The Kingdom That Never Sleeps CH 040 I Like Spicy Food Part 1
Tang Shen had been in Shengjing for less than a year, but he had heard of the free-spirited Prince Zhao Ao.
Zhao Ao was the current emperor's younger brother, titled Prince of Jing. By right, he should be called Prince Jing, but people called him Prince of Xiaoyao (TN: the free-spirited prince). Zhao Ao was nearly fifty, yet unlike other princes and royal offspring, this prince loved beautiful jade and jewelry, and more importantly, he liked to make connections with scholars from all over the country!
Any talented scholar from a humble background who presented their name card at Prince Jing's residence could receive a meal. Every three years during the imperial examinations, the top candidates from each region came to Shengjing and could even participate in a banquet hosted personally by Zhao Ao. Although called the "Top Scholar Banquet," the guests were not limited to just the top scholars. Last month, Mei Shengze had mentioned this to Tang Shen: "If you present your name card, you can also attend the banquet this December."
Zhao Ao held no real power, but he was still a prince.
Tang Shen had not expected that Qianli Tower was one of his establishments.
After some contemplation, Tang Shen asked, "Is it just Qianli Tower?"
Shopkeeper Lu, hearing this, gave Tang Shen a thumbs up: "Little Boss, you are insightful. Of course, it's not just Qianli Tower. Prince Jing's love for beautiful jade and jewelry is well known in Shengjing. Besides Qianli Tower, the largest jewelry shop in Shengjing, Autumn Hall, is also under Zhao Ao's name, managed by Shopkeeper Xing."
Tang Shen responded, "Fragrant incense from a jade burner, red candles weep, casting light on the hall, evoking autumnal thoughts.". Autumn Hall, indeed, Prince Jing is quite a refined man."
Initially, Tang Shen had asked Shopkeeper Lu to gather information about Qianli Tower to understand the restaurant business landscape in Shengjing. Knowing that the behind-the-scenes owner of Qianli Tower was Prince Jing, who also owned the largest jewelry shop in Shengjing, Tang Shen considered his next steps and told Shopkeeper Lu, "In that case, let's put our plans on hold for now."
Shopkeeper Lu was stunned: "Little Boss's intention is?"
"In three months, I will be taking the imperial exams. Originally, I didn't plan to attend the Top Scholar Banquet, but tomorrow I will present my name card and should be able to meet Prince Jing. Meanwhile, continue to maintain a good relationship with Shopkeeper Xing. We still want to do the business of boxiagong, but we shouldn't rush. I was worried that the boxiagong business would cause other restaurants in Shengjing to become wary. Even in Gusu, our business attracted envy, and it would be even more so in Shengjing."
Shopkeeper Lu knew that Tang Shen was referring to the incident in Gusu when Shopkeeper Wang from Ruyi Tower had hired people to falsely accuse Xixia Tower.
Tang Shen said, "We should consider this matter carefully. Starting tomorrow, go with Yao San and Accountant Lin to look around outside Shengjing. I remember most of the workshops in Shengjing are in the east of the city. Find a workshop and rent it. We have plans for it."
Shopkeeper Lu was a shrewd man and quickly understood: "Little Boss wants to start the soap business first?"
Tang Shen smiled, "Exactly! The weather is very cold these days, so you'll have to work a bit harder."
"It's no trouble, Little Boss. I understand your intentions, rest assured."
After Shopkeeper Lu left, Tang Shen pondered for a while, then took out a piece of paper and carefully wrote a letter of introduction.
The next morning, he personally went to Prince Jing's residence. Showing his identity as the second-place scholar of the current Shengjing xiangshi, he received a warm reception from the gatekeepers of Prince Jing's residence. Tang Shen handed over his name card and introduction letter, and after two days, someone from Prince Jing's residence delivered an invitation, inviting him to attend the Top Scholar Banquet on the nineteenth of December.
On the nineteenth of December, Tang Shen donned a new Confucian robe and went to Prince Jing's residence.
Prince Jing's residence was already filled with guests.
The huishi would be held in February next year, and most of the juren had already arrived in Shengjing to prepare for the exams. The xiangshi was held every three years, and so was the huishi. However, not every top scholar would take the huishi immediately after becoming a juren. Sometimes, they felt their knowledge was insufficient to pass the exam for official ranks, or other matters delayed them.
At Prince Jing's residence, Tang Shen saw Liu Fang and Mei Shengze.
