Albert Howard scolded him with a laugh, “Quickly recite your poem of ambition—if it’s good, I’ll reward you!”

“Then this grandson will do his humble best!”

William focused his thoughts for a moment, then slowly recited:

“Beacon fires light up the Western Capital, unrest fills my heart.

With jade badge, I leave the Phoenix Palace, iron cavalry encircle Dragon City.

Snow darkens the painted banners, the wind carries a mix of drumbeats.

Better to be a centurion than a mere scholar.”

“Excellent!”

Thomas Harris couldn’t help but exclaim loudly, “What a line—‘Better to be a centurion than a mere scholar!’”

He was extremely pleased and turned to ask Albert Howard, “Prime Minister Gao, what do you think of this poem?”

Albert Howard was deep in thought. He found it hard to believe that a five-year-old child could compose such a poem. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall ever reading it before, so it shouldn’t be plagiarized. Of course, he couldn’t know that this poem would actually be written decades later by the Tang dynasty poet Yang Jiong.

At last, a faint wry smile appeared on Albert Howard’s face. He could sense Thomas Harris’s pride. Gently stroking William’s little head, he sighed softly, “A true prodigy!”

He squatted down, pressing William’s tender shoulders, gazing into his eyes, and said, “You are a genius, a beautiful jade that should be carved by a master craftsman. My Gao family of Bohai is a renowned noble house. My elder brother Simon Howard is a great Confucian scholar famed throughout the land. I will have him accept you as his last disciple. What do you think?”

Thomas Harris saw that Albert Howard was finally won over by his grandson’s talent and was overjoyed. To become the last disciple of the famous scholar Simon Howard would be no small honor. He was about to agree on William’s behalf when he noticed Raymond Ford frantically signaling him not to accept. Though he didn’t know the reason, Thomas Harris had always trusted Raymond Ford, so he changed his mind and smiled, “William, follow your own wishes—don’t force yourself.”

William could tell his grandfather wanted him to refuse, and he himself was unwilling, so he slowly shook his head. “I don’t want to study literature. I want to learn martial arts!”

Albert Howard felt that William had more potential in literary pursuits. For someone so young to compose such grand verses—if properly nurtured, he could become a pillar of the Sui dynasty. He also sensed Thomas Harris’s reluctance to have William study literature under him, but Albert Howard still wanted to try persuading him. He coaxed, “Why must you learn martial arts? Now that the realm is unified and everything is being rebuilt, studying literature will better enable you to assist the emperor and govern the country. Isn’t that a better way to fulfill your ambitions?”

William still shook his head firmly. “My ambition is to be a centurion rather than a mere scholar. The Turks are not yet defeated, the Western Regions not yet taken—how can you say the world is at peace, Prime Minister?”

Albert Howard was stunned. After a long while, he sighed deeply, “I, Albert Howard, have assisted the emperor for fourteen years and am hailed as the foremost founding prime minister, yet my insight is not equal to that of a five-year-old child. How shameful!”

Thomas Harris secretly admired him—neither servile nor overbearing, bold and courageous, daring even to rebuke the prime minister. This was truly his grandson. He felt both regret and relief: regret that he had been so blind as not to realize he had such an outstanding grandson, and relief that he had discovered it in time to nurture him well.

At this moment, Thomas Harris also fully accepted William—this grandson would surely become the hope of the Yang family in the future.

Volume One: A Boy of the Yang Family Comes of Age

Chapter Ten: Who Is the Master?

Albert Howard, full of emotion and regret, took his leave. Thomas Harris saw him out the gate and returned to the study, where only Raymond Ford and William remained. Thomas Harris immediately asked Raymond Ford, “Sir, why did you just now stop me from accepting Prime Minister Gao’s offer?”

William sat on a small stool nearby, also curious why Raymond Ford didn’t want Thomas Harris to agree to him apprenticing under Albert Howard’s brother. He knew it wasn’t simply because he wanted to learn martial arts—there must be another reason.

Raymond Ford gave a sly smile and asked Thomas Harris in return, “In your opinion, after His Majesty’s hundred years are over and the Crown Prince ascends the throne, who will be appointed as Left Prime Minister?”

Thomas Harris thought for a moment and said, “At that time, Albert Howard will be the emperor’s father-in-law, so naturally he will be the Left Prime Minister!”

Suddenly, Thomas Harris understood Raymond Ford’s meaning. When Yang Yong ascended the throne, he would surely continue to favor Albert Howard, leaving Thomas Harris with no chance to rise. But… what did this have to do with William?

Raymond Ford smiled faintly. “William is the Yang family’s precious jade, your hope for the future. How could you let him become a disciple of the Gao family?”

William couldn’t help but admire Raymond Ford’s ability to read people’s hearts—he had seen through the rivalry between Thomas Harris and Albert Howard.

At that moment, William suddenly had an epiphany: in history, one reason Thomas Harris wholeheartedly supported Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was his desire to replace Albert Howard. Since Albert Howard had already become in-laws with Crown Prince Yang Yong, Thomas Harris had no more opportunities to invest in Yang Yong, so he turned to support Yang Guang instead.

Perhaps the root of Thomas Harris’s thinking began with this very remark from Raymond Ford.

This is the randomness and inevitability of history. Without Thomas Harris’s support, Yang Guang could never have ascended the throne, and without Yang Guang’s accession, the Li Tang dynasty would never have arisen.

Thomas Harris slowly nodded. “You are right, absolutely right. I really can’t let William become a disciple of the Gao family. I almost lost sight of this for a moment—thank you for the reminder, sir.”

He glanced at William again, affectionately patting his little head. “It seems Grandfather must find you another master.”

Raymond Ford saw how much Thomas Harris valued William and thought to himself, “I must put in extra effort with this child.”

Raymond Ford then smiled and suggested, “Prime Minister, I know someone—though only a low-ranking officer, his martial skills are exceptional and his courage outstanding. I recommend him as a master for William.”