The Confucian Way to Sagehood

This is a world where scholars wield the power of heaven and earth.

With literary talent within them, poems can slay enemies, lyrics can destroy armies, and essays can bring peace to the realm.

A scholar takes up his brush and debates strategy on paper; a provincial graduate kills enemies with words that flow like poetry; an imperial graduate's fury becomes a war of words sharp as spears and swords.

When a Sage arrives, his words condemn and his writing rebukes. He can sentence a man, declare an emperor unjust, and stand against an entire nation alone.

At this time, the Holy Academy controls scholarly rank, rulers control official posts, ten nations contend, the barbarian tribes watch hungrily, and demons run rampant.

At this time, there are no flourishing Tang poems, no glorious Song lyrics, no innovative essays, and no new Sages have appeared in a hundred years.

A poor, unknown young scholar has his head cracked open. Armed with poems and lyrics destined to be passed down through the ages, he writes essays that astonish the Sages and sets out on the path to supreme sainthood.

Thanks to the official Yuewen Book Review Team for providing their review!