Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 99 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 99.1 Uncanny Guests
After the Lantern Festival, Shen Shaoguang couldn’t help but feel as though the entire city had slipped into exam mode. The East Market branch of Shen Indelible Tavern, as well as neighboring lanes such as Chongren, are a hub for scholars. They buzzed daily with discussions centered around the upcoming Ministry of Rites examination and the Ministry of Personnel selection that would soon follow.
The second edition of the poetry collection, now featuring the Emperor's poem, was already on display, and just as Shen Shaoguang and Shao Jie had anticipated, it was a hot commodity. After all, there were few ‘Kong Yiji’ types among the scholars—most followed the formal process, either leaving behind their own writings or making sure their expenditures reached the threshold for the poetry collection. While reviewing the account books, Shen Shaoguang noticed many customers ordering an extra dish or two, just enough to meet the required amount for the coveted collection. It reminded her of past-life experiences of trying to hit a coupon’s order minimum during a Singles' Day sale.
Capitalizing on the exam season, Shen Indelible also launched a series of exam-themed meal sets, such as the "Top of the List Set," the "Unceasing Promotion Set," and the "Flushed With Success Set." The dish names were both auspicious and elegant—First-Rank Tofu, Knowledge Abundance, Legacy of Scholarship, Purple Robe Soup, Imperial Favor Roll, and Enlightened Cake. Every course was crafted to tickle the fancy of the exam-focused scholars.
In addition, Shen Indelible introduced a special reservation event: "Burnt Tail Banquet." This banquet, traditionally hosted by scholars who had passed the imperial examination or officials celebrating a promotion. The term "Burnt Tail" originated from the legend of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate—where only by having its tail singed by heavenly fire could the carp successfully transform into a dragon[1]. For these scholars or officials, burning off their ‘tail’ represented their triumphant passage over the Dragon Gate.
For scholars, composing poems in Qujiang District or inscribing their names in Giant Wild Goose Pagoda[2] were honors typically reserved for government officials, yet these activities were communal in nature. In contrast, hosting a Burnt Tail Banquet was a personal celebration where they were the undeniable centerpiece. Thus, this banquet held profound significance for them, embodying their individual pride and accomplishments.
By offering early reservations for these banquets, Shen Indelible subtly extended wishes for success in their patrons' examinations. The required deposit was minimal and fully refundable, enticing many to reserve a table or two in hopes of securing a stroke of good fortune for the upcoming tests.
As the examination date drew nearer, so did the pressure, and the atmosphere in the tavern became increasingly frenetic. Some scholars brimmed with confidence, while others wavered with anxiety or despair. There were those who sat in silent melancholy, others who teetered on the edge of madness. Some spoke of dreams as though they were already realized, while others couldn’t stomach their wine. A few drank in reckless abandon, accepting their fate, while others, drunk and emotional, burst into fits of laughter, tears, poetry, and song...
Given the fragile mental state of many scholars, Shen Indelible Tavern in East Market significantly bolstered its security, adding several well-built staff members. Fortunately, they had not yet been needed. Shen Shaoguang, ever the laid-back tavern owner, had no qualms about scholars crying or singing their hearts out. After all, with such immense pressure, wasn't a bit of venting perfectly acceptable? As long as no one resorted to violence or vandalism, it was no trouble at all.
For those scholars who dissolved into tears, the tavern steward would personally lead the waiters to offer sobering soup and warm towels. Over time, Steward Qin became something of a beloved figure among the scholars. One even wrote a poem in his honor:
"The road ahead is fraught with strife,
Tears drench my robes anew.
Your heartfelt care, my saving grace,
With warm broth and cloth I’m soothed.
Should I find my name on Yanta high,
Sir Qin, my personal gratitude anigh."
Ever the kind soul, Steward Qin would respond with soothing words, "Don’t overthink it, Sir. A lighter heart will lead to better results." Without a second thought, he shared the advice he had received from Miss when he first became the steward of Shen Indelible's East Market branch.
The scholar, somewhat unsteady on his feet, swayed as he stood and clapped an arm around Qin’s shoulder. "A lighter heart...Sir Qin, you're absolutely right!"
