“The county magistrate of Chang’an is surnamed Thompson, from a branch of the Taiyuan The Thompson Family clan. He is suspected of shielding the murderer, but there’s no evidence—just speculation—so it can’t be taken as fact. Also, I went to examine the bodies: each one has calluses at the base of the thumb and thick calluses on the knuckles, the result of long-term martial training. There are only two kinds of people like this: soldiers and deathsworn. Soldiers are registered and can’t be untraceable, so they must be deathsworn. The The Thompson Family is never short of deathsworn.”

Henry Brooks nodded in understanding. After pondering for a moment, he instructed, “Uncle Grant, there’s no need to make this public. Investigate secretly. The person behind this, seeing the assassination fail, will surely try again. Spread the word outside that I’m still gravely injured and not receiving any visitors. By the way, is there any news from His Majesty?”

Edward Grant shook his head.

Henry Brooks understood and said coldly, “My father has only just passed away, and already people are turning cold.”

“I heard His Majesty is still on tour and hasn’t returned—though who knows if that’s true. But the Taiyuan The Thompson Family is powerful, and even His Majesty must be wary of them. He did send an imperial physician, but as you instructed, I declined on the grounds of needing rest. The physician just made a few perfunctory remarks and left to report back. However…” Edward Grant hesitated.

“What is it?”

“Young master, the Duke followed His Majesty in conquering the realm, and his hands are stained with much blood—especially that of the hidden crown prince, the old Sui faction, and the aristocratic clans. These people still harbor resentment. They don’t dare target His Majesty directly, but now that the Duke is gone, you naturally become their first target. You must act with caution from now on. Also, the household funds are running low, and we may not be able to afford a secret investigation. The household servants, retainers, and guards have gathered in the outer courtyard, preparing to leave to reduce expenses.”

Henry Brooks immediately understood. William Brooks was John Thompson’s famed twin-mace champion, one of his best fighters, with great military achievements in destroying the old Sui and during the Xuanwu Gate Incident. But in the eyes of the defeated—those of the hidden crown prince’s faction and the old Sui party—he was a clear accomplice. Now that he’s lost power, who else would they target?

After a moment’s thought, Henry Brooks asked, “How much silver does the household have left?”

“Around a thousand taels. The monthly expenses are over two hundred taels, so we can last for about half a year.”

Henry Brooks hadn’t expected the grand Duke’s residence to be nearly empty. He pressed, “Is there no income for the household?”

“All our funds come from the Duke’s salary and rewards, which barely suffice. Now that the Duke is gone, it’s uncertain how long the salary will continue. There are two thousand mu of fief land and five hundred households of tax income, all brothers who once followed the Duke. The Duke is kind-hearted and only collects twenty percent of the rent to maintain the household. This year’s drought reduced yields by about thirty percent, so they can’t pay rent…” At this, Edward Grant’s face darkened with helplessness.

No salary and no rent means no income. Cutting costs is the best option, but Henry Brooks was a soldier and could empathize—how could he abandon warriors who had bled for him? Especially those who had shared life and death with William Brooks. He immediately said, “How could the The Brooks Residence act unjustly and do such a heartless thing? Let’s go and see.”

“But—?”

Edward Grant wanted to say more, but seeing Henry Brooks already leaving, he felt a warmth in his heart and hurried to catch up. If possible, Edward Grant didn’t want the old brothers to leave either, but thinking of the household’s straits, his heart tightened.

Chapter 2: A New Mission

The Duke’s residence, outer courtyard.

Dozens of people were waiting, with their families in tow, eyes full of confusion about the future. When they saw Henry Brooks approaching, they all bowed. One of them called out sorrowfully, “Young master, we are willing to leave on our own, but the children are too young to endure a life of hardship. We beg you to let us stay—just a bite to eat each day to survive is enough.”

“Quick, all of you, get up.” Henry Brooks hurried forward to help them up, moved in his heart.

The Tang dynasty’s household registration system was extremely strict. Without a travel permit, one could not leave their place of residence. Now, to reduce the household’s expenses and leave food and money for the children, they were willing to leave. Without a permit, they would become vagrants, begging to survive. Each one was either missing an arm or had difficulty walking—leaving was no different from self-exile, from seeking death.

For the sake of their children’s survival, to avoid burdening the Duke’s residence, they were willing to leave without hesitation. This was the dignity of a warrior, and the great, selfless love of a parent.

At this moment, Henry Brooks suddenly felt a sense of belonging and recognition toward these old soldiers, toward the The Brooks Residence, and toward this new identity. He thought to himself, “Since I now inhabit this body, I must take on its responsibilities and mission. Since I’ve come to the Tang dynasty, I should do something meaningful.”

The Tang dynasty was constantly at war. For those who died, it was over, but for the living, the court would only give a meager pension—after that, who really cared about their fate? John Thompson was considered benevolent, but with the aristocratic clans controlling the government and layer upon layer of exploitation, how much of the pension actually reached the soldiers?

It was better for those who had a Duke like William Brooks, who loved his soldiers as his own children. But for those under selfish masters, who would know their misery?

In his previous life, he fought for his country, with no regrets.

In this life, why not live for himself and for these retired warriors around him?

In a lifetime, one must do something meaningful—not for eternal fame, but for peace of mind.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Henry Brooks solemnly said, “Uncles and elders, though my father has passed, the The Brooks Residence will not fall. As long as I have food to eat, none of you will go hungry. Never mention leaving again—forcing the The Brooks Residence into injustice. As long as we are united, we will get through these hardships.”

“Young master, you are noble, but the household…”