Chapter 74

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Lin Yanzhao was about to shout loudly for someone to catch the thief, but upon a closer look, he realized that the person on the wall was Yu Qingzhou, and below the wall were Zhu Xiangwen and Huang Biyou.

Zhu Xiangwen was shouting, "Give me a fermented vegetable pancake, and if you don't have it, a red fermented meat pancake will do."

Lin Yanzhao walked to the wall and asked, "What are you guys doing?"

Everyone was startled by the sudden voice and immediately made a gesture to shush him, saying, "Yanzhao, be quiet. If the kitchen staff sees us, we're done."

Huang Biyou chuckled and said, "Brother Yanzhao, we're having a special meal. Do you want to join us? This place's vegetable-stuffed pancakes and fish balls are really good."

"Are you guys not addicted to my vegetable-stuffed pancakes?"

Zhu Xiangwen and Huang Biyou both chuckled. Lin Yanzhao, feeling hungry, said, "Alright, I'll have a bowl of fish balls! And a vegetable pancake."

"Sure, sure, three bowls of fish balls!" Zhu Xiangwen said to Yu Qingzhou.

"Sure," the person outside replied, "I'll come back to collect the bowls and spoons at the same time tomorrow!"

Then Yu Qingzhou passed three bowls of fish balls over the wall. Everyone kept shouting, "Don't spill the soup! If you spill it, we'll have to eat the pancakes dry!"

The three bowls of fish balls, along with the spoons, were passed from one person to another and placed by the wall. Since they were having a special meal, they didn't dare to make a lot of noise. They squatted down and ate the pancakes and fish ball soup.

Lin Yanzhao, smelling the scallion in the soup and seeing the five white fish balls in the bowl, couldn't help but think of a joke from the past.

In the past, a foreigner saw a Chinese person put a ping-pong ball in their mouth, thinking it was a magic trick. Then, when he saw the ping-pong ball was actually a meatball, he asked, "How do you put a meatball inside a ping-pong ball?"

The Chinese person replied, "We eat fish balls."

Lin Yanzhao scooped a fish ball with the spoon and bit into it, praising it in his heart. It wasn't made of starch but real fish meat. He took another bite and praised it again. The meatball had a sweet and soy sauce flavor, which was truly authentic.

After eating a fish ball, he took a big bite of the vegetable pancake and sipped the oily soup. It was a real treat. The three of them quickly ate more than half, and by the end, they were reluctant to gobble up the remaining bits and started chatting.

"Yanzhao, I heard Chen Xinggui invited you to join his Spring and Autumn Society. Can you put in a good word for me and let me join too?" Zhu Xiangwen said eagerly.

Lin Yanzhao knew that the Spring and Autumn Society was short of people and that his recommendation would help. Even if it didn't work out, there would be no loss. But he didn't want to make any promises, saying, "I'm not very close to Chen Xinggui, but I can talk to him. Don't get your hopes up."

Zhu Xiangwen smiled and said, "Brother Lin, it's enough that you're willing to talk to him. I've asked him twice before, but he didn't agree."

Seeing that Lin Yanzhao was willing to help Zhu Xiangwen, Huang Biyou quickly said, "Brother Lin, can you help me too?"

Before Lin Yanzhao could respond, Zhu Xiangwen hurriedly said, "You study the Book of Songs. Why do you want to join the Spring and Autumn Society?"

"I studied the Spring and Autumn Annals in my early education. Why can't I? If you want me to study the Spring and Autumn Annals now, I can," Huang Biyou said.

Lin Yanzhao was a bit hesitant and said, "Brother Huang, aren't Yu Ziyu and Ye Xianggao the ones who study the Book of Songs? Why don't you ask them to help you join the society?"

Huang Biyou frowned and said, "I've asked them. Yu Ziyu is with Lin Biqing and looks down on me. As for Ye Xianggao, forget it. The last time I saw him, he had a copy of the Five Classics Commentary, and I wanted to borrow it. He said his family's books are never lent out. How could I ask such a stingy person for help?"

Lin Yanzhao found Ye Xianggao's attitude a bit hard to understand. The future chief minister shouldn't be so narrow-minded. But he thought that in those days, good students were busy with their own studies and wouldn't help those who were less capable.

Huang Biyou, fearing that Lin Yanzhao would be troubled, said, "Yanzhao, you study the Book of Documents, right? I have a copy of the Book of Documents with major and minor questions. You can take it whenever you want and return it whenever you're done."

