Genshin Impact: A Mortal's Ascension to Godhood

"No, why do you look at me like you saw a ghost?"

Li Tao looked at Keqing, who was like a furious kitten, and Xingqiu, Chongyun and Xiangling, who looked as if they were caught in the act and had embarrassed faces, with a helpless look on their faces.

The scene fell into silence. After about three minutes, Xingqiu stepped out to smooth things over.

"Uh, well, this is..."

"Okay, okay, let me tell you."

At this moment, Keqing suddenly interrupted Xingqiu and walked forward with a slight blush on her face: "Actually, I wanted to find some acquaintances to consult about the upcoming [Seven Star Selection Meeting], and I just happened to find them."

Chongyun explained, "Ms. Keqing found us and hoped that we could give her some advice on her work. We wanted to find you, Brother Li, but you were not at home."

"So we went to the Adventurer's Association to look for you, but the branch president told us that you had accepted an invitation from another Seven Stars to serve as a political advisor. That's why we were shocked when we saw you."

Li Tao pointed at himself and said with a smile: "You don't think I'm here to gather intelligence, do you?"

Several people nodded in unison. Xiangling also muttered, "After all, it was Miss Ningguang who hired you, Brother Li. Miss Ningguang and Miss Keqing should be considered political enemies, right? In addition, the Seven Star Selection Meeting is approaching, and anyone would think too much."

Keqing quickly shook her head. "Ningguang and I are not political enemies. We just have very different opinions on some issues. We are in charge of completely different areas, so it's normal to have different views."

However, ideological conflicts always exist objectively.

Li Tao read this meaning from Keqing's words.

He waved his hands helplessly at the few people, pulled out a chair and sat down: "You don't know, I just finished my work with Lady Ningguang today, and I won't go again until the Seven Star Selection Meeting is held."

Xiangling couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother Li Tao, have you climbed into Lord Ningguang's Jade Pavilion? I heard that the interior of the Jade Pavilion is as magnificent as the exterior, and each brick and stone is worth a lot of Mora. Is that true?"

Li Tao nodded and said, "Miss Ningguang's Jade Pavilion...is indeed a magnificent and exquisite man-made wonder. As for how much each piece is worth, I'm not an expert and I can't tell."

That's very valuable.

Xingqiu understood, but at the same time he asked curiously, "Brother Li, Lady Ningguang summoned you to provide her with political advice... What did you say?"

Li Tao made a zipper-pulling motion and said, "Well, the contract stipulates that I can't say anything casually. However, I did tell her some political stories and provided some cases for her to write the Seven Stars Selection Group plan later."

"If you are concerned about me and think that I will leak some key information, then please ask Xiangling to cook some food and I will go to the outer hall to eat."

Keqing stretched out her hand and stopped him, "No, there is no such thing, adventurer. In fact, I would also like to hear some of your opinions."

"Over the past few days, I have gathered ideas from all sides and collected some opinions and suggestions from the public about my work. Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xiangling... I have also carefully recorded and referred to your opinions."

"After all, this is a major event that concerns how the Seven Stars will govern Liyue for the next ten years, so I have to deal with it carefully."

Li Tao rubbed his stomach first and said helplessly: "Ms. Keqing, if possible, I still want to eat something to fill my stomach first..."

I came here to eat, but when I got over I saw you guys were discussing politics!

"Oh, sorry, Brother Li Tao! I'll go to the kitchen and cook two dishes for you right away!" Xiangling ran out of the room like a flash.

......

Li Tao was eating when he looked up and found Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xiangling, and even Keqing secretly glancing at him. This made Li Tao even more confused: Why don't you guys just continue chatting? Why do you care about me?

“Well, Brother Li,” Xingqiu continued, “We still want to hear your opinion on Liyue’s political situation. Because we are more or less Miss Keqing’s [Political Advisor].”

"You're still worried about me, right?" Li Tao felt a little bitter in his heart. As one of the Seven Stars, Keqing's influence and affinity far exceeded his own.

