The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Yunlin was only seven years old and not yet old enough to enter Wenchang Academy, so he had to go to school at the Tao family's private school.

Of course, Min Xi could learn a lot from Tao Hong, but the problem was that Tao Hong was already in his seventies. He was too old and his energy was not as good as before. He couldn't bear to waste too much of the old man's energy.

So Min Xi was a little confused about where to go to school.

Yun Ji actually hopes that he will go to school in an academy. His grandfather is very capable. Min Xi has studied with him for two years and his grades have improved significantly. However, he hopes that Min Xi will listen to more lectures from other teachers and learn from the strengths of many schools. Perhaps he will gain more.

Min Xi said to Yun Ji, "I won't go to the academy. I'll just study with my grandfather. I don't want to continue taking exams anyway."

Yun Ji looked at him and said, "Since you have passed the exam for the scholar, you must try for the provincial exam. Otherwise, it would be such a pity!"

Min Xi said: "It's not that easy to pass the exam. I don't think I can pass it. I want to work as a clerk in the Ministry of Works and make some useful things, or just stay at home and do something."

With his level, he could just cheat his way through the examination for the title of scholar. As for the title of juren, all the scholars from the entire province took the examination together, so the competition was even greater and the admission rate was low. It was impossible for him to pass the examination, and he felt it was a waste of time.

Yun Ji still didn't want to give up and continued to persuade.

Min Xi said: "I am willing to give it a try and learn from my grandfather. If I fail, I won't try again. In fact, we are not suitable to be officials in our current situation. If we both become officials, we are destined to be unable to be together. We can't always serve in the same place."

Yun Ji was stunned, knowing that what Min Xi said was the truth. If the two of them could be together, they must both stay in Beijing as officials. If one of them could not stay, they would have to separate, after all, the emperor's order was difficult to disobey.

Yun Ji was silent for a long time, then said, "Actually, I think you are more talented in studying than I am. As long as you study long enough, your chances of passing the exam will be greater than mine."

"I don't think I'm that talented. You're more suitable than me to be an official. I'll just be the man behind you." Min Xi said with a smile.

Yun Ji finally nodded and compromised: "Then we have to try the provincial examination anyway."

"I will definitely try the provincial examination." Min Xi nodded in agreement.

So in the end, Min Xi still went to Tao's school.

He continued to come here to study, and even Tao Hong was surprised: "Why don't you go to the prefectural school?"

"Students think that the teacher is very knowledgeable, and it is enough to follow the teacher and learn from him." Min Xi said with a smile.

Tao Hong shook his head: "If you learn from me, you will only learn from my own opinion. You should learn from more teachers and learn from them. This will help you improve your level. Although I am a Jinshi, I still have limitations."

"Master, this Jinshi is different from other Jinshi. You are the master among Jinshi. It will be enough for your students to learn to one-third of your level." Min Xi said with a smile.

Tao Hong was naturally relieved to hear this, but he still persuaded: "If you want to go further, I suggest you go to the academy to study for two years. If you have any questions, you can ask me then."

Min Xi scratched his head and said, "Actually, I don't really want to take the imperial examination. I want to work as a clerk in the Ministry of Works, or be a craftsman. But my seventh brother insisted that I try the provincial examination, so I decided to give it another try. So I don't want to go to the academy, I just want to learn from the teacher."

"Are you doing this for Lin'er?" Tao Hong looked at him.

"He was just a factor. I had no intention of studying. For me, having the status of a scholar was enough." Min Xi said.

Tao Hong looked at his favorite student and felt a sense of disappointment: "Why does he want to be a craftsman instead of being an official appointed by the court?"

Min Xi said seriously: "Master, I don't think being a craftsman is inferior to others. Bi Sheng invented movable type printing, and Huang Dao Po improved manufacturing technology. Didn't they also go down in history? And how many officials appointed by the court can go down in history?"

Tao Hong was speechless. He was an official, but could he be recorded in history books? Obviously not. It is not uncommon for people from all walks of life to be recorded in history books.

Min Xi said again: "Master, I once heard someone say that our Chinese history books have always been history books about emperors and generals, and legendary stories are all stories about talented men and beautiful women, and have nothing to do with all ordinary people. But the real creators of history are those ordinary people who are unknown and hidden in history books. The Great Wall was not built by the First Emperor, and the Grand Canal was not dug by Emperor Yang. Our Chinese civilization was not passed down by a few great men and a few emperors and generals. Without those ordinary people who were hidden, all of this would be castles in the air. So I think there is nothing wrong with being a craftsman. At least I can use my strengths and maybe do something useful for the people."

Tao Hong wanted to refute him, but he knew that what he said was reasonable. Mencius, the second sage, once said, "The people are the most important, the country is second, and the king is the least important." All scholars have learned this. However, although everyone agrees with this principle, few scholars actually put it into practice. What they really do is always to put the king first, because this is related to the bright future, glory and wealth.

Tao Hong was silent for a long time before asking, "Who said that?"

Min Xi didn't react for a moment: "Who are you talking about, Master?"

"It's the history book about emperors and generals."

Min Xi scratched his head and said, "I forgot which book I saw it in. I found it very reasonable and was deeply inspired." Of course, he couldn't say who it was, after all, that great man had not been born yet.

Tao Hong looked at him and said, "Since we know what he said is reasonable, we should at least write down his name and spread it, so as to carry forward the teachings of our ancestors. This is the duty of a scholar."

"I will definitely write down your name next time!" Min Xi begged for mercy.

As expected, Tao Hong stopped pursuing him.

Min Xi soon discovered that it was not only Tao Hong who came to teach him, but also Tao Shu and Tao Yu. The two brothers were studying at home and preparing for the next examination. Tao Hong grabbed them and taught the children in the school, and also taught Min Xi.

They were about the same age as Min Xi, and Tao Yu was a few years younger, so they naturally did not dare to call themselves teachers. The grandfather had asked them to come for the purpose of exchanging ideas. In Tao Hong's eyes, although Min Xi had studied for a short time, his knowledge was far better than the two grandsons of the imperial examination candidates.

In comparison, Tao Shu and Tao Yu are more like scholars who are ignorant of the sufferings of the world. Their articles are too scholarly, so it is normal that they cannot pass the imperial examination. Min Xi is more mature in thought, but he has read less books, so his articles are not as sophisticated as the other two, but his ideas are obviously deeper and better. So he hopes that the three of them can learn from each other and take advantage of each other's strengths.

Tao Shu and Tao Yu originally thought that their grandfather's statement that Min Xi was more talented than the two of them was a bit exaggerated. However, after really meeting him, they had to admit that when Min Xi was writing current affairs policies together and handling various political affairs, he was far more thoughtful than the two of them, and was more down-to-earth and able to put his ideas into practice.

Their current affairs strategies are more like empty words, which cannot be examined in detail. I was convinced. I calmed down and humbly asked Min Xi how to write such a pragmatic article.

Min Xi thought for a moment and said, "You still need to travel more and understand the real needs of the people. It's better than working in isolation. I traveled thousands of miles before reading this book. You can try to travel thousands of miles."

Min Xi's words completely attracted the two brothers. They discussed for a long time and finally made a decision: to go out and study.