Edward Brooks didn’t want to talk too much... After all, he had only been reincarnated for ten days, and most of his understanding of this era came from the fragmented memories left by the original owner of this body. If he said something inappropriate, wouldn’t that just invite unnecessary trouble? That’s precisely why Edward Brooks was unwilling to stay long.

Just then, someone suddenly shouted, “Little Ethan, why are you still here chatting with people?”

Edward Brooks was startled and quickly turned around to look.

He saw two patrolmen walking along the riverbank, waving at Edward Brooks from afar.

Volume One, Sixth Year of Xuanhe, Chapter 002 Little Edward (Part Two)

In the alleys of Kaifeng Prefecture, there was a military patrol post every three hundred or so steps. Each patrol post had five patrolmen, responsible for night patrols, detaining criminals, and other duties. Their role was somewhat similar to community police officers in later generations. Every patrolman had his own patrol area and was responsible for maintaining local security.

These two patrolmen, the tall one was named Sam Miller, and the short one was named Louis Johnson.

Edward Brooks actually recognized them. Ten days ago, when he was reincarnated, it was these two who found him. It was said that Sam Miller and Louis Johnson had some friendship with Edward Brooks in daily life, and they were the first to send him home.

Edward Brooks quickly cupped his hands in salute to Ethan Brooks and William Thompson, then hurried forward to meet them.

“Second Brother Johnson, Sam Miller, what can I do for you?”

Louis Johnson quickly said, “Little Ethan, something happened at your home, why are you still hanging around here? I just passed by your house and saw that Guo Jing, that scoundrel, was leading people to your place, saying he wanted to collect a debt from you. Why don’t you hurry back? Mrs. Johnson is home alone, and Guo Jing is a real rascal—better not let trouble happen.”

When Edward Brooks heard this, he immediately became anxious.

“Thank you, Second Brother, I’ll go back right away.”

With that, he took off at a run.

Louis Johnson and Sam Miller exchanged a glance, gently shook their heads, and sighed softly.

“Little Ethan may be unreliable, but he’s still loyal. Hopefully this matter can be resolved smoothly, or else there’ll be trouble.”

After saying this, the two followed closely behind Edward Brooks.

But then someone called from behind, “Please wait, officers.”

Louis Johnson stopped and turned around.

He saw Ethan Brooks and William Thompson coming over, so he and Sam Miller quickly cupped their hands in a respectful salute.

Although the two were officers, Ethan Brooks and William Thompson were both former students of the Imperial Academy, far above them in status.

Ethan Brooks said, “Why did Mr. Edward leave in such a hurry?”

“Sir, do you mean Little Edward?”

“Ah... yes, exactly.”

In the Northern Song, the eldest in a family was often called ‘Da’ or ‘Yi’. Sometimes, since ‘Yi’ and ‘乙’ sound the same, he would also be called Ethan. The most notable example is Yan Qing the Wanderer from Water Margin. He was the eldest, so he was called ‘Little Ethan’.

Edward Brooks was the only son in his family, and also the eldest.

So those who knew him well mostly called him ‘Ethan’.

Louis Johnson was puzzled: Ethan idled around all day, how did he know such important people from the Imperial Academy?

But he didn’t dare ask, and quickly replied, “Something happened at Little Ethan’s home, so he rushed back.”

“Oh?”

Ethan Brooks and William Thompson exchanged a glance, then suddenly asked, “Officer, do you know where Little Edward lives?”

“Of course I do... Ethan’s family has lived in Kaifeng for five generations, in the ancestral house next to Guanyin Temple.”

“Then could you take us there?”

“Since you gentlemen have asked, how could I refuse?”

Louis Johnson quickly agreed, and led Ethan Brooks and William Thompson toward Guanyin Temple.

On the way, Ethan Brooks asked, “Officer...”

“Please, sirs, don’t call us that, it’s too much for us. My name is Louis Johnson, this is my brother Sam Miller, and we both work at the patrol post on East Panlou Street. If you don’t mind, just call me Second Johnson. I really can’t accept being called ‘officer’.”

Ethan Brooks immediately laughed.

“Then, Second Johnson, do you know what Little Edward does?”

Louis Johnson said, “You gentlemen don’t know what Little Edward does?”

“What is it?”

“Ethan’s father was a first-class Neidengzi.

Ten years ago, when the Liao envoys came, they set up a sumo wrestling challenge. Father Edward was ordered to compete, and won twelve matches in a row, but was finally tricked by the Liao people. At that time, Ethan was only twelve, crying and shouting to avenge Father Edward. Luckily, Coach Johnson took him in and even won back the family’s meat stall under the Baifan Tower.”

Song people loved sumo wrestling.

But their sumo was a bit different from the Japanese sumo of later times.

Neidengzi was the title for royal sumo wrestlers. There were only 120 Neidengzi in the entire Northern Song royal family, showing how prestigious the position was. Neidengzi were divided into three ranks, with first-class being the highest and third-class the lowest.

Below Neidengzi, there were nine ranks of strongmen.

Ethan Brooks was surprised when he heard this, and blurted out, “Are you talking about Frank Brooks?”

“You know Father Edward too, sir?”

Sam Miller chimed in, with a hint of pride in his voice. Both Sam Miller and Louis Johnson lived near Guanyin Temple, so they were neighbors with Edward Brooks. Knowing that even Imperial Academy students had heard of Father Edward, the two felt quite honored.

Ethan Brooks and William Thompson exchanged a glance, secretly astonished.