Charles Carter said seriously, “If I were timid, I would have reported to the authorities long ago, and Mr. Mason would probably already be suffering torture in prison. Success requires courage, planning requires caution. If you don’t think things through beforehand, you’re bound to fail when the time comes.”

“I know Charlie is not a coward.” Victor Mason cupped his hands in apology. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dragged Charlie into this. Please rest assured, Charlie, I will be careful with Franklin Gordon and Duke of Grant.”

Charles Carter thought for a moment, then pushed the bundle back. “I don’t need it for now.”

Victor Mason didn’t insist either. “I’ll leave it here. Charlie, take it whenever you need. So—this matter is settled?”

“Let’s wait a bit longer. Only if I can successfully get close to the Central Army General will this matter be settled. If nothing comes of it, it means I can’t help. Please, Mr. Mason, look for someone more capable.”

“The world is vast, but confidants are hard to find. Without Charlie’s involvement, I’ll withdraw as well. Let Franklin Gordon find another assassin for Duke of Grant.”

After eating, Charles Carter took his leave. As Victor Mason saw him off, he couldn’t help but say, “Charlie, that article of yours… don’t let it get you into trouble, especially at a time like this.”

Charles Carter smiled without replying. For him, once he set his mind on something, he rarely changed it. Because of this, he had few friends and little contact with his family.

But today, someone insisted on “contacting” him.

Lucas Wright arrived with two servants for a visit and had been waiting for some time. The old servant at Charles Carter’s home recognized this Young Master Wright, so he welcomed him in, served tea and water, and attended to him quite thoroughly.

Charles Carter was surprised. “Why are you here?”

Lucas Wright stood up to greet him, as if this were his own home, cupped his hands and smiled. “We’ve been classmates for years, yet this is my first visit to your esteemed residence. I hope Young Master Carter doesn’t mind.”

Charles Carter told the old servant to boil water, put down his book box, and said, “I won’t give my article to anyone.”

“It’s not ‘giving’, it’s ‘selling’. Look, I even brought money.” Lucas Wright pointed to a plate on the table, where copper coins were stacked high like a small mountain.

Charles Carter was furious and was about to throw both man and money out, but suddenly changed his mind. “You really want my article?”

Lucas Wright was overjoyed and immediately said, “Yes! If Young Master Carter thinks it’s not enough, I’ll add more.”

“Why are you so set on my article?”

“Haven’t I said before? Among all of us, your articles are the best. Several scholars at the academy once discussed it together and said that among all the students over the years, Young Master Carter, Young Master Mason, and one who has already left, Franklin Gordon, are the top three, known as the ‘Three Talents’. Unfortunately, luck hasn’t favored you, and none of the three have had a chance to shine. So I thought…”

Lucas Wright said this casually, but Charles Carter was shocked. The so-called “Three Talents” mentioned by the scholars were actually the three involved in the plot to assassinate the emperor.

Charles Carter took out the manuscript. “Take it.”

Lucas Wright immediately took it, his face glowing with excitement. “Young Master Carter, you’re a true friend. Take the money—if you ever need more, just ask.”

Charles Carter shook his head. “You take the money too.”

Lucas Wright was puzzled. “You don’t want the money… then what do you want?”

“Nothing at all. I just hope my article will be treated fairly.”

Lucas Wright frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly understood. “Haha, don’t worry, Young Master Carter. As long as it’s under my name, this article is sure to win first class. No need to say more—you’re my friend for life. When I make it big, I won’t forget this favor. As for the money…”

“If you don’t take it, I’ll throw it out.”

“Since Young Master Carter insists.” Lucas Wright tucked the manuscript into his robe, called his servant to take away the plate of coins, and said to Charles Carter, “Let’s have a drink together.”

“I’m not in the mood today. Take care, Young Master Wright.”

Lucas Wright had gotten the manuscript and had no intention of staying. He smiled, “Another time, then. Farewell.”

Charles Carter sat at home, trying to come up with another article, but his thoughts gradually drifted. He actually thought of a way to get close to his third brother, Henry Carter, though it was a bit risky.

“In this life…” Charles Carter muttered, feeling that nothing could be more dangerous than the assassination itself.

Fifth Chapter: The List

Lucas Wright was not a man who knew contentment. Having gotten an article for nothing, he felt little gratitude and instead nitpicked. Early the next morning, he came knocking again, holding up the manuscript. “Young Master Carter, there’s a problem with your article.”

Charles Carter was taken aback. Lucas Wright took the opportunity to slip past him, went straight into the house, told the old servant to make tea, put the manuscript on the table, and turned to the original author who had followed him in. “First of all, there are too few points—only one, ‘Employ the people according to the times’. There should be at least eight or ten. As far as I know, others have at least three.”

Charles Carter couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s the only point.”

“Just add a couple more. For Young Master Carter, it’s just an hour or two of work.”

Charles Carter shook his head. “‘Employ the people according to the times’ means that governing a country cannot be rushed. Pacifying the borders is right, eliminating bandits is right, building palaces and digging canals are all right, but they can’t all be done at once. There must be priorities, a balance of tension and relaxation. The people’s strength must not be exhausted—if it is, the nation will decline; the people’s hearts must not be completely lost—if they are, the country will fall into chaos…”

Lucas Wright listened blankly, took a sip of the tea the old servant brought, and asked, “Just add two more points to make it three.”