Chapter 192: Aurum Alley's Hustle and Bustle 『 Part Seven 』
「 "After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yukong invited the President to elaborate on his plans and considerations for Aurum Alley."
"Both the Aurum President and Stelle started from the desire for Aurum Alley to prosper. However, the President believed that the prosperity envisioned by Stelle and her group would obliterate Aurum Alley's traditions and individuality, making it essentially no different from the IPC's actions."
"Excessive development would only negatively impact the visitor experience, leading to a decrease in the actual number of tourists visiting the street. In the President's view, this was simply a fact."
"'Is that a conclusion you reached based on data?' Stelle handed a revenue report from Artistry Hardware to the President. 'Then take a look at this. The data here shows that the number of tourists hasn't decreased at all!'"
"The data recorded not only the revenue changes of Artistry Hardware but also the fluctuations in the number of visitors to the shop. These figures, which showed an increase rather than a decline… caused the President to begin questioning the authenticity of the data source."
"However, with Yukong vouching for the authenticity of the materials, the President had no choice but to believe it. Yet, he stubbornly maintained that this was merely an isolated case and did not represent Aurum Alley as a whole."
"'You have not lived through the era I have, which is why you cannot understand… my persistence.'" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat, Liyue—
Afternoon sunlight spilled through the carved wooden windows of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, casting dappled shadows upon the tea table. Hearing the Aurum President's statement, Keqing let out a heavy hmph, a trace of displeasure flashing through her amethyst eyes.
"Times are changing, and Aurum Alley should advance with them. What is this nonsense about 'not living through his era'…? He's clearly just playing the seniority card, isn't he?"
"Oh?"
Beside her, Ningguang raised an eyebrow, her pipe turning gently in her fingertips.
"That is certainly direct. However, why do you think the President is so insistent?"
"…He simply hopes to replicate past glories."
Keqing set down her teacup, her voice firm.
"The people of the Xianzhou have long lives, easily spanning hundreds or thousands of years. Some of them have grown accustomed to every brick and tile of Aurum Alley. They wish for things to remain 'unchanged,' glorifying it as 'nostalgia'."
"But in my view, this is merely a narrow-minded, conservative concept."
Ningguang chuckled softly.
"You remain as sharp as ever. However… that is also what I have always admired about you."
She took a sip of tea.
"But as I see it, governing Aurum Alley requires not only the courage to forge ahead but also understanding and tolerance. Although the President's experience includes many rules that seem archaic today, they are often lessons tested by countless trials in practice."
Keqing's fingers unconsciously traced the rim of her teacup.
"It is not that I do not respect his experience, but if experience does not keep pace with the times, it becomes a shackle. Take your Jade Chamber as an example—if not for constant expansion and innovation, it would not have reached its current scale, would it?"
"An interesting comparison."
A glint of appreciation flashed in Ningguang's eyes.
"But every expansion of the Jade Chamber was built upon a full understanding of the original structure. I never rashly overthrew the old; rather, I innovated while inheriting tradition."
—
「 "'Because the Aurum Alley of the past chose my persistence, it was able to create a commercial miracle that is unattainable today.'"
"The President's meaning was quite clear: the Aurum Alley of today is far inferior to the Aurum Alley of that time. Back then, it was the undisputed 'Number One Night Market of the Luofu'."
"'Objection!' Stelle pulled out the historical transaction ledgers of Aurum Alley. 'The past you describe is not objective!'"
"According to the records in the ledger, even the transaction volume during Aurum Alley's glorious peak was only on par with today's figures."
"'You included those cycranes flying all over the place in the count.' The President finally began to get anxious, arguing, 'The past cannot be directly compared with the present. The environment back then was completely different from…'"
"The President did not continue."
"Because he realized that if he went around in circles, he would arrive at the very argument Stelle and the others were making."
"'President, in my view, Aurum Alley is not a phantom for reminiscing about the past,' Mingxi said earnestly. 'Aurum Alley belongs to the people. As long as people are changing, Aurum Alley should change as well.'"
"Mingxi's words left the President speechless."
"One hurdle after another was cleared. Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief for defeating the President and prepared to turn their spearheads toward the IPC, the young master Xiaohan, who had been helping them all along, suddenly jumped out and revealed that he was the IPC's business representative in the Exalting Sanctum."
"'You brat!' Sushang was shocked. The traitor was right beside us!"
"However, Xiaohan did not regard them as opponents, but as like-minded friends. Although their goals were all for the development of Aurum Alley, his vision was completely different from that of the little secretary."
"His ultimate goal was to realize an Aurum Alley that far surpassed its past, transforming this place into a commercial port renowned throughout the galaxy." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World〜
"Uh… wouldn't Aurum Alley just become Aurum 'Port' then?"
Stark asked in confusion.
"That's the logic, yes, but I feel there's nothing wrong with it becoming Aurum Port. It sounds like it would be even more prosperous than before."
Sein was quite in favor of Xiaohan's idea.
"If the operation of Aurum Alley could be handed over to him, I think that wouldn't be bad."
"It's not being handed over to 'him,' but to the 'IPC,' Sein."
Frieren shook her head.
"If Xiaohan didn't have the identity of an IPC business representative, I would actually support him competing with the little secretary. But with the IPC behind him… hehe, I'll still side with the little secretary."
"Ah, Frieren, do you hate the IPC that much?"
Stark scratched his cheek.
"Not everyone in the IPC is a guy like Skott, you know."
"I don't hate them. This has nothing to do with who is in the company. In the end, I simply believe that the development and planning of Aurum Alley should be held in its own hands, not by an external corporation."
Frieren continued,
"Plan it yourself, develop it yourself… this path might be very difficult at the start, but as long as you can walk it, it's fine. However, if you hand the authority of development over to the IPC, it might be easy at first, but over time, an Aurum Alley that has lost its ability to operate independently will sooner or later become a pool of stagnant water."
"Is it really that serious? Frieren-sama, isn't Xiaohan there?"
Fern looked at her in confusion.
"Yes, for now… he is indeed there. In his hands, perhaps the great ship that is Aurum Alley won't veer off course."
Frieren smiled faintly.
"But Xiaohan is human too, and 'people are constantly changing.' His stance and vision could change later on. Besides, when his vision aligns with the IPC's interests, he is Aurum Alley's business representative. But what if one day, his vision conflicts with the IPC's interests?"
"…So, I still hope the little secretary wins, even if her vision isn't as prosperous as Xiaohan's."
Frieren looked down at the muddy ground beneath her feet.
"Going a bit slower is fine. Step by step… at least the footing is solid."
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