A Scholar of Dafeng: My Poetry Turns the World Upside Down

Gu Chen, a modern PhD in the humanities, transmigrates to the fictional Great Feng dynasty, where the imperial examinations reign supreme, and becomes a penniless scholar from a humble family. His luck takes a turn, and strange phenomena begin to occur, as if his words themselves could make things happen. Drawing on knowledge far beyond his time and a deep understanding of the patterns of history, Gu Chen deftly weaves modern theories of politics, economics, and sociology into formal essays and policy proposals. He advances from the county and prefectural exams to the provincial and palace examinations, crushing every opponent with startling ideas and flawless logic. Though he appears frivolous, he is always several steps ahead. Poetry is his weapon, the classics his shield, and he repeatedly outwits hypocrites, the powerful, and conservatives, playing the fool while humiliating one arrogant prodigy after another. On his path through the examinations, he meets Su Qingwei, a female tutor of mysterious origins and equally profound learning. Their academic sparring and clashes of ideals kindle affection between them. In the end, Gu Chen not only reaches the pinnacle of the examination system, but also enlightens the people and drives reform with his forward-thinking ideas, steering a decaying dynasty toward unprecedented prosperity and becoming a revered sage of Confucianism.