Valentine, Keane's Tavern.
Brandi has almost never been here except for the day she met writer LaVine and "The Kid" Calloway. How to put it, it's not that he doesn't want to take care of the business of this small shop. After all, the shabby and small tavern is also a place full of western style, but it is his assets, worth, and the personality he created at the beginning that made him enter that tavern. It's like a price-dropping behavior. Although Brandy himself didn't feel that way, in order to try his best to create the image of such an elegant gentleman, and the work of a bounty hunter was a bit busy, he had not seen it since that first meeting. Raven and Calloway have never been there again, and now, he is about to visit here for the second time, but it is for some reasons that do not make him happy.
When I opened the door of the tavern, I saw that the tavern was already empty. The owner had left overnight as early as yesterday. Only Micah Bell, wearing a white big valley hat, was sitting at the bar of the tavern, holding a bottle of Kentucky Wave. Pour and drink the wine by yourself.
Hearing the creak of the wooden door behind him, Micah turned around and saw Brandi dressed in cowboys. He was stunned for a moment, and then laughed and said: "Hey, yo, this is not our little Brandi. Really? Your pair of bright green eyes are so recognizable."
"How was it? Yesterday's rescue went well, right?" Micah's smile always looked evil, and in Brandi's eyes, Micah was completely the representative figure of the idiom "hateful face." Micah smiled, While saying, "Ah, I think there should be no problem for you to do things. Well, how much did you get paid? Or did the little girl's mother directly commit herself to you? Neither way? Could it be that the little girl was right? Did you commit yourself to me? Okay, you are too cruel, you are a beast, I can't even do such a beast..."
"Okay, Micah, I don't have time to chat with you," Brandy interrupted Micah's teasing impatiently and said, "I have to do something now, but I need your help."
"Oh? You need my help? Are you sure?" Micah was a little surprised when he heard this, and then said unceremoniously, "Ah, I understand, it must be because Arthur stopped playing with you, so you Remember asking your Uncle Micah for help, right? Ha, I thought you would never ask me for help. After all, you are now the most popular person in front of Dutch, almost more popular than Arthur, but what? At this critical moment, you still have to find me, Micah Bell, for help."
"But I think you don't respect me," Micah took a swig of wine, stood up, pointed at Brandy's nose and said, "Do you remember the first time you and I met? Do you still remember that moment? Black gun? You almost killed me, do you know? But you didn't even say sorry to me, and I still don't know where your malice towards me came from. Could it be that we met before? Yes? Did I kill your biological father, or did I fuck your mother?"
"I told you, I don't have time to chat with you," Brandy said without changing her expression. "It was Dutch who arranged a task for me and specifically asked you to assist me. Of course, if you don't want to cooperate with me, I No problem. Anyway, I have my own way of doing things. You can continue to idle here, get drunk like a drunkard, and then fall asleep on the floor covered with your own vomit. In the end, he was humiliated and hung from a tree by the O'Drisco gang. You make your own choice and think about it later." After saying that, he turned around and left.
Micah immediately stopped in front of Brandy with lightning speed and said: "Hey, hey, don't worry, since it is the boss's arrangement, I just listen to you, what do we need to do? Rob the bank or rob train?"
"Although I hate to say this, but think about it, what we are going to do doesn't seem to be very different from the two things you mentioned," Brandy helplessly held her forehead and said, "I have already informed the police chief. I’ve invited the bosses behind all the shops and ranches that are still in the town to the church in the town, and you can follow my arrangements for the rest, and then just act as the situation arises.”
"No problem, my young brother," Micah immediately became energetic when he heard that he was going to deal with capitalists. "Believe me, I am very good at dealing with capitalists."
"As long as you are interested," Brandy opened the door of the tavern, and Micah followed him out of the tavern. Brandy said, "But before that, we still need to make some preparations. You should have a more formal set. Clothes, right?”
"Huh?" Micah was a little confused.
Valentine, church.
Valentine's Church is located at the eastern end of the town. It is made entirely of white-painted wooden materials. Compared with other famous churches in the world, it is too simple and too narrow, with only the main body of the church and a small bell tower. The building structure is too simple, but this is indeed the only place in the entire Valentine town that can be used as a temporary meeting room.
Today is not a Sunday, so the huge church is empty. Even the pastor who works here has gone somewhere, but there are visitors in the church at this time.
