David Carter listened intently from the side. Although he didn’t get much information, he now had a general understanding of the situation in Gongyi County. In David Carter’s memory, his life before the age of thirteen had always been quite peaceful, but after that sudden disaster, he realized that a seemingly calm life always hides various crises. Just like now—life may seem tranquil, but who knows what the future holds?

In fact, he didn’t have any particular ambition to stand out at the moment. Back in modern times, before he turned thirteen, his greatest wish was simply for him and his mother to live a good life. But after thirteen, his main concern became how to survive.

These thoughts churned in David Carter’s mind, but being used to pondering and reminiscing alone, he didn’t feel there was anything wrong with himself. Thinking about these things only made him understand one truth even more: if a man has no long-term worries, he will have near-term concerns. His mind, as meticulous as a computer, quickly calculated that although this third brother was a bit too easygoing and, judging from his words, not particularly capable, he still treated their family fairly well, and the family did have some influence...

A very good fallback—this thought flashed through his mind.

Thinking of this, David Carter immediately spoke up, as if casually, “This position should go to Third Brother.”

When it comes to children’s words, adults’ first reaction is often not whether the child is right or wrong, but whether the topic is appropriate for the child’s identity and age.

Samuel Carter was taken aback, but didn’t take it seriously. Normally, he would have slapped the child and scolded him a few times, but today, with his nephew present, and with the child’s behavior being so different from usual, he couldn’t quite figure out what the child was thinking. So he just laughed and scolded, “What does a kid know? Don’t talk nonsense.”

Mark Bolton didn’t take it seriously either, but as a young man with an easygoing nature, used to joking and chatting with others, he grinned and asked, “Oh? Shitou, how do you know this position should go to Third Brother?”

David Carter glanced at the two of them, and he could pretty much guess what they were thinking. In his view, this was a simple matter—he had at least several ways to achieve his goal. But he also knew that, as an eleven-year-old, he couldn’t just say things outright. After a slight hesitation, he lowered his head and said, “It sounds like several families are fighting over farmland, and no one is satisfied no matter how it’s divided. Why not get an outsider to help? As long as the division is fair, and everyone gets some benefit, they won’t have much to complain about. Otherwise, if the land stays fallow and the farming season is missed, no one will gain anything, right?” In just a year, he had already learned to imitate the speech and mannerisms of the people here quite well.

When Mark Bolton heard this, at first he didn’t think much of it, but after a moment’s thought, his mouth dropped open and his chopsticks fell onto the table with a clatter. If someone else had said this, he would have just thought it was a good idea, but for an eleven-year-old child to think so deeply—how could he not be astonished?

Such a strange reaction startled Samuel Carter. Although he heard the words, he didn’t really understand the implications, and thought that maybe something in David Carter’s words had offended him. He immediately slapped the table, ready to scold.

But unexpectedly, Mark Bolton grabbed his arm, his eyes shining as he looked at David Carter and said eagerly, “Third Brother’s position is low—how could an outsider possibly let Third Brother get it? Even if he does, the position might not end up being your third brother’s. Cousin, can you give Third Brother another idea?” In just a short while, he had already started calling David Carter “cousin.”

Glancing at Samuel Carter beside him, David Carter didn’t respond to this. Although he was usually quiet and seemed even more taciturn than his own father, unlike Samuel Carter, he was quick-witted—a thoroughly clever person. It was just that years on the battlefield had worn him down, making his temperament much colder and stranger than most.