ebookslot Chapter 101 Household Registration and Opening a Shop
Chapter 101 Household Registration and Opening a Shop
Chapter 101 Household Registration and Opening a Shop
The old master never considered preventing Qin Chuan from participating in the preliminary examination. He had previously thought that Qin Chuan's knowledge and foundation were insufficient, and that going would only give him some exam experience, broaden his horizons, and let him feel the atmosphere. As for him to seriously rank at the top and be on the list of successful candidates, that was out of the question.
Since that's the case, it's better to keep it a secret for now and not tell him, so as to encourage this kid to study harder. But Qin Chuan's explanation on the paper was clear and logical, and the meaning of the classics was thorough. Even those who have studied for three or five years might not be able to write it. How could it be that he lacked any foundation?
Those annotations and those unique insights at crucial points were so insightful that even he, an old scholar who had taught for most of his life, found them eye-opening.
The old scholar was both surprised and delighted, secretly cursing himself for almost misjudging the situation.
This kid not only thoroughly understood the most difficult passage, but he could also apply what he learned to other situations, offering many insights that even he found novel.
With this level of skill, not only would he be able to participate in the preliminary examinations, but he might even be able to achieve the top score in the preliminary examinations.
The first one!
The old master looked excited.
He taught for most of his life, and his students, let alone those who were at the top of the class, were few and far between, even those who could get into the top ten.
If one day his student could excel in the preliminary examinations—
Thinking of this, the old master could no longer hold back and took out a neatly folded insurance policy from his pocket. It contained his voluntary guarantee for Qin Chuan to participate in the children's examination.
He had originally planned to take it out a few more days, but now it seems he can't wait a moment longer.
"Walk!"
The old master grabbed Qin Chuan's sleeve and started walking out.
Qin Chuan was somewhat bewildered by the old master's sudden action and asked, "Master, where are we going?"
"Go to the yamen to register!" The old scholar didn't even turn his head, his steps were brisk. "Bring your household registration today and register your name, so that nothing might go wrong."
After taking a couple of steps, Qin Chuan quickly said, "Master, please wait. I have something else to say."
The old scholar paused, turned around, and asked, "What is it?"
Qin Chuan spread his hands and said, "The person in front of me is a beggar—so he has no household registration."
"What? No household registration?" The old scholar was stunned, thinking he had misheard. "Didn't you say you found a part-time job? Didn't they help you get registered there?"
Qin Chuan shook his head and said with a wry smile, "The place where I work is the Iron Hand Gang's gambling den. Teacher, think about it, how could people from such a place possibly help me get a citizenship? Even if they were willing, I wouldn't dare to agree. Who knows if they would use it as leverage to blackmail me later? So I'd rather stay out of the loop than entrust my life to those people."
Qin Chuan was also somewhat helpless. If he could get his household registration through the Iron Hand Gang, it would be very easy, but that would mean he was tied to the Iron Hand Gang, and who knows when trouble might happen in the future.
Having bypassed the Iron Hand Gang, Qin Chuan lacked other options, so the matter remained unresolved.
After listening, the old scholar stroked his beard, his brows furrowed.
He had naturally heard of the Iron Hand Gang. It was a group of idle, bullying, and thuggish hooligans in the city who did all sorts of unscrupulous things. Respectable people would avoid them like the plague, so why would they kindly help someone register their household?
Moreover, Qin Chuan is right. If those people really handle the household registration, who knows how they will be manipulated in the future.
The old scholar remained silent for a long while, then took a deep breath, patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder, and comforted him, "Don't panic about the household registration matter. I still have some influence in the county government, so let me think of a way. Just focus on your studies and hone your knowledge; leave the rest to me."
Qin Chuan felt a warmth in his heart and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Master."
"Don't give me that." The old teacher waved his hand and strode forward, muttering, "I'm your teacher, it's my duty to arrange these things for you. If you really want to thank me, then study hard for the exam. If you can come back as the top scorer, that's better than anything else."
Hearing this, Qin Chuan couldn't help but tease, "Teacher, you just said I did poorly in the preliminary examination, how come you're already thinking about being the top scorer?"
"Those are two different things." The old scholar didn't even turn his head. "You must be steady in your studies and set high goals. If you're not aiming for the top of the list, what are you aiming for? Being last in the preliminary examination is still an exam, and being first in the list is also an exam. Only someone with a screw loose would choose to be last."
"Master's insight is profound!"
Two days later, in Rouge Lane, where Heaven on Earth was located, a small shop quietly opened its doors, with a sign hanging on the door that read "Liu's Stir-Fry".
Standing inside the house, looking at the crowds of people coming and going outside, Aunt Liu couldn't help but feel uneasy. She finally managed to ask, "Will anyone come?"
"Auntie, don't worry, it's just the beginning. Regular customers are built up gradually." Qin Chuan poured a cup of tea, unhurried and confident in Aunt Liu's skills. Although she had only been learning for a few days, the taste was naturally good under his guidance.
"That's right, there's no rush. I've tried all those things, and the taste is absolutely amazing, just like the restaurants in the prefectural city." Liu Ding chimed in. Qin Chuan had done his makeup when they came out today, so he wasn't worried about being recognized.
Qin Chuan and Liu Ding were full of confidence, but as time passed, the shop remained deserted, with not a single customer entering.
A few passersby were drawn in by the aroma wafting from the braised food, hesitated for a moment, and then peeked in to ask what was going on.
"What do you sell?"
Aunt Liu quickly went to greet them, her face beaming with a smile: "Braised and stir-fried dishes, all made with pork offal, smell wonderful! Would you like to try some, sir?"