Lin Yanzhao nodded. This was exactly what he needed. He had planned to borrow it from the library, but the library's rules were strict. A book had to be returned within a month, and only three books could be borrowed at a time. Even bribing the librarian wouldn't help.

So, having a book to read at any time was quite convenient.

Seeing Huang Biyou's offer, Zhu Xiangwen became anxious and said, "Brother Yanzhao, I don't have many books, but I have a collection of examination essays from the past few years in Houguan and Min County. If you want to read it, you can take it from me anytime."

Examination essays were selected by examiners as model answers.

Lin Yanzhao thought this was also a good deal and said, "I'll talk to Chen Xinggui. It's up to him."

Both were very happy, but Yu Qingzhou, who had already decided to leave, remained indifferent and continued eating his pancake.

The next day, Lin Yanzhao told Chen Xinggui about it, and Chen Xinggui immediately agreed, saying, "Since Brother Lin is asking, I will definitely help. The Spring and Autumn Society has many members. We can have one meeting for those studying the Spring and Autumn Annals and one for those studying the Four Books. People can choose which one to attend, so the number of people will be smaller."

"As for Huang Biyou, I'll recommend him to the society that studies the Book of Songs."

Thus, the matter was settled. When Zhu Xiangwen and Huang Biyou learned that everything was arranged, they were very happy and gave Lin Yanzhao the books they had promised.

Getting the books he wanted, Lin Yanzhao was very pleased. This would save him a lot of trouble.

That day, he went to the Lin family to attend a lecture.

It was already the twelfth lunar month, the end of the year.

The Lin family was preparing for the New Year.

Lin Yanzhao had attended several lectures under this scholar, Mr. Fuzhang.

Over the past few days, Lin Yanzhao had become very impressed with the scholar's knowledge. Moreover, his insights were not those of an ordinary teacher. His words were not empty or superficial. He was not just a bookish person who talked about theories but someone who had practical experience.

After a few lectures, Lin Yanzhao realized that the scholar was not a poor scholar. He occasionally used official language and spoke Mandarin very well, not just a mix of local dialects. His pronunciation was clear, suggesting he had traveled in the north.

This person had likely held office elsewhere and either resigned or was on leave, so he was teaching to pass the time.

Of course, this was quite common in the Ming Dynasty. Even in later times, a good university degree was not as valuable as a good job after graduation. In the Ming Dynasty, many scholars, after going through great efforts to pass the imperial exams, often served as officials for only a year or two before retiring to their hometowns.

This seemed to align with the idea that scholars did not study for material gain. However, in reality, after passing the provincial exams, scholars received very good treatment.

Many officials would serve for a while, then take a break, and repeat this cycle. For example, Dong Qichang, a historical figure, would retire whenever he was dissatisfied with his career and stay at home for over twenty years. While the court was in turmoil, he had the leisure to perfect his calligraphy and painting skills and even cause some trouble in his hometown. When he got bored, he would return to office.

He went through three rises and falls, enjoying both his official career and long breaks, living a very comfortable life.

Although Lin Yanzhao suspected that the scholar might be a retired official, he still argued and debated when necessary, regardless of who he was.

During the lecture, the scholar closed the book and said, "In ten days, it will be the monthly examination at your academy. Are you prepared?"

Lin Yanzhao, recalling his recent intense studies, said, "I have been reading every day, but my progress is not satisfactory."

The scholar nodded and said, "This is the desire to learn but the inability to do so. I have seen your diligence, which has exceeded my expectations. I give you twice or three times the workload of others, meaning that what others take two or three months to learn, you can learn in one month."

Lin Yanzhao felt proud, thinking, "Of course, I'm a prodigy."

The scholar then said, "However, learning cannot be rushed. There is a poem that you should follow."

The scholar was a good teacher, but like many teachers of his time, he loved to give moral lectures.

Lin Yanzhao, who had grown up listening to his parents' and teachers' advice, had heard many such lectures but still struggled to live a good life.

He bowed his head and said, "I am all ears."

The scholar recited, "Last night, the spring water rose by the river, and the large ship became as light as a feather. Previously, all efforts to move it were in vain, but now it floats freely in the middle of the river."

"This poem was written by Zhu Xi. It is a reflection of his learning and cultivation. It shows that true learning is not achieved overnight but through gradual understanding. The poem describes how daily troubles or achievements, like a ship stranded on the riverbank, are hard to move. But when the spring water rises, the ship rises with it, becoming as light as a feather and floating freely in the river."

Lin Yanzhao pondered the four lines of the poem and found the advice quite nourishing. He said, "I understand, Master. I will remember it."

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