"Good... thank you, Lady Ningguang. You really are our lucky star. Men, announce these beasts to the public. If they want to betray Sumeru, then they must pay the price for it.
Use the stake!"
"Yes, Elder..."
When the barrier shattered, the elder made the decision at once.
He chose to deal with the three of them immediately.
At the same time, their crimes were made public.
The scene from earlier was broadcast as well.
The people outside did not hear good news first. Instead, they saw bad news.
Among the elders' meeting, three spies had actually appeared.
What's more, those shameless people had even tried to assassinate a respected elder.
"They're just animals..."
"And they had the nerve to say it out loud."
"Exactly, exactly..."
The crowd cursed them one after another.
The matter was too vile.
This was not Sumeru City.
In other places, most people had, to some extent, benefited from the elder's help.
So most of the citizens were still able to tell right from wrong.
The good life they had been looking forward to had nearly been ruined.
How could they not be angry?
...
Inside the meeting room.
Ningguang suggested, "Actually, cooperation between the two sides is very simple. We help with building Chenyu Vale, and you are responsible for cultivating medicinal herbs.
You will also sell those herbs to us.
As for Sumeru's specialty, rubber, you will also sell that to us."
"Yes... absolutely yes."
The elder nodded in satisfaction.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. That was certain.
At that moment, another elder said, "We also need a large amount of meat for trade. Could the price be a little more affordable... The people of Chenyu Vale have gone without meat for many years.
They can only eat insects or some birds.
That is nowhere near enough for daily nutrition..."
"This is already included in our trade list. Both sides benefit, so there is no need to worry about that... And we are not only selling meat.
We will also sell fish and shrimp.
They will all be fresh.
I guarantee none of it will have spoiled..."
"And the price?"
"The normal price for fish and shrimp, plus some transport costs. After all, we need to make a living too. We can't work for free..."
"That's wonderful. When can we begin trading?"
That elder was clearly eager.
He cared deeply about people's livelihoods.
At present, Chenyu Vale urgently needed a large amount of resources.
Keqing smiled and said, "I brought enough goods with me. A thousand cattle and sheep each... and about two thousand catties of fish and shrimp..."
"Hiss... that much?"
Everyone was astonished.
If they really had that much, that would be amazing.
"May I ask... can we trade now? It's almost noon... I want to give the children in town a surprise. We do have Mora..."
"Of course. Let's find an open space."
"All right..."
So Keqing left with that elder.
After the matter of livelihood was settled, the elder at the head of the group said to Ningguang, "If you need anything regarding the railway, just give us instructions. Chenyu Vale will fully cooperate with you..."
"Mm, that's easy to say... There's just one thing I want to bring up."
"Please, go ahead..."
"Secure the outside before dealing with internal matters. I think that's the most important thing... Also, the soldiers in Chenyu Vale need more training.
Arrows alone and the current troops here are far too weak...
They are no match for Snezhnaya.
But if our people come to train them, it could look like we are provoking conflict between the two nations... So, regarding training specialized troops, do you need that?"
Before coming here, Ningguang had not expected Sumeru to be this chaotic.
There were traitors right in the elders' meeting.
The situation in the city could be imagined.
Even if an agreement was reached, it would still face attacks from Snezhnaya.
The elder lowered his head and thought for a moment.
This really was a difficult problem.
If they invited outsiders to station troops here, those people would gain leverage.
But if they asked the other side to train them, the cost would also be very high.
After considering it carefully, the elder looked up and asked, "Lady Ningguang... if we ask you to train them, what price would we have to pay?"
"Simple. We will establish a Liyue Bank. And all of you must deposit your Mora into the bank. That way, we can protect the bank and leave the soldiers in place.
As for training, we can discuss that slowly..."
The condition was not fixed.
And the Liyue Bank would be like a nail driven into Sumeru.
Ningguang was using an open strategy.
Once the Liyue Bank started operating, it would be even more effective than Snezhnaya's influence.
But did they have a choice?
The answer was no.
The people of Snezhnaya were shameless and greedy.
Liyue also wanted a hand in Sumeru's affairs, but they could bring real benefits to the country.
And they were sincere about it.
"Then we'll listen to Lady Ningguang... The Liyue Bank can be established in Chenyu Vale, and it will also have the right to station troops here. And we can buy those goods too, right?"
"Of course... That is only proper."
Ningguang nodded with a smile.
She said this was only right.
