The Tale of a Thousand Years of Cultivation

Once upon a time during the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a great general named Zhongli Quan, who hailed from Xianyang in Jingzhao (present-day Xianyang, Shaanxi). His father, Zhongli Zhang, had also been a great general of the Eastern Han, and for his meritorious service in subduing the northern barbarians, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Yantai. Zhongli Quan originally intended to follow in his father’s footsteps, bringing glory to his ancestors and achieving great accomplishments. However, misfortune befell him, leading him to a dead end. He rose to the rank of Remonstrant Advisor, but was demoted to Jiangnan after submitting a memorial to the throne. Shortly after his demotion,...