bookbashuk Chapter 1200 Ke Qing admiring the scenery from the mountain
Chapter 1200 Ke Qing admiring the scenery from the mountain
As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to him, and he who eats a man's food is bound to him," Barbara knew in her heart that she had borrowed the power of the Liyue people's faith in the Geo Archon and had also obtained Zhongli's leniency in not pursuing the matter. At this moment, she had no room to refuse and could only nod and agree to Zhongli's request.
But then she thought again and raised a crucial question.
"If we do manage to overthrow Ningguang's rule in the end, then... what will happen to Ningguang?"
Seeing that Barbara had already begun to think about the follow-up details, and even thought about "the problem of what to do after success", Zhongli waved his hand.
This is not something you, Barbara, should concern yourself with.
"You don't need to worry about that. You just need to focus on helping Keqing and pushing forward the plan to overthrow Ningguang's rule."
"Once it's all over, the people of Liyue will decide how to deal with Ningguang. You won't be involved."
“As long as you complete this task, and you borrow my faith without my permission, we will call it even and have no further debts to each other.”
These words completely dispelled Barbara's worries and effectively bound her to the pirate ship.
Barbara knew she had no other choice but to take a deep breath and slowly nod.
"Okay, I understand, Mr. Zhongli. I will do my best to assist Miss Keqing and live up to your trust."
Now, for Barbara, there is both good news and bad news.
The good news is that she no longer has to worry about what to do next; the bad news is that the more she thinks about it, the more she feels like she's "on a sinking ship."
From a devout believer who only wanted to resurrect the Anemo Archon, he has become a "driving force" involved in the political upheaval in Liyue, and the risks ahead are completely unpredictable.
Zhongli naturally saw the helplessness in Barbara's eyes. He knew the principle of "give a stick and a sweet date" and that he couldn't just make the other party bear the responsibility; he should also give her enough respect and comfort.
So he bowed slightly to Barbara to express his gratitude, and said sincerely, "Please forgive my actions for dragging you, a Mondstadt native, into the conflict of Liyue. I really didn't have a better choice."
"Keqing has the will to change, but lacks external support; within Liyue, some are attached to Ningguang, while others fear Shao Yun's reputation. Only you, who have no vested interests and have enough integrity and responsibility, are the most suitable candidate."
Barbara looked at Zhongli, her heart no longer stirred by anything. She simply thought, "Since I'm here, I might as well accept it. Whatever you say goes."
"It's alright. I took your things without permission, so I owe you a favor. It's only right that I do things for you now... It's not a matter of forgiveness or not."
……
The moment Barbara agreed to Zhongli's request, she became a tool for Zhongli to change the political situation in Liyue.
In fact, Zhongli was not heartless. Did he not want to leave Ningguang a way out?
Back when Liyue first entered an era of rule by men, it was Ningguang who stabilized the political situation with her exceptional skills, making her Liyue's "pillar of stability."
But politics has never been about "personal feelings".
When needed, he can elevate Ningguang to the position of Liyue's helmsman, the leader of a people-governed Liyue, a noble golden phoenix.
However, when Ningguang becomes an "unstable factor" dependent on Shao Yun and a hidden danger threatening Liyue's future, the so-called "affection" becomes the most worthless thing.
To put it bluntly, this is a blatant case of "discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose."
But Zhong Li knew better than anyone else that this was the cruel reality of politics.
For the greater good, someone must make a sacrifice, even if that person was once a hero of Liyue.
If anyone is to blame, it's the limitations of truth.
Barbara didn't think about it anymore, nor did she dare to.
Following Zhongli's suggestion, she headed towards Liyue Harbor to find Keqing, who was also dissatisfied with Ningguang.
On the north side of Liyue Harbor, atop the mountain that inspired the artificial bonsai at Wangshu Inn.
Barbara climbed upwards, and when she finally reached the top of the mountain, she immediately saw Keqing standing at the top.
She was still wearing her signature purple outfit, her long hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
Keqing was gazing at Liyue Harbor in the distance, her expression complex.
In her eyes, Liyue Harbor was no longer the bustling commercial port that once was, teeming with life and vibrant with activity, but had become a place that reeked of stench and was filled with hypocrisy.
Ningguang's dictatorship suppressed dissent, and Shaoyun's prestige was used as a tool of rule. Even the temple fair he had carefully organized ultimately deviated from its original purpose of "inheriting culture and restraining greed."
"Sigh..." Ke Qing sighed softly.
She had put in so much effort, yet it seemed she could never change Liyue's current situation. This sense of powerlessness was more painful to her than any accusation.
At this moment, Barbara, who had climbed up, stepped forward and greeted Keqing's retreating figure, "Miss Keqing."
Keqing didn't turn around or look at Barbara; she simply gazed at Liyue Harbor in the distance and asked a seemingly unrelated question in a calm tone.
"Miss Barbara, what do you think of the scenery here?"
When Barbara heard Keqing ask about the scenery, she subconsciously looked around.
She pursed her lips and answered truthfully, "This place is nice. You can see the entire Liyue Harbor. The view is excellent. It's just a little shorter than Jade Pavilion. Standing in Jade Pavilion, the view of Liyue Harbor seems more magnificent."
After listening, Keqing simply nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, asking in an unhappy tone, "Barbara, are you here to congratulate me too?"
