The Road to the Imperial Exams

After Su Yan died, he woke up to find he had transmigrated into a family in dire straits.

His father was dead, and his mother was gravely ill.

After his mother passed away too, five-year-old Su Yan went with his paternal uncle to work in the fields for a few days.

Then he made up his mind.

Farming wasn't for him. He'd have to find a way to study instead.

In this era, Su Yan knew that the imperial examinations were the only possible way for him to change his fate.

The titles of licentiate, juren, and presented scholar might all be academic honors, but there was a world of difference between them.

In this small town, where no one had earned the presented scholar degree in a century, the current emperor happened to be eager for talented men.

From the moment Su Yan began his studies, he set his sights on becoming a presented scholar.

His classmates laughed at him. "You? If you even pass the licentiate exam, we'll have to check whether smoke's rising from your ancestors' graves."

His teacher tried to let him down gently. "A Yan, even a licentiate from a place like this can have a bright future. If you're lucky, you might even get a minor job at the county yamen."

Su Yan took their words to heart, but never let go of the ambition burning within him.

One day, I too will see what it feels like to ride with the spring breeze at my back.

I want to know if one day is enough to see all the flowers in Chang'an.

At last, in the tenth year of Xiji, the successful candidates went to the palace gates to pay their respects.

At their head, clad in red, stood Su Yan.

Theme: Studying can change your life