He changed Tiwat

Han Fulai chose the Lava Abyss as his breakthrough point—a major issue that the Seven Stars had been unable to resolve for several years, and which was closely related to the lives of most of the people of Liyue.

Since making fertilizer also requires opening up the Abyss of Rocks, he might as well learn from Gan Yu's method—"gather all the troublesome things together and then solve them all at once."

Han Fulai and Xingqiu reached a cooperation agreement as early as Shen He's birthday banquet.

Driven by Tian Shu Xingyun and Xingqiu, the second young master of Feiyun Merchant Guild, the Liyue Yun Clan and Feiyun Merchant Guild took the lead in collecting petitions from workers at their Blackrock Depths plantation. They then held discussions on behalf of the Liyue miners with the two guilds most closely associated with mining among the eight Liyue guilds – "Huishan Hall" and "Shenglu Hall".

Meanwhile, Keqing, the Jade Balance Star, and Gan Yu, the Executive Secretary of the Moon Sea Pavilion, also expressed serious concern about the impact on Liyue's mining industry.

So, on March 30, the day before Han Fulai departed from Liyue Harbor, the Liyue Daily published a news report.

[Announcement from Liyue's "Hall of Dew": Industry representative Ms. Ruoyu and Lord Tianquan recently held discussions regarding the reopening of the Lapis Lazuli mines, and have achieved preliminary results. Lord Tianquan, representing Qixing, expressed deep concern for the impact on the Lapis Lazuli industry and promised to reopen the mines as soon as possible in an orderly manner.]

[However, due to the fluctuating situation in the Layered Rock Abyss, preparations for reopening the mines are still needed. Ms. Ruoyu stated that Lord Keqing of Yuheng Star has already taken charge of this matter. Mr. Han Fulai, Yuheng Star's exclusive secretary, will personally go to the Layered Rock Abyss to investigate. Colleagues in the glass industry are advised not to panic, to continue business as usual, and to follow the arrangements of the Seven Stars.]

This news has attracted considerable attention in Liyue Harbor, especially among the miners stranded there, who are eagerly awaiting the resumption of operations in the Stranded Rock Abyss.

At a time when no one except Zhongli and Ganyu knew that Han Fulai was involved in the struggle for the highest power in Liyue, Han Fulai took a crucial first step—he wanted to start building his own political base and win the hearts of the people of Liyue from now on!

These are the "three magic weapons" created by "that gentleman," which are familiar to every student who has received basic education in China.

If the Liyue Asuras, the Moonsea Pavilion forces, and the Yun Clan Merchant Guild forces are his "allies";

The commander of the Qianyan Army, Yaoguang Xingjiangxue, is the "army" he needs to win over;

So, solving the Laminar Abyss anomaly that the other seven stars couldn't resolve for years, and getting the laid-off workers in Liyue back to work, was his "construction"!

Once this "construction" is completed, the Yuheng Star faction he represents will have the most powerful and united industrial workers as "allies." Only then will the "construction" of the "Liyue's Radiance" project have enough manpower and public support to drive the "construction" of Liyue's agriculture, and further turn Liyue's farmers into "allies."

If Ningguang and the other seven stars who sit high on the Jade Capital Terrace have businessmen as their political base, then Han Fulai has chosen the vast working class and peasantry of Liyue as his base!

Without the hard work of workers and farmers, merchants' goods would not grow on the shelves.

Merchants often believe that Liyue is a commercial kingdom, and that controlling commerce means controlling Liyue, but that is just an illusion.

On the galloping carriage, Han Fulai quietly clenched his fist—

Whoever controls the workers and peasants, truly controls Liyue!

Chapter 124 First Exploration of the Layered Rock Abyss (Part 1)

At noon on April 1, Han Fulai arrived at the Layered Rock Abyss as promised.

In the world before Han Fulai, April 1st was usually called "April Fools' Day," a day when people would often play harmless jokes on their friends. But in this Teyvat continent where the "Fools" exist, there is no such thing as "April Fools' Day."

But Jiang Xue's outfit really did look like she was joking.

