William Clark once again stood up and bowed, saying, “Yes! My younger brother has committed a grave mistake, implicating the commander and the entire army. His death is of no consequence. But our parents at home have already vomited blood upon hearing the news, and if he is executed, I fear they will not survive. I beg the commander for mercy.”

After speaking, William Clark knelt down on the ground.

Then, he took out a thick stack of silver notes and said, “The nation is in dire straits, and the rebels are rampant. I am willing to offer this silver as military funds, hoping it might atone for even a fraction of my brother’s great crime.”

George Washington took the silver notes and slowly placed them on the table, saying, “The system of atonement by silver, established by Emperor Gaozong, has been in place for seventy or eighty years. By the rules, this sum is enough for your brother to buy his life. And to be honest, I am indeed short of silver—very much so. When I close my eyes at night, I hear countless mouths demanding silver. Your silver truly relieves my urgent need.”

William Clark said, “That is the good fortune of my Xilin Jueluo clan, to be able to serve the country loyally.”

“But I cannot accept it.” George Washington said slowly, “This battle was supposed to be a great victory, but because your brother Henry Clark deserted on the battlefield, it nearly turned into a disastrous defeat. How many died in vain? If I do not execute him, how can I answer to the soldiers? How can I answer to the innocent dead?”

“Three days from now, before the battle begins, I will execute Henry Clark as a sacrifice to the flag. No matter who comes, nothing will change my decision.”

“When I am later transferred back to the capital, I will personally go to your home to apologize to your esteemed parents.”

“But Henry Clark, I must kill!”

“Three days from now, he will be beheaded. No one can save him.”

After speaking, George Washington cupped his hands in salute to William Clark, his posture seemingly gentle, but his resolve utterly unshakable.

William Clark had nothing more to say, and bowed deeply to George Washington once again.

……

Inside the prison cell.

William Clark’s eyes were bloodshot, and for a long while he could not speak. Finally, he said, “I couldn’t save you. He is determined to kill you—three days from now, you will be beheaded as a sacrifice to the flag.”

Henry Clark suddenly recalled, “Come to think of it, we actually did him a favor, didn’t we?”

According to history, after George Washington captured Wuchang, the Xianfeng Emperor appointed him Governor of Hubei. By custom, George Washington would submit a memorial declining the post to show his integrity—this was supposed to be a mere formality, and the emperor should have insisted and officially appointed him, after which George Washington would reluctantly accept.

But the Grand Councilor Qi Junzao advised the Xianfeng Emperor, saying, “He is a Han Chinese, and already holds military power. Should we really make him Governor of Hubei as well?” As a result, the emperor actually withdrew the appointment and instead gave the post to George Washington’s political rival Tao Enpei, which infuriated George Washington.

But in this world, in order to earn merit, Henry Clark and his future father-in-law James Sullivan specifically brought up this matter, and had James Sullivan offer a plan.

George Washington then made arrangements in advance, sending James Sullivan’s father, Shen Tingen, to the capital to bribe Qi Junzao and others, which finally secured the governorship of Hubei for George Washington.

Not only that, Henry Clark said that the Xiang Army group had no one in the capital, which was very disadvantageous, and that it was necessary to send one or two clever people to stay in the capital to lobby or bribe high-ranking officials and observe court developments.

Thus, the Xiang Army group also made arrangements in the capital ahead of time, and compared to history, their political environment at this time was much more favorable.

Henry Clark asked, “What about my future father-in-law James Sullivan?”

William Clark replied, “He’s not in Guangji City. I don’t know where he is. I couldn’t find him—they say it’s a military secret.”

The previous transmigrator truly did a great favor for James Sullivan, helping him attach himself to the Xiang Army early on, making him George Washington’s right-hand man, and securing the post of Prefect of Jiujiang for him.

The previous transmigrator spared no effort to help his father-in-law rise in rank and wealth.

So, James Sullivan should be the one most eager to rescue him, yet now he is nowhere to be seen.

Henry Clark closed his eyes. The situation was far more severe and complex than he had imagined.

There is a deep conspiracy here!

It’s just that the previous transmigrator was too simple-minded to see it.

Henry Clark felt a bit dazed and asked, “Has Guizi come?”

Guizi was once Henry Clark’s servant, and is now a trusted eunuch of Consort Yi (Cixi). Arranging for him to enter the palace, and then to serve Consort Yi, had cost quite a bit of silver.

“He’s here,” William Clark said.

Henry Clark said, “Then let Guizi come see me. That should be allowed, right?”

William Clark said, “It’s allowed, but… time is precious. Don’t you have any last words to leave behind?”

Leave behind what? A final message?

“Let Guizi come see me,” Henry Clark repeated.

William Clark frowned, but still agreed.

A moment later, a plainly dressed young eunuch entered, about fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate features and lively eyes.

“Your servant greets Second Master…” The young eunuch knelt down and kowtowed to Henry Clark from a distance.

“Big brother, please step outside,” Henry Clark said.

William Clark glanced at the young eunuch, then left.

“Gui’er, come here,” Henry Clark said.

The young eunuch shuffled over on his knees, grasped Henry Clark’s hand through the bars, and looked at him with reddened eyes.

“Gui’er, you’re with her now. Times have changed. There’s no need to treat me like this,” Henry Clark said.