Chapter 3

The aroma of scallion oil pancakes quickly drew the attention of the students having breakfast nearby. They followed the scent and eventually found a stack of pancakes in Xia Hongsheng's hands. In the Tang Dynasty, pancakes were one of the staple foods in the north, and none of these students had not eaten pancakes before. However, even those from wealthy families had never seen this kind. They had tasted many delicious foods, but this was something entirely new. How could they not want to try it?

Xia Hongsheng was not stingy. He tore the pancakes and distributed them to the students around who wanted to taste. There were many students, and soon the stack of scallion oil pancakes was all gone. Those who had never tasted good things found them delicious, and even those who had tasted good things found them novel. For a moment, they all felt their mouths watering, but when they looked at Xia Hongsheng's hands, there was nothing left. Everyone was greatly disappointed and could only shake their heads, savoring the lingering aroma.

"Junior Brother Jingshi, the pancakes you brought are truly delicious. I have tasted many delicacies, but I have never had such pancakes. They are just scallions and salt, yet how can they be so fragrant? They really make my mouth water!" A voice, somewhat regretful, came from the side. Xia Hongsheng looked and saw an older student from the academy. He thought to himself, "He asked just in time."

In the academy, etiquette was highly valued, and polite people always found it easier to win others' favor. Xia Hongsheng clasped his hands and respectfully replied, "In response to Senior Brother, these scallion oil pancakes were made by my sister-in-law to sell at the market. I left in a hurry this morning and brought a few for breakfast, but I don't know what method my sister-in-law used."

"You mean, your sister-in-law is going to sell these pancakes?" another student asked. "Doesn't that mean we can buy them at the market? Jingshi, why don't we give you the money, and you can bring us more?"

"What kind of talk is that?! Are you treating my junior brother as an unrighteous merchant?!" Before Xia Hongsheng could speak, Senior Brother Xu stood up from the green stone behind him, walked to Xia Hongsheng's side, and replied to the student.

Xia Hongsheng was not angry but felt a bit apologetic. He clasped his hands from a distance and said, "I'm afraid that won't work. My sister-in-law strictly forbids me from getting involved. She says that if people find out, they will look down on us. Today, letting everyone know that my sister-in-law is selling pancakes is already a violation. If she finds out, she will surely scold me again. I can't bring more."

The student realized he had said something wrong and quickly clasped his hands to apologize. Xia Hongsheng knew that these people looked down on merchants, but his family was very poor. Making a few pancakes to exchange for some money was not the same as being a merchant.

"In that case, we can buy them at the market," the first person who asked muttered. He then hooked his finger, and a young servant in a blue robe ran over. The student said, "Go to the market and buy as many as you can. Send most of them to the academy, and I will treat my classmates to a taste. Take the rest home for your family to try."

The servant agreed and ran off. Xia Hongsheng clasped his hands from a distance to thank the student.

Without the scallion oil pancakes, the students started chatting. Under the locust tree, they returned to their usual groups.

However, behind the window frame, two figures silently observed everything. One of them, an old man, frowned and whispered, "This boy, actually promoting his sister-in-law's business in the academy, is truly a disgrace to our culture!"

"Ha, don't be angry, don't be angry! You know the situation of the Xia family. His father and brother died for the country, and his sister-in-law, a woman, manages the household. Making a few pancakes to exchange for some rice and flour is not wrong. They are a poor family, not merchants. Look at those students, did any of them look down on him? As a respected teacher, your heart and mind should be broader than your students'!"

Xia Hongsheng, meanwhile, was nodding his head, not reciting scriptures but dozing off. Damn, these classical texts, he had only memorized them when he was in school. In college, he didn't have to memorize so many ancient texts! Now, with the classroom full of "clouds" and "said," it felt like a brainwashing soup, making him drowsy. He finally believed what his professor said at graduation: "After a few years of work, the left brain turns to water, and the right brain is full of noodles. If you don't use your brain, it's just a mess!"

Xia Hongsheng was in a daze, his head nodding, and his eyes couldn't stay open. He felt like he was being sucked into a dark vortex. This body was only ten years old, a primary school student in the future. Primary school students should only memorize simple things like "Quack, quack, quack, bending necks to sing to the sky..." and "At the beginning of human nature, it is inherently good..." Why were there such obscure texts to memorize? This was not just启蒙 (enlightenment) anymore!

