From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 728 - 698: Strategizing

Xu Chunliang said: "Just now, the three leaders all mentioned food. Our Dongzhou may not compare to others in terms of scenery, but can we not compete with food? I have some data here, a report on the catering industry in Pinghai Province. Within the province, Nanjiang is first, with a total of 52,376 registered establishments, and our Dongzhou ranks second with 50,471."The attendees were quite surprised upon hearing these numbers. Who would have thought Dongzhou people love to eat so much?

Xu Chunliang said: "This doesn’t even include the night market stalls involved in the catering-related industry. For us in Dongzhou, this is an advantage, a ready-made card. If we play this card well, it will be a trump card."

Li Yushan said: "Aren’t you being a bit idealistic? Who would travel all the way to Dongzhou just for a bite to eat? Why not save on travel and eat locally?"

Xu Chunliang said: "That’s why we have to highlight local specialties. Some things they can’t get locally, or they can’t taste the unique flavor of Dongzhou there!"

Xiao Dong said: "Anyway, I wouldn’t travel all the way to a place just for a bite."

Fan Lidada said: "Just because you wouldn’t doesn’t mean others won’t. When I was young, I would take a bus to Liuhe just for a bite of pig’s head meat."

Fu Guomin said: "The pig’s head meat there is indeed delicious, what you said just made my stomach crave it."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Fu Guomin said: "Dongzhou has quite a few unique delicacies, but not many can really make a name nationwide. Take our province for example, Dongzhou cuisine is oily and spicy. My friends from Jiangnan say they can’t get used to it. It’s not easy to play the food card."

Xu Chunliang smiled and didn’t continue. After the meeting, he found Fu Guomin alone and explained the proposal of Three Two Three.

Fu Guomin had also heard of Three Two Three. He normally enjoyed watching food live streams, but he wasn’t sure how effective using food to attract people to a city could be. However, he didn’t dismiss Xu Chunliang’s idea and fully supported it, keen to provide any convenience to Three Two Three’s promotional efforts for Dongzhou.

The main task for Three Two Three these days in Dongzhou was to tour and eat. He didn’t rush into launching a food live stream about Dongzhou. Dongzhou has many special foods, and promoting them all might dilute the impact, so they needed to choose a focus for publicity.

After arriving in Dongzhou, the most memorable thing for Three Two Three was Dongzhou Barbecue. Many cities across the country love barbecue, but few bloom as much as Dongzhou, and there’s even a saying that Dongzhou is the birthplace of barbecue.

This belief is backed up by a famous comedian who mentioned it, and it’s supported by evidence; an unearthed Han Dynasty stone carving in Dongzhou depicts ancient people eating barbecue.

Three Two Three was very dedicated and wanted to help Xu Chunliang create a comprehensive promotional plan.

When Xu Chunliang returned to Hu Shan Town at noon, he took Three Two Three with him and told him on the way that the leaders of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau had decided to appoint Three Two Three as a special ambassador for Dongzhou tourism promotion.

Three Two Three wasn’t interested in the title. The main reason he came to Dongzhou was to repay Xu Chunliang for his past help.

Three Two Three shared his idea of promoting Dongzhou barbecue with Xu Chunliang, who realized that Three Two Three had put much effort into it and expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the promotion. If needed, he could seek help from Dongzhou TV Station.

Three Two Three couldn’t help but laugh when he mentioned TV: "Do you still think it’s the old days? How many people still watch TV now? Anyone with a phone is likely checking their phone while watching TV, it’s the era of data-driven growth. Promotion methods have long changed."

Xu Chunliang was reminded of Hua Zhuyue after hearing this, remembering that Hua Zhuyue once mentioned that Blue Star is transitioning, and one of the directions is short video live streaming.

Three Two Three added: "Of course, having traditional media help with promotion can be the icing on the cake. Short video promotion might push a plan to the expected popularity quickly, but its persistence is usually short-lived. Maintaining the popularity requires new topics, and as long as there are continuous topics, there will be continuous popularity, and thus, continuous traffic."

Xu Chunliang said: "That’s impressive, no wonder you have millions of followers."

Three Two Three laughed: "The reason I can attract so many followers is that my videos resonate with people, making them feel connected, like it’s happening to someone they know."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, the times have indeed changed. Everyone can become a photographer, everyone can become a host, and some professional hosts can’t even compete with independent media creators.

The ferry arrived at Weishan Island’s dock, and Zhang Haitao drove over to pick them up. Xu Chunliang asked Zhang Haitao to drop him off at the town government first, then take Three Two Three around, with plans for them to stay at Xianhong Farm that night.

When Xu Chunliang arrived at Qin Zhengyang’s office, Qin Zhengyang had just finished a meeting and first inquired whether Xu Chunliang’s family matters were resolved.

Xu Chunliang said: "Everything has been settled, thank you for your concern."

Qin Zhengyang said: "Initially, I didn’t plan to call you, but there’s something that involves you."

Xu Chunliang said: "What’s it about?"

Qin Zhengyang asked him to have some tea first.

Having rushed all the way there, Xu Chunliang was indeed thirsty and took a sip of tea, saying: "Don’t keep me guessing."

