"Not only is the quantity of wine limited, but there's also the need for bidding?"
"Looks like I'll have to talk to Captain Pouf about this!"
"..."
There was a lot of discussion in the crowd, and it seemed that they were extremely dissatisfied with the rules for buying alcohol tonight.
"Sam said the delivery guy quit, so there won't be any more alcohol!"
"Everyone wants to drink, so if we don't bid, who will get the wine?"
"And who was it that just said they were going to tattle on Captain Pouf? I, David, and the brothers in this dorm advise you to be kind!"
David's words were like a shot in the arm, instantly giving the bearded man, who had been somewhat worried, confidence and admiration for Joey's arrangements.
However, Joey was no longer there; he had taken a barrel of ale and gone to find Captain Pouf alone.
Why not just go to Catherine?
Please, do you think I can just casually meet someone like Catherine?
What's more, what she drinks every day is the finest nectar!
Whether they can even drink the same kind of alcohol that these rough old men usually drink is an open question.
Joey didn't want to gamble on this unknown.
Besides, a local official has more power than a distant one; this Pu Fu is currently my direct superior, so it would be better to try and improve our relationship first.
More importantly, with a major battle looming, a good position is crucial, as the survival rate of frontline combat personnel differs significantly from that of logistical staff.
Puff has been extremely frustrated these past few days. His original intention was to take Catherine back to Ashfury City as soon as possible, but this young lady just wouldn't let him have any peace of mind. She insisted on staying here, making him wary of orc attacks every day, and he couldn't even sleep peacefully.
What bothered him most was the prohibition on alcohol that he had issued. His original intention was to keep the people at the outpost sober and not reduce their fighting strength. However, the orcs had not attacked for a long time, and even his drinking problem had started to cause trouble these days.
But he had indeed heard that someone was secretly selling alcohol inside the outpost. Based on his own experience, he didn't want the soldiers to really hate him as their captain, so he turned a blind eye, only to suffer the consequences himself.
He himself issued the prohibition order, and although he was suffering from alcohol cravings, he couldn't very well go to the private liquor sellers and buy a barrel for himself.
He lay on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
"Knock knock knock—"
At that moment, someone knocked on his door.
"Who's coming here so late at night instead of sleeping?"
Although puzzled, Puff got up and opened the door.
"Is that you, kid?"
Puff looked at Joey standing in front of him and was about to scold him when he suddenly noticed the barrel of wine that Joey was carrying on his shoulder.
He hurriedly pulled Joey into the house, looked around for a moment to make sure no one else saw them, and then slammed the door shut.
"Captain Pouf, I've come to see you!"
As soon as the door closed, Joey didn't rush to put down the barrel, but respectfully spoke to Puff.
"Come here and talk to me!"
Puff walked past Joey and went straight into the inner room, but as he passed Joey, he couldn't help but glance at the barrel on Joey's shoulder again.
"Have a seat. What brings you here so late?"
Puff sat on a wooden chair, leaning back against the backrest, his head tilted slightly back, looking very relaxed.
But Joey didn't sit down; he remained standing, still carrying the barrel.
Sometimes what your boss says isn't necessarily what they truly mean; they might just be being polite. You can't take it too seriously. This is an essential lesson for surviving in the workplace.
"Captain Puff, I was wandering around outside tonight and happened to find a wine barrel by the roadside. I went up to check it and found that it was unopened. It must have been left behind by someone who sells alcohol inside the outpost!"
"I thought you had issued a prohibition order, so I brought this over for you to handle!"
Joey then unloaded the barrel and placed it about a meter away from Puff.
"Hmm, you did very well. It seems you took my words to heart!"
"Just leave it here. I'll handle this barrel of wine myself later!"
Puff looked at the barrel on the ground and a rare smile appeared on his face. It seemed that he had been really craving it these past few days.
"Okay, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now!"
Joey didn't dare to make any demands himself; as long as the favor was done, that was enough.
"Okay, then you can go back now!"
Puff didn't want Joey to stay any longer and got up to see him off.
"No need to trouble the captain, I can go by myself!"
Joey was very respectful and kept his distance throughout.
He walked to the door, opened it, and prepared to leave.
"By the way, your name is Joey, right?"
Puff's voice came through again.
"Yes, Captain!"
Joey kept the door open and didn't close it.
"The situation is rather tense lately, and Lady Catherine needs two more guards. Are you and your brother willing to go?"
Puff's tone was very casual.
"I'm willing to go, thank you, Captain!"
Joey was overjoyed; he hadn't expected the investment to pay off so quickly—he was making a killing!
"Then you and your brother go report for duty tomorrow!"
Joey thanked her again, gently closed the door, and started walking towards the dormitory.
Inside the house, Puff could no longer contain himself after hearing the door close.
He jumped up from his chair, picked up the barrel of wine in front of him, opened the seal, and a long-lost aroma of wine wafted out. He quickly gulped down several mouthfuls.
After downing several large gulps of fine wine, he finally felt somewhat satisfied.
"Was I out of my mind the other day? Of all the things I could ban, why did I have to ban alcohol?"
It seems that Puff is truly beginning to regret the prohibition he issued.
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