William Bolton was naturally delighted. In these times, having even a few books was truly precious. So, while flipping through them, William Bolton organized them, categorizing everything according to Confucian classics, enlightenment readings, poetry and prose, and so on, neatly arranging them all.

　　Just as he was almost done sorting the books, he discovered there was also a wooden box.

　　What could it be?

　　Could it be gold and silver treasures?

　　William Bolton wanted to go tell Adams, but as it happened, Adams wasn't around. Since there was no lock on the box, William Bolton simply opened it.

　　When he looked inside, William Bolton was disappointed—it was just some calligraphy and paintings. In these chaotic times, such things were, of course, worthless.

　　If he guessed correctly, these were probably spoils taken after the Red Turban Army entered Haozhou.

　　Gold, silver, and valuables were wanted by people, but no one cared about this spiritual nourishment.

　　William Bolton casually flipped through them, and what appeared before him was a striking ink painting of orchids. The orchids in this painting stood tall, combining strength and grace—a rather fine piece... However, William Bolton didn't really understand ancient paintings and was just looking idly. But when he saw the inscription, he couldn't help but be shocked!

　　It was actually him!

　　This painter was someone William Bolton had heard of in both his lifetimes. In this life, when old man Zhang was alive, he often said, "Don't learn from Prime Minister Wen, learn from Samuel Carter!"

　　Prime Minister Wen was, of course, Wen Tianxiang. What virtue or ability did Samuel Carter have to be mentioned alongside such a great man?

　　It turned out Samuel Carter was a Grand Academician of the Southern Song. After the Yuan destroyed the Southern Song, he resolved never to serve the Yuan court. No matter whether sitting or lying down, he always faced south, and every Winter Solstice, he would go outside the city to face south and weep.

　　The most puzzling thing was that Samuel Carter was skilled at painting orchids, but his orchids had no roots or soil, as if they appeared out of thin air. A friend once advised Samuel Carter that adding soil would make the painting look better.

　　But Samuel Carter retorted, "Don't you know the land has all been taken by outsiders?"

　　Samuel Carter was loyal to the Great Song all his life—this much is clear.

　　His ink orchid painting eventually ended up in the hands of a stamp-obsessed collector, and later was taken out of the palace by the Xuantong Emperor... In his previous life, William Bolton saw this painting at the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art in Japan.

　　A painting representing unwavering loyalty had ended up in a foreign land. The impact on William Bolton at the time was immense; the sense of indignation was overwhelming. After returning from his trip, William Bolton made a point to study a lot of history.

　　Now, seeing the ink orchid painting again, one can imagine William Bolton's feelings.

　　He was so absorbed that he didn't notice someone had appeared behind him.

　　"Little Brother Bolton!"

　　The newcomer was none other than John Washington.

　　William Bolton hurriedly apologized, "It's you, benefactor. I shouldn't have rummaged through things. Please forgive me."

　　John Washington waved his hand generously, "No one understands these calligraphy and paintings anyway. They're just left here as junk... I saw how absorbed you were—do you actually know about these things?"

　　William Bolton replied modestly, "I've only heard family talk about them, can't really say I understand."

　　John Washington happened to be free and was curious, so he laughed, "Then tell me about them, let me broaden my horizons."

Chapter Four: How Did Emperor Gaozu of Han Do It

　　John Washington was purely curious, just making casual conversation. William Bolton was just a child—what earth-shattering things could he possibly say?

　　But William Bolton didn't see it that way. Old Zhu asking him questions was like a boss conducting an interview—he couldn't be careless and had to give it his all.

　　"Benefactor, do you know the old stories of the Song dynasty?"

　　John Washington answered honestly, "I didn't know much before, but since the Red Turban Army wants to restore the Great Song, I've asked around a bit, though I don't know much."

　　William Bolton perked up and smiled, "Benefactor, I have a story. One day, Emperor Huizong of Song took the crown prince Zhao Huan and Prince Kang Zhao Gou boating on Jinming Lake. A gust of wind came, and all three fell into the water. When the people of Bianjing heard about it, they were curious and asked who was saved. At that moment, the Imperial Academy became lively—many scholars cried out in unison, tears streaming down: 'The Great Song is saved!'"

　　John Washington frowned, was stunned for a moment, then realized and couldn't help but burst out laughing, "You really know how to poke fun! Were the emperors of the Song dynasty really that bad?"

　　William Bolton replied seriously, "Benefactor, the Song dynasty's rule was illegitimate—it was tainted from birth. Zhao Kuangyin staged the Chenqiao mutiny, seized the Later Zhou's realm, bullied orphans and widows, and usurped the throne. In the Southern Song, Emperor Gaozong watched as the Central Plains fell, his father and brothers were captured, and instead of seeking to restore the nation, he killed the famous anti-Jin general Yue Fei, destroyed the Great Wall with his own hands, and knelt to become a vassal. With such rulers, how could they ever unite heroes? In three hundred years, the Song lost first to the Khitan, then to the Tangut, then to the Jurchen, and finally to the Mongols—defeated again and again, until the land was lost and China changed hands. This beautiful country became a pasture for the Mongols—how could it not be so disgraceful!!"

　　John Washington nodded, "The Song really was no good! I heard about the wrongful killing of Lord Yue, and it made me furious. Now our Red Turban Army wants to restore the Song—are we just restoring that mess?"