Chapter 338: Strategy for Winning Over the Magistrate, Part Two

Yan Lao’er hurried outside and brought back a basin of water, adjusted the temperature, and carried it in.

As soon as Magistrate Tian saw it, he strolled over and washed his face and hands.

When he was done, Yan Lao’er tossed the used cloth towel straight into the basin.

Magistrate Tian’s eyelid twitched.

But once he heard Yan Lao’er instruct the servant outside to take it away and wash it properly, his expression eased.

Seating himself firmly at the head of the room, he had Yan Lao’er open the book chest^[1] so he could inspect its contents.

One glance, and he could tell it was Yan Huaiwen’s handwriting.

Pointing at a more straightforward note written in the margins, he asked, “Who wrote this?”

Yan Lao’er looked over. “That’s from our Xiao Er.”

Magistrate Tian made a sound of acknowledgment. “Your daughter, then.”

He had a strong impression of that girl. The way the Yan Family raised their daughter really was quite different from others.

Once he picked up the book, Magistrate Tian’s demeanor grew much more serious.

He began explaining the material, starting with the basics and gradually diving deeper.

After each short section, he paused to question Yan Lao’er.

This process repeated several times.

Inwardly, Magistrate Tian was quite surprised.

This Yan Lao’er didn’t seem like someone who was slow-witted.

In fact, he was learning quite well.

But soon, Magistrate Tian discovered the real issue.

Yan Lao’er could grasp the meaning of the text, but had genuine difficulty memorizing it.

Just as he’d said himself, he had to repeat sections many times, and even then, he needed to constantly revisit them to solidify his memory.

He wasn’t clear on punctuation^[2], either.

His wording was far too plain and clunky…

Couldn’t memorize it? Then copy it a few more times.

Still couldn’t memorize it? Then copy it even more.

Being overly blunt or wordy didn’t matter. One day, after enduring the hardship of transcribing, he’d realize that two well-chosen characters could convey an entire sentence. That kind of clarity would feel immensely satisfying.

So, the first assignment Magistrate Tian gave Yan Lao’er was to copy books.

Yan Lao’er lugged the book chest along and didn’t forget to grab the scrap paper piled by the wall. Feeling a little dazed, he wandered out of the back study.

A servant waiting outside saw him and kindly reminded, “The waste paper from the Magistrate’s study can’t be left lying around. It needs to be burned.”

Only then did Yan Lao’er realize what was going on. When he saw the cloth towel the servant had just washed for the Magistrate, he had an idea. He fetched some water from a vat in the courtyard and soaked the paper thoroughly…

Then headed back, carrying the dripping scrap sheets.

Suddenly, Yan Lao’er stomped his foot and let out a triumphant “Hey!”

His steps suddenly grew lighter.

He muttered excitedly to himself, face beaming.

“If you can’t burn the scrap paper, soaking it works too. Who says you have to copy books with a brush? Why not use a charcoal pencil^[3]? Haha! I’m a genius!”

That afternoon, when he arrived at the academy, several classmates were amazed that Yan Lao’er was copying books with a charcoal pencil.

Why hadn’t they thought of that before?

It saved time and paper. Brilliant!

Magistrate Tian dropped in to give a lesson and spotted the scene. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn’t say a word. He simply assigned homework to the rest of the class, stating that it must be handed in first thing the next morning.

Yan Lao’er stayed focused on copying. The charcoal pencil was much faster than a brush, and he finished in no time.

He felt quite different from the others here. He wasn’t planning to study seriously; in a few days he’d be gone. That gave rise to thoughts of leaving early.

After a bit of consideration, he figured there was no harm, and jogged back to his residence.

He busied himself with preparing dinner for the evening.

What Yan Lao’er had in mind was, during the few days he spent at the Government Office, to make some food for his Eldest Nephew that was both delicious and easy to learn.

That way, once he was gone, the boy could take care of himself.

He had just finished washing the vegetables when the officer who had borrowed the stove returned it.

Yan Lao’er warmly invited him to stay for a meal, but the officer declined with a smile and thanked him profusely.

“By the way, Brother Yan, the blacksmith asked if he could make similar stoves to sell. If that’s okay, he’s willing to pay you for the idea.”

He hadn’t expected such a surprising windfall.

He thought of the schoolroom and the Magistrate’s study at the back of the compound. Even with braziers lit in the coming days, they wouldn’t get all that warm.

