At this point, Simon Ford glanced at Andrew Thompson. In the dim light, he saw that Andrew Thompson looked calm, without the slightest sign of dissatisfaction. Simon Ford couldn't help but nod secretly—this young man remained composed in the face of honor or disgrace, truly a talent fit to be a great general.

When they reached the outside of Chris Howard's study, they suddenly heard the sounds of a heated argument—it was Mark Howard quarreling with her father.

"You clearly could have kept him here. Why did you drive him away, and even demote his military rank? Is that fair to him?"

"Is that how you speak to your father?"

"Father, you’re really just thinking of yourself, using him as a sacrifice. You’re too selfish."

A crisp 'slap!' rang out, followed by Chris Howard's furious scolding: "Get out! Get out of here!"

The door opened. Mark Howard, clutching her face, rushed out. When she saw Andrew Thompson in the courtyard, her eyes suddenly reddened, and she quickly ran away from him.

"Commander Gao, he’s here!" Simon Ford reported to Chris Howard at the door.

Chris Howard calmed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Let him in!"

Andrew Thompson quickly entered Chris Howard's study, saluted, and said, "Subordinate reporting to the Commander!"

"Others call me Deputy Commander or Commander Gao, but you alone call me Commander. Why is that?" Chris Howard asked with a faint smile, knowing that Victor Thompson was not making a slip of the tongue.

"Perhaps in my heart, the Commander will soon take his place."

Chris Howard fixed him with a stern gaze. After a moment, his expression softened, and he waved his hand with a smile, "Sit down!"

"Thank you, Commander!" Andrew Thompson sat down.

"From now on, don’t call me Commander. Don’t give others a handle against you, understand?" Chris Howard's voice was gentle, like an elder giving earnest advice to a junior.

"Yes, sir!"

"Alright! I’m transferring you to the scout camp. Do you have any objections?"

"None."

"Truly none?"

Chris Howard's gaze grew sharp again; he disliked being lied to.

"Truly none!" Andrew Thompson replied firmly.

"Why?"

Andrew Thompson raised his head, his eyes bright as he looked at Chris Howard, and said frankly, "Because as your personal guard, I have no chance to earn merit."

Chris Howard was taken aback. After a long while, he sighed softly and gave a self-mocking smile, "Could it be you’ve also noticed that my days are numbered?"

"Commander Gao, do you feel your days are numbered?"

For some reason, Chris Howard lost his composure a bit in front of this low-ranking officer. He let out a long sigh, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked to the window, staring blankly at the lonely moon in the sky. He was indeed deeply worried. His official post was actually only Deputy Protector of Anxi, a fourth-rank idle position, while the title of Commander of the Troops was privately granted by Arthur Freeman, who had the power to dismiss him. Today, he had sensed Arthur Freeman's dissatisfaction with him, which forced him to demote Andrew Thompson as a concession to Henry Carter. Under another’s roof, one must bow their head!

"Commander Gao, actually, you can create opportunities."

"What did you say?" Chris Howard turned around, surprised, and looked at Andrew Thompson.

"Create what kind of opportunity?"

Andrew Thompson smiled slightly and said, "Create a major battle, for example, suggest to the court to launch a campaign against Lesser Bolü."

Chris Howard lowered his head in thought. Gradually, he understood Andrew Thompson's meaning, and his eyes lit up. Lesser Bolü had always been a major concern for the court. Helen Fields, Richard Gates, and Arthur Freeman, three successive military governors, had all personally campaigned against Lesser Bolü, but all had failed. If he memorialized the court, saying the time was ripe to attack Lesser Bolü, who would the emperor send to lead the campaign? It certainly wouldn’t be Arthur Freeman again—it could only be himself.

‘Perhaps in my heart, the Commander will soon take his place.’

Suddenly, Chris Howard understood the deeper meaning behind Andrew Thompson's words. He nodded slowly. Andrew Thompson's suggestion struck at Arthur Freeman's weak point—he was already old and could no longer satisfy the emperor’s ambition to expand the empire.

Thinking of this, Chris Howard smiled with relief, "Qilang, go to the scout camp with peace of mind. Wherever you fall, I’ll make sure you rise again from there."

...

Andrew Thompson left Chris Howard's residence and slowly returned to the barracks. He gazed up at the bright moon in the sky, and a surge of unprecedented ambition welled up in his heart. Yes! He came from the future, with thirteen hundred years more knowledge than the Tang people. In this era of sweeping historical change, he ought to make his mark.

Chapter Fourteen: The Sogdian Girl of the Stone Kingdom

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was early spring of the sixth year of Tianbao. That morning, the Boda Ridge pass suddenly bustled with activity. A caravan of several hundred camels approached from the direction of Suyab, the sound of camel bells melodious. At last, they emerged from the mountains, and the Sogdian merchants cheered together.

These merchants were clearly Sogdians, renowned in the region for their business acumen. Leading their camels, they were dressed much the same: white, narrow-sleeved, tight-fitting nomad attire, pointed hats with rolled brims, a gold belt studded with thousands of gems at the waist, and tall leather boots on their feet. Covered in dust, they showed the signs of a long journey. The camels carried heavy chests filled with precious goods—gems, pearls, silverware, and other valuables.