He changed Tiwat

"And those gossip newspapers, writing things like 'The great captain who traveled to seven countries went to great lengths just to win Ningguang's smile'—Beidou sent me things because she paid a fine for smuggling contraband!"

"Yes, yes, they also made up stories about me—'Keqing's boudoir is full of Emperor memorabilia, suspected to be a die-hard fan of the Geo God,' but I'm not a little girl anymore!"

"If there are any inaccuracies in the reporting in the future, they should be held accountable!"

"Those annoying reporters, they're always trying to create a big story!"

Ningguang and Keqing chatted back and forth, unknowingly starting a media rant session, expressing deep sympathy for each other's plight, and even feeling a sense of mutual understanding.

"Ahem." Han Fulai coughed, interrupting the two Seven Star Lords' complaints. "After various media outlets 'forced the truth out of rumors,' in order to promote it as their own achievement, they will attack the rumors from afar while emphasizing the 'truth' they have investigated, pretending that they spread rumors in the first place in order to find the truth."

"After media reporters and opinion experts from all walks of life refuted the rumors of the Golden House's production halt from various angles, the secret of the Golden House's production halt no longer had any value to fools."

“Follow the path of the Fatui and leave them with nowhere to go,” Ningguang laughed. “In this way, even if the Fatui spread rumors in Liyue Harbor, no one will believe them anymore. And the credibility of Liyue currency will also be promoted. It can be said to be killing two birds with one stone.”

Chapter 48: Telling a colossal lie that makes all of Teyvat dance to its tune.

Ke Qing thought for a moment and asked Han Fulai, "But in reality, even if we prevent the influence of rumors, the fact that Mora has stopped production remains unchanged. The Mora currently in the Golden House will eventually run out. What should we do then?"

“As long as Liyue coins can actually circulate, this won’t be a problem,” Han Fulai replied.

“Because I plan to establish a ‘Liyue National Bank’ based on the reserves in the Golden House. At the same time, legislation will stipulate that only the ‘Liyue National Bank’ has the right to print Liyue coins, and all transactions within Liyue can be settled in Liyue coins,” Ningguang said.

"In this way, the Mora replaced by Liyue Coins will no longer be lost in large quantities due to circulation, but will be converted into a precious metal similar to gold and stored as a guarantee of the monetary value of Liyue Coins. Even if we just sit and do nothing, we can live off it for a very long time."

"...Using Liyue Coins as vouchers for Mora can indeed alleviate the pressure caused by the Mora shortage, but only within Liyue itself. What about Liyue's foreign trade? The other six countries may not accept Liyue Coins, especially Winterfell. Moreover, we don't know what tactics the Northern Bank will use in this economic war." Keqing astutely identified the crux of the problem.

Han Fulai sighed inwardly. Keqing, after all, came from a merchant family and had an innate intuition for financial systems. Even though Teyvat had used metal currency for over three thousand years and had never had the concept of paper money, Keqing had discovered the weakness of Liyue coins as a "substitute currency."

The reason why Liyue coins, a type of paper currency, can circulate in the market and serve as a medium of exchange is because they are backed by a substantial amount of precious metals, and can also be freely exchanged for metallic currency at the "Liyue National Bank," which issues Liyue coins.

Whether it's a self-directed and self-acted refutation drama or a regulation that Liyue Coins will be used for domestic settlements, the value of Liyue Coins ultimately depends on their ability to be exchanged for Mora. In this situation, Liyue Coins are merely equivalent to deposit certificates at money shops, or a type of bank check. The Liyue National Bank can only issue a corresponding amount of Liyue Coins based on the amount of reserves held.

There's still one step to take from "representative money" to "credit money"—

"So we need to find ways to further enhance the credibility of Liyue Coins, and then over-issue them. For example, if there is only one Mora in the Golden House, we can issue a Liyue Coin worth ten Mora. As long as there is no run on the bank, Liyue Coins can continue to be issued, and as long as Liyue Coins have credibility, there will be no run on the bank," Han Fulai said.

"How can we improve the credibility of Liyue Coins?" Keqing wondered. In her view, even with the credit of the Liyue Seven Stars government as a guarantee, over-issuing Liyue Coins was quite risky. Furthermore, the Northern Bank of Pantarone was eyeing the market covetously, and Pantarone knew that the Golden House didn't have enough reserves.

