Chapter 1

In the fifth year of the Xin Dynasty, Tianfeng (18 AD), in the eighth month of autumn, in Changping County, the capital of Liwei Commandery, at the official school hall.

It was broad daylight, yet the yellow wax candles in the bronze lamps were lit, the flames flickering slightly on the wicks, and wisps of blue smoke drifting through the room.

At that moment, the two officials on the platform seemed to have forgotten the day's official business, treating the school as a debate forum, pointing at the candles and engaging in a lively discussion.

"Earlier, when Junshan and I were traveling in the same carriage, you used the metaphor of the candle flame to describe the relationship between the spirit and the body. You said that the spirit resides in the body like a flame burning on a candle. When the candle burns out, the flame cannot exist in the void alone."

"Indeed, the ashes of the candle are like the aging of a person, with teeth falling out, hair turning white, and muscles withering. At this point, the spirit can no longer be nourished by the body. When the body dies, the spirit also extinguishes completely, just like the flame and the candle."

"But I have a question, can Junshan answer it?"

"Please, Boshi, speak."

"When the lamp runs dry, we can add oil to keep it burning; when the candle burns out, we can replace it with another. As long as the flame is passed on, it will not go out. So, when a person is about to die, can the spirit also transfer to another body and continue to exist?"

In front of them, ten young men sat upright, listening with wide-eyed amazement. The profound philosophy concerning the spirit, the body, life, and death was beyond the comprehension of these young students.

But Wudilun understood everything.

His surname was Wudi, his given name was Lun, and his courtesy name was Boyu. He was only 17 years old, and his attire was different from the others.

The other students wore loose robes, their backs drenched in sweat but unwilling to remove their Confucian caps. Wudilun, however, wore a black hunting-patterned deep robe and a simple headband, feeling quite cool. He stared intently at the two officials on the platform, not wanting to miss a single word.

"The spirit transferring to another body to continue existing—doesn't that describe me? Could it be that my identity as a穿越者 (穿越者 means '穿越者', a term often used for someone who has traveled through time or dimensions) has been exposed!?"

He couldn't clearly explain how the穿越 (穿越 means '穿越', referring to the act of time or dimensional travel) happened. He only remembered that when the bus flipped over the mountain, he was listening to Wu Bai's 'Last Dance' with his eyes closed.

The pain gradually faded, and the music slowly disappeared. When he woke up in shock on a sickbed, he found himself transformed into a young man named Wudilun, and the era he was in was...

The Xin Dynasty!

The emperor on the throne was... Wang Mang!

As a science student, his knowledge of history was limited. He only knew two people from this obscure dynasty: one was Wang Mang, suspected to be a穿越者 (穿越者 means '穿越者', a term often used for someone who has traveled through time or dimensions). The other was Liu Xiu, known as the "son of the plane" and the "great magician." He knew nothing else.

Fortunately, he retained some of the body's memories, allowing him to understand ancient Chinese and gradually gather information about this era.

After recovering, Wudilun looked at himself in a bronze mirror and found that, apart from being a bit short, he had smooth skin and a bright smile, a sign of a well-fed and well-clothed life.

He was fortunate; the Wudi family, though not a powerful local clan, was a landowner in the county, considered a low-level "local magnate."

Compared to the hurried peasants rushing to serve and the descendants of officials exiled to guard the border, Wudilun's starting point was much higher. His family could even afford to send him to school.

The building where Wudilun was now was the Liwei Commandery official school, located south of the city wall in Changping County. It consisted of a few houses with green-tiled roofs, mud walls mixed with wheat straw, and a layer of clamshell ash on the outside. The school was small, and the ten young men, including Wudilun, were kneeling on mats.

They were all outstanding students who had passed the primary school exams and were recommended by the commandery doctor and the elders. They were waiting for the imperial music doctor to inspect them, ask a few questions, and complete the formalities. In October, they would go to the capital to study at the Imperial Academy, diving into the vast world of the Five Classics.

Wudilun thought it would be a mere formality, but the two doctors who arrived today were quite unconventional. Especially the music doctor, Huan Tan, who was in his forties, with a receding hairline, said as soon as he entered:

"I was discussing something with Doctor Liu on the way here, and we hadn't finished when we arrived at the school. Since we still have time, let's finish our discussion. The county magistrate, the elders, and the students, please make yourselves comfortable!"

Then he left everyone to chat on their own.

"Truly, Huan Junshan, who dares to say there are no gods before the emperor, is indeed a bold scholar, unconstrained by etiquette and law."

Wudilun heard someone whispering beside him, mentioning Huan Tan's unique background. He had served in the Western Han Dynasty, was well-versed and knowledgeable, and had studied all five classics, but only focused on the general meanings, not the detailed interpretations. He dressed simply, wore a small cap, and carried a fan, and if not for the bronze seal and black sash on his waist, he wouldn't look like an official at all.

In contrast, the other doctor, Liu Gong, whose courtesy name was Boshi, was the nephew of the Xin Dynasty's national teacher. He wore a formal robe and a cap, looking very serious. Yet, it was he who asked, "Can the spirit transfer to another body after a person dies?"

