He changed Tiwat

Andre adjusted his soft cap, stood up, and shouted, "This is slander! All the Mora used by the Northern Bank is genuine, and all expenses are within the normal operating range. The accounts are all verifiable! On the contrary, it is you Liyue who are making baseless accusations. I will report this to the Winter Embassy and demand that the Liyue Seven Stars apologize to the Northern Bank!"

Han Fulai asked with a half-smile, "So, Mr. Andre is willing to cooperate with the Liyue Seven Stars in their investigation?"

With his arms crossed and his face held high, Andrei replied arrogantly, "Northern Bank has always operated with integrity, and all the Mora in its inventory is genuine. You can check it as you please!"

It was expected that the Liyue Seven Stars would attack the Northern Bank. They had already replaced the Moraten stock in the Northern Bank with genuine goods, ensuring there were no loopholes, so they were naturally full of confidence.

"Heh, Mr. Andrei is quite confident," Han Fulai said with a smile.

"Hmph, whoever is guilty knows it themselves!" Andre sneered. "I'd like to ask Deputy Minister Han a question: were these counterfeit coins minted by the Golden House of Liyue?"

"As everyone knows, the Golden House is the only mint on the Teyvat continent. The minting techniques for Mora have always been a closely guarded secret of Liyue. To be able to produce such convincing counterfeit Mora on the market, it must be something only someone from Liyue could do. I've heard that the Golden House actually stopped production long ago, and that Ningguang manufactured these counterfeit coins to replenish the bank's inventory!"

"I ask you, do you dare to publicly show everyone the Mora casting process at the Golden House? Maybe they're making fake Mora right now!"

This explanation was something Pantarone had already told him during the Lantern Festival. Using the fact that the Golden House was the only mint on the Teyvat continent, it was the perfect way to make the Northern Bank appear as a victim.

The rumors that Ningguang had counterfeited the currency were already known to everyone present, and they reacted immediately. Logically speaking, Andrei's explanation was certainly more credible, since no one believed that the Winter Kingdom had the technology to mint Mora. Moreover, although his arrogant attitude was repulsive, it also made the Northern Bank seem more emboldened, which made them believe him even more.

Speaking of which, the rumors about the Golden House ceasing production were refuted by Ke Qing of Yuheng Star and this Vice Minister Han... All the reporters on site turned their attention to Han Fulai on the podium, waiting for his response.

Han Fulai's response was—

He shook his head, sighed, and turned his head to look at Andrei with a pitying gaze at a 45-degree angle, as if he had "You're so pitiful" written all over his face.

"Terrible. Your speaking skills are completely subpar." Han Fulai's tone was full of contempt. "If you want to improve your eloquence, pretending to be mute is the fastest way."

"What did you say?" Andrei's temples bulged with veins, and his hands clenched into fists.

He barely managed to control his urge to rush onto the stage and attack someone. Of course, this was mainly because, according to the Fools' Clan's internal information, even if he did fight, he wouldn't be able to defeat Han Fulai.

Han Fulai squinted at him. "I mean, Pantalone has no one to rely on... why would he send you to Liyue to carry out the mission of distributing counterfeit money?"

"The Northern Bank is Pantarone's key business in Liyue, and a tiger general should be sent to oversee it. If a tiger can't be sent, a dog should be sent... In the end, he sent a pig."

A soft "pfft" came from behind Han Fulai, and Gan Yu quickly covered her mouth. This was the only statement made by the usually stern and unsmiling Executive Secretary Yue Haiting at this press conference.

Ke Qing recalled how Han Fulai had patiently guided her when she was in trouble before, and suddenly felt that he might be being particularly gentle with her.

"You!" Andrei almost ground his teeth to powder. To be publicly humiliated like this, especially at a press conference—if he weren't a bank manager who couldn't reveal his identity as a member of the Fools, he would have definitely escalated this to a diplomatic issue!

He barely managed to suppress his rage. "I'm warning you, don't try to change the subject with personal attacks! If you're so capable, then open your golden palace!"

