“By the way, have you set out to capture Samuel Cooper's brother yet?”

　　Charles Morgan's voice was somewhat muffled. Chad Sullivan raised his voice, “Not yet. However, Commander, you shouldn't be joining forces with that old scoundrel Thomas Harris.”

　　Samuel Cooper fell from power, Thomas Harris was the mastermind, and Charles Morgan was the accomplice.

　　“Samuel Cooper pushed too hard...” A fierce look flashed in Charles Morgan's eyes. “Go quickly!”

　　Chad Sullivan gritted his teeth. “Da Ming will lose a virtuous minister, and the capital will gain another parasite. How absurd this world is!”

　　Chad Sullivan's temper could probably only be tolerated—and even appreciated—by Charles Morgan. Charles Morgan said coldly, “His Majesty asked about Samuel Cooper this morning. Also, His Majesty inquired again about Robert Bennett. The latter is even more valued by His Majesty, understand? If this matter isn't handled well, our Jinyiwei won't escape blame.”

　　Watching Chad Sullivan storm out, Charles Morgan held his forehead and lowered his head, muttering:

　　“If Samuel Cooper wants me dead, then how can I let him live!”

　　“If that nobleman turns out to be a parasite, all the better. As an imperial relative, only a parasite can live longer. I hope that James Bennett can eat and sleep well...”

　　……

Chapter 6 Only Maocai Is to Be Followed

　　The sound of weeping in the village had never ceased.

　　Inside the thatched hut, Robert Bennett and Chris Bolton sat facing each other.

　　It wasn't that Chris Bolton respected the talented, but that he had no choice.

　　Once the victory report reached Nanjing, those officials would surely celebrate. Amid their joy, they would also feel deeply ashamed.

　　With so many garrisons in Southern Zhili, they actually sat by while over a hundred Japanese pirates ran rampant. In the end, it took a convict-commander to defeat the pirates.

　　Damn it, how will the world view us in Southern Zhili?

　　How will they see us, the so-called dignitaries?

　　Wouldn't we look as stupid as pigs!

　　The nearest government troops to this village were from Chris Bolton's command.

　　And he would surely not escape blame.

　　So, he needed merit.

　　And the merit had to be confirmed by the commander of this battle—the handsome young man before him.

　　At this moment, Chris Bolton was very calm, waiting for his men to identify the severed heads.

　　If they were fake pirates, he could slam the table and protest.

　　If they were real pirates...

　　Then, the young man before him would be his benefactor.

　　By rights, as a convict, Robert Bennett should bow his head before this commandant. If not fawning, he should at least take the initiative to ease the atmosphere.

　　But Robert Bennett just sat there, as if his spirit had wandered elsewhere.

　　Truly worthy of being the James Bennett who dared to lead a dozen ragtag soldiers on the offensive... Chris Bolton secretly praised him.

　　But at this moment, Robert Bennett was bewildered.

　　On the great cauldron in his mind, the number—it had changed.

　　Beneath the mottled cloud patterns: 276.09 years.

　　Did it just increase by 0.09 years?

　　Just by killing a little over twenty pirates, the Ming dynasty's national fortune increased by 0.09 years.

　　If one day he stormed that little island, wouldn't the Ming's national fortune explode?

　　Robert Bennett was delighted, and was about to shift his attention elsewhere.

　　Suddenly, something new appeared in his mind.

　　What is this?

　　Robert Bennett stared at it for a while, cursing in disbelief: “Is this all I get?”

　　An increase of 0.09 years in national fortune—Robert Bennett thought it was too little and there would be no reward. But when the reward appeared, he was still dissatisfied.

　　—It was actually a slingshot.

　　0.09 years of Ming's national fortune, and all he got was a slingshot.

　　It really made Robert Bennett not know whether to laugh or cry.

　　But something is better than nothing, right?

　　He looked up and saw Chris Bolton glaring at him, and couldn't help but smirk inwardly.

　　Chris Bolton had arrived late with his troops and now needed merit to escape blame.

　　So, Robert Bennett remained silent.

　　The young guard standing behind him gripped his sword hilt, eyes sharp.

　　As for the ropes, earlier some fool had asked why Robert Bennett and his servant weren't tied up, and Chris Bolton had kicked him so hard he fell face-first.

　　“Mr. Jiang...” Chris Bolton cleared his throat, feeling that calling him 'Mister' was too polite. “What crime has James Bennett committed?”

　　He was just making conversation. Robert Bennett replied, “Murder.”

　　“Oh!” Chris Bolton thought, this kid looks frail, but turns out he's both scholarly and martial. Trying to get closer, he asked, “Who did you kill?”

　　“My cousin!”

　　This conversation couldn't go on.

　　Just then, the subordinate he had sent to check the heads appeared at the door, making Chris Bolton's heart skip a beat.

　　The subordinate gave a slight nod.

　　The look he gave Robert Bennett immediately changed.

　　Chris Bolton stood up. “James, stay seated. I’ll be right back.”

　　“Please, go ahead.” Robert Bennett nodded.

　　Watching Chris Bolton leave, George Foster said, “Young master, are three heads enough for merit?”

　　Robert Bennett nodded, then shook his head. “By rights, it should be enough. But those officials in Nanjing are no pushovers. If we don’t want to be manipulated, we’ll need to do more.”

　　“Do what?”

　　“Kill some more people, tie up the loose ends.”

　　“Commander Bolton is being very friendly to you, young master.”

　　“He wants to kill me and steal the credit.”

　　Robert Bennett took a sip of tea, frowning.

　　“Ah!” George Foster exclaimed. “That bastard.”

　　“Not surprising.” Robert Bennett chuckled. “But even if I gave him ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare.”

　　Outside the door, David Brooks appeared, holding a freshly roasted chicken, grinning as he came in.

　　“Sir, have some chicken to nourish yourself!”