Chapter 233

So even now, these nobles still harbor an inexplicable fear of Jiang Yan.

Especially after hearing Venti say that Jiang Yan's visit to Mondstadt this time was specifically to point out flaws in Mondstadt's administration.

Almost everyone turned pale.

They could even vaguely recall how ten years ago Jiang Yan stood in the conference room, scolding the three great nobles until they couldn't lift their heads.

"Quick, quick, quick! Dig out that file! The one that hasn't been processed yet!"

"Not this one! Let the Knights handle the cat-catching; why are we doing it?!"

"That Lawrence one, go process that file immediately; it's your family's matter."

"What rank are you? Dare to speak to a member of the Lawrence family in this tone?"

"If you don't want to get scolded by the Liyue Tianquan, then don't do it."

"Do it, do it, do it, I'll go do it right away..."

In an instant, whether documents, policies, Mondstadt's civil affairs, or military matters, these nobles tore through policy books one by one.

All to prevent Jiang Yan from having a chance to scold them again.

In the morning, a tremendous boom echoed outside Mondstadt's city walls.

Dust filled the air; the vast Millelith stood on both sides, with officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the center.

And Jiang Yan was positioned right at the front.

The Liyue delegation had officially arrived outside Mondstadt's city walls!

The nobles soon received the news and hurried to welcome them outside the city.

"Oh my, oh my, welcome the Tianquan of Liyue to visit Mondstadt!"

Venti, wearing a smile, stepped forward to greet them.

The nobles behind him also wore smiles, though they were extremely unwilling inside.

"Hahaha, long time no see, old friend!"

Jiang Yan smiled and patted Venti's shoulder; although the two had met yesterday, today they acted as if meeting for the first time.

"So good at pretending..."

Barbatos hid in the distance, smiling with amusement.

He had returned political power to the people and no longer managed Mondstadt.

Unless Mondstadt faced a major crisis, he generally would not appear in the guise of the Anemo Archon.

But precisely this kind of free governance created Mondstadt, this free nation.

Jiang Yan chatted with Venti for a while, then greeted the heads of the three great noble families.

Afterwards, led by Venti, they proceeded to the conference room in the center of Mondstadt.

This was the nerve center of Mondstadt's power, not only where the three great families handled administration but also Venti's workplace.

After taking their seats, Venti wasted no time and went straight to the point.

"Your Excellency the Tianquan has come to Mondstadt again after ten years."

"I wonder if present-day Mondstadt can satisfy Your Excellency the Tianquan?"

If you're going to scold, do it early; the sooner the scolding, the sooner it ends.

That was what Venti thought.

The heads of the other three great noble families also sat up straight, staring fixedly at Jiang Yan, but at this moment, all of them were cursing Venti in their hearts.

Damn it, only you know how to talk, right!

What if they didn't intend to bring up this matter at all?!

With you bringing it up, it's unavoidable now!

Venti had long known Jiang Yan would comment on Mondstadt's current changes, so he bypassed pretense and went straight to the point.

Jiang Yan loved people who invited scolding; a mysterious smile appeared on his lips.

"Very well, then I shall speak."

"Present-day Mondstadt, compared to Mondstadt ten years ago..."

"... has undergone great changes."

Jiang Yan spoke slowly; the moment he uttered these words...

Almost all three noble heads sighed with relief simultaneously.

Phew, finally, he didn't start by scolding immediately.

"But!"

Jiang Yan suddenly shifted his tone.

"It is still terrible!"

His gaze fixed on the few people before him, his eyes showing not the slightest fluctuation.

Here it comes! Time to get scolded!

Not only Venti, but almost all three heads sat up straight.

"I told you to handle administration, not to have you deal with every trivial matter!"

"Have you forgotten what I told you back then: what is administration?"

Immediately after, Jiang Yan explained to these people one by one the three types: political affairs, policies, and administration.

"Things like stray cats and dogs getting lost shouldn't require your handling."

"What, do you have no institution to handle such trivial matters?"

"Are you their parents? Spoiling them so much?"

Next, targeting these matters, Jiang Yan unleashed a torrent of scolding upon these people.

It even made Wendy turn a black face.

After all, the chief culprit responsible for causing this state of affairs seemed to be him.

"But if we don't do this, the people will lose trust in us, thinking we can't even handle matters like this..."

At this moment, the old patriarch of the Lawrence family, unwilling to submit, stood up to confront Jiang Yan.

"Shut up! You old thief with gray whiskers, you white-haired fool! Since you can say such things, you deserve to get the hell off this position!"

Jiang Yan was in the midst of scolding with great gusto, so facing the patriarch of the Lawrence family's question, he naturally unleashed a torrent of curses upon him.

To go and take the bullet at such a time?

Everyone else looked at the pale-faced old patriarch of the Lawrence family with admiration.

You are truly a ruthless person!