“What flaw?”

Samuel Carter immediately became nervous.

“Garlic wine is highly effective against wound infections, but there’s a prerequisite: it must be freshly prepared. If left for too long, it loses its effectiveness.”

John Adams reminded him.

The reason allicin, as an antibiotic, isn’t as widely used as penicillin is because of its poor stability—it decomposes at high temperatures and even oxidizes slowly at room temperature.

“I see, that’s not really a major flaw!”

Samuel Carter breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the effects of garlic wine, this flaw was hardly worth mentioning.

After a while, Brian Cooper’s fever completely subsided. His breathing became steady, and his complexion returned to normal.

This left Samuel Carter with no further doubts about the medicinal effects of garlic wine. Judging by Brian Cooper’s appearance, his life was no longer in danger.

“Grand Preceptor, Huihai said you wanted to see me. May I ask what for?”

John Adams finally remembered the reason he had come to see Samuel Carter, so he asked.

Upon hearing this, Samuel Carter glanced at David Foster beside him, who gave a slight nod. He immediately said, “I have guests today. Why don’t you wander around the temple for a bit? We’ll talk tomorrow if there’s anything.”

“Uh… well… alright!”

John Adams didn’t understand why he was suddenly being sent away, but on second thought, he didn’t want to listen to Samuel Carter chant scriptures any longer, so he turned and left.

“So, doesn’t the heir’s face seem very contradictory?”

Watching John Adams leave, Samuel Carter immediately dismissed the others and asked David Foster.

“It is indeed very contradictory, as if two completely different physiognomies have been fused together. It looks extremely strange.”

David Foster nodded first, then continued.

“But what strikes me as most odd isn’t the heir’s face!”

“What could be stranger than his face?”

Samuel Carter asked in surprise.

“Grand Preceptor, you should take a look at Commander Cooper’s face first!”

David Foster suddenly sighed, then pointed to Brian Cooper, who was sleeping soundly on the sickbed behind him.

Only then did Samuel Carter suddenly remember that earlier, David Foster had said Brian Cooper’s face showed certain death, with no chance of survival. But now his condition had improved, which was clearly a contradiction.

So Samuel Carter quickly stepped forward and carefully examined Brian Cooper’s face.

“This is impossible! It hasn’t even been an hour—how could his face change so completely?”

Samuel Carter exclaimed. According to his physiognomy skills, Brian Cooper originally had the look of a violent death by weapons, but now all signs of death were gone. His future was now full of endless possibilities, and even Samuel Carter couldn’t discern his fate.

“You noticed it too, Grand Preceptor. Commander Cooper’s face has changed dramatically. Though there’s no longer a sign of violent death, his future is uncertain—even I can’t see what lies ahead for him.”

As David Foster said this, he once again looked toward the direction where John Adams had left.

“He can actually change a person’s fate!”

Samuel Carter also looked toward the door and murmured.

“Grand Preceptor, when the Prince of Han came last time, did you pay attention to his face?”

David Foster suddenly asked.

“No, I was too absorbed by the heir’s face at the time and didn’t pay any attention to the Prince of Han.”

Samuel Carter shook his head.

“If the heir really can influence others’ destinies, the Prince of Han would be the most affected. I must find a way to meet him!”

When David Foster mentioned Thomas Jefferson, he couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Samuel Carter. Both of them had secretly read Thomas Jefferson’s face before and knew that, though he was a prince, he had the same look of violent death as Brian Cooper. Now that John Adams had changed Brian Cooper’s fate, it was very likely the Prince of Han’s fate would also be affected.

“Very well. If you get any results, be sure to let me know!”

Samuel Carter nodded again. He was curious to see just how many people John Adams could influence.

David Foster took his leave, and Samuel Carter personally saw him out.

Afterward, Samuel Carter returned to the study on the other side of the Buddha hall, picked up a brush and pondered for a moment before recording in detail everything that had happened today, especially emphasizing the efficacy of garlic wine several times.

Finally, Samuel Carter placed the letter into an envelope, then wrote the four characters “For His Majesty’s Eyes Only” on the envelope.

“Clap clap!”

Samuel Carter clapped his hands, and a moment later, a gray-robed monk hurried into the Buddha hall.

“Deliver this letter to the Jinyiwei and have them send it north as quickly as possible. Make sure it is handed to His Majesty personally. Also, warn them that this letter concerns the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers—there must be no mistakes!”

Samuel Carter ordered sternly.

“Yes!”

The gray-robed monk answered, took the letter, placed it in a sealed iron box, and hurried away.

Chapter 9: A Chance Meeting Is Fate

The sun was blazing. John Adams squatted in the shade of a tree, watching as an army of ants surrounded a large green caterpillar.

Although the caterpillar had an absolute advantage in size, faced with the fearless ant swarm, it ultimately died in vain and was carried back into the nest by the ants.

Watching the caterpillar gradually disappear into the ant hole, John Adams looked up and exhaled, saying, “Life is really boring!”