Chapter 144 Day 8 of Transmigrating into an Imperial Examination Novel

Chapter 144: The Eighth Day of Transmigrating into an Imperial Examination Novel

After achieving the top scholar title (Zhuangyuan), he did not enter the prestigious Hanlin Academy step by step like ordinary new jinshi. Instead, due to the pragmatism and foresight he demonstrated in his policy essays, the emperor exceptionally appointed him to a key position, directly plunging him into the vortex of the empire's power center.

He climbed the ranks, from a bureau director in the Six Ministries to a regional governor, then back to the central government, entering the Grand Secretariat and becoming a prime minister.

In the end, he governed the world, wielded immense power over the court and the countryside, and became the core figure driving the wheel of this dynasty forward.

But that wasn't all. This prime minister from the modern era began to inject the knowledge beyond his time into this ancient dynasty.

He improved farming tools, promoted high-yield crops; he built water conservancy projects, managed rivers; he reformed the tax system, filled the national treasury.

He quietly sowed the seeds of early science, established institutions similar to academies of sciences, gathered skilled artisans, and studied the nature of things.

The nation's strength grew steadily under his guidance.

The restless foreign tribes at the borders, after suffering several thunderous blows by border troops armed with new training methods, submitted, and vast tracts of land were incorporated into the dynasty's territory.

Once the land-based threats were largely neutralized, this sharp-eyed prime minister turned his gaze to the blue ocean, full of unknowns and opportunities.

The keels of massive ships were laid in enormous coastal shipyards. Using basic physics and mathematics, as well as concentrated manpower and resources, sturdy ships that far surpassed any other vessels of the era began to take shape.

Although they were far from real steel giants, their massive size, sturdy structure, and the primitive giant cannons powered by improved gunpowder that they began to try to equip already possessed overwhelming deterrent power.

The original novel ended with a scene of a fleet of considerable scale setting sail, heading for the ignorant and unknown overseas continents and countries that were still in the state of tribal city-states or ancient backward dynasties.

Banners fluttered, sails billowed like clouds. Standing at the bow of the flagship, Fang Huaixing, now middle-aged and increasingly calm and dignified, gazed into the vast, limitless ocean.

That was all the original novel covered.

As for what happened after going overseas?

A faint smile curved An Yi's lips.

Needless to say.

While other civilizations were still groping through medieval darkness or lost in ancient philosophical debates, what kind of storm would this fleet, carrying the seeds of early industrialization and the power of a dimensional crushing attack, unleash?

It would inevitably be roaring gunfire, a collision of civilizations, a conquest of blood and fire, and also... the forced dawn of a brand new era.

"The technological development is too fast; some parts don't hold up to logical scrutiny..."

An Yi silently remarked to himself:

"However, this kind of overpowering pleasure is simple and direct, quite interesting."

He didn't dislike this pure pleasure, and even felt that, to some extent, this unrestrained development and conquest possessed a raw vitality.

He liked it.

This was the most satisfying original novel he had ever transmigrated into.

An Yi noticed that that poor kid, Qin Cang, also appeared in the original novel.

He appeared twice in the early part.

The first time was soon after Fang Huaixing entered the county school, when he returned to the village to visit his parents.

He happened upon several village boys who were pushing and cursing the thin and small Qin Cang, calling him "Cursed Star" and "kin-killing freak."

At that time, Fang Huaixing, already a "little child prodigy" with considerable prestige in the village, immediately stepped forward, put on a stern face, and righteously chased the bullies away.

Qin Cang did not say much to him, only gave him a silent, wary glance, then turned and left.

This was Qin Cang's first formal appearance in the original novel, as the target of the protagonist's chivalrous rescue.

The second time was when Fang Huaixing passed the Xiucai examination, returned to the village in glory, and received congratulations from the villagers.

In the bustling crowd, Fang Huaixing happened to catch a glimpse of a figure on a path at the foot of a distant mountain, carrying a bundle of firewood, slender but upright, walking alone in silence toward the deep mountains.

That figure stood out against the surrounding excitement and noise.

Fang Huaixing's gaze lingered on that figure for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just frowned slightly and was once again engulfed by the crowd surging to congratulate him.

And from then on, Qin Cang vanished from the original novel.

When he reappeared, it was many years later.

By then, Fang Huaixing had already reached the pinnacle of officialdom, served as prime minister and dominated the court.

And Qin Cang appeared in the victory reports from the border.

He had joined the army at some unknown point, relying on sheer desperation, tenacity, and fierce combat prowess honed in harsh environments.

Starting as a lowly soldier, he fought through blood and gained merits repeatedly, and literally carved a bloody path through the military, becoming a fearsome, famous border general.

Once, this great frontier-shaking general returned to the capital to report on his duties.

Facing Fang Huaixing, now the prime minister, Qin Cang solemnly cupped his fists in salute: "This general thanks Prime Minister Fang for the help back then in the village."

Fang Huaixing was somewhat surprised to recognize Qin Cang, but quickly composed himself, warmly encouraging him and praising his loyalty and bravery for the country.

The two of them parted ways.

From then on, Qin Cang began his own journey in the original novel.

He led his iron cavalry, crushing one powerful tribe after another on the northern grasslands, pushing the empire's territory thousands of miles northward.

He won battles continuously, victory reports arrived frequently, and he was revered by the people.

However, his personal life was a stark contrast to his brilliant achievements on the battlefield.

This powerful general never married, had no children, and no one to even care for him.

He seemed to have poured all his heart and passion into endless wars and killings, filling every void in his personal life with the blood of enemies and the wind and sand of the frontier.

He was always lonely.

His last appearance in the original novel was when the dynasty's huge fleet, carrying the dream of conquering overseas, was about to set sail.

Qin Cang, already nearing middle age, stepped onto the most majestic flagship.

Seeing this, a very faint ripple passed through An Yi's eyes.

He smiled softly, the laughter so light it was almost inaudible.

"I didn't expect that kid... his future path would be like this."

"A child swathed in the world's malice, bristling with thorns, eventually grew into the dynasty's sharpest blade, fighting all his life, ending up lonely, and finally boarding a ship to colonize overseas."

"This ending, cruel with a strange grandeur, was... fitting for that kid's personality."

An Yi withdrew his gaze from the protagonist, gently setting aside the script about Qin Cang's future. He activated his inner energy again, and his figure moved like a ghost, silently leaving the shadows of the woodpile, continuing towards the county town.