No way, in this city of Beijing, people as interesting as this are simply not allowed to exist.

John Bennett still kept up his smiling face, but felt completely at a loss.

At this moment, George Washington spoke again: “Companion Bennett, is this Zhao bandit really that formidable? Is there truly no one who can subdue him?”

“Well…” John Bennett hurriedly replied, “I’m afraid it’s rather difficult. We’ll need to mobilize the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, investigate his strengths and weaknesses, then deploy the capital garrison, and perhaps even the Tiger Guards of the Warrior Battalion, to accomplish this in one decisive action…”

Hearing this, George Washington gave John Bennett a strange look, then said word by word, “I don’t think so. This Zhao bandit is said to be a match for ten thousand men, but does the court truly lack talent? This man named James Bolton—didn’t he capture him in one move and behead him?”

At these words, John Bennett felt as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

Who is James Bolton?

He saw George Washington stand up in high spirits, placing the memorial on the nearby tea table, and said energetically, “Today I’ve received good news, which has put me in a wonderful mood. It’s rare to feel this happy. Bring me my sword—I want to practice my swordsmanship.”

With that, he strode off, his gloom swept away, leading a group of eunuchs and imperial guards toward the Western Garden.

John Bennett did not follow. He carefully picked up the memorial, opened it, and glanced down. His face couldn’t help but look a bit awkward. Then, his gaze fixed on several names written on the memorial, his expression somewhere between a smile and not a smile. However, the awkwardness on his face gradually faded, replaced by a look of gravity.

The words of George Washington just now seemed to still echo in his ears.

He quickly composed himself and said, “Someone, come here.”

A eunuch tiptoed over, eyes lowered, and said, “Godfather.”

John Bennett handed the memorial to him. At this moment, he appeared extremely dignified. Though a eunuch, he had quite a bit of masculine bearing.

In fact, John Bennett had always catered to George Washington’s preferences. He was large-framed by nature, and had learned horsemanship and swordsmanship alongside George Washington. Although he was disabled in a certain way, his riding and archery skills were excellent. The Ming Veritable Records note that he was best at controlling the bowstring with his left hand, had great strength, and could hit the target nine times out of ten.

Thus, John Bennett actually gave off a very manly impression, which is also why George Washington’s wet nurse, Madam Ke, became his companion.

Even if one had to choose a eunuch as a husband, it had to be one who seemed like a true iron-blooded man.

John Bennett said lightly, “Did you hear what His Majesty just said? Take this memorial to the Directorate of Ceremonial for processing. There’s a person named James Bolton mentioned in it—quite interesting.”

“I understand.” The eunuch bowed.

John Bennett clasped his hands behind his back, watching the eunuch leave, and couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “It’s like I’ve seen a ghost…”

Then, as if remembering something, he hurried off with a few attendants toward the Western Garden.

……

The The Bolton Family residence was near the inner city. Although this wasn’t the neighborhood of high officials and nobles, because the The Bolton Family held hereditary command of the imperial guards, and because Zhang’s father had once been a deputy commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they usually had plenty of perks and lived quite well.

If not for the former James Bolton being a bit of a scoundrel, the family might have been even better off.

But now, the The Bolton Family could only live in a small courtyard, where they employed a lame gatekeeper and an old woman in charge of meals. The only servant who was still young and able-bodied was James Bolton’s personal attendant, named David Bolton.

When James Bolton returned, David Bolton was overjoyed and said cheerfully, “I’ve been waiting at home for you for days, young master, but you never came back. I was so worried! At last you’ve returned, but there’s still no word from the master…”

“All right, all right, stop nagging.” James Bolton didn’t like David Bolton, mainly because this guy was so talkative. The first time he opened his eyes in this world, he heard David Bolton chattering away, startling and fussing like a roller coaster.

Suspected to have something wrong in the head.

He was preoccupied with thoughts of the future, and after glimpsing the Embroidered Uniform Guard with his sworn brothers Henry Cooper and Edward Smith, he still didn’t know if he should join them. If he did, would he end up like them, bullying the people and acting as a lackey?

But what worried James Bolton even more was that it was already the sixth year of the Tianqi reign. Before long, George Washington would drown and die, and after his passing, the Chongzhen Emperor would ascend the throne.

If nothing unexpected happened, the course of history would soon plunge the The Bolton Family, as hereditary imperial guards of the Ming, into utter ruin.

If Li Zicheng broke into the capital, he would never spare lackeys like the The Bolton Family.

Although James Bolton himself understood well the terror of the Embroidered Uniform Guard—he hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, but just today’s experience was enough to make one hate them.

And what about when the Later Jin invaded?

At this thought, James Bolton shuddered.

After resting at home for a day, he gradually became familiar with life in the The Bolton Family. There were four or five side rooms, not large, with a courtyard in front and a well in the yard.

He had taken some treasures from Zhao the Heavenly King, which could be exchanged for money. Of course, for now, James Bolton dared not flaunt his wealth.