"Tell a colossal lie, and make all of Teyvat dance!"

Han Fulai waved his arm.

"If the Golden House can continue to mint Mora indefinitely, then the credit of Liyue Coins will be infinite!"

The problem is…

"The problem is that the Golden House can't build Mora anymore, right?" Han Fulai smiled. "Then does Lady Keqing know what infinite Mora is?"

"It is inexhaustible," Ke Qing replied.

“Even during the Emperor’s reign, Mora was never inexhaustible; the Emperor needed to mint new Mora every year to put on the market,” Han Fulai said. “But you are willing to believe that the Mora in the Golden House is unlimited.”

"For me, a mere civil servant of Yuehaiting with a fixed salary, Lady Ningguang's wealth is inexhaustible. Lady Keqing's wealth is also inexhaustible. Compared to me, you possess limitless wealth!"

As a time traveler from China, Han Fulai was naturally aware that countries around the world were over-issuing currency. Banks, for individuals, possessed sufficiently substantial capital; as long as the public had confidence in the banks' capital, there would be no bank runs.

“You mean to say that infinity is a relative concept.” Ningguang’s eyes lit up, and she understood what Han Fulai meant.

She already knew that the Rock King Emperor had forged Mora from his own flesh and blood, and that the Emperor's flesh and blood were not infinite, nor was Mora itself infinite. But for mortals, the Emperor, who had lived for over six thousand years, was already equivalent to infinity.

Ningguang's resources alone aren't enough to cover Mora's payments, so let's add Keqing's. If two aren't enough, let's add Qixing's. If Qixing's aren't enough, then let's add all of Liyue's...

"That's exactly right. For Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing, the Mora possessed by the entire Liyue region is also infinite. And for Liyue, the Mora possessed by the seven kingdoms of Teyvat is still infinite!"

"You mean, collect all the Mora in Liyue to use as reserves for the Golden House... and go even further, collect all the Mora in Teyvat!" Keqing finally understood Han Fulai's plan.

"First, we need to get the entire Liyue Sept Council involved and inject capital into the Liyue National Bank." Han Fulai stared at Keqing and Ningguang. "This is the first step in enhancing the credibility of Liyue currency. Let's have the collective funds of the Sept Council as reserves for our Golden House."

Keqing hesitated and said, "But the Liyue Seven Stars all know that the Golden House has actually stopped production. I don't think they have much confidence in Liyue coins."

"Then let them have the will, and coerce them." A fierce glint flashed in Han Fulai's eyes.

“Coercion…coercion…” Ke Qing stammered.

“No problem.” Ningguang seemed completely unfazed, as if Han Fulai was speaking of something perfectly natural.

Ke Qing put her hand to her forehead.

"Wait, wait a minute, isn't this going a bit too far..."

“My private secretary, Bai Xiao, has left a top-secret confession from Mao Cai Gong and his son, which contains evidence of some people colluding with the Fools. If necessary, I can take it out and read it to them,” Ning Guang said nonchalantly.

"The next step was to have the 'Liyue National Bank' start accepting savings from Liyue residents and open up the Mora to Liyue currency exchange service."

"Then, we need to demonstrate the flourishing economy of Liyue. Ideally, we should undertake a large-scale project and settle accounts using Liyue Coins as a symbol of the full circulation of Liyue Coins. This task depends on Ningguang and Keqing," Han Fulai continued.

“No problem.” Ningguang readily agreed. “The renovation project of the Jade Pavilion is underway. I will announce the start of the bidding process for the Jade Pavilion renovation project in a while, and the payment will be made in Liyue Credits.”

"As for the project... I also have a plan." Ke Qing thought for a moment and agreed.

"Finally, let's not forget what we can best unite the people of Liyue right now." Han Fulai winked, "The Lantern Festival, the fireworks display, then the music, then the dancing."

Chapter Forty-Nine: This is what is meant by winning a victory in the imperial court.

Han Fulai's strategy, to put it bluntly, can be summed up in eight words: "You do your thing, I'll do mine."

