Chapter 70

Time flies like an arrow, days and months like a shuttle.

Translation: "Time flies like an arrow, the sun and moon like a shuttle."

Time flies like an arrow, the sun and moon like a shuttle.

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

Translation: "In the blink of an eye, a year had passed."

During that year, the Tang court passed through a strange calm.

Translation: "During that year, the Tang court's situation passed in a strange calm."

The new emperor Li Heng, with the aid of famous generals such as Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, gradually cleared the remaining rebel forces in the north, recovered most of the lost territory, and the court's authority gradually stabilized.

Translation: "The new emperor, Li Heng, with the assistance of famed generals such as Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, gradually cleared the remnants of the northern rebel forces, recovered most of the lost territory, and the court's authority gradually stabilized."

Meanwhile, the retired emperor Li Longji, after several futile probes, seemed to accept reality, fell into complete silence, and each day cultivated Dao and worshipped Buddha in the Xingqing Palace, ignoring worldly affairs.

Translation: "Meanwhile, the retired emperor Li Longji, after several futile probes, seemed to also realize the truth, fell completely silent, and each day in the Xingqing Palace cultivated Dao and paid homage to Buddha, ignoring worldly affairs."

Chang'an too, slowly recovered from the scars of war, regaining its former prosperity.

Translation: "Chang'an, too, slowly recovered its former prosperity from the wounds of war."

For the Wang family, this year was likewise peaceful and crucial.

Translation: "For the Wang family, this year was likewise peaceful and crucial."

In the army, Wang Ce strictly followed his father's teaching of 'concealing clumsiness.' He was silent and reserved, humble and low-key, no longer displaying his former sharpness.

Translation: "Wang Ce strictly followed his father's teaching of 'concealing one's clumsiness' in the army. He was silent and few-spoken, humble and low-key, no longer revealing his sharpness as before."

In battle, he always charged forward, yet never sought credit; in council, he always sat at the back, speaking only when Guo Ziyi called on him, otherwise saying nothing.

Translation: "In battle, he always charged at the front, yet never snatched the credit; in council, he always sat at the rear, and unless Guo Ziyi called on him, he never spoke a word more."

His change caused the generals who had once envied and wary of him to gradually let down their guard.

Translation: "His change caused those officers in the army who had once envied and been wary of him to gradually let down their guard."

They thought this youthful prodigy was nothing special, like Fang Zhongyong, now fallen into obscurity; though brave, his strategy and temperament were no longer the youthful vigor that once amazed.

Translation: "They thought this youthful genius was nothing special, just like Fang Zhongyong, now fallen into obscurity; though brave, his strategy and temperament were no longer the youthful vigor that had once amazed them."

Only Guo Ziyi would occasionally look at him with a meaningful gaze, as if seeing through everything.

Translation: "Only Guo Ziyi would occasionally give him a meaningful glance, as if seeing through everything."

And Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) was even more low-key, reporting daily to the office of the Remonstrance Officer, doing only trivial tasks, never voicing political opinions, nor forming private ties with any officials.

Translation: "And Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) kept an even lower profile, reporting daily to the Remonstrant Officer's office for duty, doing only trivial tasks, never voicing any political opinions, nor privately befriending any officials."

He was like a transparent person, striving to diminish his presence.

Translation: "He was like a transparent person, striving to lower his presence."

He placed all his hopes on his eldest son, Wang You, far away in Jiangnan; if Wang You passed the imperial examination, he could immediately proceed with the next step of his plan.

Translation: "He placed all his hopes on his eldest son far away in Jiangnan, Wang You; as soon as Wang You passed the imperial examination, he could promptly proceed with the next step of his plan."

Finally, amid great anticipation, the first imperial examination after the Tang restoration officially began.

Translation: "Finally, amid great anticipation, the first imperial examination after the Tang dynasty's restoration officially opened."

Scholars from all over the country gathered in Chang'an; among them were white-haired elders and vigorous youths, each harboring the dream of 'morning as a rustic villager, evening in the emperor's hall.'

Translation: "Scholars from all over the country gathered in Chang'an. Among them were white-haired elders and vigorous youths, each harboring the dream of 'morning as a rustic, evening at the emperor's hall.'"

Wang You, escorted by his servant, also rushed from Jiangnan to Chang'an.

Translation: "Wang You, too, under the escort of his servant, rushed from Jiangnan to Chang'an."

When Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) saw his eldest son at the mansion gate, his heart filled with myriad emotions.

