Chapter 12: Business

While Ye and Zhongli were enjoying their meal and reminiscing, Ningguang, who had received Ye's invitation and had originally planned to visit him personally, arrived with Ganyu, the secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Your Excellency, the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine."

Ningguang gave a slight bow and smiled gracefully.

"I am Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing."

"There's no need for introductions."

Ye looked at Ningguang and spoke calmly:

"Floating lightly, like snow dust falling from the clouds;"

"Dense yet sparse, each word as precious as a rare treasure;"

"With a single thought, the mountains and rivers are engulfed;"

"All know the Tianquan reigns supreme."

"Even in Fontaine, Lady Ningguang's reputation is well-known. That's why I wanted to visit you upon arriving in Liyue. I didn't expect you to come so quickly."

A faint blush appeared on Ningguang's face. "Your Excellency flatters me."

The embarrassment was genuine, as this passage… well, let's just move on.

"Though I received your invitation, as Your Excellency once said to Rex Lapis, it would be too disrespectful for you to visit me personally."

"I cannot compare to Rex Lapis. In terms of status, I am not much higher than Lady Ningguang."

"But it's well-known that Your Excellency is on equal footing with Rex Lapis. That cannot be denied."

"I am also on equal footing with Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Should you also treat him with the same reverence as Rex Lapis?"

"This…"

Hearing this, Zhongli sipped his tea without a word, while Ningguang couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Rex Lapis is Rex Lapis, I am I, and Zhongli is Zhongli. Don't confuse us just because of some connections. That would be disrespectful to me, as I hope you see me for who I am, not just as a friend of Rex Lapis."

"Your Excellency misunderstands. I absolutely do not think that way. In fact, you are my greatest idol. In this city of trade, no merchant is unaware of your name."

Ningguang couldn't help but relax a little after hearing Ye's words.

Earlier, she had indeed felt what Ganyu had described—an overwhelming presence that instinctively made one feel nervous and timid, as if facing something greater than a god.

It was like… standing before the heavens.

Truly incredible.

"Please, have a seat, Lady Ningguang, Miss Ganyu. Today, Zhongli is treating us, and Xiangling is cooking. Don't be shy. Coincidentally, I was planning to discuss a business deal with Lady Ningguang. Discussing it over a meal, as per your country's culture, seems fitting."

"Oh? What kind of business does Your Excellency wish to discuss?"

At the mention of business, Ningguang's demeanor shifted instantly. She smiled with interest, her aura becoming dignified and regal.

Idol or not, business was business.

Of course, since it was a deal proposed by the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine, it was bound to be profitable. Ningguang's interest was genuine.

"Ten years ago, Fontaine established cinemas across Teyvat. Now, films can be seen in every nation. Has Lady Ningguang watched any?"

"Of course. I even have a few film crews under my management."

Ningguang nodded.

Film was a burgeoning industry, categorized by Fontaine as part of the entertainment sector—a way to make money by entertaining the masses, much like Liyue's storytelling and theater.

To watch a film, one had to go to a cinema and buy a ticket. The number of tickets sold determined whether a film was profitable or not.

Though still a fledgling industry, Ningguang could see its potential. She had invested in it without hesitation.

While Liyue hadn't yet developed a complete industrial chain like Fontaine, with dedicated entertainment companies, Ningguang had nurtured several film crews to lay the groundwork. She was fully prepared to counter Fontaine's cultural influence and export Liyue's culture to other nations, including Fontaine.

Yes, Ningguang clearly understood that this wasn't just about profit—it was a cultural war.

Unlike storytelling or theater, which only reached a limited audience, films could be seen by people across the continent, making them the best medium for promoting one's culture abroad.

What was the point of cultural promotion?

Simply put, many in Liyue were now familiar with Fontaine's culture and yearned for life there.

The nation of water, its picturesque scenery, its unique culture of turning trials into theatrical performances, and its array of fascinating and impressive technological innovations.

It was unclear how many wanted to settle in Fontaine—after all, housing there was expensive—but many had already begun traveling to Fontaine in groups, contributing to its economy.

To be honest, Fontaine was beautiful, but wasn't Liyue equally stunning?

Ningguang believed Liyue's beauty even surpassed Fontaine's.

Fontaine had its culture, and Liyue had its own.

If Fontaine's culture could attract foreigners, couldn't Liyue's do the same?

Of course it could.

It was just that the people of Liyue had grown accustomed to their own culture, seeing it as ordinary, which made them more drawn to the Fontaine depicted in films.

But if Liyue's culture were properly promoted, people from other nations would surely yearn for Liyue, bringing economic benefits in return.

This was a cultural invasion, but also a clash of cultures.

Ningguang had full confidence in her nation's culture. While she recognized the dangers of cultural invasion, she didn't ban foreign films in Liyue. Instead, she chose to face the challenge head-on.

What if she lost? What if Liyue's culture proved less appealing than Fontaine's?

Heh.

Ningguang had nothing to say to such questions except to laugh.

What could you do if you lost? Blame yourself for not being good enough? Complain that the other side was too strong?

If you didn't even have faith in your own culture, what was the point of talking? Why not just admit defeat and let the stronger culture consume you?

Refusing foreign cultural influence to protect your own culture? Are you the Raiden Shogun? Planning to isolate yourself like Inazuma?

A nation's foreign policy should always be about learning from others' strengths while promoting its own.

You can't only see the strengths of others and ignore their weaknesses, nor can you only see your own weaknesses and ignore your strengths.

At least under Ningguang's leadership, this was Liyue's philosophy.

Therefore, without a doubt, Ningguang's response to Fontaine's cultural invasion through films was to counter it directly. The film crews she nurtured were not for nothing.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Ningguang's gaze toward the Supreme Archbishop of Fontaine became filled with determination.

The chance to engage in a cultural war with her idol filled Ningguang with rare excitement.

She had missed the economic war three hundred years ago, but this time, she wouldn't let the other side have its way.

Idol or not, business was business. Just because you're my idol doesn't mean I don't want to defeat you, right?

Unaware of Ningguang's thoughts, Ye continued calmly:

"The business I wish to discuss with Lady Ningguang is similar to films—another emerging industry."

"What industry is it?"

"This industry… is called the internet."