Chapter 25: The Plight of a Warrior-Suportar a humilhação por três anos, a mansão do primeiro-ministro implora ajoelhada que eu não vá(feliz e animado)

"What incredible strength!" Lin Gui exclaimed, his mouth hanging wide open as he stared at the scene before him.

"Brother Fang truly possesses remarkable skill!" Shen Xuan, though surprised, quickly regained his composure and walked over to Fang Tangjin’s side with a smile.

"I am ashamed, truly ashamed. You flatter me, Brother Shen. I only have a bit of brute strength; it is hardly anything worth showing off." Fang Tangjin scratched his head, feeling embarrassed. He did not seem to value his own formidable strength very highly.

"Brother Fang, you are too modest. With your prowess, you would undoubtedly be highly valued by the commanders of any army," Shen Xuan said, shaking his head. He disagreed with Fang Tangjin’s assessment and spoke with genuine sincerity.

"What use is being able to fight if you lack a powerful background? Even in the army, you would only start as a lowly foot soldier, and your military achievements would easily be stolen by your superiors. How difficult it is to rise through the ranks," Fang Tangjin replied with a bitter smile, his expression filled with melancholy.

Considering the political climate at the imperial court, Shen Xuan understood Fang Tangjin’s concerns.

In the Great Qian Empire, noble clans and powerful families held sway everywhere. With the rise of the imperial examinations in recent years, the status of scholars had grown increasingly prominent. Furthermore, there had been no major military conflicts in the past two years, leaving soldiers with no opportunity to earn merit. Aside from generals of the fourth rank and above, the status of all other martial men was considered inferior to that of civil officials.

Given Fang Tangjin’s background, if he wanted to get ahead, he would either have to serve as a house guard for a powerful family or pray for a major war to break out in the coming years.

"Then, does Brother Fang intend to participate in the Autumn Examinations a few months from now?" Shen Xuan shifted his thoughts and asked, looking at the slightly dejected Fang Tangjin.

"That is correct! If I pass the examinations and become a jinshi, at the very least I could secure a position as a registrar. Then my mother would no longer have to toil so hard." Fang Tangjin’s expression turned animated, his clear, dark eyes filled with anticipation.

"Then I wish you success in fulfilling your wish, Brother Fang!" Shen Xuan clasped his hands and offered a sincere blessing.

"Brother Shen, I also wish for you to place high on the golden list. With your talent, you will surely rank in the top tier!" Fang Tangjin returned the gesture, his words full of respect; he truly believed that with Shen Xuan’s talent, he was destined for success.

"Many thanks." Shen Xuan smiled without offering any explanation; he knew that even if he did, Fang Tangjin would not believe him anyway.

"By the way, Brother Fang, my restaurant will open in three days. You must come to show your support. There will be plenty of food and drink on the house," Shen Xuan invited him with a smile.

***

"I certainly will!" Fang Tangjin nodded and readily agreed.

Afterward, Shen Xuan and Fang Tangjin discussed the details of the supply arrangements, and then Shen Xuan left with Lin Gui. As for the man who had fainted, no one seemed to notice when he had been carried away.

Over the next three days, Shen Xuan and Lin Gui wandered around the capital, making final preparations for the opening of "Jun You Lai."

"Look at this, Brother Shen. Isn't this sign well-made?" On the day of the opening, Liu Ruifeng, dressed in a scholar’s robe and still wielding his flamboyant folding fan, said to Shen Xuan with a proud smile.

Shen Xuan looked up at the plaque hanging above the restaurant entrance, which read "Jun You Lai," and nodded in satisfaction, praising him with a grin.

"It is indeed excellent. You have put a lot of effort into this, Brother Ruifeng."

"Brother Shen, I had this plaque crafted by one of the most famous carpenters in the capital, and the calligraphy was done by a master engraver," Liu Ruifeng said, basking in Shen Xuan's praise and feeling a surge of inexplicable delight.

"Boss, the preparations for the opening are complete." As the two were chatting, a man in his thirties walked over quickly, bowed to Shen Xuan, and spoke politely.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Gu. In the time it takes to burn an incense stick, our Jun You Lai will officially open." Shen Xuan looked at the festive, lantern-adorned restaurant and spoke to the man with satisfaction.

"It is no trouble at all. If not for your patronage, Boss, I would likely be sleeping on the streets by now!" The man shook his head and said with sincerity.

The man, named Gu An, was a scholar who had come to the capital to take the examinations. Being in his thirties and still attempting the exams was not unusual in this era; Gu An was still considered young, as there were plenty of older scholars in their sixties. However, Gu An lacked such perseverance; this was his final attempt. If he failed again, he planned to return to the countryside, marry, and settle down as a village teacher.

The way Shen Xuan and Gu An had met was simple: the restaurant needed an accountant, and Shen Xuan had posted a notice outside. Gu An, who happened to be passing by and was nearly out of funds, decided to give it a try. Seeing that he was literate and skilled in arithmetic, Shen Xuan hired him on the spot for a few thousand copper coins a month.

"Sigh! Why hasn't that young Master Shen been setting up his stall lately? I haven't been able to eat his barbecue for days, and my heart feels like it's being clawed by a cat!" In a teahouse, a man in plain clothes complained to his companion.

"It's true! And it's not just you. I heard that even the young ladies from the noble families in the capital are finding it a pity." The other man curled his lip and replied.

"But then again, he is a young master from the Prime Minister’s residence. Who would want to spend their days exposing themselves to the public if they didn't have to? He was likely just experiencing life, and now that he finds it troublesome, he’s stopped," the first man said, his tone full of resignation. "People all over the city have tried to imitate his cooking, but the flavor is always lacking. I wonder what secret recipe he used?"

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Just as the two were sighing, the sound of a gong caught their attention.

"What's going on over there?" the man asked, craning his neck in curiosity.

"Let’s go see, shall we? Come on!" His companion paid for the tea and dragged the man along.

They were not the only ones drawn by the sound of the gong. Outside the Jun You Lai restaurant, Shen Xuan had changed into a proper outfit, accompanied by the flamboyant Liu Ruifeng and the smiling Gu An. Lin Gui stood below, striking the gong to attract the passing crowd.

"Jun You Lai! That’s a good name. I wonder what kind of place this is?"

"It looks like a restaurant!"

Gradually, a crowd of townspeople gathered in front of the restaurant, discussing the plaque above the door.

"Someone actually dares to open a restaurant in the capital? They aren't afraid of losing their shirts?" a young man remarked with disdain.

"Indeed. Who doesn't know that in the capital, it's either Xianliu Studio or Baijia Hall? There’s no room for other restaurants to survive. If business is mediocre, that’s one thing, but otherwise, they’ll just be crushed by the competition!" his companion agreed.

Seeing that a sufficient crowd had gathered, Shen Xuan stepped forward, bowed to everyone, and spoke in a clear, ringing voice:

"Honored neighbors and friends, my surname is Shen; you may call me Manager Shen. Today, my restaurant, Jun You Lai, is officially opening. To celebrate the occasion, all purchases today will be thirty percent off. I hope you will all honor us with your presence and enjoy your meal."