The visitors were three extremely well-dressed gentlemen, the youngest of whom looked to be forty years old. Their neatly trimmed mustaches and suits of extremely exquisite materials and styles all showed that they were like the rest of the town. There is an essential difference, but what best reflects this difference is the arrogant look on their faces that is revealed intentionally or unintentionally. This kind of temperament can only be seen by people who usually carry hundreds or even thousands of dollars in their pockets as pocket money. It behaves without any sense of inconsistency.
These three old gentlemen, who looked like nouveau riche from head to toe, started chatting with each other as soon as they met. It looked like they had known each other for many years.
"Long time no see, dear Mr. Smithfield, and dear Mr. Calloway." A short, fat old gentleman with thin hair said to a lean old gentleman and a middle-aged man wearing a monocle next to him. The young gentleman greeted, "It seems like it was a year ago when I last met you, right?"
"For me, ten months ago to be precise, dear Mr. Dalton," Mr. Smithfield had a face that should be stern, but he was very amiable in his dealings with others. "Speaking of which, this I haven’t seen you in the town for a while, have you gone sightseeing again?”
Mr. Dalton smiled bitterly and said: "Business has been sluggish in the past few months. How can I have any interest in traveling? Just last month, I went to West Elizabeth, where there are many places near the border. New Austin borders the state, and I’m thinking about opening a branch there, and maybe expanding my business scope in the future.”
"That's a good thing," said Mr. Smithfield. "I suppose everything goes well?"
"On the contrary, this time I really failed." At this point, Mr. Dalton couldn't help but get angry. "Originally, I planned to try my luck in Blackwater Town. Who knows what happened? I was cordoned off by some Pinkerton detective, saying they were investigating some robbery, and no one was allowed to leave or leave the town. I argued with them, and they almost shot me. I had no choice but to leave. .”
Mr. Smithfield frowned and said: "These private detectives are really barbaric. If they didn't have a legal name, I think they are no different from desperadoes. They are all deserving of the gallows."
"But in any case, their case handling efficiency is really high, at least several times higher than these idiots in our town," Mr. Calloway said, stroking his bare chin, "I heard that these Private detectives have solved many unsolved cases and arrested many villains with a lot of crimes. By the way, it is said that they were responsible for the security of President Lincoln during his term in office."
"Then what? What good will happen to President Lincoln in the end? Or maybe he is killed by an assassination," Mr. Smithfield said unceremoniously. "If you ask me, those wild dogs are more disgusting and more capable of biting than wolves." .”
"Oh, at least if you give them enough meat and bones, these wild dogs will temporarily become first-class loyal dogs, even better than real loyal dogs," Mr. Calloway said, "By the way, speaking of this, Do you know what Curtis called us here to do?”
Smithfield, Dalton, and Calloway, these three surnames are as important in Valentine as the surname Medici is in Florence, Italy. They are very important. They can be said to be the richest people in this town, even if Even the bank in town doesn't necessarily have more money than them.
Because the three of them respectively control the three hidden pillar industries of this town - private liquor, arms and medicine.
On the surface, Valentine started out in animal husbandry, and animal husbandry did bring prosperity to the town. However, in that era, only businesses that were not on the table were the most profitable.
In the late 18th century when Prohibition was prevalent and bandits were rampant, compared with animal husbandry, whether it was making private wine, smuggling military weapons, or reselling high-priced medicines, the huge profits contained therein were immeasurable. Therefore, in this city After the town prospered based on animal husbandry, the three of them began to prosper in their respective businesses, which brought them annual profits that even exceeded the economic benefits brought to the U.S. government by this town that relied on animal husbandry.
It can be said that except for the unorganized private armed forces, they are no different from the big capitalists. However, in Valentine, they do not need any private armed forces, because the one who became the town sheriff under the operation of the three of them Curtis Malloy and the cops and vigilantes he recruited were there to serve them.
"I heard that there is a gentleman who wants to discuss something important with us," Mr. Smithfield said angrily. "Well, I've never seen him treat us so slowly. He just sent a small policeman to inform us, and he didn't personally Come here, he tricked us here, and sent two dogs with guns to guard the door. We stayed here like prisoners for almost an hour, but we didn't even see the shadow of the person he mentioned. . Gentlemen, I think it’s time to give the residents of this town a more reliable Sheriff.”
At this time, the door of the church was pushed open, and Brandi, wearing a black suit, stepped into the chapel, followed by Micah, who was wearing a white suit and holding a double-barreled shotgun.
