All the wandering knights in Hebei had almost all heard of his name. Some who had gotten into trouble would often come to him seeking protection.

Of course, if the common people in the city suffered any grievances, they would also come to him for help.

William Carter's actions, however, did not attract the attention of the local authorities.

On the contrary, these officials looked down on him, thinking that he associated with the lower-class commoners and was going nowhere in life, not worth mentioning.

Great Wei had its own national circumstances.

In Great Wei, a member of the royal family could not have too good a reputation. If you could compose poetry in seven steps, were deeply loved by the scholarly class, surrounded by Confucian scholars, and excelled in learning, then you would absolutely be tormented to death by the court.

But if you were a scoundrel, beating your wife and children all day, oppressing the people, personally corrupt and despised by the scholars, then you would be very safe.

That's right, this refers to William Carter's father, Prince of Donghai, Samuel Carter.

In the eyes of those lords, William Carter's mingling with these wandering knights, collaborating with merchants, and associating with commoners was no different from his father.

All were actions to be despised by the scholarly class.

“Lord Cao!! Trouble!!”

A ruffian rushed into the hall in a panic, his eyes full of fear.

Chapter 003: Bamboo Pole and Dog Tail

“That county magistrate has called for reinforcements! He says he wants to arrest you!”

“What??”

William Carter's eyes widened.

That damn county magistrate, does he even have the guts?

Before William Carter could react, Robert Grant had already walked into the hall. He looked around at the people in confusion, “What happened?”

The warrior hurriedly said, “Many people saw it. They say the county magistrate left the city to welcome a large army, all cavalry. The whole city is under martial law, and soldiers have been stationed on the roads from the city gate to our residence, forbidding anyone else from passing!”

Robert Grant was still a bit confused. “Why would the county magistrate do such a thing?”

William Carter pursed his lips.

It seemed the matter could no longer be concealed.

He stood up and walked over to Robert Grant with a look of utmost sincerity. “Sir Guo, there is something you do not know. I just had a dispute with the county magistrate.”

“Huh? Why? What kind of dispute?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.”

William Carter reassured him.

The wandering knight James Lee who had come to deliver the message grinned and shouted, “Right! It’s not a big deal. This morning, Lord Cao led us to snatch that Shuqiu’s wife!”

Robert Grant felt a wave of dizziness and staggered a few steps.

James Lee hurried to support him, but Robert Grant pushed him away and looked sternly at William Carter.

“Lord Xiang…”

“Usually, when you ignore my advice and do things that violate propriety, I am pained but hope you can change.”

“But this time, you actually seized a commoner’s woman by force, committing rape and pillage. This is absolutely unacceptable to me.”

“My failure to guide you is my fault.”

As Robert Grant spoke, he slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze becoming resolute.

William Carter grabbed his hand, his expression especially solemn.

“Sir Guo, please let me finish. If, after I explain the whole story, you still think I am guilty, I am willing to commit suicide together with you.”

Robert Grant was stunned. William Carter frowned and calmly asked, “Do you remember when we went to Pan’anli for a visit and stayed with that family?”

The image of that family of four quickly appeared in Robert Grant’s mind.

The kindly old man, the honest and simple farmer, the gentle and virtuous wife, and the shy child.

“I remember.”

“The woman who served us water was forcibly raped by Shuqiu and then committed suicide... The farmer who insisted on getting us some wild game to eat was falsely accused of offering his wife, his reputation ruined, and he drowned himself.”

“That family is left with only the old man and the child.”

“Today, I led people to seize the wife who aided and abetted Shuqiu, and forced the county magistrate to deal with them, to clear the farmer’s name.”

“Tell me, did I do wrong?!”

Robert Grant stared straight at William Carter, his expression a bit dazed. The image of that family appeared in his mind again, and he couldn’t help but clench his fists.

“That’s right! Of course you’re not wrong! You should have killed the county magistrate too!”

Suddenly, another voice rang out in the hall.

William Carter looked over and saw Mr. Young. He didn’t know when he had moved into the hall, still sitting cross-legged, leaning against the wall, holding a wine jug, drunkenly shouting.

Robert Grant ignored him and said seriously, “This is the fault of the Shu clan. Lord Xiang, don’t worry, I will go reason with them myself.”

“If the Shu clan dares to distort the truth, I will submit a petition to the Three Departments myself!”

“So you do know you can directly petition the Three Departments…”

“What did you say, Lord Xiang?”

“Oh, nothing…”

Robert Grant looked at James Lee to the side and asked, “Tell me, how many people came? How many cavalry? What kind of formation?”

“It was too far to see clearly, but I saw the leader sitting in a carriage, holding a bamboo pole, and there was a dog tail hanging from the pole…”

“A dog tail??”

“Yes, a dog tail was hanging from the top of the bamboo pole, and that person was shaking it vigorously…”

Robert Grant felt dizzy again.