He changed Tiwat

"What does that mean?" Even someone as intelligent as Ningguang couldn't help but wonder.

"Sister Ningguang, think about it, why aren't gold and silver naturally currency?"

"Because gold and silver originally appeared as a mineral, people used all sorts of currencies to trade in ancient times, and even bartered. Gold and silver were just commodities back then." Ningguang was quite familiar with the history of the Teyvat continent.

"Then why is gold and silver the natural currency? Because gold and silver inherently possess excellent characteristics for serving as currency. This is determined by the natural properties of gold and silver; they are small in size but high in value; easy to divide, not easily worn, and convenient to store and carry. Because of these advantages, people use gold and silver as a general equivalent and as currency." Han Fu asked and answered himself.

"What comes to mind when you hear about these advantages, Ningguang?"

“…Mora?” Ningguang felt like she had grasped some clues.

"So now I'm thinking of a third point: Mora is naturally money, but money is not naturally Mora."

Han Fulai's face once again revealed a confident expression.

"Mora is not a natural product; it was created by the Emperor using his own flesh and blood and divine power. It is a general equivalent that the Emperor forcibly endowed with value and used as currency. Therefore, Mora is naturally a currency; it is something created by the Emperor as currency."

"As a currency, Mora is even inferior to gold and silver because Mora is very consumable. It can be used as an alchemical catalyst and is also used in weapon forging, metal synthesis and other manufacturing fields. It is a substance that is easily consumed and should not be used as currency in theory. Moreover, the Emperor has never prohibited the consumption of Mora."

"But currency is not naturally Mora. Currency does not have to be Mora. Currency can be anything, as long as it is artificially recognized as a general equivalent. For example, Mora became the currency circulating throughout Teyvat because of the power of the Emperor. The Emperor guaranteed the value of Mora with the power and credit of his God of Contracts."

"The Emperor's original contract stated: 'Though I have no intention of vying for supremacy, I know the suffering of the common people. I only wish to cleanse the world and protect this corner of the floating world.' Let's understand it from another perspective: if the Emperor intended to vie for supremacy and did not care about the suffering of the common people, then he might have cleansed the entire continent of Teyvat."

"This god, who could cleanse the entire continent of Teyvat, said: 'Don't fight, don't fight. What are the benefits of Mora? Whoever answers correctly will get it.' So everyone obediently traded Mora, and the world was at peace."

Han Fulai stood up with a smile, walked to Ningguang's desk, and picked up the paper Ningguang used to write the contract.

"Just like this contract, it's essentially just a piece of paper. But because the person who wrote it is Sister Ningguang, Sister Ningguang has guaranteed the validity of the contract with your credibility and strength."

“In the past, when the Emperor could create Mora at any time, Mora was like this piece of paper. It was not scarce, but because of the Emperor’s divine power, it has acquired value.”

“Mora production has stopped. There’s no more Mora, and it will be consumed in various fields. So Mora’s nature has changed; it has become a scarce resource that will be consumed, rather than a currency. But it is still precious, and everyone wants it.” Han Fulai shook the piece of paper in his hand. “And coincidentally, Liyue has the most Mora in the world.”

"So that's how it is...!" A chilling light flashed in Ningguang's wine-red eyes; she had already understood Han Fulai's plan.

“I’m sure Ningguang already understands. Let’s use another piece of paper as currency, let’s call it Liyue Coin. Then we can claim that Liyue Coins can be exchanged for Mora at banks and money exchanges all over the world at any time. If you want Mora, you must use this piece of paper designated by the Liyue government to exchange for it.”

Han Fulai laughed, and his smile even had a hint of wickedness.

"In this way, Liyue Coins will be used as the world currency instead of Mora. We will legally stipulate that Liyue Coins will be the settlement unit for Mora. Even if the Northern Bank wants to plunder Liyue through lending and deflation, we only need to return the paper called Liyue Coins to them when the debt is due. I will name this system the 'Liyue Coins-Mora' system."