The two sides continued negotiating trade.
Meanwhile, Keqing and the others were busy preparing lunch.
A large amount of fresh meat was being stewed right on the street.
Because they had used castrated livestock, and because of the breed selection, the pork here was no different from the world Su Han had come from before his transmigration.
On top of that, the meat tasted excellent.
"Wow... so much meat... it smells amazing..."
"Brother Teer, why is there so much meat today? Mom said... meat is very expensive..."
The soldier tending the fire smiled when he heard that and said, "These were all bought by the elders... The price isn't that expensive. And everyone can eat with peace of mind.
There will be meat every day from now on.
And not at some sky-high price."
"Yay!"
The children cheered when they heard there would be meat to eat.
Keqing, Tighnari, and the others looked at the cheering children with smiles.
What was happiness?
This was happiness.
Being full and satisfied, giving the children what they needed.
That was much better than empty knowledge.
"The days ahead will be even happier..."
"Yes, Tighnari... From here on, it depends on you. We can't stay here for long. Once the conference is confirmed to be over, I and the others from Liyue will head back."
"Mm, I understand... Seeing the prosperity of Liyue, I finally know what I should do. Don't worry... I'll work hard!"
This botanist did not want to get involved in these affairs.
But for Chenyu Vale, for Sumeru, he had to do his best.
The meeting lasted until three in the afternoon.
The two sides engaged in intense discussion over the details.
For example, Sumeru would send a large number of people to help with excavation.
They would also keep training soldiers.
Even the herbs in the city, along with many valuable goods, would all be exchanged at fair prices.
Liyue, on the other hand, would excavate the mountains, and even help Chenyu Vale build the city.
At first glance, it seemed like Liyue was taking a loss, but in reality, Ningguang secured thirty percent of the shares for the future.
Just like at Guyun Beach, she actually wanted more.
But the elder really could not bring himself to ask for that much.
After all, too many shares would leave a weakness behind.
This was as much as they could do for now.
"As for some things in Sumeru, you need to build them up... If you want to turn this place into a paradise and attract tourists, then the most basic issue has to be guaranteed.
And that is safety..."
"All right... We'll do everything according to your wishes. Secure the outside before stabilizing the inside. We absolutely cannot let even one spy escape."
The elder had also gone ruthless.
He already had one foot in the grave.
If he did not fight now, he would regret it even in death.
After the meeting ended, the elder asked Keqing for help. Once he confirmed that the personal guard had no problems, he began to hunt down the spies hidden in Chenyu Vale.
This search shocked everyone.
Within the first hour, more than a hundred suspicious people were caught.
And ninety percent of them were spies.
The elder was not angry.
Instead, he adopted the most iron-blooded policy.
No mercy.
If you dared to betray them, then you would be killed.
The city was full of laughter and excitement, while the central square was drenched in blood.
The corpses of the traitors had even piled up into a mountain.
By evening, the elder, looking exhausted, came before everyone and said, "I understand that everyone is very frightened, but... traitors must be punished!!!
If we do not eliminate these people, we will never have good days.
Take Banlusi, for example.
This man lived in Chenyu Vale for ten years, and all the intelligence was sent out by him.
The arson case before was planned by him alone.
Twenty residents died at the time.
All the replacement members were his subordinates.
Should he be killed or not...?"
"Kill him!!"
"Kill him!!!"
"Kill the people of Snezhnaya!!!"
The residents roared in fury.
One murder case after another was now being made public.
Things that had previously been thought of as accidents were now confirmed.
It had all been a scheme by Snezhnaya.
And the common people had known nothing about it.
After those people were purged, the elder also announced good news.
"Everyone has always worried about the children's schooling. This time, please don't worry anymore. Once the railway opens, the students will be able to take the train every day to Liyue's Arcane Throne for classes.
There will be dedicated scholars teaching them.
They will even be able to listen to the teachings of Lady Rosalyne..."
"What? The Witch of Roses... Could it be that one?"
"Hiss... If the children can study under the Witch of Roses, that would be incredible..."
"Yeah..."
This meeting left the people extremely excited.
The hidden traitors had been removed.
Their quality of life had improved.
And the children's education problem had also been resolved.
It was practically perfect.
That same day, Ningguang began selecting a site for the construction of the Liyue Bank.
At the same time, among the people traveling with her, Charlotte Bre was also present.
The mirror capable of piercing through space had finally been activated!
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