The Brooks Family's ancestors, back in the Western Han, once held the position of Langzhongling, one of the Nine Ministers. Their descendants also served as prefects of commanderies. After the establishment of the Eastern Han, their ancestor moved to Yizhou and served as the Prefect of Ba Commandery. Later generations also held posts as local governors, but they never left Yizhou, making them a somewhat renowned family in the region. In the generation of his great-grandfather, he served as Prefect of Jiangyang for over ten years, and thus, The Brooks Family settled in Jiangyang.

Although they couldn't compare to the great landlords of Chengdu with their vast fields, in Jiangyang, The Brooks Family was still considered one of the wealthiest families. Unfortunately, his mother had passed away two years ago, leaving only his Eldest Sister Xiuniang and a younger sister, Mark Brooks, who was nine years his junior, as his closest relatives. And Eldest Sister was already married—to an official in Yizhou, surnamed Wang, given name Lei, courtesy name Liangjia.

Chapter Four: All Our Relatives Are Hanging Men...

"Henry Wright? You’re saying my brother-in-law is Henry Wright, and it’s the same Henry Wright who serves under Liu Zhang?" Peter Brooks couldn’t help but be shocked. Henry Wright—anyone who’s read Romance of the Three Kingdoms should know that among the lesser-known but remarkable figures, this Wang Lei is one of them. When Liu Bei’s army entered Yizhou, he hung himself upside down from the city gate tower, shouting his loyalty and determination to serve his lord unto death, earning a place in history as a bold and defiant character...

Good grief, from ancient times to now, how many people have managed to hang themselves upside down from a city gate tower? And to cut the rope themselves and fall to their death—how much courage does that take? Peter Brooks rubbed his forehead, utterly speechless, feeling more afraid than honored to have such a brother-in-law. That’s right—not honored, but afraid.

"Exactly. The Eldest Young Lady's husband can be considered a talented young man..." The nearby Steward Mason didn’t notice Peter Brooks’s startled expression and continued, spittle flying, to express his high opinion of The Brooks Family’s son-in-law. In his eyes, this eldest son-in-law of The Brooks Family was not only outstanding in appearance but also highly learned. Though a bit stubborn and from a humble background, he was definitely a fine husband.

Currently, this brother-in-law was serving as an official in Chengdu and couldn’t leave his post for long, so Eldest Sister Xiuniang had brought her young son and little sister Grace Brooks to Chengdu. As the hundredth day since their father’s passing approached, the brother-in-law took leave, and only then did they come to hold the hundred-day memorial for their late father.

"...Back when the old master was Prefect of Jiangyang Commandery, this Lord Wright was a minor official under him. The old master took a liking to him and promoted him, and Eldest Young Lady also admired his learning and talent... Later, it was the lady’s uncle, the famous Lord Winston, who personally acted as the matchmaker." Steward Mason was quite eloquent; as he recounted these stories, his hands gestured animatedly, making Peter Brooks listen with great interest. If only this steward didn’t look so unpleasant—if he had a gavel in his left hand and a folding fan in his right, he’d be a top-tier storyteller.

"Wait, who is this Lord Winston you’re talking about?" From the moment he heard the name Henry Wright, Peter Brooks’s head had been spinning, and now Steward Mason’s boasting nearly made him laugh out loud. Lord Winston? In the Three Kingdoms era, he’d only heard of people like Duke Mengde and Duke Xuande, but never Lord Winston. He figured Steward Mason was just making things up, sparing no effort to praise his own household.

As soon as he said this, Steward Mason choked, his Adam’s apple bobbing for a while before he managed to squeeze out: "Young master, how could you forget your great-uncle Lord Winston?"

※※※

Hearing this, Peter Brooks was slightly taken aback. Could this great-uncle really be that famous? Thinking this, Peter Brooks could only put on a troubled expression, pointing to his own head and shrugging. Only then did Steward Mason act as if he suddenly understood, slapping his bear-like hand on his head: "Haha, young master, please forgive me—I actually forgot about that. Lord Winston is the illustrious Xu family of Runan Pingyu, the current Prefect of Ba Commandery, and together with your other great-uncle Lord William, they are the most renowned judges of character in the land. Anyone who receives a word of praise from your two great-uncles will be celebrated throughout the realm..."

Hearing this, Peter Brooks was truly excited. Lord William—if he couldn’t recall who Lord Winston was, he certainly knew Lord William. In the Three Kingdoms era, aside from Samuel GrantWilliam Grant, no one else used that courtesy name. Since they were brothers, who else could it be but Edward Grant?

"You mean the one who called Cao Cao a capable minister in times of peace and a hero in times of chaos—Samuel GrantWilliam Grant? He’s my great-uncle?" Edward Grant and Samuel Grant were cousins, so that meant he was at least distantly related to these famous figures. Peter Brooks grinned from ear to ear, feeling as refreshed as if he’d gulped down a jug of cold water on a sweltering summer day. "Good grief, who would’ve thought that as soon as I arrived in the Three Kingdoms, I’d be related to such legendary figures." Peter Brooks finally felt a bit comforted.

"Exactly! I didn’t expect young master to actually remember. These two great-uncles of yours are both renowned gentlemen known throughout the land." Steward Mason nodded repeatedly, giving a thumbs up and striking a look of deep admiration, as if he had personally witnessed this history unfold.