Steward Qin quickly steadied him, urging, "Careful now, sir, careful..."
Most of these scholars held their heads high, often aloof. Steward Qin had never been so intimately acquainted with such scholars before and initially felt rather anxious. But as time passed, he grew accustomed to it. After all, even scholars were only human.
Standing on the second floor, Shen Shaoguang let out a soft sigh, shaking her head as she observed the scene below. Her wistful expression caught Lin Yan’s attention, and he smiled warmly.
To Shen Shaoguang, Lin Yan—a man endowed with both fortune and intellect, a prodigy who had passed the imperial exams before turning twenty, and a Tanhua Envoy basking in success—could hardly comprehend the anxiety and helplessness that ordinary folks experienced in the exam halls. Bro, you truly need to immerse yourself more in the realities of life.
Noticing the deepening contemplation on her face, Lin Yan's smile broadened. "A'Ji, by the look on your face, one might think you’ve endured these very trials yourself."
"I—" Shen Shaoguang bit her tongue, slightly annoyed. Lǎozǐ had also been a victim of a decade-long, grueling academic journey! From primary school to middle school, then high school, and finally university—since the sixth grade, her teachers had consistently declared, "This is the year that will determine your fate." That phrase had been uttered nearly as often as, "You’re the most challenging batch of students I’ve ever taught."
Shen Shaoguang had never been the most diligent student, but she lacked the guts to slack off too much. As a result, she consistently maintained grades that were just high enough to irritate her teachers. A little higher and she would have been deemed a top-scoring student, requiring no extra attention. A little lower, and she’d have been lost among the masses, not worth worrying about. Thus, she became one of those students who were constantly prodded, urged, and encouraged…
Alas, these memories are enough to bring tears.
She glanced sideways at Lin Yan again. If he had lived in modern times, he would definitely have been the hottest boy in the school—great grades, good looks, and probably a great basketball player to boot. The kind of guy who, the moment he stepped onto the court, would have girls lining up to hold his jacket and fetch water for him. Meanwhile, only answering half the exams, he’d still score better than her... Shen Shaoguang couldn’t help but fume at the thought, especially as she recalled her own perpetual failures in the 50-meter dash and the exams where there was always someone ahead. Why is life so unfair? Huh?
"What’s on your mind?" Lin Yan asked, suppressing a grin.
Shen Shaoguang shot him a sharp look, her eyes practically digging into his waist—an area she knew was particularly sensitive.
Lin Yan cleared his throat, his voice a mix of amusement and mild reproach. "A'Ji, we're out in public..."
Shen Shaoguang: "..." Deputy Mayor Lin, could you please be more pure in thought?
.
.
.
Footnote:
[1] The story of the carp becoming a dragon is detailed in the TaiPing GuangJi (太平广记). It describes the Dragon Gate, located east of the Yellow River, where the legendary ruler Yu the Great (大禹) opened a waterfall. Every late spring, yellow carps would swim upstream, with only 72 out of thousands successfully leaping over the gate. This dramatic jump would summon clouds and rain, followed by fire from the sky that burned the carp's tail, transforming it into a dragon.
The phrase "carps jumping over the Dragon Gate" (鲤鱼跳龙门) symbolizes achieving high rank in the imperial examination, representing success in gaining admission to prestigious institutions today. The carp's name, LiYu (鲤鱼), resonates with the surname of the Tang dynasty emperor, linking it to good fortune.
Source: https://chinesemythologypodcast.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/episode-4-dragon-gate/
[2] Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (雁塔) - or Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔), is a monumental Buddhist pagoda located in southern Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. It was built in c. 648 – c. 649 during the Tang dynasty and originally had five stories. In the Tang Dynasty, every successful candidate who passed the imperial examinations would have to climb up the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and write poems and inscriptions there. This ritual would symbolize a soaring career in the future. The fashion of writing poems and leaving inscriptions on the horizontal bars over different doors and stone frame-works by the successful candidates of the imperial examinations went on as far as the Ming Dynasty.
Sources: