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Story 16: Mentor’s Menu

Mentor’s Menu

Author: Xu Zigu

During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a minister named Liu Nanyuan who served as Minister of the Ministry of Industry. He had a good official reputation at that time. Later, he retired and returned to his hometown of Nanjing to live in the countryside.

He lived a simple life as a commoner and rarely interacted with local officials and gentry.

Once, the local magistrate suddenly paid a visit to Liu’s house. Liu Nanyuan met with the county magistrate surnamed Lin in the flower hall. After greetings, he asked him bluntly:

“My parents are here. They must have something to teach me. You might as well tell them directly.”

When Lin Zhixian saw Liu Nanyuan’s peaceful and approachable attitude, he stopped talking in circles and said, “I dare to disturb the old man’s Qingju because I just want to ask for a menu from the old man.”

Liu Nanyuan was startled. When he heard the magistrate said that he wanted to ask for a menu from him, he thought he heard something wrong, so he said, “I am old and deaf. I didn’t hear clearly what my parents said just now. Please say it again.”

“I would like to ask the boss for a menu.” As expected, the magistrate repeated it.

Liu Nanyuan looked at the magistrate carefully and saw that he was not joking, so he laughed loudly: “What my parents said is very interesting! The old man is neither a cook nor a glutton. The food at home only consists of ordinary vegetables. At most, it’s just a fresh picture. How did the old parents think of what menu to ask for when they come to the old man’s place? Are they making fun of the old man!”

At this point, my mind suddenly turned around, thinking that the county had come all the way from the county seat to the countryside, without mentioning anything and just talking. If you ask for a menu, there must be something fishy in it. So he turned around and asked, “What’s going on inside, my parents can just tell you.”

After hearing this, the county magistrate Lin was very frightened and said: “My lord, please forgive me for being rude to Xiao Ke. In fact, my lord, my disciple Li Hao, will come to this county soon on an imperial mission to the south of the Yangtze River. I have no choice but to do it.” Come and beg the boss.”

When Liu Nanyuan heard this, he thought that the magistrate wanted to ask him to get a joint. At that time, he said with a smile: “I retreat to Linquan and never interfere with other things. If you want a joint, I don’t need to say anything.”

The county magistrate was worried for a long time before he said: “I don’t dare, because I heard that the imperial envoy Master Li is very particular about his diet. If the local response is not satisfactory, he will be scolded by Master Li. Therefore, all the prefectures and counties along the way specially hire cooks, and all parties search for them.” I asked for rare food to avoid Mr. Li being blamed.

However, the poor coastal counties under my control were hit by waterlogging this summer, and the treasury was empty. However, I was afraid of slowing down Mr. Li, so I had no choice but to come and ask for a menu from Mr. Li. I did not dare to waste anything. As long as Mr. Li is palatable, that’s fine.”

Only then did Liu Nanyuan understand the intention of the county magistrate. He is Li Hao’s teacher, and of course he knows his students very well. This Li Hao was very smart. Although he passed the exam at a young age, he was very talented in doing things.

However, because he was born into a wealthy family, he had been well-fed and well-dressed since childhood, and he liked to show off when things happened, so it was understandable that he should be picky about his diet. Thinking of this, he pondered for a moment, and said to Lin Zhixian with a smile: “Old parents, don’t worry, I will just serve Li Hao for this meal on behalf of my old parents -”

The county magistrate became really anxious after hearing this, and quickly explained: “No, no, sir, please don’t misunderstand me. Mr. Li’s visit to the county is on official business, and it is Xiao Ke’s job to take charge of all matters. How dare you shirk it? Xiao Ke only asks the boss. Just give me a menu…”

Liu Nanyuan said seriously: “Well, since Li Hao comes to the county, he must come to see me first. Then I will invite his parents over and just give them the menu.” After saying that, he waved his hand: “Parents, don’t worry. Come back. If the imperial envoy is not satisfied, I will take care of everything.”

Lin Zhixian was embarrassed to say anything further, so he had to go back to the county seat with uneasiness.

Li Hao arrived in the county only one day later. Instead of meeting local officials, he drove to the countryside to pay homage to his mentor. Teachers and students had not been apart for several years, but they were very happy to meet again. Liu Nanyuan looked at his student. He had a white face, black beard, and clear eyebrows. He was more energetic than before, and he seemed more mature in his responses.

Liu Nanyuan saw that Li Yuan respected him very much, so he said: “Xianqi has been favored by the Holy Spirit. Now he has an important responsibility. I am very happy to congratulate you! This imperial mission to the south, I did not forget to come to see you. I am very happy.”

When he said this, he seemed to remember and asked: “I think Xianqi came here in a hurry, so he must not have had lunch. It’s too late to prepare now. Why not have a light meal for now, and then entertain Xianqi tomorrow? Between you and me, teacher and student, I won’t be weirded out by Xiangxian.”

Li Hao hurriedly said: “Teacher’s kindness and students dare not forget it. I am very happy to see the teacher in good health when I come here. As expected, the students who came here in a hurry had not had lunch yet, so they just follow the teacher’s arrangements. I just ask the teacher not to be extravagant.”

Liu Nanyuan said with a smile: “What Xian Qi said is very good. You can’t get anything out of a remote country. Besides, your wife went to visit relatives the day before yesterday and there is no one at home to cook. Xian Qi doesn’t mind it being simple.”

