Ji'an grows up with lofty aspirations.
Shen Nian'an grew up amidst disaster relief and reconstruction efforts in the south. From a young age, he often saw his father, Shen Jiye, wearing a straw raincoat and wading through mud, directing emergency repairs on the dikes and inquiring about farming in the fields. The grateful eyes of the people and the joyful laughter as they rebuilt their homes took root in his heart like seeds, inspiring him to vow from childhood to be a good official like his father, serving the people and living up to the expectations of his country.
He was exceptionally intelligent and remarkably diligent. During the day, he studied classics and historical texts with a tutor hired by his father. He had thoroughly memorized the ideas of benevolent governance in the Analects and Mencius, as well as the stories of virtuous ministers in the Records of the Grand Historian. At night, he would pester his father to teach him martial arts and military strategy. He wielded the spear with impressive skill and could explain the diagrams of troop formations with great clarity. His mother, Liu, felt sorry for her son's hard work and urged him to rest, but he always shook his head: "Mother, Father said that as a descendant of the Shen family, one must not only be knowledgeable and reasonable, but also have the ability to protect the people. The more I learn, the more people I can help in the future."
Shen Jifang also doted on this nephew, often taking him to the clinic to teach him to identify herbs and bandage wounds. "Nian'an, doctors should have a benevolent heart, and officials should also have a benevolent heart," she said, stroking his head. "If you enter officialdom in the future and can empathize with the suffering of the people, and treat them with the same dedication as a doctor treats his patients, you will be the pride of the Shen family." Shen Nian'an kept his aunt's words in mind and sometimes helped out at the clinic, delivering medicine to patients and comforting them. Even at a young age, he exuded a calm and reliable demeanor.
That year, Shen Nian'an turned seventeen, just as the imperial examinations were about to begin. He bid farewell to his parents and aunt and went to the prefectural capital alone to take the exams. Shen Jiye personally saw him off at the ferry, patted him on the shoulder and admonished him: "Nian'an, the imperial examinations are for selecting virtuous and talented people, not for seeking fame and fortune. If you pass with flying colors, remember not to be greedy for vanity, but to put the people first and be an honest and upright official; even if you do not succeed, do not be discouraged. The spirit of the Shen family does not lie in the rank of official position, but in whether one is true to one's conscience and to one's country."
Looking at the expectation in his father's eyes, Shen Nian'an solemnly kowtowed: "Father, your son will remember your teachings! This time, I am going to take the exam only to have the opportunity to serve the country and bring happiness to the people. I dare not have the slightest selfishness."
In the examination hall, Shen Nian'an calmly faced the challenge, penning a policy essay entitled "On the Foundation of People's Livelihood." His words were earnest and his arguments clear, drawing upon classical texts and his observations of disaster relief efforts in the south. He proposed numerous practical suggestions, including reducing taxes and corvée labor, developing water conservancy projects, and emphasizing agriculture and sericulture. The chief examiner, upon seeing this, greatly praised him and ranked him first in the provincial examination, thus granting him the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination).
When the news reached the south, Shen Jiye and Liu Shi were overjoyed, and Shen Jifang also prepared generous gifts to celebrate. Looking at his son's spirited appearance, Shen Jiye's eyes were filled with pride: "Good lad, you haven't disgraced the Shen family! But this is just the beginning. From now on, you must walk steadily and never forget your original aspirations." Shen Nian'an respectfully replied, already secretly determined to continue his studies, go to the capital next year to participate in the imperial examinations, strive for a larger platform, and realize his ambitions.
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