With reinforcements at his side, Captain of Lakeview became even more imposing. He questioned them in the tone of interrogating suspects: “Who are you people? Do you have any identification or travel documents?”

Ordinary commoners were simply a notch below officials—there was no way around it. Henry and Edward had no choice but to hand over their “ID cards” and “letters of introduction” for him to inspect once again.

Captain of Lakeview only glanced at them casually before sneering, “So you’re just two low-ranking soldiers heading to the county to serve, and yet you dare to challenge me on the road!”

He looked down on their humble status, raising his head and saying, “These thieves—are you really the ones who captured them?”

Edward replied, “Just so you know, Captain, the two of us worked together to apprehend them, and we were just about to take them to the county to hand over to the authorities.”

Captain of Lakeview’s eyes darted as he ordered someone to bring his two-foot wooden tablet and rope, speaking with full official airs: “As the head of this pavilion, it is my duty to pursue and capture thieves.”

He pointed at the three bound thieves nearby and said, “Since this case happened in my jurisdiction, it should be me who interrogates and escorts them. Aren’t you two heading to the county to serve? Be on your way, then. Leave these thieves to me…”

Henry and Edward exchanged glances, surprised by the pavilion head’s demand. Edward quickly leaned in to whisper in Henry’s ear, “This Captain of Lakeview must be trying to steal our credit—don’t agree! If he takes the thieves to the county himself, the reward of over twenty thousand coins will have nothing to do with us!”

Henry nodded, fully agreeing.

Qin’s system of generous rewards made competition for heads and merit extremely fierce. Back home, he’d often heard Big Brother Brian talk about how, on the battlefield, brothers-in-arms would sometimes draw blades against each other just to claim a single head! Let alone in peacetime. This Captain was clearly eyeing the three thieves—if they gave in, the huge reward would slip right through their fingers!

So Henry clasped his fists and said, “The county isn’t far from here. We can escort them ourselves—no need to trouble you, Captain.”

Edward chimed in, “That’s right, Captain, please head back! Just let that merchant come with us to the county as a witness.”

“Is this for you to decide?”

Captain of Lakeview’s face hardened, and he was about to get angry when his deputy, the short man with a bow and arrow named Robber, rolled his eyes and whispered something in his ear. Only then did Captain suppress his temper. After circling the three thieves, he said disdainfully, “The thieves are cunning and skilled in martial arts. You two alone managed to subdue them? I don’t believe it!”

At the same time, Robber signaled to the merchant. The merchant, being from Lakeview Pavilion, was familiar with both Captain and Robber, and immediately understood.

He pulled Henry and Edward aside and said to them, “Gentlemen, don’t be too greedy. Captain of Lakeview heard about the thieves and brought Robber and the pavilion guards all the way here. Even if they didn’t earn merit, they put in the effort—how can you let them make the trip for nothing?”

Henry replied coldly, “And what do you suggest?”

The merchant smiled, “There are three thieves anyway—why not split the credit with the pavilion’s people? Just say you caught them together. How about it?”

He had barely finished speaking when Edward cursed under his breath, “You ungrateful scoundrel! We saved you, and now you want to cheat us? Just now, Henry risked his life to fight and capture the thieves—why should we share the credit with anyone else? Don’t even think about it!”

Sprayed with Edward’s spit, the merchant could no longer play the good guy and slunk away in embarrassment.

With negotiations failed, Captain of Lakeview revealed his vicious side. With a wave of his hand, his men—Robber and the pavilion guards—advanced with weapons drawn, startling Edward: “What do you want?”

Captain of Lakeview said coldly, “Hand over the thieves! Leave now, or else…” As he spoke, he raised his wooden tablet and rope, clearly ready to use force.

Edward was a bit frightened. He looked back at Henry, hoping he would make a decision.

Henry remained calm, deep in thought about what to do.

Before leaving home, the honest Big Brother Brian had repeatedly warned him: when out in the world, always be patient and avoid quarrels or private fights, especially never offend officials with rank.

Although Captain of Lakeview was just a minor official, he was still an official. According to Qin law, if a commoner fought with an official—regardless of who was right—they would be punished. Once sentenced, your life was basically over.

But Captain of Lakeview’s arrogant attitude made Henry furious. Whether it was handing over the thieves or sharing the credit, he was unwilling to accept it.

What should he do? Henry was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, he saw a carriage slowly approaching on the road. The carriage was painted in black and red, drawn by one black and one white horse—wasn’t this the “doctor’s” carriage from the inn last night?

Henry’s eyes lit up.

“If you’re truly wronged, the best thing to do is report to the authorities!” This was what Big Brother had repeatedly told him. At this point, it was his only option.

He immediately seized the opportunity, suddenly breaking through the encirclement of Robber and the pavilion guards, darted out, and ran to the middle of the road, spreading his arms to stop the carriage!

Captain, the merchant, Edward, and the others were all stunned by this turn of events and didn’t react for a moment.

The coachman hadn’t expected anyone to block the road either. He hurriedly pulled the reins, and the carriage barely stopped a few feet in front of Henry. The coachman cursed loudly, “Where did this brat come from, daring to block the road? Do you know whose carriage this is?”