The three of them were jurens from the Imperial College who would be taking the huishi next year and had all met the emperor. They agreed to sit together. Mei Shengze said, "I didn't expect you to come, Jing Ze. Why are you here?"
Liu Fang, not as familiar with Tang Shen, greeted him and then sat aside, not joining their conversation.
Tang Shen asked, "Then why are you here, Sheng Ze?"
They both laughed.
Mei Shengze pointed to a middle-aged man sitting across from them: "That man is Xiao Gong from southern Shaanxi. I've heard that he is a late bloomer and his essay for the xiangshi was highly praised by the chief examiner, even claiming he wasn't qualified to judge it."
Tang Shen pointed to a plain-looking young man sitting next to Xiao Gong: "Do you know who that is?"
Mei Shengze was puzzled: "I don't know."
Tang Shen said, "That's Liu Ze, this year's top scholar who scored higher than me!"
They both laughed heartily.
In fact, most of the jurens attending the Top Scholar Banquet were like Mei Shengze, there to observe their competitors for next year's huishi. Tang Shen sipped his tea, discreetly glancing at the main seat in the guest hall, which was empty. Zhao Ao had not yet arrived.
After about a quarter of an hour, footsteps were heard outside the guest hall.
All the scholars stood up immediately, but it wasn't Zhao Ao who entered, but a tall, thin young man.
This was Zhao Ao's eldest son, Zhao Qiong, the heir apparent.
Zhao Qiong walked to the main seat and bowed to the scholars. They returned the gesture. Zhao Qiong apologized, "My father intended to come personally, but unfortunately, the emperor received an elixir and decided to take it. My father was summoned to the palace to accompany him, so I will be hosting this Top Scholar Banquet instead."
The scholars said in unison, "We shall listen to the heir."
Zhao Qiong raised his cup: "To all the scholars."
The scholars replied, "To the heir."
Tang Shen smiled wryly and took a sip of his wine.
He hadn't been able to meet Zhao Ao!
After drinking, Zhao Qiong spoke about some interesting stories from this year's xiangshi, gradually lightening the mood of the banquet. After a few rounds of drinks, Zhao Qiong personally saw the scholars off. As the heir apparent, he was a member of the royal family, yet he stood outside the guest hall to bid farewell to each scholar, deeply touching everyone.
When Tang Shen reached Zhao Qiong, he was about to bow when Zhao Qiong said, "Judging by your appearance, you must be only fifteen or sixteen years old."
Tang Shen replied, "I am fifteen this year."
Zhao Qiong smiled, "May I ask, are you Tang Shen, the second-place scholar?"
Tang Shen was a bit surprised: "Yes, I am."
Zhao Qiong saw him off and said, "Father once mentioned Tang yayuan and Wang daren." (TN: jieyuan=top spot, yayuan=second spot)
Tang Shen: "..."
Tang Shen had a bad feeling but still had to ask, "Is it related to my Senior Brother Zi Feng?"
"Father said that with Wang daren's wisdom, scholarship, and kindness, his junior brother must also be talented. Today, seeing Tang yayuan, he is indeed like Wang daren, a gentleman like jade, polished and refined."
"…"
Tang Shen smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment."
When Tang Shen returned home, Shopkeeper Lu had been waiting for him all night.
Tang Shen sighed and said, "There was a last-minute change. Prince Jing didn't come; it was Heir Zhao Qiong who came. However, as we guessed, the prince's heir was gracious and courteous. To nurture such an heir, Prince Jing must indeed cherish the scholars of the world. For the next steps, I will rely on you, Shopkeeper Lu."
Shopkeeper Lu said, "Please rest assured, Little Boss."
The next day, Shopkeeper Lu brought some top-quality red coral from Jiangnan to Autumn Hall. Such exquisite red coral made Autumn Hall's shopkeeper hesitant to handle the order alone, so he quickly invited Shopkeeper Xing from Qianli Tower. As soon as Shopkeeper Xing entered the room and saw Shopkeeper Lu, he was surprised: "Why are you here?"
Shopkeeper Lu also acted surprised: "Brother Xing, aren't you at Qianli Tower? Why are you here?"
Shopkeeper Xing cupped his hands and smiled, "To be honest, Autumn Hall is also part of our Qianli Tower business. As the general manager, I oversee both stores. I heard you have some top-quality red coral. Is it true?"
