There was a contradiction in Pierre's story that the old man seemed not to notice.

In Jiangbei Province, farces involving drunken soldiers and causing trouble are staged every day. If military law is implemented to the letter, the military government will soon run out of soldiers.

Therefore, as long as the big-headed soldier didn't make a big mistake, he usually just whipped him a few times and the problem was solved.

Pierre was imprisoned in Stone Forest Prison not because he was causing trouble, but as a "deserter". There must be another reason for this.

But Pierre only briefly talked about his experience of being arrested, and he didn't talk much about the previous events. The old man lived decades longer than Pierre, so he naturally didn't ask any more questions.

What made the old man unable to restrain his curiosity was not Pierre's life experience, but another mysterious figure - the young captain.

With just one glance, the old man could tell who was the real leader.

"The gentleman who came to pick you up." The old man asked cautiously, "Who is he?"

Pierre glanced at the old man and said hesitantly: "He is..."

At this moment, the tent door curtain was opened. A ray of light came in, interrupting the two people's chat.

A stout middle-aged man stood outside the tent, with a sterling silver saber handle in the shape of an eagle's beak shining at his waist. Although his temples were gray and his figure was a little out of shape, there was no doubt that he was still strong.

Like a stone wall, it will never be broken down by the storm.

"It's time to go." The middle-aged man said solemnly.

"Understood." Pierre put one hand on the ground and stood up with difficulty.

The curtain was lowered and the middle-aged man turned around and left.

The old man recalled the appearance of the middle-aged man, and secretly looked at Pierre's facial features, vaguely feeling that the two might be related by blood.

"Your father?" the old man asked tentatively.

Pierre did not answer. The persistent low-grade fever caused him to suddenly stand up and feel dizzy. It took him a while to regain his balance.

He forced out a smile and stretched out his hand to the old man: "It's time for us to say goodbye."

When we walked out of the tent, the sun was shining brightly.

The tent where Pierre and the old man were staying was only a corner of the camp. Outside the tent, there was a busy scene just before breaking camp.

There were no curses or scoldings. Men, old and young, were dismantling the camp in silence, loading carts, feeding the horses with fine grain, and making preparations in an orderly manner.

Several capable riders said hello and galloped out of the camp first, apparently to explore the road.

The old man was brought to the young captain, who kindly handed him a money bag: "Thank you for your help, Mr. Vogt."

…

When he sneaked into Jiangbei Province, Winters only took Washika with him.

By the time he was about to leave, a miniature army of more than two hundred people had appeared beside him.

Although he was far away from the center of power, Arpad Duyomu was still nominally the supreme commander of the military government. With Arpad's personal care, Winters successfully regained his old ministry without much difficulty or obstruction.

In addition to the disciples of Wolf Town and Dussac, who was born in Wolf Town, Winters also took away many old troops who fought under him during the Great Wasteland War and were still alive.

Now that everyone has been found, the next question is how to go.

Pierre, Vashika and others are still recorded as deserters on the wanted list of the Third Republic; once Gilad, Sergei and others leave the army, they will also be regarded as deserters.

Winters obtained the "understanding" from the military government by virtue of his "personal relationship" with Arpad, but this does not mean that the military government is willing to see the "deserters" leaving Jiangbei Province in a big way.

The safest strategy is to come secretly and leave quietly.

However, the size of the team has soared to more than 200 people, including many cavalry. They eat, drink, eat, live and travel along the way. In any case, they can no longer be as secretive as before.

Therefore, Winters ordered the purchase of goods, carriages and horses, and disguised himself as a caravan to leave Jiangbei Province.

Some subordinates are worried that the target of the caravan is too big and the secret will be exposed once it is inspected.

"What the bureaucracy needs most is 'compliance.'" Winters explained: "If someone is determined to expose it, then even Alpad can't protect us. But if no one is willing to expose it, then even if it's just

Separated by a thin gauze net, we are safe."

In fact, Winters doesn't need to explain at all. In addition to his old team, this temporary team is also the father of his old team. In the final analysis, it is his voice.

Therefore, no matter whether other people were convinced or not, seeing Winters' firm attitude, they consciously maintained his authority, and no one expressed any objection.

In the process of purchasing goods, carriages, horses, and supplies, the potter and thief [Old Vogt] who had lived in Xiaofornag for half his life helped the stranger Winters a lot.

Due to wars and banditry, the sales of painted pottery in Xiaolu City have been cut off, and various workshops have more or less backlogs of goods.

When they learned that Winters' caravan was interested in purchasing, the workshop owners were eager to sell and give away the goods in order to clear their inventory quickly, lest a war break out.

After some shopping, the fake caravan turned out to be more than just a caravan.

This is why Winters gave money to Vogt Sr. In his opinion, Vogt Sr. had contributed a lot as a middleman and should receive a salary.

But old Vogt refused to accept it.

"No, no, no! I can't have it." The old man shook his head vigorously: "You rescued me from the prison, and I can't thank you enough. You just helped me a little, and I can't take the money."

