Mark Brooks was like an ever-expanding balloon, his belly filled with rage, ready to explode at any moment!

Compared to Mark Brooks's anger, Edward Clark appeared much calmer. The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period was, after all, the most brutal, violent, and dark era. From high-ranking civil and military officials, regional warlords, even the emperor, down to ordinary people, peddlers, and porters—no one could escape unscathed.

Just this time alone, those who perished included Guo Wei’s original wife Lady Chai, his concubine Lady Zhang, his two sons Qing-ge and Yi-ge, nephews Guo Shouyun, Guo Fengchao, Guo Dingge, as well as Guo Wei’s adopted son Chai Rong’s son Yi-ge and two others, Chai Rong’s wife Lady Liu, and also the family of the great general Wang Jun.

Adding in the servants, attendants, relatives, subordinates of these three families, and even officials who had dealings with them, there were several hundred people in total—all killed.

The youngest hadn’t even been weaned, the oldest already had a head full of white hair.

Killed and left in the marketplace, corpses exposed in the streets, not even a shred of dignity after death!

It was simply outrageous!

Those who kill will themselves be killed!

In just a few days, Guo Wei’s army would arrive. The young emperor and his henchmen would get the retribution they deserved! This wasn’t the story of the Orphan of Zhao—no need to wait many years, no need to endure hardship and plot in secret.

Vengeance would not wait for another night—a swift blade to cut down the enemy!

Perhaps this was the only redeeming feature of the Five Dynasties!

Edward Clark was silent for a long time, then patted Mark Brooks on the shoulder. “Trust me, it won’t be long now. Everything will get better.”

“Really?”

“Mm, just watch.” Edward Clark pointed outside and smiled, “The days of these monsters and demons are numbered. Even this gloomy sky should soon clear up!”

Mark Brooks’s expression softened a little. He was about to say more when suddenly a beggar boy ran in!

“Something’s wrong, something’s wrong!”

Mark Brooks snapped, “What are you yelling about, did your old man die?”

The beggar boy, panting, said, “Someone’s leading the yamen officers, searching house to house. They’re not far from us now. I was lying on the wall and heard them asking about the whereabouts of a child!”

Edward Clark immediately became alert—they were here for little Guo!

Mark Brooks couldn’t help but roll his eyes at him. You really are a jinx—how could you be so accurate!

Mark Brooks said decisively, “The child was saved by Sister Xiuyun at the cost of her life. He must not fall into the hands of the court!”

He immediately turned around and hurried to the back, went up to Clark, reached out to take the little one, and said, “Old madam, I’m quick on my feet, I can run! Give him to me, they’ll never catch up.”

“No way!” Clark refused at once.

Mark Brooks was puzzled, “Old madam, you don’t trust me?”

Clark shook her head, “Shitou, there are so many officers out catching people—can you really outrun them? Besides, the child is so little and frail, he can’t take the jostling. It could cost him his life.”

Mark Brooks was dumbfounded, “Then… what should we do?”

Another little beggar ran in from outside, reporting that there was only one street left between the officers and their ruined temple—they were getting closer and the situation was becoming more urgent.

Everyone looked at each other. Edward Clark spotted a sack of rice in the corner—something Mark Brooks had traded for from Master Liu. Edward Clark suddenly had an idea. He immediately brought the sack over and placed it in front of everyone, then said to the beggar boys, “Quick! Go tell all the beggars nearby to come over—someone’s giving out porridge, tell them to eat as much as they want.”

Mark Brooks and the beggar boys were stunned. At a time like this, you’re thinking about giving out porridge?

Are you hoping that by doing good deeds and accumulating virtue, the heavens will bless you and save the young master’s life?

If the gods and buddhas in the sky were any use, the Guo family wouldn’t have been killed!

The beggar boys didn’t understand and looked at each other, but Clark gave her grandson an approving look.

Good!

The boy is clever!

She chuckled, “Four years ago, when Hua’er’s father was in charge of the ever-normal granary, the Khitan soldiers came to seize the grain. In a moment of desperation, Hua’er’s father called all the beggars over and turned the granary into a porridge kitchen. Then he mixed the grain with sand and weeds and put it outside. When the Khitan soldiers arrived and saw so many beggars and all the grain mixed with junk, barely edible, they cursed and left. All five thousand shi of grain was saved. If it weren’t for Hua’er’s father, who knows how many people would have starved!” As she spoke of her deceased son, the old lady wiped her tears, then hurriedly said, “Don’t be foolish—do as Hua’er says!”

The beggar boys nodded and rushed off to call people.

The old lady took out a few pieces of silver and some copper coins, gave them to Mark Brooks, and told him to quickly get more grain in case there wasn’t enough, then went with Edward Clark to scrub the pots and bowls.

In no time at all, they set up a big pot, poured in half a pot of water—didn’t even wash the rice, just dumped it in—and stoked the fire high.

In these times, if there was anything in abundance, it was beggars and refugees. As soon as word got out that porridge was being given away, they all came rushing over. In an instant, the little temple was surrounded by dozens of beggars, all craning their necks and standing on tiptoe, eagerly waiting.

The water in the pot boiled, the aroma of rice wafted out, and many people couldn’t help but drool. More and more beggars crowded in, surrounding the ruined temple so tightly that not even water could get through. And little Guo was sleeping soundly inside the belly of the Earth God statue.

Edward Clark looked at the dense crowd and smiled. Let’s see how you search now!

Chapter 5 Imperial Expedition