content: then he ordered the head cook to cook the fish , and the most varied dishes were prepared with them . the odor of roasting fat and spices filled the whole room . and then the wearer of the scarlet hat in his arrogance , decided to amuse himself at the scholar 's expense . so he pointed to him and said : " i know nothing at all about the writings and customs of the saints and wise men , and still i am a king who is highly honored ! yonder scholar spends his whole life toiling over his books and yet he remains poor and gets nowhere . if he could make up his mind to serve me faithfully as one of my officials , i might allow him to partake of our meal . "
answer: the scholar needed to serve the king faithfully as one of his officials .
question: what did the king want the scholar to do before he could join them for their meal ?
target: what did the king want the scholar to do before he could join them for their meal ?
references: what did the king want the scholar to do before he could join them for their meal ?