The second year of Yonglong in the Great Zhou. Hidden worries in a flourishing age.

The four princes and eight dukes are adorned with flowers, while civil and military officials thrive in the blaze of glory.

Internally, the struggle between northern and southern civil and military factions never ceases; externally, the nine borderlands and maritime frontiers are eyed by marauding enemies.

It is the best of times, and the worst of times.

The key lies in how you seize your fate when you are in the midst of it.

With courage and diligence, never weary in aspiration—watch how I define distinction and save the world from collapse!

Background of the Great Zhou Dynasty

In 1512, George Foster (Charles Foster) and Matthew Foster (Henry Foster) launched an uprising, followed by Andrew Reed and Thomas Clark. The Suzhou machine workers revolted again. The seventh-generation descendant of the founding emperor of the Great Zhou, James Bolton, Samuel Bolton, who had been secretly preparing for years, led a response. In August of that year, he joined forces with the machinist army led by the machinist leaders, sweeping across Jiangnan in 1513.

In 1514, they crossed the Yangtze River and occupied Jinling, officially establishing the national title of Great Zhou. In October of that year, they entered Shandong and joined forces with the uprising armies of George Foster, Matthew Foster, Andrew Reed, and Thomas Clark, launching an offensive and continuing the campaign.

In 1517, Emperor Taizu of Zhou, Samuel Bolton, entered the capital, officially declaring the capital at Yanjing, though the capital was not yet relocated. 1517 became the first year of Taihe in Great Zhou.

In 1532, the sixteenth year of Taihe, Samuel Bolton passed away, and Emperor Gaozong of Zhou, William Bolton, ascended the throne, with the era name Guangyuan.

In 1546, the fifteenth year of Guangyuan, William Bolton passed away, and his second son Edward Bolton ascended the throne, with the era name Tianping.

In 1563, the seventeenth year of Tianping, Edward Bolton passed away, and his ninth son David Bolton ascended the throne, with the era name Yuanxi.

In 1604, the forty-first year of Yuanxi, David Bolton abdicated, and his fourth son John Bolton ascended the throne, with the era name Yonglong.

In 1605, the second year of Yonglong, the protagonist Brian Brooks returned to the capital from his hometown of Linqing, Shandong, beginning his journey of growth.

Volume Jia: The Endless Green of Qilu

Prologue

After carefully reviewing the prepared report materials, his own resume, and related documents once more, Ethan Brooks took a deep breath.

In fact, all of this was already imprinted in his mind, and he could recite it backwards. He had been preparing for this for days, just waiting for today.

It wasn't easy—twenty years of hard work to reach his current position. How much effort, dedication, and sacrifice had he poured into this?

According to the information he received, the department leaders would talk to him this afternoon. If nothing unexpected happened, the matter might be discussed at the standing committee meeting next week.

He walked to the window, pacing back and forth several times. Ethan Brooks still couldn't suppress the tension, excitement, and a bit of exhilaration in his heart.

He hadn't felt this way in years.

The last time he was promoted to the municipal party committee standing member, it was a matter of course. Although he was happy, he wasn't particularly excited. But this time, it was almost an exceptional promotion.

He had just become deputy secretary, and now he was about to take over as mayor.

Perhaps only eleven years ago, when he became county magistrate, did he feel this way.

Yes, that's right.

Over the years, he had gone from county magistrate to county party secretary, then to deputy mayor, standing member of the municipal party committee, secretary-general of the municipal party committee, standing member and organization minister, then to Tibet for training, and back to become deputy secretary of the municipal party committee. Suddenly, such an opportunity had come.

"Ethan Brooks, former name, Brian Brooks, male, 45 years old, born July 1974, native of Linqing, Shandong, full-time university graduate, started working in 1996, joined... in 1998, currently serving as deputy secretary of Hanxi Municipal Party Committee, ..."

But there were still uncertainties.

Ethan Brooks also knew there were quite a few competitors; he was not the only choice, and everyone was highly qualified, so nothing was set in stone.

Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the final result.

But he was not afraid of competition. Decades of experience in officialdom, from the most basic township head to his current position—what job hadn't he done, what scene hadn't he seen?

Rising early, working late, struggling and striving—wasn't it all for this day?

He felt a bit dizzy and shook his head. Maybe it was because he worked overtime last night and didn't go to bed until almost one in the morning, so he hadn't slept well.

Supporting himself with one hand on the desk, Ethan Brooks slowly sat down.

In front of him were a copy of "Cai Gen Tan" and a Zhizhi edition of "Dream of the Red Chamber."

Ethan Brooks subconsciously flipped through "Cai Gen Tan," his gaze falling on a line: "Amidst high office, one must not lose the flavor of the mountains and forests; living in seclusion, one must still harbor the strategies of the court."

He frowned. Why did these words seem like a bad omen?

He closed the book, then opened the Zhizhi edition of "Dream of the Red Chamber." Recently, whenever he had free time, he would revisit "Dream of the Red Chamber," and he was already at chapter 79.

The bookmark was tucked inside. Ethan Brooks opened it casually and saw a few words on the ink-wash landscape bookmark.

"Watch him build his tall tower, watch him feast his guests, watch his tower collapse..." He felt a wave of frustration. Why were even the words on the bookmark so inauspicious?

He closed the book, but a few pages slipped, and it happened to open to the first chapter.

"Everyone in the world knows the immortals are good, but only fame and fortune are hard to forget! Where are the generals and ministers of old? Just a mound of grass over a lonely grave..." What was going on today? Everything seemed to carry ominous meanings.

Annoyed and restless, Ethan Brooks also felt a bit indignant. In the end, who doesn't become a pile of lonely graves?

Since that's the case, why not strive and fight for a title, for one's wife and children to be honored, and to leave a name in history?