Each of these is a bottomless pit of money.
But at the same time, this also means that this land was marked with the Throne of the North from the very beginning.
It's not about renting a house on someone else's property to do business.
Instead, they start from the first tree and the first road, building a hunting ground ecosystem that is entirely their own.
If it succeeds, it will be unique in North America.
Su Wei quickly went through the accounts in his mind.
Three million US dollars in savings, plus subsequent membership fee income from the club.
There's also the revenue sharing from video account ads, and potential additional investment from Charles...
not enough.
That's far from enough.
At least in the short term, this doesn't add up.
"What conditions did the state government offer for this land?"
Su Wei's voice was very steady.
But his brain was already operating at high speed.
Each piece of information is broken down, categorized, and weighed.
Emily took her phone back and put it back in her pocket.
There is no official conditional text yet.
She stroked the base of the Cotton Candy's ear, and the little fox comfortably squinted its blue eyes.
"This is just an intention, a signal."
"The state government and the association put it on the table to motivate you to build the club."
"It's like a carrot dangling in front of a donkey."
Su Wei's lips twitched slightly.
"So I am that donkey."
"You said it yourself, it wasn't me."
Emily couldn't help but chuckle, but the smile quickly faded.
She picked up the Cotton Candy from her lap and placed it on the center armrest.
Then she turned around and faced Su Wei.
"But the premise is, Su Wei."
"Your club must be real."
"It's not a PowerPoint presentation, not a concept, and not a fancy business plan."
She uttered each word carefully.
"They'll send someone over soon, not for an assessment, but to confirm."
"Make sure you have the actual equipment, and make sure you're not using an empty shell to scam the state government out of infrastructure funding."
"If the confirmed result is negative..."
Emily paused for a moment.
"Your four-star rating will be immediately revoked, your club's license will be suspended, and you yourself may face a criminal investigation for commercial fraud."
"At that point, it won't be the IRS coming after you, it will be the Federal Bureau of Investigation."
The heater in the carriage was still blowing loudly.
Cotton Candy yawned on the armrest, completely uninterested in the interests and consequences of the human world.
Su Wei did not answer immediately.
His right hand rested steadily at the three o'clock position on the steering wheel, while his left elbow rested on the door armrest.
The coastal highway ahead stretched straight into the distance, fir trees bent low by the weight of snow on both sides.
The gray sky pressed low over the horizon.
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
These words are like a bomb to anyone who has ever lived in America.
Su Wei was not afraid.
Because his club is not a scam.
Charles's $300,000 deposit was real money; the check, verified by Citi Private Bank, was auditable down to the last penny.
Although the exhibition hall is still under construction, it already contains a perfectly crafted replica of the Northern Moss River Valley.
There are also miniature oceans that can recreate tides, and expensive industrial-grade equipment.
These aren't just renderings on a PowerPoint presentation; they are real, tangible, and operational devices.
But he also knew that this was far from enough.
A museum alone cannot bear the weight of the words "Throne of the North".
He couldn't live up to the four-star rating that the state government and the Hunters' Guild had staked their reputation on.
They certainly can't support clients of Charles's caliber, who have the expectation of a world-class wilderness experience.
Su Wei tapped his fingers three times on the steering wheel.
"How long?"
"How long?"
"They're sending someone to confirm; how much time will they give me?"
Emily leaned back in her chair.
"Optimistically, before the next review and assessment, which is in the summer."
"Pessimistic?"
"At any time."
She looked out the window and slowed her speech.
"The conservatives within the guild, and the business clubs outside whose revenue streams have been blocked, are calling headquarters every day to put pressure on them."
"They'd love for someone to fly over tomorrow, take some pictures of your construction site, and then use those pictures to sue you for fraud."
Su Wei did not ask any further questions.
That's enough information.
Time window: about half a year.
The desired outcome: a tangible proof that the Throne of the North is not an empty shell.
Potential risk: Criminal charges of business fraud.
Potential benefit: A hunting ground of your own.
Is this a gamble worth taking?
The Raptor drove across a fork in the road.
Turn left and return to Kodiak Town.
Turn right and follow the mountain road into Emerald Lake area.
Su Wei turned on his right turn signal.
Turn the steering wheel ninety degrees to the right, and the pickup truck smoothly drove onto the snow-covered dirt road, which was only one vehicle wide.
Emily paused for a moment.
"Not going back to town?"
"I won't reply."
Su Wei stepped on the gas, and the Raptor's V8 engine roared deeply.
The snow-covered studded tires gripped the frozen road surface, and the vehicle lurched forward with a slight jolt.
"You just said you needed to confirm that I have the actual item."
He turned his head and glanced at Emily.
"I never make empty promises."
In short.
There were no grand pronouncements, nor any empty promises.
There were no unnecessary embellishments.
Emily stared at his profile for two seconds without saying a word.