Valentine, Keane's Tavern.

Except for the day he met the writer Ravine and Calloway "The Imp", Brandi almost never came here. Anyway, it's not that he doesn't want to take care of the business of this small shop, after all, the dilapidated and cramped tavern is also a place full of western style, but his assets, worth, and the character created by him at the beginning make it seem like a bargain for him to enter the tavern, although Brandi himself didn't think so, but, in order to try to create the image of such an elegant gentleman, plus the bounty hunter's job is really busy, he hasn't been there since that first meeting Laven and Calloway, and now, He was about to visit for the second time, but for some reason that didn't make him happy.

Pushing open the door of the tavern, the tavern was empty, the owner had run away all night yesterday, only Mika Bell in a white Dale hat was sitting at the bar of the tavern, holding a bottle of Kentucky Bourbon and pouring himself a drink.

Hearing the creak of the wooden door behind him, Maika turned around and saw that it was Brandi, who was dressed as a cowboy, he was stunned for a moment, and then laughed: "Yo yo, isn't this our Brandi brother?" Your green eyes are so recognizable. ”

"How? Yesterday's rescue went well, right? Maka's smile always seemed to have an evil spirit, and in Brandi's eyes, Micah was completely representative of the idiom "hateful face", and Micah smiled and said, "Ah, I think you should have no problem doing things." Hey, how much did they pay you? Or did the little girl's mother promise you directly? Neither? Could it be that the little girl made a promise to you? Okay, you're too criminal, beast, I can't do such a beast thing......"

"Alright, Maika, I don't have time to ramble with you," Brandi interrupted Maika's teasing impatiently, "I'm going to do something now, but I need your help." ”

"Oh? Need my help? Are you sure? Hearing this, Maika was a little surprised, and then then said unceremoniously, "Ah, I see, it must be Arthur who stopped playing with you that you remembered to ask your Uncle Maika for help, right?" Ha, I thought you would never ask for me, after all, you are now a big celebrity in front of Ducky, and you are almost more popular than Arthur, but what? You're still going to have to find me, Mika Bell, for help. ”

"But I don't think you're respecting me," Mika said with a hard sip of wine, standing up, and pointing to Brandy's nose, "remember the first time you and I met?" Remember that black gun you struck? 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 comes from. Did I kill your own father, or did I TMD your TMD real mother? ”

"I said, I don't have time to talk to you," Brandi still didn't change his face, "it was Ducky who gave me a task and specifically asked you to help me, of course, if you don't want to cooperate with me, I don't have a problem, anyway, I have my own way of doing it, you can continue to idle here, get drunk like a rotten drunkard, and then fall asleep on the floor full of your own vomit, and finally be hung from a tree by the Odrisko gang in humiliation, you choose, think about it." With that, he turned and left.

Maika immediately stopped in front of Brandi with lightning speed and said, "Hey, don't worry, since it's the boss's arrangement, I just listen to you, what do we need to do?" Robbing a bank or robbing a train? ”

"I don't want to say that, but when I think about it, what we're going to do doesn't seem to be very different from the two things you said," Brandi said helplessly, "I've told the sheriff to bring all the shops and ranches that are still in town to the town's church, and you'll do the rest at my disposal." ”

"No problem, my young brother," Maika immediately came to his senses as soon as he heard that he was going to deal with capitalists, "believe me, I am very good at dealing with capitalists. ”

"If you're interested," Brandi said as he pushed open the tavern door and Mika followed him out of the tavern, "but before we do, we need to do some preparations, you should have a more formal outfit, right?" ”

"Huh?" Maika was a little puzzled.

Valentine, church.

Valentine's church is located in the easternmost part of the town, the whole body is made of white-painted wooden materials, compared to the world's famous churches, it is too simple, too narrow, only the main body of the church and the small bell tower of the building structure is too simple, but it is really the only place in the whole town of Valentine that can be used as a temporary meeting room.

It wasn't a Sunday, so the huge church was empty, and even the pastor who worked here didn't know where to go, but there were visitors to the church.

The visitors were three well-dressed gentlemen, the youngest of whom looked to be forty years old, and their neatly trimmed mustaches, and their suits of particular material and style showed that they were fundamentally different from the rest of the town, but the most evident of this difference was the arrogant look on their faces, which only those who usually carry a few hundred or thousands of dollars in their pockets as pocket money can show no sense of disobedience.

