Simulates history, but Chongzhen is the Divine Emperor at the beginning

Chapter 25 Ah! Good! I won!
[You have returned to the juncture of fate. Feeling complicated, you did not report to the Jinyiwei this time. Instead, you went to the post station in shame...]

[“Oh! A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold!”]

You met your master, Deputy Master Ding, at the post station, who had cut ties with you in anger... Although he had cut ties with you earlier and expressed his intention to return home, he was still your master after all. After more than two years of getting along, he had already developed a deep bond with you, and therefore had always harbored fantasies about you.

In his opinion, no matter how much of a child prodigy you are, you are still only a five-year-old. So even if you are angry and want to report the dark deeds, it is just a momentary impulse. When your passion cools down, you will naturally come to him dejectedly to admit your mistakes!

[So he's actually still waiting for you at the post station. If you don't admit your mistake soon, it won't be too late for him to completely cut ties...]

[To be honest, if you were truly just an ordinary little kid, then his guess would be correct. When a little kid hits a wall, of course they'll cry and apologize to an adult.]

[It's a pity you're not normal... So in the previous side storyline, not only did his wait come to nothing, but in the end, you, addicted to spinning tops, also gave him a beating with a copper-headed leather belt and threw him into prison. It couldn't be more miserable...]

[But the past is the past, and the present is the present. Looking at Master's smug smile that said, "I expected this long ago," you sigh inwardly: Never mind. I became a grandfather last time, so this time I'll just be a grandson...]

So you "repented and changed your ways," your face filled with loss and helplessness. You grabbed your master's thigh and cried bitterly, "Master! I was wrong. Please don't cut me!"

[“I know I was wrong. I will never do it again! Never again…”]

[Your snot and tears covered his leg, making his mouth twitch... But after all, you were his apprentice for over two years, and there were both feelings and interests involved, so he endured it...]

What else could he do when faced with a cash cow with a promising future?

【What can I say？】

[Of course I choose to forgive you! ]

[Thus, the master and the disciple were like Tang Sanzang and his disciples who reconciled after their three attacks on the White Bone Demon. The scene was so touching that it truly moved even outsiders...]

【…】

After this, you returned to your hometown in northern Shaanxi by carriage and continued your daily studies, preparing for the next provincial examination, as if nothing had happened.

Your parents were a little disappointed when they learned you didn't make the entrance exam, but they didn't take it too seriously. After all, you were already a renowned prodigy, destined for fame and fortune in the future... As parents, what could they possibly blame you for? They loved you so much!

[After all, there are more normal parents in the world. A precious biological father like Fang Zhongyong is a rare commodity...]

[Besides your parents and others, there is another group of people who sincerely comfort and encourage you... They are the thieves!]

Li Laiheng didn't lie last time. He truly had no intention of harming you. His statement that he "must pass the imperial examination this year and then assassinate the Shaanxi Provincial Governor" was merely a test of your abilities.

When the news of your failure spread, not only did they not come to your house to attack you, but they smiled and encouraged you: If you don't pass this time, you will definitely pass next time!

"You kid, I can tell at a glance that you're the Wenquxing star, a natural-born master of the stars!"

Li Laiheng, carrying a hoe, smiled at you and said, "Just because you're from the same hometown as King Chuang, I'm optimistic about you! This wasteland of northern Shaanxi has always only produced rough men. If we could produce another Master Wenquxing in the future, that would be a great blessing!"

【Yeah? 】

Listening to his encouragement, you wondered: Wasn't Chuang Ze rebelling against the Ming Dynasty? Why did he support me passing the imperial examination and becoming an official?

You can't figure it out no matter how hard you try, so you just give up: Who cares! Aren't older people allowed to hope for a bright future for their juniors?

【Just accept all the encouragement! 】

With their encouragement, you worked even harder, intending to pass the provincial examination three years later on your own, and embark on the long-desired career path of government.

[But this road is destined to be difficult...]

【…】

In August of the 1675th year of the Chongzhen reign ( AD), the Yimao year of the lunar calendar, the Shaanxi provincial examination began. Unfortunately, you, at the age of five, failed.

