Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Chapter 1086 The Fundamental Conflict between Keqing and Ningguang

At the same time, late at night, at the main venue of the temple fair.

After today's temple fair ended, Keqing began to organize people and clean up the scene.

Keqing was sweeping the debris on the ground with a broom. Her hair on her forehead was wet with sweat, but she didn't look tired at all.

While directing the Qianyan Army to pack the garbage into bags and transport it away, she also instructed the staff to be careful with the sacrificial items and to make sure the site was left clean.

"Be careful." Keqing shouted to the soldiers who were carrying the statue, then bent down to pick up a piece of lantern broken by the wind and threw it into the trash can beside her.

Although the temple fair has ended, she still maintains a rigorous and meticulous attitude, unwilling to leave any omissions.

In a temporary tent not far away, Ye Lan was sitting at a wooden table with a thick account book and a stack of bills spread out in front of her.

She held the abacus in her hand, her fingers moving the beads quickly, making a "crackling" sound. Her eyes were fixed on the numbers in the account book, but the corners of her mouth could not help but rise slightly.

The scale of today's temple fair far exceeded expectations, from the turnover of snack stalls to the rent of shops, to the sales revenue of sacrificial supplies, and various other income.

Each of the figures was shockingly high, and even she, a consultant who was used to seeing huge sums of money, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

When the last number was calculated, Ye Lan suddenly put down the abacus, picked up the pen, wrote down the final result on the financial statement, and then stood up excitedly.

She didn't even have time to tidy up the desk before she ran towards Keqing impatiently.

"Ms. Keqing, stop busying yourself. There's good news!" Ye Lan shouted to Keqing from a distance.

Keqing stopped sweeping the broom, stood up and looked at Ye Lan. Seeing her excited expression and the documents in her hand, she asked in confusion.

"what happened?"

Ye Lan quickly walked up to Keqing, handed her the envelope, and raised an eyebrow.

"The financial statements, to be more precise, are the profits from today's temple fair—I guarantee you'll be so surprised you'll pass out."

Keqing took the financial report and quickly browsed through its contents, her eyes finally stopping at the "net profit" column. When she saw the long string of numbers, her pupils suddenly shrank.

"Net profit... 3,795,274,763 Mora?!"

Ye Lan crossed her arms and looked at Keqing's shocked expression with a satisfied smile on her face.

"That's right, this is just today's trading volume. Just imagine, if this temple fair could last for a week or two, word of mouth would spread and even more people would come. Conservatively speaking, we could make 30 to 40 billion Mora, absolutely no problem!"

Then, Ye Lan suddenly leaned close to her, winking and teasing, "Ms. Keqing, you really made a fortune this time. Even I am jealous."

"Look, not only did I help you develop your revenue plan this time, I also stayed up late compiling the financial statements. Shouldn't I get a raise, a little more consulting fees, or something?"

Keqing looked at the money she earned today, but instead of being happy, she was very angry.

She threw the report to the ground, breaking the relaxed atmosphere.

“I’m not doing this for the money!”

"My purpose in hosting this temple fair is to remind the people of Liyue of our millennia-old history. I want to use our cultural heritage to rein in Liyue, a wild horse that has run wild due to conflicts over interests!"

“Let’s bring everyone together again instead of turning this event into a transaction that’s just about money!”

Then, Keqing took a deep breath, her tone full of grievance and unwillingness.

"If it was just about making money, why would I be so busy these days, planning schemes and coordinating with all parties, without even having time to get a good night's sleep?"

"I'll just go work for Ningguang at the Jade Pavilion. With my abilities, can't I earn more Mora than this?"

The smile on Ye Lan's face froze instantly. She didn't expect Keqing to have such a violent reaction.

Looking at Keqing who was trembling slightly with anger, Ye Lan put away her previous playfulness and her expression became serious.

As an intelligence officer of Liyue, she must awaken this somewhat idealistic Yuhengxing from the perspective of maintaining political stability.

"Yuhengxing, please forgive me for saying so much." Ye Lan stepped forward and said in a calm tone.

"I know you're devoted to Liyue, and I understand your desire to unite people through culture. This dedication is admirable."

She paused and solemnly laid out the principles that she had discussed with Keqing countless times.

