Shu Rui humbled himself to make a living, but he was still a scholar’s son. Though clever and thick-skinned, he had never practiced hawking food before.
Yesterday he decided to sell meals and had deliberately observed how ordinary street vendors called out their wares. He had tried to imitate them. Now he dared to call out, but his voice was still not loud or practiced.
“Are you selling food? What’s a basin meal? How does it work?”
The dock was crowded, and laborers who had worked hard all morning were starving. Smelling the aroma and hearing that the food was for sale, they approached, curious.
Not wanting to risk losing them, Shu Rui grabbed a ceramic bowl about the size of an adult’s palm, filled it firmly with bean-and-rice, then added a scoop of cucumber with cauliflower and a scoop of eggplant with braised beans. “This is a basin meal. One bowl of rice with vegetables, easy to eat and affordable.”
The men found the portion reminiscent of relief food from government soup kitchens during a famine.
The dishes were fragrant and generously portioned. Freshly prepared, they could eat immediately—faster than waiting at other stalls.
Unable to resist their hunger, they asked, “How much?”
“Big bowl with bean-and-rice, one meat and two vegetables, fifteen coins. Comes with a small side salad. Kelp soup self-serve.”
Shu Rui enthusiastically introduced his food: “If you want something simpler, one meat and one vegetable or two vegetables are available for thirteen or ten coins.”
The men peered into the bowls. Even the vegetable dishes had small traces of oil, not bland or stingy like the cheap temple-style meals from unscrupulous vendors. Just by looking, it was already appetizing.
The price—just over ten coins—was slightly higher than for a bowl of noodles or a pancake, but the men were getting a full basin of rice and vegetables. They could see the portion, and it wasn’t a price plucked from thin air.
After a little calculation, even ten or so coins could reward oneself with a proper meal.
“Will the people in front buy or not? If not, step aside and let us behind get some—starving here!”
Hearing the back of the line push and jostle, the men at the front, focused on the food, forgot all about calculating costs. One reached into his pocket and pulled out coins. “Give us two vegetarian portions—just to try.”
Seeing they were willing to buy, Shu Rui quickly grabbed two ceramic bowls. “We don’t have a table here, so I’ll collect two extra coins as a deposit. Once you finish eating, return the bowls and I’ll give the money back.”
“Alright.”
The men agreed, and Shu Rui hurriedly served rice and dishes. “Soup’s over here—help yourselves, gentlemen!”
He took coins, served food, and called out for people to take soup. Busy as he was, all traces of his initial awkwardness vanished—only the worry of slow service remained.
The first men with bowls walked while eating, not even finding a place to sit before shoving bites into their mouths.
Those further back craned their necks to see. “How’s it taste? Is it any good?”
The men eating quickly could barely speak, afraid to spit out the food, but they gave a thumbs up and finally said, “Aroma’s good, they didn’t skimp on oil!”
A man who bought a meat dish lifted a slice of ruby-red smoked meat to show his neighbor. “One ladle of vegetables isn’t much, but you can see there’s meat in the dish.”
When Shu Rui cooked meat dishes, he sliced the smoked meat thinly and in small pieces so that each ladleful of vegetables could be guaranteed to contain some meat. If the slices were large, the vegetables and meat would separate, and anyone buying would complain. Bad word of mouth could ruin future sales. Even if he didn’t stay long at the dock, someone who had bought his food would eventually reach the inn and call it a shady shop.
Those waiting further back all praised the food, standing on tiptoe to see, afraid they’d miss out if they were late.
Once business opened, ladle after ladle of food went out. Shu Rui didn’t need to call further; hungry eyes guided people to the food. Handling the customers in front was already enough work.
He had only thirty bowls prepared and handed them out one by one, not yet seeing any returned.
Shu Rui wasn’t worried they wouldn’t come back—he collected a deposit—but he feared they might not return the bowls promptly, as he still had to wash them for the next use.
With only about ten bowls left, he glanced at the men who were lying on the stone embankment, full and satisfied, letting the river breeze cool them, lazily delaying returning the bowls.
Shu Rui called out, but they ignored him. Meanwhile, another eager customer stared into the basin. “Brother, add some more of the cauliflower! So yellow and tender, like fresh squash blossoms—looks delicious.”
“Make the eggplant and beans a bit more, and press the bean-and-rice down tight!”
“I’m tall and have a big appetite; just add a bit more for me too.”
These rough men, seeing Shu Rui—a single, lean young man—guarding the stall, pressed close without trying to cheat. They just demanded extra food boldly, without listening to him.
