A Minister of the Court

The verse he had just recited came from a five-character quatrain Luo Guanzhong had composed for Zhuge Liang.

The full poem read: "Who first awakens from the great dream? All my life, I alone have known. In my thatched cottage, I have slept my fill of spring; beyond the window, the sun lingers."

There were three interpretations and translations of this poem.

One was that life was a dream-who could see everything within that dream clearly? Yet I understood it all, knowing the laws governing everything beneath heaven.

Spring filled the thatched cottage. After a nap lasting several hours, he woke to find the sun outside already sinking westward, its evening light heavy and almost spent.

That was one interpretation.

Another was: who possessed the greatest enlightenment and wisdom? I knew the answer in my heart.

The third was: I am the wisest worthy minister in the world, yet the enlightened lord I await each day has still not come.

Although the poem had many interpretations, these three were generally the most widely accepted.

But why had Luo Guanzhong written it this way?

What did "Who first awakens from the great dream?" mean?

Why had Lin Ke recited these two lines rather than something like "I raise my head to gaze at the bright moon" or "The white sun sinks behind the mountains"?

Because this poem contained an exceptionally profound Dao Rhyme!

The resonance of the Dao!

The great dream and great awakening in the poem expressed a Daoist view of life.

The "Discussion on Making All Things Equal" in the Zhuangzi said: "While dreaming, one does not know it is a dream. Within the dream, one even interprets the dream; only upon waking does one know it was a dream. And only with a great awakening does one know that all this was a great dream."

Its original meaning held that death was the great awakening, and life the great dream.

That was why Lin Ke had chosen this verse.

Since he might become a Daoist disciple, surely a poem containing Dao Rhyme would be more likely to win favor?

After reciting the verse, Lin Ke slowly turned his gaze toward the plum tree in the courtyard.

The plum tree, planted by "Lin Ke's" mother with her own hands, stood about two meters tall, like a resolute young woman standing proudly upright.

Moments stretched into years, and seasons slipped away, yet she had remained here all this time.

Beneath the tree lay his mother's bones, with a small, unmarked gravestone resting above the soil.

This was the final resting place of "Lin Ke's" mother.

Affection and regret filled Lin Ke's eyes as he gazed at the plum tree. Then he slowly rose and walked toward it, step by step.

As an actor, how could he immerse himself most fully in a role?

Beyond outward expressions such as his gaze, movements, demeanor, and speech, the most important thing was putting himself in the character's place.

Lin Ke had to step into the role of "Lin Ke" to experience stronger emotions!

As he approached the plum blossoms, he slowly straightened, like a treasured sword finally leaving its sheath after years of concealing its edge. An air of resolve and sharpness radiated from him.

Even his blue robe, faded from repeated washing and starching, could not conceal Lin Ke's otherworldly, swordlike presence.

After those few steps, he stopped before the plum tree and reached out to draw a newly opened blossom toward his nose.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned down to inhale its scent, the corners of his lips lifting as though he were intoxicated by its fragrance.

Then he casually released the blossom he had drawn close and watched it sway before slowly drifting down, saying nothing.

He straightened with one hand behind his back, as though he too were a plum tree standing amid winter's bitter cold and heavy snow, possessed of his own unyielding character.

Then he chuckled softly, determination appearing on his face:

"A treasured sword gains its edge through grinding,"

"Plum blossoms gain their fragrance from bitter cold."

His gaze was extraordinarily firm. Once he finished reciting, he raised his arms and clapped his hands, murmuring with a smile, "Mother, I will surely become like you-a plum tree standing proud amid cold and snow."

Yet a moment later, he heaved a deep sigh, as though he meant to expel all the humiliation and resentment of these past years with that single breath.

As he sighed, he shook his head.

Just then, a sound rang out in Lin Ke's mind.

Ding.

Choice completed.

As Lin Ke waited for the voice's next words, his vision suddenly blurred.

When he came to his senses, he discovered that he was no longer in the little woodcutting courtyard, but inside a room.

His entire body instantly tensed, displaying a hint of nervousness.

Before him stood a rosewood table, with two people seated opposite one another. A game board rested on the table, covered with numerous black and white stones.

The two men seated on either side of the board were both middle-aged: one wore fitted black clothing, and the other wore white.

At that moment, the middle-aged man in fitted black clothing studied him with great interest and asked, "What is your name?"

"This junior is Lin Ke. My respects, senior."

Although he had appeared here abruptly, Lin Ke did not panic. Instead, he continued to put his acting talent to use.

