Upon hearing this, Edward Grant suddenly felt as if he had been struck by a revelation, his body trembled: “Ah! If big brother hadn’t reminded me, I wouldn’t have figured it out. That’s right, this whole household is mine, but my father… he squanders money all the time. Just the other day, he spent over a hundred taels of silver to buy a fine horse. That wastrel, he’s spending my money, ruining my family!”

William Bolton comforted him: “Let it go. Every family has a prodigal man or two. Just try to see it differently—just think of your father as someone who doesn’t know any better.”

Edward Grant said, “Now that I think about it… I really can’t swallow this. I’ll have to find a time to give him a good scolding. Big Brother Bolton is right—if I don’t spend my own silver, won’t it all end up benefiting my father? I’ll go ask my mother later and have her bring me the money.”

Henry Bolton, listening at the side, was dumbfounded. He felt something was off, but after thinking it over, the logic seemed sound.

The three were still talking when suddenly a young boy rushed into the classroom, exclaiming, “The teacher is coming, the teacher is coming…”

No one was really afraid of Charles Howard, but the look of terror on this boy’s face was odd. The teacher coming was no big deal, so why was he so scared?

Just then, someone entered the classroom from outside.

But… it wasn’t Charles Howard.

Instead, it was an old monk dressed in black robes.

The moment the old monk appeared, the previously spirited Edward Grant and Henry Bolton instantly lowered their heads, like children who had done something wrong, not daring to make a sound.

The other boys also shrank back, like mice seeing a cat.

The old monk was none other than Richard Young.

After Richard Young entered, he wore a beaming smile, clearly confident in his own image, the very picture of a kindly elder.

However, the boys’ expressions made Richard Young feel a bit awkward.

Of course, this monk probably hadn’t known the meaning of “awkward” for a long time.

So, he sat down at ease, still wearing that benevolent look, and said, “I’ve heard that you all study diligently here every day. This humble monk is very pleased.”

Charles Howard’s face twitched.

The boys, however, felt a sense of impending doom.

It seemed that from their fathers, they had heard some unsavory rumors about this monk—like… killing people with a smile… or that his daily earnest advice was to urge everyone to rebel, and so on.

Richard Young looked around at the boys, still kindly and nodding in approval: “Not bad, not bad, all fine young men. Our Great Ming will have successors.”

Seeing that no one responded,

Richard Young cleared his throat and continued: “But I heard from Mr. Howard that you sometimes play around, is that so? Don’t be afraid, it’s nothing serious. Young people make mistakes now and then, it’s no big deal…”

Charles Howard grew anxious: “Mr. Young, it’s not just occasional mistakes, it’s—”

Richard Young shot him a look, and Charles Howard fell silent.

Richard Young said, “Today, this humble monk is here to test your studies. You are all descendants of meritorious officials, and in the future, you will surely become pillars of our Great Ming. So… let’s do this: take up your brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and write a memorial to the court. Write your own views on the court and its gains and losses. I won’t set a topic; you may write whatever you wish. Consider it as offering advice and suggestions to the court.”

Offer advice and suggestions?

This left everyone completely bewildered.

William Bolton was also a bit suspicious, not knowing what Richard Young was up to.

But as soon as Richard Young finished speaking, everyone obediently took up their writing tools and began scratching their heads in thought.

The Minglun Hall was very quiet—you could hear a pin drop.

Charles Howard, however, kept frowning. He knew Richard Young well, and that he looked down on those pedantic scholars who only memorized books. So if he was testing their learning, he definitely wouldn’t have them recite the Four Books and Five Classics. But to have a bunch of green boys offer advice to the court—wasn’t that just child’s play?

He took the opportunity to step forward and whispered to Richard Young in a very low voice: “Mr. Young… you’re not going to pursue Edward Grant, Henry Bolton, and the others?”

“What’s the rush?” Richard Young replied calmly in a low voice.

Charles Howard said, “Young people don’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. If you let them off lightly… I’m afraid…”

Richard Young smiled and replied softly, “Only when the name is proper can the words be justified.”

“This is…”

“If you punish them just for being naughty, the punishment is too light—they probably won’t remember it.”

“But… what does this have to do with testing their studies?”

“The test is different. Once they write their memorials, there will be room to make an example of them.”

Charles Howard was still puzzled: “What kind of example?”

Richard Young said lightly, “Back when His Majesty was in Beiping and wanted to purge those close to the throne, he gathered the army and vowed to march south. But that day, a great storm arose, and the wind blew the tiles off the prince’s residence. The wind blowing off the tiles was considered a bad omen, and even His Majesty turned pale. But I stepped forward and said to His Majesty: ‘This is a good omen! Since ancient times, when the dragon soars in the sky, there must be wind and rain. The green tiles of the prince’s residence falling to the ground means Your Highness is about to use the emperor’s yellow tiles.’ And so morale soared, and His Majesty was greatly encouraged!”