Chapter Twenty-Three: Master Zhou

The Prosperity Restaurant mainly sold dishes and did not serve alcohol. Only the most distinguished and important guests would receive a complimentary flask of their own brewed sake. In the Han Kingdom, drinking and dining were separate activities; places that sold alcohol and tea were called taverns and tea houses, while places for meals were known as restaurants. Only those with powerful connections could open an establishment called a wine house, where both food and drink were served. Such wine houses required special approval from the authorities, and Hongxing Wine House was one of these.

The cuisine at the Prosperity Restaurant was truly exceptional. As Liu Qin ate, she nodded in approval. Every dish, carefully cooked, was richly flavorful yet never overpowering, retaining its original taste. It was much like a beautiful woman—delicate and refined, yet one could see the meticulous adornment; vibrant without losing her natural freshness. The saying, "heavy or light makeup, both are fitting," described it perfectly.

After the meal, fruits and two pots of fine tea were brought in. Everyone rested for a while, and now full and refreshed, their spirits revived. The children, led by Liu Qin, began playing and laughing in the room. Master Liu watched them with a smiling face, not stopping their merriment.

Manager Liu knocked and entered, exchanging polite words with Master Liu before announcing that Master Zhou, who had been rescued earlier, wished to personally thank him. Would Master Liu be willing to meet him?

The Han Kingdom placed great value on scholars; to show respect, they were often addressed as "Master." Hearing the name Master Zhou, Master Liu's eyes flickered. He glanced at Liu Qin, then smiled, saying, "Please, invite him in."

Soon, Manager Liu led a man inside. The man appeared seriously injured, supported by the manager, walking slowly and occasionally wincing from pain. Yet he insisted on approaching Master Liu, bowed deeply, and said, "I am Zhou Runan. Thank you, sir, for saving my life."

Master Liu had already moved to a high-backed chair by the couch. Seeing this, he quickly put down his teacup, raised his hand gently, and spoke kindly, "You are hurt; there is no need for such courtesy. Manager Liu, help him sit."

A servant placed a small table nearby. Zhou Runan did not refuse, bowing again before sitting down with the manager's support.

Liu Qin had already squeezed herself next to Master Liu, who held her in his arms. She stared with her bright, lively eyes at the visitor. Master Zhou looked much like the eldest son of the Liu family, about twenty-five or twenty-six, with delicate features and fair skin—a scholarly and elegant bearing. He wore an old cloth robe and a scholar’s cap, showing his humble origins. Yet, seated before Master Liu, he sat upright and calm, with no trace of timidity.

Though he had tidied himself, a large bruise remained on his face, and his clothes were stained. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was no sense of shame. This was a man of uncommon demeanor, not to be compared to ordinary people. Both Liu Qin and Master Liu silently praised him in their hearts.

Master Liu observed him, then lifted his cup in a gesture of invitation, sipped his tea, and finally asked, "Are you a native of Wucheng?"

Zhou Runan put down his cup and replied respectfully, "I am from Xinzheng Village in Liuhe Town."

Liuhe Town was a large town near Wucheng, just over a hundred miles away. Master Liu naturally knew it. He nodded and continued, "Are you here to visit relatives or friends?"

Zhou Runan sighed, his face showing helplessness. "To be frank, sir, I came here seeking a livelihood. Yet after a month or two, I have found nothing suitable. For someone as weak as I, unable to bear burdens or work with my hands, what master would value me? Truly, a scholar is useless. Forgive me for making you laugh; my funds are exhausted and I have not eaten for two days, which led to my collapse in the street and this undeserved misfortune. Without your rescue, I might not have had the chance to see my wife and children again."

"You exaggerate, you exaggerate," Master Liu waved his hand. "We did nothing much; Manager Liu deserves more credit."

"No, no, the silver came from you, sir. I merely ran errands," Manager Liu quickly declined the praise.

"There’s no need for excessive modesty. I owe you both a great debt. If I ever amount to anything, I will surely repay it," Zhou Runan said, gritting his teeth as he rose to bow again to Master Liu and Manager Liu.

Liu Qin watched the exchange of courtesies and thought how troublesome ancient people were. Her eyes rolled mischievously, and she smiled sweetly at her father. "Dad, didn’t Big Brother say the yamen is hiring?"

Master Liu looked at his daughter in surprise, then suddenly understood, laughing heartily. "Indeed, you have a good memory, Qin’er." He turned to Zhou Runan and said, "As a learned man, the yamen is looking for a clerk. If you don’t mind, you can settle down with this job for now and make further plans later."

The Han Kingdom always revered scholars, so most were proud and unwilling to become clerks who merely copied documents—refusing to bow for a handful of rice. Though Zhou Runan appeared mild, Liu Qin knew that people like him, much like Zhang Xiaoxian, held themselves in high regard. Zhang was simply more extreme in his views.

Without waiting for Zhou Runan's reply, Liu Qin slipped off her father's lap, grabbed a cake from the table, and said as she ate, "Chao, have one too. We must eat our fill; only when we’re full can we do other things."

Jiang Li, beside her, asked in surprise, "Sister, weren't you full just now? You ate quite a lot." He was too polite to mention that she had eaten so much earlier, she had even started to hiccup.

Chewing her cake, Liu Qin mumbled nonchalantly, "I was full then, but now I’m hungry again. Didn’t Uncle Niu say, 'People are iron, food is steel; miss a meal and you’re weak'? I eat several times a day, you know."

Everyone took her words as rustic slang from a coachman, not thinking too much about it, but found her amusing and burst out laughing.

Since entering, Zhou Runan had noticed this child was quite different. Pretty, adorable, lively—these were all apt descriptions, but other children in the room were no less so. What surprised Zhou Runan was her boldness. With outsiders present, the other children sat quietly, but she naturally nestled in Master Liu’s arms and dared to interject while elders spoke. This showed she was deeply favored in the Liu household, to an extraordinary degree.

That was not even the most significant part. Her words had depth; Zhou Runan could hardly imagine a five-year-old speaking with such intent. Yet he felt clearly that her remark, "Only when we’re full can we do other things," was directed at him.

Had he not heard this, Zhou Runan might have politely declined. These past months, it wasn’t that he couldn’t find work, but rather that he clung to the pride of a scholar, cultivated since childhood—preferring to starve than to bow his head. Now he felt a quiet self-mockery and self-reproach. After all his years of study, he had not learned to adapt; even a child understood the basic principle of survival that he had failed to grasp, causing his family to suffer. Ah, Zhou Runan, you have wasted over twenty years.

Having made up his mind, Zhou Runan set aside his bitter smile, and said earnestly, "Thank you, sir, for your offer. I will do my best and fulfill my duties."

Master Liu was delighted at his acceptance. To bend and stretch, that is the mark of true talent; those who stubbornly cling to old ways can never achieve greatness. Master Liu had met countless people of ability, but few impressed him. At this moment, Zhou Runan caught his interest, stirring thoughts of nurturing him.

Everyone heard Master Liu’s joyful laughter. "Excellent, excellent. Rest here and recover from your injuries. Once healed, report to the yamen. Manager Liu, I leave Master Zhou in your care—see to him well."