“Ah, going to school, you always need to buy some brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.” Mr. Sullivan said with a gentle smile.

Adam Sullivan replied with a sincere smile, “We already have paper, pens, and books, there’s no need to buy more.” He smiled apologetically at the two and said, “My family is very strict, I really can’t accept this. I hope Elder Master and Fourth Young Master will forgive me.”

Only then did Mr. Sullivan give up, smiling with narrowed eyes, “If you don’t want it, that’s fine. But if you have any difficulties in the future, just let me know. Of course, telling Charles Sullivan is the same.” As he spoke, he pointed at Fourth Sullivan—so his name was Charles Sullivan.

Adam Sullivan thanked them again, then bowed and took his leave, exiting Zhonghe Hall.

Watching him leave, Charles Sullivan let out a sigh of relief and whispered, “There really are people who don’t like money, unbelievable.”

“Hmph, do you think everyone is as useless as you?” Mr. Sullivan’s expression, as expected, turned from sunny to gloomy. He sighed, “I was too rash in this matter. I knew this child was mature, yet I still tried to tempt him with a few coins. That was really beneath me.”

“Father, I admit this kid is pretty impressive.” Charles Sullivan asked in a low voice, “But do you really need to value him so highly? As if he’ll become a Grand Secretary in the future.”

“That’s not impossible.” Mr. Sullivan said calmly, “No matter what, this kid is someone special. If you’re not completely hopeless, you should get closer to him. Who knows, he might be your way out in the future.”

Charles Sullivan was stunned. He had always respected his father’s judgment. In his memory, this was the first time the old man had ever said he had a way out...

※※※

When Adam Sullivan came out, it was already completely dark. He didn’t know he was being discussed by that father and son, and even if he did, he wouldn’t have cared. Because his heart was so full of joy that he lost his usual composure. Taking advantage of the night, he ran along the corridor, silently shouting as he ran: ‘Thank you, thank you...’

After running more than ten zhang, his body, still recovering from illness, finally protested, and he started panting heavily.

He saw a rockery to his left, so he left the corridor, went around behind the rock, and plopped down to rest, secretly overjoyed.

Of course, it wasn’t just being able to attend the clan school that made him so happy—he wasn’t that shallow. He was so elated because a major worry in his heart had finally been resolved... This matter had to be traced back to that night three days ago, when father and son, having eaten and drunk their fill, brewed a pot of flower tea and started chatting...

As they talked, the conversation naturally turned to Adam Sullivan’s future prospects.

As everyone knew, Adam Sullivan was a conceited guy, confident to the point of arrogance. That day, he said to his father, “There are three hundred and sixty trades, and every trade produces its own champion! Whatever I, Henry Sullivan, do, I’ll do it well! I’ll bring honor to our ancestors!”

Brian Sullivan’s evaluation of this was simple—just one word: ‘Nonsense!’ Then, a bit tipsy, he pointed at the world and said, “Although there are three hundred and sixty trades, in the Ming Dynasty, if you don’t want to be bullied, if you want to stand out and make something of yourself, there’s only one way: become an official, and not just any official, but a civil official, and one who became a civil official by passing the imperial exams.”

Adam Sullivan was not someone who would give in easily, so he argued, “I’ll become a soldier. The court is unstable both north and south right now. Maybe I’ll achieve great merit, become a general, be granted a title—wouldn’t that be making a name for myself?”

“A soldier? Hmph, not to mention you’re not from a military household, so who knows if you could even become a soldier.” Brian Sullivan snorted, “Even if you did become a soldier, achieved merit, and were granted a title, so what? A minor censor could still keep you in check. If you’re a military official of third rank or above, that’s one thing—if you make a mistake, you’ll just get a scolding. But if you’re below third rank, you’ll be beaten right on the spot. People say, ‘Good iron isn’t used for nails, and a good man doesn’t become a soldier.’ So what future is there in being a soldier?”

“Jiangnan is the richest region in the world, commerce is thriving. I’ll go into business and become the richest man in the world.” Adam Sullivan argued purely for the sake of arguing.

“Can you be richer than Shen Wansan?” Brian Sullivan sneered, “Our own clansman, the undisputed richest man in the world, and what happened? He had so much money that he attracted the emperor’s jealousy, lost all his property, and was exiled to Yunnan.”

Chapter 12: All Trades Are Inferior (Part 2)

“So according to you, Father, all trades are inferior, only studying is noble?” Adam Sullivan said with a smile.

“That’s right, exactly so.” Brian Sullivan encouraged Adam Sullivan with a vision of a bright future, “As long as you study hard and pass the student exam, you’ll be exempt from taxes and levies, you won’t have to kneel before officials, and if you do well, the state will even support you!” He chuckled, “And in the countryside, that’s the highest status you can have!”

“Huh?” Adam Sullivan said in disbelief, “Aren’t there still juren and jinshi? How could a xiucai be the top?”

“Silly child, the jinshi all go off to become officials, and there aren’t many juren who stay in the countryside. The people with titles you see in the villages are people like your father, xiucai. Others call us either ‘sir’ or ‘young master’—with the utmost respect.” Brian Sullivan reminisced, “There are many things that require the help of a xiucai. For example, at weddings, any family with a bit of money must invite two xiucai to be groomsmen. The bride’s family must also invite xiucai to accompany the groom. For funeral ceremonies, you also need a xiucai. Especially when the county magistrate comes to the countryside on official business, even though there are gentry, the people who accompany the magistrate must be xiucai.”