The group took a public carriage and spent an hour and a half arriving at a place just one street away from the city center.
In fact, in Verak's eyes, the place where they are currently is prosperous enough. The people here are all bright and bright, and there is no trace of sadness on their faces. The street environment and the scale of the buildings are also different from the surrounding areas.
There is a huge gap, and it looks no different from a city of the same level as Lezein.
But when he looked ahead in the distance, he realized that he still didn't know enough about this city.
What is truly called the city center, where all the prosperity is gathered, is the incongruous place in front of it, as if it were another city.
There are more majestic high-rise buildings rising from the ground than in Lezein, and there are no traces of public carriages on the streets. All cars are passing through...
It’s hard to see other things clearly from such a distance, but these two points alone are even better than Lezein.
It must be said that it is a huge irony that in a devastated country, there is such a place that is better than Lezein, which is known as the most prosperous city in the world.
"There are people checking at the intersection. I'll go over and take a look first." The reason they stopped moving forward was that they saw a team of guards checking pedestrians one by one at the intersection before entering the real core area. For safety reasons, Murphy went over alone to inquire.
Condition.
"There is actually a place like this in Monlego..." Connie, who had seen too many tragedies along the way, felt that the peaceful and developed area ahead was ridiculous.
"No matter what the chaos is outside, they will always be able to maintain exploitation and oppression and live in the best environment. This has been taken for granted for thousands of years and it is time to change." Verak took a cigarette.
Not long after, Murphy came back and shook his head slightly: "You need identification, otherwise the guards will not allow you in."
"Proof of identity?"
"It's a kind of certificate produced and issued by them. They only recognize this here." Murphy explained.
"Isn't it good for money?" Verak said, squinting and smoking.
"It probably won't work, but I'm not completely sure yet. They looked very strict. I was afraid of being suspected of having bad motives, so I didn't try this method rashly." Murphy shook his head.
"Well done." Verak patted Murphy, "Safety is the most important thing. If money doesn't work and we get caught again, it will be too much of a loss."
Murphy looked reluctantly at the city center, where the powerful men of Monrego live: "The problem is, if money doesn't work, how do we get in?"
"There will always be a way, and you don't have to go in. It all depends on the next development." Knowing that there were guards checking pedestrians, Verak was satisfied with the trip, "Okay, it's getting late, hurry up.
Let’s go back before noon.”
"Either I try again and pretend to be someone who wants to start a small business. Even if giving money doesn't work, they probably won't arrest me." Murphy looked ahead motionlessly.
"Don't forget we won't start action until tomorrow. Today we just want to relax and walk around." Verak put his arms around Murphy's shoulders and carried him away. "As for testing whether paying money is feasible, there are many ways. Use
Don’t take any chances. Maybe there is a group of people in any corner who specialize in this black business and can help make fake identity documents?”
At noon, the three of them returned to the hotel.
The five Lopezes all stayed in the room peacefully and did not act randomly.
After having lunch together, Verak continued to talk to them about the concept of equality and the fundamental issues of Monlego at present, cultivating the thinking of the five people bit by bit, so that they can hopefully become independent revolutionaries in the future.
Just like Bash, the revolutionary cause will not stop after he leaves, and the struggle will continue until dawn.
In the afternoon, Veractor Connie watched Murphy and went to the hospital to check the condition of his leg again.
Murphy repeatedly stated that he had no problem. Verak didn't care what he said, and specifically told Connie to keep an eye on him and truthfully convey the doctor's words.
"What about your body? Weren't you also hit by an arrow at that time? You should also go and get checked." Murphy couldn't defeat Verak, and finally had no choice but to drag Verak along.
"I've been fine for a long time." Verak patted himself on the shoulder, "I won't show off, I'll be fine when I'm fine. You should learn from this and don't let others worry about you all the time."
"Why do you become more fond of my mother-in-law than my brother?" Murphy said a little annoyed, but felt warm in his heart. He did not resist the matter anymore and left the hotel with Connie.
In the evening, when the two came back, Verak didn't listen to what Murphy said at all. He went directly to Connie to understand the situation. After confirming that Murphy's leg injury was no longer a problem, he felt relieved.
If Murphy had problems with his legs as soon as he arrived, how could he have the nerve to visit Diaz in the cemetery in the future?
"Everyone, it's getting late. Let me clarify the division of labor for you. We will go all out tomorrow and strive to establish the sub-station as soon as possible." After Murphy and Connie came back, Verak called everyone over for a meeting, "Comrade Murphy
, Comrade Connie, is responsible for establishing stable contact with the main station and sub-stations. Comrade Lopez, Comrade De, Comrade Obrador, Comrade Yáñez, Comrade Muschis and I are divided into three teams, responsible for going there.
Different areas collect and organize all available information.”
Gathering information is a vague task.
They have no clear standards in this regard. What is useful and what is useless is difficult to explain in one sentence.
As for how to conceal one's motives, and how to assess the situation and adapt accordingly when encountering an unexpected situation, it is not something that can be calmly faced and solved with just a few words of verbal advice.
Verak planned to lead one person to initially master this ability, and then assign him to the rest of the team to help others, while he replaced a new one and continued to teach.
October 21st, early morning
Lopez and others also got up early this time. After having a simple meal, four teams of eight people set off together.
Verak took Obrador, Lopez took De, Yáñez and Musquez to the area assigned yesterday.
"Look." Verak has not learned Monlego very well and can only use some simple words and sentences to communicate with Obrador, "There are very few patrols."
"Well, this is relatively close to the city center." The strong Obrador has a delicate heart, and he also uses simple words as much as possible and slows down his speech so that Verak can understand him.
But he still overestimated Verak, which Verak didn't quite understand.
So Obrador pointed here, then pointed in the direction of the city center, and said only one word: "Near."
