Genshin Impact: The Sage's Disciple Doesn't Want Fame

Chapter 80 What if one day I seize power

"Fourth Brother, maybe we shouldn't?"

After listening to Chen Duanzhi's series of operational plans, Ji Ming, who was originally full of confidence, instantly deflated and hurriedly waved his hand in refusal, no longer showing the same vigor as before.

To act like a saint is no different from killing Ji Ming. A saint is someone who has no personal joys or sorrows, no subjective prejudices, and no worldly desires; he acts as if he has no desires or wants all day long.

Are there really saints in this world?

Ji Ming considered himself skilled at acting and deception, but he wasn't confident he could succeed at deceiving to this extent.

Moreover, Ji Ming did not want to mislead the people of Liyue in this way to gain their support, because the people of Liyue were not like those greedy guests in the past. They were simple and honest, and Ji Ming could not deceive them.

If the Nine Gates really had to choose a spokesperson, and that spokesperson had to be Ji Ming, then Ji Ming would rather show his true self, as that would make him feel more at ease.

Seeing Ji Ming's extreme hesitation, Duanzhi Chen had no choice but to back down first and tentatively asked, "Ninth Brother, tell me your opinion first. Let's discuss it between the two of us today, and if possible, we nine brothers can choose another day to make a decision."

Knowing that a decision didn't need to be made today, Ji Ming felt relieved and carefully chose his words: "Which viewpoint are you referring to? If you mean a spokesperson, I can do it, but I will absolutely not act like a saint. First, I can't do it, and second, I am not capable of doing it."

The steam from the hot tea gradually subsided. Through the steam, Chen the Severed Finger stared into Ji Ming's eyes and chuckled, "Okay, but don't kill or cheat people indiscriminately in the future, and don't do anything illegal."

For the first time, Chen, who had severed his finger, displayed the authority of the fourth brother. He first agreed with Ji Ming's idea, and then said the word "not allowed" instead of "not permitted." The difference between the two words is huge.

Ji Ming said helplessly, "Of course, we have enough start-up capital now, so I don't need to continue doing my old job. But I want to make a request. I made an enemy in Mondstadt. If I find out the guy's true colors in Liyue Harbor in the future, I will definitely take my revenge."

"Are they the Fools?"

"Yes."

"Sure, you can also establish a good reputation for 'expelling foreign interference forces and upholding Liyue's autonomy,' and the people of Liyue might support you even more."

But who would support a gang? Although many people were affected by the reforms back then, most people have settled down now and are unlikely to support a gang that represents chaos.

The government may make mistakes, but the Emperor will not. This is what most people in Liyue agree on. As long as the Emperor doesn't issue a decree, they will generally live peacefully, unless they lose their jobs.

Just like Fourth Brother Chen who cut off his finger, if it weren't for the turmoil back then, he would never have joined the Nine Gates. Who would give up a comfortable life?

Of course, if one day the Emperor suddenly disappears or passes away, Liyue Harbor will definitely collapse, or at least become unstable.

Ji Ming didn't know, but as a member of the Nine Gates and a disciple of the immortals, he could at least guarantee the stability of Liyue Harbor, but that was contingent on the Emperor's death.

Even if the Emperor were to be in trouble, Ji Ming would still not necessarily gain the support of the citizens of Liyue Harbor, given that the Seven Stars of Liyue are still in power.

In short, Ji Ming was pessimistic about the matter. He was capable of simply attacking a wealthy merchant or causing trouble for the Liyue Seven Stars.

Of course, he couldn't go too far. Ji Ming was a disciple of an immortal, and the reason he didn't reveal his identity to outsiders was because he had committed many crimes in the past, so as not to tarnish the reputation of the immortals.

"Don't overthink it, Ninth Brother. Just be yourself and don't do anything illegal."

Duanzhi Chen sighed. There was a Miss Gan Yu in Yuehaiting, and another Keqing among the Seven Stars of Liyue. These two were closely related to Ji Ming and were also high-ranking members of Liyue.