"I, Han Fulai, have always treated people with sincerity, and my thoughts just now were all from the bottom of my heart."

Han Fulai placed his hand on his chest, his face full of sincerity.

"The confidence you display is precisely your weakness. Didn't Pantalone teach you to leave some counterfeit Mora in the Northern Bank to pretend you were victims? All of Liyue has been affected by counterfeit Mora, so why can't your Northern Bank receive a single counterfeit coin?"

“Of course, it’s because we did our due diligence. The Northern Bank has professional Mora authenticators…” Andrei broke out in a cold sweat.

Han Fulai interrupted him without any politeness.

“I can say that you distributed counterfeit money, and that the Northern Bank has been exchanging counterfeit for genuine money; I can also say that you arranged for identification because you knew in advance that counterfeit money existed; I can say that you originally had leftover counterfeit money in your warehouse, but you transported it away and hid it in advance; I can also say that you prepared for the investigation in advance, which was obviously premeditated; I can also say that you have always had identification methods but did not disclose them to the outside world, which is despicable!”

With each word Han Fulai spoke, Andrei's face grew paler, but he still struggled to retort: ​​"This is slander! You're trying to cover up your guilty conscience with slander. You can't answer my questions about the Golden House!"

"No need. My response is just one sentence—"

Han Fulai raised his right hand and slowly clenched it into a fist.

"I want them all!"

"Whether it's fake Mora or real Mora, you can exchange it for Liyue Coins at the Liyue National Bank! The Liyue government will protect the property of every Liyue citizen and will not allow you to suffer any losses due to counterfeit currency made by the Winterborn! Don't forget, we in Liyue have a golden house, we have unlimited Mora!"

Han Fulai pointed at Andrei, "Do you want to try and see if your Northern Bank has more counterfeit money, or our Golden House has more?"

Chapter 97 This means we are on the fifth floor (upper) [4k]

What does it mean to be fearless because of one's reliance on others? Han Fulai's current behavior is exactly what it means to be fearless because of one's reliance on others.

You suspect that my Golden House has stopped production? Well, I'll show you by having the Golden House produce Mora at full capacity!

Liyue possesses the only mint in Teyvat and an unlimited supply of Mora. Once I start printing money, your counterfeit currency can't keep up with my real money printing!

This is the meaning behind Han Fulai's confidence.

As soon as Han Fulai said this, a flurry of scribbling sounds filled the hall, as reporters wished they had extra hands to report this big news as quickly as possible.

A deafening cheer erupted outside the Liyue National Bank. Many people immediately turned around and went home to collect their Mora, waiting to exchange it for Liyue Coins after the press conference. Even more people spread the word throughout the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor.

The statement, "The Liyue government will protect the property of every Liyue citizen and will not allow you to suffer any losses due to counterfeit currency manufactured by the Winterborn," elevated the significance of this press conference to a new level. It not only expressed the Liyue government's concern for its people but also directly and unequivocally pinned the blame on the Winterborn.

In just a few words, they transformed the public's suspicion of the Liyue government into their love for it, and even positioned the Northern Bank as an adversary of the Liyue people, diverting internal conflicts to external forces.

Even if the Northern Bank wanted to take this opportunity to plunder assets in Liyue Harbor, the investment environment would become extremely hostile due to the suspicion and hostility of the people of Liyue.

But these things were no longer important to Andrei; what Andrei found most unbearable was the provocation in his words.

"Your Golden House has already stopped production, what are you pretending for!" Andrei gritted his teeth, feeling a surge of heat rush to his head.

But Han Fulai didn't give him a chance to speak at all.

That concludes today's press conference.

Han Fulai bowed to the crowd below the stage, stepped down from the podium, and left the bank with Gan Yu and Ke Qing.

Before leaving, he glanced at the upper right corner of the hall, where a magic circle was in operation.

He knew that Ningguang was watching him.

