“Our Lou family has already produced three generals, three regional governors, and four county magistrates, with countless other officials. Seventh Brother, don’t you want to go out and take charge on your own?”

Scott Carter’s face darkened. “This kind of thing has to be decided by General... No matter what, I’m still better than you.”

“Of course. If Seventh Brother doesn’t want to listen, then forget it. But if you do, I’ll boldly point out the reason why Seventh Brother can’t leave the residence.”

“General won’t let me leave because he trusts me!” Scott Carter was furious, turned to leave, but immediately turned back. “Let’s hear it. If you dare to talk nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

Charles Carter smiled. “How would I dare? The reason is actually simple: Seventh Brother only manages people but doesn’t promote them, so in General’s eyes, you have hard work but no achievements.”

Scott Carter fell silent, and Charles Carter continued, “If I may speak frankly, Seventh Brother isn’t skilled in civil or military affairs, calculations, or entertaining guests. You only handle miscellaneous tasks at home—when will you ever get a chance to go out?”

“Heh, that’s blunt enough. You’ve made me sound completely useless.”

“I’m only thinking of Seventh Brother; I wouldn’t dare not speak the truth. Besides, Seventh Brother still has a chance. The wise know others, and the truly wise know themselves. Even if Seventh Brother has no special skills, you can still recommend those who do to General. May I ask, after managing affairs for so long, have you ever recommended even one or two people to General?”

Scott Carter sneered, “You want me to recommend you, don’t you?”

“That’s exactly my intention, and it’s also the benefit I offer to Seventh Brother.”

“Heh, you’re an arrogant brat.”

“If I weren’t a little arrogant, how could I show my ambition and talent?”

Scott Carter burst out laughing, drawing the attention of others in the hall. “Are you finished?”

“I’m finished.”

“Fine, I’ll see how I feel. If the person I recommend is good, everyone will be happy. But if not, I’ll be the one to suffer in front of General.”

“Please keep it in mind, Seventh Brother. If General keeps thinking about Qinzhou, please put in a good word for me. I happen to have some ideas about Qinzhou, which might be just what’s on General’s mind.”

“What ideas?”

“I can only tell General in person.”

Scott Carter snorted, flicked his sleeve, and walked away to join the others, ignoring Charles Carter from then on.

General arrived. This time, the discussions with the advisors were all trivial matters, but involved considerable interests. How to distribute them was a tricky issue. The advisors each offered their suggestions, and General made the final decision.

After the advisors withdrew, William Carter as usual lectured the descendants in the hall. He was in a good mood today, so he only scolded a little and left in a hurry, not giving anyone a chance to speak.

“General is marrying another concubine—he’ll be a groom again tonight...” one son whispered, with both mockery and envy.

Charles Carter had no way to speak to General directly and could only wait for Seventh BrotherScott Carter’s recommendation.

He waited several days. There was no word from General, but over at the Eastern Palace, the essays from the Youxue Hall had already been graded. Victor Mason ranked first in the top tier, while Charles Carter fell to tenth in the second tier.

Charles Carter learned this news on his way to the Youxue Hall.

Lucas Wright, fuming and accompanied by servants, came up and shoved a few sheets of paper into Charles Carter’s hands, saying coldly, “I thought Young Master Carter was talented, but who would have thought... tenth in the second tier, what a waste of my name on it. Sigh, if I’d known, I should have gone to Victor Mason instead. It would have been harder, but I’d have found a way to get his essay.”

Charles Carter hadn’t expected this result either, but the manuscript seemed much longer than what he’d originally written, so he skimmed through it and said angrily, “This isn’t my essay.”

“How is it not? It’s... oh, right, I added four more points to make it ‘Five Policies on Current Affairs.’ Without those, you wouldn’t have even gotten tenth in the second tier.”

Suppressing his anger, Charles Carter handed the manuscript back to Lucas Wright. “It’s my fault. Young Master Wright, please don’t ask me for essays again.”

“I won’t, never again. You’re on good terms with Victor Mason, right? Introduce me to him. I’ll buy his essays from now on.”

“I don’t know him well.” Charles Carter walked on, but Lucas Wright caught up, nagging nonstop, thinking Charles Carter owed him a favor and should help him out.

There were no classes at the Youxue Hall today. Edward Reed announced the results and told everyone to wait until noon, when they would all go to Qianzi Lake to pay respects to the Crown Prince.

Everyone congratulated the three top scorers, each eager to make a good impression on the Eastern Palace beyond just their essays.

Edward Reed beckoned to Charles Carter, who got up, approached, and bowed. “Sir, what advice do you have?”

“I don’t see your name on here,” Edward Reed said, pointing at the list on the table.

“I was too dull, so I didn’t write it.”

“Hmm, that’s fine. It’s good to know your own limits. Since you didn’t place, you’ll be my book boy today. The Eastern Palace doesn’t allow me to bring idle people, and I need someone to carry my book chest.”

“Thank you for your trust, sir.”

Edward Reed turned away. In the distance, Victor Mason nodded, signaling Charles Carter to step outside and talk.

No one was outside the school. Victor Mason said, “A good essay, ruined by that black-haired dog.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Without you as a competitor, I managed to make the top tier. Maybe I can use this chance to find out... the information we need from the Eastern Palace.”

This was the first time Victor Mason had shown any sign of urgency.

Chapter Six: Drunk Without End