Chapter 62 The Longest Day in Liyue's History (Part 3)

"The 'Liyue Currency - Mora' system... what a brilliant idea!" Ningguang smiled broadly; Han Fulai had truly given her many surprises. Her keen business sense told her that if this system were truly established, Liyue would achieve unprecedented prosperity.

No matter which of the other six nations of Teyvat needs Mora, they must stockpile large amounts of Liyue currency to trade with Liyue. Mondstadt's alchemy, Sumeru's Cleric's, Inazuma's blacksmith, Winter's armory... For 3,700 years, no nation has truly been able to survive without Mora.

As a result, Liyue currency became the most stable currency in the world. Even though the other six countries reverted to using gold and silver currencies, they still had to use Liyue currency to trade in order to obtain Mora.

Even after retiring, the Emperor's accumulation over the past three thousand seven hundred years has left Liyue with a sufficiently strong foundation... Ningguang couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

Ningguang has already decided that she will establish a Liyue National Bank, similar to the "Northern Bank," with the "Golden House" as the main body. The bank will use Mora as the main reserve and gold and silver as supplementary reserves, and will issue Liyue coins to the entire Teyvat continent.

By manipulating the exchange rate between Liyue Coins and Mora, and using various interest rate hikes and cuts, she facilitated the circulation of Liyue Coins throughout Teyvat. These fluctuations in the exchange rate and the increases and decreases in interest rates were precisely the forte of this most successful businesswoman in Liyue.

The Mora reserves across the continent are enormous. Even if used entirely as a resource, they could sustain the entire continent for hundreds of years. Before the Mora is depleted, humanity would likely have already developed new resource and monetary systems. This time would be sufficient for Liyue to exploit the economies of the six nations using Mora, becoming the undisputed strongest power on the Teyvat continent.

She could almost see the completion of the Jade Pavilion, which would encompass seven kingdoms.

“But before we can establish this system, there are a few hurdles we need to overcome.” Han Fulai’s voice was calm. As the one who proposed the plan, he had of course considered the obstacles to it.

"Gateway 1: The credibility of the Liyue government."

Just like when he was talking to Ningguang in Yiyan Hall, Han Fulai raised one finger again.

"Mora is able to traverse the Teyvat continent because the Geo Archon, the strongest Priest, stands behind it. He established Mora's credibility as currency through his own power. Now that the Archon is gone, if the Liyue government wants to issue a new currency, it must have enough credibility to convince people that the 'Liyue Coin' can truly be exchanged for Mora. Therefore, the most crucial step is to establish the credibility of the Liyue government."

"The Liyue government needs credibility. Therefore, the Emperor cannot fake his death, at least not to the people. To the people of the seven kingdoms of Teyvat, the Emperor must have truly been assassinated, and the Liyue Seven Stars government must have inherited the Emperor's will and continue to lead the Liyue government into an era of rule by men. The Emperor cannot be allowed to take action; this is of paramount importance."

A light seemed to flicker in Han Fulai's eyes. At this moment, he had a real sense that he was creating the history of Liyue... and even the Teyvat continent.

He then raised his second finger.

"Secondly, behind the credibility lies the guarantee of strength."

"Liyue now possesses the most Mora on the Teyvat continent. This Mora is both a resource and a source of wealth, but also a source of trouble. Since the Emperor was assassinated, Liyue has lost the protection of the gods. On the surface, Liyue is now the weakest of the seven kingdoms."

"If the Kingdom of Winter were to wage war to seize resources directly from Liyue in order to plunder them, the Liyue Seven Stars government would have to have the strength to protect itself and even fight back—the strength of a godless nation against a nation with gods is comparable to the strength of a demon god."

"Only in this way will the people be willing to hold Liyue's currency, and will they not feel that the Liyue government is precarious and that the currency issued by the Liyue government is just a piece of waste paper. Only in this way will the other six countries be willing to accept Liyue's currency, because Liyue's currency has the same stability as when the Geo Archon was in power."