In August of the fifty-first year of the Chongzhen reign (1678 AD), the Wuwu year of the lunar calendar, the Shaanxi provincial examination began again. Eight-year-old you took the exam again!

This time, you studied diligently for three full years and practiced on past provincial exam papers... During your last exam, you had already identified your weaknesses, so you did your best to address them this time.

He was very confident: Even without that sword, I can still annihilate... Pah! Even without that mysterious divine help, I can still pass the imperial examination!

You weren't bragging, because you truly possessed the ability. So, in August, accompanied by your master, you once again traveled to Xi'an Prefecture, aiming for the title of Juren (a prestigious scholar)!

[And this time, you met that gatekeeper again at the entrance to the examination hall...]

"Hey! Isn't this the little prodigy from back then? He's here again this year?"

I don’t know if it was because you left such a deep impression on him, but the gatekeeper recognized you immediately and said with a smile, “I heard that you didn’t pass the exam last time. I felt quite regretful…”

Your expression remained unchanged, but you sneered inwardly: "Regret? I'm afraid you're actually bursting with joy!"

[The title of a Juren scholar was sold for 100,000 taels. Eighty percent of my fame was sold by him...]

"By the way, are you buying it this time? Still one hundred thousand taels!"

He chuckled softly, "I'm sure to win..."

“No!”

You calmly took a step forward, and under the stunned gaze of the gatekeeper, you once again entered the examination room...

When the test papers were handed out, you quickly revealed a relaxed smile: "I've got it!"

Although this exam isn't any easier than the last, you're no longer a little kid forced to take it. At eight years old, you're capable enough to pass the imperial examination!

[With your plan in mind, you slowly pick up your pen...]

【But, you miscalculated again. 】

When the exam results were announced, you waited confidently from morning till night, but still didn't hear the call, "Good news, your Majesty, Mr. Zhou Huiliang..."

[In the candlelight of the inn at night, your master clearly saw the hideous expression on your face...]

The next day, you went to the Xi'an prefectural government office again and asked the clerk to check your test paper: You can't believe you didn't pass!

[And the results of the investigation were just as you expected: the failed exam paper the clerk retrieved was still not yours...]

"Liang..."

After watching the entire process, the master couldn't help but say, "It's just bad luck. Let's try again next time... I just don't believe it. There were once, twice, but could there be a third time?!"

[Listening to Master's words of comfort, your face is filled with bitterness: Three? I'm afraid there really is one...] [A shadow of darkness has already settled in your heart.]

[But you still choose to continue working hard to prepare for the next provincial examination. After all, you've already risked your life against the Shaanxi officialdom, and you've experienced that kind of exciting situation. It's so cool to be a grandfather!]

[So, in this branch quest, you originally planned to become a grandson. You were already prepared for the hardships and difficulties...]

“Master, let’s go home…”

"Yes! Liang will definitely win next time! Master believes in you!"

【…】

[In the fifty-first year of the Chongzhen reign, 1678 AD, the Wuwu year of the lunar calendar, you, eight years old, failed the provincial examination for the second time!]

In August of the fifty-fourth year of the Chongzhen reign (1681 AD), the Xinyou Year of the Lunar Calendar, the Shaanxi Provincial Examination was held. At eleven years old, you took the exam for the third time!

[This time, you've prepared for another three years. Compared to last time, your knowledge and test-taking skills are more sophisticated.]

Before leaving, you even visited an old scholar in northern Shaanxi and asked him to teach you about your literary talent... After the old scholar took the test, he clearly stated that your level was already higher than his, and that passing the exam was no problem at all. If you performed well, you could even win the first place in the imperial examination!

[So, with your confidence restored, you once again set out on your old journey to Xi'an Prefecture to take the exam. This time, your master did not accompany you, because at the age of eleven, you were already able to handle everything on your own.]

[And when you arrived at the Xi'an examination center by carriage, as expected, you saw the gatekeeper again...]

