With Prince Dazlat's public speech in the Fire Emblem Square, the news that the Empire was about to go to war with the United Kingdom of Anlon spread throughout the territory at a rapid speed.
Countless newspapers with the title "War in the West" or related content were printed in factories of all sizes and delivered to the people of the empire through newsboys.
Many complex emotions such as excitement, expectation and worry have converged into an invisible force called the "atmosphere of the times", which inadvertently fills every corner.
The wealthy people frequently discussed the topic of the Western War at dinners and parties, and they were always paying attention to the progress of the event. Many of the upper class people have strong confidence in the empire and have even begun to sell off their real estate and stocks, planning to rush to that territory to do business as soon as the war ends.
Compared with people who have the courage to make a desperate move, the vast majority of politicians and wealthy businessmen want to take advantage of the opportunity to make money.
Various non-governmental associations, under the connection of undercurrents, began to collect donations on a large scale, stuffing most of them into their own pockets, and giving a small amount to the government for free, in the name of adding strength to the war.
As for the civilians at the bottom, although they do not care much about the so-called Western War, they often participate in discussions involuntarily in crowded situations. He even expressed some "original" opinions, which often attracted ridicule from some gentlemen and ladies.
Within the Trisuul Empire, the performance of each class was different, just like a pot of chemicals reacting violently under the action of a catalyst.
But no matter what, even if this phenomenon cannot be said to be unprecedented, it is still a major event other than the red disaster in the past century, affecting the hearts of countless people.
Seven days go by in a blink of an eye.
The smell of war has spread throughout the country.
Residents of barren and insect states close to the western border can frequently see large horse-drawn carriages transporting equipment and materials whizzing past during this period. On the railway tracks connecting the area, there is a constant trembling sound, and the trains come one after another. Vehicles and countless troops gathered.
Accompanied by the whistle and scream, the steam emitted by the locomotive seemed to intersect with the yellow sand in the sky, converging into a blur that could not be seen clearly.
May 18, solar calendar 4420, afternoon.
Chen Lun led his troops to Vulture City in Huangbang.
His first impression of the city was that of dry, muggy heat and dense wind and sand. As for the so-called customs and customs, in three words -
Dirty!
Sitting on the carriage and scanning the scenery along the way, you can see various simple bungalows made of stones everywhere. Dark-skinned local residents wearing white linen shirts are wandering around the simple streets like walking zombies. Skinny children are playing Mud and bugs stared with confused or frightened eyes as more and more strangers broke into this land.
Chen Lun was not surprised by this. After all, the desert state was on the border, and Vulture City was right next to the empire's border. Outside the western city wall, you could see the wheat fields of Yaco Principality across dozens of miles of desert.
The environment here is harsh and materials are scarce. Even though railway tracks have been laid in recent years and transportation has gradually become more convenient, local development is still difficult to keep up with areas such as Gembang and Yanbang.
In order to familiarize himself with the environment as quickly as possible, Chen Lun only paid a "high price" of 50 silver coins to hire a local guide who spoke fluent Cuisul.
This is a young girl in her mid-twenties named Singer. Her skin is wheat-colored, her long black hair is tied into a ponytail, and she always has an optimistic smile on her face, which is impressive.
This is also the reason why Chen Lun fell in love with her at first sight in the "talent market" on the street.
"Have you ever been to Gem State to study?"
Chen Lun sat in the carriage, looked at the "resume" in his hand, raised his head and asked.
The two pages of paper in her hand recorded some of Singer's personal information. They were all handwritten by herself and looked quite crude.
"Yes, sir, I studied at the Hinoye Academy in Amber City, Gem State for two years, and have seen the prosperity of the mainland..."
Singer sat stiffly on the carriage chair, clasped his hands together, raised his head nervously and said.
Chen Lun raised his eyebrows, not expecting such a coincidence.
'I went to the same technical college as Connie, I don't know if they are classmates...'
Connie did not follow the others this time, but stayed in the royal city, otherwise the two of them might have something in common.
Chen Lun looked at the other party's embarrassed look, then turned to Morey and said:
"Pour her a glass of juice."
"Yes, Mr. Jack."