"Brother Xing, please take a look…"
As the New Year approached, another heavy snow fell in Shengjing.
The day before New Year's Eve, Shopkeeper Lu braved the snow to find Tang Shen. He patted the snow off his shoulder and said, "Little Boss, Shopkeeper Xing invited me to his house for New Year's Eve dinner tomorrow. He knows I'm from Jiangnan and have no family in Shengjing, so he invited me over."
Tang Shen thought for a moment, "Have you decided what to give as a New Year's gift?"
Shopkeeper Lu said, "Original soap, perfumed soap, and the Golden Wisp. These things have long appeared in Shengjing, brought by traveling merchants from Jiangnan. They're not rare, and Shopkeeper Xing also has them."
Tang Shen smiled and said, "Tomorrow, bring a box of Golden Wisp."
Shopkeeper Lu was surprised: "Little Boss, I just said Shopkeeper Xing already knows about the Golden Wisp and has them at home."
"Bring a box of Golden Wisp, but don't use the packaging from the Zhenbao Pavilion of Gusu or the Jinxiu Pavilion of Jinling. Buy a piece of jewelry from Autumn Hall, and use the Autumn Hall's packaging to present our Golden Wisp instead."
Shopkeeper Lu immediately understood. He cupped his hands and said, "Little Boss, you're only fifteen this year, yet sometimes I feel that in terms of business, I'm not as good as you even though I've lived over thirty years!"
Tang Shen laughed, "Enough with the flattery."
He meant that too much flattery could be counterproductive.
Shopkeeper Lu pretended not to understand, scratching his head with an innocent look.
Putting aside the soap and boxiagong business, after the New Year, Tang Shen focused entirely on studying, preparing for the huishi.
Interestingly, as the exam approached, Wang Zhen no longer made Tang Shen write an eight-legged essay every day.
Today, Tang Shen went to the Minister Residence and handed over his recent calligraphy practice to Wang Zhen. After a quick glance, Wang Zhen set it aside and asked Tang Shen, "Have you released any animals lately?"
More and more juren gathered in Shengjing. As the exam day approached, they resorted to last-minute rituals.
Reading diligently every day was one way; buying animals at the flower and bird market to release them at temples was another. The closer to the exam, the stranger the scholars' praying rituals became. Releasing animals was normal. Today, when Tang Shen arrived at the Minister Residence, he saw two young juren bowing at the gate.
"I heard this is the residence of Wang Zifeng, praised by the emperor as the 'peerless zhuangyuan.' Praying to him must be effective!"
Tang Shen: "..."
By this logic, being with Wang Zifeng every day, he should become a jinshi even with his eyes closed; otherwise, how could he live up to Wang Zifeng's reputation!
Tang Shen was silent for a moment and said, "I didn't expect Senior Brother Zi Feng to believe in releasing animals."
Wang Zhen: "You don't believe?"
Tang Shen thought, I'm a staunch atheist and a true socialist successor, how could I believe in this?
Wang Zhen sighed, "Better to believe it exists than not."
Tang Shen: "Senior Brother?" He felt Wang Zifeng was acting strangely today.
"I had the steward buy you some animals this morning. Now, we shall go release them."
Tang Shen, puzzled, followed Wang Zhen to the backyard, where the steward was waiting with a fish, a rabbit, and a chicken.
They were well prepared!
Wang Zhen: "Take this fish."
Tang Shen: "..." He obediently took it.
"Release it."
Tang Shen carried the fish to the pond and gently released it. But as soon as he did, he saw the steward start scattering fish food. The fish, just freed, foolishly swam back for the food and was promptly caught by the steward.
Wang Zhen said seriously, "It seems it is destined to stay with us."
Tang Shen: "..."
Wang Zifeng, are you insane?!
Next, Wang Zhen said, "Take the rabbit."
Tang Shen picked up the rabbit and released it in the garden as instructed. Soon, he saw the steward and two manservants retrieve the rabbit caught in a trap. When he released the chicken, it was also caught.
Wang Zhen sighed, "The fish, rabbit, and chicken are so attached to us; we must not let them down. Steward, cook them."
Tang Shen interrupted, "I like it spicy."
Wang Zhen paused, his elegant face showing a hint of surprise, and he looked at Tang Shen with a thoughtful gaze. After a moment, he turned to the steward and said, "Make it all spicy."
Steward: "Yes."