ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales: The Story Behind Liu's Ten Attempts to Become the Top Scholar in Imperial Examinations

The story behind Liu's 10 Attempts to Become the Top Scholar in Imperial Examination. Liu Lishun was from Qi County, Henan Province, during the Ming Dynasty. His father died when he was only a month old, and he was raised by his mother. From a young age, he placed great emphasis on improving his morality and was highly respected by his fellow villagers. He passed the provincial examination in his early 20s, but subsequently failed the imperial examination nine times. People felt sorry for his bad luck and misfortune, but he remained calm. Later, he spent a long time studying in a temple. One day, while diligently studying, he suddenly heard a woman's mournful cries outside. He sent someone to inquire. It turned out that one woman's husband had been away on business for seven years without returning, and the family was on the verge of starvation. The woman's mother-in-law wanted her to remarry to survive. So the mother-in-law accepted 12 tales of silver from a merchant from out of town who would then take the woman away. Thus, the two women were weeping sadly at their farewell. Upon learning this, Liu Lishun instructed his servant in a hurry. Quickly, go back home and fetch 12 tales of silver, the servant replied. We only have a little silver left at home for taxes, and it must be paid first thing tomorrow morning, Liu Lishun insisted. Saving people's lives is the top priority. We can find another way to pay the taxes. Liu Lishun immediately wrote a letter to the woman, imitating the husband's tone. He said he had been away from home for seven years. After earning 500 tales of silver, he would return in about ten days. Here, 12 tales of silver were sent back first for household expenses. Liu then had the silver and letter delivered to the mother and daughter-in-law. Overjoyed at their newfound life and desperation, the mother and daughter-in-law immediately returned the silver to redeem the Ten days later, the old woman's son indeed returned, bringing almost the same amount of silver mentioned in the letter. The mother mentioned the letter, but the son was completely unaware of it. He took out the letter, and the more he read it, the more confused he became. After a long pause, he finally said, It must be divine beings who had mercy on us and secretly helped us. From now on, our whole family can only repay them by praying to heaven to thank them. Later, the husband happened to visit the temple where Liu Lishun had studied and saw on the wall inscriptions written by Liu during his studies. The handwriting matched the letter, and he knew that the letter and the silver had come from Liu. So he took his family to Liu's residence to express their gratitude, but Liu refused to acknowledge the matter. The following year, the seventh year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, 1634, Liu Lishun traveled north again to take the imperial examination. He was 52 years old that year, and this was his tenth attempt. Unexpectedly, this time he passed successfully. In the following palace examination, Liu Lishun presented his essay on effective strategies for governing the country and ensuring the people's well-being. The key examiner, however, failed to understand him and ranked him at a low grade, 273rd. When the Chongzhen Emperor personally reviewed the examination papers, he greatly admired Liu Lishun's proposals and his concerns for the country and its people. He personally ranked Liu as the top scholar, Zhuang Yuan, appointing him as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, responsible for recording the Emperor's daily life. Liu Lishun took the imperial examination ten times, spanning thirty years, finally achieving the top scholar title at the age of 52. The Chongzhen Emperor proudly told his close ministers, Today, I have found a virtuous and accomplished man of advanced age. Liu Lishun had repeatedly failed the examinations, yet he triumphed in his fifties. Wasn't this a reward for his great deeds? Many people might think this was a coincidence, but in reality, coincidences are not accidental. They always have a cause and effect. Helping those in distress and rescuing those in danger are things that benevolent and righteous people do. Such acts of kindness naturally accumulate merit and bring blessings. Liu Lishun had a benevolent heart at a critical moment. He prioritized others' sufferings, putting aside his own challenges, and kindly rescued a family. That's why he encountered such a fortunate coincidence.