His wife Miller never bore another child, and Evelyn Smith did not take any concubines. Years later, he adopted forty godsons of strange origins all at once, forming a capable small team that roamed everywhere capturing monks and Daoists, slaying demons and exorcising evil, their footprints covering the land. Because Evelyn Smith had no sons, people of the time believed this was retribution, and called him the “Childless Commandant.”

Prequel II

　　1

　　Thomas Reed had a dream—not a grand one, but a very practical one.

　　A few acres of good farmland in the countryside, seven or eight large rooms, a hall big enough for a dozen people to drink and make merry, a bedroom that could keep out the cold wind and bitter rain, enough grain in the storehouse to last three years, and silver in the chest, never lacking when needed. A virtuous wife, two or three beautiful concubines, thirty to fifty servants—this would be enough. Of course, he also wanted both sons and daughters: sons to study and win honors, passing the provincial exam would suffice; daughters to marry into local gentry families—not seeking great wealth or nobility, just a stable life, with in-laws visiting frequently.

　　To realize this dream, Thomas Reed made a plan.

　　First was to change his name. Thomas Reed’s original name was “Shidan’er” (“Stone Pellet”), which sounded like a poor man’s fate, so he had to change it. “铁公” (“Iron Lord”) was good. Every time he introduced himself, he could start like this: “I am Thomas Reed, no relation to the ‘iron rooster’ (a miser), but if you want to borrow money from me, you’d better have a good reason.” Then he would laugh three times, and if all went well, he could clasp the other’s hand and call him brother.

　　Next was making money—the most important thing.

　　The world does not belong to one person; only the virtuous can possess it. This means that the way of heaven is cyclical—even if you are Qin Shi Huang or Emperor Wu of Han, there will come a day when you must let go and pass the world to others.

　　Wealth is the same. Look at gold, silver, and jewels—you can’t bring them at birth, nor take them at death. Today they’re in your hands, tomorrow in someone else’s. In the end, it’s all about “circulation.” Like flowing water, whoever holds it only does so temporarily; eventually, it will flow away, and no one can keep it forever—so anyone can keep it for a while.

　　Some people said Thomas Reed was a swindler, but he would never admit it.

　　Did I rob anyone? No. Did I steal? Also no. People respectfully handed their money to me, just like water flowing into my own little plot of land—am I supposed to build a dam to block it?

　　This isn’t cheating; this is circulation, the way of heaven. Thomas Reed’s “way of making money” is also circulation, so he never regretted anything he did.

　　2

　　Willie Bolton was completely convinced by Thomas Reed and immediately changed his name to Mr. Bolton. Thomas Reed said, “You want to be an immortal, not a monster, so why be called ‘Centipede’ (Wugong)? Let’s call you… William Bolton, ‘臣’ as in ‘to submit.’”

　　“Five ministers, five ministers… If people ask which five ministers, how should I answer?”

　　Thomas Reed squinted and said, “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”

　　Thomas Reed was short and stocky, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t dress up as a worldly sage, so he chose a puppet.

　　William Bolton was tall and burly, and at first meeting always startled people. But he had a clear flaw: he always smiled when he spoke, losing all his imposing presence, and he couldn’t change this habit. So he simply stopped speaking and left all the talking to Thomas Reed.

　　“Once you go inside, just make a scene—the louder the better, but don’t break any windows, got it?” Every time they got a job, Thomas Reed would remind him.

　　William Bolton nodded, a simple smile on his face, swallowing hard, thinking only of the big meal he could have once he got paid.

　　3

　　Samuel Harris was also persuaded by Thomas Reed.

　　It had just rained, and the road was full of puddles. Samuel Harris was carefully avoiding them when a short, stocky Daoist came running toward him, muttering under his breath.

　　As they passed, Samuel Harris finally heard what the man was saying.

　　“The Harris Family is in for bad luck, The Harris Family is in for bad luck…”

　　Samuel Harris grabbed the Daoist and demanded, “Which The Harris Family?”

　　“The The Harris Family of Zhangjiawan.”

　　The The Harris Family really was having a run of bad luck. First, there was a fire at home—no major loss, but the master of the house, Mr. Harris, was so frightened that he died a month later. He left no sons or daughters, only a concubine who was pregnant, but she was often ill and always taking medicine, so the whole clan was worried about the unborn child.

　　Samuel Harris was a relative of Mr. Harris, and had gone out to buy medicine. Running into this Daoist, he felt something and loosened his grip. “You’ve got a sharp tongue—aren’t you afraid of getting beaten up?”

　　The Daoist stepped back two paces, looked Samuel Harris up and down, then suddenly turned and ran.

　　At this point, Samuel Harris had no choice but to chase after him and get a clear answer. “I’m from the The Harris Family. Explain yourself.”

　　The Daoist stepped back again. “You asked me to say it.”

　　“I asked you to say it.”

　　“All right, then I’ll tell the truth. You have demonic energy on you.”

　　Samuel Harris raised his fist to strike, but the Daoist turned and ran again, tossing out a few lines of doggerel: “People don’t like the truth, The Harris Family is in for bad luck. The world sleeps in ignorance; only the Dao is awake.”

　　People on the street were all watching the commotion. Samuel Harris chased after him again, got the Daoist’s name and where he was staying, and, forgetting about the medicine, hurried home to report everything to the mistress Baker.

　　The next afternoon, Thomas Reed and William Bolton came to visit together. William Bolton was tall and imposing, with a long, thick beard hanging to his waist. His Daoist robe was so big it could cover a bed, and the sword on his back was as long as a staff. The moment he appeared, everyone in the He household was stunned.