"Ah, good morning, Mr. Smithfield, Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Calloway," Brandi greeted the three old gentlemen in a cheerful tone, "Nice to meet you three. , and I’m very happy that you can respond to my invitation and come here.”
Smithfield looked at Brandi from head to toe with a very rude look and said, "So, you are the person Curtis said you want to talk to us?"
"Yes, it's me," Brandy politely stretched out her right hand and said, "I have something very important, or in other words, a very important transaction, and I want to talk to three gentlemen."
"You?" Smithfield ignored Brandi's extended right hand and said arrogantly, "A boy with just full hair, thinks he can discuss business with us on an equal footing by wearing a flashy and fashionable suit? Cody Si Zhen is becoming more and more useless, and all the messy things bother me." After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.
However, just as he was about to leave, Micah, who was blocking the door, raised his gun with a grin, and pointed the terrifying muzzle of the double-barreled shotgun at Smithfield. Smithfield immediately raised his hands subconsciously, his legs weakened, and he almost knelt down on the spot. .
"Sorry, I'm rude," Brandi retracted his outstretched hand and smiled, "My brother has a bad temper and is always impulsive in doing things. I don't want to cause any irreparable tragedy here, so I I think you gentlemen should take care of my brother's temper to some extent, what do you think?"
"No problem, no problem, sir," Smithfield smiled very forcefully, and cold sweat had soaked his back. He took the initiative to hold Brandy's hand and said, "I remembered, oops, I had already I should remember, aren't you the famous bounty hunter, Mr. Brandi Munny? All my people have told me that you often come to take care of my business."
"So you are Mr. Munny," Calloway said, adjusting his monocle on the bridge of his nose and extending his hand. "My brother, who is the chief physician in my clinic, often told me about you and said you saved the world. He took his life and my business."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Calloway," Brandy let go of Smithfield's hand, took Calloway's right hand, and said, "I would like to ask, what is the relationship between Jim 'Kid' Calloway and you? "
"He's a cousin to me, he can be considered my cousin," Calloway said with a slightly embarrassed look on his face. "He's also in his fifties. In addition to drinking and causing trouble, , is of no use at all. If only he had not retired from the army, at least in the army, the country would support him and there would be no need for me to waste money and our family's good name. If he has offended you, let me replace him my apologies."
"You are serious, Mr. Calloway, your cousin has given me a lot of inspiration, at least I think, for myself, these inspirations are very valuable." Brandi smiled.
Calloway nodded and said: "Although I still doubt it, I do hope that the Calloway you are talking about is really my unlucky cousin, Mr. Munny."
As for Dalton, although Brandi often patronizes his business, as he said before, he was in West Elizabeth for the previous month and just came back recently. Regarding the new changes and new characters in Valentine, He wasn't that clear yet, so the two just shook hands and said "Nice to meet you", and the conversation officially got down to business.
The three capitalists each found a position they felt was suitable, while Brandy stood where the pastor usually stood when preaching. He cleared his throat, seeming to be preparing for the upcoming tirade or polemic.
"Okay, gentlemen," Brandy said, "I think everyone should have some guesses about the purpose of calling you here, right?"
"Unfortunately, Mr. Munny, no," Dalton said, "so I'd like you to get straight to the point."
"No problem, Mr. Dalton," Brandy nodded and said, "You don't even know about the upcoming disaster in this town, right?"
"Are you saying that the day after tomorrow there will be a massacre of more than a hundred people in the town?" Smithfield said with some disdain, "How credible do you think these words come from the mouth of a madman and an Irish beggar?"
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Smithfield. Although what you said is very reasonable, this matter is 100% true," Brandy said. "I think you should know the little girl who was kidnapped? We rescued her yesterday. Came back and killed about twenty people in the process. These people were either wearing robes and talking crazy, or they were dressed like sloppy cowboys and spoke Irish-flavored English. Now, you still think this is nonsense. ?"
The three capitalists looked at each other, and they all read more or less panic in each other's eyes.
"Ahem, pardon me, Mr. Munny," Smithfield's tone softened again, "So, when you called us here, have you already thought about how to protect our property in this storm? ?”
Brandy heard this, smiled, and said, "I have to say, Mr. Smithfield, you have more imagination than the most bragging drunkard in your pub."
"So, Mr. Munny," Calloway, who had remained silent, spoke up, "what is your purpose in calling us here?"
"It's very simple, I need your help, gentlemen," Brandi spread his arms like a missionary and said, "In the next battle to defend the town, we will mobilize all the residents who are still in the town to resist those Damn gangsters and cultists, among all the residents, you three are naturally included."
