Chapter Thirty-Seven: Meeting Zhongli You

"How does this wine compare to the Drunken Celestial?" Jiang Han asked with a smile.

Wu Wenhua scratched his head, "I have never tasted the Drunken Celestial, but this is the best wine I have ever had... Young Master, may I drink this in the future?"

Jiang Han grinned, "As long as you work for me, there will be plenty of this wine!"

Wu Wenhua was delighted. If he could drink this every day, he would even work for free!

"Let's go, we'll dine at the Drunken Cloud Pavilion tonight." Jiang Han thought it was already late, and he would have to wait until tomorrow to bring the wine to Zhongli You. Since he wasn't much of a cook himself, eating out was the better option.

Beside him, little Wu Yun's eyes lit up instantly.

Wu Wenhua rubbed his hands nervously, "Young Master, wouldn't the Drunken Cloud Pavilion be too expensive?" It was the finest restaurant in the Southern Market, costing a tael of silver per person.

"Don't talk nonsense, let's go!" Jiang Han waved his hand dismissively.

Half an hour later, Jiang Han, Jiang Qingyan, Wu Wenhua, and Wu Yun arrived at the pavilion. Jiang Han asked, "What do you have to eat?"

"Back to the guest, we have steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted flower duck, roasted chick, roasted gosling, braised pork, braised duck, soy-sauce chicken, cured meat..."

...Are you reciting a crosstalk routine? Jiang Han looked at Wu Yun beside him, whose large eyes were shimmering with longing and whose mouth was already watering. "Do you want to eat?"

Wu Yun nodded vigorously.

"I'll let you eat your fill today; order whatever you like," Jiang Han said with a magnanimous wave. Since he intended to keep Wu Wenhua in his service, he wouldn't be stingy with food. Besides, how much could a few people eat?

While waiting for the dishes, Jiang Han stood by the window, pondering his business. The incense dew business needed to expand; he had to buy a larger estate. The current space was insufficient for both producing the dew and brewing his wine. Tomorrow, he would visit Zhongli You—partly to thank him for getting him out of the magistrate's office, and partly to maintain their connection. He had to hold onto Zhongli You, a powerful patron; perhaps one day, in a good mood, the man might even recommend him for an official position. He also needed to learn martial arts from Meng Hongcang, and he should find time to visit Miss Zhou Yun at the Ningyan Pavilion.

When the table was nearly full of dishes, Jiang Han sat down and took only a couple of bites. When he looked up, he felt the table seemed somewhat empty.

*Huh? An illusion?*

Jiang Han pondered life while eating. By the time he finished his first bowl of rice and looked up again, he stared at the completely empty table, his mouth slowly dropping open in a long, stunned silence.

Where did that lavish spread of food go?

Wu Yun leaned back, rubbing her round, bulging belly, her short little legs swinging happily in the air.

"Thank you, Big Brother! The food was delicious!" Perhaps noticing Jiang Han's gaze, the little one thanked him joyfully.

Jiang Han forced a smile. "Are you full? Is that enough, or should we order more..."

The little one’s round eyes lit up immediately.

Jiang Han’s heart skipped a beat. *No way, she can still eat?*

"I can eat just a tiny bit more," the little one whispered.

*A tiny bit... that’s fine then,* Jiang Han thought, relieved. "Waiter, bring more food!"

Half an hour later, Jiang Han looked at the mountain of empty bowls and plates on the table, then at Wu Yun, who was now so full her belly was round as a ball and her eyes were shining with contentment. He began to doubt reality—where had this little monster come from?

A single meal had cost him ten full taels of silver! And he hadn't even eaten his fill!

"Brother... if we eat like this every day, we'll be penniless before long," Jiang Qingyan said, pained by the cost of the meal, which could have lasted her for a long time.

Jiang Han thought, *Can a little child really bankrupt me? Well, it seems she truly can!*

Wu Wenhua scratched his head, "Young Master, perhaps you should deduct today's meal from my wages?"

"It's just a bit of money, why deduct anything?" Jiang Han waved his hand. "Come, let's head home!"

...

The next day, Jiang Han had Wu Wenhua carry two jars of wine to the Wangchao Villa.

Upon arriving at the villa again, the gatekeeper recognized Jiang Han, bowed respectfully, and went inside to announce his arrival.

In a pavilion within the villa, Zhongli You was drinking tea with three men.

One was Li Qiushui, the "Poetry Master" who had traveled from Luoyang. He had originally come to Yunyang County for the literary gathering at the Cuiyun Pavilion. Although it had ended, he felt disgruntled; as a renowned poet, how could he have lost to an unknown? He decided to stay to see what Jiang Han would do next. Hearing that Zhongli You was staying at the Cuiyun Pavilion, he came to pay a visit. Zhongli You admired his talent and had hinted at taking him as a disciple, which comforted him greatly—if he could enter Zhongli You’s school, it would be of great benefit.

The second man was a middle-aged man in brocade robes, exuding an air of nobility. With a square, authoritative face, he was Ruan Ziqian, also known as the Hermit of Purple Bamboo from the Bailu Academy. He was a master of the age and unparalleled in the world of Go.

The final man was Jiang Zhensheng, head of the Anxiang Academy. He had come to visit the great scholar Zhongli You today, bringing an essay with him—he had decided to participate in the imperial examinations next spring and wanted to seek guidance while Zhongli You was still in the county. He was surprised to find the Hermit of Purple Bamboo here. Ruan Ziqian had been a successful candidate in the 11th year of Hongzhen and had served in the Bailu Academy for many years. It was rumored he was about to enter government service as the Governor of the Capital Prefecture, a high-ranking official of the fourth rank.

"Your insights, Master Zhongli, are unique. This student has learned much," Jiang Zhensheng said with immense gratitude. Zhongli You’s perspectives were far beyond his own, and he felt he benefited immensely from every conversation. Had it not been for Zhongli You’s lack of interest in taking students, he would have begged to be his apprentice.

Zhongli You was about to respond with a smile when the gatekeeper entered. "Master, Jiang Han is outside requesting an audience."

Upon hearing the name "Jiang Han," the expressions of everyone present shifted. Li Qiushui arched his eyebrows. Jiang Zhensheng was slightly taken aback. Only the Hermit of Purple Bamboo remained unmoved.

"Oh? Jiang Han is here? Please, invite him in," Zhongli You said with a smile.

...

The moment Jiang Han stepped into the courtyard and looked up, he was startled. Aside from the elegant Zhongli You in his scholar's robes, there was the young man in white, the imposing middle-aged man, and most importantly, his own father, Jiang Zhensheng.

*What is Father doing here?*

"Father," Jiang Han calmed his heart quickly and called out.

"Hmm." Jiang Zhensheng frowned. *What is this rebellious son doing here?* Although he had heard that the Anxiang Dew was selling well, Jiang Zhensheng remained skeptical: *Did he plagiarize those poems from somewhere?* After all, no one knew a son better than his father; he knew exactly what his son’s literary capabilities were and couldn't believe he was capable of writing such verses.

Jiang Han looked at the middle-aged man. The man carried an air of authority and a powerful aura; he must be someone in a high position! Not simple at all! As for Li Qiushui, he had already met him.

Wu Wenhua was too intimidated to make a sound. He placed the two jars of wine on the table and stood silently behind Jiang Han.