As soon as these three old gentlemen with the temperament of an upstart from head to toe met, they greeted each other, and it seemed that they had known each other for many years.

"It's been a long time, dear Mr. Smithfield, and dear Mr. Calloway," greeted a stocky, thin-haired old gentleman to a lean old gentleman and a middle-aged gentleman wearing monocles next to him, "It seems like it was a year ago when we last saw you, right?" ”

"Ten months ago, to be exact, dear Mr. Dalton," said Mr. Smithfield, with a face that should have been unsmiling, but he himself was very amiable, "and speaking of which, I haven't seen you in the town all this time, have you gone to the mountains and rivers again?" ”

Mr. Dalton smiled bitterly and said, "I have no interest in visiting the mountains and rivers because business has been sluggish these months, and I went to West Elizabeth, which borders New Austin, which borders the border, and I wondered if I could open a branch there, and maybe expand my business in the future." ”

"That's a good thing," said Mr. Smithfield, "and all is going well, right?" ”

"On the contrary, this time I really touched the nose," said Mr. Dalton, and he couldn't help but get angry, "Originally, I was going to try my luck in Blackwater, who knows what Pinkerton detectives blocked there, saying that they were going to investigate some kind of robbery, and no one had to enter the town during this period, and I argued with them a few words, and they almost gave me a shot directly, and I had no choice but to leave." ”

Mr. Smithfield frowned, and said, "These private detectives are really savage, and if they didn't have a legitimate name, I don't think they are any different from outlaws, they are all goods that deserve to be put on the gallows." ”

"But in any case, their efficiency is really high, at least several times higher than these rice buckets in our town," said Mr. Calloway, stroking his bare chin, "I have heard that these private detectives have solved many unsolved cases and caught many villains who are full of evil, and by the way, it is said that they were responsible for the security of His Excellency during President Lincoln's tenure." ”

"And then? What happened to President Lincoln in the end? Not yet an assassination death," said Mr. Smithfield, unceremoniously, "and let me say that those wild dogs are more disgusting and can bite than wolves." ”

"Oh, at least give enough meat and bones, and these wild dogs will become loyal dogs of the first class for a while, even better than real loyal dogs," said Mr. Calloway, "and by the way, do you know what Curtis is calling us for here?" ”

Smithfield, Dalton, and Calloway, the three surnames are as important to Valentine as the Medici is to Florence, Italy, and they are arguably the richest people in the town, even if the town's banks are not necessarily richer than them.

Because the three of them each control the three hidden pillars of the town—moonshine, munitions, and medicine.

On the surface, Valentine started out in animal husbandry, which did bring prosperity to the town, but in those days, only the business that was not on the table was the most profitable.

At the end of the 18th century, when Prohibition was prevalent and banditry was rampant, compared with animal husbandry, whether it was making moonshine, smuggling military weapons, or reselling high-priced medicines, the windfall profits contained were immeasurable, so after the town prospered on animal husbandry, the three of them began to prosper in their respective businesses, bringing them more annual profits than the economic benefits brought to the U.S. government by this town that relied on animal husbandry.

It can be said that they are no different from the big capitalists except that there are no formed private armies, but in the realm of Valentine, they do not need any private armies, because Curtis Malloy, who became the sheriff of the town under the operation of the three of them, and the policemen and vigilantes he recruited are themselves in their service.

"I heard that there was a gentleman who wanted to discuss something important with us," said Mr. Smithfield angrily, "well, I have never seen him treat us so slowly, but he sent a little policeman to inform us, and did not come himself, and tricked us here, and sent two dogs with guns to guard the door, and kept us here like prisoners for almost an hour, and we did not even see a shadow of the man he spoke of." Gentlemen, I think it's time to replace the townspeople with a more reliable sheriff. ”

At this moment, the door of the church was pushed open, and Brandi, dressed in a black suit, stepped into the chapel, followed by Maika, who was dressed in a white suit and armed with a double-barreled shotgun.

