“Didn’t Your Highness say you liked riding and archery? Her Majesty has already spoken to His Majesty, and it seems they’ve chosen a companion for you. Later, you’ll gradually select a tutor! Her Majesty also said that Your Highness isn’t the type to sit still, so it’s best to pick a reliable person to accompany you. That way, even if you sneak out, it’ll be much easier to find you.”

Henry Johnson was overjoyed at these words. When he met with his mother, he couldn’t help but flatter her profusely until Mrs. Lincoln was beaming with delight. Only then did he stop, and then he asked about serious matters.

“Xian’er, let me ask you: do you prefer literature or martial arts?”

The sudden question left Henry Johnson momentarily stunned, but he truly didn’t want to be like Charles Johnson, facing mountains of books every day. So he answered straightforwardly, “Of course I prefer martial arts!”

“Looks like I was right to tell your father so!” Mrs. Lincoln beckoned him over and rubbed his head for a while before smiling, “You’re sturdier than Charles, already as tall as him at just eight years old. You’ve always been lively and mischievous, so it’s time to find someone to look after you. A few days ago, the Duke of England brought several grandsons to the palace, and your father took a liking to his eldest grandson, David Johnson. Since you’re still living in the palace and haven’t established your own residence, it’s not convenient to give him any official title for now, so he’ll just be your study companion.”

The Duke of England James Johnson’s grandson, David Johnson? Henry Johnson’s eyes spun, and he almost cried out in surprise. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and hurriedly thanked his mother for her thoughtful arrangements, only asking at the end, “How old is David Johnson this year?”

“He’s thirteen. If he weren’t older, I’d worry you’d lead him astray!”

Being spoken of this way by his own mother, Henry Johnson couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed, but he quickly brushed it off. When he left Mrs. Lincoln’s palace, he couldn’t help but jump for joy a couple of times. Of course martial arts were better! If he could win over a group of military officers, then even if Mrs. Lincoln turned against him in the future, he’d have the means to resist, wouldn’t he?

Who was James Johnson? The famous Xu Maogong from the legends of Sui and Tang heroes, one of the three great generals of early Tang, skilled in both strategy and martial arts. After Robert Johnson and Prince Jiangxia Thomas Johnson died, he was truly the number one general of the Great Tang, and also a famously cautious old fox. As for David Johnson, well, Luo Binwang was actually more famous, and later generations considered David Johnson ambitious but lacking in talent. But as long as Henry Johnson was around, he’d never give this guy a chance to rebel against Tang!

Early the next morning, Charles Johnson sent over that horse, Treading Snow. Seeing the jet-black, glossy horse, Henry Johnson praised it for quite a while before realizing he didn’t have a suitable groom. Letting the person who looked after the pony take care of this obviously wild and unruly horse was definitely not going to work.

“Prince of Lu, there’s someone outside sent by His Majesty, says his name is David Johnson.”

Henry Johnson was in a great mood and immediately ordered, “Let him in quickly!”

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered the saying about respecting the talented, and also that David Johnson was, after all, James Johnson’s grandson. He quickly called the person back, “Wait, let me change clothes and greet him personally!”

After hurriedly changing into formal attire and stepping out the door, he saw the young man standing behind the attendant. The youth was dressed in dark clothes, very tall, and looked full of spirit—he must be David Johnson. When the youth bowed and announced his name, confirming his guess, Henry Johnson personally stepped forward to help David Johnson up. Or rather, as he reached out, David Johnson simply stood up on his own.

After some polite conversation, Henry Johnson dismissed his father’s attendants and led David Johnson inside, praising James Johnson’s glorious military achievements along the way, and finally took the opportunity to start calling David Johnson “big brother.” In these times, everyone liked to hear good things, and he certainly wouldn’t be stingy with compliments.

Seeing David Johnson looking pleased, he suddenly changed the subject and said, “I have a fierce horse, recently given to me by the Crown Prince. I wonder if you, Big Brother Johnson, dare to try it?”

“Oh? What kind of fierce horse could trouble Your Highness so much? Back when I was in my grandfather’s army, I saw quite a few wild horses. As long as you have the right skills, aren’t they all easy to handle?”

Seeing David Johnson boasting before even seeing the horse, Henry Johnson secretly laughed, but outwardly showed admiration. “So Big Brother Johnson is so capable? That’s wonderful! I heard that horse was a gift from my father to my fifth brother, and after two months, no one has managed to tame it. Many people in the Empress Dowager’s palace have been thrown off and bruised all over. I didn’t expect Big Brother Johnson to have such skills!”

After these two sentences, David Johnson’s expression immediately changed. When he reached the center of the courtyard and saw Treading Snow, snorting and pawing the ground with no one daring to approach, his face grew even more grim.

“Ah, so it’s that one. How did it end up here with Your Highness?”

Of course Henry Johnson noticed David Johnson’s ashen face, but he still pretended not to know and asked, “Big Brother Johnson, have you seen this horse before?”

“Mm… This was a tribute from my grandfather to His Majesty, said to be a fine breed from the Western Regions. I heard that back in the army… quite a few tried to tame it, but I don’t know how many brave men were thrown off its back… If it’s this one, I…”

Hearing this, Henry Johnson couldn’t help but feel his heart race. Goodness, people in these times were really bold. A horse that no one could tame, and James Johnson actually dared to present it to William Johnson? And William Johnson then rewarded it to the Crown Prince Charles Johnson, who in turn passed it on to him? Judging by David Johnson’s lingering fear, had he perhaps suffered under this horse’s hooves before?