Tang Ming's face was so gloomy that it looked like water could drip from it.
However, compared to him, Xie Wanquan, who was sweating profusely and almost exhausted from solving the problem, was the most desperate one.
Because at this moment, almost all the playboys in Cuiyun's house have come out, and there is no room for everyone in the hall of Zhang's house. Those whose fathers and grandfathers have relatively low official positions and who are not so conspicuous and favored at home can only stand on tiptoe outside the hall to watch the fun.
Seeing that time was passing by and he couldn't solve a single problem after racking his brains, Xie Wanquan finally gave up and threw the bamboo card in his hand to the ground, then started cursing.
"I am reading books written by sages. It is nothing to embarrass others with such trivial mathematics!"
"In the Tang Dynasty, officials had to study the ten books of mathematics. Otherwise, after taking office, officials would have to let others control everything, such as the increase or decrease of farmland, the number of people, the flow of water in and out of canals, and when to build bridges to make them more solid... "
Zhang Shou, sitting in the main seat, presented facts and reasoned with a smile, but seeing that Xie Wanquan's face turned pale and he couldn't answer at all, the playboys around him were whispering, and from time to time people cast all kinds of looks at him, so he gently knocked on the armrest.
"You say these questions are difficult. Ha, Zhang Pingzi (Zhang Heng) of Nanyang, who wrote the famous Erjing Fu in the Han Dynasty, and was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant and Governor of Hejian, could easily calculate all these questions with his brain without using a pen. When Zhang Pingzi was posthumously named Xi'e Bo in the Song Dynasty, it was not because of his literary talent, but because of his mathematical achievements."
"Zu Wenyuan (Zu Chongzhi) of the Southern Dynasty, who was able to write Anbian Lun, would probably only take a few breaths to solve this problem. And the Minister of Revenue Qi, who was posthumously conferred the title of Earl by Emperor Taizong of this dynasty, is said to be familiar with all the land, population, harvest, taxes, etc. in the world, and can answer any mathematical questions at will. Do you dare to say that he, who is enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, is just a minor mathematical expert
"Since Master Xie said that mathematics is a minor subject, then I ask you again, what is millet, what is rice, and what is wheat? Can you tell the difference between mulberry silkworms and tussah silkworms? Can you tell the difference between weeds and millet? How can you be a good official if you don't work hard, don't know the difference between the five grains, and just study hard? Go back and read more mathematics and agricultural books before you accuse others of being unlearned!"
Zhang Chen had driven away so many teachers in the past that they used other people's children like Xie Wanquan to criticize his foolish and unbearable teaching. Now, seeing Xie Wanquan being criticized by Zhang Shou, he felt extremely happy.
At that moment, he arrogantly shouted, "Xie Wanquan, you can't do it but you still refuse to admit defeat. It turns out that the head of the Imperial College is the kind of person who can't afford to lose!"
Zhu Ying in the front yard was smiling so much that her eyes and eyebrows seemed to be shining. She wished that Lu Sanlang could perform well after Zhang Chen and force Xie Wanquan to kneel down and admit his mistake and become his disciple. The next moment, she heard Tang Ming's voice.
"I can take it or leave it. I admit defeat. Although it is a minor subject, Junior Brother Xie has nothing to lose! As long as the old gentleman in Cui Yunjian can show up, he will immediately become his disciple and will never break his promise!"
Zhang Shou saw Tang Ming staring at him with a calm and sharp gaze. Even though he had just won a complete victory in the battle, he couldn't help but feel a little troubled by this Jie Yuanlang who had spotted his greatest weakness at the critical moment.