"It's a boy! Finally, a boy! The Zhang family line will continue! Both mother and child are safe and sound. Quick, go offer incense to our ancestors, and let’s celebrate with drums and firecrackers!"

An elderly man, his face etched with deep wrinkles, was beaming so widely that his creases seemed to smooth out. It wasn’t that Old Zhang was overreacting. The truth was, his family’s third generation had been disappointingly sparse. He had three sons and ten granddaughters, but not a single grandson. In the countryside, this was a source of deep shame, something that made him hang his head in embarrassment. Neighbors from nearby villages often mocked the Zhangs, saying, "Even with a fortune, a family with no male heir is doomed."

The three daughters-in-law of the Zhang family had always walked with their heads bowed, weighed down by the stigma. But this year, the second son’s wife had finally given birth to a precious grandson. Old Zhang was overjoyed, and the entire family treated the newborn like a treasure, as if he were the apple of their eye.

When it came time to name the child, the family deliberated for an entire month. In the end, Old Zhang made the decision: the boy would be named Zhang Anping, with the nickname "An'an." They hoped he would grow up safe and sound, and perhaps even become a scholar, pass the imperial exams, and rise to the rank of prime minister—living a life of prestige and honor. They didn’t want him to end up like them, toiling in the fields, raising chickens and ducks, and struggling to put food on the table.

From the moment he was born, Zhang Anping became the center of attention in the household.

"Little brother, this is a hat from your big sister. Do you like it? Hmm?"

"Little brother, here's a bell from your second sister!"

"Little brother, this is a cloth tiger from your third sister!"

"Little brother, here's some candy from your fourth sister. It's super sweet!"

...

Surrounded by a dozen sisters, Zhang Anping was the center of attention. The oldest was only six, and the youngest, his tenth sister, was just a month older than him, lying beside him, drooling just like he was.

"Little brother, give me a kiss. Your fifth sister will protect you forever!"

Looking at this group of little ones, the oldest of whom was barely six, Zhang Anping found the chatter around him quite noisy. Soon, he drifted into a deep sleep.

In his dream, Zhang Anping found himself standing before a massive gate wrapped in brass. The gate was towering, and he stretched out his tiny arms, pushing with all his might to get inside. But the gate didn't budge. He tilted his head back, gazing up at the immense structure.

This gate is so high!

But no matter how hard he pushed, the gate remained firmly shut.

As Zhang Anping grew older, he continued to have this dream every night, until he turned six.

One night, he suddenly heard a creak from the gate. It seemed to loosen slightly. This discovery filled Zhang Anping with joy.

Over the past six years, he had come to realize that he had traveled back in time to an era known as the Great Zhou Dynasty.

This dynasty bore a resemblance to the ancient Song Dynasty, valuing scholars over warriors. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, being a scholar was a source of immense pride for everyone.

In contrast, those who wielded swords and knives were often looked down upon as mere brutes, even mocked for their brawn over brains.

The Zhang family lived in a village called Daxing, located in Chaoyang County, Jizhou Prefecture, under the reign of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Daxing Village had no private school, so one had to travel to the nearby town for education. The family had always been adamant about sending Zhang Anping to study at a private school.

When Zhang Anping turned six, the family had a good harvest and finally decided to send him to the largest private school in town. Dressed in new clothes, Zhang Anping, accompanied by his grandfather, Old Man Zhang, brought the traditional gifts and tuition fees. His father drove the donkey cart to take them to town to meet the teacher.

The teacher, Mr. Li, was well-known in the town, but his tuition was steep—ten taels of silver a year, though it included room and board. For the Zhang family, it was a significant expense, but they gritted their teeth and managed to afford it. After all, ever since Zhang Anping was born, the family had been saving up, dreaming that he would grow up to be a scholar, pass the imperial exams, and become a high-ranking official, thereby lifting the entire family out of their humble farming roots.

This was Zhang Anping’s first time visiting the town, and everything seemed fascinating to him. The streets were lined with grain shops, clothing stores, and livestock markets. The air was filled with the lively calls of street vendors selling various snacks, creating a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.

Zhang Anping’s eyes darted around, taking in the sights. He realized that even a small town in the Great Zhou Dynasty was quite prosperous, offering almost everything one could need for daily life and entertainment.

