Li Ru closed his eyes, and a deep sense of powerlessness and despair, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed him.
His lofty ambitions and abundant talent seemed so pale and laughable on this land, which was imprisoned by power, greed, and suffering.
He seemed to see the trajectory of his future destiny:
Alternatively, one could abandon that pitiful pride and ambition, and like those petty officials in the county government, grovel and fawn upon powerful families like the Feng family, becoming their henchmen who exploit the villagers, wallowing in the mire for scraps, and eventually becoming as callous and indifferent as they are.
Or, like their father, they could only wither away in despair and resentment, becoming just another forgotten skeleton in this chaotic wilderness.
Or... wait...
Waiting for an opportunity so slim it's almost unreal—waiting for the complete collapse of this crumbling Han Dynasty, waiting for chaos to descend upon the land. Perhaps, amidst the ruins of this chaotic world, with strategy in one's heart and pen in hand, one can carve out a different future?
But how heavy is the price of this wait?
That was a wait that was paid for with the blood, tears, and lives of countless innocent people!
He loves the Han Dynasty, and he fears the Han Dynasty will perish!
That was an identity etched into his very bones. He studied the classics and was loyal to the Han dynasty! He longed for the revival of the Han dynasty and the restoration of its glory, not to personally push it into the abyss!
"A tyrannical ruler is in power, and the court is corrupt..."
Li Ru opened his eyes, his gaze filled with pain and struggle.
Emperor Huan, Liu Zhi, was licentious and dissolute, favored eunuchs, and was the one who started the practice of selling official positions and titles.
As for the newly enthroned emperor, he is said to be just a young child. What can be expected of him? Isn't he just being manipulated like a puppet by the eunuchs and the empress's relatives?
Can such a court be expected to clean up official corruption, suppress powerful clans, quell border troubles, and employ poor scholars?
"That's just wishful thinking..."
He chuckled to himself softly, his voice filled with bitterness. A heavy weariness washed over him, and he almost wanted to collapse onto the cold desk, fall into a deep sleep, and never wake up again.
Just then, a series of hurried and unusual footsteps approached from afar, breaking the deathly silence around the humble abode.
Then, Zhang Bo's neighbor's voice, filled with unbelievable excitement and even a slightly distorted tone, pierced through the howling sandstorm:
"Wenyou! Wenyou! Quick! Come out and see! Luoyang... Luoyang has sent a government report! Huge news! The world has changed! The world has really changed!"
Li Ru suddenly raised his head!
Official gazette? From Luoyang? A change of government?
He subconsciously looked out the window; the wind and sand were still there, the dusky yellow light remained. But Zhang Bo's almost broken voice shouted, which was exceptionally clear.
He suddenly stood up, oblivious to the low stool behind him that he knocked over, and rushed to the door, forcefully pulling open the creaking, dilapidated wooden door that looked like it might fall apart at any moment.
A cold wind carrying sand and dust rushed towards him, choking him and causing him to cough, but he paid no attention to it, his eyes fixed on the door.
Uncle Zhang, an equally poor old widower, was clutching a crumpled, oil-stained, and dusty yellow silk book tightly in his hand. His wrinkled face was flushed red with excitement, and his whole body was trembling.
He practically lunged at Li Ru, shoving the official gazette into Li Ru's hands, rambling incoherently:
"Wenyou! Look! Look! The Emperor... the new Emperor! He killed... killed so many powerful eunuchs! Wang Fu! Hou Lan! And... and many more! They were all killed! Their homes were confiscated!"
The imperial court... the imperial court is holding a major examination! They say it doesn't matter what your social status is, as long as you have real talent and learning, you can go to Luoyang to take the exam! Those who pass will be given official positions!
"Humble...humble family! We poor people also have a chance! Heaven bless the Han Dynasty! A holy ruler! A holy ruler has descended!"
Li Ru's mind went blank with a "buzz".
He used almost all his strength to control his trembling hands and bring the precious official gazette to his eyes.
Under the dim light of the oil lamp, he stared wide-eyed, reading each word greedily and incredulously.
"...The new emperor ascended the throne, wielding absolute power... He executed more than ten treacherous eunuchs, including Wang Fu, Hou Lan, and Cao Jie... He dismissed derelict officials and relatives of the empress... He purified the court... He issued an edict throughout the land: All citizens of our great Han Dynasty, regardless of social status or rank, may go to Luoyang to participate in the court's examinations! They will be tested on their understanding of the classics and their ability to address current affairs, and their talents will be assessed for official appointments—only the capable will be promoted! The aim is to revive the Han Dynasty and bring blessings to the common people..."
Every word was like a thunderclap, exploding in Li Ru's ears and heart!
Execute the Ten Attendants! Remove the Empress Dowager's relatives from power! Cleanse the court!
Regardless of social status, only talent matters! People from humble backgrounds can rise to prominence!
The edge of the official gazette was almost deformed from his excessive force.
An indescribable surge of warmth erupted from the deepest recesses of my cold, despairing heart! In an instant, it swept away all despair, all helplessness, and all self-mockery!
He suddenly raised his head and looked towards Luoyang in the southeast.
Despite being separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, and despite the fact that the land of Liangzhou was still shrouded in yellow sand and suffering, he seemed to see through the boundless darkness and a brilliant light that pierced the long night and illuminated the whole country!
The weariness, despair, and struggle in his eyes vanished instantly!
Instead, there are burning flames, and the hope of rebirth!
He gripped the official gazette tightly, straightened his slightly hunched back, which had been hunched from years of hard study and the pressure of making a living, and felt an unprecedented surge of pride filling his heart.
Facing the howling north wind, the suffering land of Liangzhou, and the unseen yet captivating young emperor who had won his heart, he mustered all his strength and uttered a heart-wrenching cry:
"God bless the Han!!"
The wind and sand seemed to pause for a moment, and even the mother's weak cough seemed to stop temporarily in the humble room.
Only Li Ru's tearful, hopeful, and resolute cry echoed for a long time under the desolate sky of Longxi.
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