Wine entered his throat and stomach, and he saw the bright red morning sun far away.
On that Imperial Road, the Green-Robed Gentleman walked alone, with an Immortal Sword hidden by his side.
The gourd at his waist swung back and forth without stop.
He walked through the mortal world, seeking a muddled “answer.”
…
Before leaving, Xiaoliu again filled the gourd with two large jars of wine, so the wine would be enough for the journey ahead.
Not long after, Chen Changsheng walked out of Autumn Moon Market.
By the Imperial Road, he saw a small eatery with so wine and small dishes, which could give warm food to passersby.
There were not many people in the eatery, partly because Autumn Moon Market was out of the way, and there were few traveling rchants; only so passing Governnt Officers and travelers ca to eat there.
Chen Changsheng entered the eatery and spoke, “Host, may I disturb you? May I ask for directions?”
The host was a middle-aged man over forty years old who wore simple clothes; business was bad, so he was not rich.
“Ask away, sir,” the host said.
“Is this the road to Shangjing?”
“Exactly.”
The host nodded and said, “Go straight on this road, then when you see water, follow that river all the way to the ferry. There’s a boat at the ferry, and you’ll have to change boats then. It will take three boat rides, and in about half a month, you’ll reach Shangjing.”
After hearing this, Chen Changsheng clasped his hands in thanks and said, “Thank you, host.”
“It’s a small thing. Are you going to the capital for exams? Why not co in for a cup of tea?” the host asked.
Chen Changsheng said with a helpless tone, “I forgot to bring money; I’m afraid I can’t pay.”
The host was open-handed, waved his hand, and said, “One cup of tea isn’t worth much money; I won’t charge you, sir.”
Chen Changsheng went into the eatery, and the host poured two cups of plain tea to serve him.
“You’re going to Shangjing without any money?” the host seed confused.
Chen Changsheng said, “Soone will et later.”
The host nodded with understanding and said, “That’s good. These years, many scholars go to Shangjing for exams. You’re the first one I’ve seen who feels so scholarly.”
“Scholarly?” Chen Changsheng paused and said.
“Yeah.”
The host nodded and said, “People say scholars have an ink sll; the stronger the sll, the more scholarly. But you’re different. You don’t sll like ink, yet just one look tells you’ve read many books.”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled and shook his head. “I have read a lot of books, but they were only miscellany,” he said.
“That’s odd,” the host seed unsure about it.
Chen Changsheng asked, “Host, have you seen many scholars?”
The host laughed once and said, “In past tis, scholars heading to the capital for exams would all co here for a cup of tea before setting off. After so many tis, I’ve seen a lot.”
He wasn’t only praising this gentleman; just one glance gave a fresh feeling, not like any other scholar.
“All co?” Chen Changsheng paused and said.
The host explained, “This eatery was left by my ancestors. Back then, before scholars left for the capital, they drank a bowl of tea here to say goodbye and make a promise. It beca an unwritten rule over ti. Scholars going to exams don’t pay for tea here.”
Chen Changsheng paused and said, “Forgive , host, I’m not heading to the capital for exams.”
“No issue,” the host waved it off, “Tea is plentiful.”
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng didn’t say more and smiled. “I took advantage,” he said.
“A cup of tea isn’t any advantage; you’re joking,” the host said and laughed.
Chen Changsheng looked over the eatery and asked, “How long has this eatery been open?”
The host thought for a bit and said, “Over a hundred years or so; my grandfather started it.”
“You never charged for tea all those years?”
“True.”
The host nodded and said, “My ancestors hoped a family mber would beco smart. Not charging for tea was to get so scholarly air and make a good tie. But three generations didn’t have scholar stuff. Luckily, the young ones learned a bit now; this autumn exams, he plans to try and maybe pass sothing.”
“Is it your son?” Chen Changsheng asked.
“Exactly,” the host nodded.
Chen Changsheng thought a mont and said, “The autumn exams are in August? There are about two months left to prepare.”
The host nodded and said, “It’s only two months now, so he doesn’t run the eatery anymore. He focuses on his studies.”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng nodded to show he knew.
He looked down at the tea on the table, thought for a short ti, and said, “I can’t drink your tea for nothing. But I know a bit about telling fortunes. I could calculate your son’s luck for these exams. What do you say?”
“You know that too?” the host seed amazed.
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Chen Changsheng said, “I looked into it when I was interested.”
The host was happy to agree and then asked, “What do you need?”
“Just tell your son’s na.”
“My son is nad Li Anfu, with ‘An’ like peaceful and ‘Fu’ like lucky.”
Chen Changsheng nodded to show he got it.
He put his hand out and began finger-counting.
Seeing Chen Changsheng finger-counting seriously, the host did not believe it; he thought it was just a fun try.
He did not trust fortune-telling at all.
Chen Changsheng’s hand stopped, and he looked at the host.
The host asked, “Have you worked it out?”
Chen Changsheng said, “The sign is up and middle. Your son is smart and not shallow. Among the 137 who passed, his na is there, ranked 65th.”
After hearing this, the host said, “65th place? Just passing is good. I’ll borrow your kind words.”
Chen Changsheng smiled softly and said, “Today, thank you for the tea. I walk the mortal world; when I return, I’ll have tea again, and then I’ll bring money.”
“Ah, tea isn’t worth much. Your fortune counts as future tea pay,” the host laughed and now found this gentleman more fun.
He saw the gentleman really hated owing people, even for one cup of tea; he took so long. But it made sense; a special person must have special ways.
After finishing the tea, Chen Changsheng said good-bye to the host and left the eatery. He went on the road as the host had said.
The host stood at the door with a simple smile on his face.
“This gentleman is truly interesting, like a scholar but doing fortune finger-counting, and acting like it,” he muttered.
Then he said to himself, “65th place…”
He shook his head, feeling a bit sad.
If only it were true, but he knew his son’s level well.
“If he can pass, it must be by saved blessings over eight lives,” he said.
With that, the host went back inside the eatery; maybe in a few days, he would forget this.
…
Chen Changsheng looked back at that eatery for a mont.
After a short ti, he pulled his eyes away and said one phrase.
“Blessed eting.”
The morning sun greeted the blue robe; on the road, there must be a Great Dao.
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