Chapter 27: Shandong Mixed Grain Pancakes

When it came to food from Shandong, the first thing that popped into Xu Nuo’s mind was the mixed grain pancakes. These had become quite the popular breakfast choice in modern society, occupying a prime spot outside the gates of universities across the country.

With the stove ready, all that was left was to find a pan, which would be no problem—she could simply head out and have one custom-made at the local blacksmith’s shop. It was straightforward and required no special skills.

Shangguan always supported Xu Nuo’s ideas, thinking about how they could visit the academy early the next morning. There were many academies in Quanzhou, but the most famous one was Quanzhou Academy. Before setting off, the academy’s teacher had even prepared a recommendation letter for Shangguan. They planned to head there and register the next day.

Early the following morning, Xu Nuo, Shangguan, and Zhang Yan said goodbye to their uncle and headed out.

After asking several people on the street, they finally located Quanzhou Academy. This school was entirely different from the one they had attended back in their hometown; there, the school was on the outskirts of town, while this one was situated right in the heart of Quanzhou, with major government offices nearby and the largest bookstore and restaurant down the street.

Zhang Yan marveled at the academy’s impressive entrance. Shangguan thought that he needed to discuss some matters that weren’t covered in certain books with the teachers, while Xu Nuo was simply in awe of the wealth displayed. She admired the two lifelike stone lions at the entrance and sneakily approached to touch them. She thought that when she settled in the capital, she would need to get two for her own place – just thinking about that made her more eager to earn money.

“Are you Shangguan Ziqian?” queried Teacher Kong, who was a respected figure at Quanzhou Academy. He looked at the reserved young man before him, unable to believe it. His friends, who had submitted Shangguan’s essays to him, had spoken highly of them. Teacher Kong had been fortunate enough to read them and found them insightful and well-articulated, unlike the typical rote learners; this was a combination of theory and practical experience.

He had imagined such a person would be a middle-aged man who had tasted life’s hardships, but here stood three young men who were still in their adolescence. It was truly unimaginable!

“That is indeed me!” Shangguan answered firmly, earning nods of approval from the teachers.

“Future looks promising! Future looks promising!” The teachers accepted the recommendation letters from Shangguan and Zhang Yan, providing them with a place for study, assuring them that they could consult any teacher at the academy about their studies.

With this issue resolved, Xu Nuo’s gaze drifted back toward the open space at the academy’s entrance. It appeared to be an area where they might announce exam results, typically kept empty during the school year.

“Wait, Teacher! May I ask something?” Xu Nuo’s urgent voice interrupted the teachers’ steps.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she continued, “I noticed there’s an empty spot at the entrance. Could I set up a breakfast stall there?”

The teachers exchanged puzzled looks, raising their brows in disbelief. A breakfast stall? They frowned and exchanged glances, not sure how to respond.

Fearing the teachers were concerned about hygiene or that the noise might disrupt the students’ studies, Xu Nuo quickly added, “Rest assured, we will keep it very clean and make sure it won’t affect anyone’s studies. We will maintain absolute quiet!”

Teacher Kong understood that Xu Nuo had misunderstood their hesitation. “Young lady, you might have misunderstood our concerns. We don’t have any objections in principle, but a stall might not be appropriate right at the entrance to the academy. There’s never been a precedent for that!”

“Indeed, indeed!” the others chimed in.

“Such an action could genuinely undermine the academy’s reputation!”

Hearing these words, Xu Nuo understood their intentions clearly.

“Wait, you old men, don’t you understand? Setting up a stall right here could actually help draw people into your academy!” Zhang Yan jumped in, impatience bubbling over as he charged forward, spouting his arguments without a filter, his words hitting right to the core of the matter!

“You! You! You!” The teachers at Quanzhou Academy had never encountered such boldness before. As respected individuals, one of them was so enraged that he pointed accusingly at Zhang Yan, his face darkening.

Shangguan tugged Zhang Yan back behind him, stepping forward with diplomacy. “Please don’t take offense, esteemed teachers. My younger brother can be rather reckless with his words; I sincerely apologize on his behalf.”

“Quanzhou Academy’s reputation is indeed well-known in all of Quanzhou,” Shangguan continued as he noticed the teachers listening attentively, “but let’s also consider the students in this academy. Many of them wake up at dawn to study and often wait at the gate for classes to begin.”

Recognizing the truth in his words, the teachers listened intently.

“Many students head to early classes with rumbling stomachs, attending class on empty bellies, and their learning efficiency suffers as a result,” Shangguan argued.

The teachers understood this point; after all, they had often heard such stomach growls during quiet study hours.

“However, many of us came this way without any issues, didn’t we?” a teacher countered, clearly unconvinced that this was a compelling argument.

Shangguan wasn’t deterred. “True, but if you look across the nation, how many scholars are physically robust? And how many can still return home in good health after years of service in the government? Most of them can be quite frail, and a number even drop out before finishing their studies.”

This line of reasoning made the teachers ponder deeply. Shangguan went in for a final persuasive push.

“Every day, students eat lunch and dinner from the same kitchen, but breakfast often lacks variety. Missing breakfast thoroughly affects their physical growth.”

In the end, the teachers, confused by Shangguan’s well-crafted arguments, conceded with nods of agreement, seemingly just wanting to move on from the topic.

Good things don’t always come easy, and there was indeed some truth to it.

The trio eagerly returned to the Qi estate to share the two good pieces of news with Wang Shi. Upon hearing about their plan to set up a stall at the entrance of Quanzhou Academy, Wang Shi’s eyes immediately lit up. She grabbed Xu Nuo and was ready to head back to her house, thinking about the preparations for the stall and the ingredients and cookware they would need.

“Yu Niang, why are you in such a hurry? We just got back, and you want to leave again?” The old lady Qi could not accept this, standing firmly with her cane at Wang Shi’s door.

“Aunt, I need to go back and help. Xu Nuo won’t be able to manage this on her own,” Wang Shi replied, internally agreeing she couldn’t let this profitable venture slip away without support.

“What are you all standing out here for? Let’s go inside and talk!” Madam Qi took on the role of peacemaker.

Ultimately, they were unable to convince Wang Shi to stay, and she departed with a few of the younger ones back to their rented house, accompanied by the sneaky Qi Lian, who knew how to read the room and always aligned himself with the safest choices, seeking the biggest tree under which to find his shade!