Suddenly, a heavy blow landed on his head, and Xia Hongsheng jumped up in shock. His mind was still fuzzy, and he started reciting, "At the beginning of human nature, it is inherently good. Nature is similar, habits are different. If not taught, nature will change. The way of teaching is to value dedication. In the past, Mother Meng chose a good neighbor. If the child does not learn, she cuts the loom... Uh, uh, uh..."

As he recited, Xia Hongsheng finally woke up and realized he had recited the wrong thing. Damn, he had recited what he was thinking in his daze! The recitation in the classroom had stopped, and everyone was staring at him in surprise. The old teacher's face was dark, and his fingers formed an eagle claw, grabbing Xia Hongsheng's ear.

"Rogue! What text am I teaching you, and what are you reciting? In such a good time, instead of studying, you are sleeping, and you ignore the homework I assigned. Stretch out your hand!"

Xia Hongsheng's face fell. The other students were gloating. He reluctantly extended his hand, and the teacher, without mercy, raised the ruler high and brought it down with a loud "slap." The pain in his palm was intense. After several strikes, his left hand was numb.

"Humph! Quickly recite. You must come to me before the afternoon class ends! At noon, do not rest. I will punish you by making you copy this text five times and submit it to me. Do you understand?"

"Student understands, and will complete the assignment as instructed," Xia Hongsheng quickly bowed, respecting the teacher's authority.

The teacher nodded and walked away, and the students resumed their recitation. Xia Hongsheng had to focus on reciting, thinking about the punishment of copying the text five times, which filled him with bitterness.

The morning passed quickly, and it was noon. The other students left, some going home and others eating lunch outside. Only Xia Hongsheng sat in the classroom, staring at the book. Five times! Xia Hongsheng sighed, put down his brush, and thought, "So slow!"

"Junior Brother Jingshi, ha, I heard you were hit with the ruler this morning. I came to visit!" A voice full of gloating came from the door. It was Xu Qixian.

Xia Hongsheng looked up, rolled his eyes, and said, "If you want to gloat, just say it. Don't pretend to visit! Gloating, humph, the teacher's 'Hua Mountain Ruler Sword Technique' is already perfected. Though he holds a ruler, his heart is a sword. Be careful, you might be next!"

Xu Qixian couldn't hold back his laughter and ran into the classroom. As he approached Xia Hongsheng, he smelled a fragrance.

Xu Qixian winked at Xia Hongsheng and pulled out a chicken leg. "Look, I really came to visit you. The servant brought lunch, and I remembered your scallion oil pancakes were all gone this morning, so I saved this for you. Eat quickly, then write."

"Thank you, Brother Xu!" Xia Hongsheng's face lit up, grabbed the chicken leg, and devoured it in a few bites. Xu Qixian was stunned, thinking his junior brother must be very poor and had never eaten a chicken leg before, so he felt a bit sad and was about to invite him to his home for a big meal. However, Xia Hongsheng, with a regretful look, picked his teeth and said, "Too bad, not enough seasoning! Beggar's chicken is better!"

Xu Qixian's eyes widened, and he pointed at Xia Hongsheng, speechless.

Xia Hongsheng saw his reaction and quickly smiled, "Brother Xu, don't be angry. When I have time, I'll treat you. I'll make beggar's chicken myself, and I promise you'll be satisfied!"

"Beggar's chicken? What is it?" Xu Qixian asked curiously.

Xia Hongsheng stared at the chicken bone, then at the paper on the table, suddenly slapped his head, and exclaimed, "I have an idea!"

"Idea? What idea? What are you going to do?" Xu Qixian was even more confused.

Xia Hongsheng looked at Xu Qixian, his eyes twinkling, and said, "Brother Xu, I remember there are a few golden chickens on the hill behind the academy. Brother Xu, can you help me? I will repay you!"

"Golden chickens?" Xu Qixian scratched his head, then suddenly tensed and pulled Xia Hongsheng. "Junior Brother, you're not going to use those golden chickens to make beggar's chicken, are you? Absolutely not! Those golden chickens are the headmaster's treasures..."

"Not at all! I know the golden chickens are precious. I just want Brother Xu to help me pick a few feathers!" Xia Hongsheng tugged on Xu Qixian's clothes, making a pitiful face.

"Just pick a few feathers?" Xu Qixian asked suspiciously.

"Sure, sure!" Xia Hongsheng nodded quickly.

"Then... okay! Just picking a few feathers, I won't let you do anything else!"

"Everything as Brother Xu says!" Xia Hongsheng laughed and pulled Xu Qixian to the hill behind the academy.