Chapter 202: with translation of chapter title

For Chen Wuji, the mutual flattery of officialdom was a completely unfamiliar realm, but luckily his experience as a workhorse in the workplace let him barely get by for a while.

Named: Officialdom – from glossary. Chen Wuji. Workplace is not a named entity. Ox and horse are generic terms.

But the doubt in his heart grew deeper and deeper.

No named.

Even if the Qin County Magistrate knew of his contribution to the Zhang family's downfall, he would hardly demean himself to discuss feelings with a mere brigade commander of the provincial troops, let alone talk about camaraderie while sharing the same boat.

Named: Qin County Magistrate (the magistrate of Qin County). Zhang Family (from glossary). Provincial Troops (from glossary). Brigade Commander (from glossary).

This matter is somewhat unusual.

No named.

After this is over, we need to find a chance to verify this person's background with Qin Zhanhong again.

Named: Qin Zhanhong (a person's name not in the glossary; should be romanized as Qin Zhanhong per pinyin rules).

While Chen Wuji and the Qin County Magistrate were chatting over drinks, Chen Xingyuan had already set his sights on the food box Chen Wuji brought, and he personally brought out the stir-fried mantis shrimp inside, starting to serve the dish.

Named: Chen Wuji. Qin County Magistrate. Chen Xingyuan (from glossary). Food box (generic). Mantis shrimp (generic).

Chen Wuji didn't stop him; that snack had already caught Chen Xingyuan's eye, so there was no point for Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji to hope for it. Saying it now would only cause embarrassment without any real meaning.

Named: Chen Wuji, Chen Xingyuan, Han Chunshen (from glossary), Xiao Yuji (from glossary).

Let's stir-fry another batch this afternoon or tomorrow and have the two Yuan scholar brothers run an errand.

Named: Yuan Jinshi (from glossary). Also 'two brothers' is generic.

"Sir Qin, Brother Wuji can make a superb dish—you definitely have to try it." Chen Xingyuan placed the dish before Qin Magistrate, lavishly praising without restraint: "Li Si Fencha, thanks to Brother Wuji teaching a few new dishes, has forced other taverns and tea houses to nearly change their trade."

Named: Qin Magistrate (referring to the Qin County Magistrate). Brother Wuji (referring to Chen Wuji as brother). Chen Xingyuan. Li Si Fencha (from glossary). Other taverns (generic). Tea house (generic).

"Is that really true?" the Qin County Magistrate asked in surprise.

Named: Qin County Magistrate.

"Sir, you didn't spare praise yesterday for the Dongpo pork from East Market; that kid counts as half a disciple of Brother Wuji." Chen Xingyuan said, "Brother Wuji specially brought a dish today to pay his respects, sir; this must be his signature dish, so please pick up your chopsticks and try it."

Named: East Market (from glossary). Dongpo pork (generic dish). Brother Wuji (Chen Wuji). Chen Xingyuan. Sir (the magistrate) generic.

"Then I must give it a good try!" the Qin County Magistrate said without hesitation, picking up his chopsticks without any official airs, and while picking up a mantis shrimp, he urged Chen Wuji to quickly finish his penalty drink.

Named: Qin County Magistrate, Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji glanced at the Qin County Magistrate, his expression sombre.

Named: Chen Wuji, Qin County Magistrate.

This official is a bit gloomy.

Named: Sir (the magistrate) is generic.

Who would have thought that his so-called self-imposed three cups were actually three large sea‑bowl servings, and they were quite big ones.

No named.

Even the second bowl from the wine jar wasn't filled before it ran out.

No named.

Damn!

No named.

Chen Wuji took a deep breath and lifted his wine bowl.

Named: Chen Wuji.

He really worried that after drinking these three bowls of wine he would lose control and act wildly.

No named.

The Qin County Magistrate ate a mantis shrimp, and his eyes instantly shone like a comet, his whole face lighting up.

Named: Qin County Magistrate.

He slapped the table twice and exclaimed, "This dish may not look appealing, but it is truly a rare delicacy under heaven—delicious. Brigadier General Chen possesses such culinary talent yet remains a brigade commander; if he followed Yi Yin's example, he could fully realize his ambitions."

Named: Brigadier Commander Chen (Chen as brigade commander, from glossary). Also Yi Yin (historical figure, romanized).

Chen Wuji modestly made a couple of remarks, then casually threw in another compliment for the Qin County Magistrate.

Named: Chen Wuji, Qin County Magistrate.

He felt embarrassed, as he didn't even know who Yi Yin was.

Named: Yi Yin.

When speaking with those scholars who love to quote allusions, he could only ignore what their allusions meant.

No named.

This round simply won't work.

No named.

The Qin County Magistrate picked up another mantis shrimp, then glanced sideways at Chen Wuji's wine bowl and said, "Brigadier Commander Chen, why is there still so much wine left? Hurry up and drink it—it's not refreshing. I, the official, will now initiate a drinking game so we can have a couple of drinks together."

Named: Qin County Magistrate, Brigade Commander Chen, the official

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.

Named: Chen Wuji.

We're doomed, we're going to die!

No named.

Playing the drinking game, he will surely drown in his wine bowl.

Named: Row Drinking Game (from glossary).

Even on their first meeting, even if Chen Wuji can't handle it, he must tough it out.

Named: Chen Wuji.

After gritting his teeth and drinking three bowls of wine, Chen Wuji already felt a bit dizzy.