"Hey! This is the third time, and you still won't buy it?"

[The gatekeeper laughed.]

“No!”

You said coldly, then strode into the examination room...

[In fact, you've already seen clearly that there's absolutely no necessary connection between whether or not you pass the exam and how well you do on the paper... If you're willing to pay, even if you can't read a single word, these people will lift you up to the position of Juren!]

[But if you stubbornly refuse to pay, then whether you can pass the exam will depend on your luck...]

[However, you don't have a hundred thousand taels of silver, and even if you did, you wouldn't want to give it... You just want to see how many times these guys can hold you down!]

[Iron-headed kid, just a stubborn head! ]

[Great! So, as expected, you failed the exam again...]

The day of the results announcement has come again. Once again, you waited from morning till night, but you remained silent and still didn’t hear the call of “Good news, Mr. Zhou Huiliang of your family…”

【…】

【I will fight you guys for the rest of my life! 】

With red eyes, you continue to go home to review, and then wait for the provincial examination that takes place every three years...

[In the fifty-fourth year of the Chongzhen reign, 1681 AD, the Year of Xinyou in the lunar calendar, you, at the age of eleven, failed the provincial examination for the third time!]

In the fifty-seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, 1684 AD, the Jiazi year of the lunar calendar, it was also the time of the Shaanxi provincial examination. Under the complicated gazes of your master, family, and the bandits, you once again packed your bags and left your hometown...

[This year you are fourteen years old, and this is your fourth time taking the provincial examination.]

【Hey, here comes my brother! 】

The same gatekeeper remained at the door, but nine years had passed since we first met. So, while he was considered middle-aged back then, his temples were now gray.

He continued to smile and asked, "Are you still unwilling to pay? To be honest, one hundred thousand taels is not as much as you think. Why don't you just ask your prefect to borrow some? After all, you are a genius with a bright future. If you ask him to lend you the money, he will really lend it to you..."

“No borrowing, no buying!”

【You walk in with your head down.】

[“You are such a jerk…”]

【…】

In the fifty-seventh year of the Chongzhen reign, 1684 AD, the Jiazi year of the lunar calendar, you, at fourteen, unsurprisingly failed the imperial examination again...

In the sixtieth year of the Chongzhen reign (1687 AD), the year of Dingmao in the lunar calendar, you, at the age of seventeen, failed the exam again and again, failing for the fifth time.

In the sixty-third year of the Chongzhen reign, 1690 AD, the Gengwu year of the lunar calendar, you, at the age of twenty, failed the imperial examination again, your sixth attempt at success.

[The sixty-sixth year of Chongzhen…]

【…】

In the seventy-second year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign (1699 AD), the lunar year of Jimao, you, at the age of twenty-nine, took the Shaanxi Provincial Examination for the ninth time!

It's another Year of the Rabbit, but a full twenty-four years have passed since you first referenced this...

[Over the past twenty-four years, those who once had infinite expectations of you have been disappointed time and time again. Thieves no longer call you the God of Literature, your master no longer expects you to shake down much silver for him, and even your parents think, "Son, you're obsessed!"]

They don't understand why you're so stubborn. If you can't pass the exam, why not just not take it? After all, your status as a scholar is already quite high, and your family isn't short of money... They also want you to get married, start a family, and have children to carry on the Zhou family line.

But you completely rejected all of this. You neither sought to make a living nor wanted to get married. Instead, you devoted yourself to the confines of the Four Books and Five Classics, writing boring, tedious essays all day long...

“I’m sure I’ll win!”

[Passing the imperial examination has long been your obsession! ]

[So much so that when the long-awaited good news finally reaches your ears, you can hardly believe your ears...]

[Dang! A gong sounds!]

"Good news! Your Majesty, Mr. Zhou Huiliang, has achieved first place in the Shaanxi Provincial Examination! He has been listed in the imperial journal!"

[Hearing the excited announcement of good news outside the door, you grinned and couldn't help but let out a silly laugh...]

“Ah! Great! I won!”

……

(End of this chapter)