Moreover, he believed that Ningguang would understand what he meant—just as Ningguang always believed that he had the ability to empty the vaults of the Northern Bank.

He trusted Ningguang's abilities just as much as Ningguang trusted him.

He explained the method, and Ningguang definitely knew what to do.

Some understandings don't need words to explain them.

Seeing Han Fulai leave without even acknowledging him, Andrei was so enraged that he grabbed his soft hat and threw it viciously to the ground. He vowed to make Han Fulai pay for his provocation today.

The next second, his hat was crushed by a reporter next to him.

The reporters were too busy publishing explosive news to care about the "pigs from the Winter Kingdom".

“I see. They want the ‘interest,’ while you want the ‘principal’…” Ningguang chuckled. “As for how much they can get from the Northern Bank’s vault… that depends on whether this Andrei is really a pig.”

Ningguang now fully understood Han Fulai's plan.

This is a scam, a scam targeting the Northern Bank, the Winter Country, and the traitors within Liyue!

Bai Shi, who had been standing respectfully beside her, had listened to the entire press conference.

Ningguang's words prompted Baishi to voice his inner doubts: "Lord Ningguang, there is something I don't understand. The Golden House is clearly already... why is Vice Minister Han so confident that he dares to announce this monetary policy of exchanging counterfeit for real currency? Doesn't he know that the Northern Bank can use counterfeit currency to run out real Mora?"

“Of course he knows,” Ningguang replied. “I had considered this possibility before, so I chose the safest monetary policy, which is to promote Liyue coins while refusing to accept counterfeit coins, and gradually replace Mora with Liyue coins. But Han… Deputy Minister Han’s choice is to turn the tables on the other side and prevent the Northern Bank from participating in the bank run.”

Bai Shi adjusted his glasses. "Don't let the Northern Bank participate... Ah!"

Ningguang smiled. "It seems you've figured it out. This is why Vice Minister Han publicly 'framed' Beiguo Bank at the press conference. Manufacturing and using counterfeit currency is illegal and criminal. Beiguo Bank can manufacture and use it secretly, but it cannot publicly produce large sums of counterfeit currency to substantiate their crimes. Because we are about to launch an investigation into Beiguo Bank, it has no choice but to operate 'honestly'."

"No wonder... The reason why Vice Minister Han made a show of investigating the Northern Bank was not only to bluff, but also to prevent the Northern Bank from using counterfeit currency on a large scale?" Bai Shi suddenly realized.

The three walked to the entrance of the Northern Bank. Ke Qing paused for a moment, her purplish-red eyes fixed on the direction of the Northern Bank's vault.

"I really want to lead the Thousand Rock Army to raid the Northern Bank's vault right now," Ke Qing whispered.

Han Fulai gently patted Keqing's shoulder, "There will be an opportunity, Lady Keqing. Once our Thousand Rock Army's reforms are complete, I'll give you a tube of laundry detergent, and then we'll raid this den of thieves."

"Uh... It's good that we were able to copy the Northern Bank, but why laundry detergent?" Ke Qing asked, puzzled.

"Because we need evidence when we raid homes, and this is evidence that the Northern Bank possesses weapons of mass destruction," Han Fulai replied seriously.

Gan Yu made a "shh" gesture, "Don't talk about confiscating other people's property in front of their homes. It will damage the image of Yuehaiting."

Inside the administrative department of the Liyue National Bank, Ningguang peered through a magic circle at the bank lobby. Andre picked up the soft hat from the floor and slapped it a few times. Then, without a word, he left the lobby and headed straight for the Northern Bank across the street.

Ningguang sighed softly.

"As the head of the legal department, I always need to rely on evidence, especially in international situations where I need to maintain a professional image. Even in diplomatic settings, I usually only dare to make pronouncements with five parts evidence. But Vice Minister Han... according to their civil servant code of conduct—'Lying isn't wrong, but being caught lying is wrong.'"

Bai Shi recalled Han Fulai's oft-repeated phrase, "I, Han Fulai, have always treated people with sincerity," and couldn't help but click his tongue.