Han Fulai raised his third finger.

"Crosspoint Three: Show Your Strength."

"Just as the soldiers of the Thousand Rock Army need a target to train their marksmanship, Liyue also needs a target to demonstrate its strength. Winterlands is just the right target."

"But going to war with Winterfall now is not a wise move... Rather, Liyue is not confident of victory against Winterfall right now." Ningguang pondered for a moment before revealing the truth.

Liyue has always relied on the Emperor and the Liyue Asuras for protection. As a commercial nation, its conventional military strength is far weaker than that of the well-equipped Winterfell army. Even more awkwardly, now that the Emperor has retired and cannot intervene, the Liyue Asuras, who have a long-standing feud with the Seven Stars, will likely hold them accountable for the Emperor's death. The Seven Stars themselves actually possess very limited military strength.

"Of course, there's no need to actually go to war with the Winter Kingdom. Compared to direct warfare, subduing the enemy without fighting is the best option." Han Fulai spoke calmly and eloquently. "For example, under the pretext of searching for assassins, we could order the Thousand Rock Army to surround the Northern Bank, force their way into the Fools' territory which has diplomatic immunity, and arrest a large number of Fools, thus forcing the Fools into conflict with the Thousand Rock Army."

"The Liyue Seven Stars' capture of the Winter Kingdom's diplomatic delegation will naturally be seen by the public as a signal of war between Liyue and Winter. If the Liyue Seven Stars do such a thing, but Winter doesn't actually attack, in the eyes of the people of Teyvat, it will naturally mean that Winter is afraid of Liyue, and Liyue's strength and the Seven Stars' prestige will be established."

"The problem is, how can we ensure that the Kingdom of Winter won't attack?" Ningguang quickly discovered the flaw in the plan. "The Emperor can't intervene, because doing so would mean the bankruptcy of the Seven Stars government; but if the Emperor doesn't intervene, Liyue can't withstand the military power of the Kingdom of Winter. And most importantly, the Fatui executors of the Kingdom of Winter know very well that the Emperor is not dead, and they also know that the Emperor cannot intervene. Under these circumstances, it is in their best interest for the Kingdom of Winter to invade Liyue. If they win, they can gain huge benefits from the Kingdom of Winter in Liyue; if they lose, they can force the Emperor to take action and bring down the Seven Stars government."

Han Fulai smiled mysteriously and said, "They have no reason to attack Liyue, because we can produce solid evidence to prove that it was an assassin from Zhidong who assassinated the Emperor. The Seven Stars captured the Fools to capture the assassin and avenge the Emperor, thus losing their righteous cause for war. Moreover, we must use our strength to intimidate them and let them know that there is no benefit in actually fighting."

"What concrete evidence? And where does the power to intimidate the Fools come from?" Ningguang frowned, wondering where Han Fulai's confidence came from.

Han Fulai's smile grew even deeper.

"The land of Liyue is never short of ancient demon gods that are sealed away. Do you think it's possible that the Fatui executors of Winterfell released the sealed demon god to assassinate the Emperor, and then tried to have the demon god attack Liyue Harbor? The Seven Stars of Liyue displayed their great power, defeated the ancient demon god, and thwarted the Fatui's plot."

"In this way, the appearance of the demon god corroborates the Fools' plot to assassinate the Emperor, and the Kingdom of Winter loses its legitimacy. The people of Liyue, attacked by the demon god instigated by the Fools, are united in their hatred of the enemy, and their hearts are with the people. The Liyue Septate, on the other hand, has gained the greatest political capital in this matter and obtained a solid foundation for rule by men. In order to eliminate the impact of this matter and to prove that they did not assassinate the Emperor, the Kingdom of Winter has no choice but to suffer this loss and pay a large amount of compensation to show its sincerity."

"Thus, the death of the Emperor can be transformed into maximum benefit for Liyue. The code name for this plan is—'The Prince's Head'."

"What does Ningguang think of this script?"

