Genshin impact:dimensional guild in teyvat

Smith remembered that Kamisato Ayaka had cooperated with the rebels, but whether Kamisato Ayato had done so, he could no longer recall. Kamisato Ayato was not comparable to Kamisato Ayaka. Even if he had colluded with Haigi Island, he would not let anyone know, and even Coral Palace Xinhai might remain unaware.

Unlike Kamisato Ayaka, who was sometimes impetuous and prone to making mistakes, Ayato was meticulous and calculating. If Ayaka was careless, her plans might implicate the entire Yashiro Commission.

"Does Haigi Island want us to participate in their war?" Keqing asked, staring at Beidou.

"They want to buy weapons and food," Beidou nodded slightly. "If possible, I'd like to sell them some weapons and food. Without food, Haigi Island will not only struggle to fight but even ordinary people will starve to death. Before the isolation order, Haigi Island could still sell pearls to buy food, but now, due to the isolation order, they have no channels to acquire food."

"If I remember correctly, although the isolation order is strict, it allows ships from other nations with official certification to enter the outlying islands through special channels. Food can still enter Inazuma, correct?" Smith asked.

General Raiden may have been rigid in her pursuit of eternity, but she was not entirely thoughtless. Knowing that Inazuma relied on imported food, she left a loophole in the decree. However, such ships had to follow strict regulations and could only dock at specific ports with predetermined quotas for each nation. Beidou's Southern Cross Fleet had a quota for Liyue, given her influence and connections with Ningguang.

"Because of the Kanjo Bugyo's interference, that food never reaches Haigi Island," Beidou said, her voice laced with frustration. "In fact, much of the food we send to Inazuma never reaches the civilians at all."

Keqing frowned. "Civilians can't afford food? But we sell food to Inazuma at reasonable prices, don't we?"

"Yes, but it's very expensive by the time it reaches them. The Kanjo Bugyo ensures that all imported food passes through their hands. Even though we sell food to Inazuma at fair rates, they inflate the prices when selling to the people." Beidou clenched her fists. "Do you know how much a pound of wheat costs in Inazuma right now? Five thousand Mora! Five thousand Mora could buy fifty kilograms of flour in Liyue. Even though we sell it to the Kanjo Bugyo at just 180 Mora per pound!"

"That's outrageous! Is inflation in Inazuma that severe?" Keqing was stunned. Wages in Liyue were high, and while a laborer in Liyue Harbor might work hard, they could still afford food for their family. But if flour cost five thousand Mora per pound, even Liyue's civilians would struggle to afford it.

"Inflation? What does that mean?" Beidou asked.

"It means the prices of goods are rising drastically due to market manipulation or economic instability," Smith explained.

"That's exactly what's happening! The Kanjo Bugyo keeps food prices high to consolidate power. The shogunate pays its officers in food, so more and more people are desperate to join them just to survive. It's a vicious cycle where the poor suffer while the corrupt thrive."

"Actually, it's not 5,000 Mora anymore," Fengyuan Manye interjected. "By the time I left Inazuma, the price had risen to 6,000 Mora."

Keqing inhaled sharply. "So it's not inflation—it's deliberate price gouging. The Kanjo Bugyo is exploiting the people."

...

"If this trend continues, will we see bread costing 500,000 Mora?" Smith mused.

Keqing rolled her eyes. "Who could afford a piece of bread at that price?"

"Many people on Haigi Island are already starving," Beidou said solemnly. "I want to sell them food. As long as I deliver the supplies to a certain area, they can handle distribution themselves."

Keqing frowned, deep in thought. This was a tricky issue. It wasn't that she didn't want to help Inazuma's people, but would this be considered interference in another nation's internal affairs? If exposed, it could strain relations between Liyue and Inazuma.

Although Liyue had already involved itself in the affairs of other nations—like welcoming the Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali, to their land—Inazuma was different. General Raiden's rule was complicated, and openly aiding Haigi Island's rebels could have serious consequences.

Still, Smith wasn't worried. "If Raiden Shogun learns how much her people are suffering because of her subordinates, she might take action herself. She seeks eternity, not suffering."

"Then what should we do?" Keqing asked.

"We help in a way that doesn't directly violate diplomatic protocols. We can still sell food—just at different rates," Smith said. "We sell food to the Kanjo Bugyo at an inflated price—say, 250 Mora per pound. Meanwhile, we sell it to Haigi Island at 180 Mora per pound. The Kanjo Bugyo will continue to exploit civilians, but the rebels will at least have enough food to survive."

Beidou's eyes lit up. "That could work. We still make a profit, but more importantly, we undermine the Kanjo Bugyo's monopoly."

"Exactly. The Kanjo Bugyo will continue their corrupt practices, and the people will see where their suffering truly comes from. Over time, this might force General Raiden to intervene."

Fengyuan Manye nodded. "That could be the best way forward. The rebels on Haigi Island aren't saints, but at least they're better than the Kanjo Bugyo."

Beidou sighed. "It's still tragic that ordinary civilians will continue to suffer. I just hope the rebellion can end quickly."

"That's not necessarily a good thing," Smith countered. "If the shogunate loses too quickly, Raiden Shogun might personally intervene, and that would be the end of Haigi Island. Those rebels think they can overthrow the shogunate, but they underestimate the power of the Electro Archon."

Beidou fell silent. She had once believed in the rebel cause, but now she had doubts. Even Coral Palace Xinhai, the leader of the resistance, might not be as pure-hearted as she appeared.

After a moment, Keqing turned to Smith. "You seem deeply invested in Inazuma's fate. Do you plan to go there?"

Smith smirked. "Why do you ask? Are you reading my mind?"

"Just a feeling."

"Well, you're not wrong. I do want to go to Inazuma, but not yet. If I go now, I'll be forced into conflict with General Raiden. I'd rather wait until I'm stronger."

Keqing nodded. "Still, if you get the chance, I hope you do go. The people of Inazuma need change."

Smith looked at her thoughtfully. "Perhaps. But before that, I might visit Mondstadt or Fontaine."

"Fontaine? Do you want to invite the Hydro Archon to our cause?" Keqing teased. "If you show up in Fontaine, you might be mistaken for their new Water God. The Great Hydro Archon Smith!"

Smith chuckled. "Not a bad title. But I wonder how the actual Hydro Archon would feel about that."