The atmosphere in the meeting room of the Yuehai Pavilion, atop the Jade Chamber, was solemn and oppressive.
The Qixing, seated around the conference table, wore varied expressions. The faces of Ningguang, Keqing, and Yaoguang were etched with an unconcealable sorrow. Kaiyang, however, wore a faint smile, as if the "demise" of the Lord was not a tragedy, but rather an unexpected stroke of good fortune. The others remained placid, showing neither grief nor joy, as if they were merely observing how events would unfold.
"Ningguang, has the Lord truly passed?" Uncle Tian asked with a hint of disbelief.
Ningguang set aside her grief and nodded with a resolute expression. "Yes, I have personally confirmed it."
"Ningguang, how exactly was the Lord murdered?" Keqing's voice was cold and firm. "We must find the real culprit and avenge him."
Ningguang replied in a solemn tone, "The Lord's death was likely not the work of another. It is highly probable that he failed to overcome a trial."
Keqing pressed further, "Then why did you previously claim the Lord was murdered and even seal off the scene?"
Ningguang explained, "Firstly, we were not yet fully prepared to take over. Secondly, we needed to guard against any potential actions by the Fatui and the West Factory in Liyue Harbor. Only when all our preparations were complete could we announce the news of the Lord's passing to the public."
Upon hearing this, Keqing instantly understood her intentions and said no more.
Then, Ningguang took a deep breath and stated gravely, "Liyue is now in a transitional period, moving from the rule of a god to the rule of man. We must do everything in our power to maintain Liyue's stability." She paused briefly before announcing, "The grain trade war with the West Factory ends now. Effective immediately, we will begin buying back the reserve grain circulating in the market."
Before her words had even faded, Kaiyang eagerly voiced his objection. "Ningguang, the Feiyun Commerce Guild is already on the verge of collapse. With just one more push, we can completely crush them. To give up now, wouldn't that mean all our previous efforts were for nothing?"
Ningguang frowned slightly and said in a tone that permitted no argument, "In this special period, stability overrides everything. If the Fatui or the West Factory take this opportunity to start a war, they could wear us down through attrition alone. I will not allow such a risk. Therefore, my order must be carried out immediately."
The color drained from Kaiyang's face, leaving it as white as a sheet. He had previously borrowed ten billion Mora's worth of grain from the granary at a price of one hundred and twenty Mora per catty and sold it on the market. He was betting that after the Feiyun Commerce Guild could no longer hold on, they would dump a large amount of grain, causing the price to collapse. He could then buy back the grain at an extremely low price to return to the granary, thereby making a huge profit.
However, if they started buying back grain now, the price would soon rise again. This would mean his cost to repurchase the grain would far exceed ten billion Mora, potentially bankrupting him.
At this critical juncture, Kaiyang made an instant decision. He shot up from his seat and, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, bolted out of the meeting room.
Ningguang's face turned ashen. As the foremost figure in Liyue's commerce, she knew exactly what was happening. "That bastard!" she couldn't help but curse aloud.
However, what happened next made Ningguang even more furious. With the exception of Keqing, who remained in her seat, the other members of the Qixing also rushed towards the door, completely devoid of the composure and dignity befitting their station. Among them was even Yaoguang, who had previously argued with her about the grain reserve issue.
A deep disgust filled Keqing's eyes. "Are these people even fit to be the Qixing?"
Gazing at the empty meeting room, Ningguang's heart was a whirlwind of emotions. A thought surfaced in her mind: perhaps merchants should never have become the Qixing. Once this idea took root, it was difficult to erase.
Just then, Ningguang's secretary, Baishi, hurried in. She brought terrible news: a rumor was spreading like wildfire among the common people that with the Lord murdered, Liyue would lose its divine protection, and disaster would once again befall the land.
Upon hearing this, Ningguang understood the purpose behind the rumor in an instant. She urgently instructed Baishi, "We must quell this rumor now at any cost. Also, buy back the grain with all our resources. As long as the price is below two hundred Mora per catty, purchase it immediately, regardless of the quantity."
Sensing the gravity of the situation from Ningguang's tone, Baishi immediately turned and left to carry out her orders.
However, it was already too late.
...
By the time Baishi relayed the purchase order to the managers of the Ningguang Commerce Guild, the price of grain in the Liyue market had already soared to two hundred Mora per catty.
As news of the Lord's murder spread, the people of Liyue descended into a state of clear panic. Upon hearing that disaster was imminent, they unhesitatingly flocked to the grain stores, frantically buying up grain. This caused a severe shortage in a short period, and prices skyrocketed accordingly.
In a teahouse on a street in Liyue, Zhongli witnessed the chaotic scene of the public scrambling for grain. He asked Lin Yide softly, "Director Yide, is this what you meant by 'three men make a tiger'?"
Lin Yide smiled faintly. "Without you feigning your death, three men could not have made a 'tiger,' and the rumor would not have been believed so readily by the people."
"I'm afraid all of this was part of your plan," Zhongli remarked with sincere admiration. "The Feiyun Commerce Guild, the Qixing, the Fatui, myself, and even the entire populace of Liyue have all become pieces on your chessboard. Even a god might not possess such strategic prowess."
Lin Yide waved his hand dismissively. "You praise me too highly, Lord. I am not so remarkable. I simply acted in accordance with the situation and did what needed to be done."
Zhongli stared deeply at Lin Yide. "You are the most outstanding human I have met in my several thousand years! You are more qualified than that Fourth Descender to ascend the world's throne."
Lin Yide smiled and replied, "Lord, you truly flatter me. In fact, the one more qualified than the Fourth Descender to ascend that throne is you—the invincible Morax."