“I heard your father say that war is a matter of life and death for soldiers, and must be observed with utmost care. Yet you speak of military affairs as if they are so easy and simple. In the future, if Zhao does not appoint you as a general, so be it. But if you are truly used, and Zhao is destroyed, it will certainly be because of you.” Mrs. Clark spoke, then glanced at Charles Clark, and fell silent, waiting for Charles Clark to argue back.

“Respected Lady, I understand.” Charles Clark said earnestly.

Mrs. Clark was taken aback. She had prepared many words, but now found herself unable to continue. She said, “The Qin people fear Lian Po and want to replace him with you, then use that to defeat Zhao. That is why Zhao Yiren wants to assassinate you—to make you arrogant. I heard from George that many people in Handan are talking about you, and your reputation is growing. Why is this happening? This is all part of the Qin’s scheme.”

Charles Clark nodded. “Respected Lady, is such a simple scheme really something no one in Zhao can see through?”

“When Qin and Zhao are at war, your affairs are as insignificant to Zhao as a drop of water in a great river. It’s not that Zhao lacks wise men, but that their attention is not on you. When your reputation is gradually built up, they will surely bribe petty men to persuade the ruler to appoint you as general. At that time, if you are not up to the task, I too will be implicated.”

“I understand, Respected Lady. I will not become a general.” Charles Clark replied.

But Mrs. Clark smiled gently, reaching out to caress Charles Clark’s face. “Kuo, I have never heard of a general under thirty. You have studied the art of war thoroughly, and among your peers you have no equal. When you are older and more mature, I will let you serve as an officer in Zhao, so you can put your learning to use. After another ten years, you will surely surpass your father as a general, and there will be no rival for you in the world.”

“What you say is true, Respected Lady.” Charles Clark smiled, but inwardly disagreed. No rival in the world?? There’s still Bai Qi now, in a few years there will be Li Mu, and in a few decades there will be Wang Jian. Competing with these monsters for the title of greatest general at the end of the Warring States? Heh, as long as you’re happy, Respected Lady.

Mrs. Clark was indeed very happy. She had thought it would be hard to persuade this son who had inherited his father’s stubbornness, but it seemed her son had finally grown up. Then, as usual, she reminisced about Zhao She. This time, Charles Clark did not leave impatiently, but sat quietly, listening to his mother’s memories.

“When I served your father, he had just become a general of Zhao. There were dozens who personally served him his meals, and hundreds he considered friends. All the rewards from the ruler and princes he distributed to the officers and subordinates. From the day he received his military orders, he no longer concerned himself with family matters. That is what a general should do. Kuo, if you ever command troops, do not forget this.”

Mrs. Clark was elderly, and after a short while she grew tired and needed to lie down and rest. Charles Clark helped her onto the couch, then took his leave. Mrs. Clark did not ask him to stay, but held Charles Clark’s hand and exhorted, “Kuo, when you return, don’t just think about reading. You must go out and look around, observe the terrain in different places, and think about how to deploy troops there. Reading so many books is not as good as seeing for yourself.”

When he left the courtyard, George had already prepared the carriage as usual. George stood beside the thin horse, stroking its neck. When he saw Charles Clark, he said nothing, but jumped straight onto the driver’s seat. Charles Clark boarded the carriage, which then wobbled off. George’s driving skills were poor; in Charles Clark’s opinion, he was not a qualified driver, and the ride was so rough that he nearly vomited up his earlier meal.

“That Ying Yiren is not someone who can be a friend. When he came to Zhao, he used Zhao’s language and wore Zhao’s clothes, because he has great ambitions. But when he wore Qin attire to assassinate the young lord, he must have had ulterior motives. I know the young lord likes to befriend petty men, but getting too close to this person will surely bring disaster to the family! If he comes to visit again, I hope the young lord will kill him.”

George spoke bluntly, while Charles Clark remained silent.

George wanted to say more, but in the end only sighed deeply and said nothing further.

When the carriage returned to Mafou, the gatekeeper opened the door quickly as usual. Charles Clark nodded to him, and the gatekeeper was overjoyed, revealing his uneven yellow teeth as he watched Charles Clark head to his residence. Before reaching the courtyard, George stopped the carriage. Charles Clark stumbled backward, nearly falling out, and was about to curse when he suddenly froze.

In front of his courtyard, at some unknown time, a large crowd had gathered—over a dozen people, many with short swords at their waists, making a great commotion.

“Lord Zhao!” someone suddenly shouted in the direction of the carriage. Instantly, the group cried out and rushed toward the carriage. Charles Clark was startled, and before he could speak, George leapt from the carriage, drew his short sword, and stood guard in front.

“Anyone who comes within five steps dies!”

George roared, his long beard quivering.

Chapter 005: Please Behead Me