Chapter 63 The Longest Day in Liyue's History (Part 4)

"'Young Master's head offering'...the plan itself is not problematic." Ningguang frowned slightly. She was not a pedantic person. In fact, she was quite proficient in the tricks of the business and political worlds.

Han Fulai's plan is essentially a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The Liyue Septim release a demon to attack Liyue Harbor, framing the Fatui and using the victory over the demon to intimidate the Seven Kingdoms. As long as the damage is controlled and doesn't actually harm Liyue Harbor and its people, this plan can be considered quite effective.

“Actually, I’ve already received intelligence. The Fatui debt collectors attacked the Iwagami Tea House the other day, and even dispatched the Fatui executor—'Young Master' Tartaglia. Logically speaking, the Fatui executor wouldn’t get involved in such a trivial matter. According to intelligence, Tartaglia obtained a divine power talisman, the Unhindered Talisman, bestowed upon mortals by the Emperor during the Demon God War, from the Iwagami Tea House,” Ningguang said.

"Based on my speculation, if the Fatui cannot confirm the cessation of production at the Golden House, they may very well use their unrestrained divine power to create chaos in Liyue Harbor. It's not impossible that they could actually summon a demon god to attack Liyue Harbor. However, even if we change our target from the Winter Kingdom to an ancient demon god, we, the Liyue Sept, still do not have a sure chance of victory."

Ningguang looked at Han Fulai, her wine-red eyes filled with worry, which evoked pity in those who saw her.

However, Han Fulai smiled.

"Isn't this precisely the biggest reason why Sister Ningguang made me come to Qunyu Pavilion tonight? Sister Ningguang told me 'you shouldn't have come,' yet she still made me come, which speaks volumes. If I really shouldn't have come to Qunyu Pavilion, Sister Ningguang, who has been monitoring my every move, would have already had Bu Yun stop me. I guess, Sister Ningguang originally had a place for me in her plan, didn't she?"

Ningguang paused, then gently shook her head, the worry on her face vanishing, replaced by a self-deprecating smile: "I'm starting to regret it a little, regretting that I told Xiao Han too much before."

"What are you saying? I am only grateful to Sister Ningguang!" Han Fulai said seriously. "It was Sister Ningguang who guided me step by step into the realm of thinking about the Seven Rulers of the Mortal World, and taught me to see the big picture. Only then did I gain a little self-awareness."

“If Sister Ningguang hadn’t regarded me, the Vice Minister of the Moon Sea Pavilion, as an equal to the Seven Stars of Liyue, how would I have been qualified to propose a contract to Sister Ningguang? A contract is an agreement that can only exist between equal parties. Otherwise, all that exists is the plunder of the weak by the strong.”

“Now I finally understand how much Miss Gan Yu and Mr. Zhong Li value you.” Ning Guang sighed. “Fortunately, Xiao Han, you are still willing to call me ‘sister’.”

"Politics is all about making as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible. Sister Ningguang has been raising an army for a thousand days, and now that the time has come to use me, how can I not repay her?" Han Fulai blinked, his face full of sincerity.

"I've heard about the long-standing animosity between the Liyue Seven Stars and the Liyue Sages. But the Sages are comrades-in-arms of the Geo Archon, fighting alongside him 3,700 years ago. They can be considered founding heroes of Liyue. If there are two factions in Liyue, which is ruled by the Sages, then naturally one faction will represent the interests of the Liyue Sages."

"Sister Ningguang must have known a few things before I entered the Moonsea Pavilion: I made a contract with Miss Ganyu, drank with the Emperor, and stayed at Miss Yanfei's house. So in Sister Ningguang's eyes, I am Ganyu's person, and I represent the interests of the Liyue Immortals."

So on the day the results were announced, Ningguang, a high-ranking member of the Seven Stars of Heavenly Power, was willing to condescend to come and promote him, accompany him through the streets, invite him to the Jade Pavilion, and even actively recruit him, willing to address him as her brother. Han Fulai had already figured everything out by this time.

