Population policy

At this point in the timeline, the water contamination case was still some time away.

Lin Yi had originally planned to investigate ahead of time and prevent it, but when he thought of the mystery behind it, he decided to cast a long line and reel in the big fish.

Of course, he couldn't simply stand by while someone poisoned Liyue's drinking water. Keeping the situation within acceptable limits would naturally be best.

He sorted out the documents Yanfei had forgotten to bring inside and placed them beside the planter outside the door.

Glazed branches stood in a planter made of glazed ceramic.

A single vase in the Jade Chamber cost at least several hundred thousand Mora, and there were over a hundred planters like this inside.

"Money is only money when it sits in a bank. Turning it into assets that hold their value-that's the way to go!"

As for what Lin Yi currently considered the most valuable asset...

That was naturally the population.

"Population is the foundation of improving people's livelihoods. Only by increasing it within reasonable limits can we increase the supply of talent and labor."

Thinking it over, the people of Liyue could be considered moderately well-off. If he relaxed the restrictions to allow second and third children on that basis...

He stood by the window, gazing at the scenery beyond the Jade Chamber.

The ravaged, barely usable ground and countless pools of water formed a striking landscape carved out jointly by humanity and nature.

Just then, Yanfei finished her report and hurried out to look for the documents she had left behind.

She noticed that the new god, Lin Yi, was staring out the window in deep thought. Perhaps he had encountered some difficulty.

"I'm very sorry, Lord Lin Yi. Everything happened so quickly that I bumped into you. Please forgive me."

Lin Yi hadn't taken it to heart, of course, and waved to show that it was fine.

Still, he called her over to the window. After briefly organizing his thoughts, he gave Yanfei a simple explanation.

"Yanfei, Liyue's development has reached a plateau. The environmental damage caused by mining has already put that industry on the path to decline, and given the condition of Liyue's land, agriculture barely produces enough for us to be self-sufficient."

To people from other regions, Liyue was already thriving, and the vast wealth it had accumulated was certainly enviable.

But if Liyue refused to change now, what it currently possessed would likely become the upper limit for both the nation and its people.

"I looked through the latest laws and policies beforehand. The local population is being kept under reasonable control, largely through a one-child policy. I've been considering how we could gradually allow second and third children through proper legal channels and expand the population."

Yanfei naturally didn't understand population issues as well as Ningguang or Keqing, but when it came to revising the law, she was exactly the right person to consult.

Yet she was a young woman with romantic thoughts. The moment she thought of the steps a married couple had to go through before having a child, her face flushed so red that she almost seemed to give off steam.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Ah! N-no, I just thought of something. As for relaxing the population policy, I'll draw up a draft tonight and deliver it to you tomorrow, Lord Geo Archon."

Lin Yi nodded. The people of Liyue were wonderfully efficient!

Yanfei was just about to leave when something suddenly occurred to her. A mischievous smile appeared on her face, and she returned to the rather approachable Lin Yi's side.

"Lord Lin Yi, if the population policy really is relaxed, how many children do you plan to have with Miss Ningguang?"

The moment Lin Yi heard that question, the arm he had resting on the windowsill slipped, and he nearly went flying out the window.

Have children with Ningguang?

At least ten-a hundred, even!

Although excitement surged through him, Lin Yi didn't dare let it show.

"Ahem. As Liyue's leaders, Ningguang and I will naturally focus on development first. Once everything has completely stabilized, we'll consider it!"

Yanfei touched her chin, clearly agreeing with him.

His generosity and sense of responsibility in dedicating himself to Liyue, in particular, stirred a trace of admiration in her.

As she looked at Lin Yi's handsome face, a faint blush unconsciously spread across Yanfei's cheeks.

If the Geo Archon didn't marry Miss Ningguang, then could I...

"Yanfei? Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

Lin Yi suddenly leaned his face close to hers, instantly snapping her out of her thoughts.

Flustered, she blurted, "No, no!" before clutching her thick legal codex and fleeing in a panic.

After Yanfei left, Lin Yi didn't dwell on her strange expression. Instead, he reflected on the time he had spent here since arriving.

Traveling into Genshin Impact and marrying Ningguang already felt like a dream. Now that the subject of having children had come up, it was as though an entirely new world had opened up before him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Accompanied by a cool, fragrant breeze, Ningguang's elegant figure appeared behind Lin Yi.

Her guests had already departed. Whenever she had a moment to spare, Ningguang liked to come to this window for some fresh air, away from her brush and ink.

Seeing his wife approach, Lin Yi moved aside to make room for her.

He pointed toward a brightly lit area in the distance, and Ningguang followed his gesture.

There lay the thriving city of Liyue. They could almost hear the sounds of its people living in peace and contentment.

Farther beyond, where his finger pointed, lay the Guili Plains, not far from Wangshu Inn.

That was the first area Lin Yi planned to develop.

"Honey, what do you think of the Guili Plains?"

Ningguang seemed to see through his intentions.

"The terrain of the Guili Plains is complicated, and large numbers of Hilichurls and Slimes gather there. There are also lingering threats from Khaenri'ah and other dangers. The risks and costs would be very high."

"Opportunity always comes with danger, doesn't it? Look, the weather seems pretty good today, but even weather like this can turn into a downpour tonight."

Lin Yi smiled after speaking and gave his wife a lingering look. Still, he restrained the flutter in his heart and turned to leave, intending to take a stroll around Liyue.

Ningguang was somewhat surprised. Once again, he had stirred her emotions, but as she watched his rapidly retreating figure...

She swallowed the words that had nearly reached her lips.

"Even when everything seems calm, you can't always trust your eyes. Eyes can lie, too."

Ningguang could now just about understand Lin Yi. The downpour he spoke of tonight certainly wasn't merely a downpour.

With so much work awaiting her, she didn't linger over her break. Yet the figure in her heart became a little more distinct.

"Don't worry. Liyue and I will support you!"

Ningguang's softly spoken words reached Lin Yi's ears, warming his heart.

He turned to look at her, and their eyes met.

Determination shone in Lin Yi's deep gaze. "You don't need to worry, either. Your husband will definitely help you lead Liyue to greater heights. One day, my wife will be the richest woman in all of Teyvat! Hehe!"

Seeing Lin Yi's broad grin, Ningguang couldn't help feeling a little shy.

She hastily averted her gaze, then hurried away.

Once Ningguang left, Lin Yi found little reason to stay and decided to wander around the city.

As he passed the Liuli Pavilion, he glanced inside and unexpectedly spotted Zhongli and Hu Tao enjoying a meal.

Looking farther in, he saw that the Three True Lords, with whom he had clashed a little while ago, were there as well.

"Well, now. I was planning to arrange a meeting and do them a favor, but they've already met ahead of time."

Lin Yi went inside and took a seat without ceremony.

Zhongli remained as calm and unruffled as ever. Across the table, however, the Three True Lords stared at him wide-eyed, as though they had a thousand things to say.

"If any of you have something to say, go right ahead."

They were all old friends, so there was no reason to hold back.

Guoba was hopping about beside the table. Lin Yi gathered him into his arms, tried a mouthful of noodles with braised sauce, and quietly watched them.