The ‘New Faction’, led by Ulysses Grant and John Adams, vigorously promoted reforms. The ‘Old Faction’, headed by Grand Empress Dowager Foster and Prime Minister James Monroe, strove to block these efforts in order to maintain the ‘ancestral system’.

After Ulysses Grant passed away, the nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln ascended the throne. Grand Empress Dowager Foster took over the reins of government from behind the curtain, joined forces with James Monroe and others to expel the entire ‘New Faction’ from the court, exiling them to regions south of Lingnan, abolishing the reforms, and restoring the ancestral system.

Now, the ‘Old Faction’ is in charge.

‘Was it because I previously showed support for the reforms, and the Old Faction is afraid, so they want to harm me?’

Abraham Lincoln thought to himself, but then felt it was unlikely. Mrs. Foster was still around, in good health, and not at the point of desperation.

After thinking it over, Abraham Lincoln still couldn’t figure it out, so he simply shook his head and said to Ethan Brooks, “Come here, I’ll teach you a few things.”

Ethan Brooks hurried forward a step, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, please instruct me.”

Abraham Lincoln looked at the somewhat empty space in front of the Funing Hall and said, “First, you need to find out the background of everyone in the Funing Hall, and know who can be used and who cannot. Second, those who can be used must be categorized and contacted separately; each level should not know too much, only be responsible for the next level, only up and down, not sideways. I’ll tell you the specific method in detail tonight. Third, use every possible means to buy off some people to gather information for me about what’s happening in the palace and to find the real culprit behind the scenes. As for money, spend as much as you need—whatever you need, I’ll provide…”

Ethan Brooks listened carefully, his expression solemn, and said, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I’ll get right on it!”

Abraham Lincoln nodded and let out a gentle sigh.

This was a good opportunity to quietly arrange some things under the pretext of the assassination attempt. Even if his grandmother Mrs. Foster found out, she wouldn’t pay much attention.

Mrs. Foster returned from the Funing Hall to the Cining Hall, sat in her chair, and after a moment of silence, looked at Henry Clark and said, “Tell me, do you think His Majesty already knows? He seems a bit too calm.”

Henry Clark waved his hand to dismiss the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall and said, “Your Majesty, it’s just as well if His Majesty knows. This matter can’t be kept secret.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Foster’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, and she said coldly, “I really want to know who is trying to harm His Majesty and sow discord between us as grandmother and grandson. Have you found out anything?”

Henry Clark looked at Mrs. Foster’s expression, hesitated, and said, “Your Majesty, the situation in the palace is rather complicated. Not just here, but there’s also Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Parker, and so on. Plus, this matter is sensitive, so I dare not make a big fuss. Also, that day, quite a few people from outside the palace came in…”

Mrs. Foster keenly caught the issue in Henry Clark’s words. Her eyes widened as she asked, “From outside the palace? Who entered the palace that day?”

Henry Clark bowed, lowered his head, and said, “That day, three ministers came in, as well as Mr. Foster, several censors, and the envoy from Goryeo…”

Before he could finish, Mrs. Foster stared at him and said, “William Foster? What was he doing in the palace? Why didn’t I see him that day?”

Henry Clark kept his head down, expressionless, and replied in a calm tone, “I asked. He just came in to fetch something and left quickly.”

Mrs. Foster sensed something, her face expressionless as she asked, “Did he go to the Funing Hall?”

Henry Clark said, “According to people in the palace, he did not.”

Mrs. Foster’s gaze grew deep. She no longer looked at Henry Clark, but instead stared at the main door.

William Foster was her nephew. Back when Abraham Lincoln ascended the throne, William Foster, incited by others, attempted to install the brother of the late emperor, one of Abraham Lincoln’s uncles, as emperor. This caused a huge stir both inside and outside the palace, and Mrs. Foster herself was greatly alarmed at the time.

Henry Clark slowly raised his head, observing Mrs. Foster’s complicated expression, and said softly, “Your Majesty, Mr. Foster was forced into it back then. After so many years, how could he harm His Majesty now? It’s probably just a coincidence.”

Mrs. Foster snorted coldly and said, “He wouldn’t dare! Go, summon him to the palace. I want to ask him what exactly he did that day!”

Henry Clark’s expression changed in alarm, and he quickly said, “Your Majesty, although the ministers outside the palace are cooperating with you and pretending not to know about the assassination attempt, now that there’s that rumor, if you summon Mr. Foster to the palace at this time, it will be too conspicuous. Outsiders will inevitably speculate, the ministers in the Secretariat, and His Majesty…”

Mrs. Foster frowned and said, “You go out of the palace yourself and question him thoroughly for me—what he did in the palace that day, where he went, and whom he met. Also, if anyone in the palace dares to spread rumors again, have them beaten to death on the spot. Then have the three ministers come see me.”

Only then did Henry Clark respond and hurriedly turn to leave.

Mrs. Foster slowly sat up straight, feeling more and more that this matter was not simple. She suspected that some people in the palace were harboring ulterior motives.

“Fools!”

Mrs. Foster suddenly exclaimed, then picked up the memorials and began to review them intently.

……

Early the next morning, after washing up, Abraham Lincoln sat in the side courtyard of the Funing Hall.

Ethan Brooks came in from outside, beaming with joy, dismissed the serving maids, approached Abraham Lincoln, and whispered, “Your Majesty, I have already placed seven people—they are absolutely reliable.”

Abraham Lincoln didn’t really care whether they were reliable or not. After all, using the assassination attempt as a pretext, even if Mrs. Foster found out, she wouldn’t say much, let alone suppress him.

Tearing off a piece of steamed bun, Abraham Lincoln casually asked, “Did you find out anything?”