A Top Scholar From A Humble Background.

Summary

The aftermath of the imperial examination sees the emperor's controversial imprisonment of Hua Xian, Tang Yin, and Xu Jing, raising suspicions of favoritism towards Cheng Min Zheng. Despite court officials' pleas for Cheng's impeachment, the emperor remains silent. Shen Xi, a sixth-rank historian at the Hanlin Academy, navigates financial challenges by selling his rice rations for a profit, prompting his colleagues to reconsider their own practices. The narrative highlights the struggles of scholars in a corrupt system, where even small financial gains are hard-won, and the complexities of official salaries and market dynamics are explored.

Full content