Adding some odds and ends, that’s basically all there is in the room. This is the place where Samuel Howard has lived for 17 years, and from now on, he will continue to live here. Will he, so used to life in the 21st century, be able to adapt to life here?

Wuzhai Fort, Xiwuwei, Shanxi—where exactly in Shanxi is that? William Young isn’t quite sure. According to Samuel Howard’s memories, it’s near the Tartar border, not far from the Hetao region. During the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty, it belonged to the Shanxi Commandery, and was part of the Shanxi area among the nine border garrisons, in the northwest of Shanxi. He never expected to travel from modern-day Fujian in the 21st century to Ming-era Shanxi. William Young couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

He lifted the cotton door curtain with a wooden board attached, and a gust of cold air blew in, carrying a few snowflakes, instantly refreshing William Young.

Outside was a large courtyard, the ground paved with flagstones and cobblestones. In the center of the courtyard stood several large locust trees. Beneath the trees were a few stone tables and stools. Nearby stood a weapon rack, with several spears and other weapons stuck into it. At the moment, there was no one in the courtyard. Small snowflakes kept drifting down from the sky.

William Young leaned against the door, exhaling a breath of white mist. It was November—already cold in modern Shanxi, and by mid-November, there would be light snow or sleet. In Ming-era Shanxi, the weather should be even colder. This was the 17th year of Wanli; he remembered that the Little Ice Age had already begun a few years ago. All of northern China had fallen into a vicious cycle of cold and drought, lasting for decades.

William Young walked into the courtyard, stretched his body, and performed a set of boxing techniques popular among Ming soldiers. At first, he was a bit awkward, but soon his movements became smooth and powerful. He had taken over everything of Samuel Howard, including his skills. Without much thought, the boxing forms came naturally to his mind, as if William Young himself had learned them.

To be honest, William Young was quite satisfied with the body he now possessed—that of Samuel Howard. Perhaps it was the result of years of training; this body was tall, sturdy, and full of strength. Plus, he was young, only 17, much stronger than his previous 35-year-old body, which had been weakened by overindulgence and years of sub-health. Even his “little brother” was a size bigger. Though his face was a bit rough and dark, once he lost his youthful awkwardness, he would be considered quite handsome.

After moving around for a while, William Young felt a bit thirsty, so he went back inside, planning to have some water before heading out again.

“Big brother…” A crisp little girl’s voice sounded from the courtyard, followed by the sound of skipping footsteps approaching the door. William Young knew it was his younger sister Lucy Howard. These days, she often came to see him. The day Samuel Howard was carried into the thousand-household residence, she had cried anxiously.

Yes, his younger sister. Suddenly, that sense of emptiness and disconnection from society in William Young’s heart disappeared. He no longer had parents or family in the 21st century, but now, in the 16th-century Ming dynasty, he had his own parents and relatives, and their concern for him was genuine and heartfelt.

So what if he was William Young? So what if he was Samuel Howard? Was it Zhuang Zhou dreaming of being a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming of being Zhuang Zhou?

William Young said to himself, “From today on, I am Samuel Howard!”

Samuel Howard smiled and lifted the cotton door curtain.

Chapter 2: Family Warmth

“Big brother!”

A gust of cold wind mixed with snow blew in as Lucy Howard, dressed in a cotton floral jacket, entered the room and threw herself into Samuel Howard’s arms. Samuel Howard picked her up and spun her around. “Wow, little sister, you’ve gotten heavier again!”

Lucy Howard giggled, her clear laughter echoing far. Samuel Howard saw her delicate little face was red from the cold and asked, “Little sister, are you cold?”

Lucy Howard replied innocently, “I’m not cold.” She hugged Samuel Howard’s neck and said, “Big brother, are you feeling better? You looked so unwell a few days ago, I was really worried.”

A warm feeling rose in Samuel Howard’s heart. He smiled and said, “Big brother is fine now, I’m completely recovered. If you don’t believe me, look.” He set Lucy Howard down and struck a bodybuilder’s pose, his muscles making a “pop pop” sound.

He said, “See? I’m fine, right? Watch your big brother.” He struck a few more poses. Maybe because his body was young, Samuel Howard’s heart felt young too, and he made these playful gestures with ease.

Lucy Howard clapped and laughed, “Great! Big brother is awesome!”

“What’s all the excitement about?” With a woman’s voice, the cotton door curtain was lifted, and a large group of people crowded in.

The word “crowded” was apt—there really were a lot of people coming in.

There were Samuel Howard’s parents, Henry Howard and The Young Family, his three older sisters, and their children. The three sisters had five children in total: three girls and two boys, the oldest ten years old, the youngest four.

There were also Samuel Howard’s second mother The Lewis Family and third mother The Walker Family. And The Lewis Family’s son, Samuel Howard’s half-brother Brian Howard. All in all, a big group. With Samuel Howard and Lucy Howard already inside, the room was packed full. Several servants and houseboys were still standing outside. For a while, the room was filled with voices, mixed with the noise of children.

Naturally, this group was led by the couple Henry Howard and The Young Family. Henry Howard was tall and broad-shouldered, with a face full of deep lines, weathered by the elements. His hair and beard were grizzled. In the Ming dynasty, it was rare for someone nearing sixty to have hair and beard that weren’t white, especially those who endured the hardships of the border army.