Zhang Jinglin looked at the supernatural being in front of him and said with a smile, “Do you have any other superpowers? What’s your name?”
“My name is Xun Yeyu.” The fair-skinned fatty said, “And no, I don’t have any other powers.”
Zhang Jinglin nodded and said to Wang Fengyuan, “Bring him to Fortress 178 and see if we can locate any other supernatural beings living there. However, there’s no need to force them to join us. Just record their powers in a register.”
Xun Yeyu’s eyes widened. “You’re only registering them? Aren’t you going to place them under your control so they’ll work for you?”
“Our Fortress 178 does not need to resort to restricting the freedom of others in exchange for their strength.” Zhang Jinglin said with a smile, “Have a nice stay in Fortress 178, and don’t get yourself involved in the war anymore.”
Then Zhang Jinglin had someone take Xun Yeyu away.
The Zong Consortium had completely lost control of their strongholds in the north. Actually, Zhang Jinglin knew that Zong Ying would withdraw from the front line, but he did not try to stop him.
If those troops put up a fierce resistance at Mt. Wuchuan, it would only serve to increase the casualties that Fortress 178 suffered.
Furthermore, since Zong Ying had taken the initiative to pull out of the battlefield with his troops, would the remaining generals who harbored their own plans be able to organize an effective resistance the moment Zong Ying died?
Some of them would simply occupy a stronghold in hopes they could become the overseer. But once the Fortress 178 army arrived, these people would immediately lose will and surrender the stronghold.
Everything they did was futile in the face of overwhelming strength.
Fortress 178 had already deployed an extremely professional team to handle the takeover of the strongholds. This unit had a very clear purpose and operated meticulously. They would forcefully clean up the old ruling hierarchy in the strongholds by killing them.
This directive had been established long ago as Fortress 178 did not have time to deal with such pests courteously.
At this moment, Wang Shengzhi’s organization sent another delegation to discuss the matter of opening up the transportation lifeline with Fortress 178.
Previously, they did not have an in-depth discussion about it because Zhang Jinglin had yet to conquer the entire Northwest.
The consortium Wang Shengzhi belonged to was extremely influential and powerful in the Central Plains, and they formed a triumvirate with two other consortiums. The remaining consortiums in the region simply served to accentuate the big three, or perhaps, just had no ambitions to expand further.
Therefore, Wang Shengzhi previously stated to Zhang Jinglin that both sides would get their demands. Fortress 178 wanted the resources of the Central Plains, while the Central Plains was eyeing the resources that Fortress 178 had. However, the Wang clan would only deal with whoever was fully in control of the Northwest. Otherwise, it would be meaningless.
Although Wang Shengzhi had rushed to make the trip to the Northwest, it did not mean he would bend his principles to reach a deal.
Now that Zhang Jinglin had become the ruler of the Northlands, they could finally start discussing all kinds of deals.
However, Zhang Jinglin simply smiled and expressed that he was not qualified to be the ruler of the Northlands. How could a frail scholar be worthy of such a title? But someday, a new ruler would surely appear in the Northwest, and that was something that even he was eagerly awaiting.
The representatives of the Wang clan were a little surprised. Why did the words “a new ruler would surely appear someday” sound like what the ancient tribes would say? And it even carried a hint of feudal superstition too?
Zhang Jinglin said with a smile, “That was what our Great Hoodwinker claimed, but I believe that person will definitely return someday.”
There were only a few key points brought up in the discussion.
They first talked about the minerals and resources Wang Shengzhi needed, then discussed how to set the prices and what resources would be exchanged between the two sides, as well as how to collect the tariffs. Then they proceeded to talk about how to build the controlled access highway to link up the Northwest and the Central Plains and how it would be managed. Wang Shengzhi’s intention was that they would take charge of restoring all the accessways, whether it was the railway or the highway.
However, Zhang Jinglin rejected Wang Shengzhi’s goodwill and expressed that the Northwestern people should resolve the issues in the Northwest by themselves. The Northwestern people would restore the Northwestern accessways, while the Central Plains people would repair the Central Plains portion. That way, neither party would be on the losing side.
Third, Wang Shengzhi proposed they send troops to expel the wild beasts in the vicinity of the trading routes so as not to affect the safety. However, that offer was also turned down by Zhang Jinglin.
Seeing that they were planning to construct a railway that led to the Central Plains from the Northwest, the commanders of the fighting forces of Fortress 178 did not know whether it was a good thing or not.
