George Washington said slowly, “It was Heaven that spared my life. I had already left the house, but for some reason I felt cold and shivered. So I returned to my room and put on a thick inner armor.”

“But that Charles Quinn was truly ruthless. His blade cut straight through my inner armor. The wound on my back is over a foot long, an inch deep, and six ribs were broken.”

Then, George Washington struggled with great difficulty to get out of bed and bowed to Henry Clark.

“Old as I am, I thank you, Young Master Henry Clark, for saving my life. Such great kindness, I have no way to repay!”

He did not suspect Henry Clark, because up to now, Henry Clark had shown few flaws. Most importantly, what’s the point of overthinking with someone who’s already as good as dead?

Henry Clark hadn’t fired in advance, but waited until after Charles Quinn struck to shoot. In George Washington’s eyes, this wasn’t a flaw. In a split second, who could be so precise?

“Henry Clark, what reward do you want? Just say it—as long as I can do it,” said George Washington.

Henry Clark replied, “Let me go home.”

George Washington said, “Sorry, I really can’t do that. The crime you committed last time was too great. A battle that should have been a sure victory nearly turned into defeat, affecting the entire southern campaign and causing thousands of soldiers to die in vain. If I don’t execute you, I can’t answer to the tens of thousands of soldiers. If I don’t execute you, tomorrow’s decisive battle won’t inspire morale! If I don’t execute you, I won’t be able to lead the troops in the future.”

In fact, there was another reason.

Someone high up in the capital had secretly sent him word: the Emperor wanted to grant Henry Clark the right to submit secret memorials, so he could secretly monitor the Xiang Army.

They even wanted to use Henry Clark’s identity to set up a separate faction within the Xiang Army.

Edward Tate was a Manchu, but his foundation was in the Xiang Army, so George Washington wasn’t worried.

In George Washington’s view, Henry Clark was a red-belted distant imperial clansman, and by nature could never side with the Xiang Army. Even if Henry Clark cut out his heart to show him, it would be useless.

How many unspeakable things had the Xiang Army done during this time? How many had George Washington himself done?

The death of the former governor of Hubei, Chonglun, was just one of them.

So, Henry Clark had to die.

And he had to die immediately—if they waited, it might be too late.

Henry Clark trembled and said, “Sir Washington, apart from being useless at fighting and training troops, I’ve been loyal to you, haven’t I? I’ve even made some small contributions. Why must you kill me?”

George Washington replied resolutely, “For the tens of thousands of soldiers, for the entire campaign, I have no choice but to kill you! Aside from that, any other condition can be discussed.”

Henry Clark said, “Then could you at least let me keep my body whole? Don’t behead me—hang me instead?”

Normally, for a flag-raising execution before battle, beheading was required. George Washington would never have agreed to hanging.

But at this moment, George Washington had no choice but to agree.

“Fine!”

Henry Clark closed his eyes.

Though he was reluctant to admit it, this was actually the best outcome for him. What he didn’t want to do, George Washington would do for him.

Emotionally, he wanted to kill George Washington.

But in terms of interests, George Washington being alive would bring unimaginable benefits to Henry Clark, who knew the course of history.

He would become the greatest source of experience and stepping stone for seizing power and usurping the throne.

Early the next morning!

Henry Clark rode in a comfortable carriage, surrounded by thousands of troops, heading to the battlefield at the front lines.

Heading to the execution ground.

Chapter 8: Return

“We’re here. Get out of the carriage!”

Outside, it was relatively quiet, yet there seemed to be a powerful force field enveloping the land, with only the occasional sound of horse hooves.

He lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage.

The dazzling light made Henry Clark squint.

What a grand scene!

Over ten thousand troops, stretching as far as the eye could see.

This was right before the decisive battle.

On the ground, more than ten thousand Xiang Army soldiers stood in neat formation, exuding murderous intent.

On the river, a dozen gunboats gleamed coldly.

He could even vaguely see the enemy’s camp across the river.

The Taiping Army stretched endlessly, for more than ten miles.

On the river, the Taiping Army’s warships numbered in the hundreds.

This was a battle of extremely unequal strength. If not for Xianfeng’s repeated pressure, George Washington would never have wanted to fight.

The Taiping Army’s land forces were three or four times those of the Xiang Army.

Their navy was more than ten times as large.

In front of the army, dozens of people were already kneeling. Half were captured Taiping Army generals, led by Samuel Stone. The other half were Xiang Army generals who had violated military law or performed poorly in battle; only Henry Clark had fled before the battle.

Behind each person stood an executioner holding a broadsword, and a stark gallows.

Before the great battle, executions were held to raise the flag and boost morale!

Several Xiang Army soldiers escorted Henry Clark to the gallows.

Everyone else was to be beheaded, but he was to be hanged. Instantly, all eyes turned to him.

The shame of the Xiang Army, the shame of the Eight Banners.

On the high platform, George Washington walked out with difficulty, making no attempt to hide his wounds.

He glanced at Henry Clark.

“Execute!”

With a single command—

The beheadings began!

“Swish, swish, swish, swish!”

Blades rose and fell!

Heads rolled, blood spurted.

Samuel Stone’s head rolled, as did those of all the captured Taiping Army officers.

All Xiang Army generals who had violated military law or performed poorly in battle were beheaded.

Only Henry Clark had a noose placed around his neck.