Mondstadt is not like Liyue.
Liyue, when exploring resources, actually values the added value effect brought by dumping those resources more than Mora itself.
For example:
Increasing influence.
Gaining the advantage of resource monopolization.
Using resource exports to assert control.
Therefore, Liyue's priority is to enhance the strength of individuals as a class.
So their focus has always been on alchemy potions and enchantments.
Plus, they arrived early and have been walking this path step by step with Ryen, jointly planning the world over a long period.
Starting from nothing, Liyue laid down a solid foundation.
But Mondstadt is different.
The Grand Master's expedition took away most of the main force and Mora.
The rampage of Stormterror greatly affected commercial development.
As of now, to be frank, Mondstadt is even short on food.
Put simply: Mondstadt lacks everything.
True, just as Ningguang said before, Mondstadt's entry into the world comes at a time when Ryen and Liyue have already laid the groundwork.
Under these conditions, Mondstadt's development should be accelerating.
But the problem is that Ryen and the others have already handled most of that world.
At least, the nearby areas have been taken care of.
The unique characteristics of that world now require Jean and the others to spend time mastering it.
Moreover, although starting multiple projects at once can help with comprehensive development, they don't have the manpower to do it.
Don't be fooled by how Liyue can deploy thousands of Millelith and miners in an instant.
Liyue has plenty of Millelith and miners to begin with—and they aren't scattered.
Naturally, they can be easily mobilized.
With the Geo Archon's direct orders, and the Seven Stars at the peak of Liyue's authority assisting, they can commit wholeheartedly.
As for Mondstadt…
Yes, the people of Mondstadt listen to Jean—but after all, it's a nation of freedom.
Unlike a nation of contracts…
So what applies to Liyue doesn't necessarily apply to Mondstadt.
For a moment, Jean was completely at a loss as to where to begin.
Rationality told her that they couldn't be too greedy.
But emotionally, she knew Mondstadt lacked everything—they needed it all...
Jean's expression grew increasingly lost and helpless.
Ningguang gently shook her head.
She didn't expose it directly, but instead guided her:
"Jean, in your opinion, what's most important to Mondstadt?"
Jean answered decisively and seriously:
"It's the countless people of Mondstadt!"
Ningguang's gaze showed a bit of satisfaction.
Although Jean's political skills were still immature, her mindset was correct.
Given time, Jean would naturally become the true Grand Master that the people of Mondstadt admire.
But now, with Liyue and Mondstadt cooperating, Ningguang didn't mind helping Jean evolve a step ahead.
"Mondstadt's most important element is its people.
So you must consider things from their perspective. What do they need most right now?"
"Is it... a sense of security?"
Jean asked curiously.
She still operated under the mindset of leading from a military institution like the Knights of Favonius.
The Knights are responsible for Mondstadt's law and order, but…
A nation can't rely on security alone.
A leader can't think only about safety.
"Jean, you're the Acting Grand Master, but you must not only act like the Acting Grand Master. You can't just think like a Knight."
Ningguang, finding this quite enjoyable, patiently explained:
"I won't comment on Mondstadt's political system, but in any case—Mondstadt is not just about the Knights."
"All your civil departments working together—that is the real leadership of Mondstadt.
And you are the one who must guide them and define the overall direction."
"Economy, military, livelihood—you must consider it all."
"From what I understand, after the dragon disaster, Mondstadt's trade routes were cut off. Food production plummeted.
Many people can't even eat."
"And the news that you've resolved the dragon disaster hasn't spread across Teyvat yet. So in the short term, commerce is unlikely to recover."
"The economy is tied to the people's livelihood, and livelihood relates to overall national strength."
"So Jean, what does Mondstadt need most right now?"
Ningguang had pointed out the path. Jean, being sharp, quickly understood.
"Mondstadt… needs economic sources, needs to ensure people's livelihood!"
Ningguang nodded slightly and chuckled:
"That's right. External security does give people a sense of safety. But if people can't even eat, and have no Mora, even if you tell them Mondstadt is now strong enough to protect them when they go out—"
"—will they care?"
"The urgent task is for Mondstadt to earn Mora, build a name for itself, and solve the people's daily living issues.
Once that's done, the economy will grow rapidly."
"And you can dump resources to quickly recoup capital.
Once this supply line stabilizes, no matter what you want to do in the future, it will be much easier."
"Ryen once told me…"
Ningguang glanced sideways at Ryen, who was still gently rubbing Nahida's belly, her gaze soft.
"With money in hand, the heart does not panic."
"As long as you have Mora, as long as the people can earn Mora and improve their quality of life, all your decisions—they will become your most loyal supporters."
"This principle applies to any nation—be it the free Mondstadt or the contractual Liyue."
"It's human nature…"
Jean deeply agreed and nodded solemnly, imprinting these words into her heart.
Diluc and Lisa also cast thankful glances toward Ningguang.
Without a doubt, Jean was the one most suitable to lead Mondstadt.
The Knights had grown decayed. During this period, Jean must accumulate enough knowledge to continue leading Mondstadt.
With Ningguang's guidance—there could be nothing better.
"What I just said is only one aspect."
