Chapter 5: Reactions from All Sides

Henry Brooks turned around and, to his surprise, saw the Prince of Hejian, Samuel Thompson, John Thompson's cousin, a renowned general of the Tang imperial clan. Dressed in splendid robes and exuding extraordinary presence, he addressed Henry Brooks as "nephew," clearly not wishing to reveal his identity. Henry Brooks bowed and said, "Greetings, uncle."

Samuel Thompson nodded in satisfaction, took the sword to examine it, then glanced at the chipped Chixue Blade. His eyes lit up as he said, "Nephew, I'll offer twenty thousand for this sword. How about letting your uncle have it? My household is in need of a tool for slaughtering chickens and sheep, and this one feels just right."

Twenty thousand was an astronomical price. Based on the current price of rice, one wen could buy about two jin of rice, roughly equivalent to ten yuan in modern times. One tael was a thousand wen, so twenty thousand taels was twenty million wen, equivalent to two hundred million in today's money.

Spending twenty thousand just to slaughter chickens and sheep—there was surely a story behind this. But since the elaborate trap was set for the Wang family, Henry Brooks was about to refuse when the shopkeeper impatiently shouted, "You can't sell it! We agreed on an auction, Young Duke Brooks. A man must keep his word."

"Of course. Three days from now, at Jufu Restaurant," Henry Brooks responded smoothly.

"Fine, then let it be an auction. Highest bidder wins," Samuel Thompson returned the sword to Henry Brooks, patted him on the shoulder with a meaningful smile, and left.

Seeing the trap was set and his goal achieved, Henry Brooks took the thousand taels he had won and left. Charles Carter ignored the shopkeeper's pained expression, grabbed his own share, caught up excitedly, and said, "Brother, say no more. After our shift, let's meet at Chunmanlou and invite the others—my treat!"

Chunmanlou was a famous pleasure house in Chang'an. Henry Brooks declined, "I'm still recovering from my injuries, so I'll pass. By the way, did Secretary Thompson mean something more with his words just now?"

Charles Carter glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "Secretary Thompson has a deep grudge against the Wang family. The Xuan Bird is the Wang family crest. Buying the sword to slaughter chickens and sheep is clearly to humiliate them. If you really auction it, the Wang family will stop at nothing to get it."

"So that's it. Jufu Restaurant is your family's business. The Five Surnames and Seven Clans will definitely send people, and other noble families, aristocrats, meritorious officials, and wealthy merchants will come to watch the fun. I remember Uncle Carter hates these powerful clans the most. Go tell him to charge extra for tea and really fleece them—let off some steam."

"Hahaha, you're a sly one. I like it," Charles Carter said gratefully, patting his chest with a loud thump.

Back at the residence, Henry Brooks tossed the thousand taels he had won to Edward Grant and instructed, "Uncle Grant, buy two sheep and stew them for everyone to have some meat. Also, get everyone a new set of clothes and a pair of shoes. Go take care of it."

"Young master, what's this?" Edward Grant stared at the bag of silver, completely stunned.

"Winnings."

"Winnings?"

Edward Grant was even more bewildered. Just one trip out and he won a thousand taels? Was silver really this easy to win? But seeing Henry Brooks float into the inner courtyard, he didn't dare chase after him to ask. Just then, an old brother returned from shopping outside, excitedly saying, "Steward, great news, great news!"

"What news?"

"The young master just went to the Cui family's weapon shop for a sword contest and broke the undefeated Chixue Blade, winning a thousand taels! Also, the Prince of Hejian is willing to pay twenty thousand for the young master's sword, but he refused and said it would be auctioned in three days. The price will probably go even higher. Our household isn't short on money for now."

"What, is all that true?" Edward Grant was shocked, grabbing the other man in excitement.

"It's true! The whole city of Chang'an is talking about it."

"Hahaha, that's wonderful! The young master truly has a way. General, can you see this from the spirit world? The young master is a great talent. The divine weapon he forged himself has surpassed the Chixue Blade. With this skill, The Brooks Residence will never fall."

"That's right, The Brooks Residence will not fall. We don't have to leave. If the young master can forge one, he can forge a second, a third. Who would've thought the young master was so skilled in craftsmanship? I wonder if he'd be willing to teach us?"

Edward Grant's expression turned serious as he sternly warned, "Don't even think about it. Don't forget your place."

"Understood. It's just that I have all this strength and nowhere to use it. I just want to help the young master."

"Such skill is unmatched in the world and will become the foundation of The Brooks Residence's standing. How could it be passed on? Spread the word: no one is to reveal that the young master forged the weapon himself. If word gets out, we could be in danger for possessing a treasure. Anyone who leaks it—exterminate their whole family!"

"Yes, sir!"

……

Taiyi Hall.

A man sat upright on a cloud couch, reviewing documents. He wore a bright yellow brocade robe, his gaze sharp and full of wisdom. Though somewhat stout, he radiated an aura of supreme authority. This was the Emperor of the Tang, John Thompson.

An attendant tiptoed in, expression calm, stopping at a distance and softly announcing, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Hejian requests an audience."

"Let him in!" John Thompson put down the document, his wide sleeve flicking with imposing force.

Soon, the Prince of Hejian, Samuel Thompson, hurried in. After bowing, he said, "Your servant greets Your Majesty."

"Xiaogong, what brings you here?"

"Your servant encountered something interesting today. The son of Duke Yi, Henry Brooks, went to the Cui family's weapon shop for a contest. With his sword, he broke the Chixue Blade. I personally examined it—the sword was completely unharmed, truly a divine weapon. In three days, it will be auctioned at Jufu Restaurant. He said his household is in difficulty and needs silver."

"Oh? Is that so? Since when does the Duke Yi's household possess such a divine weapon? I have never heard Duke Yi mention it. Where did this weapon come from?"