When they arrived at their lodgings, Edward Reed was not sleepy at all and insisted on going to the lakeside for a while. The attendant pointed out the path and reminded them before they left, “His Highness the Crown Prince is also staying here tonight. You two can sit for a while in the pavilion ahead, but do not wander around. If you run into the night patrol guards, it’s no joke.”

There was indeed a pavilion by the lake, situated slightly higher than the surrounding area. Standing inside, feeling the cool breeze, was quite pleasant.

Edward Reed faced the lake in silence for a long time. Charles Carter, being just a disciple, naturally could not speak at will and stood quietly behind the scholar.

Across the lake, lights blazed brightly—not for a banquet, but because many laborers were working through the night.

“Peace under heaven…” Edward Reed murmured, “How fortunate I am to witness such peace in my lifetime. This is enough for me.”

Charles Carter had to respond, “After a century of turmoil, heroes have risen one after another. Only our Tiancheng Dynasty has unified the land. From this, it seems that rise and fall are determined by Heaven, not by man.”

Edward Reed chuckled, turned to sit on a stone bench, and looked up at Charles Carter. “If not by man, then who built the tall towers? Who played the music? Who provided food and clothing?”

“Man proposes, Heaven disposes. Without Heaven’s will, towers collapse, music falls into chaos, and food and clothing become scarce.”

“Haha, I just love hearing young people say things they don’t mean, watching you all grow bit by bit.”

Charles Carter blushed, about to defend his formulaic words, when someone strode up outside the pavilion, voice arriving before the person, “Haha, Mr. Reed really lied—claiming a low tolerance for alcohol was just a trick.”

Edward Reed rose to greet him, smiling, “My low tolerance is real, but my way of sobering up is different from others—I have to find an open space to ease my chest.”

Stephen Lane set a wine jug and cups on the table. “Since your chest is eased, I suppose you can drink a few more cups.”

“Samuel Lane, you bring wine to share, how could I refuse?”

Charles Carter bowed and prepared to leave, but Stephen Lane stopped him. “An invitation is not as good as a chance meeting. I have another cup here.” Stephen Lane really did pull another cup from his robe.

“Thank you for having me.” Charles Carter had no choice but to stay, set down his book box, and poured the wine.

Stephen Lane had come in high spirits, but after one cup, his mood faded. He pressed down his cup, signaling he didn’t want more.

The three sat in silence for a long time. Suddenly, Stephen Lane spoke, “I’ve thought it over carefully—there will surely be chaos in Qinzhou, and even greater trouble in Bingzhou.”

“Oh?” Edward Reed responded softly, while Charles Carter maintained a detached attitude, listening quietly.

“General Lan is brave and invincible, but the chaos in Qinzhou isn’t due to rebellion. It’s years of famine, plus corrupt officials oppressing the people, forcing good folk to rise up. The way to pacify the unrest should be with appeasement, not suppression. Yet the court sends General Lan to crush the rebels, which is like adding fuel to the fire. Bingzhou is the opposite—only one county claims rebellion, so a strong general should swiftly quell it. But the court appoints someone who’s never led troops…”

Edward Reed interrupted Stephen Lane, “I forgot to introduce—this is a disciple from the Inducement Academy, surname Lou, given name Chu.”

“Young Charles Carter greets Samuel Lane.” Charles Carter rose and cupped his hands.

Stephen Lane smiled, “Lou is a rare surname. Are you the general’s son?”

“The general’s unworthy son, seventeenth in line.”

“Perfect. When you return home, pass a message to your father: the troubles in Qinzhou and Bingzhou are all his responsibility. Shen of Bingzhou harbors ill intent—I hope the general truly knows nothing of it.”

“You’ve had too much to drink,” Edward Reed reminded.

Stephen Lane suddenly stood, walked to the railing, and gazed out over the lake for a while before sneering, “The general thinks everyone in the world is blind. I’ll make sure he knows there are still people in court who see clearly: the Bingzhou rebellion is fake—Shen the governor is using the chance to amass troops for real; the Qinzhou bandit suppression is fake—breaking the people’s spirit and leaving Shen a place to fight is the real aim.”

Edward Reed said nothing. Charles Carter replied, “The truth will be judged by the public. The general’s loyalty to the country is well known.”

“Heh, ignorant child, what do you know? If the general really had plans, he wouldn’t discuss them with you. If the world falls into chaos, your Lou family will be the main culprit. Pity the ministers in power are either shortsighted or afraid of the general’s influence, so they all keep silent, letting the tiger become a threat.”

The more Stephen Lane spoke, the angrier he became. Suddenly, he turned, grabbed a wine cup, and smashed it on the ground, shouting, “Though the Liang family has declined, our loyalty remains unchanged! Tell the general to guard the palace gates well. If I see His Majesty, I will risk my life to expose his plot!”

Stephen Lane stormed out of the pavilion in anger, not even bidding farewell to Edward Reed.

“He really has had too much to drink,” Edward Reed said.

“Mm. Even if he meant what he said, it doesn’t matter. I have no way to pass these words to the general anyway.”

“Samuel Lane originally wanted to lead troops to Bingzhou to suppress the rebellion, but after being blocked, he’s been in a bad mood.”

“Samuel Lane… does seem a bit like someone who’s led troops.”

“He just has a big temper and thinks highly of himself, believing he’s both civil and military. He’s never really led troops. The court has its reasons for not choosing him for Bingzhou.”

Charles Carter nodded, not knowing what to say.

Edward Reed slowly stood up and sighed, “It’s only been a little over twenty years of peace.”

“The world is settled. This era of peace will last a long time yet,” Charles Carter said reassuringly.