The Creators: From Night City

"boom"

None of the four people present saw how the gun on the counter returned to the hands of the Oriental man.

But Arthur's revolver, which was destroyed by bullets and shot to the ground, and his slightly trembling right hand, all showed what had just happened.

"There's only one bullet left in the gun, and you still have four people. Do you want to try it?"

The revolver was placed back on the counter. Jiang Bing drank the wine in the glass with an amused expression.

Hosea was the first to raise his hands in surrender.

He could not accept anyone present being shot, no matter who was shot.

Moreover, based on Jiang Bing's behavior of shooting the gun instead of shooting people, the cunning old liar could basically conclude that the other party might not have any malicious intentions.

At least there is no intention to kill.

"Mr. Sable is really joking."

Dutch had obviously come to his senses and forced a smile.

"We just had a pleasant chat. I believe Mr. Sable and Detective Pinkerton are not in the same group."

"And." Dutch glanced at Jiang Bing's clothes, then looked at the revolver on the counter.

"I believe you don't care much about those bounties. We are not enemies."

What Dutch said is absolutely right.

And without the pre-life filter.

The gang nature of the Van der Lin Gang alone means that Jiang Bing will not only not target them, but may even strongly support them.

The saying goes that one person’s hero is my enemy, and conversely, one person’s enemy is my hero.

Jiang Bing, who intends to develop several states including West Elizabeth, New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne into comprehensive logistics bases integrating tobacco planting, processing, animal husbandry, and agricultural production, is naturally happy to see this troublemaker stirring up trouble in the current American territory.

He was afraid that these places were not messed up thoroughly enough.

"A wise choice." Jiang Bing slammed a Scofield revolver with a white pearl handle and carved patterns all over it onto the counter with his other hand.

There was indeed one bullet left in that revolver, but Jiang Bing didn't say that it was just this one revolver.

The more Dutch looked at it, the more familiar the gun looked.

Not only him, the other three felt the same way.

The next moment, Dutch, covered in cold sweat, reached for his waist, and sure enough, the holster on the right was empty.

Now the four of them realized that they had really hit a wall this time.

At the same time, he also applauded He Xia's experience.

Listening to the messy footsteps outside the door and looking at the four people who had become much more obedient, Jiang Bing knew that the time had come.

Chapter 204 Turning enemies into friends

He was the first to put his revolver back into his armpit holster, then he slid Dutch's revolver across the counter to the other man.

This action undoubtedly brought relief to the four nervous people.

"Listen, Dutch, and the three of you from the Vanderlin Gang, you're all going to be safe today."

Jiang Bing said seriously, spreading his hands as everyone looked at him with varying expressions, "But all of this is based on you being able to demonstrate your value."

"Mr. Hodge McIntosh, the silver-tongued Mr., Sheriff Torrey is right outside the door. This is the price you pay for your deception and the punishment for your ill intentions. In short, it's time for you to take action."

After listening to the tasks assigned by Jiang Bing, Dachi no longer felt nervous.

Compared to the high pressure he faced from Jiang Bingshi, dealing with it for Li Gray was as easy as dealing with a fool.

It's no harder than going to the market to buy some melon seeds for the other person.

As the idea king of the West, Dutch completed his task easily, as smoothly as if he had used an overdose of enema.

I don't know what he said to Lee Grey, but the stupid sheriff was tricked into the tavern by him, where he was completely defenseless and became a hostage to be exchanged for three people.

"Stranger, I heard you were looking for me?"

The sheriff didn't even look at the dead body on the ground, his attention was all focused on Jiang Bing.

"Still want to discuss a big deal with the Gray family?"

Jiang Bing glanced at Dutch behind the sheriff. The other party spread his hands and shrugged helplessly.

Fraud and deception always revolve around one central point, which is the temptation of money.

Compared with the temptation of ten thousand dollars, the lives of a few idle people in society are obviously nothing.

But this move is exactly what Boss Jiang wants.

So he followed the natural course of events, went with the flow, and successfully connected with the situation.

The situation suddenly improved and the tense situation eased instantly.

Soon, the maid packed up and set up a covered cart, carrying Jiang Bing and the sheriff to the Gray family manor to meet with the patriarch.

Only a few mind-boggling corpses were left on the ground, as if silently crying out to the auxiliary police officers (usually called deputy sheriffs) who were cleaning up: "Speak for me, speak for me!"

The Gray family's Caliga Plantation is located in the southeast corner of Lemoyne State, right next to the Lanahechie River. The land is fertile and it faces Saint Denis, the largest city in the west, across the river.

Before the abolition movement, the Grey family accumulated a lot of wealth by relying on slave plantations, but as the black slaves were freed and a large amount of cheap labor was lost, the family wealth shrank year by year.

But the vast land ensures that they remain one of the wealthiest families in the area.

Dutch rode side by side with Sheriff Gray, leading the way together.

The two of them were talking incoherently, with Dutch doing most of the talking.

He intentionally or unintentionally revealed to the sheriff that this was his friend's business and that he had taken great pains to bring the two parties together.

It seemed as if Jiang Bing had known him for many years.

He has maxed out his talent for adapting to changing circumstances and striking the enemy with the stick.

"It's a beautiful house, isn't it?"

Hosea rode his horse beside the caravan and spoke to Jiang Bing intentionally.

The Gray family's house is indeed considered to be a grand one in the surrounding area. It is a three-story brick and stone European-style building with a typical brownstone architectural style.

