With the conclusion of that incident, Liyue gradually returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.
At the very least, Jiang Yan was feeling quite comfortable.
There were no major matters requiring his personal attention.
Life was great.
As Ningguang became increasingly proficient in handling administrative affairs, Jiang Yan gradually began assigning her small tasks to process on her own.
After all, during the previous incident, the three little girls had all provided surprisingly reasonable insights.
Of course, Ningguang was still a child.
Though gifted in governance, she still lacked experience and worldly understanding.
So after every batch of work Ningguang completed, Jiang Yan would review it again personally, pointing out flaws and areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, little Beidou and little Shenhe often ran off on their own.
Beidou loved the sea.
She frequently visited the naval military base near Guyun Stone Forest and had already grown familiar with many members of the Liyue Navy.
She even regularly joined fleet patrols.
With an entire naval force protecting her, Jiang Yan wasn't particularly worried about Beidou's safety.
After all, he had prepared plenty of safeguards for the three girls.
Not to mention Ningguang's Dragon King Apep bracelet.
Around Beidou's neck hung a giant Buddha pendant identical to the wooden dragon bracelet Ayaka wore.
Once Beidou encountered danger, the pendant would activate, transforming into a towering Buddha guardian to protect her.
As for Shenhe—
She completely exceeded Jiang Yan's expectations.
In Jiang Yan's memories from his previous life, Shenhe seemed indifferent to nearly everything except the Traveler.
Yet things were different now.
To Jiang Yan's surprise—
Little Shenhe was fascinated by the Air Force's Sky Fortress.
How had he discovered this?
It happened during a casual inspection trip to the Air Force base.
Originally, Shenhe only liked staying close to Jiang Yan or Ganyu, unwilling to go anywhere else.
And Jiang Yan was the type who spoiled children endlessly.
So he never forced her to learn anything she disliked.
But the moment Shenhe saw the first-generation Sky Fortress—the Zi Shu—her eyes lit up instantly.
"Master, Master~ what is this huge thing?"
Shenhe's eyes sparkled as she asked excitedly.
Jiang Yan froze briefly.
Huge thing?
Following her gaze toward the massive Zi Shu stationed nearby, realization dawned.
So she liked this sort of thing.
"This?"
"This is one of our Air Force's Sky Fortresses."
Jiang Yan rubbed her head gently.
"What, little Shenhe likes it?"
Shenhe hesitated while sucking lightly on her finger.
After thinking for a long moment, she nodded.
"If you like it, then let's go take a look inside."
Jiang Yan smiled as he patted her head.
Then he glanced toward the Air Force Commander standing nearby.
The commander was no fool.
One look from Jiang Yan was enough.
"Lord Tianquan, Miss Shenhe, this way please."
The commander respectfully guided them.
The three entered the Zi Shu and began touring its interior.
Along the way, Shenhe's amazed exclamations never stopped.
She touched this, examined that, curiosity written all over her face.
She looked exactly like Beidou the first time she boarded a naval battleship.
After finishing the tour, Jiang Yan smiled and asked:
"Well? Would you like to learn about things here?"
Shenhe fell into thought.
But when she looked once more at the enormous Sky Fortress, she nodded firmly.
"Master, I like this."
"Good."
Jiang Yan smiled.
Then he stood and turned toward the Air Force Commander.
"In that case, I'll leave my disciple in your care for a while."
"Rest assured, Lord Tianquan!"
The commander gave a sharp military salute.
"I will teach Miss Shenhe everything I know!"
As Air Force Commander, he had long been jealous.
The Navy Commander constantly bragged about teaching one of Tianquan's disciples.
Even the Millelith Commander envied it.
Though the Millelith had less reason to complain.
Since they directly served under Tianquan, they would eventually teach Ningguang military command and land warfare.
But the Air Force?
They had nobody.
That fact had depressed the commander for ages.
Now—
The Air Force finally had one too!
The commander nearly smiled crooked with excitement.
At future gatherings of the three military branches, he could finally brag as well.
"Alright then."
"Starting tomorrow, little Shenhe will come here to study under this uncle properly."
Jiang Yan had no objections.
If Shenhe wanted to learn, then she should learn.
After all, Jiang Yan originally intended for Beidou and Shenhe to help support Ningguang once he eventually handed over the Tianquan position.
Now that Shenhe had taken initiative and shown interest in aviation, he was happy to let her pursue it.
It made life easier for him too.
After returning to Liyue Harbor, Jiang Yan informed Ganyu about Shenhe's interest in Air Force studies.
Ganyu strongly approved.
After all, Jiang Yan held too much power.
Aside from Morax himself, Jiang Yan was effectively Liyue's highest authority.
Commander of the Three Armies.
Grand Administrator of Liyue.
Tianquan.
And more.
There was no realistic way to dump all that responsibility onto Ningguang alone.
Even if Jiang Yan wished to.
Once he stepped down, countless people would inevitably covet Tianquan's position.
Simply because—
Jiang Yan had ruled for far too long.
And Tianquan's authority had become too great.
If he wanted a smooth transition of power to Ningguang, then authority needed to be divided.
In fact, Jiang Yan had already planned everything.
The moment Ningguang became capable of fully controlling the position—
He would resign immediately.
From then on, he would stop interfering in Liyue's affairs.
Let Liyue develop naturally on its own.
Unless Liyue faced an unbearable catastrophe—
He would never intervene again.
That was right.
Ningguang was only seven or eight years old.
Yet Jiang Yan had already thoroughly planned his retirement life.
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