Genshin Impact, all those behind-the-scenes big shots are me

but.

Su Chen is meticulous about even his finances, so how could he not be wary of this?

He's the old master Luo who started from scratch in Liyue.

Therefore, before the nobles could take any further action, the Legislative Ministry promulgated a series of laws.

"An important notice regarding the regulation and control of market economic stability... Huh? Is the Privy Council making another big move?"

"Why do the laws keep changing every few days lately?"

"You don't know? It seems that the person in control has changed since the legislature merged into the Privy Council."

"Lord Ryder is a lawyer."

"What Lord Ryder? You should call him Grandpa Ryder now. Let's take a closer look at the effects of these laws."

Although Su Chen is still just a logistics officer, news has long circulated that he has taken control of the Privy Council. He stands alone before the Water God, fighting against the Fontaine nobles with his own strength, and controls the financial and legislative powers. Now, many Fontaines secretly call him the underground emperor.

Grandpa Ryder Cross, the man who shines in Fontainebleau, is clearly the most eye-catching figure besides the water goddess Funina, so the law immediately received a lot of serious discussion and interpretation from experts after it was promulgated.

Expert A: "Grandpa Ryder's newly promulgated laws are of extraordinary significance. They are like saving a collapsing building and resolving the impending crisis in Fontaine ahead of time."

The bystander: "Oh? What do you mean?"

Expert A: "The opera house is such a huge project, how terrifying is the financial expenditure? Cutting expenses is like a butcher's knife. Now the Academy of Sciences is the first to be cut, and the other major institutions are in jeopardy. The nobles should be worried."

The onlooker asked, "And then?"

Expert A: "How could those people possibly lose out? For their common interests, they'll definitely unite. If they can't do it openly, they'll secretly resist Grandpa Ryder's actions. Raising prices and waging an economic war is the best option. Increasing construction costs might even prevent the opera house from being built. Of course, the people of Fontaine will suffer then... But with these laws in place, hey~ stabilizing the market economy, who would dare to act recklessly? Going to Mello Petersburg will be his eternal home! I must say, Grandpa Ryder was truly prescient. He truly deserves to be called the envoy. With him and Lady Furina here, Fontaine is saved! Grandpa Ryder is like heaven!"

A bystander commented: "I can't believe it! But is it really okay for you to say these things?"

Expert A: "What's there to be afraid of? Heaven's justice calls, and the great way governs the universe. I refuse to believe that such a vast place as Fontainebleau cannot allow people to speak the truth!"

Expert B: "Correct. Criticistic. Spot on. Okay, I'll take it!!"

Expert A: "Alright, that's all for now. Grandpa Ryder told me I have to report to the Privy Council tomorrow."

Expert B: "???"

Anyone with common sense can see where the main problem lies, which boils down to money. No matter what you do, you can't do it without money. Without money, what can you talk about economics, spiritual needs, or happiness?

The nobles are used to taking money from their subjects, and now Grandpa Ryder wants to take money from them? How can that be allowed?

They value their own interests more than their faith in deities.

"Lord Ryder."

In the office, Aina walked in and said, "This is the list of nobles who have contacted me in the past two days. This is the banquet invitation. Others have also received invitations to varying degrees."

—A cordial invitation to Ms. Aina to attend a banquet at the Earl of Melos's residence.

Count Melos, a renowned nobleman of Fontaine, serves as the deputy commander of the naval command and a maritime advisor to the Academy of Sciences. His ambiguous relationship with Arya and their secret affairs are common knowledge.

Because Su Chen appointed Aina as the head of the Legislative Department, she has been constantly courted by noble factions since taking office. Especially after Attorney Ryder successively promulgated laws to stabilize the economy, the major noble factions began to unite to protect their own interests, with Melos as the hub. The invitation letter sent from the Earl's Mansion now clearly indicates a lot.

The nobles could no longer contain themselves.

The Navy Command also took action.

Fontaine has many waterways and a very large navy. However, since the Kanria Disaster, the Fontaine Navy has suffered heavy losses in its pursuit of the giant beast Erinas and has not yet recovered to its former strength.

Since the death of former Navy Commander Besser Elton, the position of Navy Commander has been vacant. Melos was the most promising candidate for promotion, but only a promising one. In reality, his achievements and reputation were not enough to secure the position of Commander.

Moreover, other aristocratic factions might not want to see this happen either.

After all, the power of a naval commander is enormous, and the benefits involved are unimaginable.

But now, the appearance of the Water God has broken the deadlock. With the entire interest group under threat, the noble factions that are maneuvering between power have begun to unite. Su Chen guesses that the reason why Melos agreed to get involved is probably related to his promotion to naval commander.

"My lord, how should I refuse?" Aina asked.

Although many people tried to win her over, she never considered defecting.

