Keqing led Smith straight into Liyue Bank. Ningguang and her three secretaries were already waiting. In addition, Ganyu, Hu Tao, and others had also gathered.
"You came early? And Hu Tao, why are you here so early too?" Smith greeted them before asking Hu Tao.
Ningguang looked visibly tired, though her spirit was high. It was clear that while physically fatigued, she was mentally energized. The preparations for Liyue Bank had drained a lot of her energy. The establishment of rules and regulations had been a monumental task. However, Liyue Bank was finally about to open, and Ningguang would be able to rest tonight, provided no unforeseen complications arose.
"Liyue has established its own bank, and since we're all part of this, I have to help," Hu Tao said enthusiastically. "When the bank opens, the Hall of Rebirth will send a large amount of Mora to Liyue Bank for safekeeping."
Hu Tao was deeply invested in Liyue's prosperity. She had received a great deal of patriotic education, and, moreover, since Morax was a guest in her family, supporting Liyue's ventures was natural.
"What will you use to carry Mora? Not a coffin, is it?" Smith's expression changed, and he asked quickly. The others in the room glanced at Hu Tao, aware of her often eccentric methods. The idea of using a coffin for Mora wasn't out of the realm of possibility for her.
"At first, I did consider that," Hu Tao said with a grin. "After all, besides Morax, we at Wangsheng Hall have many coffins. One coffin can hold a lot of Mora. It would be rather fitting... except it seemed a bit too much for an official bank opening. Someone suggested it might be unlucky, so I opted for boxes instead. I went to great lengths to find these boxes."
The thought of using a coffin to carry Mora had left everyone speechless.
Smith chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if Wangsheng Hall were that wealthy. After all, centuries of accumulation must have built up quite the fortune."
Ningguang sighed in relief, thankful that Hu Tao had reconsidered. "If she had really brought coffins here... that would've been disastrous," Ningguang added.
Smith then turned to Ningguang. "There shouldn't be any issues with the depositors, right?"
"Three-quarters of my remaining Mora will be deposited into Liyue Bank. Liyue's officials will also open accounts here, and their future salaries will be paid through Liyue Bank," Ningguang responded confidently. "The employees of my industries, and some employees from the chambers of commerce that are closely connected to me, will have their salaries paid through the bank as well."
Smith nodded. With these channels for distributing salaries, Liyue Bank seemed like a guaranteed success. It was hard to imagine any way the bank could fail in Liyue.
"Based on the bank cards you mentioned earlier, let me show you something." Ningguang led Smith to a monitor.
Smith raised an eyebrow. "Is this a computer?"
"Yes, we used several computers you brought back from the Martial Arbitration Office," Ningguang explained. "We asked Master Liuyun Jiefeng to study them. It's difficult to make a computer capable of watching TV or playing games, but for reading information, it can be done. We've even managed to make bank cards."
Ningguang spoke with a hint of emotion in her voice, "If it weren't for Master Liuyun Jiefeng, we wouldn't have been able to create these devices."
Smith was taken aback. "But can your computer connect to the internet? How are you achieving data exchange?"
"No problem at all. It's just a simple matter of data exchange," Ningguang assured him confidently. "Don't underestimate the immortals! Unfortunately, exchanging massive amounts of data might be difficult, so we can't make mobile phones just yet."
Though Ningguang had never personally visited worlds with advanced technology, she had watched broadcasts from such worlds. When she had visited the Ultimate World, they had found many remarkable things. At first, she had thought it would be hard to replicate such items, but Liuyun Jiefeng had exceeded all expectations.
"I hope Master Liuyun Jiefeng will continue working hard in the future. I want all mobile phones and computers!" Ningguang said with a smile.
Smith couldn't help but laugh. "Well, it seems I really underestimated the wisdom of the immortals."
At this point, it was clear that Liyue Bank was already a major step ahead of Beiguo Bank. In Liyue, at least, Beiguo Bank could never rival Liyue Bank. And even if Beiguo Bank attempted to catch up, it would be too late. Liyue Bank had already established its dominance.
"In fact, I think Mewtwo might also play a role in this," Ganyu spoke up. "Mewtwo has been in Jueyunjian lately, and it seems to be quite adept at these types of things."
Ganyu, raised by Liuyun Jiefeng, knew more about the immortals than most. While Liuyun Jiefeng was highly skilled in handling immortal mechanisms, creating something usable by humans was a different challenge. However, Mewtwo's skills in this regard were undeniable.
"Mewtwo? It's probably King Nuo who helped as well," Smith said thoughtfully. "If Mewtwo can make machines that replicate Pokémon, creating something like this is a walk in the park. Mewtwo has great potential, and as long as time and resources are provided, it could create even better devices. Unfortunately, the materials might limit its progress."
Smith had full confidence in Mewtwo's abilities. As far as combat went, Mewtwo was an undisputed genius, and its talents extended beyond fighting into scientific research.
"Then we should try to contact Mewtwo later," Ningguang said, taking a deep breath. "Alright, the time is almost up. The customers are arriving, and business is about to begin. Now, we prepare to face off with Northland Bank."