In the days to come, when that overwhelming great turmoil arrived and the old generation of generals and ministers fell one after another, more than ninety percent of the most elite rising stars of the entire Tang Empire would come from this Kunwu Training Camp.

However, these things were not easy to explain directly to his father right now.

“Father, I’ve thought it over. Kunwu is still more suitable for me. After so many years in the capital, I basically know all the young nobles there. If you want to send me to Shenwei or Longwei, surely others are thinking the same. If I go to train in the Shenwei or Longwei camps, wouldn’t I just end up with Samuel Clark and the others again?”

Charles Bennett could only make up some other excuses to brush it off.

Mr. Bennett was originally opposed, but after thinking it over, he realized that the incident with Charles Bennett and those unruly friends had just happened not long ago. It hadn’t been easy for Charles Bennett to turn over a new leaf and start making progress. If he mixed with Samuel Clark and those people again, and old habits resurfaced, wouldn’t that be a cause for deep regret, completely defeating the purpose of sending him to the training camp?

“Since you’ve made up your mind, then do as you say.”

Mr. Bennett said, frowning.

Although he didn’t quite agree with Charles Bennett’s decision, what Charles Bennett said wasn’t without reason, so he reluctantly accepted this explanation.

“If you two have any serious matters to discuss, wait until after the meal. Chong’er, don’t mind your father. Come, eat, eat!”

On the side, Mrs. Bennett listened intently, especially delighted.

At first, when she heard Charles Bennett wanted to join the army, she was really startled and deeply worried. Later, when she heard it was just to go to a training camp, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The The Bennett Family was a family of generals and ministers. Charles Bennett was only fifteen this year. First going to a training camp and then joining the army was something Mrs. Bennett could accept.

In the capital, almost all the families of generals and ministers did the same. As children of such families, all the kids would have to go to the battlefield sooner or later.

This was a realization that the ladies of the capital had to have from the very beginning.

Charles Bennett said no more, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and started eating.

“I wonder if, in a while, Father will really listen to what I said.”

Charles Bennett thought nervously to himself.

Although he had successfully changed his parents’ old impression of him, Charles Bennett knew very well that this was only the first step. What came next was the most important!

Chapter 4 The Crisis of the The Bennett Family

This was undoubtedly the happiest meal in quite some time.

Laughter filled the table, Mrs. Bennett beaming with joy, her happiness written all over her face, constantly serving food to Charles Bennett, piling his bowl so high it was almost overflowing.

Even Mr. Bennett was no longer as austere and serious as before. Urged by Mrs. Bennett, he even took the initiative to serve Charles Bennett a bite.

“Third Brother, you’re amazing!”

Seeing this, Little Emily Bennett was already stunned, shooting a look from under the table, utterly admiring her brother.

She had thought her brother was doomed this time and had braced herself to witness a family tragedy. Unexpectedly, with just a few words, their parents not only didn’t punish him, but the table was filled with laughter, and even their father served him food.

Even Little Emily Bennett couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. She’d been at home for so long and had never enjoyed such treatment.

“Daddy, I don’t care, I want some too!”

Little Emily Bennett puffed up her cheeks and pushed her big bowl in front of Mr. Bennett.

“You’re a girl, what kind of behavior is that!”

Mr. Bennett said sternly, making Little Emily Bennett feel wronged, her eyes filling with tears. Mrs. Bennett watched from the side, both exasperated and amused:

“Here! Mommy will serve you!”

“Brother will give you some too!”

Charles Bennett watched and chuckled, also serving his little sister a bite.

“Thank you, brother.”

Little Emily Bennett broke into a smile through her tears and happily started eating again, completely forgetting the previous episode.

The whole family ate happily together.

“Father, I heard you’re going to see Mr. Foster?”

Charles Bennett lowered his head to eat, asking suddenly as if by chance.

The atmosphere at the table instantly changed, becoming a bit stiff. Mrs. Bennett quickly shot Charles Bennett a look, and Little Emily Bennett was so startled her chopsticks froze in midair.

At home, everyone knew that Mr. Bennett didn’t like to talk about official business, nor did he like the family to get involved.

“Where did you hear that?”

Mr. Bennett looked up, his expression unreadable. Charles Bennett could clearly see his father’s brows furrow ever so slightly as his gaze crossed the table, obviously displeased at the mention of this topic.

Charles Bennett’s heart skipped a beat, but he could only press on. This matter was extremely important to him. If he couldn’t change this fated event, all his previous efforts would be for nothing.

“I overheard it when you and Mother were talking.”

Charles Bennett said bravely, his heart pounding. Whether he succeeded or not depended on what he said next.

“Oh.”

Mr. Bennett’s brows moved as he recalled that he had mentioned this to his wife Helen Carter once, but only once. He hadn’t expected Charles Bennett to overhear:

“That’s right, there is such a matter. Why do you ask?”