He felt that the Taoist priest he had hired some time ago was quite effective; Adam Carter now seemed much more normal, a world apart from the delirious ramblings during his serious illness.

“Father, go ahead.” This time, calling him father, Adam Carter truly meant it from the heart. Ever since he recovered from his illness, Peter Carter had hired Taoists and performed rituals—even if not always the right way—yet Adam Carter knew that this father had done everything possible for his son.

“Everyone, have a seat.” Peter Carter waved his hand and turned to John Bennett. “John, you go ahead and speak.”

“Well, it’s like this,” John Bennett had clearly already chosen his words, “Adam, we once served the imperial court too. Becoming bandits was really a last resort.”

Adam Carter listened quietly, only nodding.

“Adam, we all understand the saying ‘the water jar that always goes to the well is bound to break, and the general who always fights is bound to die in battle.’ No matter how strong you are, accidents will happen sooner or later. The chieftain is thinking of everyone’s best interests…”

Adam Carter cut in directly: “You don’t want to be bandits anymore?”

John Bennett was stunned, not expecting Adam Carter to be so perceptive. Mark Stone, however, blurted out, “If we’re not bandits, are we supposed to become top scholars?”

Peter Carter smiled, “If someone here could really become a top scholar, that would be wonderful. But I doubt anyone here has that ability. George Price just returned from Mayi—let him tell us what’s going on.”

A man stood up from a nearby seat, with triangular eyes and a goatee like an antelope—he looked just like one. Adam Carter knew George Price was a slick operator, half a member of the stronghold, always sent to handle any deals.

“The prefect of Mayi, Wang Rengong, has a relative from my hometown,” George Price straightened his back as if he held some official position himself, “If we can establish a connection with him, I think our stronghold will never have to worry about food and drink again.”

Adam Carter found it amusing that such a distant relative was being brought up, but George Price was acting all serious and excited.

Having been here for a few months, he’d never had any delusions about becoming emperor, but he’d also never worried about food and drink.

After all, even if he didn’t rob as a bandit, he could hunt here and never starve. George Price seemed full of ambition, but Adam Carter felt his aspirations weren’t very high.

In fact, he’d always wondered what he could do in this era.

Being a bandit was just a temporary measure; he felt that a person should have higher pursuits.

He also knew about Wang Rengong, the prefect of Mayi. Peter Carter had told him that this man was once brave and skilled in battle, but had grown old and greedy for wealth and women.

All his shallow knowledge of this era came from storybooks and performances, but he wasn’t so foolish as to take them as real history. He understood one thing: if he treated those tales as history, he wouldn’t even know how he died.

Of course, at first, out of curiosity, he’d tried asking about Sui-Tang heroes Li Yuanba and Yuwen Chengdu. In his knowledge, these two were great heroes of the Sui-Tang era, ranked top among the eighteen heroes—one wielding a massive hammer, the other with a phoenix-winged golden spear, and the son of Yuwen Huaji of the Yuwen clan.

But whether they hadn’t become famous yet or hadn’t even been born, no one here knew anything about them. Before anyone could get suspicious, he’d already carefully steered the topic away.

But whether or not Li Yuanba and Yuwen Chengdu existed, Adam Carter knew one thing for sure: the Sui dynasty was short-lived, and the Li Tang would soon take its place.

While George Price was still thinking about cozying up to Prefect Wang, Adam Carter was already considering seeking out Li Yuan. While the others were just thinking about getting by, he was already thinking about securing a golden rice bowl.

That, of course, was foresight—but his foresight was based on the course of history.

No one else knew what Adam Carter was thinking. Mark Stone shook his head repeatedly, “Chieftain, I’m afraid Wang Rengong won’t be easy to deal with. He’s an official, we’re bandits. If he doesn’t come after us, how could we go knocking on his door?”

Peter Carter nodded, “Mark has a point…”

George Price saw Peter Carter wavering and grew anxious. “Chieftain, after so many years, Wang Rengong is no longer the hero he once was—he’s old and muddle-headed. Besides, he’s never dealt with us before, probably doesn’t even remember who we are. And who would ever turn down money?”

“Adam, what do you think?” Peter Carter looked expectant.

“Me?” Adam Carter shook his head. “Honestly, you all can decide. I’ll go along with whatever you choose.”

John Bennett added, “Adam, this is just an idea for now. You have influence in the stronghold. If we suddenly stop robbing, I’m afraid the others might object.”

Only then did Adam Carter understand the leaders’ intentions. The older ones wanted stability; their minds were already made up. They just worried the younger brothers were too hot-blooded to want to do business, so they’d brought him here to help persuade the others.

“I just want to ask, if we stop robbing, what business are we planning to do?” Adam Carter asked.

“Horse trading.” John Bennett looked pleased. “I’ve discussed it with the chieftain. The world is about to fall into chaos, war will break out everywhere. If we have a source and a market, we’ll never have to worry about food and clothing.”

Adam Carter was moved, feeling that John Bennett’s idea had great potential. Since coming here, he’d realized how insignificant a person could be, like a blade of grass. Even though he could foresee the future, he was powerless to change it.