Shu Rui refused: “Brother, for the same money, everyone gets the same amount. If I give you more and someone else less, people will be upset.”
The men muttered unhappily but left.
Some were rude, trying to scoop up the small amount of kelp soup with their ladles. Many restaurants and pancake stalls offered free soup, but it was usually watered down, tasting as if a bowl of vegetables had been dumped into a basin of hot water.
Shu Rui’s soup, however, was properly seasoned, the kelp tender and soft—enough that someone could eat two bowls with rice.
One particularly bold man demanded, “Just a big bowl of bean-and-rice for me,” thinking to rely on the free soup and salad to fill himself.
One bold man is manageable, but ten would be tricky.
Shu Rui kept busy serving the rough men, sweat running down his forehead, but he had no time to wipe it away.
Luckily, Lu Ling returned from work.
“Quick, help me fetch some bowls—the ones here aren’t enough.”
Seeing Lu Ling reliable, Shu Rui called for help, reminding him carefully: “Return the bowls after people finish eating, and give them back their two-coin deposit. Don’t rush anyone still eating.”
Lu Ling nodded and quickly collected six or seven bowls. Some men, full and happy, even clutched their bowls and asked if he’d return next time.
Lu Ling didn’t bother chatting—he just grabbed the bowls and handed over two coins.
Returning with twelve bowls, he washed his hands, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped up to the stall. Though not tall, his long limbs and stern expression made the men step back, leaving more room.
Shu Rui saw he was more skillful at serving than himself, so he handed over the ladle, and they switched tasks.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Shu Rui immediately washed the bowls. Hot water poured into the basin, and the loofah scrubbed each one spotless. Not a single rice grain remained; they looked as if never used.
He dried and organized the bowls and utensils with Lu Ling, scooped soup, and delivered salad, preventing unruly men from snatching extras.
The dock was crowded with people of all trades. Most laborers had no skills, only a few were temporarily taking up the hard work. Many were poorly educated and easily bullied in trade.
With the two of them manning the stall, order was maintained.
By the time they finished their first round, nearly all the large pot of bean-and-rice and three basins of vegetables had been served—just over the length of one incense stick’s burning.
Even curious vendors from nearby stalls came to see. Some didn’t know if they wanted to eat, but they took three dishes anyway.
Shu Rui peeked at the money box—it was heavy. Though he hadn’t counted exactly, he estimated they had sold at least fifty-eight meals, having washed forty-eight bowls.
Some may not remember exactly what was meat or vegetable, but he had earned at least 580 coins.
At that moment, a woman approached, looking only at Shu Rui. “Brother, I see your cooked food is running low. Sell me the rest at a good price.”
Pointing toward the dock, she said, “We’re passing through Chaoshi Prefecture by river and can’t stay long. Your stall here seems the best for food.”
Shu Rui saw the remaining dishes were indeed scarce. If sold together, he could finish early.
“All right. There’s still one portion of meat, with slightly more chicken and eggplant—enough for about two servings. If you want it, twenty-five coins; it’s enough for three people.”
At the end, the food didn’t look as presentable, had cooled, and the aroma had faded. The woman didn’t care about flavor—just seeing the number of buyers, she knew the price was cheaper than eateries. She didn’t need gourmet quality; traveling, one can’t attend to everything.
“All right. I have my own foodbox.”
Shu Rui packed the remaining food for her. Later, Lu Ling sent away the lingering dock workers who had arrived slowly.
“Sold out?”
A tall, thin man came from behind, saw the area clear, and leaned in to ask.
Shu Rui was about to reply, but the man noticed Lu Ling collecting bowls and smiled. “Little Lu, you’re efficient—taking on two jobs back-to-back?”
Lu Ling glanced at him and politely replied about his own work.
Shu Rui, observing, realized they knew each other and asked who he was.
It turned out he was the foreman who had previously hired Lu Ling, named Gong.
“Word on the dock is there’s a new food stall under the elm tree. The workers say the taste is good—it’s doing well. If you’re late, it’s already sold out.”
Foreman Gong continued, “Who knew the cook would be someone we already knew?”
“Just some simple dishes, nothing fancy, but the dock workers are happy to eat them.”
Shu Rui’s eyes lit up. He retrieved the remaining foodboxes from under the cart.
“Earlier, Lu Ling mentioned Foreman Gong assigned him to work at the dock today. Thanks to his care, we can sell some food here. We should have thanked him earlier, but he was busy—didn’t expect him to come by in person.”
