Chapter 1: A peerless essay for the ages, shocking Chang'an

The Great Tang, the third year of the Zhenguan era.

Emperor Li Er, seeking talent, opened the imperial examinations to recruit brilliant minds from across the realm.

After the examinations, a peerless essay caused a sensation throughout Chang'an.

With its ingenious ideas—such as the Treatise on Eliminating Buddhism, the curved-shaft plow, administrative reforms, and the three-piece set for warhorses—it left people breathless with admiration.

His Majesty, Li Er, personally appointed the author as the new Top Graduate.

The world was filled with praise.

Night fell, and all was silent.

The magnificent Duke of Zhao Prefecture was brightly lit.

"Duke of Zhao, are you suggesting that I should yield my position as Top Graduate to your son, Empress Zhangsun Chong?"

A handsome young scholar with bright, starry eyes looked calmly at the Duke of Zhao, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, before him.

The youth’s name was Qin Mu.

He was not originally from this Great Tang world; through a twist of fate, he had transmigrated here and participated in the imperial examinations.

Relying on his knowledge of history, Qin Mu had written a peerless essay during the examinations.

It was a sweeping work that forcefully analyzed the flaws in every industry and proposed reforms.

The breadth of its scope and the originality of its ideas shocked the entire imperial court and the public.

Just then, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji had tracked down Qin Mu and invited him to a banquet at his residence.

Nominally, it was to host Qin Mu, but in reality, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji intended to make Qin Mu relinquish the Top Graduate title to his own son, Empress Zhangsun Chong.

"Hehehe, young man, there is no need to be so blunt. You have no family status and no background; even if you were lucky enough to become the Top Graduate, you would have no future to speak of."

"Here is one hundred taels of silver. It isn't much, but it is enough for a commoner Wu Li Ke you to live a life free from worry."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji’s face was piled with smiles, his eyes flashing with shrewd light.

Ah!

One hundred taels of silver in exchange for the position of Top Graduate!

What a fine calculation.

"And if I refuse?"

A flicker of unwillingness flashed in Qin Mu’s eyes.

Just because he was born into a humble family, was he to be denied even the chance to enter the imperial court?

"Hehehe, young man, you are still too young."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji stroked his beard, his eyes, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, flashing with shrewd light.

He was not surprised by Qin Mu’s reaction.

In such a situation, anyone would find it unacceptable.

But it did not matter.

Since you refuse to give up, then I shall make you give up!

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji continued, asking with a mysterious air: "I ask you, do you know why His Majesty held the imperial examinations?"

"To win over the hearts of the people?"

Qin Mu countered.

Hearing this, Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji’s expression shifted slightly, but he immediately returned to normal.

"Good, good, good. You are worthy of being the one who wrote that peerless essay; you have pierced the veil of heaven in a single sentence."

"Indeed, it is to win over the hearts of the people. However, you have only seen the first layer."

"His Majesty does not just want to win hearts; he wants to keep the scholars of the world exhausted in their pursuit of fame, so they will never harbor ulterior motives."

"All that talk of carp leaping over the dragon gate, of noble sons born from humble families—that is merely a beautiful fantasy fed to you commoners."

"The officialdom is, and always will be, a game for the elite."

"Now that I have said this, you should understand, right? This Top Graduate title is a curse for you, not a blessing. Even if you entered the officialdom with it, you might end up losing your head."

"Truth be told, I am not harming you; I am saving you."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji spoke with growing excitement, his face flushing as if he were performing a righteous deed.

Watching his self-intoxicated display, Qin Mu felt a wave of nausea.

To be able to make such a shameless act sound so high-minded—he was truly worthy of being the Great Tang’s number one schemer!

"Well? Have you considered it clearly now?"

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji was quite confident.

He had seen plenty of scholars from humble backgrounds Wu Li Ke Qin Mu.

There were plenty of ways to make this boy give up.

"I have one more question."

Qin Mu did not answer Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji directly, but continued: "I heard that His Majesty has already seen my essay. Are you not afraid that His Majesty will discover your deception and your attempt to steal the title?"

"Hahaha, well asked!"

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji clapped his hands and laughed, becoming even more smug. He said confidently: "Young man, you are indeed a rare talent, but you are still shallow in your experience of the world; you do not know how deep these waters run."

"Since that is the case, I will tell you a secret! Yielding your Top Graduate position to my son was not just my idea; it was authorized by His Majesty."

"Do you truly think His Majesty wants you commoners to hold power? Do you think there is truly a place for you in the officialdom? I will tell you the truth: in this examination, apart from you, the Top Graduate, everyone from the second and third place winners down to the one hundred and eighth Metropolitan Graduate is a child of a noble family."

...the eyes, the third-place winner, and all the way to the one hundred and eighth Metropolitan Graduate, were all children of noble families.”

Boom!

Once these words were spoken, Qin Mu’s head felt as if it were about to explode.

What?

His Majesty

It was Li Er!?

He actually condoned Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji in committing such a base and despicable act?

Qin Mu’s gaze shifted from shock to disappointment, finally becoming incomparably cold.

In an instant.

All his beautiful fantasies about Li Er were shattered.

He had thought that after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, although Li Er was ruthless and had forced his father and killed his brothers, he was at least diligent and determined to be a good emperor.

Yet, the truth was actually Wu Li Ke this!?

He had thought he could fully display his ambitions, imagining that Li Er would cherish talent and visit him three times at his cottage, but in the end, it was merely a game for the powerful and the noble.

Qin Mu clenched his fists, his blood surging.

He felt hatred!

He hated the injustice of this world!

But what could he do?

He was inside the Duke’s residence, surrounded by guards.

He had no strength to truss a chicken; one wrong move and he might lose his head immediately.

What did hatred matter?

In any world, the strong are always the masters!