Translation: "When Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) saw his eldest son at the mansion gate, his heart was filled with myriad emotions."

After not seeing each other for several years, Wang You had grown from an inexperienced youth into a warm, jade-like young man.

After not seeing each other for several years, Wang You had grown from an inexperienced youth into a warm, jade-like young man.

He wore a green scholar's robe, his stature upright, his visage handsome, his brow betraying an innate composure and ease.

Translation: "He wore a blue scholar's robe, his stature straight, his visage handsome, his brow revealing an innate composure and ease."

This is the 'neutral and harmonious' talent that Wang Xiu set for him, combined with the demeanor gained from years of diligent reading.

This is the 'neutral and harmonious' talent that Wang Xiu set for him, combined with the temperament brought by years of diligent reading.

This is the neutral and harmonious talent that Wang Xiu set for him, plus the demeanor gained from years of studious reading.

"Father." Wang You, upon seeing Wang Hui, stepped forward and performed a deep bow.

Translation: "\"Father. \" Upon seeing Wang Hui, Wang You immediately stepped forward and performed a deep bow."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." Wang Hui helped him up, examined him closely, and said, "You've had a hard journey."

Translation: "\"Just coming back is good, just coming back is good. \" Wang Hui helped him up, examined him carefully, and said, \"You've had a hard journey. \""

That evening, the Wang family held a banquet; it was the first genuine reunion of father and two sons since the An-Shi Rebellion.

Translation: "That evening, the Wang family held a banquet. It was the first genuine reunion of the three father and son after the An-Shi Rebellion."

At the dinner table, Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) looked at his two sons, whose temperaments differed greatly yet both excelled, and his heart swelled with pride.

At the dinner table, Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) looked at his two sons, whose temperaments differed greatly yet both excelled, and his heart swelled with pride.

Wang Ce, in military attire, bore the steadiness and killing intent honed on the battlefield, but before his family that killing intent had receded, leaving only respect for his father and elder brother.

Translation: "Wang Ce, in military attire, bore the steadiness and killing intent honed on the battlefield, but now before his family, that killing intent had receded, leaving only respect for his father and elder brother."

Wang You, in a scholar's robe, had a gentle demeanor; his every gesture exuded scholarly air, his eyes clear and profound, as if he could see into people's hearts.

Translation: "Wang You, in a scholar's robe, had a gentle bearing; his every gesture exuded scholarly air, his eyes clear and profound, as if able to see into people's hearts."

"Elder brother, you will surely pass this examination!" Wang Ce raised his cup and spoke sincerely to Wang You. Although he himself did not love studying, he sincerely admired those who loved learning.

Translation: "\"Elder brother, in this examination you will surely place high! \" Wang Ce raised his wine cup and sincerely told Wang You. Although he did not love studying, he inwardly admired those who loved learning."

Wang You smiled slightly, raised his cup in return: "I'll borrow your good words, younger brother, and give my all, not failing our father's expectations." His voice was calm and steady, carrying a convincing force.

Translation: "Wang You smiled slightly, raised his cup in return: \"I'll take your good words, second brother, and give my all, not failing Father's expectations. \" His voice was unhurried, carrying a convincing force."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) looked at his two sons and said: "You boys, remember this: our Wang family, literature and martial arts are like the two wheels of a cart or the two wings of a bird; neither can be lacking.

Translation: "Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) looked at his two sons and said: \"You boys, remember this. Our Wang family, one literary, one martial, are like the two wheels of a cart or the two wings of a bird—indispensable each."

You two, when you later serve as officials in the court, must be of one heart and virtue, support each other, so that our Wang family may endure and prosper in future troubled times, preserving our lineage.

Translation: "You two brothers, when you later enter court as officials, must be of one heart and virtue, support each other, so that our Wang family may endure and prosper in future turbulent times, preserving our lineage."

"Yes, father! We will keep it in mind!" Wang You and Wang Ce replied in unison.

Translation: "\"Yes, father! We will keep it in mind! \" Wang You and Wang Ce replied in unison."

A few days later, the imperial examinations officially began.

Translation: "A few days later, the imperial examination officially began."

Wang You entered the examination hall with a calm mind.

Translation: "Wang You entered the examination hall with a calm mind."

Inside the examination hall, the atmosphere was solemn and solemn; only the soft rustle of brushes on paper could be heard.

Translation: "Inside the exam hall, the atmosphere was solemn and solemn; only the rustle of pen on paper could be heard."

To others, this might be a battlefield deciding one's fate, but for Wang You, who possessed literary and political talents, it felt more like a composed performance.