Undeniably, Pantalone achieved a complete tactical victory in this incident.

Obtaining classified information, seizing the Stone Amber, manipulating everyone with ease and escaping unscathed—this completely redefined Han Fulai's understanding of the Fools' Executors. If Tartaglia is used as the standard for Executor intelligence, Tartaglia is at least one Ningguang plus one Han Fulai behind Pantalone.

Han Fulai still doesn't understand Pantalone's purpose in seizing the amber, nor can he predict what kind of offensive Pantalone will launch using the information about the Golden House's production halt. In this situation, if he loses his composure and blindly guesses the opponent's next move, he will only fall into a completely passive position.

Following conventional thinking—predicting which of Liyue's industries the Northern Bank might target next, preparing for the worst, and investing heavily to protect Liyue's key assets—will only hand over the initiative to Winter. If they can choose to attack anywhere you want, and you can only wait to be attacked, there's clearly no way out.

Han Fulai's proposal, however, went in the opposite direction—that offense is the best defense.

The "Liyue Currency - Mora" system is a monetary system that surpasses Teyvat's by hundreds of years, something beyond the comprehension of anyone on Teyvat. Once this system is established, let alone an economic war with the mere Winter's End Kingdom, the entire continent of Teyvat will be under the rule of Liyue Currency! It is Liyue's most powerful weapon!

Han Fulai didn't know how much breathing room Pantarone would give Liyue; perhaps not for long. Given Pantarone's wisdom as the strongest banker in Teyvat, once he heard that Ningguang had begun issuing Liyue coins, he would surely realize the immense danger involved and would inevitably try to stop it.

But if there's an opportunity to complete this monetary system first, we must do it! Ningguang and Keqing are both businessmen, and businessmen know that the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

Whatever Pantalone wants to do, all he needs to do is ensure that Liyue's economic position is not shaken by Winter Country.

Just as Han Fulai had foreseen, the reason Pantarone was able to exploit such a loophole in the fireworks display was because Liyue had lost politically first. If Liyue had sufficient military strength, strong grassroots control, efficient government departments, and stable public sentiment... then Pantarone wouldn't have been able to exploit this weakness in the fireworks display.

The "Liyue Currency - Mora" system planned by Han Fulai can be described in the words of "Zou Ji Advises King Qi to Accept Criticism" as "this is what is meant by winning a battle in the court."

However, the Liyue currency system was not easy to establish; there were many hurdles to overcome.

The two major challenges they currently face are the capital and confidence required for large-scale issuance of Liyue coins.

In terms of capital, according to the plan that Han Fulai just discussed with Ningguang, the first step is to rely on the Liyue Septate to invest in the "Liyue National Bank".

But this first step is precisely the most difficult part—the Liyue Septate, as the name suggests, consists of seven people. Although these seven people jointly lead the Liyue Septate government, they are never of one mind.

Leaving aside others, Ningguang and Keqing alone have various ideological conflicts and frequent disagreements. If it weren't for Pantarone, their common enemy, these two probably wouldn't have joined forces. Each of the Seven Stars has their own area of ​​responsibility and interests, and naturally, they each have their own ideas. Even Ningguang, who has the highest prestige, cannot influence the will of the other Seven Stars.

Although Han Fulai and Ningguang had planned to pilot the distribution of Liyue Coins during the Immortal Invocation Ceremony, and then gradually persuade several Stars to join the project once sufficiently enticing results were achieved, they no longer had time to wait now that the secret of the Golden House had been exposed.

Therefore, when Keqing asked how to get Seven Stars to invest in the Liyue National Bank, Han Fulai answered with the word "coercion".

As Yue Haiting's secretary and staff member, Han Fulai's words were undoubtedly inappropriate. Even if he meant it that way, there were theoretically better ways to express it. Ke Qing was simply not the type of person to use such methods.

However, Han Fulai's words were not meant for Keqing, but for Ningguang.

Ningguang took the initiative to accept the task, indicating that she would use her political resources to complete it.

This is the tacit understanding between Han Fulai and Ningguang—Ningguang will find a way to solve the mistakes she makes.

