“But I heard people say that there might be a war around here.”

“Oh?”

“This time when I went to Wuyin, I heard from people over there that Mr. Clark’s troops have already occupied Yuzhou. He, following the emperor’s orders, has established the capital at Xuchang and is the pillar of our Han dynasty. I reckon it won’t be long before Mr. Clark might send his army to Nanyang.”

“Mr. Clark?”

“That’s the same Mr. Clark who, at the beginning of the year, welcomed the emperor and established the capital at Xuchang… I think I mentioned this to you before.”

“Uh, I forgot!”

In the past, Ryan Clark, due to his health, wasn’t very aware of what was happening in the outside world. Or rather, he was the type to muddle through life without much ambition. At least, in the memories Ryan Clark had, most were trivial matters not worth mentioning.

A trace of longing appeared in Matthew Harris’s eyes.

He sighed softly and said, “If one day Mr. Clark’s army comes to Wuyin, I will definitely join the army.”

“Join the army?”

“Yes, with my abilities, I’ll surely be granted a title and become a general! Frank, when that time comes, I’ll ask you to be my military advisor.”

Ryan Clark couldn’t help but laugh, “Alright, I’ll wait for you to invite me out of seclusion.”

Matthew Harris had a bit of that heroic spirit of ‘if I become rich and powerful, I won’t forget my friends,’ and harbored grand ambitions.

As for Ryan Clark, it seemed he had read some books and recognized some characters. According to his memories, when Ryan Clark was young, there was once a sorcerer living in Zhongyang Town. Ryan Clark studied with that sorcerer for a few days, but had to give up halfway due to his health. Not long after, the sorcerer also left, and there was never any news of him again… In these chaotic times, perhaps he had already become a victim under someone else’s blade.

Even so, Ryan Clark could be considered a literate person.

In Matthew Harris’s mind, anyone who could read was someone with great ability…

“Matthew Harris, time to go home!”

At this moment, William Harris had finished talking with Chris Clark, stood up, and called out to Matthew Harris.

“Frank, I’ll head back first… I’ll come find you again tomorrow.”

Chris Clark sat on the threshold, smiling and nodding, watching William Harris and his son leave the small courtyard.

“Peng’er, you should go back inside and rest for a while too. The weather’s not good—don’t catch a chill, or your mother will blame me again…”

“Got it!”

Chris Clark nodded in agreement and stood up.

According to Matthew Harris, George Washington welcomed the emperor at the beginning of the year and then established the capital at Xuchang.

If memory serves, it was also this year that the Han dynasty changed the era name to ‘Jian’an’… The first year of Jian’an. I never expected to be reborn into the Three Kingdoms era, eighteen hundred years ago!

Ryan Clark returned to the house but didn’t lie down.

This simple adobe house was divided into two rooms, inner and outer. Because he had been unconscious before, he stayed in the inner room, while Chris Clark and his wife lived in the outer room so they could take care of Ryan Clark at any time. Overall, Chris Clark’s family wasn’t wealthy, but it couldn’t be said they had nothing at all.

Ordinary—just an ordinary family.

But Ryan Clark knew that in these turbulent times, probably no one could find peace.

Sooner or later, war would break out in Nanyang Commandery, and when that happened, Zhongyang Town would inevitably be affected by the flames of war, bringing disaster to the people.

In such a chaotic world, what can I do?

Ryan Clark stood inside the doorway of the small room, unconsciously clenching his fists, lost in thought…

Chapter 03: I Wish to Be Strong

Actually, during the more than ten days bedridden, Ryan Clark had thought about many things.

Deep down, he still felt some regret about being reborn in ancient times. Being betrayed by his best friend was like a thorn in his heart, making him very uncomfortable. But what could discomfort do? He couldn’t go back! This was a reality he couldn’t change.

All the experiences of his previous life had left Ryan Clark feeling exhausted.

Especially that sentence Eric Bennett said before pulling the trigger, which lingered in his mind for a long time: In your next life, don’t try to be a hero!

A hero?

It sounds glorious, but who knows the blood and tears behind it?

People often say, “Good people don’t get good rewards!” Ryan Clark didn’t believe it at first… but now, he had no choice but to believe. In the age of the economy, the Western wind gradually prevailed. The reform and opening up made China soar, but wasn’t it also a kind of decline? Ryan Clark was powerless to change anything and only wanted to do his best. But even so, he still ended up with a tragic fate… Thinking back, Ryan Clark would feel a faint sense of loss and an inexplicable fatigue.

Reborn in the first year of Jian’an, Ryan Clark had to make a choice!

Strictly speaking, the first year of Jian’an was not the Three Kingdoms, but the late Eastern Han, when warlords vied for supremacy.

George Washington had just begun to command the lords in the name of the emperor; Thomas Jefferson seemed not to have taken power yet; as for that Han imperial uncle, he didn’t seem to have been officially recognized.

It was still a chaotic world with an uncertain situation.

Maybe he could blend into this troubled era… but Ryan Clark knew very well that the Three Kingdoms had not yet emerged, but the tripartite balance of power was already faintly taking shape. Ryan Clark was only thirteen this year; wanting to join this game was already too late! He had missed the best opportunity to rise.

Since that’s the case, he could only rely on someone!

But who could he rely on?

Emotionally, Ryan Clark leaned toward Abraham Lincoln.

But rationally, Ryan Clark knew the best choice was George Washington.