Through a tip, the hairless Colonel [Geza Adonis] confirmed that [Winters Montagne] was in Gevaudan.

The four infantry brigades from Baishan County then quietly left Yuanhua Castle and headed west towards Tiefeng County.

At the same time, the counter-insurgency forces in Wargne County are also ready to go.

The war is imminent, the enemy is approaching fiercely, and the clouds are also gathering over Gévaudan.

The municipal committee members were once again "invited" to the government hall by the fierce soldiers.

Arriving at the meeting hall in fear, blacksmith Shaoyi was surprised to find that former municipal councilor and tobacco merchant Old Priskin was also present.

Seeing old Priskin, Shao Yiti's heart dropped two inches in his throat.

He thought Old Lipskin had reached some kind of agreement with Blood Wolf.

The well-informed city councilors knew that early this morning, the military police broke into Priskin’s house and took away the old man’s grandson. Little Priskin’s life and death are still unknown.

Old Priskin leaned on a cane and closed his eyes to rest, his expression calm.

But his thumb almost scraped off a layer of paint on the cane.

The committee had arrived, and before everyone could interact, a blood wolf in military uniform walked into the meeting hall holding a saber.

Some city councilors were trembling subconsciously.

To show as much goodwill as possible, Winters never wore weapons when meeting with city commissioners.

This time, he brought a saber.

And he was filled with murderous intent as soon as he opened his mouth: "I said before that there would be a public trial, but it has been delayed until now. It's not because I forgot, but because there are more and more people to deal with. It's better to gather them together and have a great time."

Liquidation.”

Some timid municipal committee members were on the verge of tears.

"It's fun to play intrigues, isn't it? Do you feel proud that I know nothing?" Winters slapped his saber on the table: "Come on! Bring him out!"

Heinrich escorted a young man into the meeting hall.

Seeing this scene, old Priskin's crutch fell from his hand.

The young man is the grandson of Priskin Sr., Priskin Jr.

"Tell me." Winters said calmly: "Tell all the respectable gentlemen, what have you been busy with recently?"

Although the young man's clothes were a little dirty, no blood was visible, but his face was extremely pale.

"I..." The young man's knees trembled and he swallowed hard: "I..."

There was silence in the meeting hall, and people's heavy breathing could be heard clearly.

Old Priskin stood up suddenly: "What on earth did you do! You..."

Before the old man could finish his words, he coughed violently, and the people next to him hurriedly helped him sit down.

Heinrich pushed the young man to the center of the venue, and the latter fell to the ground.

"The pseudo-mayor Ben Ting who is hiding in Langtun Town, is that you?"

"Yes." The young man replied tremblingly.

"Is it you who tipped off the New Reclamation Corps?

"yes."

"Prepare weapons secretly and seize the city gate secretly." Winters sneered: "I didn't expect you to be so bold."

The young man's head almost dropped to the ground.

The meeting hall was in an uproar. Old Priskin felt tight in his chest and almost fainted on the spot.

Ever since he captured Gévaudan, Pierre had been looking for Bentin.

After Winters entered the city, he sent people throughout the city to search for him.

However, after searching the hotels, brothels, and liquor stores in the city, neither living persons nor corpses could be found.

That means someone must have deliberately hidden Big Benting, and it was someone who could use considerable resources.

Bentin had neither money nor power, and the only thing of value he had was information about Winters Montagne - apart from Winters' subordinates, he was probably the one who knew Winters best in Gevaudan.

people.

At the same time, Winters received a report: hoof prints were found during the inspection of the sentinels, and someone was trying to cross the blockade.

Who wants information on Winters Montagne? The list can be written on a piece of paper.

And who is willing and able to send messages to the outside world? The list has been narrowed again.

Wherever you walk, you will leave traces.

Following the traces back, the two lines finally intersected in the grandson of old Priskin.

Winters waited patiently.

But now, it's time to close the net.

"Who else is involved in Mr. Priskin's lovely plan?" Winters glanced at the city commissioners: "Stand up for yourself."

