Everyone settled down in the winery.
Chen Lun looked at the empty winery covered with dust and fallen leaves, and immediately asked Connie to go to the relevant agency to hire dozens of servants to clean and tidy up the estate.
Because it was inconvenient to bring too many people with him when he left Amber City, Chen Lun personally dismissed the elite killers of the circus. A considerable number of other members of the murder club had their own extraordinary powers and belonged to the mutual aid association, so he accepted these people.
It can be considered as a favor.
"Golov, Barton, and Morey, the three of you go out and gather intelligence about Peacock City, and try to keep a low profile... In addition, I need to know which noble family is the most powerful in the area, as well as information about the opera house's industry."
Chen Lun instructed the three people.
"Yes, Mr. Commander."
Golov and the other two saluted respectfully, then turned around and strode away.
Chen Lun stroked his chin and began to ponder.
'Now that the foothold has been resolved, the most urgent task is to collect enough information to plan the next step.'
While he was thinking about things, he looked around his new home.
In order to commemorate the former estate, Chen Lun named the winery "Jack".
The main villa of the New Jack Manor is quite large. Although it is also a four-story structure, the interior space is much more spacious than the previous villa. It can be roughly divided into three major areas, including the work area for storing books and collections, the rest and entertainment area, and the living area.
Most of the original furniture and worthless collections were not moved away, and even most of the books were left behind.
This was an unexpected surprise for Chen Lun.
Saved some money again.
And you might even find some mysterious books among these books.
Floy went to the back kitchen area and cleaned it up herself, while Noah and Maggie went upstairs to choose their own rooms, studios and laboratories.
Everyone was busy with their work, except for the group leader Chen Lun, who was inspecting his territory like an idle noble.
Two days passed quietly.
The manor has been completely renovated and everyone has begun to adapt to the new environment.
To celebrate the "housewarming", Floy cooked a big meal for everyone.
Everyone enjoyed the meal very comfortably and happily. Perhaps, as Floy said, when emotions are brought into cooking, the dishes cooked will also be tainted with such emotions.
This shows that Floyd is in a very good mood.
That night.
Golov and his two companions returned again, and this time, they seemed to have gained something.
Chen Lun is in his spacious and exquisite study.
Old-fashioned incandescent lamps were hung on the wall, giving the entire study a hazy and dim feeling. The atmosphere was also somewhat secretive, like a secret meeting.
The three of them sat around the round coffee table and reported the intelligence they had gathered to the team leader one by one.
"Peacock City is located on the east coast of the empire. It is geographically remote. The local parliament is relatively weak and has little say... It is mainly controlled by three forces. The first is the nobles headed by the Harrington family, the second is the wealthy businessmen headed by the Moses Sailing Company, and the third is the gangster organization Blue Sail."
Golov smoked a cigarette and recounted the story in detail.
Chen Lun nodded.
As a port city, it is not surprising that shipping companies are powerful, and the Blue Sail Gang is also composed of dock workers. Although on the surface they are protectors of crew members, trackers and low-level practitioners, in fact, they are just another form of exploitation of their own people.
“Although the title inherited by the Harrington family is only Viscount and their history is not very long, they are the most influential nobles in Peacock City.”
Golov flicked the ash off his cigarette and spoke softly.
"Harrington..."
Chen Lun chewed on the name.
The reason why he wanted to inquire about the noble with the most say was because one of the three opportunities in Peacock City seemed to be hidden in a certain noble family.
Chen Lun wanted to use this "leader" to find opportunities for himself.
At this time, Patton continued:
"Mr. Leader, regarding the supernatural forces in Peacock City, the three largest ones are undoubtedly the official asylum, the Madman School, and the History and Ritual Association. Among them, the Madman School, as a true God church of the magic path, is more keen on studying knowledge and does not like to interfere too much in worldly affairs. The relationship between the asylum and the History and Ritual Association is not very good..."
Chen Lun listened silently and took a sip of black tea.
This is a very standard system of extraordinary checks and balances. The administrative areas of the state cities are basically governed by official shelters, plus two orthodox churches.
"Oh, by the way, it's worth mentioning that the Omto College was founded with the support of the Madman School behind the scenes, so that later on, with this university as the center, it gradually developed into a college district."
Patton added.
Chen Lun took note of the news and sighed.
This is because the memories of the previous life are too old, and I did not have a deep understanding of this city at that time, which resulted in the need to rebuild a framework in my mind now.
Fortunately, the clues about the three opportunities are still clear.
"Mr. Captain, the information I found out is that, apart from those small family-style theaters and mobile stages, there are three largest opera houses in Peacock City... They are the Golden Rum Theater, the Taltar Opera House, and the City Garden Theater."
Morey held a small notebook in his hand and spoke to Chen Lun.
