“My son is ten times smarter than I am. Now that he’s grown sensible, as long as he’s willing to study hard, advancing in his studies will be a piece of cake.” But then Edward Carter said with a serious face, “As the sages say, ‘Teaching by words and example.’ How could I, as your father, not set an example for you?”

“Uh, I… I really don’t think I can…” Henry Carter waved his hands repeatedly.

“Modest! So young and already so humble—surely you’ll become a great general or prime minister in the future…” Edward Carter only praised him more and more extravagantly.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem…” Henry Carter blushed from all the praise, coughing nonstop.

Edward Carter hurried to pat his back. “Looks like the duck leg really was too salty.”

Henry Carter couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

He actually knew his own situation best. As for himself, there was no need to mention it—a modern man with no foundation at all, thinking of passing the imperial exams was nothing but a dream.

And the original young Henry Carter was even more ignorant and unlearned. Although Albert Carter exaggerated a bit when he said he barely knew any characters, in the seven or eight years since he started his studies, he still couldn’t recite even the Analects. On what basis could he hope to earn an official title?

Was he really supposed to study bitterly for twenty years?

Heavens… I came here to enjoy life, didn’t I?

As the saying goes, “Better my friend than me”—it’s best to let Edward Carter take the exam.

Besides, Henry Carter had a secret weapon—his graduation thesis in his previous life was on the very topic of the successful candidates of the imperial exam in the second year of Longqing, the year of Wuchen!

Because this was the most illustrious exam in over two hundred years of Ming dynasty imperial examination history—this year produced seven Grand Secretaries, eighteen Ministers, and fifty-two people who became third-rank officials. Not just in the Ming dynasty, but in the entire history of the imperial exams, it was an unprecedented event.

He spent over a year writing that thesis, consulting countless sources, and to this day he still remembered the exam questions for the provincial exam in Yingtian Prefecture that year.

This was his greatest source of confidence and calm since arriving here!

Unfortunately, the young Henry Carter himself was unlearned and undisciplined, not even a licentiate yet, so he had no chance of participating in this year’s provincial exam.

And as for what the next exam would be, he had no idea…

This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For the sake of both their futures, he had to help Edward Carter pass this exam!

Chapter 8: Father and Son Go to Battle

Early the next morning, after the five members of the family finished their porridge, Albert Carter started scolding William Carter again:

“You wastrel, at least leave some family savings! Now your old man doesn’t even have travel expenses to return home. Am I supposed to beg my way back?!”

William Carter knew he was in the wrong and kept his head down, scrubbing the pot in silence.

After scolding the eldest, Albert Carter noticed the second son and his child dressed neatly, as if they were about to go out.

“Where are you going?” Albert Carter said grumpily, “Running away already?”

“Father, you misunderstand,” Edward Carter quickly explained. “My son and I are going to pay a visit to our two fathers-in-law, to see if we can raise some travel money for you, and also ask about making a living.”

William Carter perked up at once, waving a wet loofah and saying, “Good, borrow more if you can. Your in-laws are worth hundreds of thousands—just a little from between their fingers would be enough to get our family through this.”

Edward Carter nodded, “Yes, that’s what I was thinking too.”

“Go on, then.” Albert Carter didn’t stop them, but he didn’t seem to expect much either, lazily leaning against the wall to bask in the sun.

With the old man’s permission, the father and son made their way through the courtyards toward the main gate.

As they walked, they encouraged each other.

“Son, as the saying goes, ‘When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their resolve and toughens their body.’ From today on, we must put aside our pride.” Edward Carter looked at Henry Carter with concern. Although his son had agreed to the plan of “living off the in-laws,” he still worried that his son’s young master’s temper wouldn’t be able to take the humiliation.

“I’m just a kid, so of course it’s no problem. As long as you’re fine with it, Father.” Henry Carter replied with a nonchalant look.

“Then I’m relieved. And you don’t need to worry about me.” Edward Carter patted his chest and said, “Not to boast, but I’ve been eating idle meals at home for thirty-six years—my face is already thick enough to be invulnerable.”

“Then let’s go!” Henry Carter nodded vigorously.

“Off we go!”

The father and son, full of fighting spirit, pushed open the tightly closed main gate, facing the morning sun.

And nearly bumped right into someone coming in.

Ever since the Zhao family’s troubles, their door had been deserted. Who would have thought that today, two guests would arrive early in the morning.

“Aha, it’s the two fathers-in-law arriving together—truly, friends in adversity!”

Edward Carter looked closely and was overjoyed, thinking to himself that now they wouldn’t have to go begging.

It was Henry Carter’s first time seeing the two. One was thin and frail, with graying hair and a face full of wrinkles, looking even older than Albert Carter—this must be his father’s future father-in-law, the dignified Director Zhou of the Imperial Academy.

The other, about forty, well-kept and stout, looked every bit the wealthy merchant—this must be his own future father-in-law, Liu, the vice president of the Suzhou Dongting Chamber of Commerce.

Since they needed a favor, Henry Carter obediently followed his father in bowing to the two fathers-in-law.

Both of their sedan chairs were parked far down the street, and they hadn’t brought any attendants, as if not wanting to be seen.

They smiled awkwardly, and Liu said, “Let’s talk inside.”

“Of course.” Edward Carter and his son quickly stepped aside and politely welcomed the two into the house.