“Secondly, we need to find a place to raise horses. This place must be remote, hidden, hard for ordinary people to reach, with tender grass and beautiful water, and a broad terrain—easy for galloping, which goes without saying,” Adam Carter spoke confidently, his spirits soaring. “It’s also very important that it’s easy to defend and hard to attack. I think starting today, everyone will have to work a bit harder, set out in all directions, and look for the site we need.”

At this point, Adam Carter felt a bit emotional. Although this era was backward, there was truly so much uncultivated land. In his own time, finding such a place would not have been easy, but here, it was no difficult task!

Everyone nodded repeatedly, listening quietly.

“Next, we need to go to the grasslands to look for excellent horse breeds, and at the same time purchase horses of suitable age to temporarily cope with the current situation.” Adam Carter took the lead without hesitation. “I’ll definitely be the one to select the horses, but the Turks are fierce and cruel…”

“That’s nothing for Adam to worry about.” John Bennett clearly had some experience as well. “Now the Turks are divided into east and west, mainly nomadic, and the ones we deal with are the Eastern Turks. They have no fixed abode, with many tribes mixed in between, but they are united in appearance only. There are quite a few people from the Central Plains who go to the grasslands to trade horses. Of course, there are dangers, but as long as we get along well with the local tribal chiefs, there should be great opportunities. I’ve discussed with the village chief and plan to find some people for this, preferably locals to scout the route.”

“In that case, what are we waiting for?” Adam Carter laughed. “Let’s split into three groups: George Price will look for buyers, I’ll go with Brian Cooper and Frank Reed to look for pastures, and the rest of you can make contact with the Turks. What do you all think?”

Everyone nodded, thinking Adam Carter’s suggestion was very reasonable.

When Adam Carter walked out of the assembly hall, he saw Peter Carter following behind and slowed his pace. Seeing him hesitating, he simply stopped to wait.

“Adam.” Peter Carter cleared his throat and walked over. “Raising horses is important, but as your father, I’m getting old and would like to have a grandson.”

Adam Carter was not a fool, but it still took him a moment to understand what Peter Carter meant. Only then did he remember that he had originally wanted to discuss with his father about letting the stronghold release Grace Miller, but he hadn’t expected his father to be so impatient. Now, it was hard for him to say anything.

“I heard from Brian Cooper that there wasn’t much movement in your room last night?” Peter Carter saw Adam Carter’s face flush and gave his shoulder a heavy pat. “Is the woman not obedient?”

“She’s very obedient.” Adam Carter could only go along with Peter Carter, wishing he could strangle Brian Cooper.

“Oh.” Peter Carter chuckled. “I know you probably think your father is meddling too much, but I heard the woman is quite good-looking. Now in the stronghold, women are really rarer than good horses. You’d better take good care of her.”

“Thank you, Dad.” Adam Carter felt a bit depressed, knowing his father was giving him a hint.

He should have adapted to local customs, but last night he behaved more like a scholar than a bandit.

His father was clearly worried about him, so he had someone listen outside his room. With so many men and so few women, it was hard to get a good woman, so the old chief naturally hoped his son wouldn’t miss the chance and could have a grandson as soon as possible.

Watching Adam Carter’s figure recede, Peter Carter’s gaze shifted, lost in thought.

When he turned around, he found John Bennett right behind him, which startled Peter Carter. “Brother Bennett, why are you sneaking around like a ghost?”

“Don’t you think Adam has changed a lot?” John Bennett got straight to the point.

Peter Carter stroked his beard, a relieved smile on his face. “It’s the blessing of our ancestors that allowed Adam to turn danger into safety. Brother Bennett, what do you think of what Adam said today? I was unsure at first, but after hearing the boy, I feel there’s great promise. Adam suddenly knows how to raise horses—this must also be the will of our ancestors.”

“Adam spoke very well. As for horse trading, there’s absolutely no problem.” John Bennett’s words seemed to have a deeper meaning.

Peter Carter frowned as expected. “Brother Bennett, what are you trying to say?”

John Bennett sighed. “Big brother, if Adam were still muddle-headed, I would never bring up old matters. But after his serious illness, he’s like a different person. You say it’s the blessing of the ancestors, but I think it’s the ancestors showing their spirit, wanting the Xiao family to rise again, and using Adam as their instrument…”

“Enough.” Peter Carter said in a low voice, glancing around cautiously.

“After so many years, you’re still so cautious, big brother. Actually, what Paul Grant and the others said isn’t without reason…” John Bennett was clearly unwilling to let it go.

Peter Carter’s large hand landed heavily on John Bennett’s shoulder. “Brother Bennett, you of course know why I named my son Adam!”

John Bennett was taken aback, and after a moment said, “I know you just wanted Adam to be an ordinary person, that’s why you named him Adam.”

“You’re right.” Peter Carter sighed. “Even if you’re a prince or a marquis, so what? You’re still living in constant danger! Brother Bennett, I know you have great ambitions and feel stifled in the stronghold. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you, but as for the Xiao family’s affairs, I don’t want to talk about them anymore.”

“Big brother…” John Bennett called out, but seeing Peter Carter’s resolute expression, he could only say, “You’re too serious, big brother. If Adam wants to conquer the world, I’ll give my all. But if Adam just wants to trade horses, I won’t say another word.”