When Han Fulai saw Jiang Xue, Jiang Xue was lazily leaning against a roadside rock, taking a nap. He was wearing a bamboo hat, a black veil covering his face, and a short, tight-fitting outfit, with a long sword hanging at his waist. Jiang Xue may have really tried to dress up as a bodyguard, but his secretive appearance made him look more like a treasure-hunting gang leader, or rather, a wanted one.

Jiang Xue's appearance practically screamed "I'm very suspicious," and it was a mystery how he managed to travel all the way from Dihua Island to the Layered Rock Abyss.

"Greetings, Senior Jiang Xue." Han Fulai jumped off the carriage and greeted Jiang Xue.

"Oh, you're quite punctual." Jiang Xue looked up at the sun, then gestured towards the distance. "It's up to you now."

In the direction he pointed, a small squad of the Thousand Rock Army was guarding the entrance to the Layered Rock Abyss. Clearly, a suspicious person like Jiang Xue wouldn't be able to enter.

Han Fulai now understood why Jiang Xue covered her face—the commander of the Qianyan Army did not want her soldiers to recognize her.

"Yes, please rest assured and leave it to me, senior," Han Fulai replied.

Jiang Xue waved her hand, "Don't call me 'senior,' I'm your bodyguard now, understand?"

"Oh." Han Fulai blinked and handed the reins and whip to Jiang Xue. "Little Jiang, go and help me tie up the carriage."

The two arrived at the checkpoint, where two Thousand Rock Army soldiers guarding the entrance blocked their way with their white-tasseled spears crossed.

"Please stop! This is the forbidden area of ​​the Rocky Abyss. Outsiders are not permitted!"

The Abyss of Layered Rocks had been sealed off after all, and the Thousand Rocks soldiers carried out their duties meticulously, stopping the two men.

Just then, a voice came: "Oh, it's Mr. Han!"

A sergeant who looked like a squad leader saw Han Fulai and quickly ran over.

"You are..." Han Fulai turned his head and saw a somewhat familiar face. After a moment's thought, he said the person's name: "Zhengmao?"

"Yes, it's me. My benefactor still remembers my name!" Zhengmao beamed.

During the Battle of Ba Che, Zheng Mao led the Thousand Rock Army soldiers to ambush Ba Che's officers at Gu Yun Pavilion. Afterwards, it was Zheng Mao who went to Ning Guang to report on the Thousand Rock Army's wounded, and he had a brief encounter with Han Fulai.

"I will never forget that shot that came down from the sky by my benefactor. The brothers who fought alongside me all witnessed your and Shenhe's dedication to Liyue." Zhengmao's voice was full of emotion.

Faced with the towering waves stirred up by Ba Che, first Han Fulai flew out of the sky and blinded Ba Che with a single shot, and then Shen He stood on the waves and froze a thousand-meter tsunami. As a participant in that battle, Zheng Mao still vividly remembers the performance of these two.

"Not at all, I only made a small contribution," Han Fulai said modestly.

"Mr. Han, you must have come here on important business, right?" Zhengmao asked.

Han Fulai nodded and said, "I came here to investigate the situation of the Layered Rock Abyss. I wonder if Brother Zhengmao knows anything about the Layered Rock Abyss?"

Zhengmao shook his head and replied, "I was only recently transferred here, so I don't know much about the situation at the bottom of the Layered Rock Abyss. I only know that it has been closed for a long time. Alas, my ancestors were actually miners. My father used to work in the Black Rock Factory... It's a pity that such a large mine has stopped production. The workers received their subsidies and went to find their own jobs... Once people are scattered, it's hard to reunite them."

"That's exactly why I came. Maybe... the Black Rock Factory will be able to resume operations. Of course, that depends on the results of our investigation," Han Fulai said with a smile. He pointed to Jiang Xue, who was hiding her face behind him and remained silent, "This is my attendant, in charge of security."

Zhengmao's eyes lit up. "In that case, we won't delay Mr. Han any longer. Brothers, let him through."

He waved his hand, and the two Thousand Rock Army soldiers put away their spears.