Miss Gan Yu can ignore it. Considering that Ji Ming is her junior brother, as long as her ninth brother doesn't destroy Li Yue, she probably won't interfere with the Nine Gates' actions.

As for Ke Qing, she's a real headache for Duanzhi Chen. As long as the Nine Gates show any ambition, she'll do everything she can to stop them, even though Ji Ming has a pretty good relationship with her.

Of course, there is another way, which is to let his ninth brother participate in the next Seven Stars election and carry out a true peaceful evolution.

His status as a businessman is not a problem; he can make up for it with the Mora and real estate of other wealthy businessmen. With a little dressing up, his ninth brother will become an aristocratic and ostentatious businessman.

However, this plan has a long cycle and high uncertainty, so a real change is indeed needed.

After listening to his fourth brother's words, Ji Ming nodded in understanding, then picked up his teacup and drank the tea in one gulp: "Where there's a will, there's a way, and I'm definitely willing to do it."

In a sense, the Nine Gates and Keqing share the same philosophy, which is to govern by people to a certain extent, to manage the relationship between the Celestials and the people of Liyue. The Celestials are mainly responsible for governance, while the Celestials serve as a deterrent force.

Chen, who had severed his finger, nodded in satisfaction. Since his ninth brother was willing to do it, there was nothing more to say.

"Let's talk about something else. Once we seize political power, how should we govern Liyue?"

Ji Ming was both amused and exasperated: "We haven't even taken the first step yet, and Fourth Brother is already thinking about governing Liyue?"

It has to be said that my fourth brother's ambition is indeed great. As expected of someone from a noble family, his ability and ambition are both among the best in Liyue.

"It's better to be prepared. If this works out, we should have a talk. We used to be a gang, but now we need to reorganize so that we can be a political group, not just a simple gang."

Ji Ming affirmed, "That makes sense."

Chen, with his severed finger, gestured: "So what's your opinion?"

Ji Ming had absolutely no experience in governing a country. If he had to give some advice, he could probably only help Senior Sister Gan Yu organize documents.

Ji Ming had met high-ranking officials from several countries. Ke Qing and Senior Sister Gan Yu were two of them, and he had also met Ning Guang from Tianquan Star and the acting leader Jean in Mondstadt.

This is only considering those who have spoken and have an impression of each other. If we also include those who have chatted a few times, then back in the Li family compound, Ji Ming also met the contemporary Yao Guang Star.

So Ji Ming simply confessed: "I don't know. I'm completely clueless about governing a country. When the time comes, my elder brother will be the leader, and your entire committee will govern. I'll just stay out of it."

“No, you are the representative of the Nine Gates. No one but you can be the leader. I believe that’s what Big Brother thinks too.”

With his finger severed, Chen patiently persuaded him: "Go ahead and tell me. I'll correct any mistakes you make. Maybe you really do have a talent for governing the country?"

Ji Ming hesitated: "Then shall I tell you?"

"Speak, the more you speak, the better."

Seeing his fourth brother's encouraging gaze, Ji Ming no longer held back and laid out his ideas in their entirety: "First of all, it's about reform. I think businessmen should just be honest businessmen and not think about governing the country."

"Ninth Brother, are you trying to suppress merchants?"

Duanzhi Chen was very interested in Ji Ming's remarks. He knew that Liyue had always been ruled by merchants, and no one had ever said that they wanted to suppress the merchants.

Ji Ming countered, "Suppress merchants? Not at all. I'm just restoring merchants to their original status. Moreover, if I ever come to power, I will absolutely not allow officials or even their three generations of relatives to engage in business, and I will establish a strict supervisory system."

“Very good. Is there anything else? Ninth Brother, I would like to hear how you plan to govern the people of Liyue.”

“It’s very simple, I want to give them the land.”

"Distribute land? Ninth Brother, your idea is very peculiar. Why should we distribute land to the people?"

"The people of Liyue cannot live without the land, and the land cannot live without the people of Liyue. If each of them owned land, I think they would become rich very quickly."

