After defeating the defense line of the Equal Army, the government troops heading north finally arrived at Lezein.
The mighty army entered the city from multiple directions, and strict checkpoints were set up at all surrounding arteries to restrict all movement of people within the control area.
The former dignitaries who had been taught how to behave by the people within two days of Dese came out again and lined the streets to welcome this victorious army that had defeated the Equality Army head-on.
As for the people, most of them closed their homes or stood on the streets and looked at them coldly.
After comparison, the government's smooth talk can no longer play a role. People know very well who treats them well and who is sincerely trying to let them live in a brave new world.
They do not welcome this power that has ruled them for countless years but has not improved their lives at all.
Of course, the government troops and the Bresi interim government behind them do not care what the people think, and they have no ability to change their minds.
The cost for people to support them is too high.
The powerful people cannot accept it.
If it could be accepted, the International Equality Alliance wouldn't have to spend so much effort.
In the eyes of these people, if they want to reunify Bressey and regain the previous stability and strength, what they need to do is not to give benefits to the people, but to wipe out the International Equality Alliance completely.
If the one who makes the most fun dies and can't die anymore, the other people whose hearts are surging will naturally become honest.
"Attention everyone! Implement block-by-block blockades and conduct blanket searches!"
"All battalions be on alert! According to reliable intelligence! The International Equality Alliance has left an action team hiding in the city! They must be found out as soon as possible!"
"The government has issued a reward order! Anyone who can provide reliable clues to the action team will be given a reward of no less than 10,000 gold grams!"
The first thing the government troops did when they arrived was to block and search.
However, what was destined to surprise them was that the general liaison office of the Lazerin War Action Team was secretly set up opposite the 'Equality Building' that was about to be converted back into a 'Government Building'.
This is a hotel owned by Keating's old friend, a Duke.
Keating's relationship with the Duke has become unknown with the fall of the old dynasty and his imprisonment. The two were in contact again when the International Equality League occupied Lezein a few months ago.
, Keating visited secretly, pointed out the way for the Duke to survive, and asked him to set an example in supporting the International Equality League.
This move allowed the Duke to live a good life during the half year that the International Equality Alliance controlled Lezein, and also influenced many powerful people to respond to the International Equality Alliance's call, achieving a win-win situation.
It was not until a few days ago that the news of the International Equality League's withdrawal spread wildly in their circles, and Verak was approved to form the Lezein Wartime Action Team, and Keating secretly visited his old friend for the second time.
With the Duke's background, his status will inevitably be restored after the government troops return. If he can provide shelter for Verak and others in the coming days, it will be the greatest security guarantee for the action team.
If he was not careful in this matter, he would get into serious trouble. However, the Duke looked at Keating's face, or he was still optimistic about the prospects of the International Equality League and was willing to leave a good impression, so he readily agreed.
After regaining ownership of the hotel under his name, he provided the action team with a favorable environment for Verak and others to live in.
"As I expected, there are many spies in the International Equality Alliance. The government forces have known about the action team for a long time. We can't catch them by surprise." On the top floor of the hotel, in the luxurious suite dedicated to serving distinguished guests, Murphy
Standing in front of the window, looking down at the chaotic streets below.
"So I have suggested that when we were preparing to form the action team before, we should use another name. This can delay it for a while." Sheryl said while sitting on the sofa.
Verak flipped through the first draft of "The Theory of Communities" and did not pay attention to the outside situation: "Since there are undercover government forces in the International Equality League, who can guarantee that there are not undercover agents in the action team we have prepared? In other names, in fact,
It doesn’t mean much.”
It is precisely because of this concern that even a very small number of people in the action team know the location of the general liaison office. The captain of the action team, Verak, two team leaders, and four deputy team leaders all live here.
, communicated through telegrams and comrades scattered everywhere, who were all properly placed and guarded against searches by government troops.
"They entered the Equality Building, and our flag was lowered." Connie, who was standing at the window with Murphy, reported the situation outside.
In fact, on the first day when the International Equality Alliance withdrew, some people wanted to lower the flag of the International Equality Alliance, but the united people did not allow this to happen until now.
Verak had no comment on this.
