. After drinking, he instructed Zhang Haitao to immediately have a few signs made, declaring it a Hu Shan Town Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit.

Pu Jian was truly impressed by him. He had been in the antique industry for years, and it was the first time he had heard of a town-level key cultural relic protection unit. Whatever strange thing happened with Xu Chunliang involved, it wasn’t surprising anymore. Who knows, he might create a village-level key cultural relic protection unit someday.

Xu Chunliang not only dared to put up signs, but he also dared to claim land, designating the area within twenty meters around the distillery as a protection zone, and made signage for explanations, established record archives, and appointed someone in charge of management—this person was Zhang Haitao.

Because this town-level key cultural relic protection unit was too informal, it couldn’t get official positions. The cultural relic administrators were all temporary workers; Ding Si and Zhang Haitao were supervisors for the cultural relic protection unit, unpaid of course. Pu Jian was a cultural relic protection expert, also unpaid.

The day after, when Xiao Dong sobered up, he noticed every entrance to the distillery, and in prominent places, had been adorned with town-level key cultural relic protection unit plaques, making his face burn a bit. He had promised quite a few things yesterday under the influence, but he didn’t expect Xu Chunliang to actually go through with it, and so quickly at that!

The experts from the Cultural Relics Bureau were left speechless by this whole scene in Hu Shan Town. When they met Xiao Dong, they even joked, "Dean Xiao, Hu Shan Town is really something else, a town-level key cultural relic protection unit, isn’t this ridiculous? Forget Dongzhou, this sets a national precedent!"

Xiao Dong pretended not to hear and walked toward the ancient kiln pools. An expert said, "Director Xiao, there’s a sign here too, they’ve even involved our Dongzhou Museum."

Xiao Dong looked in the direction pointed and saw Zhang Haitao and Ding Si directing workers to plant more signs next to the hot spring. The signs read—Hu Shan Town Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, Dongzhou Museum Archaeological Base.

Xiao Dong’s head buzzed loudly—what exactly did he promise them yesterday?

While he was pondering, Pu Jian came over, "Teacher Xiao."

Xiao Dong grumbled, "I am not your teacher."

Pu Jian laughed, "Whether you recognize me as your student or not, I still see you as a teacher. All thanks to your great ideas for Town Mayor Xu."

Xiao Dong pointed at the sign and said, "When did I ever give you guys such a crappy idea."

Pu Jian replied, "It’s a great idea, don’t be annoyed. Let me take you to see the ancient kiln pools."

Xiao Dong was loaded with frustration but had nowhere to vent it. They say you are swayed by favors, had he known Xu Chunliang set a trap for him, he wouldn’t have had that meal yesterday.

Following Pu Jian to the distillery workshop, the main door still bore a stop-work notice from the Natural Resources Administration Bureau.

The matter had reached such a point that Xiao Dong had no choice but to accept it. Anyway, those three ancient kiln pools were real. He scrutinized the three pools carefully and inquired about their history, pondering that with some stretching, they might meet the county key cultural relic protection unit standards, which eased his mind a lot.

Pu Jian showed him the distillery archives previously found, and while the two of them were studying, a worker came in to inform Pu Jian that someone was outside looking for him.

When Pu Jian went out to see, it was Chen Qianfan who had arrived. Although he knew Chen Qianfan was no kind soul, meeting here meant blatantly showing Chen Qianfan that he had snatched the distillery away. Fortunately, Pu Jian had thick skin, and he laughed aloud, "Brother Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Qianfan spread his arms and said, "Surprise or not!" He gave Pu Jian a warm hug.

Pu Jian asked, "Does Chunliang know you’ve come?"

Chen Qianfan shook his head, "I haven’t told him yet, planning to surprise him."

In Pu Jian’s mind, since Chen Qianfan went straight to the winery when arriving at Weishan Island, he must be trying to break through from here. However, there’s no secret now; the place is empty. Even if Chen Qianfan takes over the winery, there’s nothing for him to gain.

