This Steam Battleship had far too many valuable uses.
Keqing and Ningguang had both read the Finance Management book pulled from the Jar Shop. Even though it was incomplete, the knowledge within had elevated their strategic thinking to a new level.
Using the Steam Battleship to generate revenue was killing two birds with one stone.
It was free money.
Beidou understood this perfectly, which was why she was so excited.
Looking at the countless people crowding the docks of Liyue Harbor, she didn't just see a crowd; she saw a sea of Mora.
"We'll follow the Yuheng's suggestion for pricing. 100 Mora for Liyue residents. Honestly, I wanted to make it free," Beidou frowned slightly, glancing at the throng. "But if it's completely free, it might cause resentment or feelings of discrimination among the foreigners, and it could devalue the experience."
"So the compromise lies in the price. Liyue residents just need to show ID and pay 100 Mora."
"As for non-residents... 2,000 Mora per person."
Beidou had considered free entry for locals. But stability was key in Liyue. And 100 Mora was pocket change—less than a decent meal. Charging a nominal fee made people value the experience more.
"Mhm."
Keqing nodded approvingly. "You could even raise it to 200 Mora. Frankly, 100 is incredibly cheap for a tour of such a vessel. Even 2,000 Mora for foreigners isn't expensive for what they're seeing."
"Let's stick to 100. It's symbolic," Beidou waved her hand. "The real profit comes from the foreigners."
"There are more merchants and tourists in Liyue than locals, and for them, 2,000 Mora is just water."
Even with a fee, locals would fight to get on board.
It was a ship more domineering and advanced than The Alcor. Who wouldn't want to walk its steel decks and touch its mysterious machinery for the price of a lunch?
Novelty sells. And this Steam Battleship was the ultimate novelty.
Beidou had never opened The Alcor for public tours before. Opening a superior ship now would create a frenzy.
The dense crowd outside was proof enough.
"From now on, this Steam Battleship is the new flagship of the Crux Fleet. I'll be renaming the fleet to the Crux Armada," Beidou laughed heartily. "I'll need to register it with the Ship Bureau. For now, I won't open tours immediately. I need to summon my crew from The Alcor first."
"We'll open for a short preview tonight, and full-day tours starting tomorrow."
"As for The Alcor... I'll open that up for tours too. Let the locals spend their money twice to compare the two ships!"
"Foreigners can pay a few hundred Mora to see The Alcor."
With the Steam Battleship in hand, Beidou's focus naturally shifted. She would transfer key personnel and equipment to the new flagship.
But she wouldn't abandon her old faithful. The Alcor was still a legendary vessel. When she wasn't sailing it, it could stay docked for maintenance and serve as a secondary museum ship.
"That works," Keqing agreed. "Even if it pales in comparison to the battleship, The Alcor is still a leviathan of the seas. Opening it to the public is a smart move."
It would still be a popular attraction. Just not the attraction.
"Also," Keqing added, her tone turning serious, "I need Captain Beidou to provide rough blueprints or schematics of this Steam Battleship."
"We can't replicate it perfectly, but studying its design could allow us to build simpler, improved vessels. It would elevate the entire standard of Liyue's shipbuilding industry."
"Current Liyue ships are lagging behind. Even The Alcor is outdated compared to this. The battleship is a perfect blueprint for innovation."
"Mhm." Ningguang nodded in agreement.
Having this ship as a study model would revolutionize their navy and merchant fleet.
Even if they couldn't build steam engines yet, copying the hull design or structural reinforcements would be a massive leap forward.
Improved ships meant safer trade routes and expanded commerce.
If Liyue's own fleet became stronger, they wouldn't need to rely on Snezhnaya's ships.
And most importantly: Firepower.
If they could replicate even a fraction of the battleship's weaponry, pirates—and potentially hostile Fatui vessels—would be blown out of the water.
Ningguang knew the Fatui operated in the shadows of the high seas. She wouldn't trust them for a second.
"Sure, no problem!"
Beidou agreed without hesitation.
Helping Liyue prosper helped everyone. Upgrading the Ship Bureau's capabilities was a win-win.
"Alright, that's settled then," Ningguang concluded. "I'll go issue the official notice. Beidou, you handle the logistics here. Move The Alcor and set up your crew."
"I'll have the Millelith assist with crowd control."
"Got it." Beidou nodded.
She turned to Furong. "Furong, take a skiff and get Sea Drake to bring The Alcor around."
"Yes, Captain!" Furong saluted and sprinted off.
"I'll be taking my leave then," Keqing announced, turning toward the exit. "I've seen enough here."
She was heading straight for the Jar Shop.
"I have announcements to make, so I'll be going too." Ningguang gathered her secretaries and left.
"Lady Ningguang is coming out!"
"Lady Keqing too!"
The crowd's attention snapped to the leaders emerging from the gangway.
"Citizens of Liyue," Ningguang addressed the sea of people, her voice amplified by her presence.
"Captain Beidou will be opening the Steam Battleship for public tours shortly. Registration details will follow."
"As a benefit provided by Captain Beidou: Liyue residents need only pay 100 Mora and show identification. Non-residents will be charged 2,000 Mora."
"The Millelith will maintain order. Please return to your homes for now and come back this evening or tomorrow to register."
"Do not worry if you miss out tonight. The ship will be open for full-day tours in the coming days."
Her voice was calm but carried clearly to every ear.
"Whoa!"
The crowd erupted.
Excitement, envy, and joy rippled through the masses.
"Did I hear that right? We can go on board?!"
"And only 100 Mora?! That's a steal! I want to go right now!"
"Did you hear? She called it a 'Battleship'. Steam Battleship. It's a higher tier than a boat!"
"Crux Armada... that sounds so cool."
"Damn, Liyue locals get all the perks. 2,000 for us foreigners?"
"Hey, it's still cheap. But yeah, the difference is huge."
"It makes sense. Beidou is a Liyue native. Of course she takes care of her own people first."
"Is it too late to become a Liyue citizen? I want to live here."
"Good luck with that. Ask the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
...
The harbor buzzed with energy.
Foreign merchants looked enviously at the locals, while the Liyue residents puffed out their chests with pride.
Seeing the reaction, Ningguang smiled faintly and departed.
Keqing split off from the group.
"I'm going to the Jar Shop," she murmured to herself, heading into the city streets.
Ningguang took her secretaries back to the Jade Chamber to begin the paperwork. The Steam Battleship's arrival meant a lot of work: updating maritime laws, coordinating with the Ship Bureau, and planning new trade routes.
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