"This is entirely voluntary. If you don't wish to deposit, that's fine. Now, please line up one by one."
As the bank clerk spoke, the residents of Liyue eagerly formed a long, orderly queue, their faces beaming with excitement.
"Lady Ningguang treats us too well. Free safekeeping for our money, and she even pays us interest!"
"I know! Before, depositing was free but withdrawing cost a fee. Now, withdrawing is free too, and we get extra Mora just for saving! The longer I keep it in there, the more I earn. It's like getting a free salary."
"And it's not just that—look at the gifts! Free rice, free oil... this is a true blessing for Liyue."
"I used to hide my money at home because I hated paying the withdrawal fees at the old money houses. I had to check it every day to make sure it wasn't stolen. Now I can deposit it, withdraw it for free, and earn interest? It's amazing."
"Yeah, my wife told me to bring every single coin we have. The name 'Ningguang' is a golden guarantee in Liyue. Even without the free gifts, I'd trust her with my life savings!"
"This is great. I can get free rice and oil for the month. I even saw baskets of eggs—those must be free too!"
...
The queue buzzed with happy chatter.
The opening of the Liyue Bank was a genuine cause for celebration.
Depositing money meant having the government protect it for free, withdrawing it cost nothing, and they earned passive income.
On top of that, the immediate rewards of rice and oil were a tangible benefit that every household appreciated. Lady Ningguang was truly looking out for them.
The line moved efficiently. Soon, the first customers emerged, beaming as they carried bags of rice, jugs of oil, and baskets of eggs.
Seeing them, the people still waiting felt their eyes turn red with envy.
"Hurry, hurry! Go home and get every Mora we have! I'll hold our spot in line!"
"There are too many people ahead of me. I'm going to check the other branch."
"I can't believe we get so much stuff. I'm so happy!"
...
The excitement was infectious. People ran home to fetch savings, called out to family members, and spread the word.
Across Liyue, every newly upgraded branch of the Liyue Bank was packed with crowds, a scene of bustling prosperity.
"Lady Ningguang, everything is proceeding in an orderly fashion."
High above in the Jade Chamber, Baishi walked in with a stack of reports, her face flushed with excitement. "Residents are depositing actively. Every branch is accumulating Mora rapidly. The response has been overwhelmingly positive."
"It seems the implementation was a success."
Hearing the report, a smile graced Ningguang's lips. "If we keep this up, Liyue's economy will rise to a new level. We'll have the capital to do whatever we wish."
"With this momentum, we'll drain the Northland Bank's client base dry."
Beside her, Keqing spoke softly. "We're boosting Liyue's economy while simultaneously striking a blow against the Fatui. It's a perfect win-win. Eventually, we'll force the Northland Bank out of Liyue entirely."
"It feels like a dream. All of this... because of a single book pulled from a jar shop. In one day, we've solved a problem that has plagued Liyue for years."
Keqing shook her head in amazement.
The Northland Bank had been Liyue's biggest headache. Now, it was being dismantled with ease.
And the solution hadn't come from a grand strategy meeting or a divine decree, but from a humble jar shop run by a mysterious young man.
And the book was incomplete.
Keqing couldn't even imagine what the full version would contain.
If a fragment of a dozen pages could solve a fifty-year-old economic crisis, a complete volume would surely open up a new world entirely.
"I'm more curious about the Northland Bank's reaction."
Ningguang chuckled softly. "Their expressions must be quite ugly right now."
For years, she had tolerated their presence. To finally root them out from the source was a deeply satisfying victory.
"They must be frantic."
Keqing smiled too.
The Northland Bank had been a thorn in Liyue's golden heart, sucking away its vitality and growing fatter by the day.
Now, that thorn was being pulled out.