"Do you think those civilians who flee in droves when they are in danger are trustworthy?" Dalton questioned, "Although I have been away from town for a while, I know that since those two people kidnapped the little girl yesterday, , nearly half of the residents in this town chose to run away, and they all left here overnight. As for the remaining people, they either didn’t have time to run, or they just couldn’t run. Otherwise, who would be willing to let their wealth and life fall into this moment? In danger?"
"Then I have a question, why don't you three run?" Brandy asked.
The three capitalists looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Calloway said: "To tell you the truth, the wealth and lives of the three of us are all pinned on this town. Leaving here means that we have to give up everything here and lose a lot of profits." , and then invest more money in a new place. If we go back and forth like this, it may take us ten years to fully recover the cost. If we stay here, the losses may be smaller."
"In this case, I think helping us and helping the residents of the town protect this town can minimize your losses." Brandy said vowedly.
Dalton crossed his legs and looked like he was listening: "Oh? How low do you mean by the lowest?"
Brandi smiled slightly and said: "I am a bounty hunter and don't know any precise arithmetic or complex economics, but I think that at least with us here, Mr. Smithfield's tavern will not lose a large amount of spirits and high-quality liquor." As for you, Mr. Calloway, your clinic will not lose a large amount of high-quality medicinal materials and precious pharmaceuticals. Are these still possible? Isn’t it enough?”
The three capitalists looked at each other and nodded. Smithfield said, "Why don't we ask Mr. Munny to explain in detail what we need to do?"
"It's simple, gentlemen," Brandy said. "Mr. Smithfield is required to provide everyone in the town with enough alcohol and food for free, Mr. Calloway is required to provide free medical assistance to the wounded, and as for Dalton Sir, you need to lend all the guns and bullets you own to all residents in the town for free. I think this shouldn’t be a difficult task for you, right?”
"If that's all, I don't think there's any problem," Dalton said. "But from the look of you, it seems like you haven't finished speaking yet."
Brandi smiled, he just loved talking to smart people.
"As expected of you, Mr. Dalton, let me make it clear," Brandi said, "You should understand that there is no free lunch in this world, so my friends and I helping you protect the town are not free. I think we should ask for appropriate remuneration for our services, do you think this is reasonable?”
Dalton nodded and said, "This is as it should be. So, tell me your price."
"Considering the manpower and material resources we have lost in the past few days, and the danger of this work, I think it is very appropriate for you to pay each of us a thousand dollars as a reward." Brandi smiled.
"One thousand dollars?!" The faces of the three capitalists changed, and Smithfield asked eagerly: "How many people do you have in total?"
Brandi thought for a moment and said: "Not counting those who are not participating in the frontal battle, there are about ten people."
"In other words, do you want us to pay you ten thousand dollars as a reward for protecting the safety of the town and our personal property?" Calloway confirmed again and again.
"Yes, gentlemen," Brandi said, "and, to correct you, in addition to what you said, we also need to protect your lives and property."
Dalton stood up suddenly, his face flushed, and veins popped out on his forehead and temples.
"This is robbery, outright robbery, sir," Dalton said angrily. "I cannot accept such unreasonable demands."
Brandi advised: "Mr. Dalton, please calmly think about the pros and cons of this. Moreover, I am talking about the three of you paying us $10,000 to hire us, not the three of you each paying $10,000. "
"Even so, you are robbing," Dalton said angrily, "Mr. Munny, I thought you were a decent man when I heard Mr. Calloway say that before. I didn't expect that you and those desperadoes, and those There's no difference between being a private detective, so I won't go with you, and you, including everyone in this town, don't even think about getting a gun from my Dalton store."
After Dalton finished speaking, he turned around and saw Micah, who was wearing a white suit, already holding up a double-barreled shotgun with a grin.
There was a dull gunshot, and Dalton's chest was beaten to pieces. His body was like a torn bag filled with grain. He was pushed several meters by the huge force before he fell to the ground.
The other two capitalists had never seen such a battle before. They were so frightened that they screamed and tried to hide under the chairs.
Brandy also changed his expression at this time, and his bright green eyes were as cold as the muzzle of a double-barreled shotgun.
"Be polite to you, do you really think I'm here to bargain with you? Sorry, everyone, I'm just here to inform you," Brandy lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "Now, let me say Finished, who is in favor and who is against?"