As the person in charge of this year's Lantern Festival, Ningguang approved Keqing's proposal to hold the fireworks display despite knowing the potential safety risks. She even foresaw the risk of fireworks explosions and prepared contingency plans in advance, including having the Chiiwa Army's mobile force handle the situation.

—The reason she didn't stop the fireworks display was precisely because she wanted to help Keqing solve the problems she encountered at the fireworks display, do Keqing a favor, and win Keqing over as her political ally.

When Ningguang had a private conversation with him the morning before yesterday, entrusting him to help Keqing organize the fireworks display, he already understood Ningguang's intentions.

Even if Ke Qing didn't actively ask Gan Yu to transfer Han Fulai, Han Fulai believed that Ning Guang would definitely transfer him to Ke Qing's side to help her prepare for the fireworks display. Ning Guang had clearly planned it all along.

Ningguang wanted Han Fulai to act as a safety net for Keqing, ensuring that Keqing wouldn't cause any unmanageable accidents at the fireworks display. She also implied that Han Fulai could turn to her for help should anything happen at the fireworks display, so Han Fulai always believed Ningguang could handle it.

The reason Han Fulai specifically instructed Keqing to inform Ningguang when he sent her back to Liyue Harbor to arrest Pengyi was because of this consideration.

If Ningguang, having recognized the risks of the fireworks display, had forcefully refused to hold it in her capacity as the head of the Lantern Festival, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.

Clearly, Ningguang had miscalculated as well. Therefore, Ningguang readily took responsibility.

Han Fulai had heard from Gan Yu that Mao Cai Gong and his son had confessed a lot of dirty secrets about the Seven Stars and wealthy families who had improper dealings with them. Ning Guang would probably make good use of this information.

Moreover, Pantalone's ability to accurately abduct Maocai Gong and his son from the General Affairs Department's prison, and his knowledge that the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild's stone amber was stored in a warehouse next to the General Affairs Department, all indicate that he has intelligence sources within the Seven Star Government!

The Huishan Hall, which controls mineral resources, the Dali Hall, which controls criminal justice, and the General Affairs Department… these key departments have likely been infiltrated by the Fools. Without Han Fu needing to remind her, Ningguang would begin her investigation. Although, given Pantalone's meticulousness, Ningguang probably wouldn't be able to find his hidden pawns, she could at least take preventative measures. Next time Pantalone wanted to do something, it wouldn't be so simple.

Chapter Fifty Someone Leaves a Light On for You

If this "Liyue Currency - Mora" system is successfully established, the Liyue National Bank will be able to centralize Liyue's funds, and Ningguang will not be hampered by the Seven Stars' individual agendas. Moreover, the Seven Stars government will have sufficient budget to increase the manpower of the Thousand Rock Army, and more funds to increase government employees, strengthening its control over remote areas such as Qingce Village.

As a form of fiat currency, the successful issuance and circulation of Liyue Coins signifies that the Liyue government has gained sufficient trust and can further enhance Liyue's national strength.

In Ningguang's words, "This is Liyue's next phase of national policy."

Another pressing issue regarding the Liyue currency system is boosting the confidence of the people of Liyue in Liyue currency.

Although Han Fulai, Ningguang, and Keqing discussed a series of strategies, whether they would be effective or not would only be known after the pilot issuance of Liyue coins.

According to their agreed plan, Ningguang was responsible for resolving the situation on Jade Palace, coercing, or rather, persuading the other Stars to support the Liyue National Bank and issue Liyue currency.

Keqing is responsible for ensuring the success of the Lantern Festival and fireworks display, while also disguising the construction of the Golden House.

While Ke Qing was busy preparing for the Lantern Festival and the construction of the Golden House, the overall coordination of the fireworks display fell to Han Fulai. As Ke Qing's current temporary personal secretary, Han Fulai had no choice but to take on this responsibility.

"I was only temporarily assigned to help out... Why did the work suddenly become mine while I was helping out...?"

As the proposer of Liyue's next phase of national policy, Han Fulai walked back to Gan Yu's office with droopy eyelids.

He thought to himself: If I have the chance, I must go to Mondstadt and ask the astrologer Mona if I am destined to work overtime no matter where I go.

