The laws of Great Wei stipulated that feudal lords could not engage in commerce or own their own businesses.

William Carter exploited a loophole by offering guidance and accepting thank-you gifts in return. You could call it tuition, or you could call it an investment.

Over the course of that year, many great merchants emerged from Yuancheng, and William Carter was no longer short of money.

The restaurant was filled with familiar faces from the past, but at this moment, no one dared to approach William Carter lightly, as if an invisible barrier had once again arisen between William Carter and them.

In this silence, someone finally mustered up the courage.

A familiar patron smiled and asked, “Lord Cao, I heard that the imperial envoy has come to Yuancheng to invite you to Luoyang to become the Son of Heaven. Is that true?”

James Lee was the first to answer, “Of course it’s true!”

Everyone who had been listening in immediately gasped in amazement, and the way they looked at William Carter changed even more.

Before the emperor was assassinated in the street, at least among the common people, the Son of Heaven was still considered extremely sacred, shrouded in a certain mystique, by no means an ordinary person.

It could be said that the Sima family made outstanding achievements in dispelling superstition.

The incident at the Luo River proved that even oaths sworn to heaven and earth could be broken without fear of divine retribution, and the public assassination of the emperor made it clear to all that the emperor was just a mortal, who could be killed by an ordinary spear.

They even put a fool on the throne, setting a new precedent for Chinese emperors and achieving something truly unprecedented!

The shopkeeper kept his head down and personally brought food to William Carter.

“If you could become the Son of Heaven, it would be a blessing for all the people. You would surely be a wise ruler like Emperor Wen.”

The shopkeeper offered a few words of flattery.

Emperor Wen’s reputation differed greatly between the imperial clan and the common people.

Among the people, his name was even better than Cao Cao or Cao Rui. He developed the tuntian system, implemented the exchange of grain and silk, stabilized social order, and basically resolved the inflation caused by war.

At the same time, he carried out strategic defense in various regions, restored civilian production, lifted many prohibitions, reduced tariffs, forbade private vendettas, advocated lighter punishments, recuperated with the people, and promoted frugality in funerals.

These policies soothed the people of the north and created a certain degree of prosperity, greatly increasing the national strength of Wei.

But William Carter suddenly grabbed the shopkeeper and pulled him to sit by his side.

“The matter I had James Lee instruct you about last night—there should be results by now, right?”

The shopkeeper wiped his forehead. “Yes, yes, there are results.”

“Lord Yang, Andrew Young, was once the... Chief Clerk to the Grand General Frank Carter.”

“Later, after Frank Carter’s failed rebellion, the Duke of Anping pardoned him and even made him a Gentleman of the Secretariat.”

“I heard he’s privately at odds with the current Grand General and has contradicted him many times. The Grand General wanted to kill him, but the General Who Conquers the West pleaded for him with all his might, so he was only demoted to a local post…”

William Carter narrowed his eyes. “Is that really so?”

“Absolutely true! You have no idea how much money I spent to get to the bottom of this…”

“Don’t worry, I have many more recipes, all from the palace. You’ll make even more in the future.”

As William Carter spoke, he released the shopkeeper’s shoulder.

The shopkeeper’s face lit up with joy, and he beamed, bowing repeatedly to William Carter.

“Thank you, Lord Cao! Thank you, Lord Cao!”

Chapter 007: Han and Wei-Jin

A small stream babbled as several children, barefoot and covered in mud, played in the water.

Suddenly, one of them caught a small fish and proudly showed it off to the others. Their clear laughter could be heard even from far away.

William Carter simply watched the scene calmly.

With a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, he felt a sense of ease inside.

A woodcutter, carrying a heavy load of firewood, sang loudly along the road.

The Zhao song was bold and stirring, quite inspiring.

William Carter couldn’t help but hum along.

“If Lord Cao enjoys it, why not have him brought here to sing for you?” James Lee couldn’t help but say.

William Carter glanced at him. “If you’d been born fifty years earlier, you could have assisted Dong Zhuo.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“We really should get out more often. Whenever Lord Cao leaves the residence, his mood improves a lot. It’s not as irritable as inside…”

William Carter shook his head.

To him, the most precious thing was time.

He also wanted to immerse himself in this leisurely pastoral scenery and enjoy the tranquility, but he still had many things to do.

They didn’t stay in the countryside for long and soon set off toward their own residence.

The people sent by the court would not be so easily dealt with.

Perhaps Richard King had already sent riders, galloping at full speed, to report his refusal to ascend the throne to the capital.

How would William Smith react?

Surprise? Fury? Contempt?

“James Lee! Go buy a jug of wine!”

“Alright~~”

When William Carter swaggered into the residence with the wine, it was Mr. Young lying in the shade who saw him first.

Immediately, he shook his head disdainfully and turned away.

But William Carter didn’t stop by his side, instead walking straight into the inner hall.

Mr. Young squinted and waited for a long time, but never heard William Carter’s voice. He peeked a few times and found the front hall empty, instantly dumbfounded.

Wasn’t that wine bought for me??

“Come, Mr. Grant, don’t busy yourself today. Join me for some wine!”