Upon hearing "pig offal," the man's expression visibly stiffened. After hearing Aunt Liu quote the price, he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "So expensive? Thirty coins for pig offal? A bowl of big meat noodles at the noodle stall next door is only fifteen coins." He then turned and left without looking back, muttering to his companion even after he was a distance away, "That shop must be crazy for money, charging thirty coins for pig offal. They might as well rob us."
Aunt Liu heard similar words no less than five or six times that morning.
Her face went from initial anticipation to nervousness, and now to anxiety, turning somewhat pale.
She stood behind the counter, sometimes wiping the table that had already been wiped three times, sometimes fiddling with the pot of stew still bubbling on the stove, and sometimes peeking out the door before returning disappointed.
Qin Chuan put down his teacup, somewhat surprised by the current situation. It seemed he still needed to build up his reputation first.
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked up, grinned, and said, "Brother Liu, come out with me for a bit." Qin Chuan stood up and waved to Liu Ding.
Liu Ding was taken aback: "Where to?"
"A teahouse." Qin Chuan had already reached the door, but turned back to look at him. "The biggest one in Rouge Lane."
Liu Ding was completely confused, but he still put down his teacup and followed.
Aunt Liu watched the two figures walk away, opened her mouth as if to say something, but swallowed it back. She just sighed and continued to stand behind the stove, hoping that the next customer would stop.
The largest teahouse in Rouge Lane is called "Qingfengju". It is a two-story building with carved beams and painted rafters, and is quite exquisite.
This is a gathering place for regulars of Rouge Lane. Literati, merchants, and wealthy people who have finished visiting brothels and brothels are used to coming here to sit, have a cup of tea, rest their feet, and boast about their achievements the night before.
Qin Chuan and Liu Ding arrived at the main hall, found a seat in the middle, and then called over the tea server to order a pot of tea.
Qin Chuan looked around. Several middle-aged men in silk shirts were sitting at the next table, chatting and laughing in hushed tones. There were also three or five men gathered together talking. In a corner not far away, two young men were huddled together, talking animatedly about something. The timing was perfect.
Qin Chuan tapped the table and gave Liu Ding a wink.
Liu Ding also realized what was happening, pretended to drink a cup of tea, and then deliberately raised his voice by half an octave to ask Qin Chuan, "Brother Qin, how was that girl yesterday? I thought I could hear noises coming from your room last night?"
Qin Chuan put down his teacup, feigning a look of lingering satisfaction, and raised his voice slightly, carrying a hint of unspoken smugness between men: "Those two young ladies were indeed very radiant. However, they were a bit too delicate, their bodies slightly weak."
"Oh," Liu Ding said, somewhat puzzled, "Brother Qin only invited one person, how come there are two? And why is that girl's body unable to bear the weight?"
"Well, it's not entirely her fault," Qin Chuan chuckled. "It's just that my skills are truly impressive. Yesterday, I fought her for almost half an hour straight. The girl kept begging, saying she was too strong and couldn't take it anymore, begging me to spare her. I had no choice but to find that madam and get her another one..."
""
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged men in silk shirts at the next table clearly perked up their ears and unconsciously glanced in their direction.
The men around him fell silent, their eyes fixed on Qin Chuan.
A hint of doubt flickered in Liu Ding's eyes, his brow furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a mixture of disbelief and longing: "Really? Brother Qin, are you trying to trick me? You really have that kind of ability?"
Qin Chuan grinned: "Why would I lie to you? Of course I have my secret recipe."
Liu Ding's eyes lit up: "What secret recipe? Brother Qin, tell me quickly. We're brothers, you can't keep it from me."
Qin Chuan kept everyone in suspense, slowly took a sip of tea, and only spoke slowly after Liu Ding urged him on.
Although the voice was lowered considerably, it was just enough for those around to hear.
"I know an extremely famous doctor who is most skilled at tonifying the kidneys. He has a wonderful method called 'like cures like,' meaning if you want to be more effective in that area, you should eat more foods related to that area. Pig kidneys, pig penis..."
'
"Medical texts say that the kidneys are the foundation of innate essence, storing essence and governing bones. Sufficient kidney qi results in abundant energy and strong bones; deficient kidney qi leads to lower back and knee pain, and a lack of strength. Pig kidneys enter the kidney meridian, and pig penis connects to the Du meridian. These things may seem unremarkable, but they are actually highly nourishing, not much less potent than ginseng or deer antler..."
He spoke eloquently, spitting as he spoke, and the middle-aged men at the next table put down their teacups, listening intently. Several men nearby craned their necks, practically pressing their ears against his.
Upon hearing this, Liu Ding feigned sudden realization, then frowned, saying with some doubt, "But don't those things smell fishy and pungent? I've eaten them a few times before, and the taste—"
"That's because those chefs don't know how to make it." Qin Chuan waved his hand dismissively. "Ordinary people just blanch it in boiling water. How could it not be fishy? I know a small shop that makes things that are not only not fishy, but also taste extremely good. Whether it's braised or stir-fried, the cooking time, seasonings, and knife skills are all meticulous. Once you've tasted it, I guarantee you'll never forget it."
As he spoke, he stood up and pulled Liu Ding's sleeve, saying, "Come on, come on, I'll take you to try it. It's not far ahead."
Liu Ding also stood up, his face showing a mixture of anticipation and skepticism: "Is it really that miraculous?"
You'll see when you get there.
The two left the teahouse one after the other and gradually disappeared into the distance.
After a brief silence in the hall, the middle-aged men in silk robes at the next table exchanged glances. One of them, a chubby man, spoke first, lowering his voice to ask his companion, "Where is that shop?"
"Didn't you hear him say that? It's not far ahead, it just opened." Another tall, thin man chimed in, his eyes darting around. "Should we—go check it out?"
"Sure, I'm free anyway."
"Let's go, let's go."