Bang! A dull thud rang out as a deep dent appeared on the head of the ferocious giant rat. It was actually sent flying by a single punch from Abraham Lincoln, landing back into the hole it had just charged out of at an even greater speed, dying instantly.

The earth on both sides collapsed, burying the giant rat and the hole together.

“My control over my strength is still a bit lacking.” Abraham Lincoln glanced at the trace of blood on his fist, took out a handkerchief from his robe and carefully wiped it off, then walked slowly toward the ferry.

He still hadn’t encountered a monster worthy of a second punch.

==== (New book uploaded, please add to your collection and recommend it. Already signed with the platform, complete and trustworthy, guaranteed not to drop the story. I believe this will be an interesting Journey to the West tale.)

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Chapter 2: I Treated You as a Brother, but You Want to Sleep With Me

Chang’an City, Daming Palace.

Abraham Lincoln followed behind a young eunuch in green, walking slowly forward. The palace gates opened one after another, and all the eunuchs and guards along the way greeted him respectfully.

After traveling north for half a month, he finally arrived at Chang’an. Although it wasn’t his first time entering the palace, looking at the resplendent palaces under the setting sun, Abraham Lincoln couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Jade tiles for bricks, gold-plated pillars—damn, they’re really rich!

Half an hour ago, he had just arrived in Chang’an, and was immediately welcomed at the city gate by a waiting eunuch who escorted him all the way to the imperial palace, saying that His Majesty had summoned him and that he would be staying in the palace tonight.

At sixteen, he had won the title of Great Chan Master at the Great Tang Buddhist Debate Competition, and after a string of illustrious titles, he had gained his own unique label.

Now, people generally referred to him behind his back as: the Emperor’s imperial brother, the Prime Minister’s grandson, the Grand Academician’s son, and Great Chan Master Abraham Lincoln.

Of course, given his relationship with George Washington, no one dared to gossip.

Thinking about meeting Emily Thompson soon, Abraham Lincoln rubbed his brow, feeling a bit of a headache. It wasn’t out of fear—reverence for imperial power was a joke to someone like him from the modern world. What gave him a headache was Emily Thompson himself.

The young eunuch leading the way stopped in front of the imperial study and respectfully said, “Master, His Majesty said there’s no need to announce yourself. Please enter the imperial study.” As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the two young eunuchs guarding the door prepared to open it.

Abraham Lincoln raised his hand and said, “No need, I’ll wait outside for a bit.” Emily Thompson was currently discussing state affairs with a group of ministers. With his keen hearing, he could make out the suppressed voices inside.

The Minister of Revenue’s voice came through: “Your Majesty, the starving people of Hexi have rebelled and occupied three cities.”

“Send troops to suppress them. Kill the rebels. Allocate grain to Hexi. Anyone who dares to intercept it—exterminate their entire clan.” Emily Thompson’s voice sounded cold.

The Minister of War’s loud voice followed: “Your Majesty, the Qiangrong people in the northwest have invaded the border again, plundering more than a dozen of our Great Tang’s towns.”

“Send troops against the Qiangrong. Don’t withdraw until they are completely wiped out.” Emily Thompson said coldly, then the sound of him rising from his seat could be heard. “Enough, I’m tired. That’s all for today.”

At this moment, the Prime Minister, Yin Kaishan, spoke: “Your Majesty, I still have an important matter to report.”

Emily Thompson let out a cold laugh. “Important matter? If you can’t even handle the small things, what use are you to me?”

The imperial study instantly fell into a deathly silence.

That temperament—still so forceful. No wonder he doesn’t have a single trusted minister. Abraham Lincoln brushed imaginary dust off his kasaya, thinking to himself as he looked toward the door.

In his previous life, Abraham Lincoln had been a homebody obsessed with games and novels. In this life, he ate vegetarian and chanted sutras in a temple, so he had little interest in power or wealth. As for monsters, opponents he could defeat with a single punch were no different from swatting mosquitoes.

He actually found dealing with people more troublesome. After all, you can’t just punch someone to death whenever you’re unhappy—that would be insane.

The double doors opened, and out walked a young man in a purple-gold dragon robe. He was handsome and dignified, with slightly thin lips and a somewhat cold expression, but his eyes were exceptionally clear, and his whole being exuded nobility.

The guards and eunuchs at the door all bowed low. This made Abraham Lincoln, standing at the entrance, especially conspicuous. Of course, his bald head was always eye-catching.

Seeing Abraham Lincoln, Emily Thompson showed a hint of surprise, his cold expression seeming a bit more lively, and he spoke: “You’re here.”

Abraham Lincoln smiled and nodded. “Just arrived.”

“Walk with me,” Emily Thompson said, stepping forward.

“Alright,” Abraham Lincoln replied, stepping aside to let Emily Thompson go first. He pressed his palms together and nodded to the high-ranking officials still bowing in the imperial study as a greeting, then turned to follow Emily Thompson.

There were seven or eight ministers in the imperial study, including his nominal grandfather, but in front of Emily Thompson, they all looked like mice facing a cat.

The two of them walked by the lake. A few withered leaves floated on the early autumn water, and golden carp occasionally leapt from the lake, sending ripples across the surface. The eunuchs following behind kept their distance, and there were no palace maids in sight, making the place especially tranquil.

At first, they walked one behind the other, but now they were side by side.

Emily Thompson stretched lazily, turned to look at Abraham Lincoln, and frowned, “Abraham Lincoln, I sent ten imperial edicts this year for you to come to Chang’an. Why are you only arriving now?”