Mo Han said, "If Huayuan returns the land to you, and you don’t choose to cooperate with us, we would still have to pay a hefty price. So it’s better to strike first."

Xu Chunliang said, "If we don’t nod in agreement, your deal might not go through."

Mo Han replied, "It seems you’re not in charge at Hu Shan Town. Since we’ve decided to make a deal with Huayuan, we’re not afraid of anyone opposing us."

Xu Chunliang nodded, understanding that the network of connections Equatorial Capital has is strong, something already proven in their confrontation with the Ecological Environmental Investment Group.

Xu Chunliang remembered something: "Is the Mu Tian Group really run by the Neon people?"

Mo Han said, "What nonsense, it’s just that there’s Japanese investment."

"Are you taking over Weishan Island Hospital to build a hot spring resort?"

Mo Han nodded.

Xu Chunliang said, "I must remind you, the nature of this land cannot be altered."

Mo Han said, "It seems your information is seriously out of date. Let me tell you something else, President Luan is currently negotiating with Da Heng. If all goes well, there will be even bigger news soon."

Xu Chunliang whispered, "Are you taking over the Hot Spring Town project?"

Mo Han smiled, "Why not? Now is the time they most need money, and we can slash their prices seriously. With Equatorial Capital taking over these two projects, it can revive the half-dead projects and avoid internal competition among similar projects. For your Hu Shan Town Government, it’s all benefits and no harm. As long as you’re not fools, you shouldn’t oppose it."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, if it really comes to this, Qin Zhengyang will probably be overjoyed. Both Huayuan and Da Heng are currently mired in debt crises, and no one’s having an easy time. Given the current situation, the possibility of both families leaving local projects unfinished is very high. Once Equatorial Capital, with its strong financial backing, is willing to take over, all problems would be solved.

Xu Chunliang said, "As far as I know, in the past, you at Equatorial Capital only invested and didn’t do real economies."

Mo Han said, "Now we plan to do so. In this world, as long as you have money, many things become easier."

"What are you after?" Xu Chunliang still felt Mo Han’s intentions weren’t so simple.

Mo Han said, "I don’t know either, this is President Luan’s idea." Her two pale feet played back and forth in the hot spring, inexplicably pleasing to the eye.

"By the way, I heard Tong Guangsheng plans to cooperate with his comrades."

Xu Chunliang knew that Mo Han was cold by nature; Tong Guangsheng refused her request to cooperate, and he hoped she wouldn’t hold a grudge.

Mo Han couldn’t help but laugh, "Don’t worry, my mindset isn’t that narrow. Although he won’t cooperate with me, I still admire Mr. Tong very much. I don’t even mind sharing the hot spring resources with him." She dared not use the word "mindset" lightly now, lest she give Xu Chunliang, this rascal, a chance to gloat.

Xu Chunliang looked at Mo Han as if he recognized her anew, but a businessman’s words can only be taken with a grain of salt.

At this moment, Pu Jian returned from outside, seeing them sitting shoulder to shoulder, he cheerfully came over, "Well, you two are soaking together now."

Mo Han said, "You really can’t expect an ivory tower from a dog’s mouth."

Pu Jian said, "If a dog’s mouth could produce ivory, it’d be a mythical beast. If you get me one, I’d pay anything for it."

Mo Han couldn’t be bothered with his teasing, got up, put on her shoes and socks, and left.

Pu Jian also walked until his feet were weary, plopped down where Mo Han had just been sitting, and was about to take off his shoes to soak his feet, only to be met with Xu Chunliang’s resentful glare. Pu Jian immediately understood, sighed, and moved downstream from Xu Chunliang, "You’re just a coward who values beauty over friendship. She was sitting above you just now, and you didn’t object? You insist on having me below you, using your footbath water. You dislike me, why didn’t you dislike her?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Those stinky feet of yours can’t compare."

Pu Jian looked at Xu Chunliang, speaking earnestly, "I didn’t expect you to have a foot fetish, Town Mayor Xu. You need to stay vigilant. You’re a state official now; don’t be seduced by beauty. We can’t make errors of principle!"

"Get out!" Xu Chunliang cursed with a smile.

Pu Jian sighed, "A dog bites Lv Dongbin—unable to recognize a good heart. I have to remind you, Secretary Mei is watching you with satellites from Dongzhou."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t babble such nonsense here, have you inquired about the matter?"

Pu Jian said, "Shi Taiping, indeed such a figure exists in Jizhou’s Antique World. He had a storefront, Bogu Pavilion, in Jizhou Ancient City, but it’s been closed since New Year and hasn’t reopened yet."

Xu Chunliang said, "At that time, he left an address; now he lives in Taibaiwa Qingshan Village, Yutai County, Jizhou City. I’ve been busy with town work lately, so I haven’t had time to go there."

Pu Jian whispered, "How about we take a trip tomorrow?"

Xu Chunliang nodded and reminded Pu Jian not to let Mo Han know about this matter. If she found out that he was looking for the dragon bone, she would surely follow and pursue him.

Yutai County in Jizhou City and Weishan County share a border, and both counties share the water resources of Weishan Lake. Historically, there have been constant disputes between them, but since entering the 21st century, the relationship has improved significantly through the coordination of the two cities.

