Ye Xi stood atop the high platform.
In that instant, he had the illusion of having returned to Sumeru.
Back then in Sumeru, during the 'Proclamation Day,' he had likewise come up onto a high platform and spoken to the people of Sumeru about plans for the future.
Only this time, the ones before him were the common folk of Liyue.
[Everyone, I am Ye Xi.]
[Next, let me briefly introduce to you all the location and the plans for our second-largest metropolis in Liyue...]
The moment Ye Xi stepped onto the high platform, the young ladies throughout the district let out gasps of astonishment.
"He's so young! I never imagined Master Ye Xi could hold such a position at his age. I'm so envious~!"
"He's so handsome! Heavens! Everyone calls him 'Master,' so I thought he'd be an old man!"
"If only a Childe like that would take a fancy to me!"
"To be doted on by Master Ye Xi—surely that would be such bliss!"
Seeing Ye Xi's figure and features, some of the young ladies couldn't help but swoon.
At Chihu Rock.
Ying'er, standing at the doorway of the Chunxiang Kiln, was taken aback.
She had never expected that Ye Xi's status could be so noble!
To actually be a friend of the Adepti, an honored guest of the Liyue Qixing!
Although she had already noticed yesterday that Ye Xi's identity was out of the ordinary, she had never once thought along these lines.
Now, her heart was even more stirred.
She only hoped that Ye Xi wouldn't forget today's appointment, and would remember to come to the Chunxiang Kiln.
When that time came, she would just make her move directly.
Even if there were only the faintest sliver of hope, she still wanted to grow close to Ye Xi.
It wasn't that she coveted Ye Xi's money.
By making perfumes for wealthy young ladies, she had in fact long since put away a sizable little nest egg for herself.
She simply felt that being at Ye Xi's side would be very safe, that she would be able to witness things far more far-reaching, and that life would be more brilliant and interesting.
Compared to marrying into an ordinary household, following Ye Xi was destined never to be mundane.
Thinking of that interesting future life, she could hardly wait to enter Ye Xi's harem!
And on the street next door.
At the doorway of the Wanmin Restaurant.
Xiangling gazed up at the lofty figure of Ye Xi, her heart brimming with hope!
She truly had never even dreamed that the Ye Xi who, at noon, had been right in front of her tasting the dishes she made, would by the afternoon become a figure drawing the attention of the multitudes.
Just thinking that tonight she would be able to spend time alone with such a dazzling Ye Xi, she felt a faint, secret excitement.
Especially with the swooning chatter of the girls around her, her heart felt as if caught in a dream, making her look forward to tonight's affair all the more.
Beside her, all that Chef Mao heard was the flattery of the teahouse patrons.
Saying things like "the Wanmin Restaurant has risen to glory" and "they've found a fine son-in-law."
Hearing it, he grew a little giddy, his mind entirely occupied with how to dress Xiangling up prettier, so that she might catch Ye Xi's eye!
Up on the heights of the Liuli Pavilion and the Xinyue Kiosk restaurants, this was the viewing stand booked out by Liyue's wealthy merchants.
At this moment, there were quite a few daughters of wealth and rich young gentlemen who had been forcibly dragged here by the elders of their families.
They had been unwilling to come in the first place, all wanting to lounge carefree at home, eating, drinking, and making merry.
But the very instant Ye Xi showed his face, those wealthy young ladies all opened their eyes wide.
Every one of them huddled together, discussing Ye Xi in hushed voices.
"Look at this Master Ye Xi—he has such bearing!"
"To think I'd actually have the chance to lay eyes on a Childe like this!"
"Isn't that so? He looks so dignified, just like a man of high station! His family background must be excellent!"
"Handsome, wealthy family, and this young too—if one could marry into it, surely it'd be a life of comfort!"
"I'm going to find my papa and have him send a marriage proposal!"
Hearing this, the wealthy young gentlemen beside them all turned sour.
"Didn't you hear that he's on close terms with the Adepti? Maybe he's some old monster who's gained longevity through Adepti arts!"
"Exactly, he wouldn't even fancy the likes of you."
"Women will be women—their way of thinking really is so simple."
"..."
Just as these young juniors were clamoring restlessly, the elders up front who were listening attentively to Ye Xi's speech all glared.
"What's all this racket? Hurry up and listen to Master Ye Xi's plans!"
"These are all the business opportunities by which you'll establish yourselves in Liyue Harbor in the future! And yet here you are neglecting your proper affairs! How shameful!"
"All of you, shut your mouths! Listen quietly!"
Being shouted at like this, the juniors immediately settled down.
Meanwhile, atop the Jade Chamber, Ye Xi had already laid out all the plans in broad strokes.
[...Once all the projects are completed, the new metropolis located near the Wangshu Inn will become a triangular trade capital for commerce among Liyue, Mondstadt, and Sumeru!]
[The commercial development there will be in no way inferior to the present-day Liyue Harbor.]
[And that, is my plan.]
Having finished speaking, Ye Xi stepped down from the platform.
Cheers once again rang out across the harbor.
Most of the ordinary folk had only understood that final sentence.
The wealthy merchants, on the other hand, fell to discussing among themselves, whispering head to head.
"Marvelous, who'd have thought Master Ye Xi had actually invented so many means of transport!"
"From now on Liyue Harbor will be the trading point for Sumeru, Liyue, and Inazuma, while the Wangshu Inn will be the trading point for Sumeru, Liyue, and Mondstadt!"
"Truly remarkable—cleverly splitting the crowded Liyue Harbor into two trade capitals! And what's more, it won't have the slightest impact on trade; on the contrary, it makes trade even more convenient!"
"This young man's wisdom is indeed no small matter. No wonder the Adepti all invited him over of their own accord."
"To be able to combine the geographic positions of the four nations, swift and convenient transportation, and all manner of factors, and to foresee the success of the new metropolis—that is great wisdom!"
........
"The way I see it, Master Ye Xi, much like Lady Tianquan, has a head for business that's reached a terrifying degree!"
"....."
Countless people lavished praise on Ye Xi's plan.
And at this moment, Lisa, amid the crowd, also set aside her usual languor.
She was very interested in the plan Ye Xi had just mentioned.
Using a Train for transport, delivering enormous quantities of goods in the shortest possible time!
This truly was an excellent means of transport!
Once it could really achieve what was expected, then Mondstadt's fine wines would be carried by Railway from Mondstadt to the Wangshu Inn.
And at the new metropolis of the Wangshu Inn, the goods could be split in two, to be sold off to Sumeru and Liyue.
When the goods reached Liyue Harbor, they could then, by ship, be transported to Inazuma in a day or two!
This speed was who knows how many times faster than before!
By the same logic, goods from Inazuma, Sumeru, and Liyue could all be delivered to Mondstadt City as well!
If going by sea route from Liyue Harbor to Inazuma was far, then going from Mondstadt was farther still.
Once the Railway was unobstructed, sea shipping could be done away with entirely, because land transport was the fastest!
In this way, the trade routes between Mondstadt and Inazuma, Liyue, and Sumeru would all come to rely on the Railway.
Just as Ye Xi had foreseen, by that time Liyue's second-largest metropolis would thoroughly flourish and prosper.
Lisa couldn't help but sigh in admiration: "It seems this trip wasn't made in vain after all."
"This Master Ye Xi truly is a genius!"
"I must think of a way to bring him back to Mondstadt!"
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