The next day.

The clouds on the seaside are embellished with a layer of fiery red velvet.

Night has not yet fallen, but Leyden Harbor is already brightly lit.

The sound of the engine came from far away, and pedestrians couldn't help but be attracted by the sound.

This was an era before automobiles became popular, and the miniaturization of steam engines was a secret technology. Ordinary people still used horse-drawn carriages as their main means of transportation.

The brown-green pickup truck came from the end of the long street and stopped exactly in front of the Baroque Hotel.

The two soldiers in neat uniforms got out of the car at the same time.

One has flowing red hair, and the other has an Asian face.

Hawkins and Ye Zhou.

They received orders from their superiors and came here to pick up people.

However, they waited at the gate for a long time, but no one was seen.

The only people on both sides of the carved door were the hotel's waiters, and men and women in gorgeous clothes were coming in and out, which made them both feel a little embarrassed.

"Trouble." Ye Zhou muttered.

"Okay, it's normal for the big shot in the military to meet someone who has some airs." Hawkins thought it was reasonable.

"But this test is a bit big." Ye Zhou said, "I heard it is open to the public."

"Yes, a special venue was set up at the military headquarters for this purpose... Tsk, the people above are simply outrageous."

Just then, they both heard a familiar voice.

"Violet, do you remember what I said?"

"Well, protect yourself."

"Yes, but you don't have to worry," Lu Ye rubbed her head, "If anything happens, I will come to help you."

Violet nodded wordlessly.

Tonight she was wearing a blue shirt, men's trousers and a pair of velvet flat shoes.

The corners of her fitted shirt were tucked into her trousers, outlining her body curves, making her look youthful and beautiful.

"Isn't this Luye?"

Ye Zhou was so surprised that his voice unconsciously raised a bit.

When Lu Ye heard Ye Zhou's cry, he couldn't help but froze.

Unexpectedly, it was these two guys who came to pick me up...

"Do you live here?" Ye Zhou asked curiously.

"Yes, the residence arranged by the colonel." Luye said, "I will stay here before going back to the East."

"That's right," Hawkins said. "The price of this hotel is several times higher than other accommodations. I only come to places like this when I'm picking up girls."

"That old guy, Colonel, is quite righteous." Ye Zhou patted Lu Ye on the shoulder, "The sheep on the island were not killed in vain. If I were you, I would play here for a while longer, and then go back when I have had enough!"

"Haha... sure," Lu Ye smiled, "Then let's go?"

"Go?" Ye Zhou raised his eyebrows, "Where to go? You two have a mission today and can't accompany you to the bar!"

"What mission?"

"The person who came to pick him up is someone the big shot in the military wants to see."

Hawkins said that this is not a confidential matter anyway.

"That's right, let's get in the car."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

Hawkins held Lu Ye's shoulders, looking a little in disbelief.

"Didn't you realize that you received the colonel's notice? The person you want to pick up is me."

…………

The pickup truck was speeding along the deserted road.

The military camp is located northwest of the city center.

Due to the military garrison, some roads here are blocked and citizens cannot pass through these sections.

Hawkins and Ye Zhou sat in the front row, looking silent.

"I'm not joining the army, I'm just doing the colonel a favor." Lu Ye explained.

"That's okay..." Hawkins sighed, "The people who are applying to join the army now are either people who have been displaced by the war, or some young men who are angry and want to protect their families and the country. Not long after, the people from the Battle of Malayden will

Once the incident is reported in newspapers, fewer and fewer people will join the army."

"Is it because people have lost confidence in Leiden's army?" Lu Ye asked.

"Absolutely." Hawkins said, "Did you see the fireworks last night?"

"Looked at it."

"how do you feel?"

"To be honest, fireworks are good, but people are a little weird," Lu Ye said. "For example, some street vendors sell the same thing very expensively, but some sell it very cheaply, as if it were given away for free."

"Because many people have given up hope in this country." Ye Zhou muttered, "Some people want to make more money and run away, some people no longer value money, and for those who are really rich,

, the destruction of the country will also bring a heavy blow to them."

Lu Ye thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case.

In fact, many people know what the current war situation is.

He remembered the old man who sold Violet the ring.

Although the workmanship of that ring is average, it is based on comparison with other exquisite jewelry. In fact, if you just discuss the price, it is impossible to sell it to Lu Ye at such a low price.

Another example is the women on the street who come to Violet to ask about skin care methods.

Lu Ye remembered that there was one woman among them. Her skin was rough and dark, and her hands were covered with calluses. She looked like a manual worker or a civilian wife. But that day she was wearing a brand new and expensive skirt, and she also sprayed it on her face.

Wearing expensive perfume...

In fact, many people are like this.

They choose to spend their hard-earned savings in exchange for a high-quality life.

This behavior is actually not difficult to understand.

Once Leiden is defeated, it will face various treaties such as ceding territory and indemnity.

And the economic consequences will be felt later.

Large amounts of capital flight, severe export shrinkage, shrinkage of light industry, inflation first rising and then falling, etc. will all emerge one after another.

Some of these had already appeared during the war but were not serious, but quickly worsened after the war ended.

So instead of holding on to your money, it's better to spend it before the situation gets worse.

"So have fun here for a while and go home before the situation gets worse."

Hawkins didn't know when he had a cigarette in his mouth, and his expression looked very vicissitudes of life.

"What about you," Lu Ye asked suddenly, "just leaving your lives on the battlefield like this?"

"Not necessarily. If we're lucky, the enemy will come over and the superiors will directly declare surrender. We may be able to save our lives."

"What about bad luck?"

"Come on, copy the guy!" Ye Zhou said, "Although I have an Asian face, I am also a real Leydenite. If the higher ups want to fight to the death against the gang of bastards like Verdon, they will not die.

If it doesn’t stop, then we can only fight hard! My parents are still nesting in their bungalow in the capital. What if I run away and the enemy rushes in and shoots them dead?"

"Will they storm the capital?"

"Who can be sure? We are not the powerful figures in Verdon, but you can't speculate on the enemy's psychology with a mentality that is beneficial to you." Hawkins said, "There are many causes of this war, economic, religious...

But we are just little people, and many things are not decided by us... Oh, here we are!"

He lightly applied the brakes and the pickup stopped in front of the heavily guarded gate.
Chapter completed!