I don't know whether to praise Lina or criticize her.
However, after she suddenly arranged such a big task, the captives, after initial surprise and hesitation, all ultimately chose to join, and two of them even seemed to become noticeably more resolute.
They successively emerged from the basement and arrived in the main hall, where the true "welcoming party" was held.
The tables in the dining room were now pushed together to form a large table, laden with drinks and food personally prepared by Chef Parker. Except for a few who were on duty outside, the remaining Agents were already seated around the large table as arranged, with an empty seat left every few people.
The partners' seats were, as usual, connected, and after everyone was seated, Wayne was the first to raise his glass:
"Although a home visit and training assessment are still required before official employment, and this is not yet official employment, those who are with us here now are basically the new members of the Detective Agency."
"Since they happened to coincide with our celebration for solving the case, let's welcome them first."
Everyone raised their glasses, "Welcome!"
Actually, it's hard for Agents to liven up when drinking with their "bosses" like the partners present.
However, the newly joined members this time are relatively special, so Wayne had to set an example for Doug and the others, at least creating a standard template for them to "copy" later.
According to Wayne's own design, they would first get to know each other, with everyone saying their name and "where they came from."
Then, after drinking and chatting, they would start talking about their past experiences, why they joined the Detective Agency, and their feelings after joining.
Willie was a good plant in this regard: "I used to live in Kankakee City, which isn't as strictly regulated as Virginia, but correspondingly, it's also more chaotic in some aspects. When I was a child, I received help and once dreamed of becoming a Sheriff or a police officer. Although I later knew it was impossible, I could at least become a private detective, and the things I can do are actually quite similar..."
Ryan sounded a bit like he was complaining and praising at the same time: "I originally thought that after joining the Detective Agency, I would only need to follow along to arrest wanted criminals or deal with gangs. But the boss insisted I be responsible for the office... And I just returned from the office not long ago, thinking I should be able to stay at the main base for a while, but the boss told me that now I have to go to the 'Second Office'..."
Connal, on the other hand, was more of the "straightforward" type, uninterested in these things, but very curious about the Extraordinary Person abilities of the new colleagues, asking about everything from strengths to weaknesses, giving off the vibe of "I've already made an appointment with you guys; once we're back in Georgeberg, we'll have a fight in the Arena."
The others included Doug and Sanders, who were relatively silent and always listened more than they spoke, Liam, who was good at joking around, and "Soften" and Vine, who were always challenging people to drinking contests, among others. Their performances varied, but at least the "ice was broken."
Later, as everyone's alcohol started to take effect, Inessa had already slipped away, and Lina began to instigate others to bet on drinking games. It was then that the new members truly started to relax.
It turned out that even in places with "strict rules," everyone still had their "own hardships." Not to mention that some people's beliefs might not be convenient to "openly discuss" in this era, even among believers of the Holy Spirit, they might not necessarily belong to the Holy Spirit Church in America. There would also be small local churches or scattered believers, usually mainly connected with parents or the community.
Some areas in the South were originally French colonial territories. Later, they were driven out by the Windsors, and the Windsors were then driven out by the Americans. However, some traditions and living habits still left their mark on this land, and then were stubbornly passed down from generation to generation by some people.
And for Extraordinary Persons, once they choose to avoid the Holy Spirit Church in some corners, other forces will proactively seek them out. Even in Virginia, there will still be other organizations that can exist "according to the rules," such as local Agent organizations.
Wayne listened to a new member, temporarily code-named "Hound" at the drinking table, tell a story and learned a lot of strange trivia.
For example, he was absorbed into the postal system because of his family's beliefs and his Extraordinary Person domain. If he didn't have protection, the local management of the Holy Spirit Church was actually not lenient, especially for someone like him, it was difficult to find a relatively well-paying job—just being required to settle in one place meant losing many opportunities.
But then again, relatively "free" protection often comes at a price—
"You don't know, the local postal system is actually like a Swamp. People initially walk in thinking it's fine, but by the time they realize they're sinking, it's already too late."
"I'm still good. Doing those shady jobs, at most I was like a gang enforcer before, but some people have almost become 'killers'—that's how they quickly raise their status."
"And like Waggsena... Huh? Where is he? Did he go to throw up again? Anyway, he's the one you just decided to call 'Soften.' I'll tell you secretly, he was previously sent to suppress his own clansmen. To protect his brother, he even had to act himself. It's been several years, and he still doesn't dare to go back... *hiccup*... home..."
The proportion of nonsense became higher and higher later, but Wayne also noticed "Soften" because of it—this temporary code name wasn't great, but his Extraordinary Person ability was roughly what it meant. It wasn't the free stretching kind of softening like a "rubber man," but another kind that could "flow into a puddle."
Before acquiring this temporary code name at the drinking table, Wayne privately called him "Nosebleed Guy" in his mind, and he was the first person to actively express a desire to leave the local Agent organization.
Piecing together the scattered words of the new members' stories and correlating them with his previous intelligence, Wayne roughly understood the composition of the local Agent organization, at least gaining a general intuitive impression of the postal system in the Richmond area.
The reason America became a "federation" was initially because the Founding Fathers sought to unify people with the least cost.
Before the War of Independence broke out, the New World was actually comprised of independent "colonies," and their historical development differed. Some places had powerful governors who could directly command armies, while others relied on landlords for shared governance, and some places even endured by groups of struggling people banding together for warmth.
And in the process of driving out the Windsors, some colonies were supporters of the "federation," thinking of "eventually becoming CEO of the holding group"; some colonies only intended to drive out the original "overlord," thinking "anyway, it'll just be a nominal affiliation, and this small piece of land for the branch company will still be ours to decide";
Some were relatively indifferent, "To whom I pay taxes doesn't matter, I'll kneel to whoever wins"; and others were forced to "follow the crowd" due to circumstances, thinking "you all decide, but don't hinder my money-making."
Therefore, in the federal constitution, there are so many provisions that "limit" the power of the federal government, and the federal government has always pursued the "unity" of the states.
Without going into too much detail, let's just talk about the current postal system in Virginia.
The Beaton Family's Old Butler once told Wayne that after the establishment of the Federation, the local postal system underwent a process of "reorganization and disbandment." A portion of the personnel at that time were able to continue their livelihoods through the donations and support of local wealthy individuals.
So, when local wealthy individuals encounter personal troubles, it seems quite reasonable that some people would "repay kindness" or be "forced to align."
If a gray area has been operating for decades without "imperial power reaching the countryside"...
It wouldn't be surprising what it might turn into.
