William Thompson remembered that he had also bought some medicine for injuries at the pharmacy during the day, so he hurried back to his room to fetch some and applied it to Charles Brooks. About an hour later, Charles Brooks's body stirred, showing signs of waking up. William Thompson was overjoyed and used clean water to wash his face. Slowly, Charles Brooks opened his eyes, looked at William Thompson, and gave a grateful smile.

　　"Thank you! I feel much better. You applied the medicine for me, right? They thought I had passed out, but I could actually hear everything. They wouldn't let the doctor treat me at all, hoping I would die sooner."

　　William Thompson steeled himself and told Charles Brooks what he had just overheard. After listening, Charles Brooks gave a faint, cold laugh and said, "Of course, that's exactly what they've been dreaming of."

　　"I'll go find a doctor!"

　　"Wait!" Charles Brooks called out to William Thompson.

　　"I've experienced this kind of poison before—no one can save me. At most, I have three days left to live. Sit down, I have something to tell you."

　　"I want to ask you to do something for me! I don't have much time left, and this task might cost you your life. Can you agree to it?"

　　William Thompson hesitated. It had been so hard to make it to the Song Dynasty; he really didn't want to take any more risks.

　　Charles Brooks smiled slightly and said, "I won't let you do it for nothing."

　　Only then did William Thompson nod.

　　"Come here! I'll tell you a secret first—it's related to what I'm asking you to do."

　　Charles Brooks paused, then spoke as if in a dream:

　　"I'm actually not the real Charles Brooks. The real Charles Brooks died thirty years ago. I was originally a Han slave, but because I looked very much like Charles Brooks, he used me as a stand-in to deal with his father, who forced him to study. Over the years, I imitated his voice, appearance, and mannerisms to perfection. Thirty years ago, on the day before his wedding, he got drunk and tried to rape a maid. That maid was my lover. In the struggle, I accidentally killed him. From then on, I impersonated him and became the master of the Xiao household, even marrying his fiancée in his place. But what I didn't expect was that he had already slept with that woman. You know, it's hard to hide the truth in bed, so she caught on and has been blackmailing me for thirty years.

　　Twenty years ago, she poisoned and killed my beloved concubine. Fearing she would poison my only son, I sent him to Jingzhao as soon as he grew up, where he has lived for ten years. This time, I came to Lin'an to find my biological younger brother and transfer the Xiao family's assets to the Song state. Unexpectedly, that woman had already planned everything—she sent assassins to kill my brother and impersonate him. As soon as we met, she wounded and poisoned me, giving Wang Heiyu and the others their chance. What they're after is a gold medallion passed down from the Xiao ancestors. Other than myself, only the holder of this medallion is recognized as the heir to the Xiao family's property.

　　You must go to Dengzhou first and find the inn where I once stayed. Under a green brick beneath the bed, you'll find the gold medallion. Take the medallion to Jingzhao Prefecture and give it to my son. Then, relay the story I've told you to him. Tell him he is Han, not Khitan, and his surname is Chen. I'm entrusting this matter to you. Do you have any questions for me?"

　　"Why do you trust me?"

　　"Ever since I discovered that Qin Huan had been bought off by them, I've wanted to find another loyal personal attendant. You refused to kneel to me, so I knew you weren't an ordinary person. Later, when I saw you with the knives, I noticed your uniqueness. Those two empty money chests were actually a test for you, and you didn't let me down."

　　Charles Brooks then took out a sheepskin scroll and handed it to William Thompson.

　　"This is a long-lost secret recipe for brewing wine. Give it to my son as well. If he doesn't want it, it's yours. As for your reward, he'll give it to you once he receives the medallion."

　　Watching William Thompson's departing figure, a flash of murderous intent appeared in Charles Brooks's clouded eyes.

Chapter Six: The Grain Crisis

　　At the Yuelai Inn in Dengzhou, William Thompson indeed found the items hidden by Charles Brooks. He hurried all the way to Jingzhao and handed everything over to Charles Brooks's son, Brian Brooks.

　　Brian Brooks stared blankly at the gold medallion and sheepskin scroll on the table. His face closely resembled Charles Brooks's: a square face, a huge nose—so large that it made the rest of his body look small—purplish-red in color, like an eggplant. Judging by his appearance, he looked to be in his thirties.

　　After a long while, he muttered to himself, "So I am actually Han. But at this point, what difference does it make whether my surname is Chen or Xiao?"

　　William Thompson pushed the medallion forward. "I've fulfilled the master's request. I plan to leave tomorrow."

　　"Where are you going?"

　　"I don't know either. But now that I'm a free man, surely there's a place for me somewhere in this vast world."

　　Brian Brooks picked up the sheepskin scroll, a cold smile appearing on his face.

　　"In fact, my father and I had an agreement: if the messenger didn't present this sheepskin scroll, it would mean he harbored selfish motives, and I could kill him to eliminate future trouble. Otherwise, he could be greatly trusted. My father truly judged you well. Why don't you stay and be my deputy? I'll give you a twenty percent share of the Xiao family's business. What do you say?"

　　Hearing this, William Thompson was furious, but he didn't show it. He only gave a cold smile and said, "If I had selfish motives, with this medallion I would already be the master of the Xiao family. Why would I covet a mere wine recipe? I've seen enough of the scheming between you and your father. Forgive me, but I can't accompany you! Give me the reward I deserve first!"