A Page Full of Ox Hairs, Yet Confucius Knows Only One Leg

Synopsis of The Characters Are as Numerous as Ox Hairs, Yet Confucius Knows Only One Leg

A strange book marked in cinnabar appears in Yuanwai Village. Jiang Qin, a talented country girl, risks her life to save it from a fire, only to face the entire village’s condemnation for daring to study as a woman. Fortunately, the mysterious Master Kong sees through the ancient book’s secrets with a single remark: it is the Strategies for Governing the Realm, a text capable of securing the nation, and it is tied to a shocking plot involving a wrongfully accused Crown Prince and treacherous ministers plotting to steal the throne.

Blessed with a photographic memory, she deciphers the text and outwits bullies and corrupt officials. With unyielding pride, she travels to the capital to take the imperial examinations, debates scholars at the Golden Hall, and rises to become the first female top scholar in history. The court is rife with hidden currents. Armed with three volumes of strange books, she maneuvers among treacherous officials and stirs up a storm despite being a woman.

When the truth finally comes to light and the power struggle ends, Jiang Qin gives up glory and returns to her hometown to teach. The saying, “Characters are as numerous as ox hairs, yet Confucius knows only one leg,” lives on forever alongside her legend.