When Kuroda first saw the title, he only felt the gimmick was bold.
He set aside his casual demeanor and read through it carefully.
Seeing the Snezhnayan Harbinger’s Four-Stage Strategy in the manuscript, an appreciative smile appeared on Kuroda’s face.
“This subversion of officialdom tropes is quite novel, and it’s written with sound logic.”
Yet as he smiled, Kuroda’s expression froze, and his smile vanished.
Wait…
this business with the relief grain seemed like something he had seen somewhere before?
Kuroda fell into deep thought, his eyes repeatedly scanning the manuscript.
Suddenly, he snapped his head up.
*Wait, brother!
Are you really writing about Snezhnaya?
Do you have a death wish?!*
Although the figures in this manuscript might not be accurate, who among the people of Inazuma didn’t know about the shady dealings under the surface?
Not to mention how the relief grain handed out by the Tenryou Commission’s stations was mixed with sand and dirt, even the notice boards were practically growing cobwebs!
Compared to the Yashiro Commission’s grain distribution, calling it a stark difference was an understatement.
As if struck by a bolt of lightning—
Kuroda remembered a batch of official newspapers Yae Publishing House had recently reprinted.
Disregarding his demeanor, he frantically rummaged through the pile of paper beside him.
Lu Heng’s expression didn’t change on the side.
Instead, he poured himself a cup from the teapot, but the slight tremor in his fingers holding the teacup showed that his heart was not calm either.
Soon, Kuroda retrieved the relevant newspaper from the paper pile and found what he was looking for.
It was about the Tenryou Commission.
“The disruption of grain transport to Yashiori Island stems from malicious sabotage by rebel forces on Watatsumi Island. Citizens are advised to trust that everything is under control…”
Seeing this, he frantically grabbed the manuscript again, holding it side by side with the newspaper, his eyes behind his lenses darting back and forth between them.
“Regarding the corruption in Narukami Island’s local relief grain reported by certain citizens, this is purely a matter of personal conduct among low-level clerical staff. This represents a defect of the legacy Commission system… Please endure for a moment for the sake of the Almighty Shogun’s great cause.”
Identical.
He looked at a line in the article:
“Remember, young man. In an administrative system, a clarification is never intended to make the public understand the facts, but to clear ourselves of responsibility.”
A sudden shudder ran through Kuroda, sending a chill through his entire body.
He abruptly looked up at the calm and composed young man before him, who was leisurely blowing on the floating tea leaves.
*Did he read this newspaper?
But some of these newspapers haven’t even been published yet!*
At this moment, he had to admit that he had severely underestimated the young man.
As the chief editor of Yae Publishing House, thousands of manuscripts had passed through his hands, and he had met all kinds of prospective authors.
Yet he had never seen anyone who possessed such precise prose, using a humorous and satirical tone to write something capable of shocking Inazuma…
no!
Shocking all of Teyvat!
However…
if this work were published, the Tenryou Commission—or rather, the Kujou Clan—would definitely explode with rage!
*I must submit this manuscript to Lady Miko for her decision!* Kuroda resolved in his heart.
Just as he was about to speak, he felt a bit embarrassed, as if he hadn’t asked the young man’s name yet.
“Ahem, this is truly a masterpiece. Might I ask your name, sir?” Kuroda unconsciously used honorifics.
Seeing Kuroda’s reaction, Lu Heng knew the fish had taken the hook.
He gently set his teacup on the table, causing a ripple on the surface of the tea that vanished in an instant.
“Mr. Kuroda may call me… Ilyich.”
“Very well… Mr. Ilyich.” This gentleman clearly had the appearance of someone from Liyue, yet had taken a Snezhnayan name.
Kuroda was somewhat puzzled, but didn’t pry further.
After all, it was just a pen name, personal preference, and certainly better than some eccentric names.
Straightening his posture, Kuroda said:
“Your article is written in a very novel style, a genre unheard of in the market. I need to consult our boss.”
“In other words, I need to wait a while before knowing whether it can be published?” Lu Heng said, though he had long anticipated this outcome, and it was still within his plan.
“Yes, Mr. Ilyich. At present, I cannot appraise your work…” Kuroda wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
“This requires Lady Guuji’s personal decision.”
“Mr. Kuroda, I think you misunderstand one thing. This manuscript of mine isn’t limited to these few chapters. I have many more drafts I haven’t brought along, and I may consider serialization later.” Lu Heng’s smile vanished, his tone turning strictly businesslike.
“I am not a native of Inazuma. Although the Sakoku Decree is currently in force, as you know, merchants always have their special channels—especially when dealing with foreigners.”
Kuroda froze slightly, a bad premonition rising in his heart.
Lu Heng interlaced his fingers, resting his elbows on the table.
His calm gaze exerted immense pressure at this moment.
“If an outside merchant agrees to take this draft and publish it at Liyue’s Wanwen Bookhouse or a publisher in another nation, do you know what would happen?”
Lu Heng paused.
