The moon hung above the willow branches. In Jiang Xuan's temporary residence on Mount Tianheng. A table was now laden with dishes.
Jiang Xuan and Zhongli sat around the table, looking at the dazzling array of delicacies before them. Jiang Xuan's appetite was whetted.
What he said before was not a joke. Since coming to Teyvat, he had only had the chance to enjoy good food when Keqing and the others visited. Other times... he would just eat apples and bread to fill his stomach.
Ningguang also saw that Jiang Xuan was indeed hungry, so she decided not to directly discuss any contracts. She
elegantly gestured towards the dishes in front of her and explained, "Liyue cuisine is roughly divided into Liyue dishes and Yue dishes, which are the specialties of Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion respectively."
"In recent years, the commoner dishes of Xiangling, the head chef of Wanmin Restaurant, have also been very popular, but Xiangling went to Mondstadt some time ago and hasn't returned yet."
"Therefore, I only had them buy the most representative dishes from Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion. Jiang Xuan, please try them to see if they suit your taste."
Since Ningguang was being so considerate, Jiang Xuan naturally wouldn't refuse her good intentions. He smiled and said,
"They look colorful, fragrant, and delicious. I'm not particular about food..." For him, there was no notion of who should pick up their chopsticks first.
Having already suffered such oppression under the system in his previous life, there was no reason why, after gaining ability in this life,
he should still have others turn the table for him. He immediately picked up a piece of meat. It wasn't exactly melt-in-your-mouth. But it was indeed very delicious. Even after being delivered, it hadn't lost its freshness.
Jiang Xuan was not a gourmet and couldn't offer any flowery descriptions. If he had to say, it was just one word: delicious! Seeing Jiang Xuan start,
everyone else naturally didn't just sit there. No one actively brought up the matter of that world. They chatted and laughed, just like old friends having dinner. Their relationship quickly grew closer.
Ningguang and the others didn't act reserved just because Zhongli was there. As one of the Qixing, they had met Zhongli many times. Zhongli himself didn't put on any airs of being a god.
Ningguang and the others chatted about some mundane matters in Teyvat. Things like a Fatui Harbinger going to Mondstadt,
where the Resistance and the Shogunate Army were clashing in Inazuma, and the Void Engine in Sumeru... Jiang Xuan also used this to roughly determine the timeline.
At this point, Lumine should be rushing towards Mondstadt. As for why it wasn't Aether... because Zhongli mentioned that the Abyss Order now seemed to follow the orders of a Prince.
Hmm... This was also good news for Jiang Xuan. After all... Lumine was so cute. Never mind any "Dragon Brother" stuff.
After eating and drinking, soon, less than half of the dishes remained on the table. Jiang Xuan wiped his mouth with satisfaction, then looked up at Ningguang.
The others' laughter gradually softened. They also understood that it was time to discuss serious matters. Ningguang subconsciously perked up.
The aura of a wealthy merchant noble, who dominated Liyue's business world, instantly erupted. At this moment, she appeared radiant and charming.
Ningguang never liked waiting for others to speak first in negotiations. "Jiang Xuan, I'll get straight to the point..." Ningguang took out the blank contract and looked fixedly at Jiang Xuan.
"Based on our cooperation, I want to know the specific scope of our cooperation. What will Liyue need to do to help you, and what can Liyue gain from your world?" Seeing Ningguang, who seemed like a different person before him, Jiang Xuan clicked his tongue.
He could only say, "As expected of the Yuheng..." Fortunately, Jiang Xuan was not without experience. He looked at Ningguang without changing his expression and said softly, "Cooperation, of course, is mutually beneficial. I believe Keqing and Ganyu have already told you about the wonders and resources of my world."
"As for what I offer..." Jiang Xuan paused, then softly said, "Resources, technology, stable development. And if you wish, I can support you in reclaiming land in that world and building a second Liyue."
Hearing this, Zhongli, who had been silent beside them, was somewhat moved. Jiang Xuan's meaning was clear. Apart from the ownership of that world, Jiang Xuan didn't care how they "fussed" about it...
This basically offered Liyue a broader world. Even with Ningguang's usual bargaining style, for a moment, she didn't know what else she could bargain for. The stakes Jiang Xuan offered far exceeded her expectations.
Frankly, Ningguang had a moment where she wanted to sign the contract with Jiang Xuan immediately. But she was Ningguang after all.
After a moment of silence, she patiently said, "Then what do we need to do for you?" Jiang Xuan smiled and spread his hands, "Don't worry, what I need to do and what you need to do don't conflict. In fact, your cooperation with me is itself what I need to do."
"My purpose, if I had to say, is only one: to explore and develop that world..."
"And along the way, complete some of my phased development plans."
"Of course, I also need you to prioritize the resources you excavate for me to choose from." "I have many technologies that require specific resources to be realized, and the quantity of these resources is astronomical for me personally."
"But for you, with a nation as your unit of development, it's just a drop in the ocean." Jiang Xuan was referring to diamonds, redstone, and other such things.
In the future, perhaps there would also be mod resources from the industrial era. If it were just him, even with Keqing and the others helping to develop, gathering those resources would still be a long process.
But with the power of a nation, it would be much easier. After all, the System, that unscrupulous merchant, would demand a hundredfold workload, which was insane.
"Just this?" Ningguang pursed her lips, and after much hesitation, still asked this question she would never normally say. After all, both sides were equal partners,
but now, it seemed Ningguang felt her side was getting a huge bargain. Jiang Xuan shrugged and smiled, "After all, I'm just one person. I don't need too many things. Developing that world is the only thing I must do."
"The wonders of that world are beyond your imagination." "Indestructible bedrock blocks, the Nether, the End, enchantments, potions..."
"Just Redstone technology alone is enough for you to study for a long time."
"Resources are never the most important thing in the MC World. That world requires boundless imagination and construction."
"As long as you attach the wings of imagination, the Redstone blocks' gameplay can allow you to bomb the entire Teyvat to dust."
"In short, I will do all these things, but, firstly, I don't have the materials, and secondly, I don't have the manpower."
"Therefore, I will cooperate with you."
Hearing this, Ningguang couldn't think of anything else she needed to ask. She exchanged glances with Uncle Tian Zhongli and the others, then smiled.
"In that case, I, on behalf of Liyue, agree to this cooperation, and thank you, Jiang Xuan, for giving Liyue a broader future."
"We agree to all your requests, and even if you have other reasonable requests, we will do our best to help you fulfill them."
"At the same time, within Teyvat, you will be Liyue's most honored guest."
"Your expenses will all be covered by the Qixing. Your safety..." Before she could finish, Zhongli suddenly spoke up:
"Xiao will be responsible for your safety. If necessary, call my name, and I will also come to your aid." Xiao, beside him, also understood the situation.
This man before them was going to cooperate with Liyue to develop an unknown world. He understood what this represented and immediately said in a deep voice:
"Wherever you are in Teyvat, when you need help, call my name. I, the Vigilant Yaksha, Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, will answer your call."
Jiang Xuan's mouth curved slightly, and he nodded. Although he was very strong now and didn't need protection, he wouldn't refuse others' good intentions.
"Then... the cooperation agreement will be finalized by the Yuheng and signed tomorrow."
"And I, now, can sign another contract with you!" Zhongli took out a golden scroll, infused with wisps of divine power, looking somewhat mystical.
"This contract... will be the contract that opens a new future, the contract that opens all contracts!"
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