The dining hall, sleeping quarters, and other places were simpler affairs. After all, Wu Minggao considered the Library the most important part, but to Yi Shuyuan, this was like touring a famous scenic site, with something wonderfully novel at every turn. The inside of a county yamen offered far more than he had imagined.
As Yi Shuyuan saw it, the County Registrar's work did not seem particularly busy. Wu Minggao spent nearly half the day showing him around before bringing him back to the Library to explain the general requirements for compiling the gazetteer.
There was not actually much to explain. He simply had to follow the format of the previous county gazetteers, and he did not need to copy all the earlier volumes. In theory, he only had to compile the records for the past twenty years.
The work, however, was not confined to the Library. He might also have to travel around the county and even borrow some official case files. In a sense, it was both less troublesome than Yi Shuyuan had imagined and more troublesome.
Once he had explained most of it, Wu Minggao told Yi Shuyuan to familiarize himself with the surroundings. Yi Shuyuan looked over the bookshelves, then tried out the writing desk and chairs, though he occasionally glanced toward the doorway, wondering why the County Registrar still had not left.
Of course, he had stayed because he wanted something. Standing nearby, Wu Minggao finally could not hold back any longer and brought it up with a hint of awkwardness.
"Mr. Yi, the poem you wrote last time is still missing something..."
Yi Shuyuan set down the book in his hand and looked at the County Registrar.
"What might that be, Lord Wu?"
Wu Minggao smiled.
"You haven't signed it yet!"
Everything instantly became clear to Yi Shuyuan. He tapped his forehead and said,
"Of course, of course. But I don't have a seal made yet, and a signature without a seal wouldn't do. Once I have a seal prepared, I'll add the signature for you!"
"Then I can rest easy. Oh, Mr. Yi, please take your time getting acquainted with the place. Don't go to the dining hall for lunch today. I've reserved a meal at Tongxin Pavilion to welcome you!"
"Thank you, sir!"
With the man having gone to such lengths, Yi Shuyuan could hardly fail to take the hint. Naturally, he agreed. Besides, he really did want to try the food at Tongxin Pavilion.
"Then I'll attend to my official duties first and send someone to fetch you before noon!"
After speaking, Wu Minggao exchanged bows with Yi Shuyuan, then departed with a smile.
Left in the Library, Yi Shuyuan inwardly wiped away a bead of sweat. He knew the County Registrar was being courteous and respectful, but it had still given him a taste of officialdom. That world truly was troublesome.
With no one to disturb him, Yi Shuyuan took several old county gazetteers and sat down to read, browsing them as though they were novels.
Yuanjiang County was neither particularly large nor particularly small, and naturally its gazetteers recorded quite a few things. Yi Shuyuan had assumed little of it would be interesting, expecting mostly accounts of renovating some building, repairing facilities such as embankments, issuing decrees, and so forth.
Only when he actually opened them did he discover that county gazetteers were valuable books in their own right. Just reading the opening pages of a few volumes made it clear that they covered history, geography, customs, notable people, education, local products, climate, and all manner of other subjects. They amounted to a comprehensive summary of the county every ten or twenty years.
Naturally, interesting events were recorded as well. For instance, as Yi Shuyuan leafed through the pages, he actually came across his own name.
"Heh, now that's rather ironic..."
The gazetteer recorded that, over forty years earlier, a child prodigy had appeared in Yuanjiang County. He could write at four and compose essays at six, and never forgot anything he read. In the end, however, a severe illness had left him witless-a fate that could only make one sigh.
"Hmm?"
A few pages after the section about himself, Yi Shuyuan suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"Villagers became lost in the mountains and could not find their way out for a long time. Fortunately, the Mountain God helped them escape their predicament."
The Mountain God recorded in the gazetteer had appeared in the guise of a woodcutter. Yi Shuyuan rubbed his now-smooth chin and tilted his head as he pictured someone. The chances of that woodcutter being the Mountain God had just risen sharply. No, he was the Mountain God!
No, I have to go explore the mountains sometime!
Yi Shuyuan continued reading, little by little, and before he knew it, many books lay open across the desk.
An attendant hurried over, but slowed his steps upon reaching the Library doorway. Inside, the scholar was quietly perusing books, with almost no room left on the spacious desk. Mr. Yi was truly diligent!
"Mr. Yi."
Yi Shuyuan raised his head toward the doorway, and the attendant hastened to speak.
