As the last branch of the clan, she was usually ostracized by her relatives. Husband, forced by circumstances, had to take up the lowly profession of a traveling merchant, giving the clan elders something to hold over them. If everything wasn’t handled perfectly, David Thompson’s dream of going to the capital for the exams would turn to dust. Although the current emperor repeatedly emphasized that the county-recommended xianggong (Note 1) should be selected solely on merit, and that if the chosen scholars proved incompetent, the local officials would be held accountable, money without the “贝” radical would never be as useful as wealth with it. Besides, in such a large Shanggu Commandery, there were plenty of outstanding students in the official schools—Little David was hardly the only one.

“I’ve already prepared the incense money. Second Brother Robin came to see me just to take advantage of my return and get some benefits.” Charles Thompson explained, using his own brother’s courtesy name. “As for Davey’s exam, he’ll only be eligible for the Mingjing (Note 2) exam the year after next, and even if he passes, he’ll just become a minor local official. It would be better to wait a few more years, and after his coming-of-age ceremony (Note 3), go straight for the Jinshi exam. If he passes, he could at least become a county magistrate. If he succeeds, it would be as if our old Li family’s ancestors were smiling down on us!”

“But I’ve heard people say, ‘twenty old Mingjings, fifty young Jinshis!’ Even though passing the Jinshi exam means a high official post, how many can actually pass? Wouldn’t it be better to take the Mingjing exam? If he could get a post as a county assistant or tax officer, he’d have a steady income of a hundred or so strings of cash every year without even lifting a finger,” Mrs. Thompson-Bolton argued in a low voice. The imperial examination system was a unique and virtuous policy created by the late emperor, and this method of selecting talent based solely on learning, regardless of family background, gave hope to many small families like the Lis for a better life. Although the chances of success were slim, and even before going to the capital one had to bribe both the commandery and county officials, at least there was a chance—unlike the previous dynasty, when only sons of powerful families could become officials.

There were many types of exams in the capital, but only “Mingjing” and “Jinshi” were truly popular. The former was popular because it was relatively easy—memorize a few government-designated books and you could pass. The latter, however, was famous because once you passed, you became renowned throughout the land and your future was limitless. The others, like Ming Suan and Ming Shu, had high thresholds and few prospects, so very few students bothered with them.

“It’s precisely because the Jinshi exam is hard that it offers a real future!” Charles Thompson took a sip of wine, his emotions gradually rising. “Little David is such a good student—if he really does pass, those Older Brother and Sister-in-law in the clan, who would dare ask us for more incense money? And those hangers-on at the yamen, like Tommy Harris and Baldy Smith, who would dare come and bully us again?”

“But first he has to get through the county school. Old Master Smith may appreciate our Little David, but he doesn’t get involved in anything. The one in charge, Old Master Brooks, has promised to help us, but after all, he’s an official—unlike businessmen, who keep their word!” (Note 4) When it came to her son’s future, Mrs. Thompson-Bolton always saw things more clearly than her Husband. The county school’s Old Master Brooks was famous for accepting bribes from anyone, but when it came to actually doing things, no one could figure out what principles he followed.

“No way!” With the wine taking effect, Old Charles Thompson’s forehead began to sweat as he muttered, “Last year, Old Master Brooks took that Turkic horse from us, and it was only four years old! Could he really just take and not give back? Besides, if not for our sake, at least for Little David’s—he’s Old Master Smith’s registered disciple, after all.” At this, he turned to David Thompson, a little anxious: “Before I left, I asked you to request a courtesy name from your teacher. Did you ask him? Did he agree to give you one?”

David Thompson was far from the age of adulthood, so it was a bit early to ask for a courtesy name. But Old Master Smith was a renowned local scholar, and if he gave a courtesy name, it meant an official teacher-student relationship. In the future, even if others wanted to slight David Thompson, they’d have to consider his teacher’s feelings first.

“I asked, and Master gave me the courtesy name Henry. He also suggested I take the Jinshi exam. A few days ago, he taught us how to write policy essays, and he wrote ‘profound reasoning and outstanding insight’ on mine, and even had me read it aloud to all the classmates!” David Thompson chimed in. He didn’t really understand the difference between “Mingjing” and “Jinshi”; his greatest ambition was just to become a tax officer, so his parents and Uncle could live a few days in peace without being bullied. He just thought that if he could take the exam a few years later, he could help Mother with the family business a bit longer, and Father wouldn’t have to keep bringing gifts to Scholar Brooks. All the classmates knew Scholar Brooks only took gifts and never did anything, but only the Elders were so honest, always taking the initiative to be cheated by him.

“Henry, I wonder what story that comes from. This Master Smith…” Charles Thompson’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed a little. For the most learned Old Master Smith in the area to personally give his Son a courtesy name meant the old man had accepted the teacher-student relationship. Even if the The Thompson Family had forced it a bit, with this connection, David Thompson had a better chance of being recommended by the authorities. As a responsible Father, Charles Thompson would spare no effort to plan for his Son’s future.

“Take that good wine your Uncle gave Dad last time—your Mother still hasn’t opened that jar. Take it to your Teacher another day! And bring some mushrooms and dried game from beyond the border for your Uncle. It’s not much, but at least it’ll make a decent dish!” Charles Thompson hesitated for a moment, then gave these instructions in a low voice.

“Sigh!” David Thompson agreed happily, but suddenly remembered what Uncle had asked him, and said quietly, “What Uncle urgently needs isn’t rare delicacies. He asked me to check with you—if you’re back, could you help him find two pieces of raw cowhide? If there’s no cowhide, horsehide or donkey hide will do. He’s willing to pay a fair price—the authorities are pressing him!”

“I actually have some hides on hand, no need to buy from anyone else. But why would the authorities suddenly need hides out of the blue?”