With the Ministry of Rites examination approaching and the hot pot season coming to an end, it was time to add more fuel to the fire, or rather, to gather the last bits of wool. Shen Shaoguang decided to combine the imperial examinations with hot pot by hosting a “Blessing of the Ding Feast.”
The Ding, being a precious vessel of state significance, led to important court officials and pillars of the state being called “Ding Officials.” The meaning of the “Blessing of the Ding Feast” was self-evident – it was a banquet wishing for examination candidates to pass their tests, soar to success, and become court officials in the future. Because of the hot pot’s shape and eating method, many scholars had taken to calling it the “Little Ding,” thus connecting the hot pot with the imperial examinations once again.
Shen Shaoguang said to Shao Jie, “I’m thinking of hanging a hundred-foot silk scroll at the entrance of the tavern, asking attending scholars to sign their names. If they pass the examination, we’ll trace their names in red ink.”
“Just like the poetry collection, we should make this feast an annual grand event. The silk scroll will be connected year after year, old and new, gradually becoming an enormous role. Most importantly, it will contain the handwriting of many who achieve great success,” Shen Shaoguang painted her grand vision enthusiastically. “This thing will become our establishment’s treasure.”
Shao Jie was equally creative, “We’ll specially craft a cabinet to display the scholars’ signature scroll, along with our annual poetry collections.”
Shen Shaoguang clapped her hands, “Excellent!” Though it was a pity they couldn’t make the display case out of glass.
“The scroll with the Emperor’s poem must be especially prominent,” Shao Jie said.
Shen Shaoguang laughed, knowing how her partner now guarded that book like gold. According to his servant A Jin, his cousin Shi Lang had to offer him an excellent hunting falcon just to get a look at it, while the Eleventh Young Master couldn’t even see it because the sword he brought wasn’t precious enough…
Shao Jie knew why she was laughing but felt no embarrassment. “Hey, that fellow’s gone looking for another gift for me.”
Shen Shaoguang laughed heartily again before continuing to discuss the arrangements for the “Blessing of the Ding Feast.” Such banquets have always been important occasions for scholars to expand their networks. Those who passed would become examination graduates of the same year, serving together in court with many opportunities for interaction. Getting to know each other in advance could only be beneficial. Even for those who didn’t pass, becoming acquainted with successful candidates would be advantageous. Even if none passed, they could still support each other. Therefore, understanding their needs, the banquet needed segments for introducing their native places, names, and ages, opportunities to showcase talents, and time for private networking…
There needed to be gaming segments too, with special performances predicting success in the examinations. Additionally, they should spend some money to invite a famous singing courtesan from Pingkang Ward to perform a song. These scholarly gatherings were opportunities the courtesans would gladly attend, as they could enhance their reputation…
Shen Shaoguang sucked her teeth, feeling somewhat reluctant about spending money on courtesans: “Perhaps they’d be willing to offer a discount.”
Shao Jie, used to hearing her talk about discounts, understood her meaning and laughed heartily.
Shen Shaoguang also understood these men’s thoughts – was money spent in Pingkang Ward even considered money? If not spent there, where else would it go? Tsk! Tsk!
Shen Shaoguang reminded him: “We’re not just spending money on courtesans, we need to offer discounts that day too.” In the food and beverage business, what promotion didn’t come with discounts? Without discounts, how could it be called a promotion?
“I’m thinking, scholars of this examination can get half-price with their official documents, while others can get twenty percent off.”
Shao Jie smiled, “Setting it even lower wouldn’t matter, we’re not aiming for profit just on that day. Think about it, how much silver has these scholars brought us already?”
“We operate on small margins, let’s keep it this way for now,” Shen Shaoguang had similar thoughts – once they built their reputation and accumulated more capital, they could afford to lose money for publicity on this day. With reputation and foot traffic, wouldn’t they make it back?
