In the Great Zhou Dynasty, martial men rule the land, while scholars are treated like dogs.
I studied by a cold window for ten years and passed all three imperial examinations. Yet on the day I was summoned to the palace for the final exam, the decree waiting for me read: The civil examinations are abolished.
The military officials erupted in laughter. The Grand Tutor publicly humiliated me and threatened to have me thrown in prison and punished.
The Empress sat high upon her dragon throne, her gaze indifferent, as if she were looking at an insect.
My heart sank into despair. Then suddenly, I laughed.
Because before I came here, I brought a copy of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China.
"Abolishing the civil examinations? Then let's settle this according to the law."
As I wrote down the first legal principle in the Golden Throne Hall, before the assembled court officials, thunder shook the nine heavens, and the Law Manifestation took shape.
Only then did they realize that what they had abolished was not just a scholar.
It was the Heavenly Dao itself, walking among them.
