Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 111 Feast

The Master's words were powerful and resounding.

"Student Lu Chuan will heed your teachings. I will never forget my roots and will never fail my clan."

Lu Chuan clasped his hands together, bowed deeply, and his voice lingered for a long time.

Lu Chuan glanced at the offering table, inkstone, brush, and Xuan paper.

"My teacher's teachings are invaluable, and I will always remember them. Now, seeing the offering table with its brush, ink, paper, and inkstone all laid out, and the good news in the center, I feel not only apprehensive but also ashamed."

He turned around and said seriously, "Everyone says that passing the imperial examination is the ultimate achievement for a scholar. But in my opinion, this is a misconception. I am but a poor scholar. Without the love of my parents and the financial support of my family, how could I have the money for my studies?"

"Without the imperial court's great favor in holding the imperial examinations and my mentor's guidance, even with my vast knowledge, I would be nothing more than a withered tree in a deep mountain. Therefore, my success in this examination is not merely due to my own good fortune, but rather the result of the imperial court's great generosity, the unity of my clan, and the cultivation of my mentor."

Upon hearing Lu Chuan's words, the scholar standing to the side showed even greater admiration.

He waved his sleeve and stroked his beard, praising it highly.

"Excellent! Chuan'er's ability to understand this principle demonstrates his broad vision and far-reaching understanding, showing he is not a pedantic scholar confined to mere words."

Those who achieve great things in ancient times not only possessed extraordinary talent, but also the virtue of gratitude. The way of learning begins with investigating things and is completed by understanding the fundamentals.

"You understand that fame and fortune are not the private property of one person, but are tied to the laws and regulations of the court and the blood and sweat of one's clan. This is a great understanding and a broad perspective."

"Only those who are grateful can shoulder heavy responsibilities and go far; only those who have reverence can endure and remain undefeated."

The county magistrate nodded repeatedly, secretly admiring the young man's worldly wisdom and sense of the big picture, which surpassed even some veteran officials.

"Okay, well said."

Lu Deshou could no longer contain his excitement.

Holding the text he had written in advance, he admonished, "Chuanzi's words have deeply grasped the essence of how the Lu family manages its households."

A lone effort is difficult to achieve, but collective action is easier. Your return to your hometown, exempting you from taxes and duties, is certainly not solely your achievement, nor is it solely the responsibility of your family.

"This is the law of the imperial court, and it is also the result of our entire clan, young and old, saving every grain of rice from between their teeth and every thread of cloth, combining the great strength of the entire clan to support this Wenqu Star."

"The fallen leaves return to their roots, and the water flows back to its source. In the future, when you achieve great things, you should remember the court's kindness and the hardships your clansmen have endured."

"When one person is noble, the whole clan is honored; when the clan is united, the one person stands. Today, our ancestors are above us. If you become arrogant and forget your roots and harm the clan in the future, I will personally enforce the family law, remove you from the genealogy, and show no leniency."

"However, if you can constantly reflect on yourself and work together with one heart, our Lu family will surely use all the resources of the clan to ensure your success in your career and bring glory to your ancestors."

"I will heed the teachings of the clan chief. Lu Chuan, even in death, will remain a part of the Lu clan's spirit and never forget them."

Inside the ancestral hall, thunderous applause filled the air, and the clansmen were thrilled.

The ceremony concluded, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

"The ancestral worship ceremony is now complete. Please, esteemed elders, teachers, and wise men, move to your seats."

The seating at this banquet is not random; it must be arranged strictly according to the guests' status, rank, seniority, and age.

Who sits at the head of the table and who sits at the side table must not be separated even slightly.

At the center of the ancestral hall, at the Eight Immortals table, Lu Chuan sat in the very center, with Lu Deshou beside him.

Sitting beside them in the accompanying seats were the county magistrate and the teacher.

The people sitting at the head table, right next to the main table, were all prominent figures.

Below the main table, a row of large wooden tables held dishes from various towns and villages in the county.