"So it's safe." Verak understood what Obrador wanted to express.
"Um."
The two looked at each other, smiled, and continued walking.
It was difficult for him to explain many things clearly to Obrador, so he analyzed and sorted out most of the information as he went, and then raised some questions that he couldn't figure out for the time being.
For example, patrol matters.
The closer you are to the city center, the better the living conditions are, accordingly fewer people will be cornered and have to do anything extraordinary, and fewer patrols will be needed.
However, according to Verak's opinion, except for the core areas that need to be inspected, other areas should be able to enter and exit by oneself. If the patrol force is not strong enough, there should be more peripheral desperadoes sneaking in to burn, kill and loot.
.
But it does look quite stable here.
Why don’t those people who stared at me when I first stepped out of the train station dare not come to these places to act? They only thrive in the most remote places?
This point is worth going back and discussing in depth. Maybe we can discover the omissions of these people through their work rules.
"Over there, look?" Obrador pointed to a corner that Verak hadn't noticed.
Verak followed the pointing and found an inconspicuous alley.
Just walking around the streets, you can't see anything unusual, and the information you get mainly depends on personal judgment. Such small alleys may hide some shady people and things, which is suitable for them to explore.
"Be careful, let's go." When he first arrived, Verak had not yet found a way to get a gun, and was only equipped with a dagger. He considered the possible dangers, pulled out the knife, and reminded Obrador, who was holding the gun, what to do.
Be prepared.
"You go back." Obrador speeded up a little, deliberately walking in front of Verac.
Verak didn't say much.
If there was really any danger inside, the gun would be much sharper than his dagger. On the contrary, if he stood in front, it would affect Obrador's performance.
As he approached the alley, Verak wanted to remind him not to shoot if there was an emergency, and to try to communicate and resolve the situation to avoid making a big fuss. Unfortunately, he couldn't express this, so he had to go in and watch.
The alley was long, cold, and smelled of excrement.
In addition to the harsh environment, it also shows that there may be people moving around here.
After walking about one-third of the distance, some noises came from the corner area ahead. Obrador, who was walking in front, paused and turned to look at Verak, asking for advice with his eyes.
Verak nodded and motioned to look forward.
The two of them tacitly slowed down their pace and minimized the noise they made. It took them a minute or two to walk the last bit of the road and arrived at the corner.
Obrador unknowingly became a little nervous, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He pressed against the wall and quietly poked his head out to check the situation.
Verak clutched the knife, ready to fight or evacuate.
After looking at it for two seconds, Obrador turned his head, his face less nervous and more surprised: "Many children."
Many children?
López Obrador made room for Verac to observe secretly.
Verak poked out half of his head to look out of curiosity, and soon, his eyes also showed surprise.
Around the corner, there is a slightly wider open space. The open space is between several buildings. Only the small gap above can cast some light, so that it will not be so dark that you can't see anything.
This place is obviously a nook and cranny that no one cares about. Dirty rainwater accumulates in the potholes on the ground, and the walls are also dirty.
And in such a dark and damp corner that was supposed to be infested with rats, there were at least twenty children living there!
The youngest of these children looked to be only six or seven years old, while the older ones were fifteen or sixteen years old. Without exception, they were naked and skinny. They were sitting on the shabby cloth blankets that they had picked up, and they showed no signs of life.
Wherever there is stability and tranquility, it is all appearance.
It's not that there are no down-and-out people, it's that down-and-out people are not allowed to appear in sight.
Verak couldn't bear it and wanted to talk to these children: "Let's go."
Watching Verak return the same way, Obrador followed and asked in a low voice: "Don't you want to take a look?"
"Food." Verak struggled to come up with the word.
If they go up like this, they will definitely scare the children. If you want to lower the children's vigilance and ask about the situation, it is best to prepare some food that the children urgently need first.
"...Understood." Obrador nodded.
Out of the alley, Verak gave Obrador some money, and Obrador left quickly, and soon came back with two large bags of bread.
"Understood." Verak thought for a long time, but still didn't know how to say "appease". He could only use some close words and rely on Obrador to understand what he meant.
"Don't worry." Obrador said that there was no need for Veraque to say anything, he knew what to do.
Then the two returned to the alley with the food.
They didn't tiptoe this time. As they approached the corner, the children hiding among them heard the noise, and some of them came out.
"Someone is coming!"
"Everyone, run!"
Not surprisingly, the children were very afraid of strange adults. When they saw Verak and Obrador approaching the place where they lived, they immediately ran back and told other children to run for their lives.
But there is only one exit from the alley, which is the direction Verak and Obrador are walking from.
If they wanted to escape, they had to step over the two of them first.
"You go first! We'll cover!"
"Then what should you do?!"
"Don't worry about us! You guys should separate as soon as possible! Meet in the small forest at night!"
In just a few seconds, the united children responded immediately.
The older and bigger children stood up and were responsible for containing Verak and Obrador, and covering the other younger brothers and sisters from leaving.
The younger brothers and sisters packed up the tattered clothes and blankets they regarded as treasures and waited for their older brothers and sisters to find a way out.
Verak guessed that the children would be afraid, but he did not expect that their reaction would be so violent. He quickly opened the bag and shouted: "Food! Food!"
"We won't hurt you! We are here to bring you food!" Obrador opened the bag and took out the bread to show the children.
"Don't believe them! They will definitely kick us out!"
"Stop picking up those things! Just pick them up later! Follow up quickly!"
"Santa! Take care of my sister! I'll cover you to leave!"
The children are very vigilant. Even if they see a large amount of food, they are not easily moved. Instead, they urge their companions to come out quickly.
Verak just wanted to communicate with the children. He didn't want to see his actions force the children to leave, leaving them without even such a corner to rest: "Put down the food, let's go!"