"Old man, one code equals one code." Winters looked into the other person's eyes: "You work for us and we pay you. This is fair."

The old man took a step back and saluted: "The Lord will bless you, Your Excellency. I can't take this money."

Winters felt that the old Vogt was not being polite or trying to get something, so he also said something sincere.

He put the money bag into old Vogt's hand and said sincerely: "Old man, the world is not good. You still have to live after we leave."

Old Vogt lowered his head, and this time he did not refuse. The captain's words could not be more straightforward. Although his debt has been wiped out, in this world, how will a bad old man make a living in the future? Stealing?

Pierre suddenly said: "Old man, otherwise you can come with us. In such a large caravan, you are not alone."

Pierre's body was far from recovering, and the cold air outside the tent made him cough violently. While coughing, he said: "My family has a manor, the space is enough, and you will always have something to eat. You are dead.

, there is also a place to bury you..."

Gilad, who was standing nearby, glared at his son distressedly and angrily.

I felt distressed because Pierre's body was almost destroyed by the prison; I was angry because Pierre was disrespectful and made promises without permission in front of Captain Montagne.

Winters and Pierre did not feel anything strange. After Winters returned to Tiefeng County, Pierre served as Winters' adjutant until he came to Jiangbei Province to look for him.

But in the view of Girard, who has a deeply rooted sense of hierarchy, Pierre's behavior was rude and offensive - this is the cognitive difference between father and son.

Suddenly, Winters remembered that the Mitchell Manor had been expropriated...

He hadn't had time to tell Pierre and Girard about it yet, and it was not a good time to talk about it now.

"If you are willing, why not come with us back to the new land?" Winters calmly avoided the content about the manor: "Although it is a little remote, there is always a place for you to stay."

Old Vogt wiped the corners of his eyes and raised his head, with a smile on his rugged face: "My daughter still lives in Dawnforge, and I don't want to leave her too far."

Old Vogt took a step forward and held the captain's hand tightly: "The word 'thank you' is too useless... Please believe that if I have the opportunity, I will repay you."

Winters was surprised at first, then smiled and held the old man's hand: "You can also bring your daughter with you."

"This matter... is a bit difficult to explain..." Old Vogt shook his head and repeated as if swearing: "If I have the chance, I will definitely repay you. Please believe me, please believe me."

The farewell is always short. After all the tents are put away, all the carts are hitched, and all the goods are loaded, it's time to set off.

"Check the ropes for the last time!" Winters led the horse and patrolled from the end of the convoy: "The cart is loaded with pottery, not grain. The road is bumpy, so be careful to damage it."

[Lieutenant Colonel Elek], who was ordered to assist Winters, saw this scene and couldn't laugh or cry.

Lieutenant Colonel Elek was born in the artillery department. He had presided over the bridge construction project during the Battle of the Styx, and he was an old acquaintance with Winters. Arpad sent him to contact Winters precisely with this in mind.

In Lieutenant Colonel Elek's view, since they have the pass issued by General Arpad and he is personally in charge, Winters and his party can move freely under the military government, so why should they be secretive?

Therefore, seeing Winters not in a hurry to set off, but instead shopping around for goods in Dawnforge, Lieutenant Colonel Elek could only sigh helplessly: "As expected...as expected..."

After inspecting the convoy from end to end, Winters tied his horse behind the first cart and quickly climbed onto the cart.

For some reason, Winters felt extremely comfortable. Looking into the eyes of Gilad Mitchell who was sitting in the coachman's seat, Winters suddenly laughed loudly: "Mr. Mitchell?"

"What's the matter? Captain?" Gilad became more reserved.

"The last time we escorted the car together, it seemed we were going to Gevaudan?"

Gilad was stunned for a moment, then he laughed when he remembered the past: "Then... I hope I won't encounter bandits this time."

"This is Jiangbei Province! It's not your new land!" Lieutenant Colonel Elek urged displeasedly: "How can there be so many bandits? Let's go quickly!"

"Okay!" Winters took a deep breath and shouted: "Let's go!"

The coachmen crackled their whips happily, and the sassy Dussacs loudly sang obscene ditties.

The carriages drove away one after another, leaving only clouds of pale ashes at the old camp site.

Then, that night, the caravan encountered the first group of bandits.

In the afternoon of the next day, we encountered the second group.

…

"Hey, this matter..." Lieutenant Colonel Elek explained to Winters embarrassedly: "I really didn't know it would be like this."

It was already completely dark, so the convoy set up camp in a flat open space, and formed a circle with large vehicles connected end to end to serve as temporary fortifications.

Winters wanted to laugh, but was too embarrassed to do so, so he could only drink the soup silently.

Ordinary gangs were no match for Winters' old men. The Dussacs dispersed the gangsters with one charge.

It was just that bandits blocked the road for two consecutive days, which really made Lieutenant Colonel Elek, who had sworn to guarantee the security situation in Jiangbei Province, a little embarrassed.
To be continued...