Morey wore a black suit with high-end fabrics and a bowler hat. He looked like an upper-class gentleman, but next to Chen Lun, he looked like an ordinary attendant.
After he bowed his head in response, he turned around and took out a beautiful glass bottle from the refrigerator inside the carriage. He poured the golden and clear ice-cold orange juice inside into the glass and handed it to Singer.
The latter was immediately at a loss and quickly refused:
"No... no need, sir, this is too expensive. Just give me a glass of water."
"Don't be so nervous, it's just a glass of juice."
Chen Lun smiled.
He knew that the local supplies were scarce and fresh water was quite expensive. Only a few powerful people could enjoy a glass of juice like this.
Singer still didn't dare to take the glass, lowered his head and said nothing.
Chen Lun shook his head and said half-jokingly:
"It seems that Miss Singer is not happy to serve me."
"No, sir."
The woman quickly raised her head and said.
"Then take the cup, my men's hands are all sore."
Chen Lun raised his hand to signal.
Singer looked at his smile, his wheat-colored cheeks flushed involuntarily, and then he carefully took the glass.
"Thanks."
"It can be seen that you actually had many opportunities to continue developing in Gemstone State, but you gave up. Why?"
Chen Lun put away the paper and handed it to Floy behind him.
"Sir, this place is too backward. I want to come back to help and make this place as prosperous as those big cities..."
Singer nodded, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"But I overestimated my abilities. Many local companies looked down on me, and it was difficult to put the knowledge I learned at Hinoye College to use."
Chen Lun shook his head secretly.
There are countless examples like Singer in barren and insect states, and they are not caused by a lack of talents, but by multiple factors such as geographical environment, economic environment, and infrastructure.
Many colleges and universities in big cities train students based on the needs of the industrial system and place them in backward places where they are not suitable at all.
Therefore, "college students" like Singer end up living on the streets and doing odd jobs.
At this time, the carriage passed through a wide road, and the bungalows on both sides gradually disappeared, replaced by huge dilapidated warehouses, with the doors almost open. There were many carts and stalls at the door, and some men wearing turbans and cloaks. Gather here.
Chen Lun noticed the changes outside the car window and asked curiously:
"What is this place?"
Singer followed his gaze and glanced out the window and explained:
"In the gun market, most second-hand or even older firearms can be bought here at cheap prices... In addition, there are also various ordnance and bombs."
Seeing Chen Lun's interested expression, she continued to add:
"Behind those warehouses, there are usually private clinics, but most of the doctors are part-time employees of the bosses and basically do not have medical licenses. In addition to performing some traumatic surgeries, they also sell addictive stimulants... This kind of thing is in Vulture The city is very popular.”
Chen Lun nodded to express his understanding.
"Is it because of looting?"
"Yes, sir."
Singer was a little surprised, but he didn't expect that the other party knew the essential reason.
"Because Vulture City is on the border, even though the imperial military is stationed, there are still some gangsters from the Anlong United Kingdom coming over to commit robberies and various atrocities... Here, almost every household has more than one Firearms, even if they have difficulty even having food and clothing.”
As she spoke, her face showed mixed emotions including anger, sadness and distress.
Chen Lun sighed secretly in his heart.
In fact, he already knew the basic situation of the border through intelligence files, but this was different from investigating it himself.
'This is the festering corner of the empire... Vulture City is even more chaotic and backward than remote areas like Emerald Town, and why would the powerful in big cities pay attention to such a place? '
In addition to problems such as the proliferation of arms and illegal drugs, human trafficking is also quite rampant here. Many local women and children often disappear for no reason. They are either trafficked to neighboring countries or end up in the homes of some powerful people in the mainland and become playthings. .
It can be said that the border of the empire is an extremely chaotic area. It is not that the officials cannot control it, but they do not want to control it. So much so that one-third of the wild supernatural beings and forces on the empire's wanted list come from border areas.
Chen Lun fell into silence, looking through the window at the scene along the way.
He found that many players and military personnel had arrived at this moment, and these people appeared in the streets and alleys and various storefronts.
"what time is it?"
Chen Lun suddenly asked.
