Chapter 1, bloodied and battered

Upon hearing the medical officer's words, this Mr. Xie finally breathed a sigh of relief

Only after that did he receive an opportunity for promotion, ultimately attaining the official rank of Zheng Si Pin, serving as the position of Si Lang Zhong, which can be considered a success in his career

If it is a dream, why do I remember everything in the dream? And why do I also clearly remember the knowledge gained in the dream, as if it has been deeply engraved in my mind through years of rigorous training, as if I have truly experienced it

Hearing this, Lord Xie shook his head and glanced at the candidate, whose face was covered in blood and still unconscious, saying: "What a pity"

Everything has come back to memory

Dreams are real

As soon as the chief examiner arrived, everyone immediately stood up to pay their respects. The chief examiner waved his hand and asked, "How is it going?"

Entering dreams for thirty years, with over thirty springs and autumns passing by, what has been experienced, learned, and accumulated has far surpassed that of peers. In simple terms, it is a difference in state of mind

Thus, Xie Daren could only utter a word of regret

Upon seeing this, the medical officer understood that for a candidate, this provincial examination was completely hopeless, and there was no need to think about the title of the top scholar. Therefore, he comforted him, saying: "Try again next year. You must understand that even if you complete all five subjects, the actual number of candidates who can pass and become top scholars is less than one in ten. When I took the provincial examination, I also studied for a full five years before finally passing, obtaining my degree and becoming a top scholar, which allowed me to enter the officialdom. There are many who have taken the exam for ten or even twenty years without success."

In front of a remote examination room in the imperial academy, one can see that this room has partially collapsed. On the steps in front, there lies a young man with a bloodied head, covered in dirt, his teeth clenched tightly, unconscious and unaware of his surroundings

After Lord Xie left, someone immediately carried the fainted candidate into the medical clinic of the examination hall, as lying here was neither appropriate nor dignified

In addition, the medical officer also wanted to convey to Chu Xian that even if you do not miss the exam, there is an eighty to ninety percent chance that you will not pass, so why persist

This calmness is something that Chu Xian himself finds somewhat incredible. At this moment, Chu Xian has completely settled down from the confusion he experienced after waking up just now.

Chu Xian did not think too much about this provincial examination; his thoughts were still on the dream he had before.

At the last sentence, the examiner's tone was stern as he slammed the teacup onto the wooden table, causing the lid to fall onto the table with a loud clatter

Merely a lack of regulation is sufficient for him to bear the burden of negligence. If an opponent were to exploit this matter to attack him, his future would become quite difficult. However, if a person is not significantly affected, they can downplay major issues into minor ones and trivial matters into nothing. This principle is known to everyone.

In addition, in the dream, Chu Xian's mother passed away due to a serious illness a year after this provincial examination. Because of this, in the following year, Chu Xian had not yet overcome the pain of losing his mother, which led to his failure in the examination once again. However, in the future, when he achieved success and fame, every time he thought of his mother who had raised him with great hardship, he felt a heartache as if it were being cut by a knife.

The official responsible for recording the examination process in the tribute office needed to document the provincial examination. After inquiring, he thought for a moment and wrote in the record: "Candidate Chu Xian from Ling County, Ancheng, at the hour of the third day of the ninth month in the autumn of the year 4995 of the Tian Tang calendar, ... due to illness, was absent from the examination in Ancheng, Yuzhou ..."

Having spoken, he turned and left

The events in the dream felt too real, as if experienced firsthand. Year after year, day after day, he remembered everything clearly. If it were not for suddenly waking up and looking at the things before him while slowly recalling his memories, Chu Xian would not even have realized that he had been in a dream.

In just the next moment, Chu Xian suddenly thought of something, his face turning pale

Speaking of this matter, the medical officer is evidently very proud, exhibiting a sense of self-satisfaction. Although he is merely a minor official, ranked at the ninth grade, within the medical institution under the Ministry of Personnel, even the smallest official is still an official. They can be recorded in the official annals, receive protection, adhere to academic laws, wield authority, and become a person of distinction. Consequently, the villagers will regard you as a capable individual, treating you with utmost respect. Even the beautiful young women who once looked down upon you will take the initiative to befriend you, and the matchmakers will wear down the threshold of your door.

The blood on his head had been cleaned, and the wound had been treated and scabbed over by the medic using a minor healing technique. However, upon waking, Chu Xian still felt an excruciating headache, not due to the wound, but because of the incredibly vivid dream he had experienced earlier.

The absence from four subjects indicates that there will be no further opportunities, at least not this year

This was from the ninth rank, and he has served for a full eight years

At that moment, he also recalled how he had fainted earlier. He was in the examination room taking the first subject when, having just written halfway, he suddenly heard a strange noise above his head. Then, with a crack, the beam broke and fell directly onto his head

In a state of great urgency, Chu Xian hurriedly ran outside and happened to encounter a medical officer. From this officer, he learned that he had been in a deep sleep for an entire day and night, nearly fainting again upon hearing this. It turned out that it was already the second day, and the fourth subject had just concluded, with the examination for the fifth subject, "Strategy," about to begin soon.

