Although there was no smile on Martha Clark's face, it was no longer as cold as before. “The dignified Emperor of Han still needs to scheme against a little child.”

“So what? Shouldn’t I?”

“You should.”

“Actually, this boy is very clever, but unfortunately his mind just isn’t on his studies... However, from now on, we’ll have to put in more effort. Otherwise, with his temperament, once the two of us are gone, he’s bound to cause big trouble.”

“That’s true.”

George Carter suddenly let out a long sigh. Shaking his head, he asked, “Do you know why I suddenly want to change the crown prince?”

Martha Clark’s expression immediately turned cold, and she said nothing.

“It’s not that I no longer love Ying, it’s because I love him too much... You know as well as I do, a benevolent but weak person cannot be a good emperor. Look at the people in the country—each one harbors ulterior motives. On the surface, they show me utmost respect, but in secret, they’re drilling soldiers and stockpiling provisions... What do you think they’re planning?”

“If one day I’m gone, can Ying keep them in check? If I don’t change the crown prince, then I’ll have to clear away those obstacles for him myself...”

George Carter spoke with some agitation, his eyes reddening, almost to the point of tears. He reached out, grabbed Martha Clark’s hand, and stared into her eyes. “I really don’t want to, I don’t want to fight with them... Can you understand me?”

Martha Clark frowned, but did not pull her hand away, as if deep in thought.

This sadness in George Carter persisted until the Chancellor came to report.

The ruffians of Pei County were no longer what they once were, but Stephen Clark was still the same as before: diligent and frugal, easygoing—these were Stephen Clark’s two biggest traits. There was always a smile on his face, a natural smile that came from the heart, giving Stephen Clark an outstanding affinity.

George Carter liked to discuss troublesome matters with Stephen Clark, because no matter what difficulties arose, Stephen Clark’s smile always gave others great confidence. As long as Stephen Clark was still smiling, everything would turn out fine.

Stephen Clark had many friends; everyone trusted and respected him.

Stephen Clark was indeed getting on in years, and as he aged, his features became even kinder, and his smile even more moving.

“Your Majesty seems to have something on your mind?”

“Alas, just now Edward Bennett came and made quite a scene.”

George Carter looked up, gazing at Stephen Clark with a melancholy expression, and asked, “Do you know why I suddenly want to change the crown prince?”

Stephen Clark was taken aback and said nothing. In the court, Stephen Clark was one of the few ministers who had not gotten involved in this matter. As Chancellor, he had not spoken out in the crown prince dispute, neither supporting William Carter nor Richard Carter, quietly remaining an observer.

George Carter said heavily, “It’s not that I no longer love the crown prince, it’s because I have concerns. The power of the The Clark Family clan is growing ever greater, I am already old, and the crown prince dares not defy his mother in the slightest. Many ministers in court collude with the The Clark Family... Even my own Marquis of Liu is willing to offer her advice and strategies...”

George Carter asked sorrowfully, “What should I do?”

Stephen Clark replied calmly, “Your Majesty need not worry. Though the crown prince is young, he has the bearing of a wise ruler. Besides, the crown prince is still young and vigorous...”

Chapter Four: How to Be a Qualified Prince

Charles Carter returned to the palace dejectedly. The princes of the Western Han had to undergo a series of excellent education, because George Carter wanted all his sons to be capable, so that they could “protect” the emperor in the future, and thus he put great effort into their upbringing.

The princes of the Western Han were not like those of the Eastern Han; Western Han princes had to possess the ability to govern a state.

This education was divided into two types. The first was elementary education: when the princes grew a bit older, they would be gathered together to begin their elementary studies, with the goal of learning to read and write. Of course, the crown prince was not among them; he had a special tutor, the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor, and did not study with the other princes.

When the princes grew a bit older and were enfeoffed as kings, the emperor would assign them a King’s Grand Tutor, who would teach these princes more profound things, from etiquette to statecraft. If they were lucky enough to have a particularly capable Grand Tutor, they might even learn how to wage war or how to entertain themselves.

Because Charles Carter had shown intelligence at a young age, George Carter had found special teachers for him. Now, at last, he was to study together with his older brothers.

Thinking of those unreliable older brothers, Charles Carter could only sigh helplessly.

Currently, those still receiving elementary education were Richard Carter, Henry Carter, Frank Carter, and David Carter—the four of them were close in age, only a year or two apart, and none had yet been enfeoffed as kings. The eldest son, Peter Carter, who had already been enfeoffed, had long since been sent to his own fief.

The youngest, Joseph Carter, was not yet old enough to begin elementary education.

The next day, he got up early. After washing up reluctantly, he was escorted by seven or eight eunuchs to the Tianlu Pavilion, the imperial library of the Han, located in the northern part of the palace, and also the place where the princes gathered for their elementary education.

When Charles Carter walked into the Tianlu Pavilion, pouting and unwilling, everyone was already there. However, class had not yet started—they were all waiting for him. It seemed everyone already knew that Charles Carter would be coming here to study.