However, she quickly thought of a new problem—"But surely the Northern Bank has other means to control bank runs? They could easily use other merchants in Liyue to do the same thing."

Ningguang glanced at Baishi and said, "Baishi, I told you before that you should not be afraid to ask me questions if you don't understand something. You have developed a spirit of pursuing the truth, which is very good. So next, I want to teach you another thing - use thinking instead of asking questions."

"Replace questioning with thinking?"

“Yes, I hope you can see through his first-level intentions yourself. You’ve been the Permanent Undersecretary of the Hutchison Office for some time now, so don’t limit yourself to being my personal secretary anymore,” Ningguang said.

Inside the manager's office of the Northern Bank, Andrei tried to calm his anger. To this end, he even opened the ink bottle and smelled the floral and ink scent of winter specialties for half a minute before unfolding the letter on the table.

"Respectfully yours,

"Lord Pantarone, the task you entrusted to your subordinates has been completed. Counterfeit money has indeed impacted the currency circulation in Liyue and shaken the credibility of Liyue's currency. Seven Stars has adopted a defensive posture and issued a policy to use 'Liyue Coins' as the circulating currency of Liyue. As you predicted, this will severely damage Liyue's foreign trade."

"Furthermore, we have a golden opportunity—that Sukabul (Note: a Winter's signature swear word, Han Fulai's code name among the Fools) has been bluffing by issuing a foolish monetary policy that promises fake Mora can be exchanged for Liyue Coins, and Liyue Coins can be exchanged for real Mora. We can use fake currency to squeeze out Liyue Coins and teach the people of Liyue a painful lesson."

"Although he restricted the Northern Bank from directly participating in the bank run under the guise of an investigation, we can still achieve the same goal by mobilizing our pawns within Liyue. However, the amount of counterfeit currency currently in the hands of our pawns is not enough. I implore you, sir, to produce another batch of counterfeit currency and deliver it directly to those pawns."

"I also considered that this was bait to lure out our pawns, but I believe that as long as we can cripple Liyue Harbor's economy through a run on the bank, even sacrificing these people is worthwhile. We only lose pawns and counterfeit currency, but in return, we gain the entire Liyue!"

"Greetings to the Chief Executive and Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Your loyal Andrei."

The aroma of tea wafted through Gan Yu's office at Yuehaiting.

Han Fulai had already brewed a pot of Gan Yu's favorite "Soul Fragrance Flower Tea" and thoughtfully prepared tea snacks for his two superiors.

"Rice pudding" is a dessert made from rice. The soft, sticky rice and sweet milk blend together perfectly, creating a harmonious flavor. Keqing prefers to enjoy the creamy rice while it's hot, while Ganyu enjoys the smooth, milky aroma after it cools down.

These two bosses usually seemed to dislike sweets—but their bodies always betrayed them when pudding was served.

Keqing scooped a spoonful of pudding into her mouth, and a happy expression instantly appeared on her face. She even let out a soft "Mmm" of delight.

But she quickly realized her lapse in decorum, put down her spoon, and sat up straight.

"Mr. Han, shouldn't you be able to say this now? I can see that you provoked Andrei to make him want revenge, create a bank run, and lure out the Fatui's pawns planted in Liyue. I also know that you used the pretext of investigation to force the Northern Bank to restrain itself, and Ningguang will cooperate in investigating merchants who exchange counterfeit Mora for real Mora... But what makes you so confident that the counterfeit money won't exceed the Liyue National Bank's redemption capacity?"

Han Fulai smiled and took a sip of tea.

“Since you have already seen the second layer, Lady Keqing, why not think a little deeper? My hint is, ‘time’.”

"Time?" Ke Qing tilted her head in suspicion.

"Thank you, it's delicious." Gan Yu put the cup of pudding back on the table.

Before Ke Qing could finish speaking, Gan Yu had already devoured her tea and snacks. This was a special skill that Gan Yu, who often worked overtime, had developed to save time.