Old Man Zhang and his family stopped in front of a large courtyard. A gatekeeper was peering out, and upon their arrival, he quickly ushered them inside. The property was vast, with both front and back courtyards. Bamboo groves added a serene touch to the surroundings, and the sound of students reciting lessons from the neighboring rooms filled the air, filling Zhang Anping with a sense of excitement.

"This place is really nice," he thought to himself.

Soon, Zhang Anping met Mr. Li, a man in his sixties with a neatly trimmed mustache and a stern, square face. Mr. Li asked Zhang a few questions.

"Have you received any education at home? What have you studied?"

Zhang had indeed been taught by Old Zhang for a while, learning the *Three Character Classic* and the *Hundred Family Surnames*. Blessed with a good memory, he could recite them almost flawlessly. This impressed the teacher, who couldn’t help but smile.

"Such a young lad, yet so teachable! You may stay. In this school, you’ll find your fellow students. If you encounter any issues, come to me. You’ll start with the *Thousand Character Classic*..."

Mr. Li’s eyes sparkled with delight. He hadn’t expected this farm boy, Zhang Anping, to possess such an impressive memory at such a tender age. He could recite the *Three Character Classic* and the *Hundred Family Surnames* backward and forward—a feat that surpassed even some students who had been studying for two or three years. This stirred a sense of admiration in Mr. Li, who immediately called for a servant to bring a scholar’s robe.

Every child who entered Mr. Li’s school received two sets of white scholar’s robes. Mr. Li took a particular liking to Zhang, with his rosy lips and bright teeth, and personally helped him into the robe. The robe was slightly oversized, and Mr. Li even bent down to adjust the hem of the trousers.

In a gentle voice, he advised Zhang, "Once you wear this robe, you must carry yourself as a scholar. Never engage in anything disgraceful. If you do, the consequences could range from a whipping to expulsion from the school. Remember this well..."

"Sir, what counts as disgraceful behavior?" Zhang asked.

"You’re still young, but remember this: if any of your classmates dare to lay a hand on you, that is disgraceful. Report it to me immediately..."

Zhang quickly understood. So, no fighting? Or rather, no one was allowed to hit him? It seemed Mr. Li was showing him a bit of favoritism...

"Master Li, if I am forced to defend myself, would it be considered unbecoming of a gentleman?" Zhang Anping, with his obsidian-like eyes, gazed at Master Li with admiration, yet posed such a question.

"You are the youngest among your peers; a bit of playful banter is harmless..."

"Thank you, Master!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Anping was overjoyed. The master's favor towards him was indeed extraordinary. He quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply to the master.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, a teacher for a day was a father for life. Master Li did not decline but stood proudly at the forefront, accepting Zhang Anping's bow.

This filled Old Man Zhang with immense joy, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart.

It seemed the master also favored his grandson's fair and handsome appearance, a true scholar in the making!

Old Man Zhang recalled the words of the wandering Taoist priest who had visited his home years ago, and his heart swelled with hope for the future.

Master Li personally saw Old Man Zhang off, advising as they parted.

"A jade uncut is not a gem. Rest assured, your child is in good hands with me..."

Indeed, upon meeting Zhang Anping, Master Li had taken an instant liking to the boy. Not only was he handsome, but he was also exceptionally intelligent, a rare and promising seedling.

Old Man Zhang, seeing this, repeatedly bowed to Master Li, expressing his deepest gratitude.

Once settled into the private school, Zhang Anping quickly adapted. He shared his quarters with several older classmates, some of whom, though younger in age, had been studying there for a few years, mostly around seven or eight to ten years old.

However, Zhang Anping struggled to recite the entire "Three Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Surnames" without stumbling. That evening, he didn't join his classmates in their usual banter and went to bed early instead.

In his drowsy state, the familiar dream reappeared. This time, Zhang Anping tried once more to push the door. As expected, it didn't budge. He had grown somewhat numb to this recurring dream. Over the years, except for that one time when the door had creaked slightly, it had never opened. Yet, ever since he had transmigrated to the Great Zhou Dynasty, this dream of pushing the door had haunted him every night.

It was normal for the door not to open; if it did, that would be the real surprise!

Zhang Anping let out a bitter chuckle and was about to try again when he noticed a faint golden glow emanating from the white robe he was wearing today. As he pushed the door, it suddenly offered no resistance and swung open effortlessly...

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