Pu Jian said, "Miss Mo wants to create a wine culture tourism park and asked me to be a consultant. I really didn’t want to come, but she was so sincere that I just couldn’t refuse."

Chen Qianfan pointed at the sign at the entrance, laughing, "Key cultural relic protection unit of Hu Shan Town. This sign wasn’t here the last time I visited."

In Pu Jian’s mind, of course not; these signs were only put up today.

Chen Qianfan said, "I haven’t been gone long, but a lot has happened on the island. I initially planned to lease the winery; the discussions with Hu Shan Town were almost done, but unexpectedly, Miss Mo intercepted halfway. When I left, Xu Chunliang was still the director of Weishan Island Hospital, and now he’s a deputy town mayor."

Pu Jian laughed, "It’s not just you; I’ve been in Dongzhou this whole time, and the recent happenings feel like magic to me."

Chen Qianfan pointed inside the winery, "Can I take a look inside?" The winery entrance now had security guards, and unauthorized persons were not allowed entry.

Pu Jian found it hard to refuse this request. As he invited Chen Qianfan in, he took out his phone to call Xu Chunliang. But Chen Qianfan told him not to rush; he would go to the town government to find him later.

Pu Jian briefly recounted the recent events to Chen Qianfan. Although Chen Qianfan had already inquired prior to his visit, Pu Jian’s lively narration still amazed him.

Pu Jian first took him to tour the hot springs and then to the exposed tunnel outside.

Several archaeology experts were now up from below, standing in the sunlight smoking.

Pu Jian asked, "Any major discoveries?"

"Nothing at all. It’s all been stolen clean!" one of them replied.

Pu Jian was intentionally saying this for Chen Qianfan to hear.

Chen Qianfan said, "Who would have thought, such a small winery hiding so much, with both hot springs and ancient relics."

Pu Jian asked, "Brother Chen, did you choose this place because you heard something beforehand?"

Chen Qianfan warily glanced at Pu Jian, "Don’t set me up. If I’d known how complicated it was, I wouldn’t have mentioned it at all."

In Pu Jian’s mind, that’s definitely not true. Chen Qianfan is a ’wolf in sheep’s clothing’ type; he seems honest and straightforward but is full of schemes. He didn’t aim for the winery just for the three ancient cellar pools; the real target must have been what was underground. But he was a move too slow; someone cleaned it out before they began.

Chen Qianfan was no longer as upset as before. Mo Han’s interception—Xu Chunliang must have been involved. Chen Qianfan realized his intentions were too obvious during his last visit, probably making others cautious.

Following Pu Jian, they entered the brewery workshop where Xiao Dong was squatting by the first cellar pool, examining something with a magnifying glass.

Pu Jian didn’t disturb him, patting Chen Qianfan on the shoulder, "The ancient cellar pools here are all taken by Mo Han now, you were too late."

Chen Qianfan feigned regret, sighing, "It’s not that I was late; Xu Chunliang was choosing beauty over friendship."

From behind came Xu Chunliang’s hearty laughter, "Who’s speaking ill of me behind my back?"

Chen Qianfan turned around, intending to surprise Xu Chunliang, but found Xu Chunliang already aware of his whereabouts.

That wasn’t surprising; even if Pu Jian didn’t inform Xu Chunliang, someone else might have. As soon as Chen Qianfan loitered at the winery entrance, the security reported it to Zhang Haitao, who recognized him and promptly informed Xu Chunliang.

Chen Qianfan chuckled, "Town Mayor Xu, this humble person wouldn’t dare."

Xu Chunliang joyfully came over and warmly shook hands with Chen Qianfan, "Brother Chen, I’ve been hoping for your visit these past few days."

Chen Qianfan said, "I’ve also wanted to come over for a while now."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let me introduce myself first: I’m now in charge of investment promotion in Hu Shan Town. Since you’re here, you must invest in a project."