Good Man Operation Guide

Obviously, it was just the family’s love for the child, but in the mouth of those fellows, he was extravagant.

Pooh!

If they want to be extravagant, do they have the money?

For example, now, because he had to hide from his classmates, Zhao He didn’t go out to eat, but sat in the compartment, eating the home cooking made by one of the book boys who was good at cooking, and had borrowed from the ship’s kitchen to make for him.

While eating tender and fragrant fish, Zhao He remembered what kind of evaluation he would get if he ate these flashy dishes in front of those classmates who couldn’t eat anything but sour grapes all day long.

(TNote: eating sour grapes = being jealous; it comes from the proverb: ‘saying grapes are sour because you couldn’t eat them’ or ‘saying luxury is bad, only because you can’t afford it’)

He was sure they were going to make a bunch of sour poems about him again.

What do they mean by “There’s a lot of hungry people out there who can’t eat, but he’s spending a lot of money just for a meal?” “Even chopsticks were handed to him by servants.” “How extravagant!.” “A merchant is a merchant.” Bla bla bla…

At the thought of it, Zhao He was so angry that he couldn’t eat.

If it wasn’t for the fact that those guys had Juren titles that weren’t easy to get rid of, he would just have hired someone to throw them all into the sea for not doing anything but being sour about this and that every day.

***

He was gnashing his teeth in hatred but he heard a slow knock on the window.

Zhao He froze, looked up and around for the sound, and found that it was a figure standing in front of the narrow window in the cabin, knocking at it.

It can’t be those guys?

He frowned and stood up, standing in front of a table of food, beckoned one of the book boys to open the window.

The window opened, revealing a face that Zhao He had never seen before.

The features were clear, the temperament was gentle and elegant, and although the face was slightly pale, it didn’t affect that bright moon-like appearance.

Just standing there, people would boast of his good talents.

It was Zhao He’s least favorite appearance. After all, he was rough and liked to play around. His face has long been tanned, unlike those white flour scholars. He didn’t feel anything before, but since he entered the academy and was ridiculed by those bitter rivals, he didn’t like the look of a scholar at all. He just stayed at a respectful distance from them.

He doesn’t know him but he’s knocking on his window. He’s so white, he’s probably one of those new people.

Zhao He’s face was gloomy and was about to do some of his own bad bullying, but saw that the scholar in blue robes outside made a peer salute, his voice gentle and polite, “I am Ming County’s Lin Shiheng, my courtesy name is Qinzhi. Greeting this brother, may I ask if this brother is a Juren who is going to the capital to take the exams?”

The gloomy expression on Zhao He’s face couldn’t be put out, so he could only salute Lin Shiheng. “This humble one is Wei county’s Zhao He, courtesy name Qingtong. Brother is polite.”

After the salute, Zhao He was still full of caution, after all, this person looked like he was in cahoots with those poor scholars, both in terms of dress and aura.

“I don’t know why brother came?”

Lin Shiheng’s pale and handsome face showed an apologetic smile. “I’m the one who bothered you. I lived next door. I accidentally spilled water on the table when I was drinking water. It’s really hard to sleep on a cold day, so I want to borrow a mat from Brother Zhao.”

Zhao He was a little confused. It’s not that the boat didn’t sell mats. It’s enough to buy another one when it’s wet. But when he looked up and saw the coarse blue shirt on Lin Shiheng, he realized it.

Yes, at a glance, this Juren seemed poor and had no money for a mat. And even if he did, he looked like he had no book boy, how tiring it would be to carry two mats on his own back?

Consciously figuring it out, he let go of the vigilance toward Lin Shiheng being in cahoots with those scholars. This person also called him ‘Brother Zhao’. Zhao He didn’t mind using a bed mat to get the kindness of a Juren. “I happen to have extra mats here. If Brother Lin doesn’t mind using them, I’ll have the people from my side send them to your room.”

“Thank you, Brother Zhao. But I’m here to borrow, how can I bother Brother Zhao’s people? I’ll just do it myself.”

Before Zhao He pushed back again, the person at the window was gone, and the handsome scholar was apparently coming around to his door.

Sure enough, within a few seconds, there was a slow and familiar knock at the door.

The book boy went forward and opened the door, revealing Lin Shiheng’s face, as handsome as the moon.

Zhao He hadn’t made a sound yet but Shiheng bowed again.

He’s bowing, how can he not bow back?

He can’ t say “Here’s the mat, take it.” Zhao He even followed with a return bow.

As he looked up, he saw Lin Shiheng’s eyes rested on the meals on the table.

This won’t be another scholar who has to force others to be poor together when he is poor, right? Zhao He’s heart was thumping, but Lin Shiheng’s gentle voice sounded “I have also read the books of Master Zheng Mingzhi of Wei County and I have heard that the cuisine in Wei County is famous all over the world, especially the steamed fish. Could it be the same steamed fish as the one on Brother Zhao’s table?”

Zhao He has really heard of Zheng Mingzhi, an old gentleman who likes to write travel notes in Zhi County. Although he was only a Juren in his life, the things he wrote were really immersive and it was because he read Master Zheng Mingzhi’s books that he fell in love with steamed fish.

Those few fellow students had laughed at him before for only reading such useless books, but he didn’t expect this Brother Lin, who looked like a weak scholar, to have such a noble taste.

Zhao He also forgot to lend the mat and spoke with a smile, “It is.”

Lin Shiheng’s face immediately showed admiration.

