Ethan Brooks's expression tightened. He glanced outside and said, "There’s nothing for now. Her Majesty has issued a gag order, and everyone involved has been locked up by Mr. Clark. I haven’t been able to find out anything yet."

Abraham Lincoln took a sip of soup, his gaze calm as he looked outside. "Don’t just focus on these things. Investigate if there was anything unusual that day—especially who came into contact with me, why I went to that abandoned well, and anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Leave nothing out, check everything for me..."

Ethan Brooks bowed and replied, "Yes, I’ll instruct them right away."

Abraham Lincoln put down his bowl and said, "Come back. Bring more money, don’t be stingy with rewards for them, and you can also secretly recruit more people. I’ll teach you later how to deliver messages, make contact, and write secret notes."

Ethan Brooks turned back and stood respectfully beside Abraham Lincoln.

He felt more and more that His Majesty was unfathomable, his actions completely different from before.

Abraham Lincoln slowly tore apart a steamed bun, but his gaze was fixed on a squad of imperial guards not far outside the door.

Ever since he woke up, he’d had a strong sense of insecurity—he’d been plotted against and pushed into a well, nearly dying; as emperor, he had his grandmother, Grand Empress Dowager Gao, ruling from behind the curtain above him, and below, a group of ‘Old Party’ ministers who completely controlled all power inside and outside the palace. The dignified emperor had been sidelined, reduced to a puppet.

His life and death were in others’ hands, which made him deeply uneasy.

Abraham Lincoln looked at the squad of guards, his eyes flickering slightly.

In this world, what could give a person a greater sense of security than the army?

Chapter Four: There’s a Way

Ethan Brooks followed Abraham Lincoln’s gaze to the squad of guards and immediately said, "Your Majesty, these were sent by Her Majesty yesterday, specifically to protect you."

Abraham Lincoln kept his expression unchanged as he picked up his bowl and said, "Find out everything about every person in that squad—their backgrounds, three generations of ancestors, records, preferences, and social networks. Leave nothing out..."

Ethan Brooks was taken aback. "Your Majesty, these were selected by Her Majesty from the Palace Guard. They’re definitely trustworthy, and they weren’t even present that day..."

Abraham Lincoln took another sip of soup and said blandly, "Just because they wouldn’t before doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. Everyone in Funing Hall—you must find out everything for me."

Ethan Brooks felt a chill in his heart, blaming himself for his carelessness, and quickly said, "Yes, I’ll get on it right away."

Abraham Lincoln said nothing, continuing to observe the squad of guards.

Right now, everything inside and outside the palace was under Grand Empress Dowager Gao’s control. If he openly tried to interfere with the imperial guards, he would definitely face her severe backlash. If he wanted to gain control of the army, he’d have to do it quietly.

"Still, it’s not so bad. I can use the assassination attempt as cover to do some things."

Abraham Lincoln muttered to himself. With the assassination as a pretext, he could act a bit more boldly, as long as he didn’t go too far.

"But what method should I use?"

Abraham Lincoln looked at the squad of guards, his mind churning with ideas.

He had to get close to these guards quietly, without arousing Grand Empress Dowager Gao’s suspicion, and gradually win them over. If one day he could use the guards to control the palace, that would be the day he could finally rest easy.

By the time he finished eating, Abraham Lincoln still hadn’t come up with a good solution. Military power was just too sensitive.

Abraham Lincoln wiped his mouth, thought for a moment, then went to the study, found the "Annals of Emperor Shenzong," and began reading quietly.

If any event had the greatest impact on the present, it was undoubtedly the "Wang Anshi Reforms." It had only been seven years since, and although the reforms had been abolished, the people and events were still close at hand.

"Maybe there’s a way in here."

Abraham Lincoln murmured, opening the book and reading carefully.

Before long, he furrowed his brow, forcing himself to keep reading.

The "Annals of Emperor Shenzong" harshly criticized the "Wang Anshi Reforms" throughout, filled with slander and condemnation. Although it avoided blaming Emperor Shenzong himself, it lumped Wang Anshi and his associates together as the "Wang Party," slandering them without a single good word.

From Wang Anshi’s character, literary and political achievements, to the content of the reforms, it could only be described as "evil"—utterly lacking in objectivity, full of malice and prejudice, a product of factional strife.

Abraham Lincoln skipped over these parts, quietly memorizing a few names—those who were still alive, the "Wang Party" members who had been exiled far away, but who had once been prominent at court.

By noon, Ethan Brooks quietly entered from outside. Seeing Abraham Lincoln reading, he didn’t dare disturb him. Only when Abraham Lincoln gently closed the book did he approach.

He quickly poured Abraham Lincoln a cup of tea, then said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Minister Lü has entered the palace."

Abraham Lincoln had just picked up his teacup. Hearing the words "Minister Lü," he asked, "Lü Dafang?"

Only three people in the court could be called "Minister," and Minister Lü could only refer to Grand Councilor Lü Dafang.

Ethan Brooks replied, "Yes."

Abraham Lincoln thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know what it’s about?"

Ethan Brooks shook his head, then said quietly, "It’s probably still about the assassination attempt on Your Majesty. Although Her Majesty is secretly investigating, it can’t be kept from the ministers."

Abraham Lincoln nodded lightly, pondering as he sipped his tea. After a while, he looked at Ethan Brooks and asked, "Is there anyone in the court who stands on my side?"

Ethan Brooks blinked, trying hard to recall, and said, "There are a few censors who have written memorials for Your Majesty, but it can’t really be said that they’re on your side."