Frederick Baker was overjoyed and nodded quickly. Theodore Roosevelt put him down, patted his son's head, and told him to go out and play. Frederick Baker, still worried his father was lying, clung to the doorframe and refused to leave.

Theodore Roosevelt laughed and scolded, "What kind of person do you think your father is, lying to a little kid like you! Get out of here, or your friend's head will be gone!"

Frederick Baker stuck out his tongue in fright and hurried away.

Only he and Brian Clark were left in the room.

Theodore Roosevelt just snorted, "Kid, I won't hold you accountable. As for the reason, go ask your father outside!"

The Prince of Yan turned and left, leaving behind a cool figure.

And so, Brian Clark muddled his way out, got a full belly, and even made a new little friend.

Outside the mansion gate, Edward Green was waiting for him.

Father and son met again. Edward Green was filled with mixed emotions, his eyes reddened, and he could no longer keep up his tough front. He hurriedly pulled Brian Clark aside and said with self-reproach, "Kid, I wanted you to have a good life with me, but now the Jinyiwei have been disbanded, and I can't even guarantee my own safety. I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you."

"Then let me take care of you!" Brian Clark suddenly grinned. "You don't want your son anymore, do you?"

Edward Green was stunned, his lips trembling. "Kid, you... you still want to be my son?"

Brian Clark shrugged. "Besides you, I don't know anyone else! But I don't think the Jinyiwei will go down so easily—by the way, how did you get me out?"

Edward Green had nothing to hide. "I handed that military report over to the Prince of Yan!"

Brian Clark's eyes widened. "That was exchanged for by several Jinyiwei with their lives! Wasn't that just giving the Prince of Yan a free advantage?"

"What are you saying!" Edward Green said angrily. "Getting my son back is more important than anything!"

Chapter 9 Theodore Roosevelt's Amazement

Although Brian Clark hadn't seen the full contents of that military report, just from Edward Green's few words, he knew it was extraordinary!

It wasn't just Edward Green and a few others—over forty Jinyiwei were sent in total, with more than thirty sacrifices, just to barely get the message back.

It could be said that this was a military report condensed from the blood and lives of countless people!

It could even become the best weapon for the Jinyiwei to make a comeback. At the very least, Edward Green could have traded it for a better future and a comfortable life.

But he didn't hesitate at all and chose to trade it for his son.

They had only known each other for a few days, but to do this—Brian Clark's last bit of resistance in his heart disappeared completely. He really was his father!

His real father!

The two of them had nowhere to go for the time being, so they stayed with the other Jinyiwei, temporarily living in the military camp.

Putting aside their complicated identities, the Jinyiwei were originally Zhu Yuanzhang's personal troops, one of the Twelve Guards, with distinguished service—each one a true hero.

In the Beiping army, there was a strong martial spirit and respect for heroes.

Even though the Jinyiwei had a terrible reputation outside, in the camp they were still given special treatment: comfortable barracks, clean bedding, and a steady supply of meat and vegetables every day.

Everyone was waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial edict.

Besides taking care of his cheap old man every day, Brian Clark had another task: teaching the little chubby kid to exercise.

Since he couldn't go in and out of the Prince of Yan's mansion for now, he had to draw each exercise as a picture, add written instructions, and have the commander James Baker take them back to the mansion and give them to the little chubby kid.

Brian Clark used a charcoal pencil to draw stick figures—simple and lively. Every movement was described in great detail, even painstakingly so. After all, the Prince of Yan's mansion could afford a little extra paper.

Frederick Baker's happiest moment every day was opening the envelope and taking out the drawings Brian Clark sent him. It felt just like the excitement of waiting for an online shopping delivery.

After getting the drawings, he would first read them carefully, then follow the instructions to do the corresponding movements, and finally link all the movements together.

The little chubby kid would get up early every day to run laps around the courtyard to warm up, then do the exercises, counting "one, two, three, four"—taking it very seriously, not daring to slack off at all.

One day, two people came outside the courtyard, watching the little chubby kid.

"Your Highness, look how hard our son is working. He really has some perseverance—just like you!" A stunningly beautiful woman in her twenties stood at Frederick Baker's courtyard gate, looking inside and sighing.

Beside her, Theodore Roosevelt was dressed in workout clothes, having just finished his own training.

Watching his son bounce around, Theodore Roosevelt shook his head slightly. "Perseverance alone isn't enough. What is he even practicing? It's all a mess, no structure. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach him boxing myself!"

Theodore Roosevelt said with great ambition. He wasn't just boasting—though he was a prince, Theodore Roosevelt had grown up among famous generals, was naturally fond of martial arts, and had a crowd of experts eager to teach him.

Zhu Yuanzhang's own skills weren't bad either, and he wanted his sons to be both scholarly and martial, so he was strict in his supervision.

In short, Theodore Roosevelt was definitely a master!

But in front of his princess, he was a bit less impressive.

Theodore Roosevelt's wife was named Grace Wright, the eldest legitimate daughter of Xu Da—a true general's daughter. Grace Wright was known for her gentleness and virtue, and even Zhu Yuanzhang praised her many times.

But few people knew that Grace Wright was also quite skilled in martial arts. She had trained with her father and the family guards since childhood, and when she married Theodore Roosevelt at fifteen, on their wedding night, Theodore Roosevelt ended up with a black eye from his bride.