Mei Yaochen (style name Shengyu) is a poet and schoolteacher from Xuancheng. In the story, he appears at Wu Ming’s breakfast stall as a down‑and‑out scholar in the capital seeking official recommendation. He wears a frayed blue cloth coat and carries himself with dignity. He orders a bowl of preserved egg and lean pork congee and praises its flavor, comparing it favourably to the famous He Family Porridge Shop. Wu Ming recognizes him from his poem “Lushan Mountain Trip” and recites a line. Mei Yaochen is amused and appreciates the genuine flattery. He mentions that he has been to the capital five times seeking an official post and that Ouyang Xiu had previously recommended him. He becomes a potential regular customer and a link to the scholarly world.