"The County Registrar sent me to invite you over. He said you would go to Tongxin Pavilion together."
"All right. Thank you!"
Yi Shuyuan quickly got up. He had been hungry for some time.
Outside Tongxin Pavilion, Wu Minggao and Yi Shuyuan approached together, chatting as they walked and plainly enjoying the conversation. The waiter outside hurried forward to greet them attentively.
"Lord Wu! Please, come in! Proprietor, Lord Wu is here-"
Wu Minggao raised a hand with a smile and led Yi Shuyuan inside. At once, the sounds that had been audible from outside grew even livelier.
The proprietor hurried over to make his presence known.
"Lord Wu, your private seating upstairs is ready. Shall I have the kitchen serve the dishes now?"
"Mr. Yi, would you like some tea first, or shall we have the food served?"
Wu Minggao asked with a smile, but Yi Shuyuan really did not want all this fuss. He liked the carefree elegance of scholars, but could not learn their pedantic rules. With a rueful smile, he spoke frankly.
"I'm hungry, sir. Let's eat right away."
Wu Minggao looked slightly surprised, but still smiled and nodded. Under the proprietor's curious gaze, he even introduced Yi Shuyuan.
"This is Mr. Yi."
"Oh, Mr. Yi!"
The proprietor bowed, and Yi Shuyuan could only return the courtesy. Can we eat now?
Once the pleasantries were over, they finally went upstairs and sat in the private seating by a window. To the left, they could see the school and half the county yamen; to the right lay Yuanjiang County's busiest street.
Red-braised river fish, clear-stewed pork ribs, braised offal, and stewed radishes.
One fragrant, appetizing dish after another arrived. The smell alone made Yi Shuyuan's mouth water. For him as he was now, these were truly hearty dishes!
"Mr. Yi, we both have official duties, so drinking during the day would be inappropriate. I'll offer tea in place of wine to welcome you after your journey!"
"Thank you, sir!"
Wu Minggao raised his teacup, and Yi Shuyuan did the same. They drank together, but when Yi Shuyuan set his cup down and saw the other man still pouring tea, he simply picked up his chopsticks and said with a rueful smile,
"Sir, if I fill up on water, there won't be any room for food. I really am hungry!"
"Ah, then please, help yourself..."
"All right!"
That's what I've been waiting to hear! As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Shuyuan reached in with his chopsticks and put a large piece of pork rib into his mouth. Savory richness struck his taste buds, making him want to crunch even the bone. Then he tried the red-braised fish. As he worked the fine bones free with his tongue, the fish's fresh flavor flowed freely through his mouth.
Yi Shuyuan's movements were not coarse, but his chopsticks certainly moved quickly. As he ate, he kept praising the food.
"Truly delicious!"
Wu Minggao watched Yi Shuyuan with some astonishment, but seeing his natural movements and relaxed expression, genuinely moved by the delicious food, he could not help smiling as well.
"You have such a free and easy nature, Mr. Yi. No wonder you can produce calligraphy like that!"
"Enough pleasantries, Lord Wu. If you don't start eating, I'll finish everything."
Enjoying the food, Yi Shuyuan had relaxed enough to say this. Wu Minggao felt no displeasure at all. He seemed to have come to understand Mr. Yi's true nature.
"All right, I'll try some too. Hmm, today's red-braised fish is especially flavorful!"
No longer constrained by their positions or etiquette, the two began eating and drinking together.
The sight left the waiter who came to replenish their rice and tea inwardly marveling. He had never seen Lord Wu so relaxed over a meal. And today, the two of them had eaten several bowls of rice alone.
By the end of the meal, Yi Shuyuan was thoroughly satisfied, while Wu Minggao felt equally at ease.
On the way back, their conversation was noticeably more natural-at least, that was how Yi Shuyuan saw it. They were no longer so bound by etiquette or so excessively deferential. It was much less tiring.
After Yi Shuyuan returned to the Library, Wu Minggao went back to his own desk in high spirits. Rubbing his comfortably full belly, he reflected that he had not felt this at ease in a long time.
If Wu Minggao's earlier respect for Yi Shuyuan had stemmed from his calligraphy and learning, now he genuinely wanted to befriend him. Not merely as an acquaintance, not as a superior and subordinate, and not out of vanity in pursuit of a treasured piece of calligraphy, but as a true friend!
Or perhaps that fresh, natural ease was something Wu Minggao's heart had always longed for.
Before you continue