Qin Zhengyang smiled: "Well, Da Heng has come up with a new plan for the Yiyang Hot Spring Town. They’ve introduced foreign investment and signed a contract with Mingde Group."

Xu Chunliang said: "Mingde Group, Huang Youlong’s group?"

Qin Zhengyang nodded: "I reviewed their cooperation agreement, which also involves Renhe Hall."

Xu Chunliang understood. No wonder Qin Zhengyang called him back. Now, the name of Renhe Hall belongs to him, and naturally, Da Heng has no cooperation with him. Their Renhe Hall partner is Renhe Hall Pharmaceutical Company.

This world seems vast yet small enough. Huang Youlong collaborating with Da Heng on the Hot Spring Town, despite Xu Chunliang’s belief that Huang Youlong wasn’t a good person, their cooperation followed the rules and procedures. Additionally, when Da Heng and Mingde reached their agreement, Elder Zhou hadn’t passed away and hadn’t left the Renhe Hall trademark to Xu Chunliang yet.

Xu Chunliang got a huge inheritance, which Qin Zhengyang knew about, so he immediately informed Xu Chunliang of the matter.

Xu Chunliang said, "So it seems I also have a say in this matter."

Qin Zhengyang asked, "Do you have shares in Renhe Hall?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "I should. My granduncle held thirty percent of the shares back in the day."

Qin Zhengyang said, "You’ve really got it made."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Has this cooperation project been approved?"

Qin Zhengyang replied, "The project itself has no issues and is highly valued by those above."

Xu Chunliang immediately understood his meaning and asked quietly, "Have they pulled some strings?"

Qin Zhengyang laughed, "Not everything relies on connections. Da Heng’s current situation is not optimistic. If Mingde Group doesn’t invest, there’s a high chance the Hot Spring Town project will fail, and we don’t want to see that happen in Hu Shan Town."

Xu Chunliang said, "It seems Da Heng already talked it over with Mingde; otherwise, they wouldn’t have rejected Equatorial Capital."

Qin Zhengyang said, "What I mean is, since this project involves Renhe Hall, you should step up."

Xu Chunliang said, "Isn’t this the kind of situation where I ought to avoid getting involved?"

Qin Zhengyang said, "Chunliang, my personal viewpoint is that the bigger picture matters more, and I believe you won’t let personal feelings interfere with your duties."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You’re worried I’ll declare a personal vendetta and disrupt Da Heng’s project, so you’re warning me in advance."

Qin Zhengyang said with a wry smile, "That’s not my intention. If Mingde Group doesn’t meet our investment criteria, I definitely wouldn’t agree."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t worry, I know how to handle it. Huang Youlong is quite shrewd; he won’t allow such a big risk in this partnership. If I’m not mistaken, he’ll soon kick Renhe Hall out."

Xu Chunliang said this because Huang Youlong had always used Renhe Hall as a front. Now, with so many issues in Renhe Hall and the trademark ownership in his hands, he wouldn’t risk involving Renhe Hall in this project.

That evening, Xu Chunliang hosted a dinner at Xianhong Farm’s waterside restaurant for the Three Two Three group.

Wang Jinwu, Pu Jian, and Wang Fangtian were all on Weishan Island, accompanying. Also at the table were Zhang Haitao and Shu Yuanhang.

Because Tong Guangsheng recently returned to Weishan Island to recuperate, Shu Yuanhang would come back weekly to spend time with his father, further deepening their bond.

Tong Guangsheng didn’t join their dinner, opting to go night fishing instead.

Soon enough, everyone learned the origin of the name Three Two Three: Xu Xiaoyue’s alcohol tolerance was only three taels and three.

Under the hospitality of the group, Xu Xiaoyue soon became drunk, and Wang Jinwu arranged for him to rest.

Pu Jian couldn’t help but say, "Chunliang, where’d you get such a big internet celebrity? This guy’s got tens of millions of followers."

Xu Chunliang said, "We met by chance; we hit it off well."

Pu Jian asked, "His little assistant is pretty good; what’s their relationship?"

Xu Chunliang shot him a glare, "Stop eyeing people up; haven’t you seen women before?"

Pu Jian sighed, "I’ve seen plenty, but most are only to be admired from afar, not touched."

Wang Fangtian couldn’t hold back and turned his head, spitting out his drink.

Pu Jian said, "Old Wang, do you really need to react that way?"

Shu Yuanhang laughed, "Your mouth really doesn’t do good deeds."

Pu Jian retorted, "What’s with the name-calling? Unlike you guys, I don’t have a wife or girlfriend. I’m just a bachelor, wandering around every day. Is it even illegal to think about it?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Thinking isn’t illegal, but thinking about others could be."

Pu Jian said, "You lot don’t have a shred of sympathy, I’m going to see Uncle Tong fishing." He downed the drink in front of him and got up to leave.

Shu Yuanhang and Xu Chunliang exchanged smiles, and it was then Wang Fangtian finally recovered, "Pu Jian really knows how to talk trash."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Uncle Wang, has your work been going smoothly lately?"