Chapter 1044 - The Prosperous Northwest 2.0 (2/2)

Ren Xiaosu agreed to Wang Yuexi's suggestions and had him implement the relevant policies as quickly as possible. But the problem was that no matter how hard they encouraged everyone to have children, they could not immediately give birth to a full-sized 18-year-old to do manual labor.

It could only be said that this policy was really for the long term and would not solve the current issues they were facing.

However, Ren Xiaosu was not one to avoid problems. He did not discuss what countermeasures to take with Wang Fugui, Wang Yuexi, and the others. Instead, he directly approached the Great Hoodwinker to talk about the supporting plans for the Prosperous Northwest.

If he went to look for Wang Yuexi and Wang Fugui, that would be to come up with a proper set of countermeasures and policies. But if he went to look for the Great Hoodwinker, it would be obvious that he wanted some unorthodox solutions.

When the Great Hoodwinker arrived at Ren Xiaosu's courtyard house, he said politely with a smile, ”Future Commander, what's the matter?”

Ren Xiaosu got straight to the point and asked, ”Where can we find tens of thousands of people who'll join the Prosperous Northwest?”

The Great Hoodwinker was taken aback. ”That many?”

The Great Hoodwinker thought to himself that he had only tricked a handful of people to the Prosperous Northwest. But the future commander was entirely different the moment he made his move. He was immediately talking about wanting to trick tens of thousands of people.

From the look of things, the Prosperous Northwest's outlook was going to get upgraded. It was about to enter the 2.0 era!

But the problem was, where could they get so many people from?

When Ren Xiaosu saw the Great Hoodwinker looking troubled, he suddenly said, ”You've been getting intel on the Central Plains recently, right? How's the Zhou Consortium doing?”

The Great Hoodwinker said, ”The Pyro Company has already abandoned their last stronghold and fled to the lands bordering the steppe in the North. The Kong Consortium only has one stronghold left by the coast, but it looks like it'll be taken over by the Wang Consortium in less than a fortnight. A large number of escapees have fled to the South, but the Zhou Consortium is also in chaos at this moment. Many of the factories have started going on strike, and the escapees and refugees don't really have anything to eat. It's a really tragic situation.”

Ren Xiaosu said in seriousness, ”Was this all because I killed the head of the Zhou Consortium? This is all my fault….”

”Uh, although that's the direct cause, Future Commander, you shouldn't blame yourself for it.” The Great Hoodwinker said, ”After all, the Zhou Consortium's management is somewhat of a mess right now. So many people don't have enough to eat, yet they're still caught up in their civil strife without caring for the common folk, so it has to do with that too.”

The Great Hoodwinker felt that since Ren Xiaosu had killed the head of the Zhou Consortium, there was no need for him to blame himself. Besides, the Zhou Consortium only had themselves to blame for what happened.

Honestly, the Great Hoodwinker believed Ren Xiaosu was becoming kinder after taking over management of Stronghold 144 recently. He was a little worried Ren Xiaosu's character would swing to the other extreme.

After all, the loyal could not dabble in business; the merciful could not control the military. A truly benevolent person might not be able to lead the Northwest to survive the chaotic world.

When the Great Hoodwinker thought of this, he wanted to persuade his future commander not to get too soft and to be willing to do anything to their enemies.

However, Ren Xiaosu said with a look of pity, ”That won't do. It's a fact that I have some responsibility for those escapees and refugees who're suffering from displacement and starvation. Look, I killed their leader and made them descend to such a pathetic state. In that case, as compensation, isn't it only right that I bring them to the Northwest and take care of them?”

The Great Hoodwinker was stunned. ”Future Commander, your shamelessness is really in line with the core ideals of the Prosperous Northwest.”

”Then it's decided.” Ren Xiaosu said, ”The problem now is how to bring them to the Northwest!”