"Last time on the tale—it was a dark time for Liyue. The seas were plagued by monsters, the mountains overrun by evil beasts. So the Geo Archon summoned the Adepti to restore peace to the land!"
"It's said that before setting out, the Archon declared: 'Though I have no desire to rule the gods and demons of this world, I cannot ignore the suffering of the people...'"
In the city of Liyue, the most famous restaurants were Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion. Both were known for their exquisite Yue-style and Li-style dishes, crafted from the finest ingredients money could buy.
But if you had to compare, Xinyue Kiosk was the more popular of the two. Why? Simple—it sat right next to Heyu Teahouse, and its rooftop private rooms offered a perfect view of the teahouse's performances. You could enjoy gourmet cuisine and a good show at the same time.
Tonight, the legendary Yunjin wasn't performing. Instead, the storyteller known as Tea Master was on stage. Still, as one of Liyue's most celebrated orators, his performance was rhythmic, emotional, and captivating in its own right.
"No wonder Heyu Teahouse stays packed even when Yunjin only performs once a month," someone whispered. "This Tea Master really knows how to spin a tale."
"True, but he's still not quite as good as Tian Tiezui. His version of the Archon's crusade had way more twists and turns."
Normally, Xinyue Kiosk was buzzing with diners, even if not completely full. But tonight? Aside from the staff, there were only four guests.
Yet no one found that odd.
Because these four weren't ordinary people—they were Ningguang of Tianquan, Keqing of Yuheng, Ganyu, the secretary to the Qixing, and the newly appointed Tianshu, Songlan.
The table was covered in mouthwatering dishes, but Ningguang barely touched hers. She took a sip of tea and turned to the young man beside her.
"Songlan, are you seriously planning to develop Guili Plains? Do you realize how much funding that's going to take?"
Songlan, a traveler from another world, had arrived three years ago. By sheer chance, he saved the former Tianshu's life and gained their admiration. Under their mentorship, he rose rapidly to become the new Tianshu of Liyue.
His meteoric rise had once made Ningguang suspicious. But over the past three years, he'd done nothing but help Liyue thrive. As Tianshu, his policies had brought explosive growth to the economy.
Gradually, Ningguang had let go of her doubts.
But just yesterday, Songlan had proposed developing the Guili Plains.
The area was flat, rich in water, and close to the sea—perfect for building a city. Ningguang herself had considered it before. But the Guili Plains were filled with ancient ruins and overrun with monsters due to years of abandonment.
Exterminating the monsters, clearing the ruins, and rebuilding from scratch would be a massive financial burden. If the project failed, Liyue could be ruined.
His proposal had reopened her suspicions.
"He's not wrong about the cost," Keqing added. "The manpower alone would slow everything else to a crawl. If we send our workforce there, Liyue Harbor's development will take a major hit."
Keqing, always focused on construction and land development, shared Ningguang's concern. Liyue was in the middle of a golden age—redirecting its resources was risky.
"I know that," Songlan said calmly. "But Ningguang, Keqing—do you know how many people live in Liyue Harbor right now? Do you know our population growth rate?"
Ningguang was in charge of law and governance. Keqing oversaw infrastructure and development. As part of the Qixing, they were used to making difficult decisions, and Songlan had expected their resistance. With a subtle glance, he signaled Ganyu.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Ganyu stood up and said, "Liyue Harbor currently has 27 million residents, and a 2% annual growth rate."
"!!!"
"Twenty-seven million?!"
"A two percent growth rate?!"
Both Ningguang and Keqing instantly grasped what that meant. With that many people, and with Liyue Harbor's limited land, the city would hit its capacity within three to five years. The population crisis was looming.
But... developing the Guili Plains still carried massive risk. They were torn.
"I understand your concerns," Songlan said. "But I've already drawn up a detailed plan. It won't interfere with Liyue Harbor's growth. And—most importantly—the Geo Archon has approved it. He even assigned an Adeptus to assist with the project."
Everyone in Liyue knew there were three kinds of Zhongli fans: those who worshipped him, those who really worshipped him, and the edgy trolls who hated him for fun.
Ningguang glanced at Ganyu, who nodded in confirmation. At that, both Ningguang and Keqing instantly flipped their stance.
"You're right. Liyue Harbor's population density is reaching its limit. We really should prioritize Guili Plains development."
"Exactly. If we want sustainable growth, we have to handle our domestic needs first. I'm on board too."
"Thank you, both of you," Songlan said, finally exhaling in relief.
With the financial backing of Ningguang and the tireless work ethic of Keqing, the Guili Plains project would move way faster than if he handled it alone.
"We're all part of the Qixing," Keqing said. "Developing Guili Plains is our responsibility too. Since you've already got a plan, let's take a look."
"No problem," Songlan smiled. "Once I finish organizing it, I'll send it your way—"
But just as he reached into his bag to grab the first five-year plan, a strange mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
> Ding~!
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