Translation: "To others, this might be a battlefield deciding one's fate; but for Wang You, who possessed those literary and political talents, it was more like a composed performance."

The Four Books and Five Classics, the myriad schools of thought, were already thoroughly known to him; his analyses of current affairs, informed by his father's examination of the court's pros and cons and his own growing political intuition, were crystal clear.

Translation: "The Four Books and Five Classics, the myriad philosophers—he had them memorized; his discussions of current affairs were clear, based on his father's analysis of the court's pros and cons and his own growing political acumen."

He lifted his brush, put it to paper, and wrote in one fluent flow.

Translation: "He lifted his brush, put it to paper, and completed it in one flowing motion."

After several more days came the day the results were posted.

Translation: "After several more days came the day the results were posted."

The whole of Chang'an emptied into the streets as everyone rushed to the Ministry of Rites' gate to gaze upon the imperial list that decided countless fates.

Translation: "The whole of Chang'an emptied into the streets; everyone flocked to the gate of the Ministry of Rites to see the imperial list that decided countless fates."

"I passed! I passed! I passed!"

Translation: "\"I passed! I passed! I passed! \""

"Alas, I missed the cut again."

Translation: "\"Alas, again I fell short... \""

In the crowd rose shouts of wild joy and sighs of disappointment.

Translation: "The crowd was filled with joyous shouts and disappointed sighs."

The Wang family's servant had already pushed to the front, eyes wide, scanning from the bottom of the list upward; finally, among the second-tier successful candidates, he spotted the familiar name.

Translation: "The Wang family's servant had already pushed to the front; he widened his eyes, scanning from the bottom of the list upward. Finally, among the second-class jinshi, he saw that familiar name."

"Wang You!"

Translation: "\"Wang You! \""

"He passed! He passed! The eldest son passed!" the servant shouted, fighting his way through the crowd and sprinting back to the Wang residence.

Translation: "\"He passed! He passed! The eldest son passed! \" the servant shouted excitedly, fighting his way through the crowd and sprinting toward the Wang mansion."

When the news reached the Wang household, the mansion instantly filled with joy.

Translation: "The news returned to the Wang household, and the mansion instantly burst into joy."

When Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) received the news, he was practicing calligraphy in his study; hearing the servant's report, his brush paused slightly, leaving a tiny ink blot on the paper.

Translation: "When Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) received the news, he was practicing calligraphy in his study. Hearing the servant's report, his brush paused slightly, leaving a tiny ink dot on the xuan paper."

He slowly set down his brush, exhaled, and his face broke into a smile of relief.

Translation: "He slowly set down his brush, exhaled, and his face broke into a smile of relief."

"Good, good," he murmured to himself.

Translation: "\"Good, good, \" he murmured to himself."

He knew that the opportunity he had long awaited had finally arrived.

Translation: "He knew the opportunity he had long awaited had finally arrived."

In the palace examination, Wang You comported himself with neither arrogance nor humility, answering fluently. His essays, though not as ornate as some, were solid and flawless.

Translation: "At the palace exam, Wang You conducted himself neither humble nor arrogant, answering fluently. His essay, though not as ornate as some, was steady and flawless."

His policy proposals more accurately addressed current ills without offending any court officials.

Translation: "His policy proposals were even more able to hit the ills of the times without offending any court official."

Ultimately, the emperor appointed him a second-tier jinshi, awarded him the jinshi degree, and gave him a post as editor in the Hanlin Academy.

Translation: "Finally, the emperor appointed him as a second-class jinshi, conferred the jinshi degree, and gave him a post as compiler in the Hanlin Academy."

A respectable seventh-rank post, though not high, it was a position close to the emperor and a nursery for future chancellors.

Translation: "A rank-seven, pure and noble office, though not high, was nevertheless a close attendant of the emperor and a nursery for future chancellors."

This result was neither high nor low, yet no one dared to look down on this seventh-rank official, for his future was limitless.

Translation: "This result was neither high nor low, yet no one dared to look down on this seventh-rank minor official, for his future was limitless."

This was exactly the outcome Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) had most desired.

Translation: "This was exactly the result Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) most desired."

(PS: Jinshi background, please don't criticize; the Ming-Qing imperial examination system is deeply rooted in people's hearts; the author also only knows this; please forgive us, esteemed readers. Besides, dear treasures! Seeing that everyone here is one of us, I ask everyone to help write a brief review, let this book get a rating soon, the author is about to starve to death, let the author get perfect attendance, sniffle)