The policy had been successfully announced, but it would take a long time for those below to follow the lead of those above.
The population initiative was meant to lay the foundations for the future. Now, though, it was time for Lin Yi to start making big moves.
The Guili Plains were not far from Wangshu Inn, and the inn was already famous.
If the Guili Plains were developed and businesses established there sensibly, Wangshu Inn's reputation across Teyvat could surely drive the new region's economic growth.
On the second floor of the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang had prepared a private study for Lin Yi to use as his office, even furnishing it with plenty of valuable paintings, calligraphy, vases, and other ornaments.
In grandeur and luxury, it even surpassed Ningguang's own office with its elegant, traditional decor.
Baiwen came in with lunch and saw a map spread across Lin Yi's desk, with the Guili Plains prominently marked.
But when her gaze shifted, she noticed that the Jade Chamber's location beside Liyue Harbor had been crossed out.
"May I ask, Lord Lin Yi, why you've crossed out the Jade Chamber? Is there something wrong with it?"
Lunch was set on the desk, and Lin Yi picked up his bowl and polished off the cold braised noodles in no time.
He was thinking about how to use the existing land on the Guili Plains to lay the groundwork before reclaiming land from the sea.
In his original world, he had majored in civil engineering. He had even taught himself mechanical dynamics and electrical engineering in his spare time, and earned a national certification in postpartum care for sows...
Yet even an outstanding student who had earned a full scholarship to Huaqing University still got called a "Genshin nerd" when he played Genshin Impact.
Looking at the crossed-out Jade Chamber, Lin Yi honestly wished he did not have to do this.
But sealed and suppressed beneath the Jade Chamber was Osial, Overlord of the Vortex.
The disaster of Osial breaking loose in the future was almost inevitable.
If events followed their usual course, Ningguang would willingly give up the Jade Chamber, sending a building worth tens of millions, perhaps even hundreds of millions of Mora, crashing down from the sky to suppress the god once more.
"The Jade Chamber is Ningguang's life's work. I can't just watch everything she built in the first half of her life vanish overnight. Now that I'm here, there has to be another way to deal with Osial. I just need some time..."
Lin Yi muttered to himself. Baiwen could not make much sense of what he was saying, and finished tidying the office.
Not long after she left, his wife, Ningguang, pushed open the door and walked in.
No matter how many times he saw her, the sight of her still made his heart flutter.
Lin Yi teased her with a smile.
"Ahem. So you don't have to knock before entering your husband's office? Where are your manners?"
Ningguang did not bother arguing with him and took a leisurely look around the Geo Archon's office.
"This was originally intended to be an office reserved for the Liyue Qixing. You've lucked out."
"That's not how you should put it. Your husband is the Geo Archon, after all. This office is barely adequate as it is. Once we've expanded and grown stronger, I'll build you a Jade Chamber ten times this size. You could even give Guoba a luxurious office!"
By now, Ningguang had become somewhat immune to Lin Yi's grand promises.
But just as she tried to take a curious look at the map, Lin Yi put it away.
"Keeping secrets from me?"
"No. It's a cheap map, and so much of it is inaccurate. Letting you look at it would only offend your eyes, darling. I'll go deal with the map seller later!"
Lin Yi's current plan might shake all of Teyvat. Even from his wife, Ningguang, he needed to keep a considerable portion of it secret for now.
It would also be a surprise for Ningguang in the future. All he had to do was wait.
After chatting for a while like colleagues, Ningguang left to attend to some business.
Watching her go, Lin Yi could not help thinking back.
She had once been a barefoot girl hawking her wares, struggling just to survive.
Now she had become the lofty Tianquan, commanding wealth ordinary people could scarcely imagine.
"She's ambitious, yet she sees things clearly. She loves money, but she understands even better that wealth is merely a worldly possession. How could I not fall for a woman willing to sacrifice Jade Chamber after Jade Chamber for the lights of every home in Liyue?"
I'm protecting Ningguang, the Jade Chamber, and Liyue, no matter what!
Not even Jesus could stop me. You have my word!
A few days after the policy took effect, Lin Yi heard from a doctor at Apricot Grove Hall that several dozen households were already expecting children.
Naturally, Lin Yi would not neglect the people of Liyue who had enthusiastically taken the lead in answering the policy's call.
He brought Ningguang along to visit them personally and presented them with ten thousand Mora, instantly turning comfortable households into wealthy ones and leaving their neighbors green with envy.
Meanwhile, the changes to the population policy brought plenty of clients seeking advice to Yanfei's law office, keeping her swamped.
As for the "reform and opening up" already taking shape in Lin Yi's mind, or even the future prospect of "multiple nations, multiple systems of governance," those would have to wait until he had time to discuss them with Yanfei.
High above Liyue Harbor, the sea breeze was refreshing, and the air tasted of freedom.
When Ningguang came up beside him, Lin Yi instinctively reached for her hand, but she easily evaded him.
She even conjured star jades to warn him against trying anything.
"You're my wife, and you won't even let me hold your hand. Is that really necessary?"
"You can certainly hold my hand. One hundred thousand Mora per time."
"Then forget it. It wasn't easy getting five million, and I need to spend it on something worthwhile."
Lin Yi knew perfectly well that being a hopeless simp never ended well, and always knew just when to stop pursuing Ningguang.
Just like now, when a complicated expression flickered across Ningguang's cool face. She glanced at Lin Yi, who was gazing out to sea, a jumble of feelings stirring within her.
"By the way, a merchant caravan is heading to Wangshu Inn tomorrow and will pass through the Guili Plains. Would you like to go with them?"
Lin Yi stretched.
"Since my wife has asked, how could I refuse? But look at me. I can't even beat a low-level Hilichurl. Could you let me bring some help?"
Ningguang certainly would not feel comfortable sending Lin Yi to investigate the Guili Plains alone.
But she was tied up with important affairs in Liyue and had plenty of business negotiations waiting for her, so she naturally had no time to accompany him.
Lin Yi noticed her predicament. Just then, he recalled Keqing, whose first meeting with him had been somewhat unpleasant.
That girl has disliked me ever since we met. After I married Ningguang, she started avoiding me like the plague. Exploring the Guili Plains will be the perfect chance to teach her a proper lesson!
Lin Yi promptly suggested taking Keqing and Ganyu along to explore. It could count as time off in lieu of work for the two of them, giving them a chance to relax.
Ningguang nodded.
"Keqing should be fine, but Ganyu still has a few time-consuming matters to handle..."
Across the continent, the traditional approach to exploration and development was still to form a party of four.
With a melee fighter, a ranged fighter, support and supplies, and Lin Yi tagging along as a weak god, exploring the Guili Plains should not pose any major problems.
"Lord Lin Yi, Miss Ningguang, what are you talking about?"
Xiangling had stolen a little time from her busy schedule to take Guoba for a stroll around the harbor.
Lin Yi deftly scooped Guoba into his arms and gave him a rub, then looked at Liyue's finest little chef.
"Xiangling, I choose you! Want to come out and have some fun with me?"
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