He brought his hands together and bowed respectfully to the middle-aged man in black as he answered, then turned and bowed to the man in white opposite him. "My respects, senior."

No matter the dynasty, proper etiquette was essential.

Back in his original world, Lin Ke had been a top-performing acting student and had appeared in countless period dramas, so he understood very well how strict ancient etiquette could be.

Combined with the memories inherited from "Lin Ke," his manners naturally conformed to all the rules, leaving neither middle-aged man any fault to find.

Only after completing his greetings did Lin Ke straighten and examine their faces.

To Lin Ke, the middle-aged man in fitted black clothing looked rather fierce, as though he might grab someone by the collar at any moment during a conversation and reason with his fists.

His sitting posture was casual and unrestrained, like an uncle who might pull Lin Ke down to sit on the ground and chat about everyday life at any moment.

Opposite him, the middle-aged man in white was very quiet. Simply sitting there, he exuded an authority that required no anger.

Lin Ke felt that this man in white would be difficult to get along with. At the same time, he seemed familiar-very familiar-but Lin Ke could not recall where he had seen him.

It was hard to imagine two people who seemed so different in temperament sitting together and quietly playing a game.

While Lin Ke's mind raced, the middle-aged man in black grinned. "Heh, Minister Lin's son?"

"Yes, senior!" Lin Ke nodded lightly, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

"Oh, oh." At that, the middle-aged man in fitted black clothing pointed at the man in white opposite him. "You don't recognize him?"

Could he be someone from the Lin Family?

Lin Ke's heart tightened, and he could not help studying the middle-aged man in white more closely.

The man in white appeared to be a scholar, with graying hair and a meticulous, stern expression.

But the more Lin Ke studied his features, the more familiar they became, more and more familiar...

Then, suddenly, he thought of someone!

Could it be?!

"Hahaha, never mind if you don't recognize him!" The middle-aged man in black roared with laughter, winked and pulled faces at the man in white, then looked back at Lin Ke:

"Enough of that... Lin Ke, there's something I need your help with. If you help me, I can agree to any condition you set..."

"Of course, it has to be within my power and not go against my conscience. Anything within those bounds is fine."

A smile appeared on the middle-aged man in black's face.

"Help? Any condition?" Upon hearing this, Lin Ke pretended to consider it before asking in puzzlement:

"This junior knows his talents and learning are meager. I cannot imagine what virtue or ability has earned me such an honor... If I can help you, senior, I will certainly do everything within my power."

Put simply...

I think my abilities are pretty average!

But if you think I can do it, I'm in!

Of course, you'll still have to give me the reward.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man in black immediately laughed. "Good, good, good! Hahaha! Your talents and learning are hardly meager. Not just anyone could say something like 'A treasured sword gains its edge through grinding'!"

When his laughter stopped, he continued, pointing rather casually at the middle-aged man in white opposite him:

"I made a wager with this man. We'll each choose someone and give you a year. How much you learn will be up to you. You'll compete three times: after three months, after six months, and at the end of the year. Best two out of three."

Three contests, best two out of three!

One year!

Lin Ke's heart pounded.

If he remembered correctly, one year from now would be his last chance to take the Child Scholar Examination, because he would come of age next year!

I have to seize this opportunity!

Leave the bondservant register, then take the Child Scholar Examination!

While Lin Ke was thinking, the man in white glanced at him unobtrusively, a complicated pie chart of emotions flashing through his eyes.

It included disgust, revulsion, regret, and various other emotions.

But because his self-cultivation was excellent, neither Lin Ke nor the middle-aged man in black noticed.

"Well? Will you participate?"

At that moment, the middle-aged man in black smacked his lips, settled back into his seat, and looked at Lin Ke with a broad smile.

"I will!" Lin Ke did not hesitate, his tone as decisive as chopping nails and slicing iron. "Of course, this junior understands that diligence can make up for shortcomings, and that a clumsy bird must take flight first. Though my talents and learning are meager, I will certainly do my utmost."

"Good!"

Hearing Lin Ke's words, the man in black smiled and said happily, "As for your talents and learning being meager? That's fine. Your opponent is only a Confucian scholar."

He immediately added, "I won't let you lose, and I trust my eye for people."

A Con... Confucian scholar??

Lin Ke's expression stiffened slightly, though he was not particularly frightened. Still, he bowed with clasped hands. "This junior is only an ordinary person..."

A Confucian scholar...

What was a Confucian scholar?

