The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

After reading Zhao Shizhen's calligraphy, Wanli asked some more questions about his situation, and Zhao Shizhen answered respectfully.

After hearing this, Wanli asked, "Zhao Shizhen, have you ever thought about which government office you would like to work for?"

Zhao Shizhen bowed hurriedly and said, "I will leave it to your majesty to arrange."

Min Xi was just about to recommend Zhao Shizhen to the Ministry of Works when he heard Wanli say, "Your grandfather once worked in the Honglu Temple, so you should also work there."

Zhao Shizhen knelt down to express his gratitude: "Student obeys the order! Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Wanli looked at Min Xi and said, "Min Qing, I see you seem to have something to say."

The emperor's words were golden and could not be changed. Wanli did not know that Zhao Shizhen had the ability to design muskets, so he arranged for him to work in the Honglu Temple, presumably to give him some time to do nothing. But thinking back, the Honglu Temple was actually pretty good, at least there was plenty of time for him to tinker with his hobbies.

Min Xi said: "Your Majesty, I am happy to see that my seventh brother and Changji have both got jobs."

Wanli smiled and said, "Why don't I arrange a job for you? You said before that you wanted to work as a clerk in the Ministry of Works. I think since you have been to Southeast Asia and Europe and are proficient in many Western languages, why don't you work in the Honglu Temple like Zhao Shizhen?"

Yun Ji was about to refuse on Min Xi's behalf, but Min Xi agreed himself: "Alright, Chang Ji and I will go to the Honglu Temple to work together. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Yun Ji looked at Min Xi in confusion, while Zhao Shizhen's face was full of joy. He didn't expect to be a colleague with Min Xi.

It was not until they came out of the palace that Yun Ji asked, "Ninth brother, haven't you always wanted to go to the Ministry of Works? If you don't want to go to the Honglu Temple, I can tell His Majesty."

Min Xi said, "It doesn't matter if you don't go to the Ministry of Works. Chang Ji went to the Honglu Temple, and he and I work in the same government office. There are many things about construction that we can discuss and do."

Zhao Shizhen's face was filled with joy, and he bowed deeply to Min Xi and Yun Ji: "Thank you for your support, brothers. Chang Ji has finally found a job in Beijing, and my family can rest assured. If you need any help in the future, just send me."

There were so many people in the Imperial College, and although they were all qualified to be appointed officials, only the children of some high-ranking officials could really get a job in the court, or they had to pass the exam on their own. He had taken the exam for so many years, but still could not make any progress. Now that he had the opportunity to be appreciated by the emperor and be awarded an official position, it was naturally a great joy. How could he not be happy? What's more, Min Xi was joining the office with him.

Min Xi smiled and patted his shoulder: "Then I will have to trouble Chang Ji in the future."

Yun Ji carefully observed Min Xi's expression: "Is it really okay?"

Min Xi nodded: "I have thought about it carefully. Going to the Ministry of Works does have advantages. I can use the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works and even ask the Ministry of Works to reimburse some expenses. But if I go to the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Works has a lot of tasks such as repairs and construction every year. I need to be sent out, and I may not have time to do my own research. Besides, my position is low, and I may not be able to make people happy, so it may be better to go to the Honglu Temple."

Yun Ji thought about it and it seemed to be true. How much could the Honglu Temple have to do? Even if there were foreign delegations visiting every year, there would only be a few times at most. Most of the time they were extremely free. They did have time to do their own research. As for the money they needed, they could support it themselves.

"That's right, then go and work in the Honglu Temple." Yun Ji said.

Min Xi thought that going to the Honglu Temple would be a good opportunity to draw a world map to let the people of the Ming Dynasty know what the entire world looks like.

Within a few days, the appointment documents of Min Xi and Zhao Shizhen came down. Min Xi was the chief clerk of the Honglu Temple, an eighth rank, and Zhao Shizhen was the secretary of the Sibin Office, a ninth rank. Both were low-ranking officials. They were responsible for assisting in receiving envoys from vassal states and foreign countries. They would register at the Ministry of Personnel soon and then take up their posts at the Honglu Temple.

Zhao Shizhen had not returned to his hometown for many years. Now that he had been appointed to an official position, he immediately took leave and returned home to visit his parents and get married.

It was not uncommon for officials to ask for leave and return home right after taking office. Many of the successful candidates also did so. Before taking office, they would return home to announce the good news. After all, transportation was inconvenient in ancient times, and it was not easy to go home. The term of office would last at least three years. The court valued filial piety and allowed officials to ask for leave and return home to visit their families.

Min Xi did not return to his hometown. After all, it had only been half a year since the provincial examination last year. The chief clerk of the Honglu Temple had no real power and was just a small official. There was no need to make a big fuss about returning to his hometown. In fact, he was really worried that after he returned, the elders in the clan would force him to get married.

Upon learning that Min Xi was given a job at the Honglu Temple by the emperor, Tao Hong expressed some regret: "You should take the exam again. You have great talent and your chances of passing the exam are very high next time."

"Grandfather, I think it would be a good idea to go to the Honglu Temple. Now that the imperial court has lifted the ban on sea trade and has frequent trade with overseas countries, official exchanges with foreign countries will increase in the future. I know many European languages ​​and can make full use of my strengths in the Honglu Temple." Min Xi said.

"But your talents are not limited to this. It's a bit of a waste for you to work in the Honglu Temple." Tao Hong said regretfully.

"It's not a waste. Besides, I can still take part in the imperial examination in the future. If the Honglu Temple really makes me feel it is a waste, I will take part in the imperial examination again." Min Xi said.

Tao Hong nodded after hearing what he said: "Just make your own judgment."

Now that Min Xi and Yun Ji have both been appointed as civil servants, they are considered successful, and their grandmother is arranging marriages for them.

After Yun Ji won the third place in the imperial examination, many people who wanted to propose to him came to the Tao Mansion. Most of them were daughters of nobles and officials. After all, Yun Ji's conditions made her the most ideal candidate for a husband. She didn't have to serve her parents-in-law and could make her own decisions. She was wealthy, won the third place in the imperial examination, and entered the Hanlin Academy. She had a bright future. She was also extremely handsome. Her biggest drawback was that she was a merchant and a little old, but compared with so many advantages, these were not big drawbacks.

Madam Tao called Yun Ji over and pointed at a pile of paintings and said, "I have screened all of these for you. They are all rich ladies with first-rate looks and talents. Take a look and see if there is one you like. I will go and get more specific information for you. If it is suitable, I will arrange the marriage for you."

Yun Ji didn't even look at them and said directly, "Grandma, please help me reject them all. I won't marry a wife."

Mrs. Tao looked at her grandson in astonishment: "Why is this?"

Yun Ji glanced at the servants in the room, and Old Madam Tao understood and sent all the servants away.

Yun Ji lowered his head, covered his face with his hands, and said in an unspeakable tone: "Grandma, I can't marry a wife."

Mrs. Tao was quite surprised when she heard this: "What do you mean you can't get married?"

Yun Ji gritted his teeth and said, "I was injured in a shipwreck in my early years, and my body is in some trouble."