Everyone in Anxi knew that Chris Howard and Henry Carter did not get along. This wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but rather the most common issue in officialdom: too many monks and too little porridge. Arthur Freeman was the top leader—this was indisputable—but as for who should be second-in-command, that was a matter of opinion.

The seniority faction believed that Henry Carter had already been the deputy protector-general back in the days of Arthur Freeman’s predecessor, Richard Gates. His seniority was even higher than Arthur Freeman’s, and he hadn’t stepped aside. By rights, even if he was unfairly denied the top spot, the second-in-command should have been his without question. But then, out of nowhere, Chris Howard appeared and seized the military command, forcibly pushing Henry Carter down to third place. This was truly infuriating, so in the eyes of the seniority faction, Henry Carter was the one who had been wronged.

But in the eyes of the merit-based faction, Chris Howard was the real victim. They believed that Anxi was not the Central Plains, and bore the heavy responsibility of defending and expanding the territory, so real ability was far more important than so-called seniority. Henry Carter had only seniority but no military achievements, which showed his limited ability—he couldn’t handle great affairs and couldn’t be a regional warlord.

On the other hand, although Chris Howard was young, he had fought in campaigns north and south and had outstanding military achievements. In the first year of Tianbao, the Daxi tribe of the Western Turks, who had originally submitted to the Tang, rebelled and fled from the Hami region to Suyab. Chris Howard led two thousand cavalry in pursuit over ten thousand miles, chased the Daxi tribe to Suyab, and wiped them out completely.

This demonstrated Chris Howard’s exceptional command ability, while Henry Carter was constantly slandering and setting up obstacles, which made the merit-based faction feel indignant on Chris Howard’s behalf.

Today, Henry Carter launched another attack, and his words were extremely harsh: “The Anxi army bears the surname Gao.” What did this mean? If Chris Howard remained silent, it was likely that soon an imperial edict would summon him to the capital to face charges. This was Henry Carter’s strategy—to force Chris Howard to lose his temper in front of the military governor.

Seeing Chris Howard lose his temper, Henry Carter pretended to be deaf and dumb, ignoring him. Chris Howard, unable to bear it any longer, knelt on one knee and said to Arthur Freeman, “Commander, I, Chris Howard, have always acted uprightly, but someone keeps framing me. I earnestly ask you to clear my name. If not, then please relieve me of my post as military commander and let someone more capable take over.”

When people discuss the root of the discord between Cheng and Gao, they usually only see the issue of military authority, but few notice Arthur Freeman’s responsibility in the matter. In fact, Arthur Freeman was the true culprit behind the discord between Cheng and Gao.

It’s simple: as the top leader, sowing discord among his subordinates was his leadership art. If his subordinates were united and harmonious, then the top leader would be in danger. This was the fundamental reason why Arthur Freeman deliberately promoted the young Chris Howard—to intentionally create discord, using Gao to check Cheng, and then using Cheng to restrain Gao, while he reaped the benefits as the fisherman.

Arthur Freeman hurriedly helped Chris Howard up and seated him, comforting him, “Xianzhi, don’t make a big fuss over such a small matter. Protector Cheng means that you should give more opportunities to promising young men like Andrew Thompson. It’s a pity to keep him by your side. There’s nothing else to it. Inspector, don’t you agree with me?”

But Frank Lane seemed not to have heard anything. He clapped loudly, “Great shot!”

Then he stopped and asked blankly, “What happened?”

Arthur Freeman cursed the old fox inwardly, then laughed, “Nothing! Nothing! Let’s all watch the game.”

……

The match had already begun. On the field, the ball flew like lightning and the horses galloped like the wind. The two teams fought fiercely, vying for the ball, with the soldiers on both sides shouting themselves hoarse, wild with excitement, their palms swollen from clapping.

The two polo teams were evenly matched, clashing dozens of times, each with their own wins and losses. But today, Chris Howard’s personal guard team had a newcomer, who became the focus of the entire field.

Andrew Thompson’s horsemanship was beyond question, already on par with the best riders. On the field, he moved like a ghost, always appearing in the gaps of the opposing defense. The ball would immediately fly to him, making it seem as if he and the ball shared a mutual understanding. This was the ability to seize opportunities in battle—truly extraordinary. What was even more impressive was his uncanny accuracy: with his second shot, he struck the ball into the goal from fifty paces away.

The third incense stick was almost burned out. With a crisp sound, the polo ball was hit to the left. Before the opponents could close in, John White swung his mallet and sent the ball far to the right, shouting, “Qilang, catch this ball!”

Andrew Thompson spurred his horse forward. The two top players on the opposing team, James Sutton and Olivia Green, urged their horses to flank him from both sides, blocking his way. Andrew Thompson gently turned his horse’s head, and the warhorse, as if reading his mind, leapt nimbly to the side, shaking off the two riders’ pincer attack. Stretching its long legs, it raced after the ball. Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, Andrew Thompson arrived. He struck sideways, his mallet hitting the ball with such force that it shot straight toward the goal like an arrow. Thirty paces away, the ball seemed to have eyes, flying precisely into a one-foot-square goal.

Andrew Thompson raised his mallet and shouted, “It’s in!”

Ten to nine, sealing the victory. The soldiers erupted in cheers, and Mark Howard was so excited he screamed shrilly, his palms red from clapping.

“Stinky Daniel, well played!”