Mondstadt is not like Liyue.
Liyue's exploration of resources, in fact, compared to Mora, is more concerned with the added value brought by resource dumping.
For example, increasing influence and gaining the advantage of resource monopoly.
Using resource dumping to control and restrict power.
Therefore, what Liyue needs more is to improve the strength of the human stratum.
So their focus was on alchemy potions and enchantments.
Coupled with the fact that they came early and planned this world step by step with Jiang Xuan,
From scratch, Liyue laid a solid foundation.
But Mondstadt is different.
The Grand Master's expedition took away most of the main force and Mora, and Dvalin's rampage affected commercial development.
Mondstadt now, to be honest, is even short on food.
Simply put, Mondstadt lacks everything.
Indeed, as Ningguang said before, Mondstadt's current entry is based on the premise that Liyue and Jiang Xuan have already laid the foundation.
In this situation, Mondstadt's development should actually accelerate.
But the bad thing is that the world has already been largely handled by Jiang Xuan and his group.
At the very least, the immediate situation has been mostly dealt with.
And the unique features of that world require Jean and the others to take time to master.
In addition, while simultaneous development is possible, they don't have that much strength.
Don't think of Liyue deploying thousands of Millelith and miners in minutes.
The Millelith and miners themselves are numerous and not dispersed.
Naturally, arrangements can be made easily.
Rex Lapis, who can decide the world with a single word, gave instructions, and the Liyue Qixing, at the peak of power, assisted.
They can devote themselves entirely to settling in.
As for Mondstadt.
The people of Mondstadt will listen to Jean, but it is, after all, a nation of freedom.
Unlike a nation of contracts...
Therefore, what applies to Liyue may not necessarily apply to Mondstadt.
For a time, Jean had no idea where to start.
Reason told her that their appropriation shouldn't be too blatant, but emotion told her that Mondstadt lacked all these things and needed to take them all...
Jean's face was a little lost and helpless.
Ningguang gently shook her head, not directly pointing it out, but instead guided her:
"Jean, what do you think is most important to Mondstadt?"
Jean answered decisively and seriously:
"The countless people of Mondstadt!"
Ningguang's eyes showed some relief.
Although Jean's methods were still a bit naive, her mindset had always been correct.
Given time, Jean would naturally become a true Grand Master, revered by the people of Mondstadt.
But now that Mondstadt was cooperating with Liyue, Ningguang didn't mind helping Jean evolve a step early.
"The most important thing for Mondstadt is the citizens who constitute it. So, you must consider it from their perspective. What do they need most right now?"
"Is it... a sense of security?"
Jean asked curiously.
Her mind was still operating under the thinking style of a military organization like the Knights.
The Knights are responsible for Mondstadt's public order, but...
A nation cannot survive on public order alone.
A leader cannot only consider safety.
"Jean, you are the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, but you cannot just be the Acting Grand Master. You cannot think only from the perspective of the Knights."
Ningguang didn't find it boring and taught Jean with great interest.
"I won't comment on Mondstadt's system, but no matter what, Mondstadt is not just the Knights of Favonius."
"All your public departments cooperating together are the true upper echelon of Mondstadt, and you are the one who needs to control Mondstadt's power structure and set the overall direction."
"Economy, military, and people's livelihoods—you must consider them all."
"As far as I know, after the Dragon's rampage, Mondstadt's trade routes were cut off, grain production plummeted, and many people couldn't get enough to eat."
"And the news that you've resolved the Dragon's rampage hasn't spread throughout Teyvat yet, so commercial trade will be difficult to restore in the short term."
"Economy is linked to people's livelihoods, and people's livelihoods are related to overall national strength."
"Now, Jean, what do you think Mondstadt needs?"
Ningguang's words had guided her this far, and Jean was smart; she immediately understood.
"Mondstadt... needs economic sources and to ensure people's livelihoods!"
Ningguang nodded slightly and chuckled:
"That's right, external security is indeed a source of public safety, but if people can't eat and have no Mora, even if you say Mondstadt's strength can protect them when they go out,"
"Will they care?"
"The urgent task is for Mondstadt to earn Mora, establish its reputation, and solve the people's living problems, then the economy will grow rapidly."
"Coupled with your ability to dump resources and quickly recover funds, it will be much easier for you to do whatever you want later."
"Jiang Xuan once told me..."
Ningguang glanced at Jiang Xuan, who was still rubbing Nahida's belly, her gaze gentle.
"Money in hand, no worries in mind."
"As long as there is Mora, as long as the people earn Mora and their quality of life improves, they will be the most loyal supporters of all your decisions."
"This applies to any nation, whether it's the free Mondstadt or the contract-bound Liyue."
"This is human nature..."
Jean took it to heart, nodding seriously and engraving these words deeply in her memory.
Diluc and Lisa also cast grateful glances at Ningguang.
Undoubtedly, Jean is truly the leader suitable for Mondstadt.
The Knights of Favonius have become somewhat stagnant, and during this time, Jean must acquire enough knowledge to continue leading Mondstadt.
Ningguang's guidance couldn't be better.
