I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 8 Patchwork
Now Xue Xiang was relieved. He had originally been only 50% confident in persuading Dong Jiacun, but now he was 100%.

"Mr. Dong, have you ever heard of the Red Lantern Opera Boat?"

“Of course I’ve heard of it. The Red Lantern Opera Boat tours along the canal every year, and its popularity has been growing in the last year or two.”

"If I had the Red Lantern Opera Boat display a banner on the boat, indicating that the tour was sponsored by Golden Harvest Company, and then give a special thank you to Golden Harvest Company at the end of each performance, what do you think of the impact that would have?"

"You can do it like that! How come I didn't think of that?"

Dong Jiacun excitedly paced around, "This is amazing! If that's the case, Jiahe's reputation will not only spread throughout Canaan County, but will probably travel far and wide along the canal."

"Could the clerk please invite the people from the Red Lantern Opera House? I want to speak with them personally."

Xue Xiang smiled slightly, "I've already secured the exclusive sponsorship rights for the Red Lantern Opera Boat this year on behalf of Elder Dong."

Dong Jiacun was taken aback. "So that's how it is."

While sponsoring the Red Lantern Opera House is a good idea, its actual effectiveness remains to be seen.

This doesn't seem to conflict with my relocation to Jiahe.

Xue Xiangdao said, "Whether it works or not, we'll see soon enough."

Okay, I'll make a promise on behalf of Xie Yuanzun.

If, through our cooperation, we cannot expand Jiahe's reputation throughout the entire Canaan region within a year, then Elder Dong may relocate his garrison to Jiahe, and the government will no longer obstruct him."

Dong Jiacun was stunned. He secretly calculated that if the sponsorship of the Red Lantern Opera Boat was successful, Jiahe's influence would definitely expand. Waiting a year wouldn't be a loss.

"Alright, I'll listen to Dean Xie. How much sponsorship fee do you think is appropriate?"
I buy a page in the Canaan Morning Post for eighty spirit stones a year. While the Red Lantern Opera Boat project certainly has a large influence, it's ultimately a new initiative, and its effectiveness is unknown. How about fifty?

"Fifty."

…………

After leaving the Dong residence, Xue Xiang rushed to Jiufen Mountain. As soon as he arrived at the foot of the mountain, Yu Kuan, who had been waiting for a long time, came forward to greet him.

Before he could ask, Xue Xiangxian gave an affirmative answer.

Yu Kuan's body went limp, and he almost knelt down again.

Xue Xiang led Yu Kuan to the Plum Blossom Hall and instructed him to wait outside.

When Xue Xiang entered, Xie Haiya was copying an ancient calligraphy piece.

Fifty breaths later, he finished the last stroke, and without looking up, said, "Judging from your breathing, it seems things are taking a turn for the better."

Xue Xiang cupped his hands and said, "Thanks to the blessings of the Venerable Abbot, Dong Jiacun's attitude has softened somewhat. The matter is as follows..."

Xue Xiang reported the truth, and Xie Haiya was overjoyed. "How did you come up with that idea? Using the Red Lantern Opera Boat to expand Jiahe's reputation, brilliant!"

"By the way, have you made contact with the Red Lantern Opera House yet?"

Xue Xiang hurriedly brought up the problem of the red lantern boat, and Xie Haiya waved his hand and said, "Protecting the territory and the people and guarding the area is the responsibility of Yunmeng Guard and the patrol team."

"Mobilizing the Yunmeng Guards is troublesome. Go and inform the patrol team to send a squadron to accompany the people from the Red Lantern Opera Boat."

"Follow the order."

Xue Xiang felt a stone fall to the ground.

An hour later, the cooperation agreement between the Red Lantern Opera House and Jiahe Trading Company was signed at Dong Family Garden.

As soon as he left the Dong family garden, Yu Kuan handed over all fifty spirit stones that Dong Jiacun had given him to Xue Xiang.

According to Yu Kuan, he got things done without spending a single penny, which far exceeded his expectations. To receive any further benefits would be to defy the heavens.

Furthermore, he never imagined that the Red Lantern Opera House could earn so many spirit stones through such a simple collaboration with commercial organizations.

Just for this reason, he believed the boat owner would be ecstatic, as the sponsorship rights for next year and the year after would be worth a fortune in spirit stones.

Xue Xiang didn't stand on ceremony and took out the gift receipt he had prepared beforehand, asking Yu Kuan to fill it out.

He planned to stay within the system for a long time and would never allow anyone to find fault with him financially.

