He finally understood why those fortune-tellers and diviners still lived in poverty—because even if they truly knew fate, they could only accept it. Trying to change destiny seemed like a ridiculous idea.

However, even if one couldn’t alter the grand scheme, there was still much to be done in patching things up here and there. Although history didn’t record a person named Adam Carter, it never said that Adam Carter wasn’t a successful businessman. Now, in these chaotic times, with even greater turmoil coming in a few years, horse trading was actually a lucrative business. Thinking of this, Adam Carter became interested. “No problem. If there’s a way, I’ll persuade them.”

John Bennett and Peter Carter exchanged glances, looking quite pleased, and turned inquiring eyes toward Paul Grant and Mark Stone. “What do you two brothers think?”

Mark Stone hesitated. “I have no objections.”

But Paul Grant shook his head vigorously. “Chief, a man’s ambition should reach far and wide. Now is a time of chaos, a time for men to make their mark. Look at Wang Bo in Shandong, Du Fuwei in Jianghuai, Zhai Rang at Wagang—didn’t they all rally crowds with a single call? Hiding out here is already shameful enough. If we rise up now, we might not be any worse than them. Horse trading? What pride is there in that?”

“The ancients said, ‘Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are the pillars of the nation.’” Peter Carter said earnestly, “Back in the day, Tao Zhugong amassed great wealth, could govern a country and command armies, and after achieving success, he retired to care for his family and protect himself. Even the historian Sima Qian praised him: loyal to the country, wise in self-preservation, wealthy through commerce, and famous throughout the land. Who could look down on such a man?”

Peter Carter’s words were well-reasoned and made a lot of sense. Adam Carter was very familiar with the Tao Zhugong he mentioned, though the man didn’t know him. If he wanted to meet Tao Zhugong, he’d probably have to die again.

Tao Zhugong was Fan Li, who, after using a beauty scheme to destroy Wu and help Yue rise, retired at the height of his success, lived incognito with Xi Shi, and sailed the Five Lakes. He could govern a country with his intellect, and after turning to business, became fabulously wealthy!

Section Four: Sharpening the Blade

Adam Carter knew all this, but was still surprised at how eloquently Peter Carter spoke.

He was gradually realizing that his father Peter Carter, though fierce in appearance, was actually very learned and meticulous.

Seeing the leaders of the stronghold divided, Adam Carter didn’t try to mediate, as he wasn’t qualified.

With a smile, he stood up and spread his hands. “You all discuss it first. I have something to do, so I’ll be off.”

Since he had already made his stance clear, no one stopped him. As soon as Adam Carter left the assembly hall, Frank Reed and Brian Cooper came over, slinging their arms around his shoulders affectionately. “Young master, what did the chief want?”

“He said you two have been performing very well lately,” Adam Carter replied with a smile.

“So, is there a reward?” Brian Cooper drooled.

“There is—go feed the horses in the stable,” Adam Carter said, half-joking.

“Frank Reed has worked so hard, let him have the reward,” Brian Cooper said hastily.

Frank Reed rolled his eyes and changed the subject. “Young master, women, women…”

“What about women?” Adam Carter suddenly remembered the spoils of war—the stunning woman—and his heart skipped a beat.

“The woman is in your room,” Frank Reed gestured. “Shall I take you there?”

Adam Carter shot him a look. “You think I don’t know where my own room is?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned to head up the mountain, but Frank Reed grabbed him. “Young master, I think you’re confused again. I bet your room isn’t up the mountain.”

“What’s the bet?” Adam Carter stopped. “If you win, you get the reward. If you lose, the reward goes to Brian Cooper?”

Frank Reed could only sigh. “Young master, my mind’s been muddled lately. I think your room is up the mountain.”

Adam Carter laughed and strode up the mountain. Frank Reed watched his back, scratched his head, and asked Brian Cooper in confusion, “Brian Cooper, what’s the young master going up the mountain for?”

“To eat,” Brian Cooper replied grumpily, then disappeared. Frank Reed was left bewildered, scratching his head and muttering, “Isn’t the dining hall down the mountain?”

The mountain grew steeper, the woods denser, and strange rocks jutted everywhere. The strong wind made it hard to stand, and the terrain looked quite treacherous.

Adam Carter didn’t mind, racing all the way, sweat beading on his forehead and breathing a little heavy.

Running all the way to the top was a bit of a challenge for him, but he knew better than anyone that he was competing with himself. Compared to a few months ago, if nothing else, his stamina had improved a lot.

When he finally reached the summit, Adam Carter plopped down, panting like an ox, his eyes fixed on a tree.

That big tree was so thick that even several people linking arms couldn’t encircle it. It looked ancient. In his own era, it would have been roped off, with a sign hanging from it, saying what kind of tree it was—a nationally protected species.

But here, trees like this were as common as cow dung on the ground—everywhere!

This tree was no different from the others nearby, except for one thing: there was a knife stuck in it.

Adam Carter looked at the knife, a bitter smile on his lips. He was the young master, and could handle a thing or two, but only just barely.

Aside from horsemanship and archery, he couldn’t find anything he was better at than others.