William Sullivan’s sobs were hoarse: “My father sent all his sons to the battlefield. My eldest brother Brian Sullivan was tortured to death by the border nomads, dragged behind a horse on the Chashi Road! If not for absolute loyalty, how could we have gone this far?”

Abraham Lincoln said, “How dare you bring up the Battle of Chashi? Brian Sullivan deserted in the face of the enemy—his crime is unforgivable.”

William Sullivan raised his head to look at Abraham Lincoln, tears streaming down like rain, and cried out, “At the Battle of Chashi River, blood flowed like a river. My eldest brother was muddle-headed and incompetent, but he still held out for three days. During those three days, military intelligence was relayed to Qidong and Libei. Without those three days…”

He choked up and could not go on.

Abraham Lincoln looked at the confession in his hand. The hall was silent, only William Sullivan’s sobs could be heard. In that unbearably long silence, William Sullivan’s fingertips had already dug into his own flesh.

Suddenly, Abraham Lincoln let out a long sigh and said, “Did David Sullivan ever collude with the enemy?”

William Sullivan answered resolutely, “Never.”

Unexpectedly, Abraham Lincoln set down the confession, his voice turning cold in an instant: “This wretch is cunning, trying to deceive his sovereign. He cannot be spared! Edward Foster, drag him out and cane him to death at Duancheng Gate!”

“At your command!” Edward Foster immediately accepted the order and withdrew with a bow.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over William Sullivan’s head; he was instantly chilled to the bone. He struggled violently, but the Jinyiwei firmly covered his mouth and swiftly dragged him out of the Hall of Reason.

Author’s note: Eunuchs refer to themselves as “slave.”

Chapter 3: The Raptor

Edward Foster strode briskly toward Duancheng Gate, with the Jinyiwei captains lined up on both sides, silent as the grave. Once Edward Foster stopped and finished reading out Abraham Lincoln’s imperial order, the Jinyiwei immediately sprang into action.

William Sullivan’s mouth was stuffed, and the Jinyiwei deftly wrapped him in thick cotton underclothes, forcing him to lie face down on the ground.

In the biting wind, Edward Foster bent down to check on William Sullivan. He raised a finger to his lips and coughed lightly, then said gently, “You’re so young, yet so bold, daring to put on a show before His Majesty. If you confess David Sullivan’s treason honestly, there might still be a sliver of hope for you.”

William Sullivan squeezed his eyes shut, cold sweat soaking through his clothes.

Edward Foster straightened up and said, “Lay down the rods.”

The Jinyiwei captains on both sides shouted in unison, “Lay down the rods!” Then came another thunderous roar, “Strike!”

Before the words had faded, the court canes—wrapped in iron and barbed with hooks—came whistling down, landing heavily on William Sullivan’s body.

After three blows, another shout rang out: “Hit him hard!”

The agony seared his flesh like fire, leaving William Sullivan unable to move, only able to bite down on the gag in his mouth. Blood pooled in his mouth, salty and bitter between his teeth. William Sullivan was barely breathing, his open eyes stung by streaming sweat.

The sky was overcast, and heavy snow fell like cotton.

Not just anyone could handle the court caning; as the saying went, “twenty to faint, fifty to cripple”—there was a real art to wielding those rods. It was usually a family trade, and mastering it was no easier than learning any other craft. What’s more, this job required not just skill, but also keen judgment. Some people needed a light touch on the outside and heavy on the inside, others the reverse. After years on the job, they could tell just by reading the faces of the chief eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonies.

Today, Abraham Lincoln’s order was execution by caning, and Edward Foster had no intention of showing mercy. There was no hope for reprieve—this was a man who had to die. The Jinyiwei gave it their all, determined to end William Sullivan’s life within fifty strokes.

Edward Foster kept track of the time. Seeing that William Sullivan was now hanging his head, motionless, he pulled his hand warmer close, about to give further instructions, when he saw a parasol drifting down the road, sheltering a beautiful woman in palace attire beneath it.

The gloom on Edward Foster’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a smile. Though he didn’t go forward himself, a clever young eunuch at his side hurried over to assist her.

“Greetings to Third Young Lady from this humble servant. On such a cold day, if Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has any instructions, you could have sent someone to inform us,” Edward Foster said, stepping forward.

Grace Cooper raised her hand lightly, signaling the Jinyiwei not to move. She was strikingly beautiful, raised for years at the Empress Dowager’s side, and her brows bore a resemblance to the Empress Dowager’s in her youth. Though she was known in the capital as the third daughter of the Hua family from Dicheng, everyone knew she was a favored noble in the palace—even the Emperor treated her as a beloved younger sister.

Grace Cooper spoke softly, “Eunuch, is the one lying here the son of the Zhongbo Shen family, William Sullivan?”

Edward Foster moved in step with Grace Cooper and replied, “That’s him. His Majesty just issued the order—he’s to be caned to death.”

Grace Cooper said, “Just now, His Majesty was in a rage. If William Sullivan dies, the case of David Sullivan’s treason will remain unresolved. The Empress Dowager arrived at the Hall of Reason a moment ago, and His Majesty has listened to her advice and calmed down somewhat.”

“Oh my,” Edward Foster exclaimed, “His Majesty only listens to the Empress Dowager. With that thunderous anger just now, even if I’d wanted to speak up, I wouldn’t have dared.”

Grace Cooper smiled at Edward Foster and said, “His Majesty said ‘court caning’—and you’ve carried out the order, haven’t you?”

Edward Foster walked a few more steps and smiled as well, “Indeed, in the rush just now, I heard the word ‘caning’ and gave the boy a good beating. What should be done with him now?”

Grace Cooper glanced at William Sullivan and said, “Before His Majesty interrogates him again, drag him back to the imperial prison. This boy’s life is of great importance. Please, Eunuch, inform Lord Ji to take good care of him.”