James Thompson inherited his father's title of County Duke at the founding of the state, and everyone called him County Duke Thompson; this was also his most honorable identity.

James Thompson returned the greeting with a smile and said, "I heard that Brother Sullivan took a new concubine last month—congratulations!"

"Hehe! You flatter me, County Duke. My father and uncle are already waiting in the inner hall. Please, County Duke, this way!"

"Please!"

Mark Sullivan led James Thompson through the main gate. Two maids walked ahead, carrying lanterns to light the way, and the two of them quickly made their way toward the inner hall.

Inside the Suo residence's inner hall, the head of the Sullivan family, Kevin Sullivan, was discussing some details of tomorrow's military examination with his brother, Peter Sullivan.

Kevin Sullivan was about sixty years old this year, a dry and unremarkable-looking old man. In his youth, he had led the Sullivan family caravan far and wide, earning a formidable reputation along the Hexi Corridor.

Now, in his old age, his energy was much diminished, and he had handed over family affairs to his four sons, choosing instead to retire behind the scenes and enjoy his twilight years.

This time, because the military examination had the recommendation of the great general Richard Martin, even he was stirred into action. No matter what, he wanted to secure a letter of recommendation for his eldest grandson, William Sullivan.

He had his own ideas: there were five hundred local troops in Shazhou, and he hoped that his eldest grandson William Sullivan could command these five hundred soldiers.

With his brother serving as the Sima of Shazhou, their Sullivan family would then have military power to rival the Zhang family, so it was especially important for his eldest grandson to go to the capital to take the military examination for the jinshi degree.

Peter Sullivan currently served as the Sima of Shazhou, and the local military examination was under his jurisdiction. Seeing his elder brother so worried, he smiled and said, "Elder brother, there's no need to worry. William is one of the outstanding youths of Dunhuang, excellent in horsemanship and archery. I once ranked the Dunhuang youths privately with Steven Bolton; William's skills in riding and archery are third, just slightly behind Steven Bolton's son."

"Who is first?" Kevin Sullivan spoke slowly, his voice a bit hoarse.

"The first is named Brian Thompson. You should remember him, elder brother. Last year at the Shazhou polo tournament, he won the top prize for his skills, causing a sensation in the city."

"So it was him!"

Kevin Sullivan remembered well. Originally, the top prize in polo should have gone to his own eldest grandson William Sullivan, but in the end, it was taken by a rising young man—this young man turned out to be Brian Thompson.

Kevin Sullivan nodded slowly. "I remember him. Ranked first in riding and archery—no wonder he's so good at polo."

"That's the one. It's a pity that such a fine talent is treated as worthless by the Thompson family."

"Why is that?"

After a brief hesitation, Kevin Sullivan suddenly understood. No need to say more—this Brian Thompson must be from a concubine branch. In the Thompson family, which places great importance on bloodline, such a child would never rise to prominence. In fact, it wasn't just the Thompson family; their own Sullivan family was no different.

Peter Sullivan continued, "Although Richard Martin will be present to observe, please rest assured, elder brother: Brian Thompson won't affect William's spot, nor will he affect Steven Bolton's son's spot. The only one affected will be the Thompson family's own quota. We've already agreed that James Thompson will try to persuade Brian Thompson to withdraw from the competition."

Kevin Sullivan laughed. "If James Thompson can't persuade Brian Thompson, then he'll have to come asking you for help, won't he?"

Peter Sullivan understood his brother's meaning and also laughed. "Perhaps that's why he's visiting tonight! Have you thought of your terms, elder brother?"

Kevin Sullivan closed his eyes and said nothing more. At this moment, Mark Sullivan hurried into the inner hall, bowed, and reported, "Father, Second Uncle, County Duke Thompson has arrived."

James Thompson entered the inner hall and greeted Kevin Sullivan and Peter Sullivan one by one. As the younger generation, he was quite polite in his manners. Since everyone was well acquainted, after a few words of small talk, Kevin Sullivan invited James Thompson to sit.

This matter was to be discussed between Peter Sullivan and James Thompson; Kevin Sullivan did not participate. He sat to the side, unhurriedly sipping tea, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

"So, County Duke, were you able to persuade Brian Thompson to withdraw from the competition?" Peter Sullivan asked with a smile.

James Thompson gave a wry smile. If he had been able to persuade Brian Thompson, he wouldn't have come to visit the Sullivan family tonight.

He sighed. "The siblings are very stubborn. No matter how I tried to entice or threaten them, they just wouldn't give up their spot. I expect Brian Thompson will participate in the riding and archery exam tomorrow."

Actually, if it weren't for Richard Martin being present to observe, whether or not Brian Thompson participated in the riding and archery wouldn't have affected the outcome at all. Even if he performed well, they could just rank him fourth—ordinary people wouldn't know the difference anyway.

But with Richard Martin personally present, it would be hard to fool him, so they could only try to persuade Brian Thompson to withdraw on his own.

But the stubbornness of Brian Thompson and his sister truly gave James Thompson a headache, so he had no choice but to humble himself and ask Peter Sullivan for help. He probed, "Is there any other way, Sima Sullivan?"

Peter Sullivan chuckled. "Of course there are ways, but…"

He paused and glanced back at his elder brother Kevin Sullivan. James Thompson immediately understood: the Sullivan family wouldn't help for nothing. He turned to Kevin Sullivan with a smile and said, "We're old family friends, Family Head, why not speak plainly!"

Chapter 007: The Local Military Examination

Kevin Sullivan stroked his beard and smiled slightly. "Do you know about the imperial envoy coming to Dunhuang, County Duke?"

James Thompson was taken aback. He truly didn't know about this. Why was the court sending an envoy to Dunhuang?

Kevin Sullivan saw his confusion and smiled. "The envoy is coming because of the Great Cloud Maitreya statue. I hear the Holy Emperor attaches great importance to this statue and is sending a trusted aide to participate in its construction. The envoy will arrive in a few days—this is a major event for Dunhuang!"

James Thompson was astonished. "Wasn't it said that Dunhuang wouldn't build the Maitreya statue?"