The development of a national-level vacation tourism district centered around Weishan Island is to be completed through collaboration between the two cities. Although the initial plans were good, and both parties expressed the intention to closely cooperate and share resources, once construction began, there was a tendency for everyone to go their own way. This is quite normal, as everyone wants a share of the benefits from the national vacation district, and each party’s publicity focuses primarily on itself.

Faced with this situation, the leaders of the two cities did not have a better solution, thus the establishment of a national-level vacation district construction headquarters was aimed at strengthening communication between the parties to avoid resource waste. Otherwise, some major projects might lead to duplication.

The shortest direct water route from Weishan Island to Taibaiwa in Yutai County prompted Xu Chunliang to borrow a yacht from Xianhong Farm. Wang Jinwu, hearing that they were going to Taibaiwa, volunteered to tag along, recalling fond memories of a great fish restaurant he visited two years ago that left a lasting impression.

Today’s weather wasn’t great, with dense clouds in the sky, no sunshine, and strong winds over the lake. Weishan Lake, usually gentle and calm, now showed its more tempestuous side.

Waves rolled across the lake’s surface, and Pu Jian, seasick, lay down inside the cabin.

Xu Chunliang and Wang Jinwu stood on the deck chatting and laughing, with a demeanor of carefreeness in the face of challenges.

Wang Jinwu heard news that Equatorial Capital had reached an agreement with Huayuan Group and found it a bit sudden: "Miss Mo was still discussing cooperation with Uncle Tong a few days ago; how did she end up with Huayuan so quickly?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Perhaps she felt there was no hope."

Wang Jinwu asked, "Did you intentionally apply so much pressure on Huayuan Group to facilitate a partnership with Equatorial Capital?" In fact, Wang Jinwu’s opinion reflected that of most people.

Xu Chunliang smiled wryly, "That’s not the case. They talked behind our town government’s back, and we only found out after they reached an agreement."

Wang Jinwu said, "This Miss Mo seems a bit insincere. Given your relationship, she didn’t even give a heads up."

"Brother Jin Wu, clarify what you mean by ’our relationship’?"

Wang Jinwu smiled mysteriously, "Fine, consider it my misspeak. Actually, transferring the entire project to them for two billion isn’t expensive."

Xu Chunliang said, "Huayuan Group was about to give in. We might have gotten the hospital back without spending a dime, but Equatorial Capital complicated things, wasting all our previous efforts."

Wang Jinwu remarked, "It’s a willing buyer and a willing seller. They have deep pockets, and you can’t control that. Besides, their investment in Weishan Island brings you benefits without any harm."

Xu Chunliang said, "I feel there’s more to it. They’re also negotiating with Da Heng, preparing to take over their project."

Wang Jinwu sighed, "It’s great to have money." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Having money doesn’t mean you’re omnipotent. Uncle Tong didn’t give them any leeway."

When this matter was brought up, Wang Jinwu had to explain that Tong Guangsheng wasn’t rejecting external cooperation but was cautious due to the Japanese capital background of Mu Tian Group. However, now that Zhan Aihua and his son decided to open a vacation hotel on Weishan Island, Tong Guangsheng planned to allocate a piece of land from Xianhong Farm for cooperation, which of course required approval from Hu Shan Town.

Xu Chunliang expressed that this wouldn’t be a problem.

At this moment, a ray of sunlight pierced through a gap in the overcast clouds, transforming the entire world into a massive stage. The yacht moved under the dark clouds toward the beam of light.

Wang Jinwu excitedly pointed to the lake ahead, "The Sinking City!"

Xu Chunliang looked in the direction he pointed, and saw, beneath the sunlit water, the vague outline of city structures.

It’s said that the underwater city is Ancient Liucheng, once the domain of Han Zhang Liang. In ancient times, it was the political, economic, and cultural center of Lunan, bustling with activity. Streets and buildings stood crowded together, attracting wealthy merchants and influential figures from all around, along with busy traffic of people and vehicles. Until the Tang Dynasty, it maintained its prosperity, but later was submerged by silt due to flooding from the Yellow River.

According to local legend, Liucheng reappears every 60 years, manifesting in the water where it was buried, reviving the ancient city: its bustling streets, old vehicles and transportation, and people in ancient attire.

On the day the ancient city reappears, there have been tales of boats returning from night fishing inadvertently entering the brilliantly lit ancient city, enjoying drinks and chatting with its ancient inhabitants.

"Liucheng appears once every 60 years" has become a well-known tale among the islanders, whereas the renowned Penglai Immortal Realm appears several times a year, yet the phenomenon of Ancient Liucheng is a 60-year spectacle.

The yacht sailed over the Sinking City, and the clouds once again obscured the sun. Without the sunlight, the surface of the water returned to its dark green hue, and even with strenuous effort, the scene underwater was obscured.

Pu Jian groggily came outside, and Wang Jinwu quickly helped him sit down, "Feeling better?"

Pu Jian nodded, "I just took some motion sickness pills. I’ve never been seasick before; is there something wrong with your yacht?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Everyone else is fine, why is it just you with an issue?"