"But, Miss Keqing, don't forget that Liyue was founded on the principles of commerce."

"Since the time of Emperor Geum-wang, commerce has been integral to Liyue's development. It's a fundamental principle ingrained in the people of Liyue. Coming from a prominent family, you've been exposed to Liyue's politics and commerce since childhood, and your understanding of these rules is no less profound than mine."

"Now, you have taken the seat of the Seven Stars of Liyue, becoming one of the helmsmen of this 'great ship'. Yet, you are unwilling to even take the 'side' of the ship."

"You reject the profits brought by commerce, believing that money will taint the purity of culture. But have you ever considered that without sufficient financial support, the so-called 'cultural heritage' and 'unity of people' are nothing but castles in the air?"

"Do you really think that this self-righteous attitude is saving Liyue?"

"One of the helmsmen?" When Keqing heard these words, she felt like she had heard a huge joke. She sneered and retorted.

"Miss Ye Lan, you're truly embarrassing me. Liyue has always had only one person at the helm, Ningguang of Tianquan Star."

"We, the so-called six of the seven stars, are merely fulfilling our respective roles under her planning. To put it bluntly, we are all just working for Ningguang."

Ye Lan watched Keqing belittle herself as "someone working for Ningguang" and mocked the destination of the temple fair's proceeds. She asked directly:

"Keqing, be honest. Has Ningguang treated you badly? Over the years, the reforms you've implemented have affected the interests of many wealthy businessmen?"

"How many times have people tried to trip you up, or even set you up, only to have Ningguang help you out, shielding you from those attacks?"

"Yes, Ningguang did take advantage of you... but how many people have played with others and never paid? Ningguang was really helping you! Is it necessary to be so serious about it?"

Keqing is of course aware of this, not to mention the old-fashioned chaos.

Just to talk about her reform spirit that will not turn back until she hits the wall, if she had not had Ningguang's financial and power protection in the early stage, and Tianquanxing's "umbrella" for her.

She had long been torn to pieces by those wealthy businessmen who were eyeing her covetously and wanted to protect their vested interests.

She has always kept this kindness in her heart and never forgotten it.

But when she thought about Liyue's current appearance, Keqing had to make changes.

"I admit that Ningguang has done me a favor, and I'm grateful for her protection over the years."

"But merits are merits, and faults are faults. Favors cannot cover up problems."

"All I know is that the Liyue of today is vastly different from the one I remembered as a child. To get Liyue back on the right track, I must make changes!"

She raised her head and looked at Ye Lan with burning eyes, reiterating her concerns.

"Back then, Miss Ye Lan, I told you that Ningguang has changed. Her ambitions for power and wealth are becoming increasingly apparent. A dictatorial rule will not end well for Liyue!"

Ye Lan was silent. Wasn't she also aware of the issues Keqing was talking about?

But she also understood that there was no better solution in Liyue at the moment.

Shao Yun's reputation is a double-edged sword. Ningguang used it to cut off the thorns ahead, but was also bitten back by this power!

She destroyed the source of her own power, making everyone in Liyue understand a new truth: the emperor, the one with the strongest army and the most powerful horses, is the emperor! As a result, she can no longer do without Shao Yun's prestige...

"I know that there are problems in Liyue now, and I also know that Ningguang's ambition is growing. But tell me, do we have any other choice besides this path?" Ye Lan responded helplessly.

There are only two paths before Liyue now.

One way is to continue along the current era of "rule by man," led by the Liyue Seven Stars, and continue to rely on business to drive development. Even if problems arise in the process, at least it is moving forward.

Another way is to reverse history, abandon human rule, return to the previous era of "immortal rule", and let the immortals regain control of Liyue's decision-making power.

If you take this path, won't you, Keqing, become a complete clown?

You like human rule in Liyue the most, and now you are the one who is reversing history.

Now, can we only slowly maintain the status quo and seek development?

Looking at the idealistic light in Keqing's eyes that showed that she would not turn back until she hit the wall, Ye Lan felt powerless.

She is well aware of the fragility of this "dream utopia" and understands that reality will never be as beautiful as imagined.

Ye Lan directly shattered Keqing's fantasy.