Is there anyone else? Blacksmith Shao Yi exclaimed in his heart. He did not dare to make any move for fear of being misunderstood.

Suddenly, the municipal committee member sitting next to Shao Yi stood up with difficulty.

"Oh, it turns out he's the only one." Winters smiled.

As soon as he finished speaking, another municipal committee member also stood up.

Winters waved gently, and Heinrich led the military police into the committee members and dragged the other four people away from their seats.

Blacksmith Shaoyi was not moved, the two men who stood up were not moved, and old Priskin was not moved.

Shao Yi, the blacksmith, was horrified to find that half of the twelve municipal committee members in the urban area were involved in this conspiracy.

None of the nine village committee members were taken away.

Shao Yi was angry and happy at the same time. He was angry that no one had revealed any information to him about such a big event. He was also grateful that no one had disclosed any information to him.

"I don't have any extravagant expectations for you. If I win, you can continue to live your life. If I lose, you will still be obedient subjects of the New Reclamation Army." Winters held his saber and spoke very slowly: "Just this little request,

You can’t do it either, right?”

It was as if an invisible cold wind swept through everyone. Shaoyi, the blacksmith, suddenly felt so cold that his upper and lower teeth were chattering.

No one dared to guess what the man in front of them, known as the Blood of the Wolf, could do. All the city councilors finally understood what the old Priskin said - "He broke his skin and started killing. Are you satisfied?"

"Sir." Old Priskin stood up, and he seemed to have become older in an instant: "Please deal with my grandson severely. But please understand that this is just a conspiracy of a small group of people. Gévaudin will do his best to help you.

To supply military supplies, I am also willing to donate all my family property, and please be kind to me."

Winters laughed: "Do you really think I care about your little money? Bring it up!"

Charles led people carrying several heavy wooden boxes into the meeting hall.

"I forced you to subscribe for bonds, but I only borrowed them, not robbed them. It was just to make some noise and show it to the audience."

Winters kicked down the wooden boxes one by one, and gold and silver coins flowed out: "All your money is here, including a lot of silver coins. Not satisfied? Well, I will return it to you now."

The reason why Winters forced the big businessmen of Gévaudan to subscribe for bonds was, firstly, to create a false impression; secondly, to lure the snake out of its hole; and thirdly, to raise funds for the redemption of the manor land in Forge Township.

The third item cost far less than expected, and no money raised from bonds was used at all.

"Please wait until you win before you pay us back." Old Priskin's body became more and more stooped.

Priskin Sr. was not involved in his grandson's conspiracy and was indeed unaware of it.

But it's meaningless to say this now. Where does his grandson get the prestige that makes half of the city committee members follow him?

They must be acting under his banner.

The old man knew very well that all he could count on now was the kindness of the blood wolf.

The fact that he is sitting in the council hall of the city hall instead of the court or even the execution ground is the greatest kindness in itself.

"Okay! Since you ask like this, I am disrespectful." Winters raised the saber: "From this moment on, Gévaudan has entered a state of martial law. No entry! No exit! The garrison is responsible for the daily necessities needed by the citizens.

transport."

"Gentlemen, pray for me to win." Winters smiled playfully: "If I lose, your money will die with me."

…

…

Colonel Gesa's troops advanced rapidly, covering fifty kilometers in less than two days and arriving on the east bank of the Anya River.

The colonel sent baggage officers in advance to collect supplies in villages and towns along the way, so his troops could advance lightly.

After arriving at the Anya River, the Baishan County army worked non-stop to build a pontoon bridge.

Anya River is the natural dividing line between Tiefeng County and Baishan County. Because it is gentle and kind and rarely floods, it is named "Mother".

[Note: Anya/Anya means mother in the Palatine dialect, and the literal translation is mother river.]

There are large and small villages and towns scattered along both sides of the river, but in the section of the river at the junction of [Tiefeng] and [Baishan] counties, the main way to cross the river is by boat.
To be continued...