Because Aina knew very well that the power she held was given to her by Su Chen, and that the Water God really took good care of the people living in the Gray River. As a member of the Gray River, Aina was genuinely happy about this.

The nobles are unreliable.

Her experience growing up in Grey River taught her this lesson.

Despite the current enthusiasm of these nobles in winning her over, once they achieve their goal of bringing down Ryder, she, as the head of legislation, will likely end her tragic life in some kind of 'accident'.

"Refuse? Why should I refuse?" Su Chen chuckled. "Since they've already managed to get the Navy's vice commander involved, wouldn't refusing them make things very awkward for them?"

Aina pondered for a moment: "My lord, you mean..."

Su Chen smiled and said, "The nobles' most cherished principle is 'profit above all else.' They always believe that as long as the conditions are rich enough, they can make a person do anything, including betraying and abandoning their beliefs."

Aina looked thoughtful.

"Sir, do you want me to take advantage of this opportunity?"

"Hmm, can you do it well?"

Aina stared at the three words 'Melos' on the invitation in silence for a moment, then nodded: "Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely handle this matter well."

"What, you know him?"

Noticing his secretary's unusual behavior, Su Chen's gaze also fell on Melos's name.

Aina did not answer, but said, "My lord, I have a request."

"explain."

"I want to personally punish this sinner."

"Oh? Kill him? But the death penalty has been removed from Fontaine's laws." Su Chen noticed that Aina seemed to harbor some kind of hatred towards Melos, and then smiled, "However... laws can be changed, can't they? As long as there is sufficient reason, even gods can judge, let alone mere nobles?"

"I understand."

Aina bowed to Su Chen, then turned and walked out of the office.

"This little girl has a lot of murderous intent."

Su Chen shook his head secretly.

Didn't care either.

After all, who doesn't have a deep-seated grudge these days?

...

The next day.

It's 3 PM, time for tea.

Su Chen arrived at the Water God's reception room, arranged by the guards.

Before Funina went out to have fun again, he handed the two rule cards to her.

"ooooh! Is this the power of a god?!"

Looking at the two purple cards floating in front of her, Funina showed a look of amazement.

Only when she is with Su Chen can she let go of her role as the Water Goddess and show her most authentic self.

At this moment, Funina stretched out her hand and carefully tapped the rule card. As soon as the card touched her finger, it turned into light and merged into her body—"Ah! Ryder, it, it, it, it, it got into my body!" Funina exclaimed.

"Don't be nervous, this is normal."

Su Chen put down his teacup and patiently explained to Funina how to use the rule cards.

Upon hearing that simply 'speaking' would produce an effect, the Water God's expression instantly turned 0v0.

"The power of gods? Something like 'Ha!' 'Bang!' 'Thud!' and then the opponent is dramatically knocked down?"

What nonsense are you talking about?

"I saw a pretty popular game in Grey River where a few kids play their roles, like a hero slaying a dragon. Of course, the game doesn't kill, so whoever makes the loudest noise usually has the strongest attack."

"This is really a high-IQ game that's perfect for you."

"What? I am the water god, don't underestimate me."

Dissatisfied with Su Chen's criticism, Funina genuinely thought the game was quite good. Although the children of the Gray River were often called "drops of water with no future," destined to drift along in the Gray River's sewers and never rise above their circumstances, Funina felt that those children were no less intelligent than the children of the Upper District.

But even those who aren't nobles, as long as they live in the upper class, often have this idea.

"What good people could come out of that little waterway?"

"Lady Funina is too kind. She is good in every way, but it would be even better if she could remove Grey River from Fontaine."

What went wrong that allowed such a flawed understanding to become common knowledge?

Fulina wanted to change these things, but she was powerless to do so. At this point, she was already giving it her all just by playing the role of the water goddess.

but.

What do you have in your hand now?

Look, it glows and bestows magical powers upon people.

Funina raised her hand and said to Su Chen with feigned authority, "Step back, mortal."

The Absolute Territory card emitted a bright light, but Su Chen remained seated on the sofa, drinking tea.

Funina withdrew her imposing air and tilted her head: "Failed?"

“No.” Su Chen pointed to the area around Funina. “It did have an effect; no one is allowed to approach within 0.5 meters.”

"Then why are you okay?"

"It's very simple, because this power was given to you by me."

As the creator of the rules, Su Chen is not affected by the rules themselves.

It's possible, but unnecessary.

Funina suddenly realized, "That seems to be true."

"You're really smart; you actually figured it out."

"Hmph~ Don't make Lady Funina angry again, Lord Ryder. Do you know the consequences of overstepping the bounds of a god?" Funina was showing off her power as the water god in front of Su Chen, but compared to the arrogant side she was putting on for outsiders, she was actually more playful at the moment.

Dramatic performances can bring joy, and Fulina doesn't dislike that. But when it becomes a profession, especially when it involves living in constant fear, it's a different story.

"I'll go try it out and see if it works!"