“Please, Mr. Carter, think carefully. I am already drunk and dare not drink any more.”

He bowed to William Carter, then turned and left.

Andrew Young stared at Robert Grant with a complicated expression, watching him finish speaking and depart.

“This fellow just refuses to drink with me.”

“Mr. Carter, this Robert Grant is not a bad person, so don’t be angry with him. He’s just been too well protected by his family, unable to see the true nature of things, clinging to those so-called principles he’s learned, thinking they can save the world.”

Andrew Young took a small sip of the bitter wine. “Actually, it’s completely useless. The teachings of sages cannot save the world.”

“All that talk of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, all those doctrines about governing the world—it's all nonsense, just empty words that bind people!”

“Don’t pay attention to what he says. If you want to stay away from the chaos of the court, that’s the right choice. No one can say anything about it. It’s your own business, and you don’t need to care about worldly opinions.”

“Since you haven’t let my wine run dry these days, I can teach you how to protect your own life.”

Andrew Young wiped the wine from his beard, his expression turning serious.

“Richard King will come again. The second time he comes, if you refuse again, I’m afraid you’ll be in real trouble. William Smith is not someone to be trifled with for the sake of reputation.”

“When he comes, no matter what he says, you must pretend to be extremely terrified, then recommend Duke of KingstonPhilip Carter to take the throne, keep praising Duke of Kingston, and beg for him to replace you.”

“In this way, Richard King will think you’re not truly opposing the Smith family, but are just afraid of their power and thus dare not take the position. Since you were recommended by the Empress Dowager, this is equivalent to you, on behalf of the imperial clan, making a statement and choosing a side for the Wei imperial family. Then your life will no longer be in danger.”

“Mr. Carter, don’t think I’m trying to provoke you—this really is the best choice. You’re still young, and the young are often hot-blooded and impulsive. When you’re older, you’ll understand my good intentions.”

“As for Robert Grant, you don’t need to worry about him either. One day, he’ll understand all this too.”

As Andrew Young spoke, his expression grew dazed, and in his mind appeared once again that ambitious young man from the past, with aspirations he could never realize, and his utter helplessness in the face of everything.

He painfully picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

“He’ll understand eventually.”

Chapter 008: The Nation Falls, but the Mountains and Rivers Remain

William Carter simply looked calmly at Andrew Young before him.

The two officials at his side were like the already fallen Han dynasty and the yet-to-arrive Jin.

One was rigid and stubborn, firmly believing in the teachings of the sages, holding himself to the highest moral standards, hoping to realize his ambitions, govern the world, and bring peace to the people—a pure Han scholar.

The other had given up on himself, abandoned all his principles, was utterly hopeless about everything, living in drunken oblivion, completely letting himself go, scorning all rites and rules, wild and unrestrained—a true Wei-Jin eccentric.

And Wei, situated between Han and Jin, could see both types of people at once.

The young Robert Grant came from the past, while the aged Andrew Young was from the future.

William Carter did not dislike Andrew Young; he didn’t need to wait for the future—he could already understand Andrew Young now.

Perhaps, long ago, he too was a Han scholar like Robert Grant, with a sincere heart, hoping to use his talents and the teachings of the sages to govern the world well.

But after experiencing the coup launched by Benjamin Smith, he was utterly destroyed.

He found that everything he had studied for years could not explain what was happening before his eyes, and all the skills he had mastered over the years could not solve any problems.

He suddenly realized his own insignificance.

So, he chose to give up everything.

He began taking powder, drinking heavily, lying under the shade of trees all day, taking off his clothes, doing nothing.

Whenever he saw Robert Grant, he would think of his younger self.

Perhaps, one day, when Robert Grant discovers that what he has learned cannot save the world and suffers a mental breakdown, he too will become like Andrew Young is now, muddling through the rest of his life.

This is the process by which a Han scholar becomes a Wei-Jin eccentric.

“Mr. Young’s method is actually quite good. If I take the initiative to request that Duke of Kingston inherit the throne, representing the imperial clan in making a choice and siding with William Smith—William Smith has always wanted the support of the Wei imperial clan, and has even encouraged his younger relatives to befriend the Carter family’s imperial clan.”

“He’s even genuinely improved our lives, abolished many prohibitions on the nobility, reduced the number of times we’re reassigned, and at least the imperial clan no longer has to go hungry.”

“I have some reputation among the imperial clan. If I, on their behalf, show goodwill to William Smith and take a stand, William Smith would be so pleased—maybe he’d even toss me a few bones to gnaw on.”

“All I need to do is wag my tail. What a great idea, Mr. Young!”

Hearing William Carter’s words, Andrew Young shook his head again.

“Sigh, that’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

“Mr. Carter, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to survive. There’s no need to put it so harshly.”

“Didn’t you refuse Richard King just to stay alive?”

“Isn’t your usual impatience and desperation just because you’re afraid?”