Determining who calls the shots is a significant issue, and if this isn't a big issue, then it's hard to explain why, thirty years after the end of the Civil War, the entire South, which seceded from the Union, remains a Democratic stronghold.
"In my grandfather's eyes, I looked best in a white long dress, but I haven't worn white since he passed away," Anna Belle stood solemnly in Arlington Cemetery amidst the dimming sky, a tinge of reminiscence in her tone. "Back then, he was just an ordinary young farmer in my eyes, if there was anything special about him, it was his boldness and confidence. Unfortunately, both our sons turned into playboys. That's my biggest failure in this lifetime. Thankfully, you've brought me solace since you were born."
When it came to her eldest son, Anna Belle couldn't hide her contempt; his behavior over the years had been a constant source of disappointment.
"Maybe father is a bit carefree, and your upbringing might be partly to blame for his satisfaction-seeking tendencies," William Sheffield spoke slowly, "Not everyone has the adventurous spirit of our grandfather, and not every woman is like you, grandmother."
William felt somewhat uncomfortable saying this, as it sounded like flattery, but he had experienced firsthand Anna Belle's control. Since he was born into this world, he either bullied others or was on the path to doing so, experiencing the seductive allure of capitalism, but he couldn't fully embrace it.
In the context of Chinese history, Anna Belle was like an empress dowager; no one could act recklessly in this household.
"But we've found a suitable heir, haven't we? I'm very pleased with you, so let's not mention your father anymore. He likes to be a playboy and stay in romantic France, so let him be. You'll be better than him," Anna Belle looked at Sheffield with satisfaction and asked, "Have you completed your education this time, William?"
"Yes, I have. It's our own family's university, so it doesn't carry much weight if I talk about it, and it's a bit of a shortcut," William Sheffield said somewhat sheepishly. He knew his family's affairs well, and in this era, basic education wasn't something he needed to waste time on. He had simply skipped the lower levels of education and focused on university.
William had been quite cunning in this regard, especially when he had chosen liberal arts without hesitation during the division of science and humanities. Knowing that this university was funded by his own family only made him more brazen. He decided what the school should teach, evolving from what the school taught into what he wanted the school to teach.
Naturally, he chose the subjects he was already proficient in. The subject itself didn't matter; he could make the Sheffield family look good. After all, university life for someone born into his family was just icing on the cake. He could have it or not; it wouldn't prevent him from watching other students start from scratch.
Unless something unexpected happened, future so-called American Sinologists, among the con artists who took advantage of the information imbalance to deceive others, would undoubtedly pay tribute to him, and Vice Chancellor Zhang would continue along the path he had paved.
It was clear that Anna Belle was quite satisfied with her grandson, who was about to complete his university education at the age of sixteen. It didn't matter which subject he graduated in; the fact that he would finish university at sixteen was undeniable. If he were from the common folk, they would have to investigate whether he had bribed university officials. Since he was her grandson, he was undoubtedly a rare genius, without a doubt.
When the time comes, promote the idea that I've been different from an early age, a quick learner, and establish a good image. It can have a magnetic effect, given the current materialistic values in America.
"Did you bully anyone at school?" Anna Belle found the heir more pleasing as she watched him, especially when compared to her own son. It was like a compensation from God.
This question was asked skillfully! At least that's what William Sheffield thought. Families without money might ask if their child got along well with others at school, but Anna Belle asked if he bullied anyone.
"Why would I do that? Most of the students are several years older than me. How could I bully them?" Sheffield replied with apparent modesty, "I get along quite well with both teachers and students. They all appreciate my abilities and are willing to study with me."
"What abilities do they see in you, the ability to graduate?" Anna Belle wasn't convinced. Perhaps due to the failure in raising her son, she became particularly concerned about her grandson's progress.
"Financial ability. Everyone thinks I'm a student with a lot of wealth and billions. They all want to study with me," Sheffield was completely honest in front of his grandmother, with astonishing frankness.
"Different from your inept father, on this point, you are just like me and your grandfather, shameless. But so what? That's how the world is. Is your thesis about history?" Anna Belle had a sense of satisfaction in her old age, and a smile appeared on her face.
"No, I'm an environmentalist, planning to make a difference in environmental protection," Sheffield said with a serious tone, "I'm very concerned about the plight of domestic wildlife on the brink of extinction."
Using historical research to gain prestige was more suitable for after achieving success, a way to embellish oneself with pretty feathers. But for now, it wasn't feasible. Objectively speaking, in this world where everyone was scrambling, America's appearance was slightly better than the longstanding old imperialisms in Europe.
Don't underestimate this small improvement. In the late 19th century, an era where people were devoured without leaving bones behind, it could already play a significant role. But Sheffield knew that this was merely America's version of hiding one's capabilities and biding one's time. Before preparing to make a move, America was careful to conceal its true nature on the international stage, especially when differentiating itself from the dear old British Empire's style.
But this was just for show, don't expect America to genuinely respect other civilizations. It was all just a facade. So Sheffield's pretense as a Sinologist could be considered an embellishment for post-success life. How much influence he could gain with this was purely wishful thinking.
Through the birth process of the future "woke" leftists, Sheffield had a lot of experience and had made some distinctions about their various claims. Many unrealistic and unsuitable propositions for the present were simply scoffed at. But many things that didn't harm anyone's interests and allowed one to occupy the moral high ground were worth discussing.
Protecting wildlife fell into this category; it could occupy the moral high ground without harming anyone's interests. Many other issues, even if discussed, would only be seen as nonsense by others.