Thomas Bolton’s face showed a hint of suppressed anger, but William Foster continued, “In this world, the only ones who can truly care for you wholeheartedly are your own parents. As for women living dependent on men, that’s just the way of the world, and it’s also a foolish thing men do for their own pitiful self-esteem.”

“Have you ever been to the marketplace?”

Thomas Bolton nodded.

“Then have you ever seen a woman supporting a household on her own?”

Thomas Bolton nodded again, then said thoughtfully, “David brother, I understand now. It’s not that women live dependent on men, but that men need it to be that way, right?”

William Foster looked pleased with his answer, then pointed at the peanuts and said, “Come, try the dish I made.”

“What is this?”

The crispy, fragrant peanuts fascinated Thomas Bolton, but he had never seen such food before.

William Foster was taken aback, then forced a smile and said, “A friend of mine from overseas sent these. Go ahead and eat.”

After lunch, Thomas Bolton still hadn’t left. He and William Foster went to the study, and as soon as they entered, he said, “David brother, I came today to ask for your advice.”

William Foster yawned and waved his hand, “Go ahead.”

“That day I heard you say, David brother, that our Ming dynasty ultimately cannot escape the cycle of order and chaos. Today I want to ask, why is that?”

Thomas Bolton’s attitude was very respectful. William Foster took a sip of tea and said, “This is just something I’ve heard here and there, don’t take it too seriously.”

“Grain, money, governance.”

After saying this, William Foster fell silent.

He dared not say more. If Thomas Bolton let this slip, William Foster felt he’d probably be beaten to death with sticks for “spreading heretical rumors to confuse the people.”

Chapter 13: The Stubborn Boy

Still in that same courtyard in Beiping.

“Mr. Carter, why did he put grain and money first? Since the founding of our dynasty by the Taizu Emperor, governance has always been the core!”

Mr. Carter said in some confusion, “Grain and money have always been the most important things in every dynasty, but historians believe that governance is where collapse begins, and a foolish ruler even more so… That David Foster… sigh!”

…

“Husband, which family is that Mr. Bolton from?”

Since the wedding, Grace Bolton had been smiling more and more, and her cheeks had become rosy, making William Foster feel a bit restless under the lamp light.

The night was boring. Little White was dozing off, and Grace Bolton was making a sachet. There was already one mandarin duck embroidered on it.

William Foster said indifferently, “Probably just a young lad who’s been locked up too long—he doesn’t even recognize a crab.”

Grace Bolton responded with an “oh,” her eyes a bit cautious.

“Time to sleep, time to sleep.”

William Foster snatched the sachet, blew out the lamp, and carried Grace Bolton into the bedroom.

Grace Bolton shyly whispered, “Little White is still here.”

“That yellow-haired girl? Let’s just ignore her.”

…

“Ugh, ugh, ugh!”

“Damn rooster, I’ll chop you up and eat you today!”

Limbs entwined on the bed, Grace Bolton sleepily opened her eyes and saw William Foster staring at her intently.

“I’m going… for a run.”

With great willpower, William Foster got out of bed, then washed his face and rinsed his mouth with Little White’s help.

“Young master, this toothbrush is really handy.”

Little White brushed her teeth too, her mouth full of foam, looking even cuter.

William Foster rinsed his mouth vigorously, spat the water into the flowerbed with a splash, then started jogging energetically around the courtyard.

“One, two, one! One, two, one!”

After exercising, William Foster took out a Tang sword, but after a few swings felt nothing, so he casually tossed it to Little White.

“Little White, keep practicing hard. Soon, I’ll be counting on you to protect me.”

William Foster shamelessly walked off, eating cake as he went. After meeting up with the newly arrived Mr. King, the two began their routine inspection.

It was a bit chilly in Foster Village that morning, and there wasn’t much left to do in the fields.

Strolling along the central axis, William Foster was pleased to see the wisps of cooking smoke.

Ever since William Foster started exchanging grain for labor, the people of Foster Village were willing to eat breakfast.

Most people in these times didn’t eat breakfast. Even those doing manual labor at most drank some thin porridge—something that was over as soon as you peed it out.

William Foster felt like a lord inspecting his own domain. Seeing those snot-nosed kids holding bowls as big as their heads, squatting at the door and wolfing down dough pieces or noodles, he felt an immense sense of accomplishment.

“Young master, have you eaten?”

“Young master, come eat at my place, we made noodles.”

“Young master, the ditches are almost done. Do we still have work to do?”

William Foster waved his hand and said, “Nonsense! The corners of the manor still aren’t cleaned up. Keep working like oxen and horses for me—don’t think you can slack off!”

“Hahahaha!”

A group of strong men laughed heartily outside, even the family dogs barking along.

The tenant farmers had all signed contracts with The Foster Family; their descendants would all belong to The Foster Family. The current master was kind-hearted and willing to feed the tenants, so everyone felt life was getting better and better.

“Whose place is that?”

The tenant families all lived together on the west side of the manor—over forty households, quite a sizable community.