"Ah, Mr. Smithfield, Mr. Dalton, and Mr. Calloway, good morning," Brandy greeted the three old gentlemen in a cheerful tone, "and glad to be here at my invitation. ”

Smithfield looked Brandi from head to toe with a very rude look and said, "So, you're the guy Curtis said wanted to talk to?" ”

"Yes, it's me," said Brandy, politely holding out his right hand, "I have a very important matter, or rather, a very important deal, that I would like to discuss with the three gentlemen. ”

"You?" Smithfield directly ignored Brandy's outstretched right hand and said arrogantly, "A boy with just grown hair, thinking that he can negotiate business with us on an equal footing in a pompous and fashionable suit?" Curtis is getting more and more useless, bothering me with all sorts of nonsense. With that, he turned and prepared to leave.

However, just as he was about to leave, Mika, who was blocking the doorway, smiled and raised his gun, and the terrifying muzzle of the double-barreled shotgun was aimed at Smithfield, who immediately subconsciously raised his hands, his legs were weak, and he almost knelt down on the spot.

"I'm sorry, it's rude," said Brandy, smiling, "this brother of mine is not very good-tempered, he always acts impulsively, and I don't want to cause any irreparable tragedy here, so I think you gentlemen should take care of my brother's temper somewhat, what do you think?" ”

"No problem, no problem, sir," Smithfield laughed so forcefully that the cold sweat had soaked his back, and he took the initiative to take Brandy's hand and said, "I remember, oops, I should have remembered a long time ago, aren't you the famous bounty hunter, Mr. Brandi Munney?" My men have told me that you often come to take care of my business. ”

"So you're Mr. Manny," Calloway said, holding his monocle on the bridge of his nose, and holding out his hand, "my brother, who is the attending physician in my office, often tells me about you, saying that you saved his life and my business. ”

"Fortunately, Mr. Calloway," said Brandy, letting go of Smithfield's hand, taking Calloway's right hand, "and take the liberty of asking, Jim. What's the relationship between Imp Calloway and you? ”

"He's a cousin with me, it's my cousin," Calloway looked a little embarrassed when he talked about his cousin, "It's also in his fifties, except for drinking and causing trouble, it's useless at all, if he doesn't retire from the army, at least in the army, the country will support him, and I don't need to waste money and our family's good reputation." If he has offended you, let me apologize to you on his behalf. ”

"You are serious, Mr. Calloway, that your cousin has given me a great deal of inspiration, at least for myself, that it is very valuable." Brandi laughed.

Calloway nodded and said, "Although I still have doubts, I do hope that the Calloway you are talking about is really my unassuming cousin, Mr. Manny. ”

As for Dalton, although Brandi is also a frequent patron of his business, but as he said before, he was in West Elizabeth for the previous month, and he just came back recently, and he was not so clear about Valentine's new changes and new characters, so the two just shook hands with each other and said "nice to meet you", and the conversation officially got to the point.

The three capitalists each found a place as he saw fit, while Brandy stood where he usually stood during a pastor's sermon, clearing his throat as if preparing for an upcoming tirade or polemic.

"Alright, gentlemen," said Brandy, "I suppose you have some guesses as to what I called you here?" ”

"Unfortunately, Mr. Manny, no," said Dalton, "so I hope you can get straight to the point." ”

"No problem, Mr. Dalton," said Brandy, nodding, "don't you even know of the calamity that is coming in this town?" ”

"Are you saying that more than a hundred people will come to slaughter the town the day after tomorrow?" Smithfield said with some disdain, "How much credibility do you find to say such words from the mouth of a madman and an Irish beggar?" ”

"I'm sorry, Mr. Smithfield, though you have a very good point, it's 100 percent true," said Brandy, "and I think you ought to know about the kidnapped little girl, right?" Yesterday we rescued her, and in the course of that time we killed about twenty people, either dressed in robes and talking like crazy, or dressed like a scruffy cowboy and spoke Irish English, do you still think it's nonsense? ”

The three capitalists looked at each other, and they all read more or less frightened in each other's eyes.

"Ahem, with all due respect, Mr. Moonny," Smithfield's tone softened again, "So, you called us in to figure out how to protect our property in this turmoil?" ”

Brandy laughed, and said, "I have to say, Mr. Smithfield, that you are more imaginative than the most bragging drunkard in your tavern. ”

"So, Mr. Manny," said Calloway, who had not spoken, "what is the purpose of calling us here?" ”

"Quite simply, I need your help, gentlemen," said Brandy, with open arms as if preaching, "and in the ensuing battle to defend the town, we will mobilize all the inhabitants of the town who remain to resist the damned bandits and cultists, including the three of you, of course. ”

"Do you think the civilians who disperse in danger can be trusted?" Dalton questioned, "Although I have been away from the town for a while, I know that since the two people kidnapped the little girl yesterday, nearly half of the residents of this town have chosen to run away, and they have all left here overnight, as for the rest of the people, either they didn't have time to run, or they just couldn't run, otherwise who would want to put their lives in danger at the moment?" ”

"Then I have a question, why don't you three run?" Brandi asked.

