In the first chapter, seeking the divine oracle at the Nuwa Temple, it is said that the martial prowess of the fish leaps in Longxi County

I approached the altar, reached out to pick up the two wooden divination blocks that had lost half their paint, and then knelt down on the ground, bowing three times before the statue. In my heart, I silently prayed: "This time in the capital, if I can secure a good official position, please grant me the sacred block; if I can only manage a minor clerk or a lowly position, please grant me the favorable block; and if... the great deity is indeed wise, I trust I will not receive the unfavorable block."

I walked out of the hall in a daze, still trying to figure out a strategy when suddenly I saw an old soldier leading a strong mule approaching me. He clasped his hands together and said, "Mr. Wang? The governor has instructed me to present this mule to you as a means of transportation to Longxi." My goodness, that fellow had even arranged this!

In my heart, I referred to myself as "the old man," yet I could only humbly call myself "the young man". I once again offered my grand gesture, then retreated from the living room. The servant clarified where I would be staying, then waved his hand, saying, "Just wait here." Thus, I was unceremoniously ushered out the door.

Of course, I cannot reveal the whole truth; I simply answered, "Lord Zongzheng of Langya, introduced me to pay my respects to my great-uncle." This was indeed the concern of that Zongzheng lord: "When you arrive at the Wang Xiang residence, be sure not to mention Wang Lan; and when you are at the Wang Lan residence, do not mention Wang Xiang. For the sake of your future, remember this well"

As soon as I entered the hall, I hurried forward, first bowing deeply, then prostrating myself on the ground, saying, "I, your humble nephew, pay my respects to my uncle and ancestor." I did not dare to raise my head to closely observe what the Grand Minister of Rites looked like; I only paid attention to his attire. I buried my head in my hands and waited for quite a while, until I finally heard a languid response from above: "Hmm, I have heard of you."

Thus, I searched my heart and wrote a heartfelt letter, which I then sent to the residence of the Grand Minister of Ceremonies. The essence of the letter expressed my unfamiliarity with Western affairs and my hope to be recommended to a certain state in the eastern region... a certain county or even a certain district would suffice. If a state is not possible, then a county is acceptable. However, I cannot accept a position in a state, as my ancestor, Wang Hui, left behind a family instruction: "Instruct descendants not to serve as officials in the royal court." Although I do not care much for this rule, I believe that the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, renowned for his filial piety, would certainly take it to heart.

However, the old man is very hospitable; his wife, on the other hand, has a completely different demeanor. Not only did she send me to sleep in a side room that resembled a firewood shed, but she also provided only porridge for my two daily meals. Furthermore, she constantly made veiled insults, seemingly trying to drive me away. Leave? Ha! If I had anywhere else to go, would I endure your nonsense?

I do not acknowledge that I have offended the deities, but this is certainly not a good omen

With a loud bang, thunder exploded above my head. Longxi? That is the westernmost border of the empire, and the first line of defense against the constant incursions of the minor bandits from Western Shu! Not to mention that being sent from the governor's office to the prefectural office is equivalent to a demotion; sending me to Longxi is like pushing me into a fire pit and a *map*!

I settled down in the governor's office, living as a guest who enjoyed free meals and drinks. Unfortunately, Governor Wang was a frugal man, applying his impractical virtues to his subordinates and guests, providing only a simple meal of rice and a dish at each meal, with the occasional request for a little light wine. However, compared to the days spent traveling west from Langya, enduring wind and rain while sleeping outdoors, this was like heaven, and I found myself temporarily content.

I have never believed in fate; I only believe that misfortune and fortune are interdependent. As long as one seizes the opportunity well, misfortune will naturally transform into blessings. However, despite this, after a long and arduous journey, when I finally caught a distant glimpse of the majestic city walls of Luoyang, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and helplessness, wanting to inquire of the spirits.

For a full six days, there has been no news, and once again, my attempts to meet with the Grand Minister have been thwarted at the door, leaving me unable to make contact. There is no other choice; it seems my official career must begin from the barren and chaotic western frontier... Oh, my wife back in our hometown, you shall continue to guard the empty house alone, for your husband is about to pack and embark on a long journey to the distant Guansi region. We do not know in which year or month we will be able to reunite.