His meaning is well known to all. In the provincial examination, there are five subjects, and during the final evaluation, none can be missing. This candidate did not finish the first subject and was knocked unconscious. Even if he wakes up now, he will not be able to catch up with the first subject. With one subject's score missing, it is of no use how well he performs in the remaining subjects; he cannot pass.

In the provincial examination of the Gongyuan, if a candidate were to lose their life due to the collapse of the examination hall, it would undoubtedly cause trouble, and it is likely that a number of people would face misfortune

This is where the value of the imperial examination lies

The clerk hurriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead and led the way ahead

Chuxian is naturally aware of this. If he were still the Chuxian from before, he would undoubtedly be deeply affected, feeling dejected and disappointed. However, after experiencing that strange dream, Chuxian is no longer the person he once was

The medical officer stood up and said: "In response to Lord Xie, I have already treated him and stopped the bleeding, applying the minor rejuvenation technique. When he wakes up, he should be fine."

The figure in his dreams had actually endured over thirty years of time, only to be interrupted as he approached fifty, for he had awakened.

In September, the peaceful city experiences the end of summer and the arrival of autumn's coolness

In this dream of the provincial examination, he did not suffer a head injury but completed the exam smoothly. However, despite having taken all five subjects, he did not pass to become a top scholar. He attempted the exam again the following year, but the outcome was the same, and it was not until the third year that he finally passed. He then managed to secure a position, starting as a minor official with no rank. Three years later, he finally reached the ninth rank and became a minor clerk in a county office.

"In ancient times, there was a dream of yellow millet; does this count as one?" After a long while, Chu Xian murmured to himself

The minor official was taken aback and hurriedly lowered his body even further: "I have already ordered an investigation into this matter, and I will certainly provide an explanation to you, my lord. Fortunately, the injury was not severe; he only suffered a cut on his head. Although he bled and fainted, the physician examined him and said there is no major issue. After some treatment, his life is not in danger."

At this moment, Chu Xian stood motionless, as if struck by lightning

At present, Chu Xian has surprisingly accepted this outcome with great composure, and as the memories from the dream resurface, Chu Xian's state of mind has begun to transform

To verify, Chu Xian stepped forward to take down the thick "Hui Chun Medical Canon" and began to flip through it. Soon, he threw the book onto the table, his eyes filled with shock as if he had seen a ghost

When Chu Xian woke up, it was already the next day at the hour of Si.

Since there is nothing urgent, let him rest well for now. Additionally, seal off this room for me, and do not disturb the other candidates regarding this matter. After all, the provincial examination is of utmost importance, and the other officials have their own numerous affairs; how can they be distracted by such trivial matters? After Lord Xie finished speaking, he seemed to recall something and asked, 'We are now at the second subject of the examination, right?'

A few people were gathered around, and a medical officer was flipping through the medical manual he carried with him, performing a minor spell as he treated the young man.

In other words, he actually missed a total of four exams in the preceding subjects

If one has missed the exam, so be it. The matter has come to this point, and worrying is of no benefit. It is better to consider how to proceed on the path ahead.

He has never read the "Hui Chun Yi Dian" and could not possibly know the contents of this medical classic. However, just now, he suddenly had the contents of the "Hui Chun Yi Dian" in his mind, every word and sentence clearly remembered. It felt as if he had read it, and not just once, but could recite it from memory.

In this provincial examination, according to tradition, there are a total of five subjects to be tested: Law, Calligraphy, Politics, Arts, and Strategy, which are completed over two days. Today is the first day, and the first subject, "Law," has just concluded. After a brief rest, the second subject, "Calligraphy," begins.

In the examination hall of the Ancheng Tribute Academy located in the southeast of the city, the chief examiner responsible for this year's provincial examination sat inside the hall, his brow furrowed. After taking a sip of the tea that had long been brewed in his cup, he turned to a minor official below and said: "Are you saying that the Ping-style building, which has fallen into disrepair over the years, suddenly collapsed and crushed an examinee who was taking the exam inside? I must say, every year, the Ministry of Revenue allocates funds for the maintenance of the tribute academy, so how could such an incident occur?"

Fortunately, it was just a dream, a dream that is not real! At this moment, Chu Xian recalled the scenes from the dream, and he was also drenched in sweat, murmuring to himself. At this time, he noticed a few books on the shelf of the medical clinic, and upon seeing the titles, Chu Xian thought again, this is the "Hui Chun Medical Canon," which is a work within the medical texts.

The self-satisfaction of the medical officer did not concern Chu Xian; at this moment, he was naturally dejected. After all, he had studied hard for many years, thoroughly read numerous classics, and endured great hardships, all this effort was for the sake of passing the examination and achieving the transformation from a carp to a dragon.

That is good. If a life is lost, you will not be able to bear the consequences. At this moment, the chief examiner's tone softened somewhat, he adjusted his attire, and then stood up, saying: "Let us go, take me to see that candidate."

Chu Xian glanced out the window at the sky and suddenly exclaimed, jumping down from the bed. At this moment, it was already the hour of Si, and the second subject examination should have begun. What should he do? It is important to note that he had not even finished the first subject's exam paper.

The content inside is surprisingly identical to what he knows

This absolutely includes this examiner

Because in that dream, he indeed had read this classic text and had studied the medical path, and he was a master of the medical path

Chu Xian felt that it did not resemble a dream

At this moment, Chu Xian's mind was buzzing.