But in the end, Zhang Jinglin still felt it would not be feasible for them to remain content with staying here in the corner of the Northwest for the long term. If they had to face the enemies further northwest, they would have to obtain the resources they were lacking to progress.
What surprised Zhang Jinglin was that Wang Shengyin, the younger sister of Wang Shengzhi, was still part of the delegation this time.
Wang Shengyin was also a little fatigued after having to travel back here again from the Central Plains. But when she arrived at the headquarters of Fortress 178, she pretended to casually ask about Ren Xiaosu’s whereabouts. She asked why she had not seen Ren Xiaosu around, and if he was injured or had been killed in action.
It was only then that she learned of all the things Ren Xiaosu had done in the North, including his departure from Fortress 178 without farewell.
Even the people of Fortress 178 did not know where Ren Xiaosu had gone.
Wang Shengyin appeared a little crestfallen at this.
…
At the same time the visitors from the Wang clan were here, Luo Lan represented the Qing Consortium and also dropped by the Northlands. He was here to discuss an alliance between them and Fortress 178.
Luo Lan’s offer was clear: Both sides would get along as friendly neighbors and not interfere with each other’s affairs, as well as cooperate with each other to guard against the Central Plains.
In other words, he regarded the Central Plains as potential enemies and wanted to prevent them from plotting against the Southwest and Northwest.
Of course, there were also disagreements about this among the commanders of Fortress 178. “The Qing Consortium is overly ambitious. They can’t afford to deal with us yet as they are currently busy taking over the Li Consortium and Yang Consortium’s strongholds. If we get along peacefully with them now, what’ll happen when they start a war with us in the future?”
“That’s right. I heard that the Experimentals in the South are giving them a headache. After the Qing Consortium’s main forces captured the front line at Ziyang, they immediately turned around and headed back south. This shows that the Qing Consortium does not have the capacity to deal with us for now. That’s why they’re suggesting that we get along peacefully.”
Zhang Jinglin glanced at them and said, “I’ve already made up my mind to sign an alliance treaty with the Qing Consortium. However, there’s one condition we must reject. We cannot allow the Qing Consortium to build their railway to connect with ours.”
Wang Fengyuan said in a low voice, “Commander, the concerns everyone’s brought up are valid too.”
Zhang Jinglin sighed and said, “If another war breaks out at this time, wouldn’t our situation be the exact same to what the Qing Consortium is going through? If we start warring again, the Qing Consortium’s main forces will immediately be deployed here to the North. Then the South will truly become a paradise for the Experimentals. If that happens, who knows how many people will have to die?”
Wang Fengyuan understood what Zhang Jinglin meant. He intended to let the Qing Consortium focus on dealing with the threat of the Experimentals first.
That was the most crucial matter for now.
“What else does that Fatty Luo want?” Zhang Jinglin asked.
“He’s also looking for Ren Xiaosu.” Wang Fengyuan said, “I told him that Ren Xiaosu has already left our territory.”
Nearby, one of the generals muttered, “Why are all of them looking for Ren Xiaosu? This is so odd.”
Half a month later, the Razor Sharp Company was the first of the troops to return to Fortress 178. When they entered the fortress, the residents lined the streets to welcome them back. Someone held up a red banner that read: “Welcome home, war heroes!”
Zhang Xiaoman wore the Nebula Medal on his chest. This award was the highest honor he could receive in Fortress 178.
There was a joyous atmosphere on both sides of the street as children followed behind the military transport trucks. A middle-aged woman stuffed whole baskets of eggs into their vehicles, while Lu Yao, the goddess of the fortress, organized a concert put on by the cultural troupe for these victorious warriors.
When Lu Yao saw them, she also asked, “Which one of you is Ren Xiaosu?” However, Zhang Xiaoman and the others were at a loss for words.
Looking at the cheering crowd in the fortress, Zhang Xiaoman really wished Ren Xiaosu could be here to enjoy this honor with them.
They were only given this honor because of Ren Xiaosu.
Zhang Xiaoman had another Nebula Medal in his possession that belonged to Ren Xiaosu. For now, it would be placed with him for safekeeping.
Zhang Xiaoman somehow felt that the young man would return someday. At that time, he would personally help Ren Xiaosu wear the Nebula Medal.
…
End of Volume: Ruler of the Northlands
Next Volume: Alliance of Assassins