Ningguang smiled and shook her head.
"Next: alchemical potions and enchantments—you don't even understand the features of this world yet. Naturally, you won't be able to make use of those things."
"So for you, resource dumping to earn Mora is the best starting point at this stage."
"After this path stabilizes for a while, then you must start enhancing your own strength."
"If you lack strength and only have Mora, you'll just become a fat sheep in someone else's eyes, ready to be slaughtered."
As she spoke, Ningguang raised her head proudly and declared with confidence:
"Take Liyue for example—we have abundant Mora. Combined with our resource exports, we gained even more Mora."
"Everyone is speculating whether we've made some great discovery or profit—but no one dares to investigate."
"They have to trade under our rules. At the core of it—it's because they know they can't afford to provoke Liyue."
"Above us is the Geo Archon and the adepti. Below us, the ever-growing Millelith. They dare not test us!"
"Mondstadt needs both: ways to earn Mora, and the strength to protect it."
"These two may not be achievable at the same time for now—but in the future, you must have both."
Jean fell into deep realization.
Beside her, Lisa couldn't help but shake her head in admiration.
Jean's previous thinking had indeed been a bit too rigid.
After becoming the Acting Grand Master of the Knights, Jean devoted herself solely to Mondstadt's safety.
But in her adherence to the code of chivalry, she seemed to forget that Grand Master Varka wasn't merely the head of the Knights.
As the pinnacle of Mondstadt's authority, the Grand Master needed to be aware of everything happening in Mondstadt.
To guide the entire city's development.
Protecting Mondstadt was only one of the many duties of the Grand Master.
"No wonder she's the Tianquan of Liyue—such composure and strategy. Our Jean still has a long way to go..."
Jean herself knew she couldn't compare to Ningguang in a short amount of time.
But she didn't feel discouraged.
Ningguang had climbed her way up from the very bottom, experiencing and witnessing far more than Jean ever had.
How many years had Ningguang been managing Liyue?
And how long had Jean served as Acting Grand Master?
This was a gap of both quality and quantity—only time could close it.
"I've made my decision."
Jean's expression turned solemn as she declared:
"We'll start by settling five hundred people to develop resources, collect Lucky Blocks, announce the reopening of trade routes to Teyvat, and restore Mondstadt's livelihood as soon as possible."
"Then, we'll begin arming the Knights of Favonius!"
"Senior Diluc, may I ask you to take charge of the commercial trade affairs?"
After a day full of shocks, Jean now exuded the presence of a true leader.
The corners of Diluc's mouth lifted slightly. Had it been the old Jean or even the Grand Master himself saying this, he might have turned away coldly.
But now…
He saw in her the shadow of the Lion of the South Wind, protector of the Four Winds—a true roar that could lead Mondstadt to rise again.
Nodding, Diluc responded in a low voice:
"I'll get in touch with the underground intelligence network to assist."
Jean then looked to Ningguang and asked gently:
"Ningguang, could you also distribute the alliance agreement between Mondstadt and Liyue?"
Ningguang smiled and nodded.
"The road from weakness to strength is harsh—leveraging external power is a wise choice. Of course, I can."
Putting other factors aside, even if the Fatui targeted Mondstadt due to the dumping of massive resources,
Just the joint-defense agreement with Liyue would make them think twice.
They might not care about Mondstadt, but they couldn't afford to ignore Liyue.
Not to mention, this pact was signed by none other than Rex Lapis and Barbatos.
Who could guarantee that if someone attacked Mondstadt, Rex Lapis wouldn't bring the Adepti to overturn the table?
"As for the detailed contract terms…"
Ningguang gently reminded, and Jean nodded.
"I understand. There are certain things that will remain undisclosed."
Ningguang smiled kindly.
"You all should stay in Liyue for now. I'll grant you access to international teleportation. If you need to return, just notify us."
"Also, resource collection isn't something that can be achieved overnight. For now, you may purchase resources from Liyue at internal prices."
"As for the price at which you resell them externally—that's for you to decide."
Jean nodded gratefully.
As for resale prices…
Though Ningguang said it was up to them, if they truly disrupted the market Liyue had built, she clearly wouldn't be pleased.
Fortunately, Diluc would handle that. Jean herself wasn't skilled in business.
"In the meantime, our mission is to familiarize ourselves with the characteristics of that world…"
Jean softly mentioned. Ryen, who had been quiet, finally looked up and smiled:
"Not just that. You also need to learn how to apply those characteristics within Teyvat."
"Just like Lisa said—if you're lacking food, you can replace land with soil from that world, plant crops on a large scale, and with bone meal, you can quickly solve the food problem."
"There's also villager technology and essential survival tech."
"Things like iron farms and mob farms—
you'll need to learn all of it."
"As for selecting a location to build Mondstadt's base…"
Ryen paused, thought for a moment, then said softly:
"In the next couple of days, we'll be heading out."
"Once I place the beacon tomorrow and confirm its effectiveness, we'll continue our journey to locate the End Portal."
"Along the way, you can scout for suitable locations to establish your camp and start planning ahead."
~~----------------------
To read 30 future chapters head over to patreon:
patreon.com/Dreamer20