David Thompson was also stunned—Deputy Commander! From bannerman, skipping over the Red Bannerman rank, directly promoted to Deputy Commander! He hadn’t expected this at all...

  “Ah Xiu, do you understand the significance of Emily Harris specially promoting you to Deputy Commander by skipping ranks this time?” Paul Smith’s expression was grave, showing none of the joy a subordinate should display after being promoted.

  “Reporting to sir, I understand.”

  “Oh?”

  David Thompson’s expression was equally solemn: “This means that from now on, I can, just like you, find a beautiful woman to be my secretary for eye candy, stash liquor in the office, and never have to worry about the Inspection Office making a fuss again!”

  “Idiot, use your brain! Look carefully at the order—it was issued by the Chief Commander Emily Harris!”

  “So then...”

  “You should know better than I do what kind of person he is, right?”

  David Thompson recited fluently: “Our respected Chief Commander Emily Harris is naturally wise and decisive in official matters, exceptionally brilliant, farsighted; in private virtue, he is of high moral character and reliable, treats his subordinates kindly and amiably, is strict with himself and lenient with others, serves the Grand Chief with unwavering loyalty, and, even more rare, is completely selfless, thinking only of the greater good of the family, and is deeply loved by all the officers and soldiers. In terms of benevolence, wisdom, or courage, he is a model for us Thompson soldiers, someone I admire immensely! Heaven has bestowed our family with such great talent; may the gods grant him eternal life, which would be a tremendous blessing for the entire clan...”

  Paul Smith interrupted him: “Enough. There are no ‘ears’ here. You can speak freely.”

  David Thompson once again showed that most innocent smile: “Why do you say that, Lord Paul Smith? Everything I just said was from the bottom of my heart. Please believe in my sincere admiration for the Chief Commander...”

  Paul Smith stared at him, as if trying to find even a trace of falsehood in that smile—“David Thompson’s smile” later became a widely used metaphor, usually referring to people like fake goods salesmen or insurance agents.

  As always, Paul Smith found nothing.

  “You haven’t forgotten what happened seven years ago, have you?”

  In the imperial year 771, March, the Liufeng family launched a major offensive against the Thompson family. While their main army advanced on the front, a detachment of the Liufeng family’s troops took a neutral route through the Lin family’s territory, bypassed the border army’s defenses, and suddenly appeared outside the imperial capital.

  The previous Grand Chief of the Thompson family, William Thompson, believed the Liufeng army had advanced too far and couldn’t have strong forces. Without waiting for reinforcements, he mobilized the central army and imperial guards in the capital to attack, but fell into an ambush. The central army and imperial guards were almost completely wiped out, with over eighty thousand casualties, and William Thompson was gravely wounded. Only then did the Thompson family realize that the raiding force was led by Liufeng Xishan, the cunning and resourceful first heir of the Liufeng family, with a force of 130,000!

  Liufeng Xishan, thinking victory was assured, was in no hurry to attack the heavily fortified capital. He split off 50,000 troops to flank the border army, leaving 50,000 infantry to besiege and attack the capital. At this time, the family’s Far East Army was locked in a critical battle with the demon clan, and both the border army and Black Banner Army were pinned down by the Liufeng forces, unable to move. Inside the capital, there were almost no usable troops or commanders, no reinforcements outside, and panic reigned—everyone thought the family’s destruction was imminent.

  At that time, David Thompson, still a cadet at the Far East Military Academy, used the excuse of “field training” and, with the tacit approval of the Far East Army Commander George Evans (who was also the academy’s principal), led a team of 800 cavalry cadets back to the capital, arriving just in time to see his foster father William Thompson one last time.

  After William Thompson’s death, the family was leaderless. The Elders’ Council, Grand Chief’s Office, Command Office, and Military Affairs Office all argued endlessly, blaming each other and shirking responsibility, each claiming only they could save the family from disaster. As a result, nothing got done—everyone just held meetings, discussions, elections, and votes, but no one knew how to deal with the Liufeng army menacing the city.

  In a fit of anger, David Thompson used the 800 cavalry he brought to launch a coup, seizing control of the Grand Chief’s Office, Command Office, Military Affairs Office, and other key locations, and obtained the authority to deploy troops.

  He immediately issued a royal mobilization order to all army corps and local garrisons, commanding them to reach the capital within a month—which was, of course, impossible. If they really tried, they’d be pursued all the way, suffering heavy losses, and would also draw more Liufeng troops to the capital.

  The Liufeng family laughed heartily, saying the Thompson family’s eleven-year-old new leader had gone mad and was going to throw all their forces into a desperate fight beneath the capital’s walls—they laughed right up until that nightmare night.

  On the very night the order was issued, 800 elite cavalry, led by David Thompson, donned Liufeng uniforms and stormed into the Liufeng camp, killing and burning, while spreading rumors: “It’s bad! The Far East Army’s main force is here!” “The Thompson family’s royal army has all arrived, with a total strength of over a million!”

  The Liufeng soldiers, startled awake from their sleep, faced darkness, fire, and blades... unable to mount any effective resistance. Besides, there was no way to tell friend from foe—everyone wore the same uniform. Often someone would shout, “Don’t attack! We’re on the same side, the enemy’s over there!”—and then a blade would come slashing down...