Morey on the side raised his hand, glanced at his watch, and whispered:
"Mr. Jack, it's already one-twenty in the afternoon."
"Let's go have a meal first, and then we can gather our troops."
Chen Lun nodded.
He then asked Singer about famous local hotels, and the latter quickly reported several place names, as well as their signature dishes and environment.
"Then go to the Jobani Hotel."
Chen Lun selected one of them and asked Singer to inform Golov, who was driving the carriage, of the specific route.
After a while, Singer returned to the carriage and cautiously reminded:
"Sir, the Jobani Hotel is a property of the Blood Hand."
"I know."
Chen Lun smiled.
Singer looked surprised.
The "Blood Hand" she refers to is a local gang organization whose main business is selling arms. But what she doesn't know is that there is an extraordinary force behind the "Blood Hand".
Chen Lun planned to find this "local snake" to find out some deeper information.
Half an hour later.
The carriage drove hard through the bumpy streets and finally arrived at the entrance of a large four-story hotel. The building's signboard read "Jobani" in huge letters, and the walls were painted with light yellow paint. .
Chen Lun got out of the carriage holding his silver cane.
Floy and other team cadres followed closely behind, followed by two carriages, which also stopped one after another, and Frey, Akbin and other members of the council came down from them.
"There are a lot of extraordinary people inside, about thirty in number, and there are some scattered around, about seven or eight people."
Floy held a carved purple-black parasol and walked to Chen Lun's side, shielding him from the scorching light while speaking softly.
Chen Lun nodded and said nothing.
He actually knows better than Floy. Some of these extraordinary beings are players, some are locals, and some are thugs of the "Blood Hand Party".
"Ms. Singh, thank you for your hard work along the way. Please come in for dinner together. I'll treat you."
Chen Lun turned his head and said to the guide.
The latter once again showed a flattered expression and declined again and again.
She had tasted the orange juice on the carriage just now and was already satisfied. Now she did not dare to step into the hotel no matter what.
Upon seeing this, Chen Lun no longer forced himself, and asked Golov to give her an additional five gold pounds as a tip, and called a local carriage to send her away.
Singer got into the car with a lot of thanks, and Chen Lunxuan even greeted his subordinates and walked into the hotel door together.
"Attention, all groups, another group of strange outsiders have entered the hotel. They are all extraordinary people by visual inspection!"
When the two strong men at the door saw Chen Lun and his party, their expressions changed slightly, and they quickly took out their walkie-talkies and said.
The reason why they had such a big reaction was naturally because Chen Lun and others had extraordinary attire and temperament, and they did not look like ordinary people. And that unfathomable extraordinary pressure, just like the instinctive awe of biological creatures, makes the hairs of these "security guards" stand on end.
Shortly afterwards, dozens of strong men from gangs wearing short shirts and turbans entered the hotel and stood on both sides of the lobby, as if to prepare for any accidents that might occur at any time.
Chen Lun knew all this clearly, but he turned a blind eye and led his men to find two large tables in the corner of the hall.
The waiter came over quickly, but Chen Lun handed the menu to Floy and others, while he looked at the environment in the hotel.
Although this is what Singh calls a "big hotel", the layout and decoration are obviously not comparable to those in the mainland. At best, it can only be said to be the standard of an average hotel in Amber City.
There were not many guests dining there. After all, the only people who could come here to spend money were the upper class in Vulture City. Chen Lun noticed that several tables of guests beside the guardrail on the second floor were extraordinary players.
These players did not focus on the food, but looked left and right, exploring unscrupulously, looking curious and excited.
Soon, one of the players at the table turned their attention to Chen Lun. The next second, they seemed to have discovered something exciting and danced with excitement, attracting the attention of the people around them.
"Fuck! It's Jack..."
The voice gradually became quieter, but Chen Lun clearly knew that the other party recognized him.
"The leader is an immortal stranger."
Golov whispered.
Chen Lun nodded, saying not to worry.
After the waiter pushed the dining cart over, he motioned for his men to eat first, and then issued the summoning order to Polaris and other senior players through the "Seal of Pale".
"All foreign warriors who have arrived in the deserted Vulture City, please gather at the 'Yobani Hotel' within one hour."
(End of chapter)
