Liyue Harbor, within the Three Cups Inn, a man of about 20 years old with handsome features spoke eloquently to another man dressed in a long robe of Xuan yellow with golden eyeshadow, his aura as steady and unyielding as a mountain. “Morax, have you given it any thought? Will you cooperate with me to reform Liyue and this Teyvat continent?
I believe that as the Geo Archon, you should understand the current state of Teyvat. The time you have left is running out.”
The man’s name was Mu Yang, a time traveler. He woke up and found himself in Teyvat.
His cheat had already activated, but there was a condition he needed to fulfill before it could be used. He needed to recruit four specific individuals, otherwise he would be just a normal, unremarkable person.
Recruiting these individuals was proving quite difficult, but since he had landed in Liyue, he sought out the hidden Morax.
Zhongli took a sip of his tea, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. Honestly, he didn’t enjoy having tea with this man. He was poorer than Zhongli, yet always insisted on eating and drinking with him, forcing Zhongli to foot the bill.
However, this man seemed to know quite a lot about him. He could always find Zhongli, and even knew his true identity.
What bothered Zhongli most was that this visitor from another world seemed to possess an extensive understanding of Teyvat, and even had insightful perspectives on Liyue’s policies.
“Is Liyue really that bad?” Finally, Zhongli asked, his voice filled with helplessness.
He always believed he had built Liyue well, but in Mu Yang's words, there were countless flaws.
“There are many issues. Liyue appears prosperous now only because you, Morax, are here, suppressing all the problems. Once you disappear, countless problems within Liyue will emerge.
Having merchants govern the nation is a significant problem in itself. Based on my investigations over the past few days, Ningguang's assets have doubled since she became the Tianquan.
Am I right?” Mu Yang stared at Zhongli.
Zhongli took a sip of tea and slightly nodded. “However, Tianquan has completed her work admirably. In fact, she is the most outstanding Tianquan among all her predecessors.”
“But she will approach problems with a merchant’s mindset. In her eyes, all people are measured by their value, wouldn't you agree?
Liyue can still satisfy her desire for capital expansion for now. But can you imagine what will happen when the interests of Liyue are no longer enough to meet Ningguang’s Mora demands?
Merchants should not be among the highest leaders of a nation. This will only lead to individuals using their power for personal profit.
Liyue's current cultural atmosphere is similar to my previous world, but in some other countries, it's like another powerful nation. Merchants hold vast power. These capitalists, for their own benefit, even sell weapons and continuously instigate wars.1
Without your control, Liyue might eventually follow the same path.” Mu Yang gazed at Zhongli, adding, “Even then, even as Morax, you might not be able to stop something like that.
The masses can be swayed by capital. As the Geo Archon, it would be very difficult for you to refuse your own people, wouldn’t it?”
Zhongli rubbed his forehead. “It seems you have a lot of issues with Ningguang.
I admit there might be some truth in what you’ve said, but for Liyue now, their existence brings more benefits than harm.
As for the future, it’s not something I can control right now.”
“However, I am curious why you chose to work with me. Although I haven’t seen any power from you, you are a very special person. You know this world well. Why did you choose me?
Why not approach the other Archons? After all, according to your earlier statement, you seem to have the power to save Teyvat, don’t you?” Then, Zhongli stared at Mu Yang and asked.
“Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, loves his people, but he is too carefree. He might be a good collaborator, but not someone who can be considered a genuine ally.
The Electro Archon, Baal, is still consumed by the pain of her brother’s demise. Perhaps in the future, I might have something that appeals to her, but I currently don’t even have the qualifications to meet her. In fact, I might be directly executed by the one who claims to be a threat to the eternity of destruction.
The Dendro Archon, Nahida, might be a good collaborator, but she is currently imprisoned by the Akademiya. I also don’t have the power to save her.” Mu Yang spoke with conviction, but his words made Zhongli’s expression change drastically:
“What? You say the Dendro Archon is imprisoned? How did they do it?
Even a very young Archon is still an Archon. The Great Tree King has been gone for over five hundred years. That should be enough time for Little Grass King to grow.”
“It’s like taming an animal. If someone keeps telling you that you are incapable when you are young, you develop a sense of inferiority, which is a normal thing.
It is a good thing for the Akademiya that the Dendro Archon is not leading them. This way, the Sages can control the highest authority of Sumeru.
This is the tragedy of human governance. It’s like what happened in Mondstadt, what is happening in Inazuma, and what is happening in Sumeru. Human ambition is far greater than you think.
Liyue is also going in this direction, but your presence has mitigated it to some extent.” Mu Yang sneered with a sarcastic comment.
Zhongli remained silent. He wouldn’t deceive himself into believing that Mu Yang was lying.
“As for the Hydro Archon, Focalors, she is also a very good collaborator. If I had initially landed in Fontaine, I would have chosen to cooperate with her. I am confident I could convince her to work with me. Unfortunately, I landed in Liyue.
If you don’t agree, I will find a way to go to Fontaine.
I don’t know much about the Pyro Archon. As for the Cryo Archon, considering what the Fatui are doing in other countries, I'm afraid if I approach her, I will be sent straight to the dissection table.
And you, Morax, are powerful, and you can protect me while I grow. You value contracts, which makes you the perfect collaborator.
Liyue’s culture is similar to my previous world. I'm more accustomed to it here.” Mu Yang continued.
Zhongli remained silent as he sipped his tea. “Contract, you say? I understand. Protecting you while you grow is acceptable. But how will you help me reform Liyue and even save Teyvat?”D