The Great Ming Imperial Preceptor

As the morning sun began to paint the eastern edge of the market with light, the small cart was already pushed to its usual spot at the intersection. Nie Yunzhu and Hutao tidied up a few things before picking up their baskets to deliver the goods. She was still dressed in simple cloth clothing, with a headscarf wrapped around her head, resembling most village women. However, even in that simple attire, she couldn't hide the exceptional aura she once possessed. If one were to speak with her face to face, her refined and beautiful features would naturally capture one's attention.

Yesterday, they had delivered the first batch of preserved eggs to the Chunyi Restaurant, marking a start. Today, she was going there again. Following Ning Yi's plan, she had prepared several different seasonings in pretty little porcelain bottles, along with porcelain dishes. After delivering the eggs, she would take one preserved egg, cut it into quarters, and place a dab of different sauces on four small dishes, showcasing the various flavors. The preserved egg itself looked quite appealing when cut open, and when paired with the red, black, and white sauces, the visual impact was undoubtedly strong. Even though the restaurant hadn't displayed it in the most prominent location, they had still sold over a dozen yesterday.

This progress caught Nie Yunzhu a bit off guard, but if they could secure a second customer, the plan to sell thirty preserved eggs a day would be essentially complete.

Under the same morning light, just as she was carrying her basket across the street towards the Chunyi Restaurant, Li Pin was walking out of the alley, pausing briefly. He then headed towards the Sihai Restaurant on the other side of the street, where a friend had already arrived and was waiting for him. "Brother Xie, you're early... What about Zishan?"

"Zishan didn't come with me today. He said he met a friend last night and will come with him later."

"Excellent."

Everything was developing as usual. Li Pin's influence was still reliable. Over the past three or four days, he had contacted some friends who usually dined at different restaurants nearby, asking them to help him order a preserved egg from the waiter when the restaurants were busy. It was a small favor, and since Ning Yi had said that a few people would be enough, he hadn't informed too many. These friends were also quite discreet, making the casual performance without any problem. He had heard yesterday that the Chunyi Restaurant had already put the preserved egg on display, which was considered initial progress.

Li Pin was curious about Ning Yi's talent, but he didn't take the preserved egg too seriously. He met his friend Xie Jiang, chatted for a while, and then went upstairs. After waiting a while, another friend he had agreed to meet, Shen Miao, also arrived. Shen Miao was a well-known talent in Jiangning, and with him was another person, with proper features, dignified appearance, and in his twenties, but with a very steady temperament. As soon as he entered, he bowed to Li Pin and Xie Jiang.

"Dexin, Xishen, it's been a long time."

"Yan Zhen!"

Li Pin stood up in surprise. This person was also an old acquaintance of theirs. He was originally a figure in Jiangning comparable to Li Pin and Cao Guan. Gu Hong, Gu Yanzhen, had entered the capital three years ago and reportedly passed the imperial examination. Since then, he had been active in Bianliang, seeking practical positions through various channels. He hadn't expected to see him back from there now.

Everyone was overjoyed for a moment.

"When did you arrive? You didn't contact us right away. We'll hold that against you."

"We should have a banquet at the Jinfeng Brothel today to welcome you back."

"A penalty drink!"

"I wonder what you've seen and learned in Tokyo over the past three years. We need to hear all about it."

The four of them sat down at the table, laughing and joking, and Gu Yanzhen told them some trivial things about the capital.

"Nowadays, the most talked about thing in Tokyo and other places is the worsening relationship between the Liao and Jin countries in recent years. Since His Majesty appointed Chancellor Li, he has rectified military affairs and tightened military discipline. Now, the court is full of enthusiasm. If I guess correctly, in as little as three to five months, or as long as a year and a half, the court will definitely seize the opportunity to form an alliance with the Jin. This will invigorate the national spirit, which has been languishing since the Chanyuan Treaty, and the recovery of Youyun is just around the corner!"

Since the Jin, under the leadership of Wanyan Aguda, launched a large-scale conflict with the Liao last year, the recovery of Youyun and the revitalization of the country's fortunes have been the most frequently discussed topics among these Wu Dynasty scholars. Sixty years since Chanyuan, six years since Blackwater, a century of oppression, and now the opportunity has finally arrived. Since the current emperor appointed Li Gang as chancellor, he has vigorously rectified military affairs, and now the situation is clear. Everything seems to be hanging by a thread, and the future seems to be separated only by a thin layer of window paper. Once pierced, one can see the grand spectacle of the army marching out of Yanmen Pass, taking Youyun directly, and restoring the old appearance of the Tang Dynasty. As the four of them spoke about it, they were filled with excitement again. Then Gu Yanzhen also talked about his gains this time.

