Chapter 1480: Chapter 1480

1480: Chapter 1475: Visitors from the Hometown 1480: Chapter 1475: Visitors from the Hometown “In fact, at the beginning, we all thought you were just swindling funds, making grand plans without substance,” they said, “but to our surprise, you were actually serious…”

Upon greeting the guests who had come from afar, their first words almost made Lu Ping’an lose his composure.

“Actually, you weren’t wrong at first.”

“Heh, you’re joking again.”

A year ago, Lu Ping’an wouldn’t have been qualified to meet the person he was now speaking with; half a year ago, Lu just barely made it to the negotiation table, and now, these high-ranking officials spoke with full respect and admiration in their words.

This respect didn’t stem from status or position but from a man who truly kept his promises and accomplished a miraculous feat that outsiders wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

Originally, Lu’s promise to attract investment was to establish a city-state belonging to the Easterners on this land, to let the Easterners seamlessly integrate into the New Kingdom, to make the local people regard Eastern culture as predominant, and to gradually industrialize and modernize this world…

“Even internally, our initial assessment was that if you completed even 10%, it would have been remarkable, and many suspected you were just scheming to take the money and run…

But in less than a year, most promises have either been fulfilled or are well on their way to being so, which is truly amazing.”

The speaker was from a special task force from Wanjing in the Eastern Country, and in some sense, they were like imperial inspectors.

“Ha ha, I never imagined…”

Lu Ping’an laughed it off; he truly hadn’t anticipated that the pie in the sky he once drew could have been mostly realized by now.

And if Lu Ping’an hadn’t continuously fulfilled his promises, Eastern investments would have stopped long ago.

It’s only when a project thrives, steadily advancing according to plan and actually yielding returns, that investors would earnestly invest money.

In fact, there was an assessment within the official circles of the Eastern Country that if Lu Ping’an could complete the basic “face-saving projects,” they would invest further…

They didn’t need results; they just needed to see tangible evidence of cultural propaganda on the ground, which was enough to fulfill their duty.

To sow the seeds of Eastern culture in an Exotic Realm…

was truly a daunting task, not to mention the local resistance to foreign culture, and the extremists’ reactions that would ensue once signs of cultural assimilation appeared.

Sometimes, opposition from others doesn’t result from your faults but because your formidable presence poses a threat to them.

In reality, professionals in this field all share an understanding that to truly propagate culture, you must hold military and economic dominance—text needs the escort of firearms.

“The main language of the locals is that of the Eastern Country; our communication has an inherent advantage…”

As the “official intermediary” with visitors from his homeland, Lu naturally had to provide good company.

Everyone knew that among the past visitors, there were undoubtedly many officials from the Eastern Country, who would continuously assess and advance the plans…

Now coming forward was probably at a crucial juncture.

“Here is a batch of newly built primary and secondary schools, which are local revisions based mostly on elementary educational materials from our Eastern Country…”

As investors, it was natural to show them the concrete projects.

“All the films in the theater are from the Eastern Country, with love and everyday life movies being the most popular.

They harbor great hopes for the life of Easterners.

Blockbusters, especially monster, war, and horror movies, on the other hand, have no audience…”

Outside the theater were various souvenirs; their rough craftsmanship and poor materials did not deter the enthusiastic buying by the locals…

In a way, the “perfectly substandard” quality, with its “low price and low cost,” was a form of gentleness, a superior localized touch.

Of course, the best-selling items were books, especially those that were the basis for movies and TV dramas.

“The books are all printed here.

Since they are in the Eastern language by default, only the final approval is needed…

What actually takes the most time is selecting the right books, and making content locally relevant and positively framed.

At least for now, it’s better to have more positive influence.”

Lu Ping’an casually picked up a book, which held the top sales position in the bookstore.

He frowned, not out of pretense, but genuine exasperation…

Are there some things you just can’t shake off?

We’ll also buy a copy.

Could you sign it for me?”

Holding the book, Lu Ping’an froze for a moment, then turned around with a sunny smile.

“Of course, I’m honored.”

After all, this was a request from benefactors and lead investors; such a “small favor” should be readily granted.

Lu Ping’an smiled as he signed his name, “Lu Ping’an.”

In fact, Lu Ping’an was aware that the supervising personnel probably pored over Mentor Theory…

They were not only studying this world, its broadly disseminated philosophies, but also Lu Ping’an himself.

But since they were supporting Lu at this time, he saw no reason to make it hard for them.

After viewing some local cultural propaganda and educational industries, Lu took them to visit some of the local large factories and companies…

A considerable part of which were either assets of Easterners or held significant shares by them.

Along the way, watching workers dressed in Eastern-style clothes and speaking the Eastern language, the inspectors smiled pleasantly, seemingly in a good mood.

Lu Ping’an guessed this was also part of their accomplishments, and their active participation might have a motive…

“The Eastern Country is willing to support two deities?”

Lu was taken aback at the very mention of this bold move.

But in the next moment, it dawned on him.

Heaven knows how many deities there are on Earth, and the competition among Proper Gods has become absurdly cutthroat—gifting a few deities could actually be beneficial for both parties.

Is this the real deal?

Was there a need to send a high-ranking delegate to lead a delegation of dozens to inspect?

If those two deities just showed up, wouldn’t they be welcomed?

“Becoming the first large-scale immigration trial city?

Uh, you wouldn’t be angling for my ‘No-Danger Professional’ ability, would you?”