Named: Chen Wuji.

The Qin County Magistrate quickly snatched a mantis shrimp, popped it into his mouth, crunching loudly, while rolling up his sleeves and proclaiming loudly, "Brigadier Commander Chen's penalty drink has finally been downed like cat urine; now, I, the official, will begin."

Named: Qin County Magistrate, Brigade Commander Chen, the official

Chen Wuji remained silent.

Named: Chen Wuji.

He suddenly realized that this person might truly be just like that.

No named.

Perhaps the recent flattery wasn't flattery at all, but rather they genuinely think that way.

No named.

Listen to what's being said now—where is there any respect given to him?

No named.

"I, the official, will start with something both refined and common can enjoy—a simpler Tiger-Stick Chicken-Insect Order—to warm up Brigadier Commander Chen!" The Qin County Magistrate looked excitedly at Chen Wuji and said, "You and I, let's begin!"

Named: the official, Tiger-Stick Chicken-Insect Order

Chen Wuji nodded.

Named: Chen Wuji.

The Tiger-Stick Chicken-Insect Order really is the simplest of drinking games.

Named: Tiger-Stick Chicken-Insect Order, Drinking Game (from glossary).

You just need to remember a mnemonic.

No named.

Strike the tiger with the stick, the tiger eats the chicken, the chicken eats the insect, the insect bores the stick.

No named (these are phrases).

Both shout an animal name at the same time; victory is determined by the overriding relationship.

No named.

"Come!" the Qin County Magistrate shouted loudly while waving both hands.

Named: Qin County Magistrate.

"Chicken!"

No named.

"Stick!"

No named.

"Chicken!"

No named.

"Insect!"

No named.

"Drink!"

No named.

After a round ended in a tie, Chen Wuji, who had intended to shout "tiger," mistakenly shouted "insect" instead, thereby winning the first bowl. The Qin County Magistrate's so-called cup is a large sea‑bowl, though this time he poured only a little, just half a bowl.

Named: Chen Wuji, Qin County Magistrate.

"Come!" the Qin County Magistrate said again.

Named: Qin County Magistrate.

"Insect!"

No named.

"Tiger!"

No named.

"Stick!"

No named.

"Chicken!"

No named.

"Chicken!"

No named.

"……Insect?"

No named.

"What are you hesitating for? Drink!" the bold Qin County Magistrate lifted the wine jar and filled Chen Wuji's bowl to the brim.

Named: Qin County Magistrate, Chen Wuji.

As the pace quickened, Chen Wuji inadvertently fell into the Qin County Magistrate's trap again.

Named: Chen Wuji, Qin County Magistrate.

He consequently won the second bowl.

No named.

Chen Wuji knew this Drinking Game, but he had basically never played it; the Qin County magistrate's shouted rhythm was also very fast, and that restraining relationship got messed up in his mind if he wasn't careful.

"This stove I see is about heated enough; let's switch to a more refined one, play the flying flower drinking game, and don't let Constable Chen keep staring at his empty wine cup in a daze." The County Magistrate hehe laughed loudly, then started again.

"A pot of wine among the flowers!"

Chen Wuji: ……

How do you play this again?

"County Magistrate, please explain how to play this to this rough guy." Chen Wuji said, feeling stifled.

The County Magistrate slapped his forehead, laughed loudly and said: "This drinking game is also simple; I am the first person, the flower character is also first, you are second, flower in second place works, and so on."

Chen Wuji understood the rule, but his mind went blank.

What lines have the flower character in the second position?

"I might as well just drink." Chen Wuji said helplessly.

He chickened out, couldn't remember.

"Give you another chance: 'How much does the fallen flower know?'" The County Magistrate laughed especially wantonly.

"Frost‑red leaves surpass…… feeling the season's flowers…… human face peach blossoms…… when these flowers bloom, no more flowers!" Chen Wuji's dust‑sealed school lessons began to slowly revive.

The County Magistrate struck the bowl with his chopsticks, "Too late, drink!"

Chen Wuji:?

When did this thing acquire a time limit?

He turned his head to look at Chen Xingyuan, Chen Xingyuan gave a heavy nod.

Chen Wuji: ……

Alright, drink then.

At most it's a plea.

The County Magistrate stared at Chen Wuji as he finished his drink, not giving him a moment to catch his breath, then shouted again: "When the flowers bloom, stir Jingcheng!"

"When these flowers bloom, there will be no more flowers!" Chen Wuji immediately continued the chain.

This round, can still have you, this dog magistrate, pour me wine.

After shouting that line, Chen Wuji immediately thought of a poem with the flower character in the fifth position.

Chen Xingyuan calmly came up with a line: "Petals bloom, leaving faint ink traces."

"A few branches of peach blossoms outside the bamboo." The County Magistrate quickly followed up.

Chen Wuji:?

What have you two taken, to be this fast?

"Huang Siniang's home is full of blossoming flowers!" Chen Wuji hesitated a moment, then finally thought of a line.

"Thousands of trees, myriad trees, pear blossoms bloom."

"Frost‑red leaves surpass February flowers!"

Chen Wuji:???

Your mother!

What are you saying now?

Continue with the first one?

"How much does the fallen flower know?"

"Drink! Brigade Commander Chen, at least count the characters—how did you just get 'How much does the fallen flower know?'—another cup!" The County Magistrate laughed wantonly and extravagantly, his arms almost flying as he swung them.