The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

Min Sik said, "The student brought it here for your majesty to see. The student who wrote it is called Zhao Shizhen, the grandson of Zhao Xinglu, a great calligrapher during the reign of King Sejong. I wonder if your majesty has any impression of it."

When Wanli heard this, he said, "Zhao Xinglu? I know him. There are many of his calligraphy works collected in the palace. It turns out that he is his grandson. No wonder his calligraphy is so elegant."

In order to prevent cheating in the imperial examinations of Ming and Qing dynasties, candidates were required to write in the Taige style. Therefore, scholars began to copy the Taige style when they first learned to write. The Taige style is neat but lacks individuality. However, calligraphy is a style that emphasizes individuality, so there were few calligraphers in the Ming and Qing dynasties, which was due to the Taige style.

Zhao Xinglu's calligraphy stands out among all the official scripts, so he was highly appreciated by Emperor Jiajing. He was also highly respected by contemporary literati and became a well-known calligrapher.

"That's right. This Zhao Jiansheng not only has good handwriting, but is also a very talented person. Unfortunately, his studies were not very smooth." Min Xi stopped there. If Wanli valued talent, he would have taken the initiative to summon Zhao Shizhen.

Min Xi's bet was right. Wanli said, "When the palace examination is over, you and Yunqing will bring Zhao Jiansheng into the palace for me to see."

"Student obeys the order and thanks Your Majesty for your grace!" Min Xi hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Wanli looked at the calligraphy and paintings and said, "Leave this one to me as well."

"Your Majesty is willing to stay. It is an honor for me and Zhao Jiansheng." Min Xi originally wanted to ask for a job as a clerk in the Ministry of Works, but since he had recommended Zhao Shizhen today, it would be difficult for him to ask for another job. He would talk about it later. And from what Wanli meant, he wanted him to continue to take the imperial examination. If it really didn't work out, he would let Yun Ji pay for him and he would just work on his own.

After leaving the palace, Min Xi did not go home directly, but went to the Imperial College to find Zhao Shizhen, wanting to tell him the news so that he could prepare early in case he was unable to find anyone at the last minute.

In fact, Min Xi underestimated the size of the Imperial College. At that time, the Imperial College had as many as 7,000 to 8,000 students, and there were also many international students from neighboring small countries. This was equivalent to the size of a university. He only knew Zhao Shizhen's name, but didn't know his class. Finding him was like finding a needle in a haystack.

So in the end, Min Xi went to Zhao Shizhen's rental house. As expected, no one was there, and Ding Yan from next door was not there either. Instead, he ran into another student, who asked him, "Who are you looking for?"

Min Xi said, "I'm looking for Zhao Shizhen. Do you know where he went?"

The student said, "I don't know. If he is not in the Imperial College now, he might be selling calligraphy and paintings again."

Min Xi asked: "Is he short of money?"

"Who doesn't need money? Paper and rice are expensive in the capital, and it's not easy to live here!" The student shook his head helplessly.

"Could you please help me pass a message to him. My surname is Min, and I'm the manager of Yunxiang Bookstore. I have something to ask Zhao Shizhen. When he comes back, please ask him to find me at Yunxiang Bookstore. If I'm not here, the manager will ask someone to call me." Min Xi said.

The student nodded: "Okay, I'll tell him when he comes back."

Min Xi then went home. Yun Ji waited for Min Xi to come back while reading at home. When it was almost dark, he saw Min Xi coming back and hurriedly went to greet him: "Why did you come back so late? Did His Majesty keep you so late?"

"No. His Majesty promised to bring Zhao Shizhen with us the next time we enter the palace. After I came out of the palace, I went to the Imperial College and his home to look for him, but I couldn't find him. I asked someone to tell him to come to the bookstore to find us when he is free." Min Xi took the tea handed to him by Yun Ji and drank it all in one gulp. He was very thirsty in the afternoon.

"It seems that His Majesty is very satisfied with his calligraphy. What about his paintings?"

"I was very pleased with the painting and kept it. His Majesty also admired it with me two or three times. It was obvious that he liked it very much. He asked me to tell you that congratulations on your success in becoming a tribute scholar."

"Then did you tell him that you wanted to work as a clerk in the Ministry of Industry?"

"No. He still wants me to continue to work hard and take part in the next exam, but I am embarrassed to say that I won't take it. I'll talk about it when I find a chance in the future."

"If he doesn't agree, I'll pay you to make those things." Yun Ji said.

"Hey, good!"

The next morning, Min Xi and Yun Ji were ready to go to the bookstore to wait for Zhao Shizhen. Before they left the house, they ran into Diego, who was very happy, holding a basket in his hands, his hands dyed red by red dye, and stammered, "Dong, Dong, my wife gave birth to a daughter last night! Both mother and daughter are safe." Diego's Chinese accent was becoming more and more authentic, and his language was quite localized.

"Really? That's great, congratulations on becoming a father, Diego!" Min Xi and Yun Ji were happy and emotional when they heard the news. Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Diego has become a father. I still remember that when I first met him, he was just a tiny and timid child.

"Hehe, yes, I'm a father now. These are red eggs for you to eat." Diego's eyes were a little moist. He felt very wonderful that his life was continued here.

"Okay, thank you! I wish our little niece good health and safety. When will the full moon banquet be held?"

Diego said, "I don't know. My wife said that my father-in-law and mother-in-law should decide. You must come when the time comes!"

"Of course, we are your family and your niece's strong support." Min Xi said, "The full moon banquet will be held at Yunxiang Restaurant. Once you have confirmed the time, let us know and we will reserve a table for you in advance. Seventh brother and I will treat everyone to the full moon banquet."

"No need for that. We still have this little money. I estimate there will be only three or four tables at most. I can afford it." Diego said.

Min Xi didn't say anything bad after hearing this. After all, this was Diego's first child, and he must have treasured it very much. Although there was also a concept of favoring boys over girls in ancient Europe, it was still less than in China. Diego would definitely not mind having a daughter.

Diego did not go into the house. He gave them the red eggs and left, because he still had to go to the pastry shop to deliver red eggs to Aunt Luo. Diego had very few relatives and friends here, and he planned to deliver eggs to all those who were close to him to announce the good news and invite them to the full moon banquet.

Min Xi and Yun Ji each took a red egg as a token of their appreciation, and asked someone to bring a basket of red eggs into the house to share among the servants.

The two continued to head towards the bookstore. If the student had brought the message yesterday, Zhao Shizhen would most likely go to the bookstore to find them today.

As expected, when they arrived, Zhao Shizhen had already arrived. Zhao Shizhen did not have a carriage, and the distance from the Imperial College to the bookstore was farther than the distance from the Yun family to the bookstore, which showed that he had left early in the morning.

When Zhao Shizhen saw them, he bowed and said, "Hello, gentlemen. Thank you for sending me home last time."

Min Xi returned the greeting: "Thank you, my dear brother. You came so early today!"

"Brother Min came to see me yesterday, but I was not at home. When I came back, I heard from my classmates that you came to see me. I thought it was something important, so I came here early in the morning."

"I have something to talk to you about." Yun Ji asked, "Have you had breakfast, brother?"

Zhao Shizhen chuckled: "Not yet. I don't know if you have eaten yet. Why don't I treat you two brothers to a meal?"

"Let us treat you, we can eat and talk at the same time."