Chapter 43 To be, or not to be?

Later, through Lisa's explanation, Tsumugi Kujo and Lumine finally understood why Mondstadt's economy was in such dire straits.

The factors Lisa had mentioned earlier were all "contributing factors," but the direct cause was a poor decision made by Jean after Grandmaster Varka led the elite Knights of Favonius away.

At that time, Varka had just left Mondstadt with the elite Knights, and Jean had just taken over as Acting Grandmaster. It was then that the Fatui's Harbinger, "The Doctor," approached Jean and suggested that Mondstadt was currently too vulnerable. He offered to provide Mondstadt with magical devices developed by the Kingdom of Snezhnaya that could greatly enhance the strength of the remaining Knights of Favonius. However, this would require a significant sum of Mora.

Since "The Doctor" had helped Mondstadt defeat the dragon Ursa a few years prior, Jean had a favorable impression of him and signed the contract without thoroughly reviewing it. She failed to notice the trap hidden within the agreement, and as a result, Mondstadt's economy spiraled downward.

"What kind of trap did The Doctor set in the contract?" Lumine asked curiously.

"We were required to pay an upfront deposit and then continue to pay a certain amount of Mora to the Fatui every month."

"Isn't that just a standard installment plan? Where's the trap?" Tsumugi Kujo was intrigued, as there was no mention of this in the game.

"Well... the contract only specified that Mondstadt had to pay the Fatui a sum of Mora each month, and the Fatui would deliver the weapons when 'the time was right'..."

At this point, Lisa's voice grew quieter, as if embarrassed.

"…"

Tsumugi Kujo looked at Jean, who had buried her face in her hands out of embarrassment.

If I had known Jean was this easy to deceive, I would have chosen to be a con artist instead of an information dealer. It'd be faster to make money that way!

"Of course, Mondstadt's economy could still barely sustain itself... But not long ago, the Northland Bank suddenly raised its interest rates, leading people to deposit Mora in the bank instead of spending it, which further reduced tax revenues..."

Hmm, I didn't expect the "Rich Man" to have a grasp of economics. Does he know how to apply financial pressure on Mondstadt? He really is just as formidable as Ningguang.

Most people on Teyvat have no concept of economics and the few who do have only a superficial understanding.

How clueless are the people of Teyvat about economics? Just look at Zhongli—a god who has lived for millennia and witnessed countless events. He controls the minting rights of Mora, the sole currency in circulation, and has single-handedly inflated the entire continent's economy.

But compared to the absurdity in Liyue, Zhongli's behavior is nothing.

Liyue Port, the most prosperous trade center on the continent, known as the "City of Contracts," has its largest bank operated by the Kingdom of Snezhnaya…

Even Tsumugi Kujo, with her basic knowledge of economics, could see how dangerous that was.

Yet the people of Liyue, including the Qixing, didn't see it as a problem. The Northland Bank has been entrenched in Liyue for centuries, becoming the main source of funding for the Fatui's activities across Teyvat.

It wasn't until Ningguang took power that she began to use various strategies to reduce the Northland Bank's influence in Liyue. But her intentions weren't to free Liyue's economy from Fatui control—she simply had her eyes on the lucrative banking sector and wanted to claim a piece of the Fatui's pie.

In short, after saying so much, I really just want to make one thing clear: the "Rich Man" who managed to corner Mondstadt using financial means is far more capable than most people on the continent.

At least in economic terms, the "Rich Man" and Ningguang are on equal footing.

As for Tsumugi Kujo... she might be a bit less capable than the two of them. After all, she's never managed to outmaneuver Ningguang in their previous encounters.

There's no helping it. Although Tsumugi Kujo is a time traveler with knowledge far beyond that of the natives of Teyvat, she's still too inexperienced compared to veterans like Ningguang, who have been in the game for decades or even centuries.

As for why the Kingdom of Snezhnaya is so eager to exploit Mondstadt financially, Tsumugi Kujo had no doubts about their intentions.

"Judging by the Fatui's tactics, they must have sent someone to propose to Acting Grandmaster Jean that if she met their conditions, they could temporarily suspend or even nullify the contract. If I'm guessing correctly, their conditions likely involved allowing the Fatui to station troops directly in Mondstadt."

Tsumugi Kujo spoke with a look of disdain.

"Ah, Miss Kujo really understands the Fatui's style. Come, sister will give you a reward~" Lisa said, wrapping her arms around Tsumugi Kujo and pulling her close. Due to the height difference, Tsumugi's face ended up buried in Lisa's ample chest.

"Paimon, don't look!"

Lumine quickly covered Paimon's eyes.

"Huh? Why? What happened?"

Paimon, unsatisfied, stomped her feet angrily in the air.

"Miss Lisa, what are you doing?" Tsumugi Kujo asked, pushing Lisa away, exasperated.

Although it was quite comfortable, Lisa isn't the type to offer benefits so casually. There must be some ulterior motive behind this, making those two soft mounds far less appealing.

Besides, when it comes to physique, Rosalyne's body is even more alluring than Lisa's. Tsumugi Kujo had experienced all sorts of special treatments from Rosalyne and had long entered sage mode. There's no way a little perk like this would tempt her.

Hmph! Snake spirit, your little tricks won't work on me!

"Yes, just as Miss Kujo said, the Fatui did make such a suggestion, but I refused it outright." After some internal self-counseling, Jean had regained her composure.

"I've always felt guilty because my personal mistake caused Mondstadt's economy to deteriorate significantly..."

"I heard that Miss Kujo started implementing new policies in Inazuma a few years ago and managed to pull the Kujo Clan, which was on the brink of bankruptcy, back from the edge of a financial crisis. I wonder if Miss Kujo could offer some advice on Mondstadt's current situation?"

Sure enough, Lisa finally revealed her true purpose: to ask Tsumugi Kujo to help revitalize Mondstadt's economy.

"If Miss Kujo is truly willing to help, then sister... will give you a real reward~"

Finally, Lisa added something in a voice only Tsumugi Kujo could hear.

And Tsumugi Kujo fell into deep thought...

To help Mondstadt or not to help Mondstadt—that is the question.