"Congratulations?" Barbara was stunned, tilting her head to look at Keqing's back, her face full of confusion.
What are you congratulating me on? Is it for the successful conclusion of the temple fair, or is there something else?
She couldn't understand why Keqing suddenly brought up "congratulations".
Keqing turned around, strode towards Barbara, took out a few sheets of paper, handed them to Barbara, and said in a very dissatisfied tone:
"Look, these are the 'congratulations' I received."
Barbara quickly reached out and took the letter, unfolding it to reveal neat Liyue script.
She stared at the symbols for a while, but he couldn't recognize any of them.
After all, she was a native of Mondstadt and was used to Teyvat common language or Mondstadt script. She had never learned the script of Liyue.
"Hmm... what do these words mean?"
Barbara blushed with embarrassment and quickly returned the congratulatory letter to Ke Qing unopened, explaining apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Keqing, I can't read Liyue's script. I can only recognize a few simple symbols..."
Keqing patted her head and said self-deprecatingly, "Oh dear, I forgot, you're from Mondstadt and can't understand Liyue's writing. It was my oversight."
Keqing then explained to Barbara, "These are all congratulatory letters from wealthy merchants who participated in the temple fair. As for the content, it's just the same few sentences over and over again."
"It's either 'Congratulations on the great success of the temple fair and may your wealth increase,' or 'Thank you, Lord Keqing, for providing the platform that has allowed us to make a fortune.' It's all vulgar talk about money."
After listening to Keqing's explanation of the congratulatory letter, Barbara muttered to herself:
"Oh, so that's what the words meant... No wonder you were unhappy. It's all about money, which is really far from the cultural theme you wanted to convey."
Looking at the congratulatory letter in her hand, Ke Qing grew angrier and angrier, and said angrily, "These merchants think that our carefully organized cultural temple fair is just a business!"
Then, she took a deep breath, her voice tinged with grievance.
“Even my parents didn’t understand my good intentions. They even planned a grand celebration banquet for me to celebrate the wealth I earned during the temple fair.”
"Nobody cares about my original intentions. They're all a bunch of guys who value money more than their own lives!"
Barbara looked at the heartbroken Keqing and didn't interrupt, but just stood quietly to the side and listened.
At the same time, she was also quickly thinking about Zhongli's mission: to help Keqing and overthrow Ningguang.
At this moment, Keqing became more and more carried away, her tone gradually filled with despair, and she even began to doubt the feasibility of human intervention in Liyue.
"If a Liyue governed by humans ultimately only unleashes the greed in people's hearts without restraint, making everyone only interested in profit and abandoning even the most basic 'propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame,' then I would rather everyone return to a Liyue governed by immortals!"
She raised her head and gazed at Liyue Harbor in the distance, her eyes filled with confusion and resentment.
"At least during the era of Xianzhi, with the constraints of the Rock Gods and the immortals, people still understood the four words 'propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame,' and knew how to be in awe."
"Instead of being swayed by self-interest and becoming increasingly numb and hypocritical, as we are now!"
Barbara looked at Keqing, who was still agitated and whose chest was heaving, gently reached out and patted her back, soothing her in a gentle tone:
"Miss Keqing, don't panic, take a deep breath. Getting agitated like this won't solve the problem, it will only make you feel worse."
Keqing looked up and saw the genuine concern in Barbara's eyes, but did not refute it.
She knew she wasn't in the right state of mind, but the grievances and anxieties in her heart were like a tangled mess, impossible to calm down easily.
Finally, Keqing tried her best to follow Barbara's advice, slowly closing her eyes and beginning to take deep breaths.
Inhale slowly as your chest expands, feeling the fresh air rush into your lungs; exhale slowly as you exhale, letting go of all your worries.
After a few deep breaths, Ke Qing's breathing gradually calmed down, and the impatience on her face subsided somewhat.
She opened her eyes again and looked at Barbara with a pleading gaze.
"Miss Barbara, I have a very confusing question. Could you please enlighten me?"
Barbara's spirits lifted instantly; Keqing's offer of help presented a perfect opportunity to advance the plan.
She immediately adopted a serious, attentive demeanor and replied earnestly, "Please speak, Miss Keqing."
"As we said when we were chatting at Qiaoyingzhuang, no matter what's on your mind or what difficulties you encounter, I can be your listener and do my best to help you share the burden."
Keqing bit her lower lip and poured out her frustration to Barbara.
"In other people's eyes, this temple fair may have been a 'successful' one, earning a lot of mora and attracting many tourists, with everyone praising it highly."
"But I know it was a complete failure! We accomplished nothing except earning a bunch of cold, useless Mora."
As she spoke, her voice lowered again, and she said with self-doubt, "I even wondered if I was too naive? Thinking that a temple fair could change the status quo..."
Barbara comforted Keqing, saying, "I understand, I understand. It must be incredibly painful to see something you've poured your heart and soul into go astray from your original intention."
"If it were me, I probably would have done the same thing as you."
Keqing shook her head. Compared to her own heartbreak, she was now more worried about the future of Liyue.
Liyue, ruled by the immortals, has survived millennia. If Liyue, ruled by humans, were to collapse in less than a century, Keqing would have no face to meet her ancestors and successive Yuheng stars in the ley lines!
"I'm more worried about Liyue's future now. We need to pull Liyue back from the brink before desire completely consumes them!"