But Xingqiu saw this and explained, "No, no, no, I just want to talk it out in advance. If you disagree, we won't interfere. Let's not talk about politics for now. When Miss Keqing attends the selection meeting, we can still be good friends.

If everyone has similar opinions, then this is a good opportunity to give Miss Keqing some reminders."

Xiangling also spoke up, "Brother Li Tao is older than us and has more experience than us. You must have something extraordinary to be able to be summoned by Lord Ningguang as a [Political Advisor]! We also want to hear your opinions, Brother Li Tao."

"Great idea? I don't have any great idea... But I have heard about Miss Keqing's ideas and way of doing things."

Li Tao looked at Keqing, and Keqing smiled in response: "Mr. Li Tao, go ahead."

"I heard that Miss Keqing is in charge of Liyue's land surveying and management, civil engineering and construction departments, and she often goes to the construction site to supervise the work herself."

"Because I am always on the front line of construction, I can understand the difficulties of each department in the Eight Gates and the hardships of grassroots workers."

"Miss Keqing... No, Lord Yuheng always advocates for the people at the bottom. This is also what Lord Tianquan Ningguang told me."

Keqing nodded firmly: "Yes. I believe that in Liyue, independent, hardworking and enterprising people should be respected and receive better treatment."

Chongyun interrupted in a low voice, “So, Ms. Keqing is going to propose three plans at this Seven Star Selection Meeting:

In rural areas, she established farmers' associations led by her subordinates and organized and participated by farmers themselves, promoted agricultural technical education in farmers' associations, and organized farmers' associations to carry out centralized agricultural production, transportation, and sales;

Strengthen trade unions in urban areas, ensure their independence, open a complaint channel for them, and ensure their enthusiasm for participation;

We oppose business associations that formulate rules that exploit workers, and order the relevant chambers of commerce to revise relevant regulations to protect the rights and dignity of workers. "

The more Li Tao listened, the more he felt that Miss Keqing was a little too popular—

To the other seven stars of Liyue, Keqing's butt is a little too crooked. No matter what, officials are officials and people are people. How can we let the common people organize against the government?

However, for Li Tao, who has seen various revolutionary events in history books, these measures are actually just relatively superficial reforms and have not touched the essence of political system change.

Keqing only saw exploitation and suffering in her daily work, and subconsciously wanted to use her power to protect others. But she did not understand that her public office and power were the root cause of all the problems.

Li Tao thought about it for a long time, but in the end he just said: "...That's great, Miss Keqing. I also support your point of view."

Before Keqing could be happy, she heard Li Tao say solemnly: "But have you ever thought that the bills you want to propose are simply impossible to implement?"

"Take Miss Ningguang as an example. She will never allow a union that is not controlled by the Seven Stars to appear in Liyue. If the workers all go on strike, how can the merchants make money? In that case, the workers will be criticized by everyone."

"I think you need to think more deeply about the source of workers' exploitation, or just put this issue aside for now."

Keqing was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "I understand."

"Mr. Li Tao, you are the kind of person who understands my thoughts but does not understand my heart."

"I will not give up easily before I achieve what I want to do. Even if the Seven Stars are against me, I will stick to my point of view."

"As long as the people of Liyue, whom I love, still support me, and Liyue can still move forward under the leadership of some hardworking, diligent, pioneering, flexible, and self-reliant Liyue people, I will not give up."

Xingqiu said with sparkling eyes: "Brother Li! Isn't it very cool to do something even though you know it's impossible?"

My child, your Chamber of Commerce has done it too! If your workers go on strike, you won't be able to live a life of luxury!

Li Tao glanced at the boys and girls and found that they all looked very excited.

Forget it. Li Tao recalled that when he was this age, his mind was also full of fantasies, full of expectations for the future, and he believed that he could change everything.

This might be:

"I would not hesitate to spend a fortune to buy a precious sword, and I would be generous enough to exchange a sable coat for wine. I will cherish my passion, and even if I spill it, it will turn into a blue wave."