He turned the page and added:
“Among the three major theaters, Golden Rum is the most powerful, popular and influential. The play “The Rose and the Gallows” currently being performed all day is their latest signature play. Both the playwright and the actors are first-class.
Taltar is ranked later, but its focus is more on pure opera and concerts. Most of the city's dignitaries have been there to watch.
City Garden is at the bottom. They don’t have any outstanding features or advantages. Some time ago, their mainstay performer was bought out by a nobleman for a large sum of money. All that’s left are some third-rate acrobatics, animal training, and crappy magic shows. Their reputation is getting worse and worse.”
Chen Lun pondered.
The three people in front of them looked at each other, as if they had guessed what the captain was going to do.
The team leader had told them before that this time when they came to Peacock City, the team members’ main focus should be on “high-level commissions”, that is, the commissions involving mysterious events sent by the messenger of the Silver Dragon Chamber of Commerce.
Those clients are often powerful, but because they encounter extraordinary events in the mysterious realm, it is inconvenient to let the shelter or the church know, so they have to seek help from the Silver Dragon Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce will screen these commissions and then distribute them to the circus, and then the cadres will be responsible for solving them.
While earning high rewards, you can also complete mysterious accumulation at the same time.
Because of the relationship between Chen Lun and Rosa, the circus's status in the Silver Dragon Chamber of Commerce has risen, and naturally it can get the best treatment... This is an extremely rare "task platform".
It is also an opportunity for members to "quickly upgrade".
But the circus needs an open identity to cover up its existence in Peacock City. It's OK if it lasts for a short time, but if it lasts for a long time, it will easily attract unnecessary attention.
"Let's talk about this 'City Garden' theater . I will personally negotiate with their boss and let 'Jack Circus' move in and become the theater's performance team..."
Chen Lun said, stroking his chin.
When Golov and the other two heard this, they thought to themselves that this was indeed the case.
But their expressions were a little strange.
After all, although the team's name is "Circus", no one knows how to perform. They are all extraordinary people, and they have no pressure in fighting or solving incidents, but they are somewhat unfamiliar with the business when they really do their "old business".
"Don't worry, I'm just pretending. I'm not asking you to really study this..."
Chen Lun smiled.
Golov and the other two couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Chen Lun looked at the antique wall clock again, and then said to the three people:
"Okay, let's leave it at that for now... You've all been working hard these past two days, go back to your room and rest."
"Yes, Mr. Commander."
Golov and others bowed respectfully and left.
Chen Lun looked at the door being closed, then stood up and stretched.
"As the leader of the team, I have to do something ..."
…
…
…
The next day.
Early in the morning, after having the breakfast made by Floy herself, Chen Lun went out.
He was dressed respectably, with a brand new flat-top black hat, a high-end black suit, a felt cape, and a new pair of leather shoes.
Golov was not familiar with the city yet, so Chen Lun decided to spend little money and save a lot today. He came to the street outside the winery and hailed a horse-drawn carriage.
With the driver's attentive good day greeting, he got into the carriage with his silver cane on his arm.
It was still early when we set out, but when the carriage arrived at the entrance of the City Garden Theater three blocks away, it was the busiest time for work.
Chen Lun stood at the entrance of the somewhat deserted theater, looking at the old signs and the interior walls that had not been maintained for a long time, and he roughly knew that the business situation here was probably not good.
"Hey sir, are you here to watch the show? The performers today include the 'Freak Acrobats', the 'Beast Taming Sisters' and the most fascinating 'Covey Magic Show'!"
A thin, short man, wearing a cheap, oversized burgundy suit that didn't fit him at all, approached Chen Lun and tried to sell him something.
His expression was very rich, trying his best to express how wonderful the theater was.
“Are you an employee of this theater?”
Chen Lun asked.
The little man hesitated for a moment.
"Well... well, let's put it that way. The hourly wage is ten coppers, plus a commission from ticket sales."
He shrugged and whispered.
"How about it, sir? Do you want to go in and take a look? Although it looks deserted here, the performance will definitely not disappoint you."
Chen Lun simply took out two silver cups and shook them in front of the other party.
"I'm not here to watch the show. Go find the person in charge, preferably the owner of this theater... The money is yours."
"Oh, of course, generous sir."
The little guy's eyes opened, revealing a bright look.
He took the money, turned around excitedly and rushed into the theater.
After a moment.
A young man with a haggard face walked out, and beside him was a tall and thin man with a mustache.
"Hello sir, I am the owner of this theater, Simon Hoyle. What can I do for you?"
The young man was dressed very formally, in a well-fitting dark grey ironed suit and a red bow tie, but the dark circles under his eyes made him look less energetic.
"Mr. Hoyle, I heard that your theater's mainstay performer was poached? Tickets are becoming increasingly difficult to sell, and business isn't very good."
Chen Lun gave a polite smile.
"I think I can help you."