Year Four of Zhongping (187), the ninth day of the seventh month, clear.
Today is an especially incredible day, because it’s my first day in the late Eastern Han dynasty (187), after transmigrating here from the twenty-first century (2022).
It’s also my first day as the eldest son of Liu Zhang, who will one day become Governor of Yi Province.
On my very first day here, Liu Zhang tested my knowledge of Confucian teachings. I panicked, remembering the white rattan cane my teacher used to beat me with. It made a whoosh as it swung, and cracked loudly when it struck!
In my panic, I immediately copied a poem by Cao Zhi, young master Cao: “A Short Song.”
I felt rather embarrassed while copying it, but after Liu Zhang rewarded me, I didn’t feel embarrassed at all.
Then I copied another poem, “Qing Ping Melody,” by Li Bai, the jungler, and gave it to our support, Cai Yan, also known as Cai Wenji. That felt pretty great!
Is this one of those “it’s actually pretty good” situations?
