In confucianism's four-class system, which group sat at the top of the hierarchy?

Confucianism's four-class system established a hierarchy of occupational classification and was considered a central part of the social structure. The four classes were the "shi" (gentry scholars), the "nong" (peasant farmers), the "gong" (artisans and craftsmen) and the "shang" (merchants and traders), but the four classes were not always arranged in that order.

Anyways, the shi (gentry scholars) were a knightly social order on top of the hierarchy, pretty similar to european lower nobility. They were distinguished by the right to ride chariots and comand battles from them while they served civil functions.

zheng he was a chinese explorer who lead seven great voyages on behalf of the chinese emperor. his seven total voyages were diplomatic, military, and trading ventures, and lasted from 1405 – 1433. however, most historians agree their main purpose was to promote the glory of ming dynasty china.

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