I guarded the frontier for more than ten years, repelling countless barbarian invaders and earning one military achievement after another, yet ten golden summonses brought me back to the capital. The newly appointed Chancellor impeached me, claiming I knew nothing but war and had left the people to suffer. He listed hundreds of charges against me and publicly denounced me at every turn. The newly enthroned young emperor also listened to his handpicked Chancellor and ordered me to resign as Grand General and atone with my life. They all thought that, as a military man, I knew nothing of politics or letters, and that they could use their eloquence and writing to nail me to a pillar of shame. But they all forgot that fifteen years ago, I made my name ring throughout the land by winning the top scholar titles in both the civil and military examinations. It's just that I don't