If they could install a stove, it would be much easier to stay warm and have some hot water.

“Forget the money. Could he make two stoves for me?”

The officer asked where exactly he planned to use them – one in the schoolhouse and one for the Magistrate in the back courtyard…

Silently, he gave Yan Lao’er a big thumbs-up.

Look at Brother Yan’s head on his shoulders – so quick and clever. No wonder he managed to find a spot in the Magistrate’s inner circle. That flattery was delivered with perfect timing and subtlety.

“Got it. I’ll tell the blacksmith.”

That very afternoon, a similar stove was installed in Magistrate Tian’s study in the back compound.

After school, Yan Xiangheng was fed rice buns by his uncle.

Stir-fried greens, rice, and slices of slightly charred meat seasoned with their family’s secret blend.

Two words came to mind: absolutely delicious.

Naturally, Yan Lao’er wouldn’t forget Magistrate Tian.

He packed up his book box, which also doubled as a food carrier.

Loaded with homework and a homemade meal, he returned once more to the back compound.

Before entering the study, Yan Lao’er pulled a servant aside and slipped him a piece of scented soap.

He instructed him to use it to wash the Magistrate’s towels and handkerchiefs in the future.

Then he stepped into the room and found Magistrate Tian fiddling with the stove.

First, he went to the washstand and placed the other bar of scented soap there.

Only then did he come over to help.

“Magistrate, best not to touch it yourself – you might burn yourself,” Yan Lao’er said quickly, stopping the Magistrate’s risky move. After searching around and failing to find a proper hook, he muttered to himself about the blacksmith not providing a full set. Then he grabbed a branch from the firewood pile, found one of the right thickness, and used it to lift the iron ring with swift precision.

There was even a kettle next to the stove, already filled with water. Yan Lao’er placed it on top without missing a beat.

He double-checked the iron chimney. Not bad – the blacksmith’s craftsmanship was solid. The joints in the piping were tight and seamless.

Both men had gotten a bit dusty from handling the stove.

Naturally, Yan Lao’er went out to fetch water. When the Magistrate approached, he noticed the piece of scented soap.

Without a change in expression, he washed his hands and took the fresh towel Yan Lao’er handed over.

The Magistrate paused for a moment.

“Magistrate, I made these rice buns and brought two for you to try. Best to eat them soon, or they’ll get cold.”

The Magistrate sat quietly as Yan Lao’er opened the book box and pulled out what he called “rice buns,” something the Magistrate had never seen before.

Only two, which didn’t sound like much, but they were quite large.

Each one was about the size of an adult’s palm.

Yan Lao’er had even brought along a rough porcelain bowl and prepared a pair of chopsticks.

He placed everything in front of him and patiently waited for him to start eating.

Magistrate Tian: …

He picked at it with his chopsticks and took a bite.

Turned out it was rice inside, with a pleasantly fragrant aroma.

He took another bite. Huh? There was meat?

With a slow chew, the rich flavor was utterly mouthwatering!

Before he knew it, the rice wrap was gone.

Magistrate Tian reached for a second one.

Yan Lao’er took out the copy of the book he had transcribed, along with his textbooks for class.

Then, almost absentmindedly, he tidied up the waste paper on the floor, folded it neatly, and set it aside.

When the water boiled, he first scalded a cup to sterilize it, then poured a drink for the magistrate.

Magistrate Tian was truly starting to think that Yan Lao’er spent all his attention on these little details.

Just look at everything he did, one thing after another. Sharp-eyed, attentive, thoughtful, and capable.

Take that stove, for example. He could’ve asked for some silver as compensation, but instead he got two extra stoves—and not even for himself.

This magistrate appreciated him, that new classmate he just met today appreciated him, the officers at the government office appreciated him, even the blacksmith appreciated him.

That kind of goodwill wasn’t something money could buy.

And that scented soap—what a curious bit of business. Don’t think the magistrate didn’t know. It was clearly Yan Lao’er disdaining him. Hmph!

Then there was the book transcribing. This Yan Lao’er, was he lazy by nature? He actually tried to pass it off using a charcoal pencil.

And then had the audacity to leave class early, bold as you please.

It might’ve been forgivable if he’d gone off to handle something important, but no, he went home to cook.

Still, Yan Lao’er’s cooking was undeniably good.

That rice wrap had truly won him over.

Keep this up, and it wouldn’t be long before this magistrate fell completely under his spell~(#^.^#)~

(End of Chapter)