The entrance is made of carved stone pillars and has multiple steps, which makes it look majestic.

The buildings are named after brownstones, a building material used until the early 20th century that employed brown stone and masonry, as well as red brick.

The thick walls, exquisite high ceilings, decorative fireplaces or solid wood fireplaces, carved foyers, wrought iron lamps, pediment roofs, octagonal bay windows, and an area of ​​over a thousand square meters would not be inferior to modern buildings even in later times.

Jiang Bing sat quietly in the car and didn't say anything.

Fortunately, Hosea, who was born as a stage actor and had been cheating and deceiving people for half his life, had nothing but thick skin.

"It's normal that Mr. Sabul doesn't like you. From your behavior, I can tell that you come from a prominent family."

"As you know, our reputation outside is not very good, so Dutch had to hide his identity before."

The old fox found the opportunity and tried to resolve the grudge.

But when he saw that Jiang Bing was still unmoved, he immediately changed his tone and turned his approach of appeasement into inducement.

"You know, the West is a chaotic place, Mr. Sabul. Although you are a master of the gun, doing business requires more than just good marksmanship."

"As a foreigner, dealing with these people who made their fortunes on slave plantations, you're bound to be looked down upon. It doesn't matter if it leads to conflict, but it will be difficult to negotiate business."

"Although there were some minor problems between us, we hit it off right away and had a great time talking to each other."

Jiang Bing looked out the window at the scarf on the other person's chest, which rose and fell with the bumps, as if he saw the embodiment of its owner's moral integrity.

"You want to do something for me?"

"Or win-win cooperation." Hosea bowed slightly.

"Having us here to support you is better than you facing the rude Grey family alone."

Hosea is worthy of being the think tank and military strategist of the Vanderlin Gang. With just a few words, he immediately found a way to break the deadlock. By combining defense and attack, he tried to pull himself and Jiang Bing into the same camp.

"What do you want? What will the Van der Linde gang get from this? The purchase money or all the valuable items on me?"

Jiang Bing teased the other party that his previous intentions were impure.

Hosea's expression didn't change at all, which made people wonder if his thick skin was bulletproof.

"Friendship, we only need your friendship. The Van der Linde Gang has always been kind to others. As long as you can forgive our unintentional offense just now, we don't need anything else."

"It's free."

Jiang Bing gave the other person a meaningful look.

"Free is the most expensive thing, what do you think, Prophet?"

Hosea, whose full name is Hosea Matthews, has the same name as the prophet Hosea, the author of the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament.

The dog-headed military advisor was a little stumped by what he said, so he could only compliment: "Mr. Sabul is really wise."

After beating him, Jiang Bing immediately added a carrot.

"But you're right. When you're out and about, having more friends always means having more options."

"I agree to the proposal. You can go and inform Dutch. Of course, if the work is done well, there will be friendship and the reward will not be less."

Jiang Bing knocked on the suitcase where the money was kept, hinting at something.

"I am much more generous and wealthy than you imagine."

Jiang Bing handed over the carrot, patted the holster under his armpit, and gave a warning with a stick.

"Of course, this is for our own people..."

Although Hosea didn't say all the words, he knew it clearly in his heart.

This clearly tells him that if he makes friends, he can eat meat, but if he makes enemies, he will be shot.

Chapter 205 Transaction in Progress

The old men in the tavern have personally demonstrated to everyone how delicious Jiang Bingqiang's bullets are.

Although Hosea was 55 years old, suffered from asthma, and had lost his wife in middle age, he was still reluctant to leave the Vanderlin Gang and leave the world.

Therefore, he was very receptive to Jiang Bing's words.

Of course, Dutch, Arthur, and Strauss can also listen to it.

So Hosea, who pretended to have something to do and was eager to get forward, met Dutch and, using years of tacit understanding and eye contact, acted as the sheriff and completed the exchange of opinions.

Soon, he calmly slowed down his horse and controlled his position to return to the caravan.

"Listen, Mr. Sabul, I have a plan that I thought you could take a quick look at..."

The Gray family is quite prosperous, with six or seven adult men in the core circle, all of whom are in their prime and are brave and aggressive.

The head of the family is Tavish Gray, an old man who is half bald and has a long beard except for his chin.

His age has brought him rich social experience and life experience, and has also washed away the impetuousness and violence common among Western men, allowing him to sit firmly in the position of patriarch.

The Grey family members, their gunmen, the Van der Linde gang, Jiang Bing and the maids filled the spacious reception room.

Several cups of hot coffee were brought to the table.

Tavish Gray stirred the brown liquid in the cup with a silver spoon, starting the conversation as if it were a casual chat between friends.

"Gentlemen, according to Li, you are here specifically to do business with the Gray family."

"Of course" Dutch was determined not to let the words fall on the ground.

He looked at Jiang Bing, who was leaning on the back of the chair with his cane resting on his leg and behaved elegantly. He felt unsure in his heart, but he was not forgiving in his words.

“It’s still big business.”

When you are out and about, you have to give yourself face. Jiang Bing held the coffee cup and sniffed it gently, maintaining a perfect social fake smile, and put the cup down.

Although the whole action was very natural, it exuded a sense of disgust from the inside out.

Jiang Bing certainly doesn't dislike coffee. He is indifferent to it. No matter whether the beans are good or bad, he will have to devour them like a cow chewing a peony.

This move was to cooperate with Hosea's plan and solidify his image as a great nobleman from the East.