All things are of inferior quality (medium)

  Hahaha... Mr. Shen burst out laughing, he suddenly felt that the young man in front of him might have a great future ahead of him... He had also studied and been an official before, so he knew that to succeed in this world, one needs to be exceptional at both studying and being a person. The ability to study is a prerequisite, but the ability to be a person is the ultimate factor that determines one's achievement.

  This young man before him, neither arrogant nor humble, neither rushed nor flustered, warm and elegant, square outside and round inside, is indeed not comparable to ordinary bookworms... For some reason, he suddenly thought of his mentor, Shao Hu Gong.

  At this thought, Old Master Shen couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle to himself: "How did I think of my teacher? Was he also like this when he was young?" But in the end, he still changed his original intention, not letting Shen Mo be a reading companion for his youngest son, but instead having them read together as companions: "Shen Mo, our Shen family's private school is one of the best in Shaoxing City. Are you willing to work hard inside before the county exam?... Of course, also help me discipline this disobedient child and let him learn well with you." The latter sentence was directed at the drowsy Fourth Young Master.

  Even with a calm and steady mind, it was hard to conceal the look of surprise on his face... He had thought that he would inevitably follow in the footsteps of shame as a book-reading child, but from what Old Master Shen said, it seemed that he was actually being allowed to study alongside Fourth Young Master, on an equal footing, this was truly... too good to be true.

  Ban du and jie ban differ by only one word, but their meanings are worlds apart. The former is similar to a master-slave relationship, while the latter is a friendship between classmates. He didn't know that if Shen Lao Ye hadn't been an official or seen the world, he wouldn't have made such a decision.

  Silently and dazedly he agreed, Old Shen was very satisfied with his reaction... although this kid didn't smile this time, but looking at him was really too much.

  Mr. Shen decided to strike while the iron was hot, reached into his sleeve and felt around, but only felt a cool breeze on both sleeves. With a slightly awkward expression, he gave his son a good face and said: "Friends have a relationship of mutual benefit. From now on, you two will be classmates, your family is quite well-off, while Shen Wei's family is temporarily struggling financially, what do you think should be done?"

  Shen Si quickly stepped forward, took out a silk pouch from his bosom and handed it to Shen Mo: "Friend, take it and spend it."

  Shen Mo said, "If I were to take this money, wouldn't you hate me to death?" Then he bowed to Old Man Shen and said, "Thank you for your kindness in giving Shen Mo the opportunity to study. This is already a great favor." He smiled at Shen Si and said, "But this money... I absolutely cannot accept it."

  "Ah, going to school, always need to buy some stationery." Mr. Shen said with a gentle smile.

  Chenmo sincerely smiled: "Paper, pen and books are all readily available, no need to buy them again." He apologetically smiled at the two of them: "The student's family teachings are very strict, really dare not accept, please forgive me, Master and Fourth Young Master."

  Mr. Shen then stopped, smiling and saying: "You don't want to, that's fine, but if you have any difficulties in the future, just let me know, of course, telling Shen Jing is also the same." As he spoke, he pointed to Shen Si, who was originally named Shen Jing.

  Chen Mo bowed his head in gratitude once more before backing away and leaving the Zhonghe Hall.

  Looking at his departing back, Shen Jing let out a breath and said softly: "There are still those who don't like him before, really."

  "Hmph, do you think everyone is as useless as you?" Mr. Shen's face turned from sunny to cloudy, and he sighed: "This matter was my fault, I knew this child was mature-minded, but still used a few tricks to provoke him, it really was beneath me."

  "Dad, I admit that this kid is quite impressive." Shen Jing asked in a low voice: "But do you have to take him so seriously? It's as if he's going to be a cabinet minister or something."

  "That's also unknown." Old Master Shen said calmly, "Anyway, this kid is a talent. If you're not stupid yet, get close to him and who knows, maybe he'll be your way out in the future."

  Shen Jing was stunned. He still had a lot of faith in his old man's vision. In his memory, this was the first time the old man said he had a way out...

  When he emerged from his silence, the sky had already completely darkened. He didn't know that the two old men were studying him, and even if he did, he couldn't care less. Because his heart was filled with wild joy, causing him to lose his usual composure, he took advantage of the night's cover to run along the corridor, shouting silently as he ran: 'Thank you, thank you...'

  He ran out for dozens of feet before his body, still recovering from a serious illness, finally protested and started panting heavily.

  Just saw a fake mountain on the left, turned out of the long corridor, went around the back of the mountain and sat down, resting while secretly rejoicing.

  It's not that he was excited about being able to recite the Analects of Confucius, he wasn't that superficial. He was overjoyed because a major heart disease had been solved... This matter should be traced back to three days ago, when father and son were full and drunk, brewing a pot of flower tea, and started setting up the Dragon Gate array...

  As they chatted, they naturally brought up the topic of Shen Mo's future path.

  It is well known that Shen Mo is a self-confident and arrogant guy. That day, he said to his father: "Among the 360 professions, every profession produces top scholars! Whatever I, Shen Chao Sheng, do will be excellent! All can bring glory to our ancestors!"

  Shen He's evaluation of this statement was simple, just one word: "Bullshit!" Then, with a hint of drunkenness, he pointed to the mountains and rivers, saying: "Although there are 360 professions in the world, in the Great Ming Dynasty, if you want to avoid being bullied, stand out, and achieve something, there is only one way - become an official, specifically a civil servant, and more specifically, a scholar-official."

  Shen Mo was not an easy person to convince, and at the time he retorted: "I'm going to join the army. The court is currently unstable both in the north and south. Who knows, I might achieve great merit, become a general, and be enfeoffed as a duke or marquis. Wouldn't that be considered making a name for myself?"

  "When can you be a soldier? Hmph, let's not mention that you're not from a military family background, whether or not you can become a soldier." Shen He sneered: "Even if you do become a soldier and achieve merit to be enfeoffed as a marquis, what then? A small official like an imperial censor can still control you completely. If you were a high-ranking military officer of the third rank or above, it would be fine; at most, you'd get scolded if you made a mistake. But if you're below the third rank, you'll be beaten with a wooden board on the ground. People say 'good iron isn't used to make nails, good men don't become soldiers', what prospects do you think being a soldier has?"

  "The Jiangnan region is the richest under heaven, with flourishing trade. I have done business and become the wealthiest man in the world." Shen Mo said purely to provoke a reaction.

  "Can you surpass Shen Wansan?" Shen He sneered and said: "Our fellow villager, is undoubtedly the number one under heaven, but in the end, isn't it because of having too much money that he attracted the hatred of the emperor, lost his family property, and was exiled to Yunnan?"