The stronghold managed by the artificial intelligence gave Jiang Xu a sense of novelty.
In the era he lived in, such a magical stronghold had suddenly been born. As a witness, Jiang Xu wanted to explore this strange "world" even more deeply, regardless of whether it was positive or negative.
Throughout the day's visit, everyone here was modest and did not pocket anything they picked up. Jiang Xu even saw someone walk out of their house without locking the door. He stood at the door of this house for three hours, but he did not see anyone go in to steal anything.
The passersby would at most glance at the open door before continuing to walk forward.
A reporter muttered, "It looks like there's really something unique about the AI governance of the stronghold. I lost a bicycle in Luoyang City last month, but no one cared when I reported it to the Public Order Division."
"That's why you wrote a report to disgust the Public Order Division." Jiang Xu said calmly, "But I rejected the report."
The reporter was a little embarrassed. "What I wrote was also the truth. The Public Order Division in Luoyang City doesn't care about small matters. They only care about big cases. Look at Stronghold 61. The bicycles on the roadside are not locked. "
As the saying went, one would pay more attention to what they were concerned about. Jiang Xu did not pay attention to the bicycles on the roadside, but this reporter who had lost a bicycle specifically went to take a look. The bicycles on the roadside were indeed not even locked.
Stronghold 61 seemed to have eliminated an entire industry, the lockmaking industry.
The reporter did not see as far as Jiang Xu, so he felt it would not be so bad if he could live in such a stable stronghold.
But Jiang Xu suddenly said, "Are y 'all starting to get a little envious of life here? Everyone has food to eat and a job, and we don't even have to worry about fighting and theft?"
"That's right." The reporter nodded. "It doesn't feel good to be spied on. But if the AI doesn't interfere with our lives, it's not that hard to accept. Actually, look, the other consortiums also monitor the lives of the people. It's just that they don't do it as directly. How can normal people have true freedom?"
Jiang Xu nodded. He agreed with this. This was also the reason why he did not feel disgusted when he found out that the surveillance cameras were monitoring him. It was the same everywhere.
However, Jiang Xu said, "I suddenly thought of a saying: 'Holy rule is impossible to achieve, but showing holy rule is possible.'"
Coincidentally, the current head of the Wang Clan was called Wang Shengzhi, which was a homonym to the Sheng Zhi in this sentence.
Jiang Xu continued, "Look, there aren't even any beggars in Stronghold 61. Everyone has their own things to do. The Wang Clan uses the AI to compile statistics and assign jobs to everyone to ensure they have food to eat and money to earn. But have you ever thought about it? If you're not doing well at Hope Media, you can still resign and take a break for a period of time. But you can't take a break here."
"Surely not, right?" The reporter was a little puzzled. He went to the side to find a passerby. When he came back, he muttered, "That's really the case. You have to do whatever the consortium arranges for you. There's no room for you to choose."
"That's why there's no room for the arts to survive here. Everyone doesn't have the time to stop and think about what they need. They only know what's suitable for them." Jiang Xu sighed and said, "That's because the AI won't consider 'useless things.' Its code of conduct is very purposeful, but humans aren't like that."
But at this moment, a refugee passing by overheard the conversation between the five of them. He said with a smile, "It's fine as long as we can fill our stomachs these days. Can the arts provide for us to eat? We didn't even think about the arts when we were outside the stronghold. "
Jiang Xu was stunned for a moment. Then he bowed slightly to the passerby and said, "I've learned something."
The reporter sighed. Perhaps this was the difference between him and the chief editor. Jiang Xu would never insist on what he thought was "right" just because it would embarrass him. The other party would be more than willing to admit his mistakes, regardless of the identity of the person arguing with him.
Jiang Xu and the others had never considered whether they could fill their stomachs while they were in Luoyang City. To them, this was the most basic thing.
Therefore, they could consider the arts and philosophy. But what about the refugees?
"Chief Editor, what do you think of the AI?" the reporter asked.
Jiang Xu stood on the street in silence for a long time. Even the reporter could sense his dilemma.
It wasn't until night fell that Jiang Xu finally said, "Let's go. There's no need to continue the tour. Let time give us the answer."
…
While Wang Shengzhi was leaving the Northwest and returning to the Central Plains, Su Lei, the leader of the bandits in the Northwest, was munching on a lamb leg outside Stronghold 144.
This business deal with the nomads made him realize for the first time how happy it was to not rob and rely on his own hard work to earn money.
The fur hides that Yan Liuyuan had given him were sold at an extremely high price at Stronghold 144, even higher than he had imagined. Furthermore, after Fortress 178 entered the Northwest, the taxes were lowered, causing the daily necessities to become surprisingly cheap.
This round trip had allowed Su Lei to earn such a huge profit margin that he was even willing to take his brothers to eat roasted lamb leg!
Next to him, one of his brothers said, "Bro, I see that the daily necessities you bought for the nomads are all good stuff. Why did you buy them such good ironware? Wouldn't it be more profitable to buy cheaper ones?"
Su Lei glanced at his brother. "Zhang Gong, do you know why we can sit here and eat roasted lamb leg now?"
"Of course it's because you're quick-witted and talented in business," Zhang Gong flattered.
However, Su Lei sneered and said, "It's not because of me. It's all because the nomads trust us and want to do business with us. Do you think those nomads are stupid? That young man clearly knows everything about the South. If you try to fool them with something, they can always find someone else to do business with you. When that happens, will you have anywhere to cry to? "
Zhang Gong did not say anything. Su Lei continued, "Look at that Wang Fugui. He treats the stronghold like it's his own home, and everyone is so polite to him. Why is that? Because he's in charge of the only lipstick business on the Northwest trade route. What about us? We're now in charge of the only business that leads to the steppe. As long as we work hard, we'll become big shots like Wang Fugui sooner or later, understand? The most important thing in doing business is integrity. As long as we hold on to this business, will we have to worry about not having a lamb leg to eat in the future? Don't even think about taking advantage of the situation! "
"OK, Bro," Zhang Gong agreed.
However, his brothers next to him realized that ever since their bro had cleared his name, he had become very knowledgeable in teaching others. In this world, even the bandits were starting to operate with integrity. Wasn't that scary?
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