Ethan Sullivan said, "I know, governing with literature over martial force is an ancestral rule."

　　Abraham Brooks nodded and smiled.

　　"But times have changed. The Western Xia and Liao people are like two hungry wolves. Who knows what other enemies will appear in the future? What will happen if Great Song continues to suppress the military?"

　　Abraham Brooks's expression changed slightly as he said, "Nonsense!"

　　Ethan Sullivan smiled and said no more on the subject.

　　"Congratulations on the great reputation of Abraham Brooks once again resounding through the skies."

　　Last night, Abraham Brooks's unyielding bravery in the face of death was shocking, and the hard-boned Abraham Brooks moved even Ethan Sullivan.

　　Abraham Brooks's face turned away awkwardly.

　　Mr. Brooks actually got shy?

　　Ethan Sullivan found it very amusing.

　　"Your poem was quite good."

　　Abraham Brooks brought up the past, making Ethan Sullivan instantly alert, then asked, "Is Abraham Brooks planning to settle scores after the fact?"

　　Abraham Brooks shook his head. "His Majesty asked who the peddler was that shot the Liao falcon last night, but I said I didn't see clearly. Ethan Sullivan... You seem easygoing, but I know you are very dangerous."

　　Grace took Hannah to the back, and Abraham Brooks raised his voice and said, "You have a way of swaying people's hearts. This is a skill, and it can be used for good or ill. If used to mislead the ignorant masses, it could bring disaster to the nation. You should go take the exams; officialdom will make you forget all your ambitions..."

　　"I have no ambition."

　　Ethan Sullivan retorted, "I've never had any ambition. Stirring up the peddlers was just to deal with those ruffians and to make a little extra money for myself. It's not as sinister as you imagine."

　　Abraham Brooks laughed, pointed at Ethan Sullivan, and said, "To do something that both deals with ruffians and makes money—what is that? That's skill. I'm old and have seen many capable people, but a youth as young as you... Forget it, a monstrous youth! But Great Song is not a nation on the brink of collapse, so take care of yourself. If you want to take the exams, come find me, and I'll recommend you."

　　The imperial examination in Great Song started with the Jie examination, that is, the provincial exam, but there was no county or prefectural exam to bridge the gap below; it all depended on recommendations.

　　Without a recommendation, even if you were extremely talented, you could only stay home and dig in the dirt.

　　Ethan Sullivan shook his head. Abraham Brooks finally said, "If you can have your name called outside Donghua Gate, in twenty years you will surely become a pillar of Great Song. If I'm still alive then, I'll crawl there to congratulate you and to congratulate Great Song!"

　　Take the exam, my foot!

　　Ethan Sullivan was secretly laughing to himself.

　　Abraham Brooks had just taken a step when he turned back to look at Ethan Sullivan and asked, "The Inspection Office and the ruffians are colluding. What do you think should be done?"

　　Ethan Sullivan instinctively said, "Send someone to go undercover among the ruffians, or just bribe them directly. As soon as you get information, take action—strike hard, so that no one dares to cross the line again... Hiss!"

　　The old man actually tried to trick me?

　　Looking at the grim-faced Abraham Brooks, Ethan Sullivan realized he had underestimated the wisdom of this era.

　　Abraham Brooks sighed, "Your head is full of schemes and plots. What's wrong with being upright and aboveboard? Why must you talk about undercover agents? That doesn't sound like anything good. And bribing ruffians... If I have time, I'll come guide you again and help you become a better person."

　　Ethan Sullivan stared in astonishment as Abraham Brooks strode away, wanting to curse but not knowing what to say.

　　"Brother, let's practice writing."

　　Fortunately, having a studious little sister made Ethan Sullivan feel comforted.

　　The two of them went home, and the landlord uncle was receiving new tenants.

　　"...I'm not boasting, but in Bianliang City, even the prime minister has to rent a place to live, so ten strings of cash a month is already very cheap."

　　The new tenants turned out to be two women. One was just over twenty, beautiful—very beautiful—but also quite proud.

　　The other couldn't really be called a woman, just a girl in her teens, a bit older than Ethan Sullivan, but at this time already old enough to be a mother.

　　"Madam Alice, you want three rooms. If not, you can ask Ethan Sullivan how much his room costs."

　　The usually kind landlord uncle now seemed a bit sly, but Ethan Sullivan was not interested in getting involved.

　　The woman called Alice raised her elegant brows slightly, her small mouth parted a little, and she said coldly, "That will do, then."

　　Seriously!

　　Renting a place as if she were booking a presidential suite.

　　"Brother, I'm scared!"

　　Grace had followed Ethan Sullivan through many moves and had met all kinds of people, so she was sensitive to certain auras.

　　This was a proud and self-satisfied woman, and the half-grown girl who looked like a maid also had her nose in the air. The combined aura of mistress and servant could be summed up in four words:

　　Strangers, keep away!

　　"Let's go practice calligraphy!"

　　Ethan Sullivan was only fourteen now, and the opposite sex didn't have much attraction for this body yet.

　　Alice glanced at the Ethan Sullivan siblings as they went in, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly in disdain.

　　After half an hour of calligraphy practice, Ethan Sullivan began telling stories to Grace.

　　"...The wicked queen caught the princess and kept a close watch on her from then on. If the princess didn't finish a bowl of rice at every meal, the queen would punish her..."

　　Grace leaned against her brother's chest, pouting in dissatisfaction, "Brother, more."