Rumors unfavorable to Akademiya City weren't just circulating in Mondstadt, they had also spread throughout Liyue and Snezhnaya. However, following Shen Qin's instructions, none of the three nations took any overt action. Instead, they quietly gathered information, investigating the truth behind the rumors.
After receiving the clients' deposits, Akademiya City immediately ramped up production. Within a week, they delivered the first batch, a thousand engineering machines in total.
When Johnston received the notice to go to Akademiya City to pay the remaining balance and pick up his order, he was stunned. In his estimation, the earliest possible delivery time should have been around a month—three months would have been acceptable, and even half a year wouldn't have been a loss, just an extended break.
But he never expected that in just one week, his caravan's two "Dawn" models and three "Cider Lake" models would be ready, waiting for them to drive them back.
"Let's go, let's go!"
"Hurry up, boss! If we get the vehicles back by noon, we can start work this afternoon!"
"Our very own transport vehicles! I can't wait to take one for a spin!"
The caravan members were ecstatic. Except for a few older members who had no plans to drive, the rest had already passed the certification exams the day before, obtaining Class B Transport Vehicle Licenses, permitting them to operate the "Dawn" and "Cider Lake" models.
"Alright! We're heading to Akademiya City to pick up our vehicles now!"
Johnston led the group out of the estate, only to run straight into old Goss. The moment Goss saw him, he unleashed a torrent of abuse:
"You sold off all the caravan's old carts? Idiot! Your father's legacy will be squandered by you! I wonder if he'd claw his way out of the grave if he saw what you've done to the caravan he worked so hard to build!"
"You probably don't know this, but I bought all the carts you sold! Soon, my caravan will be the largest between Mondstadt and Liyue! And you—you'll have no choice but to disband yours and live as a complete failure!"
"Just like your father—a loser! A coward! Look at me now. I'll crush every competitor. I won't run from the fight like Roy did, hiding behind that pathetic excuse of 'expanding into new markets.' Pathetic! Pathetic!"
"Let me guess where you're going now—to Akademiya City to pick up your vehicles, right? You actually spent hundreds of thousands of Mora on those things? Are your brains eaten by Whopperflowers? Just wait and see, you'll regret it! The machines the Akademiya City sold you will be inferior to the ones they showcased! How else could they produce a thousand units in just one week?" (T/N:
Goss's lips and beard trembled violently as he ranted, spittle flying as he jabbed a finger in Johnston's face.
One of the younger caravan members clenched his fists, ready to lunge forward, but an older, more experienced member held him back.
Johnston gave Goss a pitying look, then ignored him, leading the caravan around the raving old man.
As old Gwen passed by, he paused. "Goss… I know you've been leading the charge in slandering Akademiya City. You should stop while you still can. Aren't you afraid they'll retaliate later?"
"Later? What 'later'? The 'later' will be them losing all credibility!" Goss pointed at himself. "And me? I'll restore the Goss Caravan to its former glory!"
Old Gwen shook his head and walked away, convinced the man was beyond reason.
…
…
By afternoon, the Roy Caravan had driven their five brand-new transport vehicles back to Mondstadt. Since the city's roads hadn't yet been widened, vehicles weren't permitted inside and had to be parked in a temporary lot outside the gates.
By the time they arrived, many other vehicles were already parked there, surrounded by curious Mondstadters examining them. Most owners didn't shoo them away, some even cheerfully explained the vehicles' specs, and a few even took excited onlookers for short joyrides.
After all, these vehicles didn't run on fuel. Owners didn't have to worry about affording the ride but not the fuel. Why not share the joy of ownership?
"Alright, boys, we haven't even had lunch yet! Let's grab a bite at Good Hunter, then get to work." Johnston clapped his hands, calling over the team members who couldn't stop admiring the vehicles.
"This 'Dawn' model… it's so handsome!"
Old Gwen, who had previously voiced doubts about purchasing the vehicles, ran his hand along the steel frame, his eyes brimming with admiration.
If I were ten years younger, I'd have gotten a license and driven this beast myself. But now, age had caught up to him, and learning to operate such machinery felt beyond his grasp.
"That's because you haven't seen the 'Brightcrown' model—now that's impressive!" Johnston said, a hint of regret in his voice. "Too bad selling our entire caravan wouldn't even cover the cost of one."
Old Gwen turned to him with newfound confidence. "Now, I believe we'll be able to afford it soon."
…
…
A thousand engineering machines left Akademiya City, delivered into the hands of clients across Teyvat. They became the best advertisement for the city. One day, Akademiya City's logo, two stars orbiting a tower—would be recognized in every household.
After the first batch was delivered, orders for all types of engineering machinery exploded once again. Diluc found himself drowning in Mora, though spending it just as fast. The construction of Akademiya City was a bottomless pit, barely sustained by the profits from selling machinery.
Still, the Dawn Winery was doing well. Their earlier products, separate from Akademiya City's ventures, had seen several-fold production increases after switching to automated assembly lines. With new markets in Liyue and Snezhnaya, Mora poured into Diluc's pockets every minute.
A factory in Liyue was already under construction. Once completed, the transportation costs for products like hoverboards would plummet, and profits would soar even higher.
…
…
One day, Diluc visited the research base. When Shen Qin looked surprised, he brought up their earlier discussion about personal terminals, arguing that now was the perfect time to launch them.
Shen Qin thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. Several departments have reported that many employees want to take leave and return to Mondstadt, they haven't seen their families in over twenty days."
"What does that have to do with personal terminals?" Diluc asked, puzzled.
"Everything!" Shen Qin grinned. "Personal terminals and the terminal network are inseparable. Right now, Akademiya City, Mondstadt, and Springvale each have their own independent terminal networks. To fully realize the terminals' functions, we need to connect these networks—no, link the entire Mondstadt to the terminal network!"
"That way, even if two people are in Akademiya City and Mondstadt respectively, they can still use the terminals for video calls."
Shen Qin pondered whether to charge a "monthly network fee." After all, this was a long-term project with massive profit potential.
As he laid out his vision for a fully interconnected Mondstadt, for some reason, Diluc wasn't the least bit surprised.
'Maybe I've just gotten used to Shen Qin's ways.'