“Do you know how much two-tenths of the The Brooks Family’s assets are? Enough to make you as rich as a prince. Otherwise, that wretch in Lintao wouldn’t be so desperate to get this gold medal. I’ll give you one more chance—are you willing to stay as my deputy and receive two-tenths of the The Brooks Family’s assets?”

William Thompson was indeed a bit tempted, but he knew the Mongols would soon arrive here. He thought to himself that saving his own life was more important, but he still had to say something nice. Straightening his back, he said solemnly, “Not everyone values money as much as you and your son do. To me, perhaps freedom is more important than being a prince.”

Brian Brooks looked at William Thompson in surprise, and couldn’t help but show a trace of respect on his face. He picked up the sheepskin scroll and handed it to William Thompson, saying sincerely, “I didn’t expect there to be someone in this world who treats money like dirt. You’re the only one I’ve ever met. Take this sheepskin scroll as a token of gratitude from the The Brooks Family. Please accept it. From now on, we owe each other nothing. Perhaps one day, when we meet again, we can be friends.”

William Thompson blushed slightly, accepted the sheepskin scroll and the reward, and left Jingzhao Prefecture the next day. After several twists and turns, he arrived in Min County, which had long since been burned to the ground, leaving only a few broken sections of city wall. Amid the mournful cries of crows, the place seemed especially desolate. He found his old home, paid respects to his deceased father, and wept bitterly. In the chilly autumn wind, William Thompson reluctantly bid farewell to Min County, turned south, and strode toward the Song capital, Lin’an, under the rising sun.

A month later, William Thompson arrived in Lin’an again. He wasn’t in a hurry to do anything, but first settled down. Near the Lin’an market, he found a blacksmith’s shop that made weapons. After making a sample dagger as requested, the shop owner gladly accepted this Han man from the north and agreed: for every weapon he made and sold, William Thompson would receive a twenty percent commission from the sale price. In this way, William Thompson established himself in Lin’an.

A year later, the Mongol Great Khan Ögedei launched the second Danube campaign, drawing the main forces left in the Jin dynasty to the western front. The Jin dynasty managed to survive a little longer, the pressure of war eased, and the Song and Jin dynasties once again returned to peace and prosperity, completely forgetting the pain of massacre during the war. Over this year, the reputation of the blacksmith Little Thompson gradually spread throughout the market area, and William Thompson was preparing to start his own business.

That year, William Thompson racked his brains, wondering if he could make and sell some modern items, but in fact, he knew almost nothing about any of them. He thought about making matches, but matches required phosphorus, and he had never even seen what phosphorus looked like, let alone how to extract it. As for making glass, he knew it was silicon dioxide, but as for the manufacturing process? He was completely clueless.

With no other options, he took out the sheepskin scroll and decided to start with brewing wine.

That day, he had just rented a storefront and was hurrying back home in high spirits. As he passed a small eatery, he suddenly heard a burst of angry shouting from inside:

“Get out! You already owe a month’s worth of meal money and still want to run a tab? I was unlucky to trust a northerner like you. Get out! Out, now!”

Amid the angry shouts, a man ran out, covering his head. With a ‘bang’, a large bowl was thrown out after him, nearly hitting William Thompson.

“Xiao Yi!”

William Thompson suddenly recognized the man being thrown out—it was Ethan Foster, who had once worked with him.

Ethan Foster also heard the shout and turned to look.

“Ah! Brother Thompson!” he exclaimed joyfully, rushing over.

“Are you his friend?” The shopkeeper came out and said, “He still owes me two strings of cash for meals. Are you going to pay for him?”

William Thompson took out three strings of cash and handed them to the shopkeeper, saying, “Take the extra one as thanks for letting him eat on credit.”

The shopkeeper looked at William Thompson in surprise, then glared fiercely at Ethan Foster and said, “You’re a real man, but your friend here is a scoundrel. You’d better be careful!”

William Thompson smiled, cupped his hands to the shopkeeper, and hurried away with Ethan Foster.

Ethan Foster devoured five steamed buns in a flash, finally patting his belly in satisfaction. Then he burped and said with his mouth full:

“Ever since you disappeared, Harris Black kicked me out of the caravan that very day. Later, I heard the master died two days after that. With no one to rely on and no money to get home, I could only drift around Lin’an, barely scraping by. I’m really lucky to have run into you today, Brother Thompson, or I would have starved to death.”

Hearing this, William Thompson felt guilty. He took out fifty strings of cash and stuffed them into Ethan Foster’s hands.

“It’s my fault for dragging you into this. Take these fifty strings as travel money to get home! Stay with me for a few days and rest up before you go.”

Ethan Foster looked at the fifty strings of cash and couldn’t help swallowing. He wanted to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

That night, Ethan Foster came to William Thompson and returned the money to him.

“Brother Thompson, thank you for your generosity. I still owe you twenty strings of cash—how could I take more from you?”

William Thompson patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, “We’re like brothers—no need to be so particular.”

“But! I—I didn’t tell the truth. Actually, I did go back to Lintao!”

With a thud, Ethan Foster knelt down. “Brother Thompson! I really didn’t mean to deceive you.”

“Get up—men shouldn’t kneel so easily. Sit down and tell me slowly, what really happened?”