Chad Sullivan was still somewhat unsatisfied, but it wasn’t appropriate to press further.

　　After finishing the meal, John Adams took his leave.

　　Chad Sullivan watched as John Adams's figure disappeared into the depths of the bamboo grove, and finally let out a long, wistful sigh: “Such a good child—how did he end up with a father like the second one?”

Chapter 11 Capsized in the Gutter

　　At the foot of Jimi Mountain in Mobei, rows upon rows of barracks stretched endlessly, with the banners of the Ming Dynasty fluttering at the camp gates.

　　“Useless! A bunch of useless fools!”

　　Inside the command tent, the Ming Emperor George Washington was in a towering rage, while a group of imperial physicians knelt below, each one trembling like a leaf, their faces drained of color.

　　George Washington was tall and burly, with a round, dark face, broom-like eyebrows under which sat a pair of large eyes, a lion’s nose and broad mouth, and a long beard hanging down to his belly—he looked every bit the imposing figure.

　　“Your Majesty, please... please calm your anger. It is our incompetence that allowed the Tuluo tribe to launch a surprise attack. We beg Your Majesty to mete out punishment!”

　　At that moment, a frail and aged voice sounded.

　　Following the voice, they saw a withered old man lying on a soft couch, his chest wrapped in gauze, with a glaring patch of crimson seeping through.

　　“David King, don’t move. This is all my fault for being too careless. I never expected those wolf-hearted Tuluo would feign surrender, which led you all into such danger!”

　　George Washington strode forward and grasped the old man’s hand in comfort.

　　This old man was named David King, formerly the chief steward of the Prince of Yan’s household, essentially the grand manager of the entire estate—everything inside and out was under his control. He could be called George Washington’s right-hand man.

　　During the Jingnan Campaign, David King followed George Washington and rendered great service, rising to Minister of War and chief minister of the Eastern Palace. He assisted George Washington and was also responsible for instructing the crown prince James Madison. This shows his status in George Washington’s eyes—among all the civil and military officials, only Samuel Carter could compare to him.

　　Last year, George Washington once again led a campaign beyond the Great Wall against the Oirat. In the battle of Hulan Hushiwun, he dealt a crushing blow to the Oirat coalition and used this victory to intimidate the Tatars.

　　However, after this great victory, George Washington did not immediately withdraw his troops. Instead, he led his generals to sweep through the Oirat’s territory, sparing those who surrendered and killing those who resisted. Countless Oirat tribes were wiped out as a result.

　　Among them was a large tribe called the Tuluo, with tens of thousands of people. They had pretended to surrender to Ming, but recently suddenly rebelled, besieging a Ming garrison that stored a large amount of grain and supplies.

　　It so happened that David King was inspecting there at the time and was caught in the encirclement.

　　When George Washington personally led reinforcements to the rescue, nearly half of the several thousand garrison troops had already died in battle, the survivors all wounded, the grain and supplies set ablaze, and even a high minister like David King was wounded by an arrow—showing just how brutal this battle was.

　　Originally, the Oirat situation was already settled, but now the Tuluo tribe had capsized the boat in a small gutter. Although George Washington later sent troops to pursue the Tuluo for over a hundred li, nearly exterminating the entire tribe, the losses from this incident could no longer be recovered.

　　“Your Majesty, I am already past sixty. Now my wound has festered, and my life is at its end. Rather than letting the imperial physicians waste time on me, it would be better for them to save other soldiers!”

　　At this, David King mustered his strength and once again tried to persuade George Washington.

　　He had been wounded by a stray arrow amid the chaos. Because of the hot weather, the wound quickly turned black and suppurated, and his fever would not subside. If he were young and strong, there might be a slim chance of survival, but at David King’s age, it was almost a death sentence.

　　“David King, you…”

　　Hearing this, George Washington choked up. David King was the minister he relied on most. Back during the Jingnan Campaign, he fought at the front while David King managed military affairs and devised strategies in the rear, never once slacking through fourteen battles.

　　“Your Majesty need not grieve for this old minister. I, David King, spent the first half of my life in mediocrity. It wasn’t until I entered the prince’s household at forty that I finally put my learning to use. Now, having reached the highest rank, I have no regrets in death!”

　　David King gripped George Washington’s hand tightly, a smile on his lips as he spoke again.

　　But these words of comfort, when heard by George Washington, were like knives cutting into his heart, bringing tears to his tiger eyes.

　　To George Washington, David King, like Samuel Carter, was not just a minister, but also a friend. As the Son of Heaven, he could only watch helplessly as his friend passed away—this left him both grief-stricken and powerless.

　　Just then, the tent’s curtain was lifted, and a young man in armor walked in.

　　“Grandfather, the Tuluo chieftain Yizhizhi and his three sons have all been executed!”

　　The young man saluted George Washington. He was the famous “Good Holy Grandson” William Monroe, and the cousin of John Adams.

　　William Monroe looked seventeen or eighteen, bearing some resemblance to George Washington, but with fairer skin and more delicate features. He wore mountain-patterned armor, which made him look even more heroic.

　　“Send their heads to all the Oirat tribes. Let them know this is the fate of those who rebel against Ming!”

　　George Washington ordered through gritted teeth.

　　“Yes, sir!”

　　William Monroe replied, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he craned his neck to glance at David King on the sickbed, then asked with concern, “Has Minister Jin’s condition improved?” “Cough, cough~ Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. How is the situation at the field hospital?”

　　Though David King was extremely weak, he was still worried about military affairs.

　　“Not good. This time, the Tuluo tribe’s surprise attack left many wounded, most of them burned. With the hot weather, many of them…”