“I want to ask you to promise me: if one day I stand in the way of your great ambitions, you must kill me. I do not wish for someone like you to delay your aspirations because of personal feelings. Please, promise me.” The elder said earnestly.

Edward Young clenched his fists, his whole body trembling, teeth gritted.

“Very well... I promise.”

“Then next, how can we get the King of Zhao to appoint Charles Clark?” Edward Young asked solemnly.

Chapter 006: The World Has Suffered Under Qin for Too Long

The village of Mafuxiang around Handan is quite unremarkable. Whether it’s Fanwu to the south of Handan, Lieren to the northeast, or Wucheng Pingyang by the Great Wall, all are far more prosperous than Mafu. Mafu has too few registered households, which has become a major factor limiting its development. As a prominent figure in Mafuxiang, this gatekeeper also has a rather elegant name—he is a descendant of the Zhao clan, named Qusi.

The word “Qu” means “to distance from.” It’s said that when he was born, he showed signs of early death, so his parents gave him this name, hoping he would stay far from death.

At this moment, the Doomed stood at the main gate of Mafuxiang, gazing into the distance, with a young village official by his side.

“Lord Zhao, another carriage has arrived.”

Clark the Doomed did not reply, but carefully observed the distant carriage. Suddenly, he shouted, “Open the gate quickly!” The young official hurried to open the gate. Clark the Doomed was already standing by the roadside, a smile plastered on his face, bowing in greeting to the carriage. The official stood behind him, imitating his manner, also bowing in welcome. The carriage sped past, and a well-dressed scholar glanced at the Doomed beside him, saying nothing.

Once the carriage entered the village, the young official closed the gate again, already panting from exhaustion. “Lord Zhao, why have so many carriages come to Mafu lately?”

the Doomed stroked his long beard and said proudly, “I’ve heard that the phoenix made the parasol tree famous, and now the virtuous reputation of Mafuzi is on everyone’s lips in the city. Naturally, many carriages come to Mafu. I have stayed in Mafu for years, and the last time I saw such a scene was when Lord Mafu was still alive.” He was about to say more when another carriage appeared in the distance.

Before the Doomed could give orders, the official was about to open the gate, but Clark the Doomed said sternly, “Stop! Do not open the gate.”

The official was startled, but obediently stood aside.

The carriage approached slowly. This carriage was even more exquisite than the previous one, and the driver was a mighty warrior. Kneeling in the carriage was a dignified high minister. The official’s legs went weak, looking at the Doomed in confusion. the Doomed now wore a solemn expression. In the months the official had been here, he had never seen him like this. Clark the Doomed frowned and strode powerfully to the front of the carriage, blocking its way.

“I know that someone of humble status should not block a noble’s carriage, but this is precisely the duty of someone like me. I hope for your forgiveness,” Clark the Doomed said, bowing.

Hearing Clark the Doomed’s words, the high minister was not angry; instead, he nodded approvingly. The driver stepped forward and explained the man’s identity and reason for coming. After confirming several times, Clark the Doomed finally opened the gate and let the high minister enter the village.

After the carriage entered Mafu, the official pulled Clark the Doomed aside and asked seriously, “Why did you treat the two carriages differently, Lord Zhao?”

Clark the Doomed looked around, then explained in a low voice, “The first nobleman is called Handan Zao, son of the magistrate of Handan. He is an arrogant and conceited petty man. With such people, the more respect you show, the less trouble they’ll give you. The second nobleman is called Xu Li, who once fought alongside Lord Mafu. He is an upright gentleman. With such a man, if you flatter him too much, you’ll only displease him.”

The official suddenly understood, but still asked, “But how did you recognize them?”

Clark the Doomed just smiled and did not explain further.

……

A house thronged with visitors—Charles Clark truly understood the meaning of this idiom for the first time. It had been more than ten days since the assassination attempt by Edward Young. During this time, Charles Clark had not had a single day of leisure. Charles Clark did not know how much money those Qin people eager for victory had spent to spread his fame, but in any case, more and more people came to visit him these days. At first, they were all admirers, hoping to become his retainers.

Thinking that since he had already accepted a group, taking in more wouldn’t hurt, Charles Clark welcomed all comers. There was no need to worry about money; for these retainers, if you let them eat with you, reward them with meat, fine swords, and beautiful clothes, they would be satisfied. Simply giving them money would be an insult. In just a few days, Charles Clark had figured out the ways of the warriors of this era.