Small margins… before joining this tavern business, Shao Jie hadn’t realized it was far more profitable than the pastry trade. But thinking of the taverns and food shops in the market ward that had failed and transferred ownership, he felt somewhat satisfied – perhaps their tavern’s profits were exceptionally good…
When Manager Qin announced this event, it received an enthusiastic response from the scholars. Someone immediately composed a poem for the “Blessing of the Ding Feast,” which was later inscribed on the poetry wall outside to promote the event.
Hearing about the silk scroll for signatures, a scholar joked: “This is our ‘minor inscription,’ and if we pass, the Wild Goose Pagoda will be our ‘major inscription.'”
Shen Shaoguang thought this scholar was quite clever with his “minor inscription” and “major inscription” – what a good name, piggybacking on prestige!
Time was tight and advertising channels were limited. Besides the poetry wall, they mainly relied on the manager and servers promoting it face-to-face and word-of-mouth among scholars. When Shen Shaoguang was in the shop, she would occasionally chat with customers about this event.
“We’ll come then,” smiled Young Master Ji from Suzhou, who had visited a couple of days ago and was particularly handsome.
Today this young master was dressed more formally than that day, appearing quite like a noble young lord. His beautiful peach blossom eyes smiled slightly, quite alluring.
Shen Shaoguang, being used to seeing Master Lin’s beauty, wasn’t particularly moved, but wondered if this person’s talent matched his appearance. If his literary talent was as outstanding as his looks, he might well earn a place on the examination list, perhaps even claiming the title of Third Place Scholar.
Seeing the beautiful female proprietor looking at him this way, Young Master Ji smiled again, “I hear the Emperor has visited your establishment?”
Shen Shaoguang smiled, “That’s what everyone says, but we don’t know if it’s true or not.”
“It must be true. Your hot pot is truly delightful.”
Shen Shaoguang smiled in thanks, “After Young Master achieves success in the examinations, if you remain in Chang’an as an official, please visit us often.”
“Of course.” Young Master Ji agreed readily, then casually asked with a smile, “What did the Emperor order that day? We’d like to try the same.”
Shen Shaoguang frowned regretfully, “I wish I knew too! I asked several servers afterward – some said it was milk broth pot, others said clear broth, and some mentioned medicinal herb broth. There were so many customers, how could they remember? It’s fine if they can’t remember other customers, but how could they not remember what this particular customer ordered?”
“Don’t you keep records at the counter?” Young Master Ji took a sip of yogurt drink.
“Originally, we thought since the prices were all the same, it didn’t matter whether we recorded it or not… Now we’ve learned our lesson and record everything in detail.” Shen Shaoguang shook her head regretfully.
Young Master Ji smiled.
After chatting for a while, Young Master Ji ordered the classic milk broth pot, along with lamb slices, fish balls, and various meats and vegetables.
Shen Shaoguang smiled and asked, “After the meat and vegetables, would you like some wonton?”
Young Master Ji nodded with a smile.
“And for this young master?”
His friend still had no preference.
“And for wine? We have Xinfeng wine, Nuer wine, and local Biqiong wine, Hupo wine…” Although these were all listed on the menu, Shen Shaoguang introduced them again.
Like last time, Young Master Ji said, “Xinfeng wine will do.”
Shen Shaoguang asked them to wait a moment and went downstairs.
Downstairs, several Hu people had arrived and stood at the entrance looking around, loudly asking the manager, “We heard even the Emperor has visited your tavern?”
Everyone in the shop, including the manager, servers, and even Shen Shaoguang laughed – these Hu brothers were truly straightforward.
“Come, come, give us the same dishes the Emperor had!”
Everyone laughed even more.
The Hu people also laughed and thundered up the stairs.
Shen Shaoguang went to the kitchen to give instructions. Soon after, the pot, meat, and vegetables were ready, and the servers carried everything upstairs on large trays for both the Suzhou scholars and the Hu people.
Shen Shaoguang thought for a moment and went upstairs again, greeting Young Master Ji and his friend, then went to the Hu people’s table to ask if they needed anything else.