“These small dishes in the foodbox—please enjoy, Foreman, and fill your stomach.”
Lu Ling’s gaze unconsciously turned toward Shu Rui.
Shu Rui knew at once that the simple-minded boy was watching him. He smiled warmly on the surface, but quietly tugged on Lu Ling’s sleeve, signaling him not to speak.
“It’s hardly necessary,” Shu Rui said. “I assigned Little Lu early because he’s sharp at handling tasks. Even though there are many looking for work at the dock, very few are really competent. Had I not assigned him early, other ships would have snatched him up for labor.”
Shu Rui thought to himself that Gong was indeed a capable foreman; his words were thoughtful and pleasant.
“The boy has a slow, quiet temperament. As long as he doesn’t stir up trouble, that’s fine. Your generosity and insight deserve that we treat ourselves to a meal,” Gong said kindly.
They exchanged a few more words, and Gong still wanted to give Shu Rui money for the food, but Shu Rui politely refused.
Gong accepted the meal graciously, feeling pleased, especially seeing Shu Rui’s smooth manner of speaking—it was heartening. He took the food and added a few friendly words to the two young men.
“Now that your business here is thriving, be careful. Pickpockets at the dock are clever; some workers have their day’s wages stolen right after receiving them, and a day’s labor is lost.”
“Some workers even went together to the local authorities. Every time a cargo ship docks, the magistrate’s office sends a couple of patrolmen, but it’s still ineffective; the thieves know where to watch the bags and just take them.”
Gong lowered his voice. “Yesterday I even heard a patrolman’s money bag was swiped—a real joke.”
Shu Rui had already noticed the disorder during his first visit to the dock, but he hadn’t realized it was this severe. No wonder Lu Ling had been keeping such a careful eye on him.
He thanked Gong sincerely. “We don’t know when we’ll have another opportunity to sell food like today. I hope these thieves are caught soon so the dock remains safe; it’s not easy for the workers to earn money.”
Gong nodded, pleased. “Your dishes are clever, served quickly and affordably. The workers praised the taste. You might consider a long-term operation—not only to earn for yourselves but also to make things easier for the dock workers.”
Shu Rui replied, “I would like to run it long-term, but large ships don’t come every day. If I prepare too much food on a slow day, it goes bad in the heat; if I prepare too little on a busy day, workers can’t buy, and they’ll complain.”
Gong understood the difficulties of small food trades. “If you and Little Lu want to operate here, you could follow some channels. That way, you’ll know ahead of time whether a ship is docking.”
Before large ships enter the harbor, small boats report to the maritime office in the city. The office can know a day or half a day in advance if a ship will arrive. This ensures customs duties are handled and maintains safety. Unauthorized ships are not allowed to dock, except for pirate vessels.
Shu Rui, having come from the countryside near a small town without a dock, had never known these procedures.
Gong continued, “The old hands at the maritime office are tricky; they don’t respond to flattery easily. You must approach carefully.”
Shu Rui understood it’s never easy to gain favor, especially as outsiders with no influence or connections. Yet even learning this much from Gong was already very helpful.
After a long chat, Gong returned to his ship with the foodbox, while Shu Rui and Lu Ling cleaned up the pots, bowls, and utensils, then returned home by cart.
By the time they arrived, it was past noon, and they ate with the leftover food at home.
Lu Ling, still a little peeved about Shu Rui sharing food with Gong, asked what was in the foodbox.
Shu Rui had indeed set aside two small dishes specifically for Lu Ling. Though simple home-style dishes, they were slightly better than the large-batch meals, and the rice was stir-fried white rice with egg rather than bean-and-rice.
He cleared his throat. “It’s all the same, I just worried that if all the food sold, you wouldn’t have any left. So I set aside a portion. No work this afternoon, so it’s just as well we eat it now.”
“And besides, Gong treats you kindly. We should show some respect—he gave us all this information.”
Hearing this, Lu Ling didn’t complain. “We’ll eat together when we return; I’m not upset about sharing.”
Shu Rui thought to himself that he really wasn’t upset—Lu Ling just had a serious expression.
“You’ve worked hard today. Later, I’ll go out, return the cart, and buy blackfish for soup. If the stall has any bone-in lamb, I’ll get a good piece to roast. If you want, I can even bring a bit of yellow tangerine wine.”
Lu Ling raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
Shu Rui smiled. “I’m not stingy with people.”
Having earned money today, he also worked hard. Preparing some good food for themselves was part of planning for the long term; he wasn’t someone to skimp on eating or living well.
