At four, he could recite anything after a single reading. At six, he left home to travel and study.
Zhang Zhengyi journeyed across Qingzhou, Beiliang, and Nanning. He saw every side of life and gained friends who would stand with him through life and death: military genius Huo Weiming and medical sage Ye Shian.
When he returned after completing his studies, he thought his learning could change the world. Instead...
He was framed after placing first in the xiucai examinations.
His childhood sweetheart turned around and married a marquis who oppressed the common people.
But he did not kneel.
The following year, Zhang Zhengyi passed the jinshi examinations in one fell swoop and strode into the imperial court with his head held high.
Yet the court was rife with factions and hidden attacks, the emperor was suspicious, and powerful ministers obstructed his every move.
Can the young man who once swore, “If I become prime minister, I will never fail the world,” hold on to his principles amid the whirlpool of power?
You may hurt me for a time, but you cannot stop me from advancing step by step.
Nice. Super pretty.
Very well written