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“I earned it myself,” Song Jingyun proudly lifted his chin. “Today, Lu Yuming and I went to a teahouse where we encountered many scholars engaging in word games and poetry.”
“These people, seeing us as fellow scholars, invited us to join. We felt a bit presumptuous but decided to participate. In the end, I won the competition and earned all this money,” Song Jingyun explained.
“I counted it up, and I made over ten taels of silver this afternoon. If I keep going to the teahouse every day during our stay here, I could earn enough money to buy over ten acres of land by the time we leave,” he continued excitedly.
The more Song Jingyun spoke, the more exhilarated he became. “As the Master often said, ‘In books lie the house of gold.’ I used to understand the meaning, but I never thought I could demonstrate it. Now, I truly feel it.”
Jiang Mixia’s silence was deafening, and the sound of calculators could probably be heard by everyone in the village!
Jiang Mixia, feeling a hint of exasperation, rubbed her forehead. “If others see you consistently winning, they might stop competing with you in the future.”
“I suppose that’s true,” Song Jingyun conceded.
With a slightly diminished air of pride and excitement on his face, after some serious contemplation, Song Jingyun added, “It’s okay. Next time, I’ll purposely let them win. If I win this time, they’ll be willing to play with me again next time, and I can win once more…”
“If this cycle continues, I won’t have to worry about money.”
Jiang Mixia thought to herself, “What a business genius!”
Undoubtedly, her husband’s strategy was flawless!
“wife, it’s getting late. Shall we go out for dinner?” Song Jingyun suggested.
After dinner, they could return early to rest.
Embracing the idea of a peaceful evening, Jiang Mixia agreed, tidied up their belongings, and left the inn with Song Jingyun.
After spending a few days in the capital, Jiang Mixia had heard about the popular restaurants, especially the renowned Zui Xianlou near the inn. Given her husband’s earnings that day, she decided to treat themselves without hesitation and chose to dine at the best restaurant nearby.
The signature dishes at Zui Xianlou were the divine fairy chicken, assorted lamb hotpot, stir-fried vegetables, bamboo-tube eight-treasure rice, and a side of sour bamboo shoot fish soup. Despite ordering only a few dishes due to their limited appetite, the flavors were exceptional, and the portions generous, allowing Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun to enjoy their meal thoroughly.
As evening approached and the city lights illuminated the streets, the restaurants bustled with activity, filling the air with tantalizing aromas of delicious food.
Rubbing his belly, Jiang Chunbao realized just how hungry he was. Four days earlier, he had set out from home towards the capital. With limited funds provided by his family for the provincial examination, he planned to purchase new attire upon reaching the city and engage in socializing with other scholars over meals and tea. Every penny spent was meticulously considered by Jiang Chunbao.
The cost of transportation from his home to the capital was significant, even when sharing a carriage with others. Feeling the pinch, Jiang Chunbao ultimately decided to walk the rest of the way to the city.
Feeling weary from walking, Jiang Chunbao flagged down a passing ox cart in the rural area and hitched a ride for a stretch of the journey. By evening, he sought lodging in a nearby village for the night.
Whether traveling by cart or lodging for the night, Jiang Chunbao always introduced himself as a scholar on his way to the provincial examination, emphasizing his family’s poverty and his dire financial situation to gain sympathy.
Employing this approach, Jiang Chunbao managed to reach the capital from his home without spending a penny, even receiving some dry goods like biscuits from generous villagers along the way.
Being a scholar had its perks indeed.
After straightening his somewhat disheveled hair, Jiang Chunbao looked for a place to eat. The streets were lined with street vendors offering noodles for five wen a bowl and meat-filled dumplings for ten wen a bowl.
Deciding on a bowl of noodles and a meat-stuffed bun for two wen, Jiang Chunbao could have a satisfying meal. However, the grandeur of the capital and the enticing aromas wafting from the upscale restaurants along the streets tempted him.
After much deliberation, Jiang Chunbao finally entered Zui Xianlou, the most magnificent-looking restaurant in the area.
Having arrived in the capital, Jiang Chunbao felt the need to experience things he couldn’t in his hometown.
Welcomed warmly by the waiter, Jiang Chunbao inquired, “What are your signature dishes here? And how much do they cost?”
In a bustling city like the capital, with people from all walks of life passing through, including many scholars, most of whom weren’t particularly wealthy, it was common for customers to inquire about prices before ordering.
The waiter, accustomed to such queries, replied with a smile, “Our divine fairy chicken is six coins, assorted lamb hotpot is eight coins, and we serve Fenjiu at six coins a pot. Would you like a pot of Fenjiu?”
A meal here could easily cost two taels of silver!
Jiang Chunbao’s expression changed slightly, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the small purse of coins he carried.
He had only brought five taels of silver with him to the capital!
Sensing Jiang Chunbao’s unease, the waiter suggested, “If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, why not try our stir-fried dishes? They come with both meat and vegetables, priced at just one coin per dish, and we’ll include a serving of rice as well.”
“Since you look like a scholar, we have a tradition at Zui Xianlou. Any scholar here for the provincial examination is entitled to a complimentary serving of peanuts and a bowl of minced meat, spinach, and tofu soup. If you need more soup, just ask,” the waiter informed Jiang Chunbao.
Essentially, one coin would be sufficient for a satisfying meal.
Although the outside dumplings were priced at only ten wen a bowl, dining at Zui Xianlou would cost ten times more. However, the peanuts and soup were complimentary…
After considering his options, Jiang Chunbao declared, “I am indeed a scholar here for the examination. Since you offer complimentary peanuts and minced meat, spinach, and tofu soup, please bring them to me.”
“Of course,” the waiter agreed, then inquired, “What else would you like to order?”
“Order?” Jiang Chunbao scratched his ear. “I won’t order anything. I’ll just have the minced meat, spinach, and tofu soup since it’s complimentary, right?”
“The minced meat, spinach, and tofu soup is indeed complimentary, but it’s reserved for scholars dining here. Although you are a scholar, you haven’t dined here…” the waiter began explaining before Jiang Chunbao interjected, “Bring me the minced meat, spinach, and tofu soup. Doesn’t that count as dining here?”
The waiter was left speechless.
This was a level of audacity he had never encountered before! While he had encountered impoverished scholars who wanted to eat but couldn’t afford it, they would at least pay a small amount for a bowl of rice. However, encountering someone who wanted to eat and drink for free without spending a single coin was truly unprecedented!
Seeing the waiter hesitating to bring the soup, Jiang Chunbao furrowed his brow.