The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, they did not go to the Tao Mansion to pay New Year's greetings. They had already informed the Tao family before the New Year that the emperor wanted to see them on the second day of the Chinese New Year. The Tao family naturally would not be unhappy at all. After all, being appreciated by the emperor was something that many people would beg for.

Early in the morning of the second day of the Chinese New Year, people came to the palace. Min Xi and Yun Ji had just woken up. It was really hard for the people who worked in the palace. Not only did they have to endure the pain of castration, but they also had to wake up at a fixed time regardless of the season. If they were not careful, they would anger their master, and at the very least they would be beaten with a stick, or even lose their heads. So Min Xi was always kind to these people and never looked down on them.

After they had packed up, before leaving, they told Yunlin to wait at home and that they would take him to visit his grandparents' home to pay New Year's greetings after they returned from the palace.

When Eunuch Yao saw the well-behaved and polite Yunlin, he said, "His Majesty has asked you two gentlemen to bring the young master along as well."

Min Xi and Yun Ji looked at each other, and Min Xi made a very slight expression. Yun Ji understood and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy. My brother has been weak since childhood and has little luck. I dare not offend your Majesty."

Eunuch Yao nodded: "Okay, it's cold, just stay at home."

Min Xi and Yun Ji knew that it was a great blessing for Yun Lin to be favored by the emperor. But the palace was not a place as casual as home. Going to the palace to see the emperor on such a day, they didn't know if he would shoot arrows in the archery pavilion for a long time like last year. They could still bear it. Yun Lin was young and couldn't bear the north wind. There were too many variables, so they decided not to let him go. The emperor didn't say he had to take him with him.

So the two of them said goodbye to Yunlin, got in the car and set off for the Forbidden City.

As Eunuch Yao interacted with them more and more, he gradually became familiar with them and started chatting with them about family matters.

"Eunuch Yao came out to pick us up early in the morning. He really worked hard. This winter is particularly cold. It must be a torture to go out." Min Xi sincerely felt for their hard work.

Eunuch Yao smiled and said, "Yes, this year is much colder than previous years. Speaking of which, it is all thanks to the Western wool fabrics that the two gentlemen gave me last time. Although it is a thin layer, it is extremely warm. I made it into underwear and it is very warm. I don't feel it is particularly hard to run around in and out of the palace when I get up early in the morning."

Min Xi smiled and said, "Yes, we all wear them. Westerners are very rough, but they are not good at making fine wool fabrics. It seems that the local climate and soil nurture the local people. We Han people are good at mulberry farming, so we have light and soft silk. Westerners are good at herding, so they make light and thin woolen cloth."

"Yes, we never thought that these foreigners could make such good materials." said Eunuch Yao.

"Your Majesty, how is the situation since you returned from Songshan?" Min Xi asked tentatively.

Eunuch Yao smiled and said, "Your Majesty is in a much better mood than before, and he is also working harder than before. He is more proactive in his studies without the empress dowager urging him. The empress dowager believes that this is due to the incognito tour."

"Your Majesty has witnessed too many sufferings of the people during this tour. In the future, he will be a good emperor who loves his people like his own children," said Min Xi.

"That would be a real blessing for our Ming Dynasty!" Eunuch Yao clasped his hands together.

They chatted like this and soon arrived outside the palace gate. They got off the carriage and walked into the palace. During the New Year, the palace was decorated festively, with Spring Festival couplets, peach charms, blessing characters and paper-cuts everywhere.

This time, the emperor did not stay in the Archery Pavilion. He was waiting for them in the Qianqing Palace. He did not meet anyone else except Min Xi and Yun Ji.

Seeing them coming, the emperor put down the brush in his hand, and without waiting for Min Xi and Yun Ji to salute, he waved his hand and said, "No need to salute, please stand up! Min Qing, Yun Qing, you are here. I have drawn a picture. Come and see what I drew."

