Big Carter and Little Carter exchanged a glance, but it was William Carter who spoke excitedly: “Your Highness, just as you predicted, Mr. Turner has contacted dozens of court officials. Right now, they’re at The Turner Family working on a memorial, and I estimate it’ll be delivered to the palace very soon.”

　　Lucas Bennett raised an eyebrow, waved his hand, and said, “Let’s go inside and plan carefully.”

Chapter 12: Tit for Tat

　　Jason Turner contacting dozens of court officials naturally could not escape the notice of the now-powerful George Washington.

　　At this moment, in the Directorate of Palace Attendants, a large group had gathered. There were Eugene Lee, Thomas Warren and other henchmen from the Directorate of Ceremonial Attendants, as well as censors like Warren Newton and Jack Taylor, and even the Minister of Rites, Brian Goodwin, was present!

　　These people were almost all of George Washington’s current power base. Each of them was furious, all shouting to George Washington, trying to be heard first.

　　George Washington’s face was twisted in a terrifying scowl, several cups already shattered on the floor, and he was still panting with rage, looking as if he might explode from anger.

　　“Eunuch, this time the Qingliu faction wants to wipe us out completely—we absolutely cannot sit and wait for death!”

　　“That’s right, we can also write a memorial, accuse them of forming cliques for personal gain and plotting mischief!”

　　“Eunuch, we must not let this matter go easily. We have to clarify things before His Majesty!”

　　“Yes, send someone quickly, have Madam return to the capital as soon as possible. We can’t let these rotten scholars ruin the country and the people!”

　　George Washington came from humble origins and was illiterate. Now, in his agitation, he felt disaster looming and couldn’t help but look to the most educated among them—the Minister of Rites, Brian Goodwin.

　　Brian Goodwin, a jinshi by background, was among the most likely to enter the Grand Secretariat, thanks to the support of George Washington and Katherine. According to history, he would enter the cabinet later this year and become the Grand Secretary the year after!

　　Brian Goodwin actually looked down on George Washington, but this man was cunning, deeply favored by the emperor, and had the support of the Lady of the Sacred Order. Even as Minister of Rites, Brian Goodwin couldn’t compare. Moreover, if he wanted to fulfill his lifelong wish of entering the cabinet, he absolutely needed the help of George Washington and Katherine!

　　Because he was neither a member of the Donglin Party, nor the Zhejiang, Su, or Jin factions!

　　He glanced at the crowd, coughed lightly, and said, “With the Censorate submitting a collective memorial, we must not confront them head-on, or we will surely lose. But we also cannot do nothing, or we’ll fall right into their trap.”

　　“If you have a plan, just say it! Stop showing off!” Charles Lewis snapped coldly. Like George Washington, he was uneducated and most annoyed by these scholars’ pedantic wordplay, acting as if they were superior.

　　A flash of anger passed through Brian Goodwin’s eyes, but he bowed slightly to George Washington and said, “Eunuch, urgently summoning Madam back to the capital is a distant solution to a pressing problem. For now, we must submit a memorial in defense—our words must not be too angry. In addition, you and your colleagues from the Directorate of Ceremonial Attendants should present yourselves directly to His Majesty!”

　　This so-called “presentation” meant going to weep and complain. What made inner court officials more dangerous than outer officials was that they always had ways to see the emperor at any time.

　　This plan was exactly what George Washington wanted. His greatest reliance was the emperor’s trust. The joint impeachment by the officials had terrified him, and his first thought was to seek out the emperor, John Adams!

　　“Good. Eugene Lee, Thomas Warren, call the other colleagues from the Directorate of Ceremonial Attendants and other directorates. As soon as their memorial arrives at the Imperial Study, we’ll all go see His Majesty together!” George Washington suddenly stood up, his expression instantly regaining composure. Then he looked at Brian Goodwin and said, “I’ll trouble Minister Goodwin to write a memorial for us to send to the Grand Secretariat.”

　　“My pleasure.” Brian Goodwin stood up and replied solemnly.

　　Thanks to Lucas Bennett’s interference, the already intense standoff between the two sides now seemed destined for a fight to the death!

　　After discussing with Big Carter and Little Carter, Lucas Bennett sat in a lounge chair, sipping tea and clicking his tongue, saying, “What a pity. If only we had Henry’s pastries, this would be perfect. It’s all the imperial sister-in-law’s fault—she’s just too stingy.”

　　Charles Carter and William Carter were speechless. To dare to so casually complain about the empress—probably only this one person in all of Ming dared do so.

　　Looking at the utterly relaxed and contented Lucas Bennett, William Carter mused, “Your Highness, are we really just going to let things be?”

　　“Mm, for now, we’ll leave it alone.” Lucas Bennett casually popped a pastry into his mouth, shaking his head slightly—it was still far inferior to Henry’s handiwork.

　　Charles Carter didn’t fully understand Lucas Bennett’s intentions, but vaguely realized that His Highness the Prince of Hui supported the Qingliu, or rather, the Donglin Party. After a moment’s thought, he advised, “Your Highness, if His Majesty issues an edict and arrests Mr. Turner and the others, what should we do?”

　　Lucas Bennett smiled faintly. Charles Carter’s concern was quite reasonable, as there were already many precedents. According to history, after Jason Turner’s second impeachment of George Washington, he was sent to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, tortured severely, forced to confess to forming cliques and name his associates, and ultimately died miserably in prison.

　　And after Jason Turner’s first failed impeachment, it directly revealed to George Washington the weakness of the Qingliu: they prided themselves on their integrity, had no flexibility, and only knew how to submit memorials and rally the court to pressure the emperor, but in reality, they were all show and had no real power.

　　This was also the beginning of George Washington’s unchecked abuse of power. From then on, no one could restrain him—he was called Lord Wei, worshipped in shrines, and unmatched throughout the land!

　　“But this time, your calculations are going to be wrong.” Lucas Bennett thought to himself with a sly smile.