At this moment, Henry Lewis had already seen Charles Carter walking toward him. He saw an officer, no more than seven chi tall—just over 1.6 meters—dressed in armor and a cloak, striding toward him.

Although he wasn’t tall, the aura he exuded and the confidence on his face made it clear to anyone that this was no ordinary man. Henry Lewis knew in his heart that this was the famous warlord of the late Han, Charles CarterCharles Carter.

He was also the very father of Peter Carter, the one who would ultimately bury the Han dynasty—but for now, Charles Carter was not yet the infamous scheming warlord of later years. At this moment, Charles Carter was still full of youthful passion, loyal to the Han, and his greatest ambition was merely to become General Who Conquers the West, to expand the Han’s territory, not to seize the lofty throne for himself.

The two drew closer, sizing each other up. After a moment, they stood face to face. Just as Henry Lewis was about to speak, he heard Charles Carter say in a low voice, “Consultant Charles Carter, pays respects to Your Highness the Prince!”

Hearing this, Henry Lewis was momentarily stunned, but he didn’t forget his manners. After returning the greeting, he asked, “Consultant Cao, you know me?”

He found it odd. He rarely left the palace, focusing on cultivation and study, and among the court officials, he knew only a handful like Samuel Harper and Jason Johnson. Besides them, he hardly knew anyone, and even fewer would know him. What’s more, Charles Carter’s current rank wasn’t even high enough to attend court, so how did he recognize him?

He also noticed that Charles Carter had come alone after leaving the main camp, which meant he had already spotted and identified him while still inside. For him to approach at such a sensitive time showed real nerve—if it had been Samuel Young who recognized him, he might have turned and left immediately.

“When His Majesty established the Xiyuan Army, Your Highness was present at the ceremony!”

With this explanation from Charles Carter, Henry Lewis understood. Still, he hadn’t expected that even though he’d kept such a low profile, Charles Carter would remember his face. This remarkable man truly was extraordinary.

“So that’s how it is!”

Since Charles Carter already knew his identity, there was no need to use Paul Carter as a pretext to build rapport. What mattered now was finding a quiet place to talk.

Charles Carter also knew this wasn’t the place for conversation. In such a public setting, there was no way to discuss secrets, and with so many eyes around, if he could recognize Prince Henry Lewis, others might as well. If someone saw them together and started speculating, it could cause him a lot of trouble.

Now, with the emperor gravely ill, Grand General James Harris and Empress Dowager Harris were both desperately trying to support Brian Lewis’s succession. But everyone in the capital knew the emperor favored his youngest son Alex Lewis, and the eunuchs supported the emperor, which meant supporting the young prince.

The struggle between these two factions was already enough of a headache. If someone saw him together with the usually silent and easily overlooked eldest prince Henry Lewis, who knew what kind of trouble might arise.

“My humble abode is nearby. Your Highness, please follow me!”

He immediately led the way. Henry Lewis said nothing more, simply following quietly behind. Paul Carter, though young, was clever enough to bring up the rear and keep an eye out for anyone tailing them. Fortunately, Charles Carter’s residence was indeed close, and they arrived quickly—such a short distance wouldn’t attract attention. Besides, Henry Lewis kept such a low profile that even many in the palace didn’t recognize him.

They entered Charles Carter’s courtyard, then turned into the inner chamber, a place not usually used for receiving guests. But given Henry Lewis’s special status, Charles Carter didn’t dare host him outside. He led him straight inside, called for a few trusted attendants to bring water and fruit, then dismissed everyone else, entertaining Henry Lewis alone.

Inside, Charles Carter and Henry Lewis knelt facing each other, with Paul Carter standing quietly behind. The two sat for quite a while before Charles Carter finally spoke: “For the Crown Prince to come to the Xiyuan in person to seek out your humble servant—could it be…?”

Henry Lewis shook his head. “No.” He took a sip of water, but his mind was busy thinking about how to begin, or what topic might interest Charles Carter. Yet, no matter how he pondered, he couldn’t come up with anything.

As for Charles Carter’s question, he knew Charles Carter suspected he was there on a secret imperial mission. But in reality, the emperor knew the Xiyuan Army was basically a lost cause; even if there were secret orders, he wouldn’t entrust them to a force already under James Harris’s control.

Hearing Henry Lewis’s denial, Charles Carter frowned deeply. If that wasn’t the reason, then there was only one other possibility for the crown prince to seek him out.

But that possibility seemed far too wild. Could it be that this young man, not yet of age, truly harbored such grand ambition?

Just as he was thinking this was too far-fetched, he saw Henry Lewis set down his water bowl and, with a serious expression, say, “Consultant Cao, what do you think—if I were to become emperor, what then?”

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Chapter 6: Destruction Before Rebirth

If I were to become emperor, what then?

This question was so blunt, so direct, that it took Charles Carter completely by surprise. Even Paul Carter, who had been quietly serving at the side, broke out in a cold sweat at Henry Lewis’s words.

The emperor—the supreme ruler of the Han dynasty, lord of the realm, the most exalted person in the world. To sit on that throne was to possess the empire itself, to wield ultimate power over life and death.