Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 150: Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes

Lotus root without form!

Chen Xu never expected that his casual words of comfort to Xu Wenyuan would actually trigger a response from his Dao heart.

It is conceivable that although Xu Wenyuan may not appear to have changed much on the surface these days, his inner self has obviously undergone countless trials and transformations.

He claims to be of mediocre talent, but is Xu Wenyuan really a mediocre person?

Chen Xu suddenly asked Xu Wenyuan, "Brother Xu, do you know how many students there are in the entire Yunjiang Prefecture?"

Xu Wenyuan replied blankly, "This, I don't know."

Chen Xu gestured for Xu Wenyuan to continue walking forward with him.

He said, "I recently made the acquaintance of an elder brother, and from that I learned that there are now more than 17,200 students under the age of forty in Yunjiang Prefecture."

"So many?" Xu Wenyuan was immediately surprised. "But there were only a little over three thousand candidates taking the prefectural examination this year."

“Of course, there are also too many people who give up the exam, or who will take it next year if they don’t take it this year,” Chen Xu said. “And among the students who are admitted to the imperial examination, the majority come from families with certain backgrounds and wealth.”

He said in a leisurely voice, "Brother Xu, in this prefecture, only eighty-two scholars are selected each year."

You came from an ordinary, even impoverished, background. When you entered school, you had neither parents to teach you at any time, nor a private library to show for your endless collection of books.

There has never been any spiritual food or medicine to nourish you. I come from a similar background to you, and I know better than anyone how difficult it has been for you to get to where you are today.

Even so, you still stood out in the annual examination and became one of the eighty-two successful candidates.

You actually think you're mediocre?

"How could such mediocrity exist in this world?"

Chen Xu laughed, and Xu Wenyuan felt a jolt of excitement, as if a spark of light had been pierced through his head.

He was overwhelmed with emotion and barely knew how to express it, but he said in a trembling voice, "But Brother Chen, how can I compare to you?"

Chen Xu said, "People in the world may have similar circumstances, but their essence is completely different. There is no need to compare people."

As he spoke, he also spared some attention to examine the newly acquired Formless Lotus Root.

Lotus root without form, when used as the main ingredient in cooking, can randomly produce a variety of flavors such as sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty.

Different people will find different flavors.

Some may find it enjoyable and meaningful, while others may find it tasteless and gain nothing from it.

If diners find something enjoyable, the cook receives double the reward.

Hmm, it really is a new spiritual material.

It was another effect that Chen Xu had never imagined before.

While it's difficult to determine which is stronger, the Formless Lotus Root or the Ashes of a Thousand Calamities, it's certainly hard to say which is more peculiar and interesting.

Chen Xu has recently been experiencing a pleasant surprise, as he has discovered that his cultivation level has increased and the ways to obtain spiritual materials have also broadened.

However, although the pathways have become wider, the randomness remains very strong.

For example, when he returned from Pufeng Mountain, he encountered a shepherd boy, a farmer, and a young Taoist priest discussing Taoism. Although Chen Xu was moved at that time, he did not gain any spiritual material.

He had only exchanged a few words with Xu Wenyuan, yet he unexpectedly obtained spiritual materials.

What are the differences?
Was it because Chen Xu spoke up, or because the other party genuinely understood something?
Or perhaps it's a combination of both, but Xu Wenyuan's Dao heart just happens to be more steadfast?
To be honest, judging from appearances alone, Xu Wenyuan doesn't seem like the kind of person who could attain enlightenment.

It is clear that judging people by their appearance, their looks, or their status is wrong.

Xu Wenyuan and Chen Xu walked together through two long streets, their expressions gradually hardening.

He said, “Brother Chen, you are absolutely right. I should not have underestimated myself. But I also need to be clear about my own abilities, and I do have many shortcomings now.”

I'll postpone my trip to Qihe Mountain tomorrow. If I go, I fear my resolve will waver.

However, my resolve is not firm enough now, but that doesn't mean I will be the same in a few years. This time when I return to my hometown, I will bury myself in my studies and wait three or five years before attempting the provincial examination again.

It's not easy to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations). Even if it takes another three to five years, or even ten years, what difference does it make?

Xu Wenyuan's tone gradually contained an indescribable power; he had made up his mind and was determined not to waste time.

Let alone three, five, or ten years, even if we take the exam for another twenty years, what is there to fear?
He is not a child prodigy like Chen Xu, but he has his own path to follow.

Then, after returning to the inn, Xu Wenyuan saw Chen Xu disappear into the inn's kitchen.

Xu Wenyuan: ...

Xu Wenyuan suddenly fell silent and began to doubt himself.

What exactly did he see?
Is there something wrong with his eyes, or something wrong with his brain?

Xu Wenyuan walked up to the second floor of the inn in a daze. After meeting Master Wu and Master Yao, the two masters asked him if he had obtained the seal.

"I...I got it back," Xu Wenyuan replied blankly.

Wu Zhengze asked, "Where is Xu Zhi?"

Xu Wenyuan stammered, "I...I...maybe I'm mistaken? Brother Chen, Brother Chen seems to be in the inn's kitchen?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Wenyuan saw the teacher suddenly burst into laughter:

"As expected, Xu Zhi is still thinking about the five flavors in the cauldron, and how to harmonize yin and yang! What has he realized this time after receiving the seal?"

Xu Wenyuan was a bit stunned. He felt that he understood every word the teacher said, but when they were put together into sentences, he couldn't understand any of them.

It wasn't until Wu Zhengze mentioned, "Now that the scholar's seal has been obtained, you and Xuzhi should each send a visiting card to Prefect Ding's residence this afternoon."

Although he may not meet with you, the visiting cards still need to be sent. Having received no reply after three days, we set off back to Jichuan.

In fact, Wu Zhengze believed that although Prefect Ding might not be willing to meet with Xu Wenyuan, Chen Xu... would definitely be met with him.

There was no need to say these things to hurt Xu Wenyuan.

Little did anyone know that Xu Wenyuan was racking his brains to figure out: the five flavors in the cauldron, how do they harmonize yin and yang?

He gradually felt that he seemed to understand Wu Zhengze's words. He guessed: Could the key to Chen Xu's enlightenment lie in the five flavors in this cauldron?

As he thought about it, Xu Wenyuan's eyes gradually brightened.

He suddenly felt as if he had found a direction for his future studies—

Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish.

Although primary school students do not govern the country, they learn the principles of governing the country.

Shouldn't Xu Wenyuan also learn the art of cooking? In order to understand the wisdom of the sages and discern the profound truths in books?
Xu Wenyuan suddenly spoke in a light voice, and he quickly told Wu Zhengze about the conversation he and Chen Xu had overheard between the minor officials in the government office.

After saying that, he said, "Master, I will not be going to Qihe Mountain tomorrow. I will go and see Brother Chen..."

Before he finished speaking, he hurriedly ran towards the kitchen.

As I ran to the kitchen door, I immediately heard Chef Hong announcing the names of the dishes inside.

"Wensi Tofu, Steamed Chicken with Wine, Pan-fried Yellow Sparrow, Steamed Sea Bass, Shredded Chicken with White Fungus..."

Hey, Mr. Chen, you've really learned all of my old Hong's signature skills!

What else do you want to learn? Knife skills, cooking time, hot and cold dishes? Haha, you've come to the wrong person.

"Even with braised dishes, Master Hong, I'm not good at it!"

Xu Wenyuan then heard Chen Xu's voice from inside say, "Then I wonder which master is skilled in this?"

Master Hong chuckled and said, "You'd never guess who's the most skilled at making pastries in the entire Yunjiang Prefecture!"

(End of this chapter)