It is quite a coincidence that there is a small shrine in the eastern part of Luoyang City, and upon entering, one finds that it is dedicated to the goddess Nüwa. The shrine is very dilapidated, with the gold paint on the statue peeling off, revealing the wooden base, which is riddled with holes gnawed by ants. Even in daylight, it appears monstrous and utterly terrifying. However, even if the gold paint were intact, I doubt it would look much better. Legend has it that King Zhou of Shang once visited the Nüwa Temple to pay his respects, and upon seeing the statue, he suddenly lost his senses and subsequently inscribed a lewd poem on the wall, thus angering the deity and losing his splendid kingdom. I have never seen a truly lifelike statue, so it is likely that King Zhou either had an eye problem or a mental issue, or perhaps this entire legend is simply not credible.

I am completely out of money; where can I find funds for him? Yet, I do not reveal this, merely pretending to be calm as I slightly nod: "Let’s first see if it is accurate." "It is accurate; Nüwa is the great deity who created the heavens and the earth, and her divination is the most effective," the diviner said, pointing to the offering table, "Please first cast the divination blocks, and then I will perform the yarrow divination for you."

"Uncle, do you still remember me? I am deeply grateful," I said while trying to get closer, quietly raising my head to observe the movements above. "When you left Linyi, I had already been born, perhaps under your kind care and attention."

"My esteemed nephew has come from afar to offer assistance, which brings me great comfort." After exchanging a few casual remarks, the Governor Wang inquired about my talents and areas of expertise. At this moment, how I responded was crucial, but I had never prepared in advance. However, I had already composed my thoughts, so I answered loudly: "Since childhood, I have recited the Five Classics and have a slight understanding of their principles; I have also read Sun and Wu, can ride a poor horse, and draw a strong bow. If Your Excellency does not believe me, a test will reveal the truth."

I would indeed like to go, but the Minister of Rites is a rank higher than the Assistant Minister. However, it is quite unfortunate that that fellow is too timid; he probably fears being caught up in the recent turbulent political struggles, as he has been shutting his doors to guests all day. I do not believe he truly refuses to see anyone, but he certainly will not meet with a distant, obscure relative like me. If there were any connections to be made with the Minister of Rites, I would not come here to seek refuge in a somewhat cold office.

On the second day after arriving in Luoyang, I went to pay my respects to the Grand Minister of Rites. The gates of this esteemed gentleman's residence were bustling with visitors, and I stood in line for an entire day, until the night was as dark as water, before finally being led into the parlor by a yawning and weary servant. There were nearly ten thousand people ahead of me, and behind me, not a single soul—though I had anticipated that I would not receive much attention, this treatment... was still somewhat disheartening.

Well, we can stop the conversation here; saying more would only reveal my intentions. In any case, the esteemed Minister of Rites will surely be able to guess my underlying message. I pretended to wipe my eyes, as if I were an orphan who had been bullied by the neighbor's children, finally seeing an elder from my clan... However, the reality isn't too far off.

In truth, I have nowhere to settle. The inns are not qualified for me to stay, and I cannot afford the lodging and meals at the guesthouses. Thus, I have no choice but to temporarily reside at the home of a distant relative. This relative, it is said, studied alongside my father in his youth; however, he is nearly fifty years my senior and has not even managed to become a minor official. He can only barely make ends meet by hiring laborers to cultivate five acres of meager land outside the city. Nevertheless, although this old fellow is poor, he is quite knowledgeable about etiquette. Upon my long journey here, he immediately took out a few pages of my father's poetry manuscripts and without any hesitation, invited me to stay.

On the first day of the fifth month in the second year of Zhengyuan, after a long and arduous journey, I finally arrived in Chang'an. Chang'an is far more stable and prosperous than I had imagined; perhaps it is because this place is still far from the battlefield. The rebel Zhuge Liang and his followers have only advanced as far as the Northern Plains, which is still three to four hundred li away from Chang'an. Having spent nearly five hundred coins on the journey, as soon as I entered the city, I immediately went to pay my respects to the governor, Lord Wang Jing, with my name card and recommendation letter in hand.

I hurriedly stretched my head under the altar to take a look. The ancestral hall was already dim, and the altar was covered with worn-out hemp cloth that hung down to the ground. The area beneath the altar was pitch black; I clearly saw the wooden divination blocks lying still, yet I could not discern whether the yang side was facing up or the yin side. In a moment of panic, I lifted my neck, and with a loud "bang," the altar was unexpectedly knocked over by me

Although it was not the neighbor's children who bullied me, in fact, I was the one who bullied them... My grandmother's family, the Wang clan of Qucheng, and here I am, always getting into fights, even beating up my stepmother a few times. If I were in Langya, with my family's status, who would care about such trivial matters? How I despise my foolish father for moving from Langya to Donglai! If we had stayed in Linyi County, I would have probably been recommended for an official position two years ago, and today I would have at least achieved a rank of three to five hundred shi.