The three capitalists looked at each other and smiled bitterly, and Calloway said: "To tell you the truth, the lives of the three of us are all pinned on this town, and leaving here means that we have to give up everything here, lose a lot of income, and invest more money in a new place, so that we will have to spend ten years to fully recover the cost, and if we stay here, the loss may be smaller." ”

"In that case, I think that helping us and helping the townspeople protect this town will minimize your losses." Brandi swore by it.

Dalton cocked Erlang's legs and looked deaf: "Oh? What is the lowest you mean by minimum? ”

Brandy smiled slightly, and said, "I'm a bounty hunter, and I don't know any precise arithmetic and complicated economics, but I don't think that with us, Mr. Smithfield's tavern won't lose a lot of spirits and high-quality ingredients, Mr. Dalton's gun shop won't lose a lot of fine guns and a huge number of bullets, and as for you, Mr. Calloway, your clinic won't lose a lot of high-quality herbs and precious potions, isn't that enough?" ”

The three capitalists looked at each other and nodded, and Smithfield said, "Why don't you ask Mr. Manny to elaborate on what we need to do?" ”

"Quite simply, gentlemen," said Brandy, "Mr. Smithfield needs to provide free drinks and food for all the townspeople, and Mr. Calloway needs to provide free medical assistance to the wounded, and as for Mr. Dalton, you need to lend all the guns and ammunition you have for free to all the townspeople, and I think it shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?" ”

"If that's all there is, I don't think there's a problem," said Dalton, "but by the way you look, it seems like you're not done yet." ”

Brandi smiled, and he liked to talk to smart people.

"If it is you, Mr. Dalton, then I will make it clear," said Brandy, "you should understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and that my friends and I are not free to help you protect the town, and I think we should be paid a proper fee, do you think it is reasonable?" ”

Dalton nodded and said, "That's right, so let's talk about your price." ”

"Considering the amount of human and material resources we have lost in the past few days, and the danger of this work, I think it is very appropriate that you pay us a thousand dollars each." Brandi smiled.

"A thousand dollars?!" The faces of the three capitalists changed, and Smithfield asked eagerly, "Then how many of you are in total?" ”

Brandildi thought for a moment and said, "Not counting the people who don't participate in the frontal battle, there are about ten people. ”

"That is, do you want us to pay you ten thousand dollars in payment for the safety of the town and our personal property?" Calloway confirmed.

"Yes, gentlemen," said Brandy, "and, to correct you, we need to protect your lives in addition to what you have said. ”

Dalton stood, his face flushed, and his forehead and temples bruised.

"It's a robbery, a naked robbery, sir," said Dalton angrily, "I can't accept such an unreasonable demand. ”

Brandy persuaded, "Mr. Dalton, please think calmly about the pros and cons of this, and besides, I'm talking about the three of you paying $10,000 to hire us, not each of the three of you paying $10,000." ”

"Even so, you're robbing," said Dalton angrily, "Mr. Manny, I thought you were a decent man when I heard Mr. Calloway say that, but I didn't expect you to be no different from those outlaws and private detectives, and besides, you, including everyone in town, don't expect to get a gun from my Dalton shop." ”

After Dalton finished speaking, he turned around, only to see that Mika, who was dressed in a white suit, had already smiled and picked up a double-barreled shotgun.

The dull sound of gunfire rang out, and Dalton's chest was shattered, and his body was like a broken bag full of grain, and he was pushed several meters by the force before falling to the ground on his back.

Where had the other two capitalists seen such a battle, they were so frightened that they screamed miserably and wanted to drill under their chairs.

Brandi's expression changed at this point, his green eyes as cold as the muzzle of a double-barreled shotgun.

"To be polite to you, do you really think I'm here to bargain with you? I'm sorry, guys, I'm just here to inform you," Brandi said, lighting a cigarette, taking a puff, "Now, when I'm done, who's for and who's against?" ”