A group of officers from the Inspectorate rushed over, led by none other than the very rascal who had gone to report the incident.

That petty official smugly pointed at Ethan Sullivan and shouted, “Seize him!”

“Come on!”

Ethan Sullivan said, “The ruffians and the Inspectorate have become one family, and now all of Kaifeng Prefecture is in league with them—whose world is this?”

“The imperial city is not far away, and the Bian River is right beside us, yet it cannot wash away your stains.”

Ethan Sullivan declared loudly, “You are enraged and want to stand up for those three ruffians. Today, I, Ethan Sullivan, am willing to die for the Song Dynasty. As long as His Majesty can see the faces and mouths of these shameless people, it will be worth it!”

The petty official’s expression changed drastically, and he barked, “Seize him! Shut his mouth!”

Two officers rushed forward, but were blocked by a group of merchants.

These people, burning with anger, actually began to punch and kick them.

This is human nature—if someone leads the way, it can go either for good or for evil.

At this moment, Ethan Sullivan could no longer care about right or wrong.

He recited with grief and indignation, “Seeking refuge at the gates, I think of Zhang Jian; enduring death for a moment, I await Du Gen…”

The people of Bianliang city loved poetry, especially that of Liu Yong, so their appreciation was not lacking.

The fighting stopped, and everyone was watching Ethan Sullivan.

The grief and indignation in Ethan Sullivan’s eyes grew even stronger.

His voice gradually became low, but in the surrounding silence, it grew all the clearer.

“With my sword held crosswise, I laugh at the sky; whether I stay or go, my courage stands as tall as Kunlun!”

The petty official’s face turned ashen, and he shouted, “Shut his mouth!”

But the mood of the onlookers had already shifted. Someone shouted, “With my sword held crosswise, I laugh at the sky; whether I stay or go, my courage stands as tall as Kunlun… Beat these traitors to death!”

Song Dynasty poetry was mostly gentle and delicate—in other words, effeminate in style—but at this moment, a seemingly unremarkable poem stirred up a long-lost sense of passion and excitement.

The officers of the Inspectorate fled in disarray, with the petty official running at the very front.

The entire night market was thrown into chaos. That young man was protected by servants at the gate of the yamen, and one servant, still shaken, said, “Young master, is this a rebellion?”

The youth watched as Ethan Sullivan picked up his little sister and left calmly, saying, “This isn’t a rebellion. Abraham Brooks is in big trouble now.”

This great disturbance quickly spread throughout Bianliang city, and all sides reacted differently.

Some were dumbfounded, some called it absurd, while others sneered in secret…

Chapter 0006: Manipulating the Hearts of the People

Abraham Brooks went to the palace to confess his guilt.

The next morning, news from all sides exploded.

Ethan Sullivan sat in the courtyard. The landlord, not knowing he was the one who had set off the night market chaos, spoke animatedly: “Abraham Brooks! In the old days, you couldn’t see an official when you filed a complaint, but he made it possible for petitioners to speak to officials, so everyone calls him ‘Qingtian’…”

“Doesn’t he try cases?”

Ethan Sullivan asked.

The landlord uncle said disdainfully, “He’s the prefect—how could he try cases? There are plenty of officials below him; he’s just the one in charge.”

Ethan Sullivan felt as if history was slowly being revealed before his eyes.

“Then… how does he treat the common people?”

Ethan Sullivan asked this childish question with some embarrassment.

As soon as he spoke, he realized how naive—even foolish—he sounded.

Because the landlord was looking at him in disbelief, as if he were an idiot.

“Abraham Brooks is such a high official…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but Ethan Sullivan filled in the rest himself.

…With such a high official, what difference do the common people make in his eyes compared to ants?

Ethan Sullivan understood.

He no longer felt the slightest unease.

If you want to destroy me, then I’ll ruin your reputation.

This was a counterattack from someone of later generations.

From pyramid schemes to inciting emotions, the entire Kaifeng Prefecture was thrown into chaos by him.

“Brother!”

Guoguo, who was looking for ants nearby, called out excitedly.

Ethan Sullivan nodded to the landlord, then went over to play with her.

The landlord thought this pair of siblings was very strange. The brother seemed kind, but was a bit too mature; the sister was very sensible. And where were their parents and family?

“Ethan Sullivan, where is your family?”

Ethan Sullivan was still a minor; by rights, they should be with their relatives.

Ethan Sullivan squatted on the ground, searching for ants with Guoguo. Hearing the question, he looked up and said, “They passed away long ago.”

The landlord cupped his hands and said, “Forgive my rudeness.”

Ethan Sullivan smiled and said, “It’s all right.”

Judging from the petty official’s attitude last night, the entire bureaucracy was happy to see Brian Sullivan’s downfall, which is why, even with the cause unknown, they all said in unison that Brian Sullivan had defected to the enemy.

The name Brian Sullivan must not be mentioned again!

Ethan Sullivan had transmigrated during the journey of the original siblings from Xiongzhou to Bianliang, so he had no real feelings for Brian Sullivan.

And the reason for the move was simple: Brian Sullivan bore the stigma of treason, and Ethan Sullivan and Guoguo had become targets of public scorn in Xiongzhou.

But the reputation of treason was so widespread that, whether now or in the future, unless Brian Sullivan was exonerated, Ethan Sullivan and his sister would never be able to hold their heads high or gain any standing.

Ethan Sullivan smiled, and when he looked up, he saw Abraham Brooks.

“Elder, who are you looking for?”

Abraham Brooks was not young anymore, and the landlord’s question left him a bit dazed.

“I am looking for Ethan Sullivan.”

The landlord tactfully went inside. Ethan Sullivan stood up, looked at Abraham Brooks, and smiled, “Abraham Brooks, are you here to arrest someone?”