Chapter 718 - I won’t get to see that

Before this, Wang Shengzhi had not approached the Zhou Consortium and the Kong Consortium to discuss this matter. This meant he was not particularly worried they were a threat.

And now that he came to the Northwest, it was not because he was worried that Fortress 178 would hinder his plans. He needed the Northwest to form an alliance with him to keep the southwestern Qing Consortium under control.

Ultimately, Zhang Jinglin felt that Wang Shengzhi had personally come to the Northwest at such a time because he was afraid of Qing Zhen.

Of course, Zhang Jinglin could understand this since he was very familiar with that young man called Qing Zhen. Almost none of the consortiums in this world would underestimate this person.

Those who dared to look down on Qing Zhen were either dead, or just waiting for their time to be up.

Right now, the reason why Wang Shengzhi was looking to join forces with Fortress 178 was probably because of the Qing Consortium.

Therefore, if Zhang Jinglin were to accept Wang Shengzhi’s offer, the Northwest would definitely have to stand with the Wang Consortium and pit themselves against the Qing Consortium in the future.

Zhang Jinglin was not afraid of Qing Zhen, and neither was Fortress 178 afraid of the Qing Consortium. However, it did not have to come to that.

The key point was that “it did not have to come to that.” Their lives in the Northwest were already getting better, so why would he want to expand his ambitions and drag the entirety of Fortress 178 into the flames of war? This was the best time for the Northwest to recuperate.

“I’m not moved by what you are offering.” Zhang Jinglin said, “Whether the Wang Consortium will really do anything when Fortress 178 is faced with the external enemies in the future is just empty talk now. Besides, I’m not interested in war either.”

Zhang Jinglin had said before that war would not save humanity.

Wang Shengzhi looked at Zhang Jinglin and said with a smile, “What if you’re the one taking control of the Alliance of Strongholds? When the entire Alliance of Strongholds under your control, are you still gonna be afraid that I’ll make empty promises?”

This time, it was Zhang Jinglin that got stunned.

Honestly speaking, their conversation thus far was well within Zhang Jinglin’s expectations. When Wang Shengzhi came to visit, Zhang Jinglin already knew why he had come to the Northwest.

But when they reached this part of the conversation, it suddenly exceeded Zhang Jinglin’s expectations.

He frowned and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean the Alliance of Strongholds will no longer be under the control of the consortiums in the future.” Wang Shengzhi said calmly, “The consortiums will be history, and future successors to the Alliance of Strongholds will no longer be hereditary. As for the first leader of the alliance, it will be you, Mr. Zhang.”

Zhang Jinglin looked at Wang Shengzhi seriously. “You’ve been planning for so long and putting in so much effort just so you can benefit others? You aren’t after anything?”

Wang Shengzhi said, “I only have one request, and it’s that the Alliance of Strongholds must have its order kept by the AI. Of course, it’s only managing the order I’m asking for.”

“I don’t understand.” Zhang Jinglin said frankly, “I really don’t know what you’re thinking this time. Actually, you could have just taken longer to prepare, and you might still have achieved what you wanted without asking the Northwest for help. There’s no need to use something like this as a bargaining chip to make a deal.”

“No, I’m not looking to make a deal.” Wang Shengzhi shook his head. “I don’t have much time left.”

“What do you mean?” Zhang Jinglin scrutinized Wang Shengzhi. Only then did he realize the man did not look healthy.

Wang Shengzhi pointed to his own chest and replied, “I have lung cancer.”

“Was that why you joined forces with the Anjing House this time and led those people to the Sacred Mountains? So you can locate the No. 001 Experimental and then use it to find a way to treat cancer?” Zhang Jinglin asked. Most people seemed to already know the No. 001 Experimental was born during the times when the Pyro Company was researching cancer treatments. The rest of the other Experimentals also used to be cancer patients as well.

“Haha,” Wang Shengzhi laughed and said as he pointed to his legs, “I don’t have such plans at all. In my condition, wouldn’t death also be a form of release for me? Why should I pursue a life that’s not meant to be mine? Mr. Zhang, what do you think makes life worth living? It’s because life is finite. If life does not have an ending, then its existence will lose meaning.”

For some reason, Zhang Jinglin and Wang Shengzhi suddenly reached an agreement on this subject after debating for so long.

Zhang Jinglin sighed, “My apologies.”

He was implying that if he knew that Wang Shengzhi’s days were numbered, he would have been more polite when he spoke just now.

Wang Shengzhi waved it off. “I don’t think there’s anything to be sympathetic about. I just want to finish what I have to do before I die. I don’t covet fame or fortune in this world anymore. To me, you’ve always been the most clearheaded person in the world. Therefore, I hope you can take my cause over after I’ve finished building it.”

However, Zhang Jinglin did not say anything. When Wang Shengzhi saw Zhang Jinglin staying silent, he tried to persuade him again, “I’ll wipe out all the consortiums before I die and grant you an incorruptible Alliance of Strongholds.”

When Wang Shengzhi mentioned wiping out all the consortiums, his tone was especially firm. This also included his own Wang Consortium.

At some point, Zhang Jinglin felt Wang Shengzhi’s determination and his dissatisfaction with the consortiums.

He did not know how to assess Wang Shengzhi anymore. That was because he had always thought the man had been painstakingly planning all these years for his own ambition. It wasn’t only Zhang Jinglin who thought this way; even Qing Zhen felt the same.

But now that Wang Shengzhi knew he was dying soon, he was thinking about how to unify the Alliance of Strongholds and wipe out all the consortiums.

Wang Shengzhi looked at Zhang Jinglin and said sincerely, “I know Mr. Zhang still has some prejudice against the AI. I just hope you will try to understand it better. Just look at how orderly Stronghold 61 is running now.”

But in the end, Zhang Jinglin still shook his head and said with a sigh, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you.” “Why?”

“I don’t have the ambition to take control of the Alliance of Strongholds.” Zhang Jinglin said, “If there’s someone who can take over command of Fortress 178 from me now, I would retire right away.”

Wang Shengzhi gave a bitter smile. “You still have time to groom that person, but I’m running out of time. Do you have anyone in mind already? Let me guess, it’s Ren Xiaosu?”

Zhang Jinglin looked at Wang Shengzhi. “How did you know?” Wang Shengzhi said, “You don’t have to look at me like this. Isn’t it quite normal to have our spies in each other’s organization? It’s just that I planted them earlier than the others. That’s why you were unable to find mine even after you had weeded out the other organizations’ spies. There’s something I’m curious about. What’s so special about him?”

Zhang Jinglin answered, “Maybe you’ll find out in the future.”

“I won’t get to see that.” Wang Shengzhi wheeled himself out of the tent. “Thank you for your hospitality. Although none of my wishes have been fulfilled, I still got to meet my old friend again. Mr. Zhang, do you remember how we first met?” “I remember,” Zhang Jinglin said.

“Thank you.” With these baffling words, Wang Shengzhi got into a vehicle, and the convoy of off-road vehicles sped off back towards the Central Plains.

It was now late winter, and the last snow had started falling from the sky.