Chapter 1020: Internal meeting

At this moment, Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin’s house was fully packed with people.

The Great Hoodwinker, Zhang Xiaoman, Wang Yun, P5092, Wang Fugui, Jiang Wu, and the rest had all gathered around Ren Xiaosu.

Ren Xiaosu sat calmly on the couch. “So tell me, how did y’all find me?”

Zhang Xiaoman chuckled, “We were planning to sniff out all the spies hiding in Stronghold 144 with the same method that we used to catch Luo Zongren. But who could have thought that we would end up catching Future Commander instead!”

Ren Xiaosu was left speechless.

Next to him, the Great Hoodwinker kicked Zhang Xiaoman’s butt and chided, “Watch what you’re saying! What do you mean by we’ve caught Future Commander!?”

Zhang Xiaoman was immediately enraged. But considering that he could not win against the Great Hoodwinker, he held in his anger.

Only then did Ren Xiaosu realize Wang Yun had located him through the surveillance footage.

It couldn’t be helped then. Staying hidden under the nose of someone like Wang Yun was virtually impossible.

The Great Hoodwinker laughed and said, “Future Commander, why didn’t you tell us that you were already back in the Northwest?”

“I wanted to rest for a while. After all, I’m really tired from all the fighting and killing we did in the Central Plains,” Ren Xiaosu answered. “However, this rare moment of peace was shattered by all y’all.”

“Don’t put it like that.” The Great Hoodwinker chuckled and said, “Future Commander, if you had informed us in advance, we wouldn’t have come and bothered you.”

“Then y’all may go back for now. Remember not to reveal my identity to the neighbors,” Ren Xiaosu said.

“It’s already too late.” Zhang Xiaoman said shamelessly, “I was afraid that you wouldn’t want to return to Stronghold 144 to take charge, so I explicitly ordered the soldiers to tell your neighbors that this is the future commander’s residence.”

Ren Xiaosu’s eyebrows twitched. He really wanted to kick Zhang Xiaoman in the face.

In the end, it was still P5092 who stepped forward to calm things. “Actually, Future Commander, all the other strongholds are no longer run by the military. However, Stronghold 144 is still being managed by the 6th Combat Brigade. This shows that Commander Zhang also hopes you can govern this stronghold.”

In normal times, there was a clear distinction between the military and the administration.

But due to special circumstances, the Fortress 178 troops had taken management of the various strongholds in the Northwest. Now that all the new overseer positions were filled, it was time for the military to step back and return to their original duties.

The administration and the military were two systems that complemented each other—always having overlapping objectives but never running parallel in the way they operated. This was the difference between civilian and military officials.

However, Stronghold 144 was different. The 6th Combat Brigade still retained all the authority over the stronghold. Zhang Jinglin’s intention was clear. He wanted to hand Stronghold 144 to Ren Xiaosu to gauge his capability.

Although Commander Zhang’s current thoughts were not explicitly expressed, the Great Hoodwinker and Zhang Xiaoman, along with the rest, understood his intention with just a hint.

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P5092 said, “Future Commander, Stronghold 144’s trade scene has stabilized as President Wang Fugui has handled everything very well. The Chamber of Commerce is also in good order, so everyone can rest easy. Ms. Zhou Yingxue is also maintaining order in the mafia. We’re all of the opinion that she’s more than well-suited to manage the black market. Currently, the remaining issues are the food crisis and the possible outbreak of war. I feel we don’t have much time to waste. Would you like to make a trip to Fortress 178 and meet Commander Zhang to see what his plans are?”

Ren Xiaosu shook his head. “I won’t go there for the time being.”

If he went there, that would be as good as officially accepting Zhang Jinglin’s arrangements. After that, he would truly become the future commander of the Northwest Army and would have to shoulder the responsibilities of the entire Northwest.

But Ren Xiaosu was really not prepared for it. It was not that he was refusing to oblige.

He just wanted to see what he could achieve at Stronghold 144 first before deciding on his next step.

“Let’s handle things one at a time.” Ren Xiaosu shouted to Zhou Yingxue, who was standing outside, “Get in here.”

Zhou Yingxue wiped away her plaintive look. The moment she came in, she greeted Yang Xiaojin first before walking over slowly to Ren Xiaosu.

Ren Xiaosu asked, “Didn’t I ask whether you’ve been lording over others in my name? How did you answer me?”

Zhou Yingxue said in a meek voice, “I didn’t make any trouble at all. Master, think about it. If I didn’t set up the black market, someone else would’ve done it. It’s better to keep the black market under our control than to have it in the hands of others, right?”

“Did you use any unfair practices to monopolize the market?”

“No, absolutely not. I just collect the transaction fees. I’d never do something unfair against consumers.”

“Did you resort to violence?”

“No, everyone is quite obedient. Master, if you don’t believe it, you can ask Wang Yuchi and the others. They’re the most honest….”

Ren Xiaosu looked at the Great Hoodwinker. “What is Mr. Zhang’s opinion of the black market?”

“It’s just as Ms. Zhou Yingxue said. Commander Zhang also felt that it was better to have it under our control. You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean, so the black market will always exist,” the Great Hoodwinker said.

“Alright then.” Ren Xiaosu heaved a sigh of relief. “Zhou Yingxue, you must speak and act prudently while you oversee the black market. Don’t go thinking that you can do whatever you like just because you’re strong.”

“Master, don’t worry. Don’t you know me well enough? I know what I’m doing!” Zhou Yingxue was relieved. She knew that once this matter blew over, the black market would not have to be disbanded in the future.

Ren Xiaosu looked at Wang Fugui again. “What about over at the Chamber of Commerce? Did you encounter any difficulties that need to be solved?”

Wang Fugui chuckled and said, “It’s not really a problem per se. Xiaosu, I just wanted you to talk with Ms. Zhou to see if she can allow the Eight Vajras to stop hanging around the black market. Although the trade route to the Central Plains is quite safe, there’s still some occasional risk-takers who rob the traveling merchants. So we need some people to protect us along the way.”

“OK, there’s no need to discuss this further.” Ren Xiaosu said to Wang Yuchi, “The eight of you will stick to the trade convoys from now on. The black market isn’t a place you should be hanging around at your age, so stop going there. Follow your Uncle Fugui and venture outside more so you can broaden your horizons. Once the trade route to the grasslands is ready, y’all can visit it.”

Zhou Yingxue’s expression sank. Ren Xiaosu said to her, “Your black market is right next to the stronghold. If there’s really any trouble, you can just call Zhang Xiaoman. Don’t tie Wang Yuchi and the others down at that place anymore. Besides, who dares to provoke you anyways?”

With this promise from Ren Xiaosu, Zhou Yingxue beamed with joy. “That’s great. I just needed to hear that from you, Master. After all, my superpower isn’t suited for frequent use in battle.”

Following that, Ren Xiaosu asked P5092, “How do you think we should adjust our military forces?”

“The recruitment for the new year will have to start on time.” P5092 thought for a while and said, “Since Stronghold 144 is the closest to the Central Plains, this place will be the first to bear the brunt of the war if it breaks out. Therefore, a brigade is definitely not enough manpower. We’ll need a division.. I need to expand the reconnaissance company into a battalion and deploy them to the borders so we can know in advance what the Wang Consortium is planning.”