On the day the college entrance exam results were released, Zhuo, who had just become the top science student in his province, died.
Well… not exactly.
He transmigrated into a prestigious scholarly family with the surname Zhuo, becoming the six-year-old eldest grandson of the family’s main branch.
It sounded like a dream come true, but there was one tiny problem—his great-grandfather had backed the wrong prince in the imperial succession struggle and was executed. His three accomplished sons, each with a promising future and official titles, were exiled along with the entire family to the frigid northern frontier of Shuozhou, where they were sentenced to years of hard labor.
Zhuo Siheng thought he’d been handed a survival-from-rock-bottom scenario, so he quietly devoted himself to learning every practical survival skill he could.
To his surprise, a few years later, a new emperor ascended the throne and proclaimed a general amnesty.
The Zhuo family was pardoned and no longer branded as the descendants of criminals. However, returning to their hometown was out of the question. Shuozhou was still an impoverished, remote frontier that desperately needed people to help develop it.
“We’ve already restored your status as ordinary citizens, so stop complaining.”
From that day on, the young Zhuo Siheng made up his mind. Since he was no longer barred from taking the imperial examinations because of his family’s past, then he would use the power of exams to change his fate—and fight his way back.
After all, he had transmigrated immediately after finishing the college entrance exam, when his mind was still at its sharpest. Every bit of knowledge he’d accumulated had come with him.
It was practically like a kitten meowing excitedly—meow, meow, meow… nothing but brilliant ideas!
Unfortunately…
He had been a science student.
In an era where the imperial examinations tested only the literary arts, trying to change his destiny was as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
But even if it meant reaching the Ninth Heaven itself, that didn’t mean he couldn’t make it.
“I shall climb the vault of heaven and seize the Northern Dipper. The sky may stand high above, but I shall rise through my own strength.”
This is the story of a brilliant young man who grows stronger step by step until he stands at the pinnacle of officialdom. It’s also the story of how he leads a once-disgraced family back to the ranks of the empire’s great noble clans.
There is romance—but not much.
There is farming and territory-building—but not much of that either.
There are slices of everyday life to lighten the mood.
There is one adorable heroine—and only one.
The main focus, however, is building a career: the imperial examinations, officialdom, personal growth, and the pursuit of one’s ideals.
You could even think of this novel as a kind of ancient “competitive career” story centered around climbing the ranks through the imperial examination system.
One-line Synopsis:
Transmigrating into the body of a disgraced descendant to restore a once-glorious noble family.
Before You Read
1. This is a completely fictional setting and is not based on real history. Please do not associate it with actual historical events or figures.
2. The government structure and imperial examination system blend characteristics from multiple dynasties, mainly Tang and Song. It’s essentially a massive historical mash-up rather than a faithful recreation of any single period. Civil discussion is welcome, but please don’t judge it by strict historical standards.
3. At its core, this is still a wish-fulfillment novel, so certain aspects of realism have been sacrificed for the sake of the plot. Consider this fair warning.
4. This is the author’s attempt at a new writing style and genre, so there may be imperfections.
Your understanding and support are greatly appreciated.
Tags: Time Travel, Imperial Examinations, Court Politics
Main Character: Zhuo Siheng
Supporting Characters: Zhuo Huiheng, Zhuo Ciheng, Zhuo Xiheng
Theme:
As Heaven maintains its vigor through constant motion, so should a gentleman strive unceasingly to strengthen himself.
(Credit : Ethiary)
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