Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 586: Chapter 251: Understanding—Win Hearts First, Then Take the Next Step (Part 2)

As for Xia Chuan, he didn’t even open his mouth, just furrowed his brows slightly, thinking ahead about Xia Hong’s intentions.

Xia Hong showed a hint of satisfaction, smiled, and continued to ask, ”Since none of you are willing, why do you think others would be willing?”

”I understand the leader’s meaning, and I initially didn’t think...”

Qiu Peng just wanted to retort but was interrupted by Xia Hong raising his hand.

”Whether we coerce them into joining Great Xia or forcibly bring them back as mining slaves, the end result is nothing more than increasingly strong resistance to Great Xia, or even seizing any opportunity to defect and return to their original camp. Do you admit this?”

Seeing everyone bow their heads in contemplation, Xia Hong did not wait for them to answer and continued, ”You don’t need to think about it. When I previously infiltrated the Hive Camp, I stayed in the mining area and interacted with those mining slaves. I am very clear, even if you don’t believe me, there is one person you should believe...”

Xia Hong’s gaze lightly shifted to Chen Yingyuan, who was in the back row on the left side below, and with a smile, he said, ”The Hive Camp has been capturing mining slaves for years, and no one understands their psychology better than Leader Chen. Would you care to tell us about it?”

Suddenly being named, Chen Yingyuan looked slightly flustered, immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and made a bow to Xia Hong before reluctantly speaking, ”I dare not bear the title of leader; if the leader doesn’t mind, just call me by my name.”

This Chen Yingyuan is quite astute!

Xia Hong lightly smiled and nodded. He was very much aware that unlike Peng Bo’s voluntary joining, Chen Yingyuan and his brothers, along with Wu Tianxing, dutifully followed orders because their entire families were currently in Xia City.

Controlling three Cold Resistance levels in this way is not a long-term plan, Xia Hong naturally knew, but in the short term, he found no other way to win over these three, so he could only do this for now.

”Alright, then excuse my directness, Chen Yingyuan, please share with them!”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yingyuan’s face relaxed significantly, and he began to speak to Xia Chuan and the others about the Hive Camp’s mining slaves.

”To be honest, the Hive Camp’s mining slaves are basically obtained when we annihilate other camps. Therefore, almost without exception, these people harbor deep hatred towards the Hive Camp. Even if a few eventually join, they have no real feelings for the camp and will leave at the first good opportunity. That’s still the better ones; previously...”

Chen Yingyuan, having been a leader himself, could roughly perceive Xia Hong’s intent and quickly explained everything regarding the Hive Camp’s mining slaves.

Just as Xia Hong had guessed, anyone captured and made to serve as a mining slave harbors deep psychological resentment and hatred towards the Hive Camp. As Chen Yingyuan mentioned, those who manage to escape are considered fortunate.

The Hive Camp had previously experienced a mining slave uprising, which resulted in many being killed or injured. After that event, the Hive Camp had to create more iron shackles to control the mining slaves. Chen Yingyuan even had to deploy a large number of people to guard the mining area, always on alert for another potential uprising.

After Chen Yingyuan finished, he spoke in a deep voice, ”In retrospect, the mining slave system is indeed flawed. Even if implemented, the number of mining slaves must be strictly controlled. Once it exceeds a certain number, it becomes a huge risk, wasting excessive iron, coal, and human resources without gaining any substantial benefit.

These miners, having been captured, do not put in their efforts in mining, only giving perfunctory performances and resulting in poor output. Occasionally, they even cause a few riots, leading to losses for the camp!”

Once he finished speaking, everyone else in the hall fell into contemplation.

Xia Hong looked at Chen Yingyuan, with a hint of admiration in his eyes. Being able to articulate the last point this clearly showed that Chen Yingyuan was not an ignorant person; he had thoroughly thought through the mining slave system.

After giving everyone a period to think, and seeing that many had begun to understand, Xia Hong continued, ”I mentioned in the Gourd Valley passage yesterday that releasing these people is the first step for Great Xia to take over Longyou. It seems you still haven’t figured it out. In your opinion, what is most crucial for us if we want to take over Longyou?”

”Of course, it’s strength!”

Luo Yuan’s response won everyone’s unanimous approval.

Xia Hong nodded as well and continued to ask, ”Do you think Great Xia’s current strength is sufficient?”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions froze, including Xia Chuan, all shaking their heads simultaneously.

Of course, it’s not enough!

Regarding the number of Cold Resistance levels, Great Xia can barely be on par with Long Mountain and Zhaoyang, gaining no significant advantage.

Then there’s the number of people in the Earth-digging Realm. Xia Hong had already informed them about Zhaoyang’s situation—at least five thousand and up; Long Mountain need not be mentioned, as their numbers are no less than Zhaoyang’s.

Moreover, before Great Xia establishes a formal army dedicated to aggression, the Longyou Army and the Blood Guard Army are two mountains they cannot overcome, especially after what happened in Gourd Valley. Xia Hong felt this particularly deep.

Great Xia’s productivity is indeed quite good, but this level of productivity is far from bridging the gap between them, Long Mountain, and Zhaoyang.

Thus, at present, relying on strength alone to take over Longyou is impossible for Great Xia!

Without sufficient strength, other methods must be considered.

Of course, Xia Hong did not ask this without a reason. Everyone bowed their heads in reflection, combining Xia Hong’s recent actions to release the Earth-digging Realms captured from Long Mountain and Zhaoyang, and soon a realization dawned upon them.

”The leader means if we can’t win by strength, then first win over people’s hearts!”