"Thank you. By the way, the carriage I came in is tied up over there. While I'm exploring the Layered Rock Abyss, I'll trouble Brother Zhengmao to take care of the horses." Han Fulai cupped his hands in thanks to Zhengmao.

“No problem.” Zhengmao readily agreed. “Mr. Han, if you need anything, please just contact Steward Mu Ning. He’s in the camp at the entrance.”

Upon entering the Layered Rock Abyss, all that meets the eye is red. The trees growing along the roadside here are all common sand-repelling trees found on the Guili Plain. Only such tenacious trees can grow in the soil environment of the Layered Rock Abyss... but the color of their leaves is exactly the same purplish-red as the soil, resembling a crimson sunset, a truly magnificent sight.

Looking down from the walkway built by the workers, one sees a colossal abyss, like the center of a whirlpool. However, at the very center of this abyss, layers upon layers of golden light curtains completely seal off the entrance. This must be the sealing formation set up by the Seven Stars.

When Han Fulai and Jiang Xue found Mu Ning, Mu Ning was counting the supplies in the camp with her back to them.

"...Ten boxes of meat, ten boxes of vegetables, and a quantity of firewood and camping equipment were distributed to the Qianyan Army outpost...Three boxes of various minerals were transported to the Huishan Hall warehouse in exchange for tools and spare parts..."

Hearing footsteps behind her, Mu Ning turned around: "Is that Zhengmao? I can only distribute the supplies after I finish taking inventory... Ah, you are, Vice Minister Han!"

"Oh, Mr. Mu Ning, you still remember me." Han Fulai smiled.

"Deputy Minister Han, you're too kind. I did offer you a toast at Qunyu Pavilion last time," Mu Ning quickly put on a smiling face.

The steward Mu Ning, dispatched by the General Affairs Department to the Cengyan Giant Abyss, was a genuine playboy. According to Han Fulai's understanding, Mu Ning was a typical "second-generation official" and "second-generation rich."

His father was the deputy director of Shenglu Hall, one of the Eight Gates, and his mother was also a wealthy young lady. Their house was located on Yujing Terrace, and ordinary people would call him "Young Master Mu Ning".

He also attended the banquet at the Qunyu Pavilion with his high-ranking father during the last celebration of the pavilion's reconstruction, where he met Han Fulai.

This Steward Mu Ning is over thirty years old and wears a wrinkled General Affairs Department uniform, looking like a low-level civil servant who is busy with official business every day and has no hope of promotion. But before the sealing of the Laminariat, the position of Steward of the Laminariat was a lucrative one that people would fight tooth and nail for - the position of Steward who controls the lifeline of Liyue's mining industry, and it is self-evident how much profit there is in it.

Mu Ning, this young master, was originally considered the epitome of a playboy. He neither took the civil service exam nor went into business, spending his days loitering in various entertainment venues in Liyue Harbor, especially in gambling. As for his gambling skills—he was known as the "Spendthrift Kid" at the "Rockside Tea House." Every seasoned gambler in the gambling den who saw him secretly thought, "What a fat sheep!"

As a result, Mu Ning was thirty years old and had accomplished nothing, instead accumulating a mountain of gambling debts.

Fortunately, Mu Ning came from a wealthy and powerful family. His father helped him pay off his gambling debts and used his position to find him a job in the General Affairs Department, making him a civil servant.

However, Mu Ning, who was hired through her parents' connections, was completely incompetent in handling the affairs of the General Affairs Department. She always made mistakes, and since she couldn't be fired, the General Affairs Department was very troubled.

At that time, the Layered Rock Abyss was closed, and the commissioner in charge of the Layered Rock Abyss had a lot of miscellaneous tasks, turning it into a tiring and unprofitable department. The former commissioner of the General Affairs Department applied for a transfer, and the General Affairs Department kicked Mu Ning to the Layered Rock Abyss as the director.

For Mu Ning, the environment of the Layered Rock Abyss was nothing short of "going to the countryside," a great opportunity to hone his skills. He was able to turn over a new leaf and reform himself. Although there were many miscellaneous tasks at the Layered Rock Abyss, he worked diligently and gradually became familiar with the business over the past two years, eventually becoming a key member of the team. He now manages all matters, big and small, at the Layered Rock Abyss in an orderly manner.

