Resurrection Empire-Chapter 938 - 361: See the World

Aside from external conquest, the Ren Group's internal progress has never ceased.

Currently, Ren Zhong has negotiated and reached agreements on a unified currency, free passage, and autonomous employment with Liao Yuan, Chongyi, and West Lake counties.

It might seem like just three contracts in black and white without the Association's notarization and stamp, but in essence, Ren Zhong has completely taken over these three counties without firing a single shot.

From now on, any contracted employee of the Ren Group, be they wastelanders or citizens, can freely enter and exit the three county cities, and can work or conduct trade within them.

Now the Ren Group has formed a surrounding trend over the three counties, with its industrial sectors gradually improving, moving towards Ren Zhong's anticipated whole industrial chain "little kingdom" model.

As time goes on, fully acquiring these three counties is merely a matter of time for Ren Zhong.

Consequently, in the vast territory of Yangsheng City covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, the Ren Group has accomplished "rural encirclement of the city" concerning the Yangsheng City District.

Of course, due to the restrictions of the self-governance order, it is impossible for Ren Zhong to initiate military action against Yangsheng City in the short term.

Instead, he adopted a policy of accommodation, actively entering Yangsheng City and negotiating with the governor and citizen representatives.

There were many familiar faces among the negotiators, such as former governors of Chongyi County and Liao Yuan County, as well as frequent names on the wealth list of Yangsheng that they had heard of but never interacted with much before.

The discussions were very pleasant. Ren Zhong promised to ensure material supplies for Yangsheng City and was willing to accept the Source Star Coin, which the Association was re-establishing and implementing in cities as the settlement currency.

In addition, Ren Zhong reached long-term cooperation agreements with various schools and enterprises within Yangsheng City.

If any citizen wishes to work abroad, as long as they comply with the Ren Group's management rules, he can provide job positions and ensure their personal and property safety.

Moreover, Ren Zhong would supply raw materials to some enterprises in Yangsheng City, while also procuring products from them and helping to establish transportation teams for logistical restoration purposes.

He also expressed willingness to dispatch his soon-to-be-formed low-altitude fleet to provide security for long-distance logistics of city enterprises.

In short, under the framework of a series of agreements, Ren Zhong has forged a deeply tied alliance with Yangsheng City.

Counting the territory of Jianghao City and Zhan Sha County, which are slightly smaller in area, the domain controlled by Ren Zhong has expanded to 1.1 million square kilometers, with a total population of twelve million, including the continuous influx of wilderness wastelanders to various small towns.

He has indeed established a non-nation state.

In this half-month period, the evolution within the Ren Group goes beyond mere territorial expansion.

With the assistance of Huo Donghua, the Group integrated multiple industries, including those in Zhan Sha County and Jianghao City, in the shortest timeframe.

This demonstrated the benefit of Ren Zhong having brought his prison mates onto the same path.

After all, Huo Donghua previously held a continent-level leadership role in a leading enterprise, managing millions of employees with rich business management experience.

Now, many of his former subordinates have joined the Ren Group.

These experienced middle-level managers from afar significantly filled personnel gaps in the Ren Group, suddenly elevating its industrial integration capacity.

Afterwards, Ren Zhong temporarily slowed his expansion trends, shifting his focus to solidifying internal foundations.

He consistently adjusted the administrative structure, enabling his warriors to strengthen their training, enhancing both personal abilities and team cooperation.

Simultaneously, Starfire Military Industry and Starfire Biomedicine quickly innovated their technologies, constantly pushing for new advancements.

Time can erase many things, including once deep-seated memories of the old era.

Whether people within Yangsheng City or wastelanders from other areas, they soon perceived the difference between Ren Zhong's rule and the Association's.

An increasing number of people began to develop a sense of belonging to the Ren Group.

In such a historical juncture, a week after the end of the war, Ren Zhong adjusted personnel appointments again, re-establishing new management hierarchies.

On this day, Ren Zhong donned everyday attire, changed his appearance with Chen Hanyu, and walked the wide and bright streets of Starfire Town with likewise disguised Zheng Tian, Chen Hanyu, Wen Lei, Ou Youning, and Bai Feng.

No, the current Starfire Town can no longer be called a town.

It has transformed into a prosperous county city with a total population of millions, a Contribution Points GDP surpassing trillions and still growing.

It has tidy streets.

A glow of smiles spreads across pedestrians' faces on the streets.

Professionals, fully equipped with a complete set of gear produced by Starfire Military Industry, were both busy and satisfied.

Some gathered in twos and threes to share experiences, others made plans to hunt outside the city.

Some elderly or teenagers were also chatting, boasting about whose children or whose elders joined the Starfire Army.

Compared with the past Starfire Town, it has become another city, full of vitality, with an air filled with the scent of striving.

Compared to the vast social structures built by the Association, although the Ren Group seems smaller, the people living under its shade hold more hope and security.

The suppressed potential of the wastelanders is being unleashed at a fast pace.

The wickedness born out of the old environment is swiftly receding among citizens, while the good side of humanity quietly spreads and grows in the new era.

Suddenly, Chen Hanyu pointed to a corner ahead, gasping with a hand over her mouth, "I know him; he was a member of the Zhan Sha County Guard, a Second Level Citizen. When we took over Zhan Sha County, for his past behavior, he should have had his assets confiscated. But due to his meritorious actions during the city siege, we let bygones be bygones and assigned him to a troop, instructing others to monitor him. Didn't expect this change."

Ahead, the slightly shy and nervous Fifth Level Mechanical Warrior was surrounded by more than ten children aged eleven or twelve. He had a slightly naive, sheepish smile.

The children, all clad in training armor, eagerly asked questions.

The former Second Level Citizen and Guard member, who many wastelanders in Zhan Sha County feared, patiently listened to and answered the children's inquiries.

Chen Hanyu continued, "I just checked the records. The background check shows he isn't bloodthirsty, but he extremely dislikes wastelanders. He never lets any wastelander get within three yards of him. I'm really surprised he's like this now."

Ren Zhong smiled and shook his head, "Both his parents were Second Level Citizens, right? His upbringing taught him that citizens and wastelanders are not the same. He grew up in a fictional and closed information circle, thus forming a flawed worldview. But now, we've reshaped his worldview. Most people are a blank slate at birth, unaware of where life will lead them. Humans are largely products of their environment. Change the environment, and you naturally change the people. What do you think, Zheng Tian?"

Beside him, Zheng Tian nodded slowly, softly affirming, "Yes."

Wen Lei suddenly chimed in, "The captain has always been a good person; it's just that after we met Brother Ren, he became even better."

Ren Zhong: "..."

Forget it, Wen Lei is just like this, always smoothing things over, being the peacemaker, hard to change his nature.

Ren Zhong said again, "Next, I'm considering going on a trip, roughly a month away; Ou Youning, Chen Hanyu, and Wang Zhaofu will accompany me. You all take good care of the town's activities."

Chen Hanyu asked in confusion, "Ah? Where are you going?"

Ren Zhong replied, "To become a true traveler, to see the world."