Of course, Ji Ming can only give a general theory at present, and the practical application still requires a long period of exploration.

Chapter 81 Keqing is the new powerhouse

Ke Qing was somewhat irritated. This proud and honest Lord Yuheng was pressing his temples with a troubled expression, frowning as he looked at a street thug standing at attention in front of him.

No, judging from Ji Ming's outfit today, calling him a street thug would really lower his image; he'd be more like a hypocrite.

Yes, that suits Ji Ming's image today.

"Aren't you going to explain this to me, Mr. Ji Ming?"

Inside the private room of the Rock Tea House, Ji Ming smiled and handed the tea he had poured to Ke Qing with both hands. He said unhurriedly, "There's nothing to explain. I was just dressing up. Does Lady Ke Qing not allow me to dress up? Or is it because you think I'm a handsome young man and you're trying to find a topic to strike up a conversation?"

Ke Qing spat lightly: "Have you no shame? To be honest, your outfit is indeed quite nice today, but something's definitely up. Are you plotting something?"

The Fontaine-style suit, with a crooked tie around the neck, just looked awkward no matter how you looked at it.

Feeling annoyed, Ke Qing slightly rose and stepped over the tea table to straighten Ji Ming's tie. She did so until the tie fit his suit better before sitting back down, picking up her porcelain teacup and taking a sip, her pink lips becoming even redder.

Ji Ming chuckled: "Lady Keqing, did you perhaps wear lip rouge today?"

Ke Qing raised an eyebrow: "Good eye, but don't try to change the subject."

Ke Qing was secretly delighted to be noticed for her unusual behavior, but she didn't show it. Instead, she urged Ji Ming to answer the question.

Actually, since Keqing took on the role of Yuheng Star, she has never dressed up properly. As Yuheng Star is in charge of land and construction, she often has to check progress in open-air work environments.

When exposed to the sun, sweat naturally accumulates on the skin, which can ruin makeup. Therefore, Keqing usually only wears light makeup on important occasions.

She didn't know when it started, but Keqing suddenly had the urge to dress up. Although it wasn't that strong, she still applied some lip rouge after waking up in the morning.

In short, Keqing attributed it to her womanly nature; at twenty-six, she was in the prime of her life and didn't mind showing off her charm.

"Okay, okay, I'll confess."

Seeing Ke Qing subtly curl the corners of her lips, Ji Ming immediately sat down and spoke his mind: "I want to go into politics."

Ke Qing was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but find it amusing and asked, "Are you making fun of me?"

Seeing that Ke Qing didn't believe him, Ji Ming deliberately patted his suit and said seriously, "No, if we hadn't bumped into each other on the street today, I would have started promoting my political group and political ideas."

No, is this thug serious?

Indeed, Ji Ming was dressed formally today, and when we bumped into each other on the street earlier, he acted like a gentleman, unlike his usual self who walks with his hands on his hips and greets everyone he sees.

It's obvious this guy is exhausted from acting. Could it be that he really wants to go into politics?

The political group Ji Ming mentioned should be the few habitual offenders around him, who were formerly known as the Nine Gates.

As for political ideology, Ke Qing had already heard Ji Ming talk about it. It was nothing more than killing all the powerful families in the world. This could not be called a "political ideology" at all; it was just a slogan.

"So, you're serious?"

Ke Qing didn't know whether to be happy or worried. It wasn't that she was worried that Ji Mingzhen coveted power, but that with the Old Nine Gates leading the way, a bunch of monsters and demons would emerge in Li Yue, claiming to want to participate in politics.

Remember, politics should not be trivialized.

Ji Ming affirmed, "Of course, we are all law-abiding citizens now."

Ke Qing retorted, "You and your sworn brothers have all committed crimes, so logically you shouldn't be allowed to run for office, not to mention you don't have a business background."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming chuckled: "My dear Ke Qing, your family even supports a gang? If it weren't for the Nine Gates helping you clean house, your political enemies might have used this as an excuse to make trouble."