According to Lawrence's request, the news about the West City and the Governor's Palace at the party will be highlighted by Anna:

"There are several grocery stores in Xicheng District that have not been protected by the gang this month..."

"The patrol eliminated several tiny gangs in Xicheng District, but some were also injured in the operation..."

"The headquarters of the dockworkers' union has been coming and going more frequently than usual lately..."

......

Lawrence squinted his eyes and swiped his finger over the records, and if you look at them together, it is clear that Grosso and Ya'an have caused a lot of trouble for the union in Xicheng District, making some gangs keep a low profile.

However, judging from the last record, Ciro Russell must also be planning something, and it seems that he is about to make a move.

Lawrence then looked at a few records from the West Quarter, and was able to testify to his guesses.

However, the account of the Doge's Palace is very trivial, after all, the source of the information is a gathering of children and teenagers, who, even if they can serve in the Doge's Palace, are mostly lowly miscellaneous servants who have no access to valuable information.

Gently placing the records on the table, Lawrence spread the jam on the bread and asked casually:

"Other than that, are there any other rumors lately?"

Anna put her index finger against her chin, looked at the ceiling and thought for a while, then smiled and said:

"There is one thing that most of Ajaccio knows, sir, that you captured a Genoese general alive on the battlefield."

Lawrence smiled helplessly and shook his head, he wanted to say something modest, but after thinking about it, this was a perfect opportunity to strengthen his prestige among the people, so he said seriously:

"Anna, you'll get in touch with the leader of that party tomorrow and ask him to get the word out about it, and I'm going to talk about it all over Ajaccio's tavern for the next week."

"Ah, understood, sir." Anna nodded competently, since it was a task ordered by Lawrence, although she didn't know the reason, she would do her best to carry it out.

"Any other news?"

Lawrence said, patting the crumbs off his hands.

"Uh," said Anna, pouting for a moment, said:

"There's a rumor."

"What rumors?"

"Said to have discovered a huge silver mine in Corsica."

"Huh?" Lawrence couldn't help frowning when he heard this, this was obviously the second step of his plan with Governor Paulie, and it seemed that Paulie didn't want to gain more power with the help of this plan, so he directly sent someone to do it himself.

However, it is also because the task of spreading rumors is relatively easy, and Poly can complete it without the assistance of Lawrence.

After all, it is much easier to spread rumors than to spread the truth, no matter what the era.

After a general understanding of the situation, Lawrence chatted with Anna for a while, and then went to bed after a brief bath, and after a day of jolting on horseback, Lawrence was a little tired.

On the morning of 23 February, Major Trefali came to visit Lawrence in person, and together they went to the Governor's Palace.

The Doge's Palace was also unchanged, and Lawrence and Trafali were allowed to leave after showing their documents and were not searched.

The two belong to the military system, and the guards in the palace have no right to conduct body searches.

Pauly's secretary arranged for the two to wait in the dining room for a while, and by the way for some breakfast, and about half an hour later the secretary informed them that they could meet the governor in the study.

"Ah, Lawrence, Major Trevary."

Governor Poly smiled and beckoned the two to sit down, and personally got up and took out two sets of cups and saucers for them from the erector, poured black tea, and said:

"I have to admit that you did a great job at Bastia."

"That's what we're supposed to do." Major Trefali replied with a sophisticated response, and Lawrence nodded in agreement.

"Especially you, Lawrence, now that the Corsicans know about your capture of Bellan."

Although Paulie smiled, he always looked at Lawrence with deep meaning as he spoke.

The meaning behind this sentence is also obvious, accusing Lawrence of growing too quickly among the people now, which has made Paulie feel a little threatened.

As smart as Lawrence, he instantly understood what Poly meant, so he smiled lightly and picked up the cup and saucer, took a sip of hot black tea, and at the same time organized the language, and then said:

"It's true that there are some versions that have been circulated that have become myths, but I think that's not bad."

"Oh? What do you mean? ”

Governor Poly frowned slightly and asked in a deep voice. He thought that Lawrence would make concessions when he understood what he meant, but he didn't expect him to go along with his words.

"The people don't know that we have deliberately withdrawn our troops, and in their eyes the Northern Army has been repulsed by the Genoese army."

Lawrence and Paulie glanced at each other and said slowly:

"Instead of letting them panic at this kind of news, let them immerse themselves in some unrealistic legends."

"Of course," Lawrence then shrugged helplessly, adding:

"As much as I am reluctant to be over-hyped, I am willing to make this sacrifice for the good of all Corsica."

Governor Paulie, though he was already very displeased, thought about it and admitted that what Lawrence said was very reasonable, and if the news of the repulsion of the Northern Legion was widely spread, it would not be conducive to his own governance.

"yes, that's hard work for you." Paulie glanced at Lawrence with a little resentment and said:

"Well, it's time to get back to today."

Lawrence and Trevley met with Pauly mainly to report on the withdrawal mission. Now that the mission has been successfully completed, the duties of the two men and the handling of the Fourth Battalion need to be rescheduled.

"First of all, I have drawn up a commendation plan for the merits of the two of you."

As he spoke, Paulie took out a beautifully printed, signed order from the drawer of his desk and handed it to Lawrence and Traffary for a look.

The order outlines the exploits of Lawrence and the soldiers of the 4th Battalion in the operation, and concludes by stating that Lawrence and Trafali are awarded the Order of Corsican Heroes of Battle, 1st Class, which is the highest honor that a colonel officer can achieve.

In addition, in consideration of Lawrence's meritorious command, Paulie also ordered Lawrence to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and for the soldiers of the fourth battalion, twenty places of the Order of Combat Hero of the Third Class were also given in the order.

Lawrence and Major Trevley circulated the commendation order, and both had to admit that Pauly's commendation was very generous, especially the promotion of Lawrence to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

You must know that Lawrence was only awarded the rank of major at the beginning of this month, and Poly was probably under a lot of pressure from the army when he was promoted so quickly.

Lawrence, who knew this, couldn't help but frown, he knew that Governor Poly would not give him a big gift for nothing.

"I have no objection."

"Me too."

Both Lawrence and Trevary said they had no objection to the order.

"Good." Governor Poly nodded and put away the commendation order, then put his chin in his hands and said in a deep voice:

"Also, about your future duties and the disposition of the 4th Infantry Battalion of the Northern Corps..."

Lawrence listened silently, he knew that the commendation order in front was only a small head, and the focus of this meeting was all on Pauly's handling of the two and the fourth battalion.

"I have decided to disband the formation of the fourth battalion."