The Age of Discovery: Chinese cuisine swept across Europe

"Mr. Qiu, do you still remember a few questions you answered at Yunxiang Bookstore some time ago?" Min Xi asked straight to the point.

Qiu Mengxing was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "It is true."

Min Xi smiled and said, "Those questions were set by Min. I came here this time to ask for a favor."

"Sir, please speak!"

Min Xi looked around and said, "It's noisy here, let's talk somewhere else."

Qiu Mengxing looked at his stall and said, "Okay, wait a moment." Then he started to pack up his things quickly.

"There is a teahouse in front. Please come with me to have a cup of hot tea." Qiu Mengxing quickly packed his things, rolled up his banner with one hand, and walked forward.

Min Xi followed him and chatted casually: "Sir, do you also know divination and physiognomy?"

Qiu Mengxing said: "I know a little bit about fortune telling and face reading."

"It seems that you are well-read, sir. Not only can you read and judge faces, you also understand the nature and the study of things." Min Xi was sincerely praising him. After all, these days there are very few scholars who do not just read books.

"Don't you think that what you learn is too diverse?" Qiu Mengxing was often criticized for his wide range of interests. People said that he was not doing his job properly and did not focus on his studies. Otherwise, he would have passed the imperial examination long ago and would not have had to wait until he was almost forty to pass the examination.

"Of course not! Isn't being knowledgeable exactly what scholars seek?" Min Xi said with a smile.

They arrived at the teahouse, sat down and ordered tea, and then Min Xi got down to business: "Although I work in the Honglu Temple, my interests are all in the study of things and creation. Sir, have you ever heard of Yunjian Glass Shop? That is what I opened, and the glass products there are all made by ourselves."

Qiu Mengxing looked at Min Xi in surprise: "I've been to that glass shop as a student. I thought those glass pieces were imported from the West. How could it be that they were made by you, adults?"

"The method of making colored glaze was invented by me, but colored glaze mirrors and colored glaze plates were made by craftsmen after repeated attempts. Mr. Qiu must have seen a bicycle, too?"

Qiu Mengxing nodded: "I have seen it, and I am very curious about its working principle. It can run so fast without the help of oxen or horses, just by pedaling. It is really magical."

"That was also done by Min." Min Xi said with a smile.

Qiu Mengxing could no longer hide his admiration in his eyes. He stood up and bowed deeply to Min Xi: "Your Excellency is so talented! I really admire you!"

Min Xi waved his hand and said, "It's just a trivial skill. It's not worth mentioning. I came to see Mr. Qiu this time because I actually want to invite Mr. Qiu to join us."

Qiu Mengxing was stunned for a moment: "What do you want the students to do?"

Min Xi said, "The results of the imperial examination have not been announced yet. I am thinking that if Mr. Qiu passes the imperial examination, he will stay in Beijing for about a year to observe government affairs. If he has free time, I will invite Mr. Qiu to my house to study nature and the study of things with me."

Qiu Mengxing sighed softly upon hearing this: "I am grateful for your appreciation, but I am afraid that the chances of passing the imperial examination this time are slim."

Min Xi took the opportunity to say, "If Mr. Qiu fails to pass the imperial examination this time, he will surely continue to take the imperial examination. I am willing to provide you with food and lodging. You can study in the capital. You only need to study nature and the study of things with us in your spare time. By the way, I will also pay you a salary."

Qiu Mengxing was moved when he heard this, and looked up at Min Xi: "Is what you said true?"

Min Xi nodded, "It's absolutely true! I love studying things and creating nature, but I can't do it alone. I want to gather the wisdom of more people to collide with new sparks. Unfortunately, there are not many people who like studying things and creating nature, so I am looking for talents everywhere. This is why I set up the creation and study of things topics in Yunxiang Restaurant and Yunxiang Bookstore, just to find like-minded friends to work together and eventually change our lives."

Qiu Mengxing was obviously moved when he heard this, and asked, "Is it really just in your free time?"

Min Xi smiled and said, "Of course it's not all free time. For example, I read half a day and do half a day of research, or I read two days and do two days of research. It's almost like working and studying at the same time."

Qiu Mengxing nodded: "It makes sense. Can I think about it?"

"Of course you can. Mr. Qiu, wait until the test results come out before making a decision. Then go to Yunxiang Bookstore to find the owner and tell him your answer. He will tell me soon."

"it is good!"

Min Xi asked again: "There is another scholar in your inn, his name is Li Haichang, do you know him?"

"You mean Brother Li Xian? Of course I know him. We can be considered close friends. He is particularly interested in the study of things, and we get along very well." Qiu Mengxing said.

"Where is Li Juren? I would also like to invite him to join us."

"I'll take you to find him. He's writing letters for people on the street corner," said Qiu Mengxing.

Min Xi asked: "Is Mr. Qiu living in the north of the city because of limited financial resources?"

Qiu Mengxing blushed: "I am ashamed. I didn't know how to plan well, so I spent most of my money on the journey. After arriving in the capital, I didn't have enough money, so I had to live in the north of the city."

"What about Mr. Li?"

"He spent a lot of money helping others on the road, so there's not much left."