Someone who had already stepped onto the path of Confucian cultivation!

The Confucian Scholar Realm was equivalent to the Dao Novice Realm and the Novice Monk Realm... it was the beginning of the path of cultivation!

Generally, one had to at least pass the Child Scholar Examination before gaining a chance to glimpse the Confucian path and enter this realm.

By comparison, Lin Ke was merely an ordinary youth.

Apart from being handsome, he was practically good for nothing!

"Don't be afraid. Those things won't be involved in your contests." The middle-aged man in black's eyes brimmed with amusement. "Anyway, all that matters is that you agreed... Haha, I never thought I'd stumble upon a treasure."

As he spoke, the middle-aged man in black laughed a few more times. "All right, now we just have to see whom the old fellow chooses... Just wait off to the side and see which talent from my Qi Family he picks."

"Yes."

Lin Ke nodded at his words.

Even after learning that his opponent was a Confucian scholar, he had no second thoughts.

This was currently his best opportunity to leave the bondservant register.

I have to seize it!

Lin Ke's gaze remained calm and his expression natural, while his mind began considering the system and the choices from earlier.

My gamble paid off!

When Lin Ke had seen those three choices, he had rapidly weighed their advantages and disadvantages and begun analyzing them.

Whether it was the first, second, or third choice, they all mentioned one subject: an "unidentified powerful figure."

He did not know whether this powerful figure followed the Confucian path, the Daoist path, the martial path, or possibly all of them. In any case, it related to the trade-offs among the three choices.

Without a clear understanding, he could not simply make his choice based on luck. That did not suit his cautious nature.

This was already his second life, and he had no intention of handing his fate over to so-called destiny again.

He wanted to hold all of it firmly in his own hands.

So, at the time, he had rapidly worked through various possibilities in his mind.

An unidentified powerful figure?

Why would there be an unidentified powerful figure?

After all, Lin Ke was inside the Lin Residence!

The Lin Residence! What sort of place was the Lin Residence?

The head of the Lin Family was the reigning Minister of Rites. In both cultivation and political power, he was among the handful of people at the very pinnacle of the age.

Would some ordinary person in this world dare casually direct their gaze into the Lin Residence?

The Personnel Department, Revenue Department, Rites Department, War Department, Punishments Department, and Works Department-these six departments were the same as in his previous life.

But what else was there?

There were another six: the Daoist-Buddhist Department, Demon Department, Spirit Department, Gods and Ghosts Department, Six Clans Department, and Hundred Schools Department!

All of Daoism and Buddhism combined amounted to only one department, while rites had an entire department to itself. How could they compare?

Thus, the "unidentified powerful figure" Lin Ke was most likely to encounter right now was a minister from one of the other departments!

And with the appearance of that middle-aged man in white...

The middle-aged man in white was very likely Lin Ke's father!

And this middle-aged man in black had to be the minister of one of the twelve departments, such as Works, Revenue, or Agriculture!

At this thought, a trace of surprise entered Lin Ke's gaze as he looked at the middle-aged man in white.

But he also felt fortunate.

When he had examined those three options earlier, he had guessed that the gaze of this unidentified presence belonged to the same person.

As the minister of a department, that person was bound to know many people, which was why the results of the choices led down different paths.

And Lin Ke had found a clever shortcut!

He had treated it as a multiple-selection question and taken all three paths!

He had seen that the first choice was very simple: put down the cleaver, look at the sky, and recite a line of classical poetry. It did not specify whether he should sit or stand, nor did it require a particular number of words in the verse.

The second choice was even simpler: sit and chop wood ten times.

The third choice required him to stand beneath the plum tree, recite poetry, clap his hands, and finally recite poetry again.

Lin Ke had quickly formed a clear sequence of actions in his mind.

He would carry out the second choice first, immediately follow it with the first, then slowly complete the third.

At the time, he had been sitting on a stool, so he simply continued chopping wood, striking ten times. He had already chopped more than a hundred thousand times; another ten or so were as easy as breathing.

Then he had put down the cleaver and recited poetry while looking at the sky, before rising to carry out the third choice: standing up, walking beneath the plum tree, and reciting poetry again.

Just like that, all three were completed.

It all made perfect sense!

It all went smoothly!

Far more smoothly than expected!

It really proved that earlier saying true: only children chose; adults wanted it all.

The only question was what the final outcome of the choice would be.

At that thought, the voice in his mind rang out again.

"Ding."

"Your choice reward has been issued. Please check."