In his heart, he believed that instead of having the flag of equality lowered and trampled by the government troops, it would be better for Keating and the others to take it away when they left.
But it does have some effect if you keep it.
At this point in time when the International Equality Alliance left and the government troops had not yet arrived, that flag gave many people strength and prevented Lezein from easily falling into chaos.
"It is estimated that from tonight, Laizein will implement a curfew again." Nizan, the former deputy captain of the security team and now the deputy leader of the action team's combat team, said disdainfully, "These people can't do anything except curfew."
"I'm afraid the situation will be worse. Street closures, curfews, and blanket searches should all proceed in three directions." Cyril analyzed from the perspective of the government forces. "We all use telegraph to communicate. It is really a wise move."
"We can't keep in touch by telegraph. We have to do something, otherwise what's the value of staying in Lezein." Veteran Spencer drew a map and began to conceive of possible subsequent street battles.
"Going out when the government troops have just arrived is simply seeking death. All we can do now is wait, and then the intelligence team will take action first and provide us with comprehensive and accurate information to formulate a plan and a series of actions to defend the Martyrs Cemetery.
"Verak read Winston's writings with a deep heart. He did not become an ant on a hot pot just because the government troops finally came and lowered the flag of equality.
While the general liaison office of the action team was silently observing the situation and waiting for the opportunity, the government forces began to take over Laizein and summoned many dignitaries who had stayed in Laizein for a long time to come to the government building to discuss various complicated matters.
matters.
Newspaper offices affiliated with the provisional government also mobilized collectively, and a large number of reporters roamed the streets.
"Crack!"
Chaotic hospitals, abandoned schools, shuttered factories, and civilians living on the streets were photographed by reporters.
Soon, these photos will be printed in large numbers of newspapers with titles such as 'Lezein under the International Equality League', 'The Suffering of the People', and 'The Truth Hidden by Lies', and spread to the world.
"Crack!"
The government troops distributed food to the people, and government officials made guarantees to the people in the square. Factories resumed operations under the supervision of the government troops. A large number of criminals were arrested, abandoned schools were being cleaned, and military medical support was paralyzed.
The hospital photos were deliberately staged.
Soon, these photos will be accompanied by titles such as 'Hope is here', 'Lizer is in desperate need of improvement', 'They are truly worthy of trust', 'The people have ushered in the savior', etc. and will be printed in as many copies as the former.
Newspapers, along with it spread to the outside world.
The propaganda power of the International Equality Alliance is limited to the controlled area, and newspapers and books from other places are all classified as contraband.
The Bresi interim government still has a place in the international community.
Especially after the International Equality Alliance almost became a public enemy of the world, all countries were willing to support the Bresci Provisional Government, making their citizens believe that the International Equality Alliance was a monster, and blocking the space for the International Equality Alliance to sprout and rise locally.
This is the power of sound.
Whoever has a louder voice will be heard by more people and believed by more people who cannot tell the truth from falsehood.
Piaf, the propaganda director of the International Alliance for Equality, was aware of this, but she had no effective way to prevent the change.
Now they are fighting against the entire world.
"You are lying!"
"Where can I take things back? What is the purpose of taking these photos?!"
"Do you really want to watch so many patients go without treatment?!"
After the photos were taken, the distributed food was taken back intact. The poor people who were originally pushed into the operating room were pushed out. The government officials who were speaking in the square were hit by stones and rotten vegetable leaves.
However, the so-called lawbreakers, those people who refused to cooperate and had the courage to question, were actually arrested and sent to prison.
"You bastards! You don't care about our life or death!"
"Sooner or later the International Equality Alliance will come back! They will lead us to create a brave new world!"
The angry people were greeted with warning shots and hits with gun butts.
The reporters who had gotten what they wanted ignored this scene and rushed towards the newspaper office under the escort of soldiers.
The grief-stricken and helpless people, with their heads bleeding and bleeding, looked at this group of colluding scum and let out a shrill roar.
"Come on! Photograph us! Photograph the real Lezein! Let the deceived people see it!"
"Don't your consciences hurt?!"
"Don't leave! Aren't you going to take pictures of us? You scumbags!"