Li Hao said repeatedly: “Whatever, whatever!”

Liu Nanyuan immediately ordered his subordinates to prepare meals. Then he unhurriedly asked Li Hao about the capital and inspected the sentiments of the people along the way. Liu Nanyuan was chatting very vigorously, and two hours passed unknowingly.

It was already two or three o’clock in the afternoon. Li Hao’s stomach was already making a growling sound, but no food came. But I was embarrassed to urge him, so I just looked at the teacher as if giving a signal.

After a long while, Liu Nanyuan seemed to remember the meal and shouted angrily: “Why can’t you do things like this? The guests are hungry!”

Li Hao could only say that it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter. Liu Nanyuan kept going here and there, and Li Hao could only hold back his hunger and only agreed.

Nearly half an hour passed like this. Liu Nanyuan remembered the meal again and said, “Oh, I am confused. I was only happy talking to Xianqi and forgot to eat. There is nothing wrong with me. Isn’t it possible that I haven’t eaten yet?” Serving the food was really too slow for the Imperial Envoy, so he called out loudly again: “Why isn’t the food served? ”

The servant reported back: “In a hurry, everything was bought now, so it will take some time.”

Liu Nanyuan said angrily: “Isn’t it just a matter of giving orders? Quickly correct yourself!”

As soon as the servants came down, word came out that the local Lin County Magistrate was here to pay their respects. Liu Nanyuan frowned and said, “Invitation!” He turned to Li Hao and said, “I’m afraid he’s coming to say hello to you, so let’s go see him together. .”

After dragging Li Hao to the living room, Liu Nanyuan introduced Li Hao to Lin Zhixian, and Lin Zhixian could not help but feel the etiquette of seeing him. At this time, Li Hao only suffered. He had been hungry for five hours, felt dizzy and weak, and all he could think about was eating. The county magistrate would not come sooner or later, but he had to deal with it reluctantly. This lasted for another half an hour;

Liu Nanyuan smiled to himself when he saw this, and winked at the magistrate: “My parents probably haven’t eaten when they come here, so why don’t we take a rest here.”
Magistrate Lin said politely: “I’m disturbing the boss.”

Liu Nanyuan said: “You can’t be bothered by a simple meal at home.” He went down to start the meal with a shout. This time the food came quickly. When the food was served, Li Hao looked at it and was speechless. It turned out that the three of them had only a bowl of rice each, a large bowl of vegetable and tofu soup, and two plates of pickles. I saw that Liu Nanyuan had already raised his chopsticks and said to Li Haolin and the two county magistrates:

“This is my daily diet. Although it is simple, it is enough to fill my belly. Compared with ordinary people, it is already heaven and earth. Xianqi and my old parents should not find it simple and hurried.” It’s just a matter of time.”

Li Hao was extremely hungry at this time and didn’t care what to say. He just kept saying: “Very good! Very good!”. He picked up the rice bowl and quickly ate it. When Liu Nanyuan saw it, he ordered his subordinates to add more rice to the distinguished guests. Li Hao really ate another bowl.

Liu Nanyuan looked at Li Hao and asked with a smile: “How does it taste?”

Li Hao smiled awkwardly and said: “You are not selective about food when you are hungry. I just experienced it today.”

After dinner, the three of them talked about local politics. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Hao said goodbye: “I wanted to listen to the teacher’s teachings more, but I have to leave due to official business.”

Liu Nanyuan said: “Xianqi is busy with business, I don’t dare to stay any longer.” He took out a page of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Li Hao, saying: “I heard that Xianqi came south this time and many counties and counties along the way had food and drinks, so he couldn’t handle being scolded by you. Yes, our county magistrate Lin is worried, so he asked me for advice on the banquet menu. I have drawn up a piece of paper on my behalf.

I can take a look at the deed. The fee is only a hundred taels, how can I accept it if I don’t know the virtuous one?”

Li Hao’s face was red, he pushed away the menu handed over by the teacher, bowed deeply, and said sincerely: “I just had a hungry meal, let the students understand the teacher’s painstaking efforts, from now on, I should be restrained in everything, and the teacher can rest assured. – -Teachers don’t have to sing out dramas anymore, otherwise, they will make students even more uneasy.”

Liu Nanyuan laughed and said, “I think I can’t hide my pretentiousness from Xian Qi——” After that, he pulled Li Hao and sat down again, and said very seriously: “People are good, and it is understandable to pay more attention to their home and diet. I am just an official. People are different. Regardless of what they pay attention to, as long as they have a little preference, they will make a big show of it to please you.

This will waste the treasury and tarnish the official reputation, not to mention how many poor people in the world end up If you want to eat green vegetables and tofu but can’t, you should be considerate of everything. Do you think Xianqi is right about what I said?”

After hearing this, Li Hao sat down again, bowed and said to Liu Nanyuan: “Teacher’s golden words and Daihu initiation have been engraved in the hearts of students!”

Liu Nanyuan nodded and picked up the menu on the table: “You don’t want to read it?

Then I’ll tear it up on Xianqi’s behalf!” Just as he was about to tear it up, Li Hao snatched it away and said,

“Leave it for As a souvenir, students should always be vigilant!”

He immediately put it in his sleeve and hid it. Liu Nanyuan warned the students with a menu, which became a good story in the future.

Published in “Story Club” Issue 5, 2003