"...This time in Tokyo, I finally gained the favor of Lord Qin Sou, and was appointed to a seventh-rank substantive post, ha, Magistrate of Leping County in Raozhou. I will take office in July, so I have some time to return to Jiangning and meet with you all..."

The Lord Qin Sou he mentioned was Tang Ke, Tang Qin Sou, who was quite famous in the eyes of these scholars. They asked him about it, and were naturally envious and jealous of his getting a substantive post, joking around with him. Then they brought up some romantic affairs. Gu Yanzhen was originally a romantic figure in Jiangning, and was quite favored by various beauties. After going to Tokyo for three years, he naturally had some romantic encounters. Gu Yanzhen smiled and talked about some trivial and interesting things.

"In fact, the fame and talent here are about the same as in Jiangning. Most of the women in Tokyo are arrogant, and there are scholars from all over the world gathered there. It is not easy to conquer them. In my three years in Tokyo, among the most popular girls recently, Li Shishi, I have only had a single encounter with her..."

Time passed in the conversation, and it was already the busiest time in the restaurant. Li Pin was thinking about whether he should order the preserved eggs, when Gu Yanzhen suddenly stopped, patted the table, and said to the waiter, "Bring us four preserved eggs."

The restaurant naturally didn't have them, and then Gu Yanzhen pointed out a place, showing himself to be quite familiar with the area. Li Pin looked surprised, and Gu Yanzhen smiled and said in a low voice, "Yesterday I had a chat with Brother Mu Fang at Cuiping Restaurant, and suddenly saw him ordering these preserved eggs with great interest. I asked him about it, and only then did I learn that it was Brother Dexin's request. I naturally kept it in mind, ha... Did I say anything wrong just now? I don't know what the relationship between these preserved eggs and Dexin is."

Li Pin also laughed, "It's nothing. It's just a favor from a friend, a playful gesture. We just can't deliberately promote it with our own names."

"Understood." Whether it's making a bet or telling a joke, anything is possible. Seeing that Li Pin said it was a playful gesture, Gu Yanzhen didn't care anymore, and then continued to talk about the scenery of Tokyo. When they were full and satisfied, and Li Pin had a few words with Gu Yanzhen alone, Li Pin joked, "When you were talking about those women in Tokyo just now, Yan Zhen seemed a little hesitant. Could it be that you were snubbed in Tokyo and are embarrassed to talk about it?"

Gu Yanzhen smiled, then shook his head helplessly, "Dexin is observant, there are indeed some things, but it has nothing to do with Tokyo... Uh, if there is a relationship, it's that... I wonder if Dexin has been to the Jinfeng Brothel in recent years?"

Li Pin shook his head, "I rarely go to the Jinfeng Brothel. Thinking about it, Yan Zhen used to go there often. Ha, recently the Jinfeng Brothel's Yuan Jin'er is quite close to Cao Guan. Yan Zhen also knows that Cao Guan is my Lishui's mortal enemy. If I go, I'm afraid I'll be turned away... Uh, what's going on?"

"Before going to Tokyo three years ago, I had a confidante in the Jinfeng Brothel. When I entered the city a few days ago, I went to find her that night, but unfortunately... Three years have passed, and she is no longer in the Jinfeng Brothel..." Gu Yanzhen tapped his fingers on the table, his expression slightly melancholy, "To be honest, I used to be a libertine, and I think I've seen many women, but only this woman... makes me feel the most connected and the most at peace. Her literary talent and temperament are completely unlike those of a prostitute. I remember when I said goodbye to her three years ago, she said, 'I wish the young master success in the imperial examination and a triumphant return...' I have, to some extent, passed the imperial examination and returned triumphantly this time, but alas... If I had known this, even if she had refused me three years ago, I should have redeemed her..."

Li Pin thought for a while, "Speaking of which, three years ago... Yuan Jin'er was previously Pan Shi, hmm, I heard that she did redeem herself and get married..."