“I have long heard that this steamed fish from Wei County was delicious and the soup was fresh and thick. You can never forget it after eating a bite. The look of it makes it smell so delicious alone. I don’t know who the chef on this ship is but I’d like to buy one.”

As soon as he praised this, the book boy standing in the corner immediately puffed out his chest and raised his head, a proud look in his eyes.

He was bought into the Zhao mansion at an early age, specializing in cooking and serving the young master. Since childhood, except for the young master, this was the first time a scholar, no, a Juren, had praised him.

The man under his own command was praised, so Zhao He also looked a little smug, “This is not the work of the people on the ship. It was my family members who were worried that I might not be used to the food in the capital, so they specially sent a book boy who knew how to cook to accompany me. It was him who made these dishes.”

Lin Shiheng didn’t condemn Zhao He for bringing his own cook for the exam but his handsome face showed his envy.

“I’m really envious of Brother Zhao. On the way to the exam, you are able to have such a good cook as the book boy. It’s a pity that I won’t be able to eat the world-famous steamed fish from Wei County.”

Zhao He coughed, trying to suppress the pride that wanted to rise out of his eyes, “What is this envy, it’s just a few dishes. If Brother Lin likes it… If you don’t mind, and if you haven’t dined yet, why don’t we eat together?”

He was just being polite and courteous, after all, educated people were more spinsterish, and wouldn’t be willing to share a meal with others.

As a result, he didn’t expect Lin Shiheng to smile directly and naturally sat down on the seat. “In that case, I’ll make myself at home. Thank you, Brother Zhao.”

Zhao He, who was still waiting for him to reject his further invitation: “…”

He was stunned for a second before he reacted, and even followed suit, “No need, no need, we are all going to the capital to take the exam, this meeting is fate.”

The excited book boy took chopsticks and handed them over as soon as Lin Shiheng sat down, respectfully saying, “Master Lin, please.”

Lin Shiheng stretched out his slender fingers, took the chopsticks, and nodded with a gentle smile, “Thank you, little brother.”

After he took the chopsticks, he went to praise Zhao He again, “The people around Brother Zhao are all really talented.”

He was praised again.

The book boy retreated merrily.

In his mind, he thought to himself that this Master Lin was different from the Jurens he had met in the past. Those Jurens used to refuse to even look at him whenever they ran into the young master.

Zhao He also felt relieved and immediately boasted, “That’s true, I grew up with the same people.”

“No wonder they know manners so well, they’ve been following Brother Zhao’s example.”

Lin Shiheng said another praise, and Zhao He was praised until he felt like floating. He immediately laughed, “Brother Lin why do you have to be like this, come and eat the food. If you like it, if you want to eat it in the future, just come to my room, eating together is livelier.”

“Then I’ll take it at face value.”

Although Zhao He was looked down upon by his fellow students, he was taught from an early age, so his manners at dinner were naturally good. To his surprise, Lin Shiheng even had an elegant etiquette at dinner, which was even more standard than him at first glance.

After eating, the white-faced scholar sitting across from Zhao He put down his chopsticks with a satisfied face. “It really deserves its reputation. Thanks for Brother Zhao hospitality today. I wonder if this foolish brother can come to Brother Zhao for advice in the future.”

Zhao He was stunned, this was the first time someone wanted to consult with him about studies. Although his grades were good, his popularity in the academy was poor and except for the teacher and his cousins at home, he had never really had discussions with anyone.

Perhaps he was speechless for too long, which made the scholar sitting opposite misunderstand. His face showed some shame and his eyes were slightly embarrassed. “I won’t hide it from Brother Zhao, I didn’t do well when the results were released and I don’t really have much confidence in the matter of going to the capital for the exam, that’s why I wanted to ask a Juren who was also going to the capital for the exam for advice.”

As he said that, he bowed again, “If Brother Zhao mind, I won’t bother you anymore.”

Zhao He’s thoughts were interrupted by this bow, and he was busy returning the bow, but when he raised his head, he met the expectant color in Lin Shiheng’s elegant eyes.

How can one say no?

How can you say no to this?

Zhao He simply did not think about it anymore and agreed, “If Brother Lin is willing, I will certainly agree.”

“Just one thing, I want to let Brother Lin know. I’m the son of a merchant and my family has been merchants for four generations, which is why I’m allowed to take the exams. So if you mind, I won’t blame you.”

Lin Shiheng was startled, his face a little confused, “Why should I mind?”

Zhao He also stunned, “I am the son of a merchant, and I smell like copper.”

“One, they didn’t steal. Two, they didn’t rob. So, what about merchants? Moreover, even if they did, it’s the older generations, what’s the relation to the children and grandchildren?”

It was the first time that Zhao He met a scholar who didn’t discriminate against merchants. Merchants of the previous dynasty had low status. Although this dynasty has raised the status of merchants a bit, for the educated people, they were still just inferior people. Even if they earned more money, a humble minor official can still control the lives of merchants.

Unexpectedly, this Juren was thinking this way.

Zhao He almost thought he had met his bosom friend for an instant.

He directly made it known that Lin Shiheng could come to him anytime he wanted to in the future, whether it was for food, drink, or to consult on his studies. He didn’t mind!

When the book boy returned to the room with the mat, Zhao He, who was happy to have made a friend, suddenly felt something was wrong.

Didn’t you just come to borrow a mat?

How did it turn to eating and talking?

They even ended up being best friends.