"What I said above is one aspect."
Ningguang chuckled and shook her head.
"Secondly, for alchemy potions and enchantments, you don't even understand the world's unique characteristics yet, so naturally, you won't grasp these things."
"Therefore, for you, resource dumping to acquire Mora is the best starting point at this stage."
"After this path stabilizes for a while, you must begin to increase your own strength."
"Without strength, merely having Mora will only make you a fat sheep in others' eyes, ready to be slaughtered at any moment."
Saying that, Ningguang proudly raised her head and said spiritedly:
"Like Liyue, we have ample Mora, and coupled with resource dumping, it brings in even more Mora."
"Everyone speculates whether we have made significant discoveries or gains, but no one dares to investigate."
"They need to trade under the rules we set, and fundamentally, they understand that they cannot afford to provoke Liyue."
"With Rex Lapis and the Adepti above, and the increasingly strong Millelith below, they dare not test us!"
"Mondstadt must have channels to earn Mora, and also the strength to protect that Mora."
"Perhaps you cannot simultaneously develop these two points for now, but in the future, you must possess both."
Jean fell into a deep state of enlightenment.
Lisa, standing nearby, shook her head with emotion.
Previously, Jean's thinking was indeed somewhat rigid.
As Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, she focused solely on Mondstadt's safety.
But Jean, who adhered to the chivalric code, seemed to have forgotten that Grand Master Varka doesn't just command the Knights.
As the highest authority in Mondstadt's power structure, the Grand Master needs to understand the entire situation of Mondstadt.
Guiding the development of all Mondstadt.
Protecting Mondstadt is merely one of the duties of the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.
"As expected of Tianquan Ningguang, with such a mindset and such methods, our Jean still has much to learn..."
Jean also knew that she couldn't compare to Ningguang in the short term.
She didn't feel sad about it.
Ningguang had risen step by step from the very bottom, having seen and experienced much more than her.
How many years had Ningguang governed Liyue?
How long had she been Acting Grand Master?
This was a difference in quality and quantity that could only be slowly overcome with time.
"I've decided."
Jean's face became serious as she said earnestly:
"In the initial phase, we will deploy five hundred people to develop resources, collect Lucky Blocks, announce the reopening of trade routes to Teyvat, and quickly restore Mondstadt's economy and people's livelihoods."
"Then, we will begin to arm the Knights of Favonius!"
"Senior Diluc, can I entrust you with commercial trade matters?"
At this moment, Jean, having experienced a full day of impact, already possessed the true authority of a leader.
Diluc's lips curled into a slight smile. If it had been the Grand Master or the old Jean who said this, he would have simply walked away with a cold expression.
But now...
He saw the presence of the Lion of the South, one of the Four Winds, a roar that could truly lead Mondstadt to rise.
Nodding, Diluc said in a deep voice:
"I will contact the Underground Intelligence Organization for cooperation."
Jean then looked at Ningguang and slowly said:
"Ningguang, can the alliance agreement signed between Mondstadt and Liyue also be circulated?"
Ningguang smiled and nodded.
"The path from weakness to strength is difficult, and borrowing influence is a good option. Of course, you can."
Putting everything else aside, even if Mondstadt were targeted by the Fatui due to massive resource dumping,
Just by relying on Liyue's mutual defense agreement, the Fatui would have to think twice.
They might not care about Mondstadt, but they couldn't disregard Liyue.
Moreover, this contract was signed by Rex Lapis and Barbatos.
Who could guarantee that if they attacked Mondstadt, Rex Lapis wouldn't bring the Adepti to overturn the table?
"The specific terms of the contract..."
Ningguang gently reminded her, and Jean nodded.
"I understand, some things will not be disclosed."
Ningguang smiled kindly.
"You can stay in Liyue for now. I'll activate your cross-nation teleportation authority. Just notify me if you need to return."
"Additionally, resource gathering won't be implemented quickly. During this time, you can purchase resources from Liyue at an internal price."
"You decide the price at which you sell them externally."
Jean nodded gratefully.
As for the selling price...
Although Ningguang said they could decide it themselves, if they truly disrupted the market Liyue had established, Ningguang would certainly not be happy.
However, Diluc would be responsible for this matter, as Jean wasn't very skilled in commerce.
"During this time, our task is to familiarize ourselves with the characteristics of that world..."
Jean said softly. Jiang Xuan, for once, looked up and smiled:
"Not just that, you also need to learn how to utilize these characteristics in Teyvat."
"As Lisa said, you lack food, so you can use the soil from that world to replace land, cultivate on a large scale, and with bone meal, you can quickly solve the food problem in a short time."
"Besides that, there's Villager Technology and various essential survival technologies."
"Like iron farms and mob grinders, you need to learn all of these."
"As for choosing a location to build the Mondstadt base..."
Jiang Xuan paused, thought for a moment, and then said softly:
"We will be going on a long trip these two days."
"After I place the beacon tomorrow and confirm its effects, we will continue our journey to find the End Portal."
"During this process, you can also look for suitable places to set up camp and plan ahead."
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).