If Ningguang had been preparing for the Emperor's retirement ever since she learned of the Golden House's closure, then everything makes sense. Because Han Fulai was a crucial pawn in the communication between humans and immortals, and Ningguang, the decision-maker of Liyue's intelligence agency, had long been laying the groundwork for this day.

"After Ningguang invited me to the Jade Pavilion that day, the news spread throughout Liyue Harbor a few days later. At least, the upper echelons of Liyue knew about it. This means that in the eyes of the upper echelons of Liyue, such as the other Seven Stars, I am Ningguang's person again."

"Therefore, in the Moon Sea Pavilion, I am an immortal; in the Jade Pavilion, I am a human."

If a newspaper in Liyue wanted to promote me, it would probably write something like "A perfect blend of human and immortal, a natural masterpiece, a dual choice, a new path." This is what it means to live out the value of the united front! Han Fulai mentally mocked himself.

Although Han Fulai's words might sound like he's a fence-sitter, the contract he signed with Gan Yu was originally intended to bring the greatest benefit to the people of Liyue. As for his switching between the two factions, that's beyond the contract's control. Whether they're immortals or humans, they're all serving the people of Liyue!

“The immortals have signed a contract with the Emperor to protect Liyue Harbor, so the Liyue Seven Stars are of course not qualified to command them. But I am different. I have drunk wine with the Emperor, I have dined with the Emperor, and I have even accompanied the Emperor in the farewell ceremony for immortals. In the eyes of the immortals, I am more of the Emperor’s person.”

"What the Liyue Seven Stars lack most right now is military strength. And coincidentally, what the Liyue Ascetics have is military strength."

“But the conflict between the Liyue Immortals and the Seven Stars has not truly been resolved. The power of the Immortals is ultimately just an external force and does not truly belong to the Seven Stars government.” Ningguang frowned slightly, considering the more distant future.

Han Fulai smiled slightly at this.

"Ningguang, what is the purpose of Liyue establishing the Thousand Rock Army?"

"Naturally, it's to protect Liyue."

"No, it's about making people believe that Liyue is protected."

"To convince the Winter Solstice people?"

"Let the people of Liyue and the people of Winterfell know."

Many things, Han Fulai didn't need to say out loud, Ningguang naturally understood.

The Thousand Rock Army alone could not protect Liyue during its turbulent times. But with the help of the Liyue Sages, things are different.

Han Fulai's special status, coupled with Gan Yu's support, makes it easy for him to gain the help of the Liyue Sage. With the Liyue Sage's combat power, Liyue's strength will naturally rise to a new level. At the same time, Han Fulai is also a civil servant in the Liyue Seven Stars government, serving as the permanent deputy minister of the Moonlit Pavilion; helping him is naturally helping the Seven Stars government.

Although the Liyue Immortal acted because of his contract with the Emperor, not for the sake of the Seven Stars of Liyue, that's not important. What's important is to make the people of Liyue believe that the Immortal will act for the Seven Stars government.

"Investment is about confidence. As long as people have confidence in the Liyue Seven Stars and in Liyue itself, Mora will definitely make it back." This is a sentence that Ningguang taught me before, Han Fulai said.

Ningguang smiled and said, "Tell me, how should I cooperate with you next?"

Han Fulai stood up and bowed to Ningguang again.

"The first step is for Lady Ningguang to go out of the city with Lady Keqing of Yuheng to welcome the Asgardians on the day they arrive."

Chapter 64 The Longest Day in Liyue's History (Part 5)

Northern outskirts of Liyue Harbor.

A white crane and a purple-haired girl with pigtails are glaring at each other fiercely, as if they are competing to see whose eyes are bigger.

The white crane was naturally the True Lord Liuyun Jiefeng, and the purple-haired girl with twin ponytails was none other than Keqing, one of the Seven Stars of Liyue.

Behind the white crane stood a row of Liyue Immortals, including the Deer-like Moon-Slaying True Lord, the Yellow Crane-like Water-Controlling Mountain-Stacking True Lord, the Demon-Slaying Great Saint Xiao, and the Song-Dust Wave-Market True Lord Granny Ping.

