Money's closed loop

Xiao had been busy fighting outside Liyue, exhausted and constantly on the move, so he knew little about what was happening within its borders. He knew few details of the incident at the Rite of Descension and had subconsciously placed the blame on Lin Yi.

Now, Xiao rose of his own accord and followed Liyue's etiquette.

"My apologies, Lord Lin Yi. I'll drink a cup as penance."

Lin Yi hadn't taken it to heart. Ningguang had initially suspected him too, and had even wanted him dead, yet she had still ended up sharing his bed.

Clearing up Xiao's misunderstanding now would naturally make future cooperation easier.

"There's no need for a penalty drink. We'll still be relying on you to protect Liyue, Adeptus Xiao. It's rare for all of us to gather like this, so eat and drink to your hearts' content!"

Through fighting and looting along the way, Lin Yi had saved up a fair amount of spending money. A substantial portion of the five million he had squeezed out of the Fatui had gone toward rewards for Liyue's multiple-birth policy.

As the saying went, three gods couldn't scrape together a single Mora. Expecting Zhongli or Venti to treat him was practically the same as going hungry.

They ate happily and chatted freely.

Lin Yi found an excuse to leave, deciding to look around and examine Wangshu Inn's layout and construction to see whether there was anything worth borrowing.

Venti noticed. After waiting until Lin Yi had gone some distance, he too rose and followed.

On the terrace, Lin Yi gazed out over the Guili Plains, a rough plan already taking shape in his mind.

Keqing stood beside him, recording his ideas and requirements with pen and paper.

"From what we've explored along the way, the Guili Plains' biodiversity is well preserved, but there are still plenty of followers of fallen gods and remnants of Khaenri'ah's technology."

"Even if we sent out ten or twenty top-tier exploration teams, completely clearing the lesser monsters from the Guili Plains still wouldn't be realistic."

Keqing's pen flew across the page. Just as Lin Yi finished speaking, she wrote the final word.

"So what solution do you propose, my lord?"

Lin Yi wore a faint, enigmatic smile.

"An incentive policy, of course!"

Bounties would be set at different amounts for lesser monsters of different strength ranges.

This would encourage widespread enthusiasm for hunting.

Of course, to preserve the Guili Plains' biodiversity, Lin Yi wouldn't ruthlessly exploit and develop every inch of land. Instead, he would divide it sensibly, leaving natural wildlife, Hilichurl tribes, and the like places to live.

As for the followers of fallen gods hiding there, they would be killed wherever possible. Leaving them alive would only invite trouble.

Naturally, money was the foundation needed to launch the incentive policy. Although the matter of his fifty-percent stake in the Northland Bank remained unsettled, Lin Yi was still confident he could secure it.

Startup capital wasn't a problem. But to create a functioning closed-loop economic system, he would naturally need the money he spent to circulate back into his hands through other channels.

Money making money-that was the ultimate goal!

Lin Yi spoke calmly, but his words stirred a storm in Keqing's heart.

In the past, Liyue's policies had always been driven and implemented by those at the top, avoiding any impact on ordinary people as much as possible.

Lin Yi's approach was certainly a sound one, but the consequences and losses brought about by an incentive policy couldn't be ignored.

"An ordinary person would need to spend one to three days hunting a single lesser monster on land, and might even risk their life. Those are all costs. I'm sure you understand how precious life is, my lord."

"Keqing, you're still looking at this too narrowly. Don't you understand that landing one decisive punch can spare you a hundred more?"

Keqing nodded.

"The incentive policy I'm designing isn't just meant to encourage clearing the dangers from the Guili Plains. It's also meant to strengthen Liyue's ordinary people."

Life in Liyue was now relatively comfortable and stable, but its people were increasingly becoming hothouse flowers, unable to withstand wind and rain.

Doing anything well without paying a price was impossible anywhere.

"As long as it doesn't distract from our focus on economic development, expanding into a hunting program can only be a good thing."

"But..."

"No buts. I never said this incentive policy would be limited to people from Liyue. When the time comes, even people from Fontaine and Snezhnaya will be able to participate."

Keqing couldn't read Lin Yi's expression.

Usually, Lin Yi joked and laughed, showing none of the composure expected of a god.

Yet whenever the conversation turned to strategies for Liyue's development, the cold gleam in his eyes intimidated even Keqing.

It was as though any move one tried would prove useless against him.

When it came to grand development strategies, he seemed like... a born winner?

Keqing could scarcely imagine what she would face if she became Lin Yi's political opponent.

The mere thought sent a chill through her.

"Besides, Keqing, surely you don't really think the groups that enter this future hunting industry will come from society's middle and lower classes?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just watch. Wherever money is involved, some wealthy clan is bound to get restless. If we want our money to make more money, we can't scheme against ordinary people. Naturally, we'll have to target the wealthy clans' pockets."

Lin Yi was already beginning to extend his reach. What effect would his first outward move have?

After briefly discussing and recording the other matters, Keqing was preparing to leave.

Suddenly, a breeze swept in. Keqing grew alert, instantly summoned her sword, and looked toward a concealed corner.

Her movement was rather broad, and she was wearing a short skirt with black stockings.

Without meaning to, Lin Yi caught a glimpse of the lovely sight flickering beneath her skirt.

Ahem. Don't look where you shouldn't.

Only when Keqing fired a bolt of lightning did the figure hiding there leap out.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't attack! It's me!"

Venti was still shaken. Had he not dodged quickly enough, he would probably have been hit.

"Oh, it's you, Lord Anemo Archon. Please forgive my offense."

He was the Anemo Archon, after all. She naturally had to show him some respect.

After Keqing left, Venti approached Lin Yi and studied him closely.

"All right, Venti, stop staring. I could already feel you watching me during dinner. If you have something to say, say it."

Lin Yi cut straight to the point.

"I've heard you're a man capable of turning Teyvat upside down. I was just curious and wanted to take a look."

"I wouldn't go that far. I just have a few things in my head that other people don't. Enough to look after my own little patch of land."

Sure enough, Venti had brought fine wine with him.

He was usually rather stingy with his wine and hadn't even shared it with Zhongli.

Yet now, he actually took it out of his own accord, wearing a seemingly innocent smile.

"What's this supposed to mean?"

"I'd like to work with you. This flask of good wine is the only bargaining chip I can offer. Your Liyue and my Mondstadt..."

The two chatted late into the night, seemingly kindred spirits.

Their interests amounted to eating, drinking, having fun, and admiring beautiful women. Even gods could lose their composure after getting drunk.

Although they hadn't discussed cooperation much, Lin Yi could sense a deeper, calculating intent beneath Venti's manner.

That flask of wine wasn't such a simple bargaining chip, either.

Unable to hold his liquor, Lin Yi wandered over to the opera house.