This question is truly incisive; fortunately, I had already prepared my response and practiced it repeatedly behind closed doors. "The young man has lost his parents, completed his mourning, and is eager to contribute to the country; however..." At this point, I deliberately paused, feigning a look of sorrow and indignation on my face, "the county has been rife with slander against me..."

Just as I was about to open my mouth to plead, the Prefect Wang shoved a letter of recommendation into my arms and said, "Noble nephew, you should set off today." Then, without looking back, he went into the inner hall, as if he were avoiding something. I understood that he was afraid I would be unwilling to go and that it would be difficult for him to handle the situation... This fellow, appearing gentle and refined, is actually so malicious! It is pitiful that I have been in Chang'an for less than half a month, and I have not yet seen all the famous scenic spots... No, I haven't even gotten familiar with the faces of the people in the prefectural office, and I have no way to seek connections or plead for favors!

The Grand Minister of Ceremonies seemed to furrow his brow: "Slander?" "Precisely," I tried to infuse my tone with sorrow, "the Wang family of Qucheng in Donglai..."

It serves them right! Women who do not give birth to sons deserve to be bullied

However, the carefree days did not last long; I suspect that Prefect Wang finally recognized my strengths. I should have inquired more thoroughly; it turns out that Prefect Wang is a master of classical studies. Had I known this earlier, I should not have boasted about "reciting the Five Classics since childhood" but rather should have said, "well-versed in the teachings of Zhuangzi and Laozi." On one occasion, he seemed to casually ask me: "The Book of Documents, Wucheng Chapter states: 'Only you have the divine, and can assist me to benefit the people; do not bring shame upon the divine.' How do you interpret this?" I stammered for a long time, gritting my teeth to respond: "That means hoping for divine protection to help the Shang fall and the Zhou to rise; otherwise, the people will be unsettled, and the divine will also be shamed."

I turned over countless intricate thoughts in my mind, yet I could not reveal any of it on my face. I do not know what the Minister of Rites was thinking; he lowered his head and studied my business card for quite some time before slowly asking, "Why do you not go to my elder brother's residence?"

So you just send me out the door like this? I have been queuing since the sun was at its peak, and now I haven't even had a sip of water; my lips are cracked from dryness, and my stomach is growling. I don't even know if I can have a cup of tea or a bowl of plain rice... This old fellow, I will remember you for a lifetime

The Grand Master of Ceremonies sat upright behind the table—though his demeanor was dignified, his cap had already been removed, and his robe had been taken off, leaving only a dark cloak over his inner garments. It was evident that for a young man like me, there was no need for formal attire, especially after a long day of labor; he intended to wash up and retire for the night.

I vaguely feel that the legend of brotherly love and filial piety surrounding these two brothers is likely greatly exaggerated, which is why the elder Mr. Zongzheng has taken such care. I originally intended to return to my hometown of Langya to make a name for myself, and for this purpose, I sold all my small piece of land and house in Donglai. Unfortunately, the elder Mr. Zongzheng clearly told me, "The Wang family descendants who have long resided in this county cannot all be recommended; your family has been away from home for over ten years, so it is likely you will find it difficult to seize the opportunity."

However, I often doubt the authenticity of this matter. Can one really melt ice by lying naked on it? Does he think he is a furnace?

Regardless of how unsightly the idol may be, and regardless of how dilapidated the ancestral hall is, I intend to consult an oracle to divine the fortune of this journey. Just as I turned my head, a lecherous-looking priest approached, smiling obsequiously as he asked, "Sir, are you here for divination? Please offer some incense money first."

I feel somewhat apologetic about this—after all, in terms of kinship, my status within the clan is relatively prominent—he has guided me towards a "clear path," urging me to travel a long distance to the capital to pay my respects to my two great-uncle. These two are the pride of the Wang family of Langya, especially Lord Wang Xiang, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who has sought the carp while lying on ice since childhood, earning a reputation that resonates throughout the entire Guandong region.

