Charles Clark also finally understood that this elder of his, while perhaps somewhat capable in warfare, truly had no political strategy whatsoever. Such an unreliable rumor, combined with an eloquent and persuasive Benjamin Lee, had managed to completely fool his elder. Fortunately, the King of Zhao did not agree to it; otherwise, something truly disastrous would have happened.

Steven Hill realized what was going on and immediately felt deep regret. He hurriedly stood up and said, “I’ll return to Handan at once, find that Benjamin Lee, and kill him.”

At this point, Charles Clark, who had already moved past his period of confusion, was no longer so anxious. He calmly asked Steven Hill to sit down. “The root of this matter does not lie with Benjamin Lee. The reason the Qin people are doing this is because they fear General Lane, but do not fear me. The most important thing now is to ensure that His Lordship trusts General Lane and does not develop the idea of dismissing him.”

“Otherwise, even if I don’t go to replace General Lane, someone else will. In Zhao, only General Lane can stand against the Qin.”

Steven Hill was overjoyed and said, “You can rest assured on this point. His Lordship treats General Lane with the respect due to an elder. He will not remove General Lane from his position as general.”

If I hadn’t studied history, I really would have believed your nonsense! Charles Clark cursed inwardly. Noticing that Steven Hill wasn’t taking this matter seriously, for the first time he put on the airs of a Zhao noble and said earnestly, “I once heard a story: there was a man from the same hometown as Zengzi who had the same name and killed someone. Someone went to Zengzi’s mother and told her, ‘Zeng Shen has killed someone.’ Zengzi’s mother said, ‘My son would never kill anyone,’ and continued weaving as usual.”

“Then another person came to Zengzi’s mother and told her, ‘Zeng Shen has killed someone.’ Zengzi’s mother became a bit suspicious and stopped weaving. When a third person came and told her, ‘Zeng Shen has killed someone,’ Zengzi’s mother threw down her shuttle and climbed over the wall to escape.”

Steven Hill looked thoughtfully at Charles Clark, who continued, “Now, does His Lordship’s trust in General Lane compare to Zengzi’s mother’s trust in her son?”

“It does not.”

“And does General Lane’s reputation compare to Zengzi’s?”

“Also not.”

“Even with Zengzi’s reputation, his mother’s trust in him could not withstand rumors. So what can we expect regarding His Lordship and General Lane?”

Steven Hill stood up solemnly and bowed to Charles Clark. Charles Clark hurriedly stood up to avoid the deep bow. Steven Hill smiled and said, “I did not expect, Kuo, that you have matured to this extent. Perhaps, if you become general, you really could defeat the Qin. I will prevent these rumors from reaching His Lordship’s ears, and I will be sure to tell him what you have said.”

“Please do not tell His Lordship, lest he truly get the idea to use me to replace General Lane!” Charles Clark urged. Steven Hill nodded, then left the room. Charles Clark saw him to the door, where Grace was standing. Seeing him come out, Grace quickly stepped aside. Only then did Steven Hill remember his own business, and said to Charles Clark with displeasure, “When Lord Ma Fu was here, he often told me that only those who keep away from petty men and draw close to gentlemen can accomplish great things. Now you favor such a petty man, ignoring the worthy talents of your fellow townsmen—how do you explain this?”

Charles Clark was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”

“This man asked me for a bribe when I entered. That alone shows he is a petty man. But the gatekeeper at Ma Fu’s residence stopped my carriage and handled matters impartially, so I know he is a gentleman. I hope you will keep away from petty men and favor gentlemen like the gatekeeper.” With these instructions, Steven Hill got into his carriage. Charles Clark frowned, recalling the gatekeeper’s beaming smile and obsequious manner…

Could it be that our town’s gatekeeper has been replaced??

The way he usually acts, he really doesn’t seem like a gentleman. As Charles Clark was thinking this, Grace beside him knelt on the ground, head bowed in shame, and said, “I have disgraced you, Young Lord. I hope you will execute me.”

Charles Clark looked at him and sighed deeply. Over these days, he had come to see that among his subordinates, only Grace was truly capable. In receiving various guests and blocking bold imposters, Grace had played a major role, which was why Charles Clark put him in charge of reception. If he were gone… thinking of George’s proud and arrogant demeanor, Charles Clark still felt it was better to keep Grace.

“I do not blame you for your actions this time. But a person of virtue who loves wealth must obtain it by proper means. I hope you will remember this.”

Grace bowed deeply to Charles Clark again, his eyes red.

“I will remember. Because of your kindness to me, Young Lord, I am willing to die for you.”

Charles Clark smiled, helped him up, and returned to the courtyard. He did not know that, at this time, the willingness to die for one’s master was not just empty words.

During the reign of Duke Mu of Qin, he once held a banquet for his ministers. At the banquet, he said, “We are so happy together while alive—how wonderful it would be if we could be together after death as well.” As a result, Philip, Andrew, and Peter Sharp, these three ministers, said to him, “We are willing to die with you.” Later, when Duke Mu of Qin died, these three immediately committed suicide to join him in the afterlife.