Early the next morning, after packing up their supplies, Jiang Yan clasped his hands together to save time.
"Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!"
Boom!!
With a burst of smoke, an enormous wooden giant appeared out of thin air.
The wood golem spread its hands, continuously reshaping them, and soon a broad platform formed—
just large enough to accommodate the Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel and the Millelith soldiers.
Jiang Yan often used this technique when visiting other nations, so the people from the Ministry and the Millelith were already accustomed to it.
After climbing onto the platform with practiced ease, Jiang Yan folded his arms across his chest.
In his mind, the Rooster Talisman suddenly flared to life.
The entire wood golem rose into the air, carrying everyone as it flew toward Mondstadt City.
—
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt City, Venti had already informed the Three Great Families that Jiang Yan was about to arrive.
This news instantly threw them into chaos.
They still vividly remembered that ten years ago, when the Tianquan of Liyue had first visited Mondstadt as a national leader, he had—at Barbatos's request—personally "guided" these nobles.
Calling it guidance was generous.
It was more like a merciless verbal thrashing.
Back then, he had scolded them so harshly that the old patriarch of the Gunnhildr Clan had vomited blood on the spot.
And their Wind God, Barbatos, hadn't been angry in the slightest—instead, he had applauded enthusiastically.
Because Jiang Yan's tirade had laid bare Mondstadt's hidden crises and political loopholes at the time.
And so, even now, these nobles harbored an inexplicable fear of Jiang Yan.
Especially when they heard Venti say that Jiang Yan's visit this time was specifically to address flaws in Mondstadt's governance—
Almost everyone's face turned pale.
They could practically see it again: ten years ago, Jiang Yan standing in the conference hall, scolding the Three Great Families until they couldn't lift their heads.
"Quick, quick, pull out that file! That one still hasn't been handled!"
"Not that one! Why is this 'missing cat' case even here? Let the Knights handle it—why is it on our desk?!"
"That Lawrence one—go deal with it now! That's your family's business!"
"What status do you have to speak to the Lawrence Clan like that?!"
"If you don't want to get scolded by the Tianquan of Liyue, then just do it."
"Do it, do it, I'll do it right now…"
For a time, documents, policies, civil affairs, and military records were flipped through until they were nearly torn apart.
All for one purpose—
To leave Jiang Yan with nothing to scold them about.
—
That morning, a thunderous crash echoed outside Mondstadt City.
Dust billowed into the air as the Millelith stood in orderly ranks on both sides, with the Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel in the center.
And at the very front stood Jiang Yan.
The Liyue delegation had officially arrived at Mondstadt's gates!
The nobles quickly received the news and rushed out to welcome them.
"Ah, welcome, welcome! We warmly welcome the Tianquan of Liyue on his visit to Mondstadt!"
Venti stepped forward with a smile.
The nobles behind him also forced smiles, though their hearts were full of dread.
"Hahaha, long time no see, my old friend!"
Jiang Yan laughed and patted Venti on the shoulder.
Though the two had already met yesterday, today they acted as though this were their first reunion.
"Such good acting…"
Barbatos hid in the distance, watching with an amused smile.
Having returned political power to the people, he no longer governed Mondstadt directly.
Unless Mondstadt faced a major crisis, he generally wouldn't appear in the guise of the Wind God.
And it was precisely this free and hands-off style of governance that had shaped Mondstadt into a nation of freedom.
After chatting briefly with Venti, Jiang Yan greeted the heads of the Three Great Families as well.
Then, under Venti's guidance, they headed to the central conference hall of Mondstadt.
This was the core of Mondstadt's power—
not only where the Three Great Families handled state affairs, but also where Venti worked.
Once everyone was seated, Venti wasted no time and went straight to the point.
"The Tianquan has once again come to Mondstadt after ten years."
"I wonder—does Mondstadt today satisfy the Tianquan?"
If there's going to be scolding, get it over with early,
Venti thought.
The heads of the Three Great Families all sat up straight, staring at Jiang Yan.
But in their hearts, they were cursing Venti nonstop.
Damn it, you're the only one who knows how to talk, huh?!
What if he wasn't even planning to bring this up?!
Now you've made it unavoidable!
Venti already knew that Jiang Yan would evaluate Mondstadt's current state, which was why he skipped the polite formalities and went straight to the topic.
And Jiang Yan just loved people who asked for a scolding.
A mysterious smile appeared on his lips.
"Alright, then I'll say a few words."
"Today's Mondstadt, compared to Mondstadt ten years ago—"
"has indeed changed greatly."
As soon as he said this, the heads of the Three Great Families all let out a sigh of relief.
Thank the gods—he's not starting with a curse…
"But!"
Jiang Yan suddenly shifted his tone.
"It's still terrible!"
His gaze locked onto them, utterly calm and unflinching.
Here it comes—time to get scolded!
Not only Venti, but even the three patriarchs straightened their backs.
"I told you to handle governance, not to personally deal with every trivial matter!"
"Have you forgotten what I told you back then—what governance actually is?!"
Jiang Yan then went on to explain, one by one, the differences between political affairs, policies, and administrative governance.
"Lost cats and dogs end up on your desks."
"What, don't you have departments to handle this kind of trivial nonsense?"
"Are you their parents? Spoiling them this much?!"
From there on, Jiang Yan launched into a full-blown verbal barrage, scolding them mercilessly.
Even Venti's face darkened.
After all, the root cause of this administrative mess…
seemed to be him.
"But if we don't do this, the people will lose trust in us,"
the old patriarch of the Lawrence Clan suddenly stood up, protesting.
"They'll think we can't even handle matters like this—"
"Shut up! You white-bearded old thief, you senile fool!"
Jiang Yan snapped back without hesitation.
"If you can say something this stupid, then you deserve to roll right off that seat you're sitting on!"
Jiang Yan was in the middle of his scolding spree, and being challenged at a time like this?
Naturally, he unleashed an even harsher torrent of abuse on the Lawrence patriarch.
Choosing this moment to stick your head out—
The others looked at the Lawrence elder, whose face had already gone deathly pale, with admiration.
You really are something else.
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