Charles Harris was not yet fifty, strong and tall, with a long beard and fair, delicate skin... If it weren’t for the recent Jin invasion and the stress that came with it, he wouldn’t even have crow’s feet or dark circles under his eyes. No wonder he still had the energy to visit the Yuxiang Pavilion every day!

But since last December, Charles Harris hadn’t had the mind for any frivolous matters. He had only one thought: how to stay alive!

That’s right, from Samuel Todd’s mouth, Charles Harris had learned of the terror of the Jurchens—they were simply not human, but a horde of demons and fiends. There was no way to win a war against them, not in this lifetime. The only way to survive was to shirk responsibility and pass the buck.

He had already abdicated the throne. As for what to do next, he still needed to discuss it carefully with Ethan Brooks, who always had the most crafty ideas.

But who could have expected that his son William Harris would actually show up!

What are you doing here, barging in uninvited!

“Your Majesty, at this critical moment when the nation is in turmoil, you should put state affairs first. If there’s nothing urgent, there’s no need to come to Longde Palace.”

He issued a direct order to leave—truly showing no regard for father-son affection!

If it had been the old William Harris, he might have been somewhat intimidated.

But the current William Harris was utterly fearless... After all, in his previous life, he had worked his way up to management in a publicly listed company worth tens of billions, relying on his own efforts, witnessing countless business battles, and even fighting lawsuits against the commerce department of a major country for years—and damn it, he won!

With just one company, he had taken on a superpower.

Although William Harris was just an ordinary participant, it gave him a deep understanding of what true courage was.

Most importantly, the person he was facing was the ultimate coward, Charles Harris!

If he didn’t even have this bit of courage, he might as well just wait obediently for the Jurchens to come and capture him.

“Retired Emperor, just now Prime Minister Brooks said that Franklin Lane’s army has collapsed and the Jurchens are approaching Kaifeng. This is no small matter. As the Emperor of the Song, shouldn’t you be concerned about military and national affairs?” William Harris showed no fear, even smiling as he looked at Charles Harris. “If the Retired Emperor has a brilliant plan to repel the enemy, that would be ideal.”

Smack!

Charles Harris’s old face instantly turned red, then ashen, then pale... He had no good ideas—if he did, he wouldn’t have handed over the throne.

But this unfilial son was truly infuriating. Don’t think that just because you’re emperor now, you can challenge your father. This Song dynasty is still mine! It’s not your place to question me!

But the current situation was just too dire. Franklin Lane, that useless servant, had actually lost! He had to make plans early, or his old life would be lost in Kaifeng!

Thinking of this, Charles Harris suddenly forced a laugh and said, “You are now the Emperor of Song; military and national affairs are naturally your responsibility. I have retired to Longde Palace and am just a peaceful recluse. Calling Ethan Brooks over is just for a casual chat, nothing more!”

Hearing this, Ethan Brooks couldn’t help but give Charles Harris a thumbs up.

Well done!

This move to pass the buck was truly masterful.

Ethan Brooks quickly added, “Your Majesty, I also wish to share your burdens, but I am solely responsible for serving at Longde Palace, attending only to the Retired Emperor, and just making idle conversation.”

He had completely forgotten that he had just told William Harris he was here to report military affairs. In truth, neither he nor Charles Harris took William Harris seriously, thinking a few words would be enough to send him away.

You’re a newly crowned emperor—do you really dare to argue with the Retired Emperor?

But to their surprise, William Harris just smiled, “Retired Emperor, the Jurchens are marching south with over a hundred thousand troops. The Song is in grave danger, and the people are suffering. I believe this is the darkest hour since the founding of the Song. Every Song subject, from the emperor to the commoner, is not exempt.”

“Therefore, from the moment the Jurchens invaded, regardless of north or south, old or young, everyone has the duty to defend the land and the nation! The Song is vast, but right now, we stand in Kaifeng with no way to retreat! The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen!”

As William Harris spoke, he couldn’t help but clench his fist and wave it forcefully, as if countless heroic spirits possessed him, as if divinely inspired.

“My mind is made up. Facing the Jurchens, I will not retreat a single step—no negotiations, no compromise. The emperor will defend the capital, the king will die for the nation! Other than victory, I have no other choice! I will fight the Jurchens in Kaifeng, at the Yellow River, in the fields, at the city gates... until the Jurchens are completely subdued, or I will never stop fighting!”

William Harris’s righteous spirit was stirring and impassioned. But to Charles Harris and Ethan Brooks, there was only one thought: this guy is crazy!

Even with a plate of edamame, you couldn’t drink like this.

Can’t you be a bit more realistic?

Right now, the Jurchens are advancing unchecked, and the Song is on the brink of disaster. If it weren’t for a bunch of clueless students making a fuss, we would have negotiated peace long ago.

And now, William Harris is even crazier than those students.

He even wants to make the Jurchens submit—stop dreaming, will you?

Charles Harris’s face was dark. Not only did he hear William Harris’s madness, but he also caught the hidden barbs in his words—almost every sentence was mocking his own cowardice.

Truly, the wings have hardened!

“Since you are confident, then go ahead and do as you wish. Why come here to waste words with me, a man devoted to the Dao?” Charles Harris privately liked to call himself the Grand Master Daoist, which says a lot about his taste.