“Once the book is printed, a batch will eventually make its way to Inazuma as imported goods. By then, the massive profits that should have been yours will be gone. That wouldn’t just be a huge loss for Yae Publishing House—it would be a personal loss for you as well.”
Watching Kuroda sink into deep thought, Lu Heng continued:
“You said earlier that you haven’t met this month’s performance target, right? If such a phenomenal work were published by Yae Publishing House… I believe you understand what that means.”
Kuroda drew in a sharp breath.
Having risen to chief editor in the publishing industry, he naturally understood the stakes.
Furthermore, if he failed to secure a work like this, Lady Guuji would skin him alive!
“Mr. Ilyich! Please, you must leave this work with Yae Publishing House! But… I truly cannot make this decision…”
Kuroda was genuinely anxious now.
No matter what, he needed this work!
The thought of Lu Heng’s casual remark about “other merchants taking it” flashed through his mind.
Slapping his thigh, he stood up excitedly.
“Mr. Ilyich! I can pay you an advance deposit right now, provided you guarantee not to hand this manuscript to anyone else for a set period of time!” Kuroda was thrilled, grasping at this lifeline.
A flash of subtle delight crossed Lu Heng’s eyes.
He went with the flow and nodded.
“Mr. Kuroda is indeed a professional. Since you’ve proposed this solution, I can reluctantly accept. To protect both our interests, let’s write up a formal agreement.”
“I can offer you an advance deposit of five hundred thousand Mora! In exchange, you won’t give the manuscript to anyone for three days! I will present it to Lady Guuji as quickly as possible and then discuss the remaining details with you!”
Lu Heng readily agreed.
This sum far exceeded his expectations.
“For the next three days, I’ll be at Komore Teahouse. Once Lady Guuji reaches a decision, Mr. Kuroda may send someone there to find me.”
Kuroda hurriedly began writing the terms, while Lu Heng watched from the side, occasionally offering suggestions—some of which were even beneficial to Yae Publishing House.
Kuroda felt he had devised a flawless strategy.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart:
*Mr.
Ilyich is truly a noble man!
He’s even looking out for me.*
Lu Heng pushed open the doors of Yae Publishing House.
Sunlight struck his face, slightly dazzling.
Yet inside, he felt only joy.
He subconsciously touched the fortune hidden in his coat.
The heavy weight of the Mora and today’s smooth success filled him with a sense of total control.
Everything was developing according to his plan.
Yae Miko was far away at the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Even if Kuroda set off without losing a second, it would take at least a day or two.
Which meant…
“Lu Heng wins!”
A broad grin spread across his face as he strode toward the marketplace, preparing to hire a carriage there and head to Rito to arrange his secret escape as quickly as possible.
He wasn’t stupid enough to actually go to Komore Teahouse.
That was merely a decoy.
While his heart surged with joy and sweet fantasies of life in Liyue, he failed to notice the snack stall diagonally opposite Yae Publishing House.
A woman with smooth, pink long hair sat lazily in a seat.
She wore no eye-catching attire, merely draped in a casual outfit, her appearance delicate and fair—seemingly no different from ordinary Inazuma citizens.
In her hand was a plate of freshly fried, golden-crisp Fried Tofu.
The piping-hot Fried Tofu had a crispy outer shell that absorbed the special sweet and spicy sauce.
The woman lifted a piece with a bamboo skewer and popped it into her mouth.
As her teeth broke through the crisp skin and the piping-hot, delicious juice exploded, her narrow fox eyes squeezed into happy slits.
An irresistibly sweet, languid hum welled up from her throat.
“Mmm~”
The sound carried a slight upward tilt at the end, like a pink fox stretching lazily after basking in the sun.
The next instant, those half-lidded fox eyes looked past the crowd, fixing upon the intersection where Lu Heng had just disappeared.
“Such lively footsteps~” The woman chuckled softly.
In this increasingly suffocating Inazuma City, everyone walked with heavy steps and troubled faces.
Only the little fellow who had just slipped away possessed a joy that could be smelled from half a street away.
Before long, the doors of Yae Publishing House burst open.
Chief Editor Kuroda rushed out holding the manuscript, anxiously instructing his subordinate:
“Prepare a carriage! Quickly, prepare a carriage! I must go to the Grand Narukami Shrine!”
“My, my… in broad daylight, making such a fuss… where are your manners, Kuroda?”
A languid, teasing female voice sounded beside Kuroda.
His whole body trembled.
He turned to look at the pink-haired woman eating Fried Tofu at the food stall.
Though her appearance was vastly different, still…
That tone of voice, those eyes—there was no mistake.
“G-Guuji-sama?! Why are you at the foot of the mountain?”
Yae Miko didn’t answer.
She merely wiped the oil from her fingertips with a napkin, her gaze settling on the manuscript fiercely guarded in Kuroda’s arms.
A flash of fox-like slyness gleamed in her eyes.
“Hand it over for me to see. To make our Yae Publishing House chief editor panic like a headless fly…”
Miko picked up her teacup and took a light sip.
“Just what kind of interesting work could it be~?”