James Thompson smiled and continued, “The Thompson Family has a caravan with five hundred camels, one of the top in Shazhou. The caravan has thirty guards, but lacks a chief guard. I plan to let your younger brother take the position. If he does well, in two years I’ll promote him to deputy steward of the caravan. What do you think?”

Brian Thompson stood behind his elder sister. He had probably already figured out a bit of what was going on, so he quietly reminded his sister, “Ah-jie, I promised to help you brew wine.”

James Thompson stroked his beard and laughed, “If my virtuous nephew wants to brew wine, that’s easy. The Thompson Family has a distillery in Shouchang County. I can let you be the steward there. How about it?”

But Edward Thompson understood the hidden meaning in her brother’s words. She had once considered opening a distillery, and her brother had offered to help, but she had scolded him, forbidding him from going into business and ruining his future. Now, Edward Thompson immediately understood the true purpose of the family head’s visit.

Edward Thompson immediately shook her head and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Family Head, but my brother Brian Thompson is going to participate in the martial arts county exam tomorrow. He is capable of competing for a spot to go to the capital. I hope he can go to the capital for the martial exam. I appreciate your kindness.”

James Thompson’s expression changed slightly, and his tone clearly became displeased. “Perhaps you don’t know the important inside information about tomorrow’s martial exam!”

“If the Family Head is willing to speak, I am all ears!”

James Thompson hesitated for a moment and said, “Tomorrow’s martial exam will be personally overseen by General Martin. This is the first time since Shazhou started holding the county martial exam. For any candidate who wins a spot to go to the capital, he will personally write a recommendation letter to the Ministry of War. With General Martin’s recommendation, the future will be limitless. This opportunity is too rare.”

Edward Thompson replied, “Precisely because the opportunity is rare, it’s all the more worth striving for!”

James Thompson hadn’t expected Edward Thompson to be even harder to persuade than her brother. His face immediately darkened, and he said coldly, “Since you don’t understand what I mean, I’ll be blunt. I came here today because I hope Brian Thompson will voluntarily give up competing for one of the three spots to go to the capital.”

He paused, then spoke more forcefully, “I am the Head of the Thompson Family. What I say must be obeyed by all family members. Tomorrow, Brian Thompson is not to participate in the mounted archery.”

Edward Thompson was furious. What was this, using power to oppress others? She had never seen such a family head. Why shouldn’t her brother be allowed to go to the capital for the martial exam? Why should he give up the competition?

“Family Head, I don’t understand your meaning. Which article or clause of the family rules forbids my brother from competing for a spot to go to the capital?”

This statement from Edward Thompson was extremely forceful, using the weight of the family rules to press down, leaving James Thompson, as the family head, speechless for a long time.

Standing behind, Paul Thompson angrily said, “The spots have already been decided. The Family Head is kindly reminding you, yet you don’t appreciate it…”

James Thompson turned and glared fiercely at Paul Thompson. How could this matter be spoken of openly, especially not to those with a stake in it? Paul Thompson was so frightened he lowered his head and dared not speak again.

Edward Thompson now fully understood. She took a deep breath, stood up, and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Family Head. We know what to do. I have other matters, so please, Family Head, see yourself out!”

James Thompson hadn’t expected Edward Thompson to actually ask him to leave. He was furious, stood up, gave a heavy snort, and strode out.

After they left, Edward Thompson slammed the door shut with a bang. “Pah! Family Head? Not even fit to carry my shoes.”

Brian Thompson gave a thumbs up in praise, “Ah-jie, you’re amazing. I’m completely convinced!”

“Hey! Don’t say such sarcastic things. What do we do tomorrow? The spots have already been decided.”

“Ah-jie, I think I can guess who the three are.”

“You know?”

Brian Thompson nodded. “One is Michael Bolton; his father is Deputy Military Commander Steven Bolton of the Doulu Army. One spot is definitely his. Another is William Sullivan; his younger brother Helen Sullivan already let it slip to me. The last one should be Paul Thompson, otherwise he wouldn’t have come with the Family Head.”

“But… none of these three are your match. Forcing you to withdraw is so unfair!” Edward Thompson knew these three were all sons of Dunhuang’s powerful families, not people ordinary folks like them could resist. She felt utterly hopeless.

Brian Thompson slowly shook his head. “Ah-jie, I will never withdraw from the county exam!”

Edward Thompson was taken aback. “The spots are already decided. What can you do?”

Brian Thompson gave a cold smile. “Am I, Brian Thompson, so easily manipulated?”

……

In the first year of Tian Shou of the Great Tang, the Sacred and Divine Emperor Wu Zetian was determined to reclaim the Western Regions. She appointed General of the Eagle Guard Richard Martin as Commander-in-Chief of Wuwei Circuit, to campaign against Tibetans together with the great Turkic general George Washington. In one stroke, they defeated the Tibetan army and recovered the four garrisons of Kucha, Karashahr, Khotan, and Kashgar, reestablishing the Anxi Protectorate in Kucha.

Richard Martin thus achieved great merit and was promoted to Grand General of the Left Guard. This time, Richard Martin led fifty thousand troops, preparing to march south from Shazhou onto the plateau to campaign against the Tibetan army and the Western Turkic Ten Surnames Khagan Abraham Lincoln, and was temporarily stationed in Dunhuang.

At this time, Shazhou was holding its annual county-level martial exam. Richard Martin was very interested and took the initiative to participate. For the top three candidates who won the right to go to the capital, he would personally write a recommendation letter to the Ministry of War.

Inside the main tent, the famous Tang general Richard Martin was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking somewhat anxious and uneasy. He had received word that the team he sent to receive the imperial envoys had failed to meet them; the imperial envoys had actually gone missing near Yumenguan.