I came second in the imperial examinations.
The first-place winner was the sort of swaggering hero who conquered everything in his path.
He spent his days drinking, writing poetry, and visiting brothels.
The third-place winner was the hero of an erotic novel.
He spent his days sleeping with princes and generals.
Once I became a censor, I worked overtime every day impeaching the two of them, until my face turned sallow and my eyes were ringed with blue.
Then I checked my pay at the end of the month: ten taels of silver.
Furious, I threw down my memorials, picked up my brush, and started a side business: Episode One: “The Third-Place Scholar Charms in Women’s Clothes; the First-Place Scholar Spends a Fortune for His Smile.”