Zhongli gave Lin Yide a look, silently indicating that the trouble was of his own making and he should be the one to resolve it.
Lin Yide, resigned, turned to the young man. "Tartaglia, please answer a question for me. If there were ten thousand Mora scattered on the ground, would you pick it up?"
Still fuming, Tartaglia shot back, "What kind of stupid question is that? Who would be foolish enough not to pick up ten thousand Mora? Stop wasting time and let's spar."
"I wouldn't," Lin Yide said calmly. "Because in the second it would take me to bend down and pick up the money, I could earn a hundred thousand Mora."
His words stunned Tartaglia. "Are you trying to show off how much money you make? What does that have to do with you sparring with me?"
Zhongli, unable to watch any longer, explained, "Director Yide means that sparring with you would be a waste of his time and Mora. Of course, if you could afford to pay a corresponding amount of Mora, he might consider your challenge."
Tartaglia looked embarrassed. He didn't have much Mora on hand. Due to the extravagant spending of a certain corrupt individual, the Fatui's funds were tight. While he was managing reasonably well thanks to the Northland Bank's Liyue branch, his colleagues stationed in Mondstadt were so broke they could only hunt for sustenance in the wild.
Tartaglia shifted his gaze to Zhongli. "Consultant Zhongli, your price should be quite low, right? You seem quite idle every day, and business at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is slow."
"Indeed," Zhongli readily admitted. "I don't have much of a price." He then rattled off a list of geriatric ailments as if he were a waiter reciting a menu: "However, I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, arthritis..."
Tartaglia listened, dumbfounded.
After a brief pause, Zhongli continued, "If you are prepared to offer one hundred million Mora for potential medical expenses, I wouldn't mind having a friendly match with you."
All desire for a spar vanished from Tartaglia. "Forget it, let's just drop the matter of sparring," he said, waving his hand dismissively. He then pulled out a chair at the tea table, sat down, and crossed his legs.
He turned to Lin Yide and said mysteriously, "Hey, Yide, what do you do in Liyue? I'm telling you, in the near future, I'm going to put on a show in Liyue, the likes of which have never been seen before. It will shake the entire nation."
"Oh?" Lin Yide's interest was piqued. "Aren't you afraid your performance will anger the Geo Archon?"
At this, Tartaglia burst out laughing. "Director Yide, they say your West Factory's intelligence is unmatched, but it seems to be nothing special. I have meticulously studied all of Liyue's records concerning the Geo Archon from recent years. Guess what secret I discovered?"
"What did you discover?" Lin Yide pressed.
"Through my careful observation and analysis," Tartaglia said, his pride evident, "the Geo Archon's appearances have drastically decreased in recent years. This indicates that he is on his last legs. Perhaps this year's Rite of Parting will be his farewell."
Lin Yide gave him a thumbs-up. "Tartaglia, your analysis is spot on. With such keen observation and thinking, you're wasted as the Eleventh Harbinger. You should be at least the Second."
Tartaglia's smile widened. "Director Yide, I've always thought so myself, hahaha~" After his laughter subsided, he turned to Zhongli with a serious tone. "Zhongli, your legs aren't what they used to be. I sincerely suggest you consider leaving Liyue Harbor soon."
With a calm expression, Zhongli replied, "Thank you for your kind reminder. I will seriously consider your suggestion."
"Alright, I'll be taking my leave then!" Tartaglia said, rising to depart.
As he watched Tartaglia's retreating figure, Zhongli remarked thoughtfully, "Sometimes, being as simple as a fool isn't a bad thing. At least it leads to fewer troubles."
Lin Yide corrected him, "It's the fools with powerful backgrounds who have it easy. That Tartaglia has quite the backing."
Zhongli did not argue, acknowledging the truth in his words.
Recalling Tartaglia's past, Lin Yide asked curiously, "By the way, do you know of a person called Surtr, the 'Knight of Extreme Evil'?"
Zhongli pondered for a moment before replying, "I have heard of him. He was a top swordsman from the kingdom of Khaenri'ah."
Lin Yide continued, "Then what role did he play in the fall of Khaenri'ah?"
Zhongli shook his head gently. "I do know about the fall of Khaenri'ah, but I cannot tell anyone. It is an agreement between myself and the Heavenly Principles."
Lin Yide was disappointed by this answer.
…
The early summer sun shone down on the land of Liyue, where flowers bloomed in abundance, filling the air with a faint fragrance. As the Rite of Parting drew near, the atmosphere in Liyue grew tense. During this ceremony, the Geo Archon would descend to deliver an oracle, guiding the nation's business for the coming year. The usually leisurely Zhongli was finally busy, directing Ningguang's subordinates in preparing materials and setting up the venue.
Meanwhile, Lin Yide was not idle either. He had opened a coffee shop named "Dove" in the heart of Liyue Harbor. The people of Liyue, however, were not particularly fond of this Western beverage. After one or two tries, they stopped patronizing the shop, and it quickly became deserted.
"Director Yide, I'm a little confused," Xingchun said, standing before the counter of the Dove coffee shop, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. "We clearly have the opportunity to make a much larger fortune, so why have we chosen to deal in grain, a business with relatively low profits and hard work?"
Lin Yide frowned, his displeasure showing. "Young Master Xing, are you questioning my decision?"
Xingchun's face paled, and he quickly explained, "Director Yide, you misunderstand. I don't mean to question you. It's just that I truly don't understand..."
"I understand your desire to become one of the Qixing," Lin Yide interrupted with hmph, "but being too eager for quick success will only distance you from that goal. Currently, the Feiyun Commerce Guild is under close scrutiny from all sides. Any major move we make could arouse external suspicion and vigilance."
"I understand, Director Yide," Xingchun said, though the disappointment on his face was hard to hide.
Lin Yide noticed his mood and also saw his lack of shrewdness and composure. The West Factory had promised to help him become one of the Qixing, but if there was no place for the Qixing in Liyue's future, the West Factory could not be blamed.