After dinner, Lu Ling washed the bowls and utensils without argument.
Shu Rui went to his room, checked his reflection in the mirror. The heat had left sweat on his face, and his makeup was slightly smudged. Luckily, he had applied it carefully before leaving, so he could touch it up.
Then he retrieved the moneybox, a long shallow box now quite full.
He counted each coin: eight hundred twenty-three in total. Strung into eight bundles, the weight felt as heavy as the coins themselves.
After subtracting the cost of ingredients and cart rental, he calculated a net gain of six hundred fifty coins from the dock sales.
Lu Ling, working as a laborer, earned four hundred coins that day. Though smaller than dock earnings, it was harder-earned money.
Holding the coins, Shu Rui thought that even if such days weren’t every day, just three to five times in ten days would fund the inn repairs comfortably.
He recalled Gong’s advice—if only they could reliably know when ships would arrive. He resolved to cultivate connections.
Later, Shu Rui returned the cart and bought meat. Fresh lamb had just arrived from the butcher.
He worried that in the afternoon, only leftover meat might be available, but surprisingly, fresh pigs and lambs were still being sold.
After all, the prefectural city was prosperous. Meat and vegetables were always available, unlike small towns where only early morning markets had fresh produce.
Planning to cook for a lively evening meal, he called Yang Niangzi and Qing’er to join.
Unfortunately, when he went to the inn for Qing’er, it was crowded, and the landlady kept a close watch, so he couldn’t have him over.
“Knowing his difficulty, I won’t push. I’ll wait until a free day to invite him,” he told Yang Niangzi in the back alley by the house.
“Working outside isn’t easy; he can’t just leave whenever he wants,” she said. “He values your cooking—if he can’t come, it’s a shame.”
“When the dishes are ready, I’ll set aside one for him to take home after work,” Shu Rui said.
“You’re thoughtful,” she said.
Shu Rui smiled. “Later, you and Axing can come. I bought plenty of lamb and fish—you two won’t finish it all.”
Yang Niangzi laughed. “I’m not picky. We’ll definitely come. You focus on cooking, and I’ll finish my tasks here—today I closed early, so I can help.”
Shu Rui laughed, then returned to the kitchen to wash the meat. Rolling up his sleeves, he saw Lu Ling emerge from the hall.
He stepped outside and saw Lu Ling holding a long snake on a stick. Shu Rui shivered. “Where did you get this? Throw it away!”
Remembering the rainy night, Shu Rui recalled the slimy, unpleasant feeling from before.
“It’s dead,” Lu Ling said.
Seeing Shu Rui jump behind a pillar, Lu Ling tossed the dead snake into a broken jar, covered it with some soil, using the eggshells from that morning as fertilizer.
“I’ve checked the shop—killed many rats. Only this one snake.”
Shu Rui, reassured it was dead, relaxed and stepped out from behind the pillar.
He realized that the mischievous boy, unable to accompany him to the market, had deliberately picked up a dead snake to scare him.
“Move it further away—just looking at it gives me goosebumps.”
Lu Ling covered the soil and jar and placed it against the wall outside.
An old man selling peaches walked by, grabbed two ripe ones, and carried them into the yard.
That evening, the kitchen smelled delicious.
Shu Rui prepared dishes, and Lu Ling chopped wood and stoked the fire. He peeled garlic, checked the fish soup, and gradually lit lamps as night fell.
The red, tender lamb sizzled in the hot iron pan, sprinkled with finely ground pepper and Sichuan peppercorns, sending an enticing aroma.
Shu Rui tasted a piece—perfectly cooked, juicy inside. He smiled in satisfaction and noticed Lu Ling standing by the stove again. He took another piece with chopsticks.
“Try it—see if the seasoning suits you.”
Lu Ling, drawn by the aroma, leaned in and bit into the lamb.
His handsome face suddenly loomed close. Shu Rui’s heart skipped a beat: “All mouth, no hands—he doesn’t even bother passing it over.”
“I didn’t even wash my hands.”
Shu Rui’s eyes widened slightly, thinking the boy had a point, but just then Yang Chunhua arrived with Song Xiangxue in the courtyard. Shu Rui closed his mouth, slightly lowering his head to keep a little distance from Lu Ling.
As dusk settled, the small group sat down to eat in the courtyard. Yang Chunhua had brought half a winter melon to slice and share.
She picked up a piece of lamb, tender and fragrant, savoring it with delight. “Brother Shao, your cooking is truly skilled. Your business is bound to do well. Once the shop reopens properly, it’ll surely be lively.”
