Conversation so far:
When was Shen Kuo born?
Shen Kuo was born in Qiantang (modern-day Hangzhou) in the year 1031.
What was Shen Kuo's youth like?
Shen was forced to rely on wit and determination to achieve in his studies, subsequently passing the imperial examinations and enter the sophisticated life of an exam-drafted state bureaucrat
Did Shen Kuo marry?
Shen made a lasting impression upon Zhang Chu, who recommended Shen for a court appointment. Shen would also eventually marry Zhang's daughter, who became his second wife.
How many children did Shen Kuo have?
What was the biggest event of Shen Kuo's youth?
Shen Zhou served several years in the prestigious capital judiciary, the equivalent of a national supreme court.

Question: how long did he serve?
Self-contained rewrite: How long did Shen Kuo serve the prestiguous capital judiciary?