Mr. Pantalone has no crazy plans today.

"From now on, any commercial transactions conducted through the Northern Bank must be settled using the 'virtual currency' issued by the Northern Bank."

Although the plan was actually given to him by a sergeant named Ilya, one of Arecino's subordinates.

However, since that sergeant has now been recruited by him and become his man, it is perfectly reasonable for him to take the plans that his subordinates gave him and claim them as his own achievements and ideas, isn't it?

As he spoke, Pantalone, having regained his composure, explained his plan to Sandone.

"I've thought about this 'virtual currency plan' and plan to make use of the Adventurers' Guild's influence. I intend to give these 'bionic dolls' to the Adventurers' Guild."

"By leveraging the influence of the Adventurers' Guild, we can have Catherine help register and promote the latest policies of the Northern Bank, thereby allowing Winter's influence in the economic sphere to further impact the economies of the seven kingdoms."

"On the other hand, with the influence of the Adventurers' Guild, we can also obtain a wider intelligence network through the Catherine Fools, since the Adventurers' Guild's adventurers are all over the Teyvat continent."

This idea came to Pantalone after he met Catherine.

Although the Adventurers' Guild is essentially a support organization established by adventurers from the seven kingdoms of Teyvat to support adventurers from different countries, its headquarters are located in Winterfall.

If that's the case, then it means there's a high degree of feasibility in it.

As the representative of the official forces of Winter Solstice and the president of the Northern Bank, isn't it perfectly reasonable for him to contribute some funds to support the Adventurers' Guild?

As a supporter and investor, it's perfectly reasonable for him to need the Adventurers' Guild to promote Winter's policies a little, and for the Northern Bank to require the use of Winter's official currency for some business settlements, isn't it?

Moreover, he only asked the Adventurers' Guild to cooperate a little with the Northern Bank in this regard, and would not interfere with the Adventurers' Guild's internal operations and management.

After all, although the headquarters of the Adventurers' Guild is located in Winter, this does not mean that the Adventurers' Guild is a subordinate organization directly under the Fools.

Therefore, Pantalone only intended to use the influence of the Adventurers' Guild as a springboard to extend his business plans to the Seven Kingdoms. At most, he would use Catherine to provide some information to the Fools. He did not intend to do anything else.

Having grasped this point, Sandonne quickly understood what Pantalone was trying to say.

"So, you're using your own people within the Adventurers' Guild to your advantage? I see, I think I understand your thinking now. It's certainly worth it."

"I will have my subordinates arrange that later."

"That would be the best outcome."

Pantalone smiled with satisfaction after receiving Sandone's reply.

Just before Pantalone stood up from his seat to leave, he made the same suggestion to Sandone.

"By the way, if we have the chance, how about we go out for a meal together like we did last time? After all, it's a tradition in Liyue to discuss business over a meal. I think this is a great suggestion. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Sandone paused slightly in her hand holding the teacup, recalling the scene when Pantalone had dragged her out to dinner last time, which brought back some rather unpleasant memories.

This prompted Sandonne to glance at Pantalone and reply indifferently.

"No, you should go by yourself."

"..."

Well, it seems his invitation has failed.

Chapter 107 Arecino and Night Talk (4k)

The cold of winter at night is far greater than that during the day.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere condenses into ice and falls, turning into snowflakes that paint the snow country pure white, looking like a fairytale dream.

But for the Winter Solstice people, this is not a fairy tale, but a survival obstacle for the vast majority of them, an enemy they must face in the cold days and nights.

As the biting wind swayed, it felt like countless invisible blades scraping against one's skin.

For people in winter, the night is the most difficult time to endure.

Although many people can survive the cold nights by keeping warm, every year countless people freeze to death in the cold nights. The cruel cold descends equally on everyone, without exception.

If it weren't for an executive like Pantarone, who possesses the powers bestowed by the Ice Queen, there would be no way to adapt to the climate, which is harsh enough to be considered harsh even by the Winter People.

Fortunately, since the implementation of the 'Self-Disciplined Machinery Plan' policy...

This situation has improved unprecedentedly for Zhidong, thanks to the help of efficient and clean energy, which has allowed the vast majority of Zhidong residents to enjoy warmth that they could not enjoy on ordinary days.

In fact, given Zhidong's industrial strength, it wouldn't be difficult for them to achieve this; it's just that the lack of sufficient energy prevents Zhidong's industry from covering the entire region.

Ultimately, 'elemental power' is a power that only a few people can use. For most people, 'elemental power' is not widespread, which means that what Zhi Dong lacks most is not military strength or industrial strength.

Rather, it is the scarcity of resources and energy. For this harsh and cold land, winter itself does not possess abundant resources.

This is at least true for the prosperous Liyue and Mondstadt, which has a uniquely advantageous environment.

Due to the environment of Zhidong itself, there is no room for the development of animal husbandry and agriculture. For the people living in this harsh land, they are fighting an unseen enemy every day.

All these changes are due to Pantalone's implementation of a highly efficient and clean energy source called 'imaginary internal energy'.

Thanks to this energy source, the industrial strength of Zhidong itself has been maximized, allowing industries that were originally unable to cover the entire Zhidong area to be developed at an unimaginable speed.

This led many people to change their views on Pantalone after personally experiencing the benefits of his policies.

Countless people began to support him and believed in the policies implemented by Lord Pantalone.

All of this was for the better construction of winter, which elevated Pantalone's reputation to another level, bringing him unprecedented prestige and political influence.

Just as Pantalone had planned.

If things continue at this pace, it will only take a five-year plan at most for his plans to take full effect and cover the entire winter.