Shu Rui ate several pieces of lamb, feeling a bit greasy in his mouth, then took a piece of winter melon. The skin was thick and the flesh not red; it wasn’t very sweet, but it was refreshing—just the thing to cleanse the palate.
“The shop’s reopening is still uncertain. For now, I’ll keep an eye on the dock business,” he said casually, then asked Yang Chunhua, “You run the shop and have many connections. Do you know anyone at the maritime office?”
“The maritime office? Hmm, not really. If you meant the government office, I know two clerks there,” Yang Chunhua replied.
She asked Shu Rui, “Why the sudden interest? Do you have a ship coming?”
“Not that capable,” Shu Rui said. “I just heard the maritime office knows when ships come in and out. If I want to make my food business easier, I need to check it carefully.”
Yang Chunhua understood. She paused, then said, “I don’t know anyone directly, but there’s someone in the alley who has that connection.”
Shu Rui’s eyes lit up.
Yang Chunhua continued without teasing him:
“It’s Madam Zhang, the so-called ‘Diviner.’ She came to buy food from your place to entertain a lady. She has a godson, who reportedly just started working at the maritime office.
“Not long ago, she came to my shop to buy cloth and bragged. She said her godson got this good position because of her divination skills. She has quite a few godchildren; people believe in her ways, hoping the ‘immortals’ will protect their children.”
“Whether it’s true or not… sometimes Madam Zhang exaggerates for show. If you want to know for sure, you’ll need to check carefully,” Shu Rui said, pleased at the lead.
“We’re outsiders, so it’s normal to probe for information cautiously. If Madam Zhang really has connections, a local alley neighbor is much easier to approach than some distant contact,” Shu Rui added.
She then mentioned Zhang’s preferences, which Shu Rui took note of.
After some casual conversation, Shu Rui called Yang Chunhua to eat more meat.
Song Xiangxue, enjoying the dishes, especially the lamb, was too shy to take it himself, worried he might embarrass himself by grabbing it. Shu Rui, seeing the child’s hesitation, smiled and placed two spoonfuls of lamb into his bowl.
“Little Axing, you don’t drink, so eat more meat to grow tall,” he said, also adding some fish soup. The shy boy held the bowl and thanked Shu Rui politely.
The next day, Shu Rui brought a lotus-leaf-wrapped chicken and a pot of plum wine to Madam Zhang’s house.
Madam Zhang was burning incense at home. Seeing Shu Rui arrive with so many items, she immediately understood he had come with a request.
“Having trouble with the shop? I have some good tricks here you can use—guaranteed to work,” she said, making Shu Rui smile. She truly lived up to her reputation.
“This time it’s not about that,” Shu Rui said. “I heard of your connections, so I shamelessly came to ask for help.”
He explained his purpose, and Madam Zhang, hearing that he wanted to follow her godson’s path, felt a sense of pride—but then worried:
“My godson is upright and newly assigned three important tasks. Many people would want to go through his channels, but his mother said he turned them all away. It won’t be easy to use his help.”
“We’re neighbors, so I’m happy to help, but I can’t decide for him. I can only pass a message—whether he agrees is up to him,” Shu Rui said.
“Your eyes are sharp. Your godson is capable and has good character. On a new assignment, he’ll focus on work and won’t bother with trivial matters like ours,” Madam Zhang said.
“Visiting today, I see exactly that. Your godson’s character reassures me,” she added.
Back at the courtyard, Shu Rui heard the sounds of hammering from the main hall. He went over to see Lu Ling repairing old tables and benches.
“Will you help?” Shu Rui asked.
Seeing Shu Rui, Lu Ling immediately set aside his tools.
Shu Rui explained, “Madam Zhang is willing to pass along a message, but she insists we prepare a proper gift. Her godson just started, so he rarely accepts gifts—she has no way to force it.”
Lu Ling furrowed his brows. “Then we should give him some money?”
Shu Rui sighed. “If we rely on money, it’s only for small favors. Even if we offer, he may refuse. He’s new on the job and focused on doing well.”
Lu Ling asked, “Then what do we do?”
“Whether he truly disregards wealth or just appears to, he’s new and wants to prove himself. That’s certain.” Shu Rui glanced at Lu Ling. “I think I have a way. If we prepare the right gift, he won’t refuse.”
Lu Ling, hearing the complexity, thought it tricky, yet Shu Rui had a plan. He asked, “What gift? I’ll get it for you.”
Shu Rui smiled slyly. “That will indeed require your skill.”