Chapter 1: An Ancient Wondrous Article, Shocking Chang'an

Great Tang, the third year of Zhenguan.

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

After the examinations, one wondrous article caused a sensation throughout all of Chang'an.

Answers containing ingenious ideas such as the "Anti-Buddhism Theory," the curved-shaft plow, civil service reforms, and the "three-piece set" for warhorses left people in awe.

The reigning Emperor 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 and grand Duke Prefecture of Zhao was brightly lit.

"Duke of Zhao, are you implying that you want me to yield the position of Top Graduate to your son, Zhangsun Chong?"

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

The youth was named Qin Mu.

He was not originally from the 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 an ancient wondrous article during the examinations.

It was written with great flair, forcefully detailing the drawbacks and necessary reforms for every trade and industry.

The breadth of its scope and the novelty of its ideas shook both the court and the public.

Just at this moment, Zhangsun Wuji had found Qin Mu and invited him to the prefecture for a banquet.

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

"Hehehe, young man, there is no need to be so blunt. You have no family background and no connections; 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 is not much, but it is enough for a commoner like you to live a life free from worry about food and clothing."

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 do not agree?"

A trace 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."

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 else would certainly find it unacceptable.

But it did not matter.

Since you are unwilling to give up, then this old man will make you give up!

Zhangsun Wuji continued to ask in an inscrutable manner: "This old man asks you, do you know why His Majesty held the imperial examinations?"

"To win over the hearts of the people?"

Qin Mu asked in return.

Hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji's expression changed slightly, but it immediately returned to normal.

"Good, good, good. You are worthy of being the one who wrote that ancient wondrous article; you were able to pierce the veil of heaven in a single sentence."

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

"His Majesty does not just want to win over hearts; he wants to make the scholars of the world exhaust themselves in pursuit of fame, so that they will not harbor ulterior motives."

"All that talk of 'carp leaping over the dragon gate' and 'a humble family producing a noble son' is merely a beautiful fantasy given to commoners like you."

"The officialdom will always be a game belonging to the highest class."

"Having said this, you should understand now, right? This Top Graduate title is a disaster for you, not a blessing. Even if you entered the officialdom as the Top Graduate, you might eventually end up with your head separated from your body."

"Speaking of which, this old man is not harming you; I am saving you."

Zhangsun Wuji became excited as he spoke, his face flushed with fervor, as if he were performing a righteous deed.

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

To be able to speak of such a shameless matter in such a high-sounding way—he was truly worthy of being the Great Tang's number one schemer!

"How about it? Have you considered it clearly now?"

Zhangsun Wuji was quite confident.

He had seen plenty of scholars from humble backgrounds like Qin Mu.

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

"There is one more question."

Qin Mu did not answer Zhangsun Wuji directly and continued to ask: "I heard that His Majesty has already seen my article. Are you not afraid that His Majesty will discover your deception and your act of replacing the true candidate?"

"Hahaha, well asked!"

Zhangsun Wuji clapped his hands and laughed, becoming even more smug, saying confidently: "Young man, you are indeed a peerless talent, but you are still shallow in your experience of the world and do not know how deep the water runs here."

"Since that is the case, let this old man tell you another secret! Yielding your Top Graduate position to my son was not just this old man's idea; it was done with His Majesty's tacit approval."

"Do you think His Majesty truly wants you commoners to hold power? Do you think there is truly a place for you in the officialdom? To tell you the truth, in this imperial 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 descendant of a noble family."

Boom!

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

What?

His Majesty

is Li Er!?

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

Qin Mu's gaze shifted from shock to disappointment, and finally became incomparably cold.

In an instant.

All his beautiful fantasies about Li Er were shattered.

He had thought that after launching 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.

But could the truth actually be like this!?

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

Qin Mu clenched his fists, his blood surging.

He hated!

He hated the injustice of this world!

But what could he do?

He was inside the Duke Prefecture, surrounded by guards.

He had no strength to truss a chicken; if he made the slightest move, he might immediately end up with his head separated from his body.

So what if he hated?

In any world, the strong are always respected! ===== CHAPTER 3 =====

No matter which world it is, the strong are always respected!