"How could it be Pan Shi." Gu Yanzhen raised his eyebrows disdainfully, "Pan Shi, that woman, is just a vulgar object. How could she be worthy of my affection? The one I'm talking about is Miss Yunzhu. She is usually very low-key. If she wasn't unwilling to compete for fame, how could Pan Shi have taken the lead in the Jinfeng Brothel... This matter can only be said to be a matter of fate..."

"Yunzhu... I seem to have heard that name before..."

"If Dexin had really seen her back then, you would naturally know how good she is. This woman's poetry, prose, singing, and music are all excellent. What she thinks in her heart is also completely different from those women who want to be courtesans and compete for fame. Although I don't know her past, how could she have fallen into prostitution if she hadn't had a bumpy life? I originally thought that I could help her, but knowing her personality, I never dared to mention redeeming her. Alas, now I know the principle that one should pluck a flower when it's in full bloom, lest there be nothing left to pluck, but it's already too late..."

"Have you inquired about her whereabouts?"

Gu Yanzhen shook his head, "I asked, but they didn't give me an answer... Ha, since they didn't give me an answer, she must have gotten married. If she had only left the Jinfeng Brothel and was still in Jiangning, she would still be famous. Based on our friendship back then, she wouldn't refuse me."

The most heartbreaking thing about love is this kind of missed opportunity. Li Pin thought about it, "Don't ask around more? At least find out where she is now."

"What's the point of asking to the end? I am indeed curious about who she finally chose, but... If I could not see her..." He looked at Li Pin and smiled, "Perhaps not seeing her... is also a good thing."

Li Pin nodded and patted his shoulder, "Well, you'll forget about it in a while."

While a group of people were discussing these things at the Sihai Restaurant, the restaurant had passed its busiest time, and the customers were gradually decreasing. The waiter who had gone to buy the preserved eggs, after discussing with the few who had been asked to buy them a few days ago, reported it to the manager. The manager looked at the four men who were obviously scholars of high status, and waved his hand to give instructions. The waiter went out the door, crossed the street to the intersection, and told Nie Yunzhu about the request to send preserved eggs over tomorrow. Before this, a waiter from the Cuiping Restaurant had also come over and made the same request.

The next morning, before dawn, Nie Yunzhu waited in front of the stairs of the small building. When Ning Yi came over, she happily told him that sales had expanded to three restaurants. While saying this, she also suspiciously paid attention to Ning Yi's expression. In fact, the expansion of this market seemed a bit strange to her. People often asked waiters to buy preserved eggs from restaurants, but they hadn't yet become famous. How could this happen? Perhaps he was the one who was doing things behind the scenes.

If that's the case, she would admire him. However, although she was also good at observing people's expressions, Nie Yunzhu naturally couldn't see too much on Ning Yi's face other than happiness. In fact, she was also happy that she could support herself, and discussed with Ning Yi that the batch they had pickled before wasn't enough, and the emergency measures to take in case they ran out of stock in the middle of the process, etc.

Morning, intersection, small cart, Sihai Restaurant. When Nie Yunzhu came over with a bamboo basket to tell the waiter about various combinations, she decided to inquire a little about the inside story. In her opinion, the matter was mostly inseparable from Ning Yi.

"...Brother Waiter, what kind of people were those who asked you to buy preserved eggs a few days ago... I want to know a little about it, who are the people who like to eat this."

"Oh, they are all learned talents. Some also say that this is called jade egg and rich egg. Yesterday, I accidentally heard that one of them had returned from Tokyo, a high-ranking gentleman... Even people like that know the name of preserved eggs. Miss Nie's preserved eggs, could they be a novelty learned from Tokyo... No wonder they aren't sold in other places... Oh right, Miss, look, the gentleman who wanted the preserved eggs yesterday was that talented gentleman."

Nie Yunzhu smiled and turned her head to look. Two scholars were walking in over there. Shen Miao was the first to see the preserved eggs taken out of the bamboo basket on the counter. He thought that Brother Li's purpose had been achieved, and poked Gu Yanzhen amusingly. When Gu Yanzhen looked over, he saw a village woman wearing a headscarf taking out the preserved eggs for sale. He also found it quite interesting and laughed with Shen Miao in a low voice for a few moments. The words were still coming out of his mouth, but his gaze was already frozen...