Huan Tan responded, "Boshi said that when a candle burns out, it can be replaced. But who replaces the candle?"

"Of course, a person does."

"Indeed!"

Huan Tan clapped his hands. "If no one actively replaces the candle, it will still burn out. So, when a person ages and dies, who will replace our bodies, and how will they do it?"

Liu Gong was speechless for a moment before saying, "Perhaps, only the gods can..."

"Where are the gods?" Huan Tan spread his hands. "Life has a beginning, growth, aging, and death, like the changing of the seasons. Boshi's desire to change the nature of things and seek a different path is truly foolish."

Huan Tan turned to the audience, and Wudilun didn't look away, instead focusing intently on every word.

"A candle, if properly maintained and frequently adjusted, can burn longer and not be extinguished prematurely. The same goes for people. Instead of thinking about whether the spirit can transfer to another body after death, it's better to seek ways to nourish the spirit and live a long life."

Huan Tan's words broke Wudilun's preconceived notion of the scholars of this era being superstitious and anti-intellectual. Unfortunately, he knew too little about the Xin Dynasty and wasn't sure if Huan Tan would be remembered in history or survive the impending chaos.

In the past, as a staunch materialist, Wudilun would have wholeheartedly agreed with Huan Tan. Now, he wasn't so sure.

"What is the reason for my穿越 (穿越 means '穿越', referring to the act of time or dimensional travel)? I hope it's science."

Wudilun shook his head, not wanting to think about the question he couldn't answer for a lifetime. What he could do now was, as Huan Tan said, cherish this new life. Of course, he also needed to be cautious about any troubles that might affect his future survival.

For example, today's incident!

...

After finishing their private conversation, it was time to handle official business. Huan Tan, who had been eloquent, now seemed uninterested, even yawning. Liu Gong had to take over and addressed the audience:

"Studying is not easy. In the first month, when farming has not yet begun, in the eighth month when the heat has subsided, and in the eleventh month when the ink freezes, children and young men must attend primary school. They study the 'Classic of Filial Piety' and the 'Analects of Confucius,' and in one commandery, there can be hundreds of students. After being evaluated by the commandery doctor and the elders, only the ten outstanding students, like those here, can enter the Imperial Academy!"

Everyone straightened their backs, except for Wudilun. The evaluation was in the fall, before his穿越 (穿越 means '穿越', referring to the act of time or dimensional travel), so he had nothing to be proud of.

Moreover, the original owner of this body, though well-versed in Confucian classics, knew that success in this era's education and career depended not only on academic performance but also on family background, wealth, and reputation.

Looking around, could anyone see a poor child? Those who had reached this point were either the children of officials with connections, had family traditions of Confucian learning, or were from wealthy local families like the Wudis. His grandfather had given the commandery many favors, and by paying extra, he secured a spot for Wudilun, squeezing out a cousin.

Liu Gong continued, "Dongzi said, 'The Imperial Academy is the gateway for virtuous scholars and the foundation of education. In the Western Han Dynasty, during Emperor Wu's reign, there were only fifty students in the Imperial Academy. During the reigns of Emperors Zhao and Xuan, it increased to a hundred, and during the reigns of Emperors Yuan and Cheng, it reached a thousand, still insufficient to nurture scholars for the empire.'"

He bowed toward the capital. "Since the current emperor ascended the throne, he has emphasized education and built ten thousand dormitories in the southern city, increasing the number of students in the Imperial Academy to ten thousand!"

Wang Mang, a Confucian scholar himself, placed great importance on education after becoming emperor, and the expansion was significant.

Liu Gong added, "By promoting the Imperial Academy, setting up excellent teachers, and thoroughly evaluating students, we can find talented individuals. After entering the Imperial Academy, students must remember the emperor's teachings and study the Five Classics. There is an annual exam, and the top forty students become imperial attendants, the next twenty become attendants to the crown prince, and the next forty become literary officials."

"The great Confucian scholar Xiahou Sheng once said, 'The flaw of scholars is not understanding the classics. If they can master the classics, obtaining high-ranking positions is as easy as picking up a blade of grass from the ground. Students, strive for this.'"

This speech excited everyone. Studying well and entering the government was a natural path, and the students and their families used all their resources to secure spots, hoping for a bright future for their children.

Next, the two doctors randomly selected students to answer questions, a mere formality. Only the worst would be eliminated at this stage. Liu Gong knew that if Huan Tan asked the questions, he would ask obscure questions to challenge the students, so he took over, letting Huan Tan relax.

But even the simplest questions were beyond Wudilun.

After the穿越 (穿越 means '穿越', referring to the act of time or dimensional travel), he developed a sleeping disorder, sleeping for five to six hours a day, and his memory was severely damaged. He could barely recognize his relatives. As for the classics he had studied, like the 'Classic of Filial Piety' and the 'Analects of Confucius,' he had forgotten them completely.

Being called on by the teacher and unable to answer would be very embarrassing. There was only one solution...

If I give up quickly enough, the embarrassment won't catch up with me!

When it was Wudilun's turn, he didn't wait for Liu Gong to ask a question but first made a deep bow to the two doctors.

