Chapter 9: The Young Fox Challenges the Old Fox

Since David Johnson had said as much, Henry Johnson immediately stopped talking about taming the horse. If he insisted on pushing David Johnson to tame the horse and something went wrong, he would have no way to explain himself to James Johnson. But leaving the horse here wasn’t a solution either, and it seemed like a waste of resources. At that moment, his eyes flickered and he instantly came up with an idea.

“It seems I am not destined to enjoy this horse!” Henry Johnson sighed regretfully. Seeing David Johnson’s face flush red beside him, he smiled and continued, “This horse has changed hands many times and is still so unruly. Why don’t I offer it as a gift to the Duke of England? The Duke has spent his life on the battlefield—maybe he’ll have a way to tame this horse!”

“This…”

“Big Brother Johnson, don’t refuse!” Henry Johnson rarely had the chance to properly meet the court officials, so he was eager to use this opportunity to meet the famous James Johnson face to face. He wouldn’t let David Johnson decline. “Someone, go to the imperial garden and find a few capable people to send this horse to the Duke of England’s residence! Big Brother Johnson, come with me to visit my mother!”

That hurdle with Empress Wu was surprisingly easy to pass. Perhaps it was because James Johnson had helped a lot when she ascended the throne, or maybe she wanted to further win over this last remaining senior minister. In any case, as soon as she heard Henry Johnson wanted to visit the Duke of England’s residence, she agreed without hesitation, only reminding him to bring more attendants. As for the fact that the horse originally belonged to the Eastern Palace, both mother and son ignored it—after all, they were family, so it didn’t matter who gave what to whom.

Although it was Luoyang, James Johnson’s mansion here was still quite large. After the group entered in grand fashion, Henry Johnson soon met the Duke of England, James Johnson. Though over seventy, James Johnson was still vigorous and full of spirit, his physique sturdier than many young men. But when he saw the horse, his expression seemed a bit unnatural. When he heard that Henry Johnson was giving him the horse, joy immediately spread across his face. At this, Henry Johnson began to wonder to himself—could it be that this Treading Snow horse was originally a beloved steed that James Johnson had reluctantly gifted to William Johnson?

Sure enough, the Treading Snow, which had caused so much trouble along the way, immediately calmed down upon seeing James Johnson. And when James Johnson stepped forward to gently stroke its glossy black back, the horse looked utterly content.

It was the first time Henry Johnson had ever seen a horse show such a human-like expression, and he actually felt a bit reluctant to give it away. He took a few steps forward, just about to imitate James Johnson’s gesture and touch the horse, when suddenly a snort sounded in his ear, and the horse even raised its hoof.

Seeing this, James Johnson hurriedly shouted twice, and only then did Treading Snow settle down, though its hooves still pawed the ground restlessly.

“Your Highness need not be afraid. It’s just instinctively rejecting strangers. All fierce horses are the same—they bully the weak and fear the strong. Once tamed and recognizing you as its master, it will surely be loyal in the future. Of course, a good horse does not serve two masters. Generally, once it has chosen its owner, it’s hard for it to accept another rider.”

Henry Johnson couldn’t help but feel there was a hidden meaning in James Johnson’s words. After James Johnson finished speaking, he circled the horse a few times, stroking his beard and sighing, as if he were experiencing the joy of regaining something lost. Henry Johnson’s mind started working. Anything that could catch the eye of the famous general James Johnson must be something good. If he just handed over Treading Snow today without getting anything in return, wouldn’t that be a bad deal?

“Back then, after the Duke of England presented this horse to my father, my father passed it on to my fifth brother, the crown prince. My fifth brother couldn’t tame it, so it stayed in the stables. When I saw it, I liked it so much that I managed to get it, hoping to tame it myself. Who would have thought Big Brother Johnson would say it’s hard to tame… Sigh, it seems I really have no fate with this horse!”

Seeing Henry Johnson sighing, James Johnson looked a bit embarrassed. “A gentleman does not take what another loves. If Your Highness is reluctant…”

“Both my father and mother have said that a fine steed belongs with a hero. I’ve long heard that the Duke of England is a hero of our time. Such a good horse should gallop across the battlefield, not grow old in a stable!”

James Johnson hadn’t expected someone so young to say something so philosophical, and he couldn’t continue to refuse. “Your Highness is so generous, I truly feel unworthy. How about this: over the years, I’ve collected quite a few things. If Your Highness sees anything in my humble home that you like, please take it as an exchange.”

An equal exchange? James Johnson, you old fox, you don’t even want to owe a favor!

Henry Johnson was secretly annoyed, feeling more and more that James Johnson’s smile was full of cunning. However, he wasn’t really just a six-year-old child. His eyes turned and he immediately had an idea.

“Really, anything at all?”

Although James Johnson thought Henry Johnson was mature for his age, he still regarded him as a child and didn’t consider if there was any hidden meaning behind the question. Without hesitation, he replied, “As long as it’s in the Li residence, whatever Your Highness wants, James Johnson will gladly give.”

Neither David Johnson nor the other members of the Li family present saw any problem with this statement. Of course Henry Johnson wouldn’t ask for the house itself, so whatever else he wanted, no matter how precious, it didn’t matter. After all, William Johnson trusted James Johnson the most right now—what reward couldn’t he get?