The leader of the Hu people smiled at Shen Shaoguang, “It’s just a pity your establishment doesn’t have singing maidens.”
Shen Shaoguang’s nostrils twitched slightly as she smiled, “But we have young men who tell stories and perform.”
The Hu people laughed.
Shen Shaoguang smiled sweetly, said “Please enjoy your meal,” nodded to Young Master Ji and his companion in the distance, then gracefully walked downstairs.
Once downstairs, Shen Shaoguang came behind the counter, furrowed her brow, glanced up at the second floor, and felt her paranoid tendencies growing stronger again.
When the East Market closed, Shen Shaoguang took a carriage home. Upon arriving, she received a note from Lin Yan – she hadn’t seen him for several days, so he probably had some matter to attend to.
Opening it, sure enough, Lady Jiang had fallen ill, and he had likely been either at the office or at home attending to his grandmother these past few days. Worried about her concern, he had someone deliver a note.
“What’s wrong with Lady Jiang?” Shen Shaoguang asked Liu Chang.
“The Lady is getting on in years and sometimes becomes childlike in temperament. She walked in the garden too long the other day and caught a chill.”
Shen Shaoguang nodded, “It’s too late today. Please apologize to the Lady on my behalf, I’ll visit her tomorrow.” The custom then, like in later times, rarely involved afternoon or evening visits to the sick.
Shen Shaoguang wrote another note for Lin Yan and had Liu Chang deliver it, but unexpectedly, he came himself after dinner.
Shen Shaoguang was surprised: “Is the Lady feeling better?”
Lin Yan looked somewhat tired but managed a smile, “She’s better. She had a fever the past couple of days, but it’s gone down today.”
Shen Shaoguang stepped forward, thoughtfully massaging his temples, “You’re watching over her tonight?”
“Mm.” Lin Yan held her waist and nuzzled her hair with his chin.
After a tender moment, Shen Shaoguang led him to sit down and personally served him a drink, smiling, “I have something to tell you. Listen and tell me if my condition has worsened?”
Lin Yan became serious, “Tell me.”
“Two days ago, two scholars from Suzhou came to the shop. They spoke the perfect formal language, drank yogurt drink that northerners love instead of tea, and though there was southern Nuer wine available, they chose Xinfeng wine. They ate lamb offal very naturally, loved sour and spicy flavors, and enjoyed wheat-based foods. One was handsome with good bearing, while the other was quiet and reserved. Though they claimed to be friends, they seemed more like master and servant.”
“If it were just these things, it wouldn’t matter much,” Shen Shaoguang wrinkled her nose, “but this young master’s incense scent was extremely similar to that of the leader among the Hu people who came later.” At this time, most incense was made from multiple spices blended – even if just one spice was different or the proportions varied, the resulting scent would differ. As a former palace maid, and one with a particularly sensitive nose, Shen Shaoguang had some expertise in this area.
“If they knew each other, why didn’t they acknowledge each other?” Shen Shaoguang continued slowly, “Most importantly, they both inquired about what the Emperor ate when he visited.” Many people asked about what the Emperor ate – who wouldn’t be curious? But when all these things were considered together, it became suspicious.
“Northerners pretending to be southerners, connecting with Hu people, inquiring about the Emperor’s diet…” Lin Yan summarized what Shen Shaoguang had said, then after a moment, nodded, “You should take guards when you go out, try to avoid the East Market, and have your tavern staff be more cautious. Something might be about to happen.”
He was extremely serious when discussing official matters, reminding Shen Shaoguang of his position – a crimson-robed high official, a person of real power in the capital. Shen Shaoguang also remembered that rainy night when he raised his blade and slit the throat of a bandit…
Perhaps realizing his tone, Lin Yan smiled again, reaching out to pat her head gently, saying tenderly: “Be good, listen to me.”
Shen Shaoguang looked at Lin Yan, “Three days before the Ministry of Rites examination, there’s a ‘Blessing of the Ding Feast’ at the East Market tavern, when scholars will gather in crowds.”