Having exchanged greetings, Mu Ning still had official business to attend to, and extended her hand to Han Fulai.

“Deputy Minister Han must have important business to attend to at the Layered Rock Abyss today. As Lord Keqing’s personal secretary, you must carry Lord Keqing’s permission with you at all times, right?”

Han Fulai shook his head with a smile.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I forgot about your relationship with Lady Ningguang... Lady Ningguang's permission carries more weight! May I take a look?" Mu Ning hurriedly asked.

"Ahem." Han Fulai coughed lightly and continued to shake his head, thinking to himself, "How come I can hear Ningguang gossiping about me no matter where I go?"

Mu Ning touched her chin.

"Lord Tian Shu is a recluse, approachable and unassuming, yet he has a long-term vision, cares deeply about the livelihood and safety of the people, and is also an important figure in the Liyue Cloud Clan, closely connected to this Abyss of Rocks... So this time it was Lord Tian Shu's idea?"

Han Fulai chuckled. "Alright, stop guessing."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a document. "This is an official document from the Shenglu Hall. I was commissioned by Lord Keqing and the Shenglu Hall to investigate the condition of the Layered Rock Abyss and prepare for its resumption of work. Look, your father's signature is on this."

"...It's actually 'Shenglu Hall'?" Mu Ning's expression was clearly one of surprise.

The Shenglu Hall is in charge of the luxury goods industry in Liyue and is also responsible for the investigation and protection of cultural relics and historical sites. Although luxury goods are closely related to minerals, the Huishan Hall should be the competent authority. How could Mu Ning know that it was Han Fulai who instigated the Shenglu Hall and the Huishan Hall to join forces to put pressure on Ningguang?

He handed the official document to Mu Ning, and then took out a receipt.

"This is the certificate that Miss Gan Yu issued to me and Mr. Jiang Xue next to me. We are now temporarily serving as security investigators in the Layered Rock Abyss and have the authority to act as we see fit in the Layered Rock Abyss."

In reality, the security investigator's name wasn't written on the receipt; anyone could have it. As long as Han Fulai didn't report it afterwards, no one would know Jiang Xue's identity.

"Hmm, if that's the case, then we should let them pass." Mu Ning read the official document and a look of understanding appeared on her face.

"Let me explain the situation to Vice Minister Han," he said, taking a few steps forward to the side of the walkway and pointing to the huge mine pit below.

"As you know, the central mine of the Layered Rock Abyss is equipped with the 'Seven Star Formation.' The weakness of the formation... uh, I mean, the nodes, lies in the surrounding 'rock keys.' They were personally arranged by Lord Tianquan Ningguang, drawing on the rock element of this place as power to connect and fix the energy flowing within the formation."

Following the direction Mu Ning pointed, Han Fulai could see several giant rocks floating in the air, shimmering with golden light. Those should be the nodes of the "Seven Star Formation"—the "Keys".

“Recently, the rock element polymers around the rock key have been growing abnormally, as if the ‘thing’ below is eager to pop out…” Mu Ning muttered to himself with a sigh, and then said, “The structure of the rock key is very stable, and the surrounding rock element polymers are insignificant to the rock key and will definitely not produce any strange reactions.”

"Yes, as expected of Lady Ningguang's seal, it is indeed reliable." Han Fulai agreed earnestly.

"Because the Abyss of Layered Rocks has been sealed off for a long time, even the miners who remain here can only carry out some surface mining. The passages downwards have been sealed by formations. Even if you can break the seal, you probably won't recognize the path below, since you don't know Zhiqiong."

"Who is Zhiqiong?" Han Fulai asked with great interest.

“She’s an adventurer employed by the General Affairs Department. She used to work as a miner in the Layered Rock Abyss and knows the terrain there like the back of her hand. She should be helping guard the warehouse down there now. Oh, Miss Zhiqiong isn’t the kind of person who’s restless and always running around, and she would never think of breaking the formation and diving underground!” Mu Ning emphasized.

"Oh, what a graceful adventurer she is," Han Fulai said with a smile.

