Chapter 11

The aromas of various dishes gradually gathered in the courtyard, overcoming every obstacle before finally drifting into the guest rooms.

Chen Chuangu took a deep breath, his appetite stirring, and was just about to leave the room to see what was going on.

"Do not disturb Rong Dalang while he cooks," Chen Dalang said flatly.

If not for his bobbing Adam's apple, his words would have been far more convincing.

Chen Erlang was more honest, smiling with restraint. "Rong Dalang's skills are exquisite. What a pity that we must leave the residence tomorrow."

"How about I stay behind?" Chen Chuangu asked mournfully.

Chen Dalang's gaze was indifferent. "You may stay."

"Forget it," Chen Chuangu quickly changed his tune after reading his expression. "If your leg injury flares up on the road, it will be my fault."

Chen Dalang turned his gaze back to the pages before him, yet did not turn one for a long while.

Chen Chuangu secretly rolled his eyes.

At last, as the hour of the Monkey approached, the two sturdy servants had long since prepared the dining table. The three members of the Chen Clan sat behind it. Apart from Chen Dalang, whose injured leg prevented him from sitting on his knees, the other two naturally carried themselves with noble grace.

Yet once the delicacies were set upon the table, they utterly forgot all about bearing and decorum.

It could be said that they had never seen the dishes on the table before, but there was no denying that their color, aroma, and flavor were simply perfect.

Chen Erlang picked up his chopsticks. The shredded meat entered his mouth, and he immediately found it exceptionally fresh and fragrant. Unlike soft, glutinous braised meat, this meat was crisp and refreshing, a delight to chew.

Only after he began eating did Chen Dalang and Chen Chuangu quickly taste the food as well.

All three were filled with boundless emotion. How could there be food this delicious? They truly did not want to leave Linxi!

Chen Chuangu was on the verge of tears.

As for the two sturdy servants, granted permission by their kind masters, they went to the kitchen to eat with Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson, tears streaming down their faces as they ate.

For a time, Rong Residence held only the sound of bowls and chopsticks clinking together.

After the meal, everyone except Rong Xi was so bloated that they could barely bear it, and had no choice but to walk in the courtyard to aid digestion.

Seeing Rong Xi shoveling soil into sacks in the courtyard, Chen Chuangu could not help stepping forward to ask.

"Xi is fat and stout, so Xi plans to tie sacks to his body and walk, to train himself," Rong Xi said with a warm smile, teasing him.

At that moment, rosy clouds filled the sky. The youth stood with the light at his back, his brows and eyes gentle, his smile and words sincere. Chen Chuangu suddenly felt reluctant to part with him and pity for him, and abruptly seized both his wrists.

"Dalang, you must take good care of yourself. We part tomorrow, and who knows when we will meet again? Once the dust settles, I will surely come find you!"

Rong Xi smiled freely. "Xi will quietly await Brother Chen here."

Chen Dalang suddenly stepped forward and blocked Chen Chuangu. From his sleeve, he took out a circular jade pendant and held it before Rong Xi.

"I cherish Zishi's talent. But we leave tomorrow, and there will be no one to teach him. Take this jade pendant to Feng Carpentry in Mengshan County, and it will be enough."

Rong Xi raised his head to look back, only then realizing that Chen Dalang was remarkably tall and valiant compared with ordinary men.

If this jade had been a gift for himself, Rong Xi would certainly have refused it. But it concerned Zishi's future; if he did not accept it, Zishi's talent for martial arts would go to waste.

After considering for a moment, he called Liu Zishi over and had him bow in thanks before accepting the jade pendant.

Chen Dalang then turned neatly and returned to his room, the faint smile on his lips vanishing in an instant.

Chapter 11

At the exact hour of the Rabbit the next day, Rong Xi rose and jogged around the courtyard with sacks tied to his body.

Liu Zishi, meanwhile, practiced martial arts in a low stance in the courtyard.

By the start of the hour of the Dragon, there was still no movement from the Chen Clan's master and servants. Rong Xi had Liu He go ask after them.

Before long, Liu He returned and sighed. "The guests have already left."

Rong Xi froze for a moment, then smiled faintly and nodded. "Has the hot water been prepared?"

After exercising, he always needed to bathe. Liu He already knew this and had prepared the hot water long ago. "Young master may go inside to bathe. This servant will go to the kitchen."

Having spent so long by Rong Xi's side, Liu Zishi had been dyed red by proximity to vermilion. In all things, he followed Rong Xi's example. Rong Xi treated him with tolerance and gentleness, and close servants had to be neat and proper, so young Liu bathed every day and changed his clothes diligently as well.

Liu He was more than pleased to see it.

After breakfast, Rong Xi taught Liu Zishi to write for one shichen, then sent him to invite Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin.

The youth had nowhere to spend his energy and was as excited as a bird in a cage, dashing out through the residence gates.

Linxi Town was not far from the county seat. The youth was swift on his feet, and Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin happened to be at home, so upon receiving the invitation, they rode over together in an ox cart.

"On the way here, I heard Zishi mention that the new wok was used yesterday. Fried and stir-fried dishes can only be found in the heavens—something called stir-fried shredded meat, and cucumber with scrambled eggs, things I had never even heard of. Today, I must come taste these immortal flavors."

Hu Yulin's voice arrived before he did.

Rong Xi rose to welcome them. Once they were seated, he smiled. "These two elder brothers have honored Xi with your presence. Xi is delighted beyond measure."

After half a cup of tea, Rong Xi suddenly asked, "Some utensils at home are damaged. Xi wishes to find a carpenter to make new ones. You two elder brothers have seen much and learned much—do you know any craftsmen with exceptional skills?"

Hu Yulin knew Mengshan County very well. Hearing this, he said, "There are quite a few carpentry shops in the city. For reputation, the Cui Clan is foremost; for novelty, it should be the Feng Clan. The rest fade into the common crowd."

Once he finished, Jiang Weiping nodded in agreement. "Dalang has quite a few ingenious ideas. You may be more kindred spirits with the Feng Clan."

Rong Xi replied with a smile, "Thank you for your guidance, elder brothers. Then it shall be the Feng Clan."

"When will Dalang go? I will send someone to pick you up." Seeing that Rong Xi had no ox cart, Hu Yulin made his intentions known.

Rong Xi did not decline. "Many thanks, Brother Xuan Shi. Xi had planned to go the day after tomorrow."

"Good." Hu Yulin's smile deepened, his narrow eyes curving. "Does Dalang know how the honeycomb coal briquettes are doing now?"

Without waiting for Rong Xi to answer, he continued with a smile, "Though the price is not low, many wealthy households in the city have bought them, and they have already become popular throughout the city. Given time, they will surely sweep through Qingzhou."

Beyond Qingzhou lay an even broader world.

Hu Yulin had always possessed grand ambitions. Now that the new coal briquettes and new coal stoves had appeared and were sought after by many, the name of the Hu Clan was passed from mouth to mouth and would become known to still more common folk.

All of this was thanks to Dalang.

To expand their business, the Hu Clan and Jiang Clan had joined forces. Numerous blacksmiths gathered together, forging stoves and hammering iron day and night, creating a scene of thriving prosperity.

"That is excellent." Rong Xi rose. "You two elder brothers toil day and night. Xi has no special talents, only cooking to offer in return, to express his gratitude."

Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin were curious about frying and stir-frying, so they went to the kitchen with him.

The ingredients had long been prepared. Rong Xi rolled up his sleeves, and as his knife rose and fell, the sound of blade striking chopping board carried a powerful rhythm. The two men stared in a daze, crying out in their hearts that Dalang's skill was divine!