With the sound of a gong, the aunt led a dozen or so women, carrying trays, to the table.

"The first main dishes, braised pork belly and steamed bluefish, are served!"

When the plate was placed on the table, many people were incredulous.

Ordinary people are lucky to see even a little bit of meat at a banquet; they've never seen so many fancy dishes.

The small landlords from various villages sitting outside the ancestral hall stared wide-eyed, and some couldn't help but start discussing it:

"Look at their lavish feast! The meat is so thick it could be used as a shoe sole. They're really living a good life these days."

Hearing the discussions outside, Lu Deshou chimed in: "Gentlemen and managers, please excuse our rudeness. This is a joyous occasion, the first of its kind in a century. It's all thanks to Chuanzi."

Upon hearing this, both the county magistrate and Master Zhao stroked their beards in admiration, and the wealthy men from the city also raised their cups in celebration.

Just as everyone was enjoying the braised pork and steamed fish, the aunt carried a porcelain plate to the main table.

"The scholar studies late into the night by lamplight, and the immortal chicken of midsummer is here."

Everyone turned to look, only to find that the plate contained a mud ball.

"What kind of dish is this? Why are mud balls served on the table?" Some people were puzzled.

The auntie remained calm, picked up the rolling pin, and whacked the dough with it!

The yellow clay shell shattered with a sound, revealing the cabbage leaves inside.

Before anyone could react, she removed the cabbage leaves, revealing a whole, golden, glistening, plump chicken inside.

The spiciness of old ginger and the mellowness of yellow wine filled the entire ancestral hall.

"Wow, this smells amazing!"

"Look at that color, it's a bright golden yellow, and the oil slicks on it are dazzling."

"My God, I've lived most of my life and eaten all sorts of delicacies, but how come I've never smelled such an alluring aroma before?"

Lu Chuan stood up at the opportune moment, raised his glass to the guests from all directions: "Distinguished guests, this chicken was made by me during my years of hard study, using Pinellia ternata grown on the back mountain and roasting it using traditional methods."

"Not only is the meat tender and soft, but it also helps to regulate the body and clear the mind."

"On this joyous occasion, I wish all of you good health, and I wish all of us scholars success in our examinations and continuous advancement in our careers."

"Good, good indeed, this Banxia Immortal Chicken! Just for its brain-clearing properties, I must try it." The county magistrate laughed heartily, picked up his chopsticks, and the chicken meat melted in his mouth.

He praised it highly and repeatedly expressed his amazement.

The wealthy gentlemen outside were green with envy, their minds filled with thoughts of buying some to take home for their children after the feast.

The deliciousness of the "Immortal Chicken" brought the atmosphere to a climax.

As the sole focus of the day, Lu Chuan didn't even have time to sit down and eat a few bites of food.

According to custom, when someone achieves success in the imperial examinations and holds a celebratory banquet, the person in charge must go around to each table to offer toasts and express gratitude.

Lu Chuan had just put a piece of chicken breast into his bowl and hadn't even had a chance to put it in his mouth when a clansman urged him from the side, "Chuanzi, hurry up, the county magistrate and the teacher have just put down their chopsticks, we should pay our respects to the head table first."

"After we finished toasting the main table, Mr. Zhao, the philanthropist at the first table, was still waiting."

Helpless, Lu Chuan could only put down his chopsticks, pick up his wine glass, and stand up.

"Student Lu Chuan respectfully greets Your Excellency, my esteemed teacher, and all the elders and sirs. Thank you all for your presence. I will drink this first as a sign of my respect."

One cup, two cups, three cups...

After toasting the main table, they would move on to the first table, and after toasting the first table, they would proceed down to toast the landlords and shopkeepers of the various villages.

"Lu Xiucai, you're quite promising at such a young age. I'll drink this, you can do as you please."

"Scholar Lu, when you go to the capital, don't forget your elders! Come on, fill your cup!"