It can be said that George Washington's life was almost saved by James Bolton; without James Bolton, there would be no George Washington as he is today. After James Bolton died in battle, he left behind only a few children. Henry Bolton was the youngest, so of course George Washington valued him greatly in daily life.

　　“What happened to him?”

　　“He is the most unfilial. I was just using the latrine properly, and he actually set off firecrackers to blow up the dung…”

　　George Washington: “……”

　　“Your Majesty, I can’t control him anymore. At that moment… I was truly utterly disgraced, covered head to toe in filth… I have never suffered such humiliation.”

　　When George Washington heard this… he slammed the table and couldn’t help but curse loudly: “I really never imagined there could be anyone worse than William Bolton! That brat Henry Bolton, and that Edward Grant… My dear official… don’t worry… I will never tolerate them!”

　　Charles Howard still wanted to say something more.

　　George Washington’s face could no longer keep its composure. He gave a look, and only then did Charles Howard reluctantly withdraw.

　　As soon as Charles Howard left, George Washington glanced at Richard Young, and said indignantly, “The sons of meritorious officials have become so rotten—I thought… William Bolton was already beyond hope, but who would have thought… there are even worse ones.”

　　Richard Young also frowned: “Your Majesty, this is no small matter. If we just sit by and do nothing, in the future…”

　　George Washington’s long, narrow eyes closed slightly: “Charles Howard is gentle and modest; I’m afraid it won’t be easy for him to discipline this group of brats. You go and investigate thoroughly, see how they usually misbehave. At the same time, pick out a few outstanding ones. I just don’t believe, among so many sons, there isn’t a single outstanding one.”

　　Richard Young was the chief strategist and mastermind behind the Jingnan Campaign. Not to mention those youths—even their fathers would be trembling before Richard Young. For George Washington, sending Richard Young was the most suitable choice.

　　Richard Young smiled slightly and said, “Yes.”

　　……

　　William Bolton had already slowly adapted to his current life. He lived outside the Eastern Palace, but his brother-in-law, the Crown Prince, would send people almost every day to check on him and offer comfort.

　　This made William Bolton feel somewhat at ease.

　　It was another dawn.

　　The eleventh day of William Bolton’s new life.

　　He vaguely felt that, through his own efforts, his reputation was already starting to improve a little.

　　Very good.

　　At times like this, one must be even more humble and not become arrogant.

　　Today was another day to attend school. Under Michael Bolton’s arrangements, William Bolton set out for the academy.

　　After meeting up with Henry Bolton and Edward Grant, Edward Grant said excitedly, “Big brother, look what third brother brought.”

　　William Bolton looked down and saw Henry Bolton sneakily pull out a big bundle from his sleeve. He lifted a corner, revealing a lump of black stuff, then quickly stuffed it back, glancing around before grinning foolishly.

　　It was gunpowder, the kind used exclusively by the Shenji Battalion!

　　Damn!

　　William Bolton: “……”

Chapter Five: Submitting a Memorial

　　After coughing desperately, William Bolton said, “Um… let’s not talk about that… I have something on my mind.”

　　“Something on your mind? What is it?” Henry Bolton was a bit disappointed to see William Bolton uninterested in the gunpowder—after all, he’d gone to great lengths to steal it from his brother’s barracks.

　　William Bolton sighed, “You all know, I’m very poor. So I was thinking, if I had some silver, I could do a little business.”

　　“A real man doesn’t do business.” Edward Grant looked utterly disdainful.

　　People of their background naturally had no interest in commerce.

　　But William Bolton was different.

　　He knew very well that there were still many years before his brother-in-law would ascend the throne.

　　Although the Zhang family received help from his brother-in-law, it was still his brother-in-law’s money.

　　In his previous life, Stephen Bolton had been traumatized by poverty. The thought of not having a single coin to his name in this world made him uneasy.

　　“The main thing is, I’ve thought of a good business. Such a good thing, I’d only tell my own brothers. Otherwise… let’s pool some silver together…”

　　“Silver…” At the mention of this, Edward Grant’s face changed.

　　His father, Samuel Grant, was extremely stingy. How could he possibly give silver to a child like him?

　　So he shook his head like a rattle-drum: “My father won’t give it. If I ask, he’ll beat me for sure.”

　　William Bolton said, “Ask your mother.”

　　Edward Grant thought for a moment, then shook his head again: “Sooner or later my father will find out. By then… I’ll definitely get scolded again, called a prodigal…”

　　What a thing to say…

　　It seemed the key was to get everyone to let go of their psychological burdens. After all, young people’s thinking hadn’t yet become rigid.

　　So William Bolton said earnestly, “Second brother… let me ask you, who will the Zhu family be passed down to in the future…”

　　Without hesitation, Edward Grant said, “Of course me. I’m the only son in the family. If the family business isn’t passed to me, who else?”

　　William Bolton guided him patiently, “Exactly, the family business will be yours sooner or later, right? So let me ask you again, since the family business is yours, what’s wrong with spending your own silver? I’m not trying to sow discord, but there are some things I don’t know if I should say.”

　　Edward Grant said seriously, “Go ahead.”

　　William Bolton sighed, “The Zhu family is your family, and all the Zhu family’s silver is yours. Now, who is it that spends the Zhu family’s silver every day?”