Shen Ci traveled alone from the south of the Yangtze River to Chang'an to take the exam. He was robbed on the way, met close friends, and entered the capital for the first time. He saw the prosperity of the capital and the domineering family. He used humor and eloquence to resolve the crisis on the journey, made connections at the bottom, and got acquainted with the powerful children of the capital for the first time. On the eve of the imperial examination, he was involved in disputes among scholars and difficulties caused by minor officials. He resolved them one by one with wisdom and showed his first talent.