Witnessing this shocking incident, a reporter who quickly walked away under the escort of soldiers gradually slowed down.
His heart was tormented by questions.
The journalist's ideal oath to pursue the truth of the incident, like the dignity of the people, is being stepped on and crushed repeatedly.
These truths and those falsehoods, right and wrong, justice and evil, equality and injustice, the International League for Equality and the Provisional Government of Bressey.
Countless things were running through his mind.
He resisted what he had done from the bottom of his heart, but he had no choice.
Under the surveillance of soldiers, he could not take real photos.
Even if it could be taken, the newspaper's review, printing, and dissemination processes would not allow such photos to exist.
Moreover, once his behavior is discovered, he will immediately be regarded as a spy of the International Equality Alliance and be liquidated.
Your own life and your own family are more important than humanity and dignity...
real--
Is it more important than humanity and dignity?
The reporter recalled the days when he first started this job.
After several months of secret investigation, he exposed the lies of the factory owner, helped more than a dozen workers who were falsely accused of stealing factory raw materials to be cleared, and received the compensation they deserved.
Although he was later retaliated against and forced to resign from his first newspaper.
But this incident still makes him deeply proud.
Finding the truth, sticking to the justice in his heart, and helping those in need are his purpose as a reporter.
What's the point of doing this job if it goes against your original intention?
What is the difference between being alive and being a walking dead?
The belief that he had once permeated his body again, and the reporter's hand touched the camera. He quietly changed the film set, secretly observing the soldiers left and right, looking for opportunities.
In just four or five seconds, his forehead was covered with sweat, his legs were weak, he staggered, and almost tripped himself.
"Be careful." The soldier beside him reached out to support the reporter and said in a mocking tone, "Don't be so afraid. Those untouchables don't dare to do anything. Besides, we are here."
"...Thank you." The reporter steadied himself and did not dare to look directly at the soldier.
"There is a car in front of you. Just get in the car and report directly to the newspaper office. The newspaper office is also a place we focus on protecting. You don't have to worry about any dangers." The soldier continued.
The reporter looked ahead and saw that the car was less than 70 or 80 meters away from him, and he could reach it in the blink of an eye.
Can't get on the bus.
Cannot repay the company.
Now is the best opportunity to record the truth.
The problem is that the soldiers are following me closely. If I raise my camera to take pictures of the chaos, I will definitely attract attention and be suspected.
The reporter racked his brains and came up with no solution, so he had to slow down as much as possible to delay getting on the bus.
"Please hurry up, do you want us to carry you there?" the soldier urged, causing his companions to laugh.
"No, no, thank you..." The reporter had to speed up a bit.
what to do?
what to do?!
To shoot or not to shoot?!
The truth is right in front of you. All you need to do is press the shutter button and save the film. Sooner or later, the lie will be exposed!
Fifty meters.
Thirty meters.
Ten meters.
As the car got closer and closer, the reporter's desire to record the truth became stronger and stronger.
Just when he made up his mind to take photos desperately and then think of a way to explain it to the soldiers, two citizens suddenly appeared from the side of the car and rushed towards him.
"You don't deserve to be a reporter!"
"Hand over the camera!"
"Stop it all! Get away!"
"Stop!"
"If you don't leave, we'll shoot!"
Soldiers formed a human wall to protect reporters behind them.
"You scumbags! You actually pointed your guns at civilians for the sake of those powerful people!"
"You are just the lackeys of the powerful! A group of tools that can be abandoned at any time!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Get out of here! This is the last warning!"
"Want to live or die?! Get out!"
"Huh...huh..." The reporter breathed heavily and was sweating profusely. Taking this perfect opportunity, he held the camera and kept his trembling hand hanging above the shutter.
"Bang!!"
After an argument turned into a shoving match, one soldier's gun went off.
The bullet penetrated the chest of the civilian in front of him.
The civilians instantly collapsed to the ground, their eyes blank.
"You killed people! You killed people!!"
"Everyone, get away! If you dare to come forward again, you...you, you will also end up like this!"
"I'll fight with you!"
"Bang!"
Seeing two civilians die in front of him, the pale-faced reporter finally pressed the shutter.