It was past four in the morning, and the secretaries in Yuehaiting's office had already gone to bed.

Han Fulai pushed open the door and saw only a solitary lamp burning dimly. Gan Yu was slumped over the desk, seemingly asleep.

Han Fulai gently closed the door, not wanting to wake Gan Yu, but then he heard Gan Yu's voice: "You're back."

He turned around and found Gan Yu looking up at him, her purple eyes full of worry, showing no trace of sleepiness.

It turns out Gan Yu wasn't asleep.

"Why isn't Lord Gan Yu resting yet? You still have work to do..." Han Fulai replied subconsciously, glancing at Gan Yu's desk, only to find it clean and free of unfinished documents.

Han Fulai suddenly understood.

Gan Yu neither slept nor worked overtime; she was simply waiting for someone, waiting for him to come back.

It turns out that among the millions of lights in Liyue, there was one that was left on for him.

Han Fulai suddenly felt he had a lot to say, but when it came to the last sentence, it all came out as—

"Gan Yu, I'm back."

Exhausted from the past few days, Han Fulai slept until noon the next day.

When he woke up, Gan Yu was no longer in the office. Last night, Han Fulai explained the current situation to Gan Yu and asked him to help Ningguang persuade Qixing to join the Liyue Coin issuance plan at the upcoming Yujingtai meeting. Gan Yu should be in the Yujingtai meeting room with the Liyue Qixing right now.

Han Fulai also had things he wanted to accomplish.

As Ke Qing's temporary personal secretary on Yuheng Star, Han Fulai met with Ms. Jiang Zhou, the person in charge of the construction of "Mingxiao Lantern," and Ms. Wang Ya, the person in charge of "Xiaoshi."

After mourning the death of Pengyi with them, Han Fulai explained that he was now in charge of coordinating the fireworks display.

Based on the fireworks display plan that he had discussed with Ke Qing by the campfire that night, Han Fulai asked Jiang Zhou to be in charge of organizing the fireworks display.

Jiang Zhou only needed to check the construction progress of "Mingxiao Lantern" on a daily basis. The rest of the time, Jiang Zhou actually stood near "Xiaoshi" chatting with Wang Ya.

Jiang Zhou already had experience in coordinating the Lantern Festival and was a civil servant in the General Affairs Department, so she was adept at personnel organization, management, and resource allocation. The job Han Fulai gave her was exactly what Jiang Zhou was good at. Jiang Zhou already found this review work rather tedious, so after receiving the appointment and taking the fireworks planning and layout drawings, she went to the General Affairs Department to allocate manpower.

The construction site of the "Mingxiao Lantern" was right next to "Xiaoshi," and Wang Ya was in charge of coordinating the donated materials for "Xiaoshi," requiring her to be constantly stationed near the "Mingxiao Lantern" construction site at the dock. While Jiang Zhou was helping with the fireworks festival, Wang Ya naturally took on the responsibility of supervising the "Mingxiao Lantern." She could promptly notify the General Affairs Department of any emergencies.

Furthermore, since Ningguang dispatched a team of Thousand Rock soldiers to guard the "Mingxiao Lantern" last night, the "Mingxiao Lantern" is now completely secure, and there is no need for more General Affairs Department civil servants to supervise the construction site. Han Fulai transferred all the surplus staff to the Fireworks Festival and sent them to various parts of Liyue to be responsible for the management of the Fireworks Festival.

Since Peng Yi had already finished producing all the fireworks needed for the fireworks festival, Han Fulai's next task was to wait for the stolen fireworks to be transported back to Liyue Harbor, have them inspected by specialists, and then resend them to various parts of Liyue.

After Han Fulai's planning, the preparations for the fireworks display were on track. All staff members understood their powers and responsibilities, and performed their duties in an orderly manner.

But Han Fulai's work was not over yet; next, he had to meet someone else.

The Hall of Rebirth is located in the southwest corner of Scarlet Cloud Slope, a place that Liyue people generally avoid. Although birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable parts of life for mortals, normal people will not approach this place unless there is a funeral to be held.

Even during the Lantern Festival, the "Hall of Rebirth" is deserted – of course, it would be more problematic if the "Hall of Rebirth" were bustling with activity.