“Hmph, what do you mean by that?”

Peter Harris looked at the furious Charles Walker, his smile undiminished, and said earnestly, “Brother Walker, every winter is the time when the Tartars come to plunder and raid for grain. You’re a military man—shouldn’t you be thinking about the safety of Great Qing Fort? If the Defense Officer hears about what happened here, with so many villagers present, it won’t sound good even if you try to explain!”

“There’s nothing wrong with it—debts should be repaid, that’s only right and proper!”

Charles Walker still sounded tough, but in his mind he was pondering. Normally, he had no conflict with Peter Harris, but they weren’t friends either. Why had he suddenly stepped in? What was he really after?

“Brother Walker, didn’t you already settle the terms when the debt was incurred? Yet you’re still forcing the young man to kneel. Technically, you’re the superior, so kneeling wouldn’t be out of place, but young people have their pride. How about this: I’ll have him go to your house and kowtow to you later. Let’s just let this go, brother!”

Peter Harris turned to the surrounding villagers and smiled, “Folks, do you think what I said is reasonable?”

“Yes, absolutely right! Lord Harris is in charge of justice for a reason—he’s fair and reasonable!”

The commoners were stirred up again, the crowd’s emotions running high. Charles Walker also realized that making a scene wouldn’t do him any good; it was better to wait for a better opportunity. It was only half a month, after all—he didn’t believe a poor kid could come up with twenty taels of silver!

Charles Walker gritted his teeth, cupped his hands to Peter Harris, and said, “I’ll give you this face. See you later!”

He kept his eyes on Charles Walker as he left, and Kevin Bolton could no longer hold on—his body went limp and he collapsed.

“Second nephew!” Thomas Johnson caught Kevin Bolton with concern.

Peter Harris looked at Kevin Bolton with interest and smiled slightly, “Young man, you’ve got guts!”

Kevin Bolton was weak all over, but he still cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, sir, for speaking up for me. I am deeply grateful!”

“Hahaha, I helped you because I see you’re skilled and have backbone. How about it—are you interested in becoming my retainer? I’ll pay off that twenty taels of silver for you!”

When they heard the word “retainer,” some of the villagers’ eyes lit up.

In the late Ming dynasty, military discipline had decayed and pay was insufficient, so officers simply kept retainers as their trump cards. Although retainers were half-servants, they had enough food and pay, good equipment, and were trusted by their superiors—there were many benefits. For a low-ranking officer like Peter Harris, he could keep no more than ten retainers, sometimes just three or five. Becoming his trusted man, you could pretty much do as you pleased in Great Qing Fort.

Not to mention, Peter Harris was offering twenty taels of silver right off the bat—a sky-high sum. Kevin Bolton really turned misfortune into a blessing; everyone wished they could accept on his behalf.

But Kevin Bolton didn’t see it that way. As a dignified transmigrator, becoming a servant would be a laughingstock for his predecessors.

Besides, he knew exactly what was going to happen next. This Peter Harris wasn’t anyone important—not worth following. Not to mention changing history or saving the world; following Peter Harris, he might not even keep his own life.

“Sir, I truly appreciate your kindness, but I still have family to care for. I really can’t accept!”

Kevin Bolton spoke politely, but Peter Harris still keenly caught a hint of disdain: What a proud kid!

Peter Harris had spoken up for Kevin Bolton hoping to win his gratitude and recruit a capable fighter, but who would have thought the kid didn’t know what was good for him.

Peter Harris smiled slightly, “Eric Bolton, twenty taels of silver is no small sum. If you can’t come up with the money in half a month and Charles Walker comes back, you probably won’t be so lucky next time.”

Peter Harris bent down, stared at Kevin Bolton, and said, “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

“I am!” Kevin Bolton grinned, “But there are things scarier than death. Sir, you’ve helped me, and I’ll remember this favor. I’ll repay you someday!”

Seeing that Kevin Bolton was determined, Peter Harris stood up abruptly, turned, and walked a few steps away, saying, “Hmph, find a way to earn the silver. Don’t lose your life over it!”

“Thank you for the warning, sir!” Kevin Bolton forced a smile.

Suddenly, his vision went black and he fainted.

“Ke’er, don’t scare your mother!”

Mrs. Sullivan and Lucy rushed over, and Thomas Johnson hurriedly picked up Kevin Bolton, saying, “Sister-in-law, second nephew has fainted. Let’s get him back to his room—go find a doctor quickly!”

“Yes, I’ll go right away!”

The The Bolton Family was busy again, the onlookers dispersed, and the name Eric Bolton spread throughout Great Qing Fort. Everyone couldn’t help but give a thumbs up: What a man!

……

“Doctor Clark, how is Ke’er?”

“It’s nothing serious.” Physician Clark smiled and said, “The wound under his ribs looks long, but it’s just a flesh wound. There are a few bruises and cuts on his back, thighs, and lower abdomen, but none are serious. Apply some medicine, and he’ll be fine in ten days or so! I’ve written prescriptions for both internal and external use—just get the medicine as prescribed!”

Mrs. Sullivan took the prescription with trembling hands and hurriedly said, “Thank you, Doctor Clark, thank you so much.”

As she spoke, she went to look for money, but after searching, she only found a few dozen copper coins, and broke out in a cold sweat from anxiety.

“Sister-in-law Bolton, don’t bother. This time, I’ll do it for free. More than half the money you borrowed ended up with me anyway, and it almost ruined your whole family. Let this be my atonement!”