Behind Ke Qing stood Tianquan Ningguang, Feng Yan, the instructor of the Qianyan Army, and hundreds of Qianyan Army soldiers under his command.

Gan Yu looked quite tired. She stood between the two sides, having been trying to prevent a conflict from breaking out, but to no avail.

Her master, Liu Yun Zhenjun, confident in his eloquence, volunteered to use his exceptional speaking skills to ask the Seven Stars of Liyue for the truth. Gan Yu was caught in the middle, torn between disobeying her master and falling out with the Seven Stars.

At this moment, the two sides were locked in a tense standoff, as if separated by an invisible chasm, with a clear distinction between humans and immortals.

With a furious outstretched wings, Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun demanded angrily, "What foolish things have you Liyue Seven Stars done, sealing off the scene, interrogating mortals, and hunting down assassins? How could a mortal assassinate an emperor?"

Ke Qing was not to be outdone and retorted sarcastically: "It seems that True Lord Liu Yun must know who the assassin of the Emperor is?"

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "Whoever is covering up the truth is naturally the prime suspect! You've been investigating for so long, have you found the murderer?"

"We, the Seven Stars of Liyue, are so busy every day trying to find the real culprit, yet we are treated as suspects by you immortals? You immortals usually don't concern yourselves with worldly affairs, but now you're not afraid of trouble and have all shown up just to suppress the Seven Stars?" Keqing looked indignant, and with a flick of her head, her purple twin ponytails almost swept across the face of Liuyun Jiefeng Zhenjun.

The Cloud-Borrowing True Lord was so angry that his feathers stood on end and his whole body seemed to swell up.

"How dare you! We, the immortals of Liyue, have upheld our covenant with the Emperor since ancient times, protecting you mortals. How dare you speak to me in such an attitude?"

Ke Qing showed no fear and coldly retorted, "Is this the kind of condescending arrogance you're referring to as 'protection'?"

"You!" Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun stretched out a wing and pointed it at Ke Qing, "Go ahead and stir things up! Keep stirring things up! Keep making Liyue Harbor panic! Keep making Liyue chaotic! I will simply suppress all of you Seven Stars!"

"Then you underestimate me too much!" Ke Qing pulled out the hairpin from her head, and the purple divine eye on her body suddenly shone brightly, with wisps of purple electricity flowing endlessly.

Seeing this, Ningguang stepped forward and stood beside Keqing, seemingly to mediate the fight, but secretly forming a magic seal in her hand, ready to intervene at any moment.

Enraged, Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhen Jun turned and glared angrily at Granny Ping.

"Ge Chenlang City True Lord, the assassins have already revealed themselves! Keqing is one, and Ningguang is another!"

When Han Fulai arrived at the northern outskirts of Liyue Harbor, he saw Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun roaring to the sky, and Ke Qing's body crackling with purple electricity, ready to unleash his power.

He strode into the center of the crowd, bowed deeply, and said loudly, "Greetings to all the immortals, greetings to Lord Tianquan and Lord Yuheng. I am Han Fulai, the Executive Vice Minister of Yuehaiting, and I have important information to report to Lord Gan Yu, the Executive Secretary of Yuehaiting!"

His words first placed the greetings to the immortals before Liyue's Seven Stars, implying the immortals' high status, and then deliberately mentioned Gan Yu's position at the Moonsea Pavilion, suggesting that Gan Yu, as an immortal, was still serving in the Seven Stars government and that official business was his priority.

Seeing an opportunity to back down, Gan Yu quickly stepped forward to separate Liu Yun and Ke Qing, and said to Han Fu, "Mr. Han, please speak."

Han Fulai approached Gan Yu and deliberately spoke in a low voice that could still be heard by those around him: "The Fools' chief executor, Tartaglia, just broke into the Golden House, a sacred place in Liyue, seemingly plotting against the Celestial Ancestor's remains."