“You just write that King of Quincy Thomas Carter is without virtue and has implicated many people. Today, the Empress Dowager wants to make the Marquis of Gaogui the emperor, even at the cost of confronting the Grand General. The Marquis himself is truly uneasy, afraid of causing discord between the Empress Dowager and the Grand General, so he begs the Empress Dowager not to value him so highly, and to follow the Grand General’s suggestion to make the Prince of Pengcheng the emperor.”

“What?!”

Robert Grant nearly jumped up.

“My lord, didn’t we agree to work together to support the realm? Why are you going back on your word?”

“Samuel, this is not going back on my word. Didn’t you just say it yourself? Only if the Empress Dowager and I are of one mind can we stand against William Smith. This letter is to express my respect for the Empress Dowager.”

“Besides, the throne cannot be inherited so easily. There is still something I must do.”

“This matter will be very dangerous, but I must do it.”

“Your clan brothers and uncles are all virtuous and worthy men. If they see this letter, they will surely be moved, and perhaps they will come to help me.”

“With a gentleman like Robert Grant, of course, such words are needed to fool him.”

Robert Grant thought for a moment. It seemed his lord’s words made some sense. Although he still didn’t know what Mr. Carter intended to do, he agreed nonetheless.

William Carter took his hand and said earnestly, “The worthy minister who will assist me in reviving Great Wei and pacifying the realm will surely be you! Such a great undertaking begins with this letter!”

Robert Grant, so stirred by William Carter’s words, immediately blushed, his expression excited. He asked no further questions and accepted the order on the spot.

The lord and his minister were both greatly encouraged.

But as they left Robert Grant’s study, the excitement on William Carter’s face vanished.

Different people require different approaches.

“Lu!”

William Carter called out loudly.

James Lee, who was wrestling with a companion, suddenly pinned his opponent beneath him, then hurriedly got up and looked toward William Carter.

William Carter gestured toward his own study, and James Lee quickly put on his clothes and followed him inside.

William Carter’s study was very simple, with books lining two walls, of many kinds. William Carter took out paper and brush and began to write.

James Lee sat across from William Carter. He was illiterate, so he just watched William Carter writing with his head down, not daring to speak for fear of disturbing him.

When William Carter finished writing, he quickly put away the brush.

Looking at the black characters on white paper before him, William Carter took a deep breath. His hand was still trembling slightly, whether from nervousness or fear he did not know.

“Lu… I have something very important to entrust to you.”

James Lee was taken aback, then his expression became extremely solemn.

“Please command me, my lord. I am willing to give my life for you!”

“Lu, among all the knights who follow me, you are the one I trust most, so I am willing to entrust my life and fortune to you.”

“This letter, I want you to deliver it to the Supervising Censor of the Capital, Guanqiu Dian, and it must be handed to him personally.”

James Lee took the letter. “I will not fail in my mission!”

“Lu, you must be very careful. Now that Richard King has arrived in Yuancheng, there are probably people watching me whenever I go out. But they have always looked down on people like you, which is our opportunity.”

“In another two hours, I will lead everyone to the restaurant for drinks. That will be your chance to leave. You must slip away quietly and not be discovered by them.”

“On the way, you must be extra cautious. This letter must never fall into the hands of the The Smith Family, or I will surely die.”

James Lee grinned. “My lord, don’t worry. I may not be good at other things, but when it comes to running for my life, I’m quite skilled.”

“Back in my hometown, a nobleman went hunting in the mountains and took pleasure in shooting mountain folk. In a fit of rage, I killed them in return and escaped for years without ever being caught…”

“But to accomplish this, I’ll need to borrow something from you, my lord.”

William Carter laughed. “As long as it’s not my head, you can borrow anything.”

“Please, my lord, give me some money!”

“Alright!”

James Lee, who was about to explain, was stunned for a moment, then said, “You may not know, but the officials along the way are mostly corrupt and lawless, just like their masters. As long as you bribe them, they won’t…”

William Carter interrupted him. “No need to explain! I trust you!”

William Carter stood up, and in front of James Lee, opened the wooden box by his bed, took out an item wrapped in cloth, and handed it to him.

“This is all my savings, all the gold I’ve accumulated over the past year. Take it and use it as you need.”

James Lee’s hands trembled. “My lord, I…”

“Then I’ll leave this matter to you. Take care!”

James Lee suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to William Carter. “I will never let you down, my lord!!!”

That very day, William Carter once again led the many knights of his residence out of the mansion. The procession was grand, and the passersby were used to it, greeting them as warmly as ever.

They went to their usual restaurant.

The knights drank heartily, chatting freely with the other patrons. A few people, mixed in among the diners, said nothing, eating with their heads down, their eyes always fixed on William Carter.

Whenever the knights invited them to drink, they always looked a bit nervous.