According to Han Fulai, this should be considered a characteristic of the Liuyun sect's eating habits—Shen He and Gan Yu, like each other, eat very delicately, taking small bites quietly, but their eating speed is very fast.

Han Fulai skillfully stood up and made Gan Yu a cup of tea, then took the cup to the lounge to wash it.

"Because counterfeit money won't fly from Winter Solstice to Liyue. The current amount of counterfeit money in Liyue Harbor is insufficient to cause a bank run, and it will take time for the Northern Bank to mobilize counterfeit money." As the permanent secretary of the Moonlit Pavilion who serves the seven stars throughout history, Gan Yu patiently explained the key points to Keqing.

"The purpose of the Northern Bank's distribution of counterfeit currency was to disrupt the currency circulation within Liyue Harbor. This meant that most of the counterfeit currency would end up in the market, falling into the hands of innocent Liyue residents and merchants. According to our investigation, the counterfeit currency currently circulating in the market accounts for about one-twentieth of the total currency value in Liyue Harbor. This is indeed a large number, but for us, it is practically non-existent."

The figure of one-twentieth was derived by Han Fulai based on the intelligence Bai Shu had given him before and the results of his recent investigation, with a total value of approximately one hundred billion Mora—however, Han Fulai had Ningguang print four trillion Liyue coins.

"Ah! Because the victims won't exchange Liyue Coins for Mora!" Keqing clapped her hands, realizing the key point.

According to Liyue's latest monetary policy, Liyue currency will replace Mora as the circulating currency. In other words, Mora has become a reserve currency, suitable for storage rather than circulation.

To use Han Fulai's analogy, Liyue Coins are like RMB used in daily life, while Mora is like Dollars or gold held as hard currency reserves. Merchants can't exactly use gold bars to pay for their business, so legitimate merchants naturally use Liyue Coins.

Liyue Coins, as a form of fiat currency, are merely symbols, pieces of paper. What's the big deal about issuing a hundred billion of these paper pieces?

“Because the general public doesn’t have the elemental vision to distinguish between real and fake Mora, when they come to exchange for Liyue Coins, it’s usually a mix of real and fake. In addition, there are people who, even if they don’t receive counterfeit money, still need to exchange Mora for Liyue Coins. So the Liyue National Bank doesn’t actually face much pressure. In fact, we can gain a large new Mora reserve,” Gan Yu added.

Ke Qing's eyes lit up.

"The amount of counterfeit currency held by the Northern Bank for a run is actually quite limited, far from exceeding the exchange capacity of the Liyue National Bank! Since we've begun investigating the Northern Bank, Winterfall can't send large sums of counterfeit currency to Liyue under the guise of normal expenses. They'll have to use all sorts of clandestine methods to transport the counterfeit currency, but by the time Winterfall has finished preparing new counterfeit currency and shipped it to Liyue, we'll already have enough Mora!"

“That’s right. In our civil servant terms, this is called ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul.’ That’s how we at Liyue Pavilion calculate our annual financial statements. As long as there’s ongoing Mora income, we can ignore the deficit caused by counterfeit currency. And as long as we maintain public confidence in Liyue currency, we’ll have a steady stream of Mora income.” Gan Yu calmly stated some seemingly incredible truths.

"If Andrei were to foolishly launch a bank run, he would only expose the people they have planted in Liyue, and might even hand us the evidence of their bank run!" Keqing's expression was quite excited, as if she could already see the scene of raiding the Northern Bank.

However, she quickly calmed down because she remembered the Fool's Enforcer standing behind the Northern Bank.

Chapter Ninety-Eight This means we are on the fifth floor (middle) [4k]

“...But that Pantalone won’t take the bait so easily.” Keqing said this with a hint of regret in her voice.

However, she had to admit that Pantalone had left a very deep impression on him, an impression that was not easily defeated.

"Of course he won't take the bait so easily, but our discovery at Qingxupu will force him to take the bait."