"Your humble student, Wudilun, greets the two doctors. I have a request, and I hope the doctors will allow it."

Huan Tan raised an eyebrow, and Liu Gong looked at Wudilun, who said solemnly, "I wish to give up my spot in the Imperial Academy!"

I won't continue my studies!

...

"What?"

The other students in the school were stunned and turned to look at Wudilun. Huan Tan pointed at him with his fan. "Young man, are you afraid of failing Doctor Liu's questions and thus backing out?"

Don't speak the truth! Wudilun was a bit nervous but smiled calmly, and others thought he was mature and unaffected by Huan Tan's "joke."

Someone came to Wudilun's defense. The county magistrate of Changping, who had a connection with the Wudis, said, "I dare to inform the music doctor that this young man is diligent and studious, knows thousands of characters, and has excelled in the 'Classic of Filial Piety' and the 'Analects of Confucius,' earning praise in the community."

Huan Tan looked at Wudilun's attire. "Everyone else wears high caps and Confucian robes, but you, young man, wear simple and practical clothes. Is it to save fabric for the weavers? Or is it because your family is poor and you can't go to the capital?"

This was a joke, of course. Years of full-time study and living in the expensive capital were beyond the means of ordinary people, but those sitting here were not from average families.

Wudilun responded calmly, "Doctor, you wear simple clothes and a small cap, yet you think my attire is inappropriate. Is it that only officials can set fires, but commoners cannot light lamps?"

This remark made Huan Tan laugh. "Well said! This world is indeed like that!"

"Junshan!"

Liu Gong stopped Huan Tan's antics and frowned at Wudilun. "Young man, entering the Imperial Academy is a rare opportunity that many people can't even dream of. Why don't you want to go?"

Wudilun had been waiting for this question and bowed. "It's not that I don't want to, but each year, thousands of students enter the Imperial Academy, with a few to several dozen from each commandery. Liwei Commandery has exactly ten spots, one for each county."

"I ranked first in the Changping County official school, and the second place was my cousin, Bajiao. We have been friends since childhood and have always been close."

Huan Tan and Liu Gong, both well-versed, were not surprised that someone surnamed Bajiao was related to someone surnamed Wudi. They were originally from the same family, descendants of King Guang of Qi during the Chu-Han Contention, and had been given different surnames based on the order of their relocation.

However, Wudilun was lying. He and Bajiao were only acquaintances, not friends.

"My cousin is older than me, diligent, and has never missed a day of study. His knowledge is always excellent, but he fell ill during the evaluation and ranked second, which is a pity."

Wudilun looked ashamed. "As a friend, taking first place while he was sick is unjust; as a younger cousin, taking the spot meant for my elder is unfilial. An unjust and unfilial person cannot study the classics in the Imperial Academy. Besides, I only have a superficial understanding of the 'Classic of Filial Piety' and the 'Analects of Confucius.' I wish to study for another year to improve and give this year's spot to my cousin!"

This was unprecedented, and Liu Gong turned to Huan Tan, seeking advice. To his surprise, Huan Tan was casual, waving his fan. "If he doesn't want to go, why force him?"

Perhaps Huan Tan, while yawning and fanning himself, had noticed that Wudilun was the only one who didn't seem impressed by Liu Gong's talk about the benefits of the Imperial Academy. Huan Tan disliked hypocritical scholars who preached morality but were only interested in official positions, and Wudilun's character appealed to him.

Wudilun indeed didn't take studying and becoming an official seriously. The Five Classics were too dull. He had heard that unless one was exceptionally talented, the time cost of studying the classics was enormous. Some students entered the Imperial Academy at fifteen or sixteen and still hadn't mastered a single classic by the time their hair turned white.

Studying until old age—wasn't that a true saying?

Moreover, while the Imperial Academy had expanded, the number of job opportunities hadn't. Out of the thousands of students who entered each year, only a hundred could become officials, a ratio of one in ten, and the competition was getting fiercer. It seemed that in any era, exams were a narrow bridge over which thousands of people tried to cross.

Wudilun didn't want to waste his time buried in bamboo scrolls. Instead of studying old texts, he preferred to continue his plans at home—how to survive the impending chaos.

As he left the school, the heat outside had subsided, and the cool autumn breeze was refreshing.

The county magistrate, responsible for selecting the spots, was a bit embarrassed. The other nine students whispered about Wudilun's "unconventional" decision, and the guards outside laughed, thinking he was foolish.

But Wudilun had his own plans. "Even if I enter the Imperial Academy, it doesn't guarantee a career. Even if I study hard for years and become a low-ranking official, what power would I have?"

"If I remember correctly, the Xin Dynasty is a short-lived dynasty. Given the current situation, its collapse is not far off. Rushing to become an official in the Xin Dynasty..."

"Isn't that like joining the army in 1949?"

...

PS: New book, new author, please give me recommendations, everyone! The cover is AI-generated and will be changed later.

I'm not afraid to reveal the plot: True.穿越者 (穿越者 means '穿越者', a term often used for someone who has traveled through time or dimensions) vs. the son of the plane!