Nine gates stand before the Forbidden City, where officials in their finery arrive from the southern capital. Adorned with palace flowers on their hats, they face the Emperor's countenance, their fame spreading far and wide as they pass the imperial examinations in the golden hall. Riding their horses along the ten-mile imperial street, they are hailed as the top scholar of the Ming Dynasty.

My new book, "The Poor Scholar Prime Minister," has been uploaded. Please support it!