The discussion went on all morning without any result. Lucas Wright insisted on finding a "hero" to avenge himself, while Edward Reed neither agreed nor disagreed. When the time was up, he announced the end of class, was the first to get up and leave, and showed not the slightest interest in the whole discussion or any of the students.

"So you’re just making a joke out of me getting beaten up." Lucas Wright was very dissatisfied, muttering under his breath, and the students burst out laughing, really treating it as a joke.

Charles Carter had not gone far from the academy when Victor Mason caught up from behind and invited him to drink together.

At the wine table, Victor Mason dismissed the servants and said, "Chudi, what you said in the academy makes sense. A person should have both reputation and substance. Take you and me, for example—we’re unfortunately barred from officialdom in this dynasty, destined never to serve, with a heart to serve the country but no way to do so. So what are our 'reputation' and 'substance'?"

Charles Carter did not answer.

So Victor Mason explained his reasoning, which boiled down to one sentence: "Regicide and changing the heavens"—this is the only reputation and substance for those who are barred.

"This dynasty is beset by internal and external troubles. It’s only been a little over twenty years since its founding, and the great edifice is already tottering. What’s more, Heaven has shown its signs: a few days ago, a comet swept across the imperial seat, which means 'the emperor will fall.' The time, the place, and the people are all in our favor. What do you think, Chudi?"

Charles Carter was slightly moved, and for no reason thought of the Princess of Wu, the woman he had never been able to call mother with ease. At the same time, he was puzzled—where did Victor Mason get the confidence to think that just two disgraced young men, barred from office, could pull off an assassination?

Chapter Two: Listening to Affairs

Victor Mason did not reveal the whole plan, and Charles Carter did not press him. He had not made up his mind yet, and just took it as a slightly over-the-top joke over drinks.

By the time he returned home, it was already evening. Charles Carter had not even had time to sit down before he was summoned to the Hall of Generals Selection.

The Hall of Generals Selection was where Grand General William Carter held discussions at home, and idlers were strictly forbidden entry.

Charles Carter was an idler. In all his years, this was the first time he was allowed into the Hall of Generals Selection, and he needed a servant to lead the way to figure out the route.

The hall was large, its walls hung with swords, spears, bows, arrows, and gleaming armor. A few calligraphy and paintings of some renown cowered among them, rarely drawing any attention.

The Grand General had many descendants—some serving as officials elsewhere, some still too young. Today, more than thirty had been summoned, already lined up on both sides, listening to the Grand General and his advisers discuss affairs.

Charles Carter was the last to arrive, and under the servant’s guidance, quietly stood at the end of the line.

"That’s the situation: the rebels in Qinzhou, Guanzhong are about to be wiped out, but who would have thought a band of bandits would rise up in Bingzhou, Shanxi? The counties are in urgent need, and the court has decided to send twenty thousand troops to suppress the bandits, but we lack a general to lead them. Do any of you have recommendations?" Grand General William Carter was not asking his descendants, but the seven or eight advisers seated on either side.

The descendants of the Lou family could only listen here, not speak. The advisers were used to this and did not stand on ceremony—someone immediately spoke up: "Grand Tutor Liang sent word earlier, hoping to let one of his grandsons earn merit. Why not take this opportunity to do him a favor?"

"Which grandson?" William Carter wanted to be clear.

"Liang Shengzhi—not a legitimate grandson, but reportedly very favored."

"Heh, the Grand Tutor has the nerve to ask me for a favor." William Carter was unimpressed. "Anyone else?"

"The seventh son of the Prince of Nanyang lost his marquisate recently over a minor offense and has been brooding over it. Why not give him this military merit?" another adviser suggested.

Grand General William Carter nodded, grunting twice, clearly interested but not making a decision right away.

The other advisers continued to offer suggestions.

Standing at the end of the line, Charles Carter was filled with emotion. The Grand General held the military power of the realm, yet when choosing a commander, he only asked about family background and favors, not a word about the candidate’s abilities.

Someone sidled up and whispered, "Why are you so late?"

Charles Carter quickly cupped his hands and replied, "Just got back from the academy…"

"You’ve been drinking?"

"With a friend…"

"You’re eighteen now. The Grand General has allowed you to listen in here, so be careful. Don’t waste the opportunity you’ve been given."

"Yes, yes, you’re right, brother. I’m ashamed."

The steward "brother" looked a bit more satisfied and quietly walked away.

Grand General William Carter and the others had already chosen a commander and were now discussing trivial matters. When the meeting ended, the advisers took their leave, accompanied by two sons of the Lou family to the front hall for entertainment. Sometimes the Grand General joined them, sometimes not, but either way, he would stay behind to say a few words to his own sons and grandsons.

"Where’s the third one?" William Carter asked sternly.

"Third brother caught a cold…"

"Nonsense! You dare lie to my face? The third one must have gone off to meet his gang of disreputable friends again. I work myself to the bone, and my son just knows how to enjoy himself." William Carter flew into a rage, cursing a string of insults. The son who answered only mumbled, not daring to say another word.

The third son of the Lou family also had a strange name—Henry Carter, the Grand General’s eldest legitimate son. He was as stout as his father, loved pleasure above all, and always found ways to avoid these meetings.

After William Carter had finished most of his scolding, he still had some anger left with nowhere to vent, so he turned to the sons and grandsons in the hall and snapped, "All of you playing dumb? I didn’t bring you here to be spectators. The Lou family has so many descendants, and not one of you can say anything? When I’m dead, who will you rely on?"

"All military and state affairs of this dynasty are decided by the Grand General. We are foolish and can only listen more, watch more, and think more…"