Although the foundation for the terminal network had already been laid, its principle relied on converting digital signals into energy fluctuations, transmitting them through shield generators, and then reconverting them into digital signals at the designated terminals.
But Shen Qin couldn't just plant shield generators all over Mondstadt, could he?
…Though, technically, he could.
As Shen Qin lost himself in thought, Diluc sighed and coughed lightly, snapping him back to reality.
"You can research the personal terminals and terminal network in your own time. There's something else I need to discuss. Remember when you asked the Knights to investigate the rumors? We have results now—the source is a small faction led by the Goss Caravan. They've been actively deprecating Akademiya City in various settings, though their motives remain unclear."
"The Goss Caravan… That name sounds familiar." Shen Qin frowned.
"Indeed. It's currently the tenth-ranked caravan in terms of overall strength between Mondstadt and Liyue, though it's been declining in recent years. They were among the clients invited to our launch event, but to this day, they haven't placed a single order with Akademiya City."
Shen Qin was puzzled. "Oh? So they're just not interested in our products? Then why go out of their way to target us?"
"No, they are interested, or rather, interested in making Mora. They used to be a partner of the Dawn Winery, buying large quantities of your alchemical products from me to resell in Liyue at inflated prices."
"Unfortunately, their leader is a shortsighted coward. By the time he came knocking to do business, the price of hoverboards in Liyue had already started dropping. While other merchants were rushing to Snezhnaya, Sumeru, and Fontaine, he was only just realizing Liyue's market potential."
Diluc made no effort to hide his disdain for the Goss Caravan's leader.
Shen Qin chuckled. "Then I think I know why they resent us—after we opened official stores in Liyue, prices stabilized, leaving no room for profiteering middlemen like them unless they ventured to other nations."
"I'd bet their warehouses are still stuffed with unsold inventory. Selling at a loss or rotting in storage—either way, they're bleeding Mora. It's an absurd grudge, but a plausible one."
"Exactly." Diluc gave him an approving glance. "And as I said, their leader is a coward, only daring to operate between Mondstadt and Liyue. Now those goods are rotting, hence his vendetta."
Still absurd, though! Business was inherently risky. If you hit a snag, you adapted—why take it out on your former partners?
Diluc asked, "So how should we handle them?"
Shen Qin glanced at his calm expression and internally groaned. 'This is definitely a test. Absolutely.'
After a moment's thought, he replied, "Blacklist all factions involved, including their leadership and those who participated in spreading rumors."
"Blacklist?"
"Ah… meaning Akademiya City will permanently bar them from entry and refuse all future cooperation."
"That's it?" Diluc seemed to find the punishment too lenient.
"What else?" Shen Qin laughed helplessly. "Akademiya City is a commercial entity, not a hegemon. I want people to see us as strong, fair, but not tyrannical. That's how we earn public trust."
"Compared to the powers backing us, the Goss Caravan is the underdog. If we come down too hard, the public will sympathize with them, seeing us as bullies. We must always stand with the masses. After all, beyond commerce, Akademiya City has a duty to improve lives across Teyvat, that's why I built it in the first place."
Shen Qin's principles had always been firm. Even after earning billions of Mora, he hadn't grown arrogant or decadent. Partly due to the system's guidance, but mostly because—
Transforming a world for the better is just too damn satisfying.
Curious, he asked, "So how would you have handled them?"
Diluc answered coolly, "Investigate their business partners. Offer them conditional deals to cut off the Goss Caravan's lifelines. Acquire their assets, dig up their dirt, and ensure their leaders spend the rest of their days either in the Knights' prison or on the streets."
Shen Qin gave a double thumbs-up. "Master Diluc, you're ruthless."
"Standard commerce. Also, my name is Diluc. 'Diluc' is not a surname."
"Very well, Master Diluc."
"…Since you've made your decision, I'll proceed accordingly."
"Mmhm! Very well, Master Diluc! Farewell, Master Diluc!"
"Are you quite finished?"
…
...
To Shen Qin and Diluc, the Goss Caravan was a trivial footnote. But for the caravan itself, the situation had become a life-or-death crisis.
Mondstadt, Goss's Estate
The Goss Caravan's leadership had gathered, their faces grim, the hall thick with smoke.
A woman entered, wrinkling her nose at the haze. She waved a hand in disgust, strode to the windows, and flung them open to air out the room.
Goss ignored her actions, only asking with a sliver of hope, "Euphemia, what did Boss Hornby say?"
"No deal." She crushed his hopes outright. "The Roy Caravan delivered his goods to Liyue and back in two days, with near-zero damage. He said our caravan is too slow, too expensive, and our loss rates are unacceptable without transport vehicles—"
"Horse shit!" Goss exploded, hurling his cigar to the floor in a shower of sparks. "If I hadn't taken his orders back then, his pathetic business would've gone under! He'd have jumped off Starsnatch Cliff! Now he's got a shop and a pretty wife, and he can't even throw me a lifeline? Ungrateful bastard!"
Euphemia replied flatly, "But it takes us over a month per trip. The Roy Caravan makes fifteen in the same time."