"To realize utopia, you need money! Empty words won't turn stone into gold!"

"Do you think that just a few slogans about 'cultural heritage' can ensure that the people of Liyue have enough to eat and stabilize prices?"

“Without sufficient funds to support people’s livelihoods and without the economic vitality brought by commerce, even the most beautiful utopia will be nothing but a bubble that will burst at any moment!”

Having said that, Ye Lan took another step forward and spoke in a more direct tone.

"Ningguang may not be the perfect leader. She's ambitious and a dictator. She prioritizes commercial interests. But now, besides Ningguang, who else do you think can lead Liyue? Do you want to come?"

She paused, and before Keqing could retort, she continued, "You have the resolve to reform, and a deep devotion to Liyue, but you lack the fortitude to control the overall situation, and the skill to balance the interests of all parties."

"If you were in Ningguang's position, facing wealthy businessmen, immortals, and ordinary people, could you guarantee that you would do better than her?"

These words were like sharp knives, accurately piercing Keqing's soft spot.

Seeing Ye Lan defending Ningguang everywhere and lecturing her constantly, Keqing's long-suppressed irritation and grievance suddenly burst out. She suddenly raised her head and yelled at Ye Lan.

"I know! I know everything! I don't want to overthrow Ningguang. I've never had such a thought!"

"I just want her to restrain her ambitions and not be blinded by power and wealth. I want Liyue to be able to develop healthily and steadily, rather than becoming a place that only values ​​money!"

After shouting this, Keqing's voice instantly weakened.

She looked at the pile of miscellaneous items in front of her, and thought of the financial report that made her feel helpless and irritated, and said angrily:

"I'm very upset now. I don't want to care about how the money is distributed, and I don't want to discuss the current situation and the future anymore. Miss Ye Lan, you can decide these matters yourself..."

After she finished speaking, Keqing no longer cared about commanding the Qianyan Army to clean up the temple fair. She turned around and walked towards the exit of the temple fair.

Ye Lan looked at Keqing's back as she left in a rage, sighed helplessly, waved to the stunned Qianyan Army beside her, signaling them to continue packing up, and then stayed alone with a frown.

She knew Keqing's "impulsive" temper too well.

Although we are well aware of the helplessness of reality, we are always driven by idealism and easily lose control of our emotions when we encounter setbacks.

"You yourself can't use reason to restrain your impulsive personality, so how can you subtly influence Ningguang?" Ye Lan complained silently in her heart.

"You're so eager for quick success and instant benefits, you want to solve problems immediately, and you might even try any possible solution. This is your biggest problem, Keqing!"

She looked up at the direction where Keqing disappeared, and then sighed:

"You're such a stubborn person. It's a blessing that you met someone as good-tempered as Ningguang."

"If it were any other ruthless ruler, with your tendency to speak out and challenge authority at every turn, you would have been secretly plotted against and killed long ago..."

At the temple fair late at night, the only sounds left were the wind blowing and the Qianyan Army clearing away debris.

Ye Lan picked up the financial report that Keqing had thrown to the ground, and her fingertips gently ran over the numbers on it, with a complicated look in her eyes.

Ye Lan is caught between Keqing's ideals and Ningguang's reality. She has to maintain the stability of Liyue while taking Keqing's feelings into consideration. Perhaps only she can understand this helplessness.

……

Just when Keqing and Ye Lan parted ways unhappily, in front of the transformed statue.

Barbara's gentle smile during the day disappeared, replaced by an almost paranoid piety.

At this moment, she clasped her hands in front of her chest and prayed silently to the "God".

"My Lord God, please listen to the prayers of your most loyal believers."

"Today's temple fair has concluded successfully. The power of faith of countless Liyue people has flowed through this statue and into the fragments of your soul. Your cause of resurrection has taken another solid step forward."

Barbara closed her eyes slightly, and the scene of the "God" ruling over everything after his rebirth emerged in her mind. The corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up into a secret smile.

"I know you are still very weak and need more nourishment from the power of faith."

"But please rest assured, I will continue to gather more power and make more people become your believers."

"Given time, you will surely be reborn. When that happens, you will return to Teyvat in your perfect form and continue to lead us towards true light!"