“I heard someone say that the court wants you to become emperor, and I thought, well, only a true Son of Heaven could be like you.”

　　William Carter furrowed his brows again, remaining silent for a long time.

　　Old Man was a bit surprised and couldn’t help but say, “Does Mr. Carter have something troubling you? Though I am old and powerless, a lowly man, if Mr. Carter has any instructions, I am willing to serve you.”

　　“It’s nothing, nothing, just that things haven’t been going smoothly lately.”

　　“Mr. Carter, everyone has troubles, everyone has difficult times, there’s no need to be so disheartened. Mr. King, who lives next door to me, lost three sons and five grandsons in battle in Liangzhou, yet he still strives to care for his ailing wife. John Brown, who lives across from me, had his leg broken, but every day he crawls to the fields to farm…”

　　“We’ve never studied, not as clever as the nobles, and don’t know any great principles, but in this world, how can the living be troubled by the affairs of the dead?”

　　“No matter what troubles you, there’s always a way to resolve them. Besides, with Mr. Carter’s benevolence, Heaven will surely protect you, so why worry?”

　　Old Man left with his grandson, bowing repeatedly to thank William Carter for his kindness before departing.

　　William Carter, however, looked somewhat lost, dazed.

　　Suddenly, he snapped out of it.

　　When Andrew Young was still drinking, he suddenly saw William Carter appear right in front of him.

　　William Carter grabbed Andrew Young by the collar, staring straight into his eyes.

　　“The Han dynasty has not perished!!”

　　“Huh? What did you say?”

　　“The nation may fall, but the mountains and rivers remain!”

　　“The Han has already been replaced by Wei, and Wei will be replaced by others! But this land beneath our feet! The people on this land! They will never change! Even after two thousand years, they will still be the same people!!”

　　“They will not bow to adversity! They will not be defeated! They will not hide away and drown themselves in drink like you!”

　　“Nor will I!!!”

　　“Huh???”

Chapter 009: Rather Die as the Marquis of Gaogui Township

　　Andrew Young looked at the young man before him, full of suspicion and uncertainty.

　　Has he gone mad?

　　Did I provoke him too much??

　　William Carter let go of Andrew Young’s collar and sat down right beside him.

　　“I have something I need your help with.”

　　Andrew Young said with great displeasure, “You’d better go find those who are unwilling to live in disgrace to help you.”

　　“This is something only you can help with.”

　　Andrew Young snorted coldly, “Other than the method I mentioned before, there’s no other way.”

　　“It’s not about myself.”

　　“I heard that you and William Smith don’t get along, that William Smith wanted to kill you, and it was Arthur Smith who saved you. Is that true?”

　　Andrew Young sneered, “It’s true. Those two brothers racked their brains to win my allegiance, but so what if I see through it? Useless, useless.”

　　“Very well. In the future, when Arthur Smith rises to power, he will surely promote you.”

　　William Carter said, “There’s something I really want to tell William Smith, but I know that if I say it, William Smith definitely won’t believe me. Only you can say it. Please remember, this is extremely important.”

　　“These years of war have caused great losses to China. The surrounding barbarians are lying low, gathering strength. In places like Liangzhou and Liaodong, the Hu people have already formed considerable forces. They are all waiting for the right moment. Within fifty years, they will surely raise troops to invade. By then, China will be in grave danger!”

　　“In the future, when Arthur Smith puts you in an important position, you must advise him to eliminate the surrounding barbarians in time, strengthen control over them, and be extremely vigilant. They are the greatest threat! You must campaign against them and eliminate external dangers!!”

　　“Also, you must persuade him never to implement the feudal enfeoffment system again. Even if there is enfeoffment, never give the vassals real power! Otherwise, there will be chaos among the princes, just like at the beginning of the Han!”

　　“Finally, you can also advise Arthur Smith that it’s best not to let Albert Smith inherit the throne. He’s no good…”

　　Andrew Young was already dumbfounded.

　　He wasn’t sure before, but now he was certain.

　　This man is truly mad.

　　What nonsense is he talking about? Beware of the Hu people? Those Hu people? Even when Wei was weaker than it is now, they could chase them down. Not long ago, Wei’s expedition to Liaodong sent the Hu people there fleeing for their lives, unable to resist for a thousand miles.

　　They dare provoke Wei??

　　As for enfeoffment, Albert Smith, what is all this about?

　　Andrew Young asked suspiciously, “Are you planning to use the surrounding barbarians to wear down the Sima family’s strength? Let them fight each other? William Smith won’t fall for that…”

　　“And those barbarians are definitely no match for the Sima family…”

　　William Carter laughed, the gloom on his face vanishing without a trace.

　　“I’m just making a final safeguard. If I die, at least I can still prevent some things from happening.”

　　“If I were to say this, William Smith would react just like you. But if you, as Arthur Smith’s trusted aide, submit this to him, the result might be different.”

　　“Arthur Smith, though not as capable as his elder brother, is still quite receptive to advice.”

　　Andrew Young frowned, completely unable to understand.