Min Xi and Yun Ji both walked forward and looked at the table. On the table was an ink painting of a landscape. The painting level was only average, but from the outline one could tell that it was a painting of Mount Songshan, and there was some artistic conception in it as well.

Min Xi said: "Your Majesty, you are painting Mount Song, right? It has quite a sense of artistic conception."

"Yes, it is Mount Song. After I came back, I kept thinking about the appearance of Mount Song in my mind, and I wanted to paint it. Unfortunately, my painting skills are limited, so I can only paint it like this." Wanli couldn't help but sigh.

Min Xi glanced at Yun Ji and said, "I am not good at painting either, but Seventh Brother's painting is just passable. I will ask him to draw a few paintings for Your Majesty to review."

Wanli's face lit up: "Really?"

Yun Ji said hurriedly: "The students' level is also average, not better than your Majesty's."

Wanli smiled and said, "You'll know whether it's good or not after you see the painting. You can draw a few for me when you have time. By the way, you are going to take the imperial examination soon, right? Then wait until after the examination before drawing for me, so as not to delay your preparation for the examination." The emperor was quite considerate.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration!" Yun Ji hurriedly thanked him.

Wanli said, "Please sit down. I will serve tea to you two dear ministers."

Immediately, a palace maid came up to pour tea.

The two men sat down below, and Wanli began to chat with them, talking about everything: academic studies, political affairs, gossip about court ministers, strange stories in the capital, interesting historical stories, and so on.

Wanli suddenly asked: "If you pass the imperial examination, which department would you like to work for?"

This question stunned the two of them. Min Xi and Yun Ji looked at each other. How should they answer this? The emperor was too polite to them. They hadn't even taken the imperial examination yet, but he asked them what department they would serve as officials. And even if they passed the examination, they couldn't just serve in any department they wanted.

Seeing that they were both embarrassed and didn't know what to say, Wanli asked, "Are you worried that you won't pass the exam?"

Min Xi said hurriedly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I was really worried that I would not pass the exam. But since Your Majesty asked me what kind of official I want to be, I do have an idea. I want to go to the Ministry of Industry."

Wanli raised his eyebrows in surprise: "I thought you wanted to go to the Honglu Temple of the Ministry of Rites." The Honglu Temple is equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is specifically responsible for receiving foreign guests.

Min Xi smiled and said, "The Honglu Temple of the Ministry of Rites is not bad either, it is a good place for me to make use of my strengths. But I would rather go to the Ministry of Works, I am quite interested in engineering."

"I see! Then the Ministry of Industry is indeed suitable for you." Wanli nodded to show his understanding, "What about Yunqing?"

Yun Ji replied respectfully: "I have no other request. My ninth brother and I are like brothers. I want to be closer to you and work in the same place."

"You also want to go to the Ministry of Works?" Wanli raised his eyebrows.

Min Xi hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, what my seventh brother meant is that if I am in the capital, he can also stay in the capital. My seventh brother has been learning business since he was young and is good at calculating costs and benefits. I think it is most suitable for him to go to the Ministry of Revenue."

Wanli smiled and nodded: "That's more like it. If you can all pass the imperial examination, I will fulfill your wish and let you go to the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue to give full play to your strengths."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Min Xiyou said, "Your Majesty, I have another favor to ask of you."

Wanli asked: "What's the matter?"

Min Xi said: "If I fail this examination, I beg Your Majesty to allow me to work as a minor official in the Ministry of Works."

"If you fail, do you plan to take the exam again in the future?" Wanli looked at him in confusion. Minor clerks and officials were not treated the same.

"Students may not take the exam again, so some ideas would like to be put into action sooner rather than later."

Wanli was silent for a moment: "We'll talk about it then. You still have to take the exam seriously."

"Students should do their best to prepare for the exam and not slack off." Min Xi knew that Wanli did not agree to his request because he was afraid that he would no longer be motivated to make progress once he knew he had a way out.