I feel that although my answer was somewhat superficial, it was by no means incorrect. However, Governor Wang seemed dissatisfied; he merely smiled and shifted to another topic. Could it be that this exchange left him with a negative impression? In any case, just a few days later, he suddenly summoned me and said, "The Governor of Longxi, Jiang, has just sent a letter stating that there is a shortage of documents in the office. I have recommended your capable nephew to him..."

Local officials are indeed different from court officials. It was the highly virtuous and renowned Wang, the Inspector, who made me wait in line for two hours, allowing me to meet him before nightfall. Inspector Wang, in his forties, has a fair complexion and a long beard, exuding an air of elegance and a very gentle demeanor. Although he belongs to the Wang family of Taiyuan, we are ultimately of the same lineage, both being descendants of King Ling of Zhou. Moreover, I held a letter of recommendation from the Minister of Rites, which made Inspector Wang particularly courteous.

Although I say this, I do not wish for him to conduct an experiment on the spot. Fortunately, Governor Wang did not delve deeply into the matter, merely nodding slightly: "A person of both literary and martial talents. My esteemed nephew, for the time being, stay comfortably in the office, cleanse yourself of the dust of the world, and when there are duties to be performed, I will still rely on you to contribute to the nation."

As the smoke and dust rose, the statue brushed against my shoulder and crashed to the ground, shattering into two pieces. In that instant, my heart raced like lightning, and I kicked out, toppling the approaching deity who was clawing at me, and fled through the door.

After finishing the prayer, I cupped the wooden divination blocks in my hands and gently tossed them forward. One block landed motionless, with the side facing up, while the other bounced and kept spinning. I stared anxiously at this bouncing block, but to my surprise, this lifeless wooden object bounced twice more and ended up hiding beneath the offering table

This unexpected shock was far from trivial; I felt the not-so-heavy offering table crash down on my back, and then it rolled away into the dust. I heard the startled exclamations of the deity beside me, and fortunately, my reflexes were quick. With a powerful leap, I sprang up and instinctively moved over three feet to the side.

The letter has been sent out, and I have endured six long days of waiting. Each day, I still sleep in the woodshed, eat porridge, and endure scolding. Although I have that five hundred coins, which allows me to sneak out for some dry food, for the sake of the long term, I dare not buy meat to eat, nor do I dare to drink wine. Oh heaven, ancestors, how difficult it is to endure days without wine, meat, and women.

After enduring three whole days, good fortune finally arrived at my doorstep. The Grand Master of Light, Wang Lan, sent someone to deliver five hundred coins and a letter of recommendation. I hurriedly hid the money to prevent that old woman from seeing it and demanding it from me, then I opened the letter of recommendation with great anticipation. However, upon reading it, I was immediately drenched in cold sweat; it was actually addressed to Wang Jing, the Governor of Yongzhou!

Returning twenty years back, Yongzhou was a good place. However, ever since that reckless bandit Zhuge Liang from Xishu raised his troops to invade, it has become the frontline of war. Especially in the western part of Yongzhou, the three counties of Longxi, Nanan, and Tianshui have been almost in constant conflict year after year. When it comes to fighting, I am quite capable, but when it comes to warfare, I am completely inept. Sending me to such a place is clearly a setup!

I once again took a bold glance at the Minister of Rites, only to see him slightly furrow his brow, and then, I could not discern what subtle gesture he made, but the attendant beside him loudly announced, "Escort the guest out!" Upon hearing this, I was startled. However, I was relieved to see the Minister of Rites tuck my name card into his sleeve, which seemed to suggest there was still a glimmer of hope.

I noticed that the Grand Master of Ceremonies was lowering his head, carefully examining my business card. After a while, he slightly shrugged his shoulders and nodded, saying, "Oh, later your family moved to Donglai... Why are you not waiting for the appointment from the clan official in the prefecture, but instead came to Luoyang?"

Certainly, these matters must not be disclosed to the Grand Master of Ceremonies. Especially the beating of the stepmother... The Grand Master himself is likely not of legitimate birth. It is said that his mother once treated his elder brother, who is now the esteemed Grand Master of Ceremonies, very harshly. That gentleman repaid resentment with kindness, and still served his stepmother with utmost respect until her death— I do not possess such a good temperament. While my mother was alive, who dared to bully me? After her passing, it was only I who bullied the stepmother! However, on the other hand, if that ugly woman had a son, like the Grand Master of Ceremonies before me, perhaps I would not have been able to bully her so easily...