[Alternate History + Reincarnated in the Womb + Imperial Examinations + Rise from Poverty + Face-Slapping + Political Intrigue and Power Struggles + Not a Saint]
In his previous life, Lin Zheng was a top student at a prestigious university. After being reborn in the Great Yong dynasty, he became the youngest son of the second branch of the Lin family, and its least favored child.
His grandfather was determined to bring glory to the family. He would rather sell most of the ancestral farmland than stop funding the first and third branches' sons' studies.
His eldest uncle's and third uncle's families ate white rice and wore new clothes, while Lin Zheng's parents and three older brothers did the hardest work and ate the worst food!
When Lin Zheng turned seven, he finally spoke up. "Grandpa, I want to study too!"
But his grandfather simply said, "The family has no money," hoping that would be the end of it.
Then Lin Zheng recited the Thousand Character Classic in front of everyone, leaving the whole hall stunned!
From then on, the Lin family had a true scholar in the making.
But the first and third branches couldn't sit still! How could a peasant's child be allowed to rise above them?
They used both open attacks and secret schemes, nearly ruining his future in the imperial examinations!
Lin Zheng sneered. "You want my branch to serve you like oxen and horses for generations? Dream on!"
He became a licentiate at eleven, a provincial graduate at fourteen, and at seventeen was personally named the third-ranked palace graduate!
He divided the family estate, made money, protected his parents, and helped his brothers make something of themselves!
From a poor scholar to a powerful court official, from a local magistrate to a warlord in an age of chaos.
Years later, the realm was united and every official bowed before him.
Lin Zheng sat upon the imperial throne, gazing out over ten thousand li of mountains and rivers.
Who could have guessed that the farm boy who once couldn't even afford a white-flour bun would become ruler of the realm!
