In ancient China, Fan Jin was a poor scholar over fifty years old who had endured many years of hardship and repeated failure in the country’s imperial (civil service) examinations. His household was so impoverished that he often lacked even rice to cook.
One day, after yet another attempt, Fan miraculously passed the examination, allowing him to become an official—a transformation that would completely change his life. Overcome with joy at having finally succeeded, Fan fainted where he stood. When he regained consciousness, his happiness turned into frenzy. He dashed out of his house in delirium, not realizing that he had lost his shoes, and kept muttering, “I’ve passed!” Having lived in awe of his harsh father-in-law, Fan was then struck in the face by him—a shock that instantly restored him to his senses….
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