These fifty spirit stones were dazzling, but they couldn't tempt him.

Yu Kuan filled out the form, and Xue Xiang accepted the spirit stones. He rushed back to the Plum Blossom Hall, placed all fifty spirit stones and the gift slip in front of Xie Haiya, and truthfully informed him of the result.

Xie Haiya raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Old Dong is really rich. I'll keep thirty for public funds, and you can do whatever you want with the remaining twenty."

As he spoke, he wrote out a reward slip and tossed twenty spirit stones to Xue Xiang. "By the way, Dong Jiacun only agreed to wait a year before making a decision. What are you planning to do after a year?"

"I want to start a newspaper."

"Publishing a newspaper to promote Dong Jiacun?"

Xie Haiya was quick-witted. "That's really wishful thinking. Let's not even talk about how newspapers have only existed for a little over ten years. They couldn't even manage the Canaan Morning Post properly, and it ended up being just a wrapper for fried dough sticks."

"You want to start a newspaper? I can't afford to give you a permanent position."

“It’s not an official newspaper, it’s a private newspaper, affiliated with our Seventh Institute. I’ll cover all the expenses, as long as you help me get a newspaper license.”

Xue Xiang pointed to the twenty spirit stones on the table and said, "These twenty spirit stones are basically free. Even if we fail, it won't matter."

Xie Haiya was silent for a moment, then said, "The license is simple. I'm afraid that the spirit stones you worked so hard to obtain will go to waste."

Of course, if you've thought it through, then go for it.

Besides, you've done a great job this time, so I really don't have much to reward you with.

We want to promote you, but you're still relatively inexperienced.

Okay, I'll give you a personal reward.

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a scroll flew into Xue Xiang's hand.

Xue Xiang opened the scroll, and it was a painting. It depicted a compassionate middle-aged scholar, who seemed to be looking up at the sky and asking a question. His pale eyes seemed to have a captivating power.

"This is Kang Guangling, one of the Seventy-Two Sages of the Holy Temple!"

Xue Xiang recognized the great sage.

"This portrait of a sage was carved in the temple and is imbued with the power of great Confucian sages. It contains blessings for the spiritual realm and helps to draw spirits into the body."

This portrait of a sage has been passed down through three generations in my lineage. It has absorbed a small amount of blessings from the spirit realm; if you contemplate it deeply, you will surely gain something.”

Xue bowed and thanked him.

At 3:15 PM, Xue Xiang left the Plum Blossom Hall. The clouds in the sky were like fleeting shadows, and a biting cold wind rushed towards him. He felt inexplicably refreshed throughout his body.

His joy was not solely due to acquiring twenty spirit stones, nor was it because he obtained the image of the great sage Kang Guangling.

The main reason is that by resolving the trouble of transferring the seal to the town, he gained Xie Haiya's approval.

Only now can he say that he has finally secured Xie Haiya's support.

"Brother Xue, I've been waiting for you."

Jiang Kun strode briskly from the north pavilion, full of vigor.

These past few days, he's been busy liquidating his assets, selling some shares and a shop, and finally managed to raise enough money.

"Brother Jiang, what have you been busy with these past few days? I haven't seen you at all, I miss you terribly."

Xue Xiang wore a Li Yunlong-esque smile, thinking to himself, "I've finally made it this far, and I'm finally qualified to close the net."

"It's all because of your matter, Brother Xue. It's finally making progress."

Jiang Kun affectionately put his arm around Xue Xiang's shoulder. "Here's the thing, I asked two companies, and they're both interested."

One company offered a higher price, but it would take time to raise the funds; the other offered a slightly lower price, but could pay in cash.

I wonder what your plan is, brother.

"Of course I want cash. I really can't stay here another day."

Xue Xiang looked utterly miserable.

Jiang Kun laughed and said, "I guessed so. Here's what we'll do: you name a price, and I'll go and negotiate with them."

Xue Xiang counted on his fingers and said, "Back then, in order to get this Flying Fish Mark, my mother sold the last two acres of Yongye Spirit Field in our family and got sixty spirit stones, all of which she used to get this job."

Now, I've been working here for almost a year. It's like buying a new piece of clothing; after wearing it for a year, it will eventually wear out.

In addition, Brother Jiang has been busy with all this, so I can't let you work for nothing.

Okay, let's set the price at twenty.

Jiang Kun was dumbfounded. This idiot was calculating things like this!
Can flying fish mascots depreciate like clothes?
(End of this chapter)