William Harris personally helped him up.

“Grand Marshal Hall, right now among the military officials in the capital, you are the leader. I wish to defend Kaifeng to the death, but I have no strength to even truss a chicken, and cannot fight on the battlefield. The lives of a million people in the capital rest on your shoulders.” William Harris paused, “A minister can be disloyal, an official can be unkind, a son can be unfilial, a friend can be unrighteous... Grand Marshal Hall is a minister of the Song Dynasty, born and raised in Kaifeng, walking its streets, rising to prominence in the court. Beneath your feet is the land where you grew up, above your head is the blue sky of the Song Dynasty.”

William Harris stared at the trembling George Hall, and asked a soul-searching question, “Grand Marshal Hall, how do you intend to choose?”

George Hall fell to his knees again with a thud, tears streaming down his face.

“Your Majesty, this old minister has thought it through. I am a subject of the Song, a man of Kaifeng. If I cannot live and die with Kaifeng, then I am disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unrighteous! I would be worse than a pig or a dog! Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I am willing to fight the Jin invaders to the end, even if it costs me my old life, I will not hesitate!”

As he spoke, George Hall raised his head and continued, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Ethan Brooks sent someone to deliver a message, asking me to prepare troops to escort the Retired Emperor. He has most likely gone to King Todd, persuading him to lead the Shengjie Army to protect the Retired Emperor on his journey south. In my opinion, Your Majesty should make a prompt decision, or it may be too late for regrets!”

“You think Samuel Todd will listen to Ethan Brooks?” William Harris asked in a deep voice.

George Hall nodded vigorously and said, “I have two reasons. The Shengjie Army was selected and carefully trained by King Todd from the elite of the Western Army. In terms of combat strength, three thousand Shengjie troops are worth more than ten thousand Imperial Guards. If Your Majesty wishes to defend Kaifeng to the death, you cannot do without this force.” George Hall paused again, “The second reason is my own deduction. King Todd abandoned Taiyuan, and may not dare to fight to the death for the capital. He will most likely follow Ethan Brooks’s suggestion and escort the Retired Emperor south! Your Majesty can send someone to investigate. If I am wrong, I am willing to accept punishment!”

William Harris pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “No need to trouble yourself, I trust Grand Marshal Hall. What do you think we should do next?”

George Hall hadn’t expected such decisiveness, but being an old hand, he replied without hesitation, “Naturally, we must first seize command of the Shengjie Army, then take down Samuel Todd!”

“Who will seize command?”

“James Lewis!” George Hall explained, “Your Majesty, James Lewis’s father, Robert Lewis, is a veteran general of the Western Army and has fought alongside Samuel Todd. The entire Shengjie Army knows the The Lewis Family name. He is sure to succeed!”

William Harris glanced at James Lewis and saw that this young Palace Attendant was looking at him with eager anticipation.

“Good, let’s do it.”

William Harris agreed at once. With David Carter still not back, the worst must be prepared for.

“Grand Marshal Hall, select a team, and we’ll act immediately!” William Harris said decisively.

……

The first year of Jingkang, the night of the fourth day of the first lunar month!

Three carriages, dozens of guards, and the Longde Palace envoy Ethan Brooks were escorting the Retired Emperor Charles Harris, hurrying out. They were flustered and anxious, afraid someone would try to stop them.

Not far from the city, several warhorses galloped out of the dusk, led by none other than Samuel Todd!

“Oh, my King Todd, you’re finally here!”

Ethan Brooks hurried to greet him.

Samuel Todd ignored him, his gaze fixed on the carriage. “Where is the Retired Emperor?”

At this moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Charles Harris’s slightly weary face. He nodded at Samuel Todd, saying nothing—there was no need.

Samuel Todd finally relaxed. As long as the Retired Emperor was out, it was fine.

He turned his horse, ready to set off.

But Ethan Brooks hesitated, “King Todd, what about the Shengjie Army? Why didn’t you bring your men?”

Samuel Todd shot him a glare. This guy was full of schemes, but when it came to action, he was useless.

“You want me to bring troops in the middle of the night straight to Longde Palace? Is that to protect the Retired Emperor on his southern journey, or to commit treason? Do you want everyone to know?”

Ethan Brooks shrank his neck at the rebuke, not daring to say more.

Samuel Todd snorted, “I’ve already told them to wait at Tongjin Gate. As soon as the Retired Emperor’s carriage arrives, we’ll leave the city immediately!”

Ethan Brooks thought for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.

That was a good plan. Tongjin Gate was the city gate where the Bian River entered the capital, and there were boats there. Traveling south by boat would be much more comfortable than riding. No wonder Samuel Todd was a seasoned veteran—he was thorough.

What are we waiting for? Let’s go!

Taking advantage of the dusk, the group quickly headed for Tongjin Gate at an astonishing speed.

All along the way, Ethan Brooks was lost in pleasant thoughts. He had risked everything to urge Charles Harris to go south, not wanting to lose his power. Was it easy for him to get where he was?

Not to mention, even his own father had turned against him. He had finally become a man of great power, only for the Jurchens to invade and ruin everything. How could he be willing to accept that?

William Harris’s attitude toward him also made Ethan Brooks anxious and chilled to the bone. The emperor wasn’t just imprisoning the Retired Emperor—if it came to it, even if Charles Harris was really imprisoned, patricide would never happen in the Song Dynasty.

But for these old ministers, it was different.

For the sake of his life and power, he had to take a gamble.

William Harris, just you wait!

As soon as I reach Yingtian (Shangqiu), I’ll cut off the grain transport, leaving you trapped in Kaifeng with no supplies. Still want to resist the Jurchens? Dream on!

Ethan Brooks was still lost in his thoughts, not expecting Samuel Todd to suddenly rein in his horse. Decades of military experience had made Samuel Todd sense that something was wrong.