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Qing -> The Scholars -> In which an introductory story of a good scholar points the moral of the book -> 11

一日，正和秦老坐著，只见外边走进一个人来，头带瓦楞帽，身穿青布衣服。One day Wang Mian was sitting in Old Qin's cottage when a man wearing a bailiff's cap and blue cloth gown came in.
秦老迎接， Old Qin welcomed him,
叙礼坐下。 and after an exchange of courtesies they sat down.
这人姓翟， This newcomer's name was Zhai.
是诸暨县一个头役，又是买办。 He was a county runner and also a bailiff,
因秦老的儿子秦大汉拜在他名下，叫他乾爷，but since Old Qin's son was his godchild
所以常时下乡来看亲家。 he often came to the village to visit their family.
秦老慌忙叫儿子烹茶， Old Qin hastily called his son to make tea,
杀鸡、煮肉款留他； kill a chicken and cook some meat to entertain the bailiff,
就要王冕相陪。 and asked Wang Mian to accompany them.
彼此道过姓名。When Bailiff Zhai heard Wang Mian's name,
那翟买办道：he asked,
“只位王相公，可就是会画没骨花的么？”“Is this Mr. Wang the flower painter?”
秦老道：“便是了。“Yes,” said Old Qin.
亲家，你怎得知道？” “How did you get to know of him?”
翟买办道：“县里人那个不晓得。“Is there anyone in the county who doesn't know him?” retorted the bailiff.
因前日本县老爷吩咐：“The other day the county magistrate commissioned me
要画二十四副花卉册页送上司，此事交在我身上。 to get twenty-four paintings of flowers to send to a superior.
我闻有王相公的大名，Knowing Mr. Wang's great reputation,
故此一径来寻亲家。 I've come straight here;
今日有缘，遇著王相公，and now I'm lucky enough to meet Mr. Wang himself.”
是必费心大笔画一画。Then he turned to Wang Mian and said: “I must trouble you to do some paintings.
在下半个月后，In two weeks
下乡来取。 I shall come to fetch them,
老爷少不得还有几两润笔的银子，一并送来。” bringing the payment from Magistrate Shi.”
秦老在傍，著实撺掇。Old Qin pressed Wang Mian to consent and, to please the old man,
王冕屈不过秦老的情，只得应诺了。 he agreed.
回家用心用意，He went home and took infinite pains
画了二十四副花卉， to paint twenty-four pictures of flowers,
都题了诗在上面。 each with a poem appended.
翟头役禀过了本官， Bailiff Zhai reported his meeting with Wang Mian to the magistrate,
那知县时仁，发出二十四两银子来。 who gave him twenty-four taels of silver.
翟买办扣克了十二两， Of this sum Zhai appropriated half,
只拿十二两银子送与王冕， giving twelve taels only to Wang Mian.
将册页取去。 He took the flower album away with him,
时知县又办了几样礼物，送与危素，作候问之礼。and then the magistrate sent it with some other presents to Mr. Wei.

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