Regarding William Carter's strange analogy, White House couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. Brian Cooper, however, found it very fitting and chuckled, saying, "Yuan-ge, your analogy is spot on, but a scholar cursing in the street is still less interesting than a shrew's quarrel. Back in the day, when the women of East and West City in Shuzhou started a war of words over the claim that West City women were a bit prettier than those from the East, it lasted three whole months before it ended. It was such a spectacle that even the noble ladies could only stand by and cheer. Every day, as soon as I lost my job, I'd rush over to watch. That quarrel turned the open space in front of the yamen into the most entertaining spot in Shuzhou after the autumn harvest that year. Even my father said business at home got a lot quieter. And when the academy's debates start, some of those usually refined and well-mannered gentlemen, once they get into an argument, their faces turn red and necks bulge. If it weren't for the dean and instructors sitting nearby, they might just roll up their sleeves and start a fight. I really can't understand it—those debates only offer a meager reward for the top ten, and all together it's just a few taels of silver, yet they argue like their lives depend on it."

"There are silver rewards for the top ten? How much does first place get?" William Carter's eyes lit up as he asked curiously. Since entering the academy, he couldn't set up a stall to write calligraphy or letters for people anymore, and the academy didn't provide meals—he couldn't just go hungry. If the debate offered silver as a reward, that was good news.

"First place should get one string of Tongbao coins." Brian Cooper was taken aback, his expression a bit odd as he said, "Yuan-ge, don't tell me you want to join the debate too? Those guys are no joke—they can quote classics and spin any nonsense into something that sounds reasonable. We'd better just watch from the sidelines."

"One string of Tongbao coins!" William Carter's eyes widened as he sat up straight. One string of Tongbao coins was no small sum. Yonglong Tongbao was minted by imperial decree, with a thousand coins to a string. It's said the four characters 'Yonglong Tongbao' were written by the current Grand Preceptor, though that position has been vacant for years, so no one really knows who wrote them. With just five coins, you could get a steaming bowl of pork intestine noodles by the roadside, so you can imagine what a string of Tongbao means to William Carter right now.

William Carter's reaction startled Brian Cooper, who quickly sat up as well. White House also looked at William Carter in surprise and said in a calm voice, "It's just a string of Tongbao, no need for such a big reaction. Besides, first place has nothing to do with you—there are plenty of talented students in the academy who aren't short on money but love fame."

"Xiao Pang, how could you not tell me about such a way to make money sooner?" William Carter looked at Brian Cooper with mock disappointment, completely unfazed by White House's discouragement.

"Yuan-ge, you just asked!" Brian Cooper protested, feeling wronged.

"Forget it." William Carter waved his hand and tilted his head back slightly. "Anyway, when it comes to quarreling, who in this academy could outdo me, the one who settled the great quarrel between the aunties of East and West City back in the day?"

"Mm!" Brian Cooper was startled, his eyes nearly popping out. After thinking it over, he sighed, "Yuan-ge, we're all friends here—maybe tone down the bragging a bit."

White House's eyes had also lit up at first, but after hearing Brian Cooper's words, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Seeing the two didn't believe him, William Carter wasn't annoyed. He just shook his head and said, "Back then, who knows which busybody said that line and stirred up public anger. What started as a spat between two families across the street turned into a legendary war of words between East and West City. At the time, I helped whichever side gave me food, and I gave it my all. But later, both sides' aunties got to know me, and it got awkward—if one side fed me yesterday, I couldn't very well help the other side curse her out today. So in the end, I came up with an idea: I boldly declared that East City women were a bit more charming than West City women. That finally calmed both sides down, reached a consensus, and let Shuzhou have a peaceful New Year. Otherwise, do you really think cold weather could cool women's passion for beauty?"

Brian Cooper scratched his head, unable to tell if William Carter was telling the truth, and felt a bit troubled. White House put away his smile, sat up, and said noncommittally, "We'll see in three days whether you're the real deal or not."

"Hey, you still don't believe me? How about the three of us make a bet? Let's bet on whether I can win first place in the debate three days from now." William Carter rubbed his hands together, looking both eager and pained.

"Sure!" Brian Cooper replied with a smile.

"What are we betting? If the stakes are too small, I'm not interested." White House picked up a bamboo leaf that had fallen on his shoulder, sounding rather indifferent.

William Carter tilted his head in thought, pondered for a moment, and said, "If I win first place, each of you owes me a string of Tongbao. If I don't, I'll call you both 'big brother.' How about that?"

"Deal." White House flicked the bamboo leaf in his hand and agreed immediately.

"Yuan-ge, if you call me Jie-ge then, I won't refuse!" Brian Cooper chuckled.

Just then, a long chime rang out from the academy's bell tower.

"Didn't expect it to be lunchtime already. Let's go outside and grab something to eat. There's a new restaurant on Osmanthus Alley by the academy's west gate—I hear their white-cut chicken is pretty good," Brian Cooper stretched and said, pursing his lips in that direction.