"Could it be Andrew Bennett, the Grand Councilor?" But then, on second thought, Thomas Foster pondered further—there really was a rather famous Grand Councilor surnamed Wang in the Song Dynasty. Moreover, among the somewhat cultured people of the Song, it was customary not to address someone by their given name in person, but by their courtesy name. Just like referring to oneself—not as Charles Bennett, but as John Bennett.

With this realization, Thomas Foster broke out in a cold sweat again. This Grand Councilor Wang was quite formidable; even by the Southern Song period, whenever the court’s institutional issues were discussed, more than half the officials would think of this predecessor—he was none other than Andrew Bennett.

Of course, the purpose of recalling him was not to praise or commend, but to curse and denounce. Most Southern Song officials blamed him for the near downfall of the Song Dynasty, and even attributed many of the Southern Song court’s problems to this famously stubborn minister.

Thomas Foster didn’t know much about this historical figure, Andrew Bennett—just that he was a politician, reformer, and man of letters... He’d even studied his poems and essays in school. Unfortunately, he’d returned all of it to the teacher before graduating, and couldn’t recall a single one.

Later generations’ public opinion tended to praise him, and his reforms were lauded as well—as if without him, the Song Dynasty would have perished a hundred years earlier.

Along the way, his opponents like Sima Guang were all trampled upon, labeled as conservative elements of the feudal dynasty, unable to keep up with the times and hindering the development of the workforce, and so on.

Thomas Foster hadn’t really looked into these things carefully. Why? Because he didn’t believe them. Later generations’ evaluations of the ancients were often heavily colored by politics—in other words, whenever a certain public opinion was needed, someone would be plucked from history, their flaws glossed over and their virtues highlighted, to attack political enemies and, incidentally, set up a role model for everyone.

"It is indeed I. Does the Commandant have any advice?" Although Andrew Bennett wore a slight smile, his reply was stiff. It seemed that at least one thing in the history books was true: this Grand Councilor had a strange personality, and with his lofty status, he couldn’t even be bothered to feign politeness.

"I do, in fact. Why don’t we find a place to sit and talk in detail?" Seeing Andrew Bennett’s demeanor, Thomas Foster actually felt a bit more at ease. He wasn’t afraid of people with strong personalities; on the contrary, if someone showed no personality at all and spoke with perfect propriety, that was someone to avoid at all costs.

The best way to deal with someone with a strong personality is to have a bit of one yourself. If he doesn’t fit in with those around him, and you don’t either, what’s that called? That’s called being kindred spirits! And if you can exchange and even clash over some ideas, that’s mutual appreciation.

Thomas Foster didn’t really want to get too close to this ill-fated reformer. Never mind a short-lived Grand Councilor—even an emperor couldn’t change the fate of a prince consort. On the contrary, this Grand Councilor seemed to have made plenty of enemies; standing by his side would surely make Thomas Foster a human shield.

But if you want to learn about every detail of this era as quickly and thoroughly as possible, who could be more suitable than a sitting Grand Councilor? Whether it’s domestic or foreign affairs, Andrew Bennett would certainly know the most—no one else comes close. Asking him is more authoritative than asking anyone, even the emperor.

Now, Thomas Foster wasn’t afraid of anyone gossiping, because he was a madman—he could associate with whomever he pleased. The Censorate and the remonstrance officials surely wouldn’t bother to gossip about a powerless, crazy prince consort.

"Oh? Excellent! Bóshí, lead the way. I really do want to hear what the Commandant has to say!" As expected, when Andrew Bennett heard Charles Bennett respond so bluntly, not only was he not annoyed, he seemed quite excited, urging Leonard Thompson to quickly find a place.

"Greetings, Grand Councilor..."

"No need for formalities, Princess..." It was only when the three turned their horses that the princess and Andrew Bennett formally met. This stubborn Grand Councilor really didn’t know how to behave—he actually waited for the princess to salute first before casually waving his hand, as if the princess were just a puff of air.

"Don’t mind him. Just watch how I’ll get revenge for you in a bit!" Women in the Song Dynasty didn’t have low status, but Thomas Foster wasn’t sure if Andrew Bennett’s treatment of the princess was normal. In his mind, though, it seemed off and deserved a response.

"Don’t be reckless, my lord. The Grand Councilor is a high official of the court—even if my elder brother were here, he should treat him with respect."

The princess wasn’t actually upset, but after hearing her husband’s words, she became a bit anxious, tugging at Charles Bennett’s sleeve, afraid her troublesome husband would cause another scene.

"Don’t worry, I know my limits..." Of course, Thomas Foster wouldn’t openly challenge Andrew Bennett. Whatever revenge he had in mind, he wouldn’t tell the princess. He just winked at her, then spurred his horse to catch up with those two good-for-nothings ahead. At the mention of food, their walking horses nearly turned into galloping ones.

They say Andrew Bennett was incorruptible, but Thomas Foster really didn’t think so. Sure, he dressed rather casually, his half-new Daoist robe full of wrinkles—definitely not expensive clothing.

But he was certainly no stranger to the restaurants of Bianliang. He kept his horse half a length ahead, leading the group from the west corner tower of the imperial city toward the east, cutting straight across the palace grounds.

Along the way, Thomas Foster hardly stopped talking, constantly asking what this place was or that place was. Usually, Leonard Thompson answered, though Andrew Bennett would occasionally chime in.

To be honest, the location of the Prince Consort’s residence was really quite remote. This trip basically took them from the northwest corner of the inner city, around the imperial city, to the northeast corner of the inner city—a full half circle.