"That's true, but I'll only be teaching them what I want to teach, not giving them their basic education."
Li Chen replied.
Even so, everyone's enthusiasm remained undiminished. In fact, they grew even more excited.
"He's going to teach them a trade!"
"I have a nephew whose parents died young. He attended school for a few years, then stopped studying. He spends all day loafing around instead of doing anything useful. Sending him here to learn a skill would be perfect. At least he'd have something to secure his livelihood in the future."
"This really is wonderful. A friend's son missed his chance when the other Master Artisans took on apprentices. Who would have thought he'd still get to study under Artisan Li?"
"Don't celebrate too soon. Didn't Artisan Li say he wouldn't accept just anyone we sent over?"
"That's right. What if the requirements are the same as for recruiting True Disciples? How would those children get in? They aren't geniuses."
So everyone asked Li Chen about the specific requirements.
Li Chen said, "They must be able to read and write and have completed at least five years of apprenticeship schooling. I'll hold a simple assessment at the workshop, and anyone who passes may become a nominal disciple under me."
Everyone relaxed when they heard this.
The requirements were neither particularly high nor particularly low, but anyone who had put effort into their elementary studies probably had a chance of passing.
Li Chen casually handed out some scrapped components left over from building his Hive Network and told them, "Help me spread the word. Your children and nephews can use these tokens to receive priority in the assessment. If they pass, I'll also look after them."
The glittering objects did indeed look like identification plates or similar tokens. With