Chapter 717 - The Wang Consortium’s intentions

While everyone’s attention was over at the Pyro Company’s Sacred Mountains, Wang Shengzhi suddenly took a small group of his people and traveled to the Northwest to hold a brief, secret meeting with Zhang Jinglin in the wilderness.

Wang Shengzhi clearly placed great importance on this meeting. If not, he would not have come all the way to the Northwest under such secrecy.

Faced with Wang Shengzhi’s question, Zhang Jinglin just smiled and said, “You’re thinking too much. We’re only seeking mutual trade benefits with the Qing Consortium. We’ve never thought about guarding against anyone before.” “I’m relieved then,” Wang Shengzhi said with a smile.

When the two of them entered the temporary military camp, Wang Shengzhi looked at the young officer who was protecting Zhang Jinglin from a distance and said with a smile, “You’re Xu Xianchu, aren’t you? I’ve heard about you; you’re very impressive.”

Xu Xianchu remained unmoved as he continued to stand guard.

Nowadays, supernatural beings were constantly surfacing, and their superpowers were getting more and more varied. In order to prevent anyone from assassinating Zhang Jinglin, the high-ranking generals in the fortress suggested that Xu Xianchu be transferred to the garrison troops to ensure Zhang Jinglin’s safety.

Xu Xianchu was really good in combat. Although it was a waste of his talent to manage the garrison troops’ fighting forces, no one was more suitable than Xu Xianchu for this role. In Zhou Yinglong’s own words, no matter who tried to assassinate Zhang Jinglin, Xu Xianchu would be able to hold them off until reinforcements arrived by using that large cauldron of his as a barrier.

Xu Xianchu’s cauldron could definitely fend off more than a dozen enemies.

The only thing that everyone was puzzled about was why Xu Xianchu’s cauldron was still growing larger at such a fast pace.

Lin Yuze ordered the cooks to bring over a small heating stove for Zhang Jinglin and Wang Shengzhi to keep warm in the tent. Wang Shengzhi’s aide brought over a blanket for him to cover his legs with before everyone stepped out.

The conversation between Zhang Jinglin and Wang Shengzhi was definitely a confidential one, and even Wang Fengyuan had no intention of being in the tent with them.

Zhang Jinglin placed a wine flask by the stove and warmed it up. Then he said, “You’re not the kind of person to go on a trip for no apparent reason. Tell me, what is it that you want to talk about on this trip to the Northwest?”

Wang Shengzhi said with a smile, “Now that the trade route between the Northwest and the Wang Consortium has been opened, our two organizations should already have a closer relationship with one another. In that case, can’t I drop by since I have nothing to do?”

“There’s no need to beat around the bush between us.” Zhang Jinglin said with a smile, “The weather in the Northwest is cold, and the soldiers outside are still suffering from the cold. If we can finish our talk early, they can head back to the barracks earlier. What’s the Wang Consortium up to?”

“To restore order to the world, of course,” Wang Shengzhi said. “How are you going to do that?” “With the artificial intelligence.” Wang Shengzhi looked at Zhang Jinglin and said earnestly, “I know your Fortress 178 has always treated the refugees very well. Yes, I understand that anyone with a tinge of conscience will not divide the human race into different classes of people after a disaster. But our Wang Consortium is even bolder since we’ve accepted refugees right into a stronghold.”

“It sounds a little pompous when you put it that way.” Zhang Jinglin lit a cigarette for himself. “Stronghold 61’s acceptance of refugees was only a strategy against the Zhou and the Kong Consortiums. Weren’t a lot of refugees still sent to the various strongholds’ towns and factories by you all?”

“That was only at the beginning.” Wang Shengzhi said, “What I was most worried about was that it would be difficult to manage the refugees after they got into the stronghold. That could eventually lead to potential trouble. But now, the Wang Consortium’s AI is mature enough. Although Stronghold 61 has the largest number of refugees, it has the best security.”

“That’s the fear that you, Wang Shengzhi, have exchanged for thousands of lives.” Zhang Jinglin sighed and said, “I also hope the Northwest can become a peaceful place and that everyone will not have to worry about others committing crimes that hurt them. But how did your Wang Consortium manage to achieve that? The criminals are sentenced to death even for a minor offense like theft, so of course no one dares commit any more crimes.” “That’s just a small price to pay.” Wang Shengzhi said, “If I don’t do it this way, do you have a better solution? I’m not a cold-blooded killer, but it’s a fact that the people in Stronghold 61 do not need to close their doors at night. Although the Wang Consortium has taken a little detour in the pursuit of order, we’re still the first to arrive at that target.”

Zhang Jinglin shook his head. “Actually, what I dislike most is the phrase ‘taken a little detour.’ Anyone can say that very easily, but the sacrifices made by taking this detour is something that many people ignore.”

“Then please tell me your views.” Wang Shengzhi sat up straight in his wheelchair.

“As for whether the refugees should have equal human rights,” Zhang Jinglin sighed and said, “What you’re planning is to lock everyone inside the strongholds and let the AI run their daily lives. However, I prefer that stronghold residents can get to see the outside world. The gates will no longer be permanently closed, and there will be no need for a person to be of a certain status before they can walk in or out of a stronghold.”

“How are you going to deal with the refugees who have committed crimes in the stronghold? Are you not going to arrest them?” Wang Shengzhi asked.

“I’m not defending criminals.” Zhang Jinglin shook his head and said, “I just feel that your Wang Consortium is acting too ruthless in handling things. And most importantly, I don’t trust the AI.”

“You and I both know full well how bad humans are.” Wang Shengzhi said calmly, “Even in Fortress 178, there will still be corruption or inaction. You’re also aware of how I became crippled. If no one was bribed back then and that criminal was put through proper reform in prison, there would definitely be fewer victims like me. But can you make sure that everyone is fair and honest? You can’t, and neither can I! But the AI can do that. It’s the fairest third party that no one can bribe, and it will never get tired or slack off either.”

“So when you said that you wanted to restore order to the Alliance of Strongholds, you would have to first take control of the entire Alliance of Strongholds.” Zhang Jinglin said, “Actually, you’re already prepared to start a war, right? Luoyang City was just the beginning. You also have some people helping you to get rid of some of the unstable elements in the Sacred Mountains this time. Then a new pie will emerge, and the process of splitting that pie will be your Wang Consortium’s opportunity to take control.”

Only at this moment did they reach the main topic of their conversation. Wang Shengzhi smiled and said, “What I want is for the Northwest and the Central Plains to work together to keep the southwestern Qing Consortium in check when the war starts.”

“And what will our Northwest get in return?” Zhang Jinglin asked calmly.

“A world without the threat of nuclear weapons and a stable stronghold order. If external enemies attack Fortress 178 again, the entire Alliance of Strongholds will become Fortress 178’s strongest backing,” Wang Shengzhi said.

One of the conditions in the agreement between the Qing Consortium and Fortress 178 was that if any external enemies were to attack, the Qing Consortium would have to deploy their troops to cut off the retreat route and supply lines of the external enemies via the Western Highlands.

This was because Zhang Jinglin would never forget Fortress 178’s duty regardless of the situation.

Right now, Wang Shengzhi was also promising the same to Zhang Jinglin. However, Zhang Jinglin shook his head. “Only that? I’m afraid it’s not enough.”