Just then, a burly-looking miner ran over, shouting from afar, "Manager Mu Ning! Manager Mu Ning!"

"Oh, it's Yuehui. Is it that matter again?" Mu Ning covered her face, looking quite helpless.

"Yes! It's a Hilichurl again!" Yuehui's expression was also quite unnatural, as if she was a little scared.

"Hylocereus?" This was the first time Jiang Xue had spoken since entering the Rocky Abyss.

"Isn't the Thousand Rock Army stationed here?" Han Fulai asked.

"Who are these two?" Yuehui asked Mu Ning, noticing the unfamiliar faces.

“They’re important figures conducting a safety survey of the Stratiform Abyss. If you want to explore further… no, it’s nothing. Anyway, maybe they can help you with the survey.” Mu Ning said, introducing Han Fulai and Jiang Xue to Yue Hui, and then introducing Yue Hui to them.

"Please explain the situation, brother miner," Han Fulai said.

Yuehui scratched the back of his head. "We are miners working in the shallow areas of the Layered Rock Abyss. You know, after the deep part of the Layered Rock Abyss was sealed off by the array, our work has become much less demanding, and the brothers often get together to rest and chat. But a while ago, one of the brothers noticed a few Hilichurls passing by with a dazed expression while he was resting!"

Chapter 125 First Exploration of the Layered Rock Abyss (Part Two)

"His expression...dazed?"

Han Fulai frowned. As everyone knows, the faces of the Hilichurls are hidden under masks, so where is there any "expression"?

“It’s like… like someone who’s drunk, walking unsteadily.” Yuehui hesitated. He then added, “The brother was terrified and screamed, trying to find the Thousand Rock Army for help. But those Hilichurls didn’t even glance at him, and just went straight into the Abyss of Layered Rocks.”

"I remember you just told Steward Mu Ning, 'It's Hilichurls again'... Does that mean this has happened more than once?" Han Fulai asked.

"Yes, yes." Yuehui nodded vigorously. "The brothers have been observing for a while and have found that similar situations occur from time to time, and the situation is very strange!"

"Strange?" Han Fulai raised an eyebrow.

“Those Hilichurls sneaked in from various places…” Yuehui gestured to several cliffs in front of him, “climbing over mountains and valleys, from heights that are impassable to humans, just to enter the Abyss of Layered Rocks.”

This… Han Fulai stroked his chin. To be honest, it was indeed strange. Why would these Hilichurls go to such lengths to sneak into the Abyss of Laminaria? Putting aside the hardships they endured along the way, the fact that they had such a strong purpose was very unlike the behavior of monsters.

“And there’s something even stranger! The Hilichurls’ movements are always one-way; they go into the depths of the Rocky Abyss and never come out again!” Yuehui’s tone was tinged with panic.

"I see... Sigh." Jiang Xue sighed softly, as if she had thought of something.

“During this period, similar situations became more and more frequent. ‘What exactly were those Hilichurls’ goals?’ ‘What happened to them afterward?’ ‘Could they be brewing some kind of disaster?’… These thoughts kept popping into the minds of the miners, and many of them were going crazy with fear.” Clearly, not only the miners, but even the miner foreman, Yuehui, was afraid.

"Wait a moment, Foreman Yuehui, I'd like to ask, when you went down into the mine, did you not see those Hilichurls again?" Han Fulai asked.

"Of course! It's precisely because we don't know where they've gone that we're afraid. If we could see them down there, we would have already called the Thousand Rock Army to wipe out the monsters," Yuehui replied.

"Has the 'Seven Star Formation' been unbroken during this time?" Han Fulai turned to ask Steward Mu Ning.

"Of course not! Look, all those keychains are perfectly fine." Mu Ning was very certain.

"That's... really strange." Han Fulai lowered his voice. "How did those Hilichurls disappear into the depths of the Layered Rock Abyss using the 'Seven Star Formation'?"

Upon hearing this, both Mu Ning and Yue Hui were stunned—that's right, how did those Hilichurls manage to break through the seal of the "Seven Star Formation" and disappear into the depths of the Layered Rock Abyss?