Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 673 Knowledge is Power
In the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, the calculation of grain volume occupies a large part of the book. Although Ye Mengqiu and his fellow apprentices lamented that even the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art was hard to buy on the market, some of the astronomical and mathematical talents summoned to the capital this time had family roots in the field of mathematics, and thus grew up under the influence of various mathematical classics.
Therefore, when they heard Zhang Shou actually used the official hu to demonstrate such a mathematical problem in public, they looked at each other in surprise. Then Zhang Shou asked Ah Liu to bring a blackboard and quickly calculated the volume of a standard official hu, which was nothing to them.
What surprised them was the series of bulk density data of different types of grains that Zhang Shou then gave them.
From indica rice, japonica rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, corn, soybeans... all kinds of data flowed out from Zhang Shou's pen. A group of people who have always believed that astronomy and numerology are profound studies were all shocked to see that mathematics, besides being related to taxes and granaries, could also be used in such places.
"Why do we need to calculate bulk density? It's very simple. If the bulk density of grains of the same volume is different, then the final weight will be different. This is related to the moisture content, the storage time, and the storage temperature..."
I watched Zhang Shou writing and drawing on a blackboard again, telling about the heights of the grain pile he measured in his own granary in Rongshui Village six months, one year, and one and a half years later. He verified that the gaps between grain grains decreased and the bulk density increased. He finally came to the conclusion that for the same hectoliter of grain, old grain is heavier than new grain.
As for the derivation process and the force decomposition, the audience felt that Zhang Shou's initial statement that he would explain it in a simple and easy-to-understand way was simply a lie! The previous demonstration was very simple, but they could only understand one conclusion of the latter part, and did not understand the rest at all!
Not to mention them, even Dean Yue and Dean Xiao, who were quite knowledgeable in various subjects, felt that the smiles on their faces were a little stiff at this moment.
Although they all have their own specialties, they also need to make calculations when they build canals, water conservancy projects, design gardens, and boats, etc. But it seems that they are all developed and expanded upon the foundations of their ancestors. Who could deduce something else like Zhang Shou?
Ye Mengqiu, who had been prepared, directly took out the prepared paper roll. One of his senior brothers was responsible for grinding the ink, and another was responsible for stretching the paper, while he picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and quickly began to take notes.
Even though he couldn't see what Zhang Shou wrote on the blackboard from his angle, he was still writing as Zhang Shou spoke. Having been trained in Jiuzhang Hall and Zhang Garden, he listened attentively and wrote as fast as he could. Facing this scene, the other special talents who were proficient in astronomy and numerology and were sitting near them seemed a little embarrassed.
Some people prepared cheat sheets and brought counting sticks, but no one thought they could remember what Zhang Shou said. Some people were proud of their master's inheritance and didn't want to ask others, but some immediately greeted Ye Mengqiu's senior brothers. When Zhang Shou stopped lecturing on this part of the class, several people had already agreed to borrow the notes.
But in the end, Ye Mengqiu rubbed his wrist after stopping writing, and said something that made them excited but hesitant: "What's the point of just taking notes? What Master Zhang said now, he will definitely explain in detail in the future in Jiuzhang Hall. I plan to go back and take the Jiuzhang Hall exam. Didn't he tell the fourth prince before that Jiuzhang Hall can skip a grade?"
Yes, the Third Prince had taken the examination for Jiuzhang Hall in person before. Although he can no longer continue his classes in Jiuzhang Hall because he has been named the Crown Prince, the Emperor not only appointed Zhang Shou as the first lecturer in the Eastern Palace, but also selected the best people in Jiuzhang Hall to be the tutors in the Eastern Palace!
If they can pass the exam and then try to skip a grade... wouldn't they be able to enter the Eastern Palace?
A group of special talents who had never been willing to join Jiuzhangtang even though they had heard the news of its reopening, all looked a little awkward. Especially the elders who had discussed mathematical problems with Zhang Shou at Ge's residence at Ge Yong's invitation, all felt a little embarrassed. After all, not to mention anything else, Zhang Shou himself readily admitted at that time that he really didn't know much about astronomy.
They were going to take part in the Four Seas Test and revise the calendar, so they were well versed in all kinds of astronomical phenomena. It would be too embarrassing for them to humble themselves and ask for advice from Zhang Shou, who claimed that he knew nothing about astronomy!
Therefore, the eyes of several elders fell on several juniors in a moment. Well, Ge Yongna was also an old senior to them, and no matter how humble they were, they should treat Zhang Shou as an equal. As for these young juniors, they might as well go to Jiuzhang Hall to see if they could learn something new from Zhang Shou.
As young people, you should always be learning!
Zhang Shou did not prepare much for this open class in advance, but he decided to use this open class to add fuel to the agricultural strategy question raised by the third prince. At this time, he calmly talked about grain storage and seed selection from a serious angle, and then turned back to density and began to talk about the identification of gold and silver adulteration, including the story of the so-called alchemist who cheated people by burning silver.
Jiuzhang Hall and Banshan Hall had long been accustomed to the various examples that the teacher would come up with, and after giving the examples, he would frantically quote various formulas and laws to calculate and prove. However, the other people who came to listen to the class today had never experienced such a thorough baptism.
Zhu Hong was relieved at first, thinking that Zhang Shou was considerate of the laymen who came to listen to the lecture, but when he heard this, he wanted to cover his ears to block out the evil sound. He even turned his head to look at Zhu Ying several times, only to see that the eldest lady was always very interested. While listening, she also gestured to follow Zhang Shou's ups and downs, which made him mutter in his heart that the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
If it were the young lady who used to hate studying, she would , right?
Finally, Zhu Er, who was standing behind Zhu Ying, poked his sister's back with his finger, then lowered his voice and asked, "Yingying, do you understand everything? Could it be that your brother-in-law has been teaching you all these days?"
"No!" Zhu Ying raised her eyebrows slightly, but did not make it clear whether her answer was to Zhu Er's first question or the second question. She turned her head and glanced at the people behind her, and saw that everyone had a bitter look on their faces, as if their expressions were saying, where am I, who am I, and what am I doing? She couldn't help but smile.
"Just look at other people and you'll feel better!" Including you idiots!
Besides, she wasn't here to find fault, nor was she here to see if there was any chance to get close to the Third Prince, nor was she planning anything else... Isn't it interesting to just watch Zhang Shou find different ways to mess with those who were listening to the lecture?
The young lady was very good at finding fun for herself, and she was happy, but many people were getting more and more dizzy and dizzy. When the class finally came to an end and Zhang Shou announced the end of the class, many people breathed a sigh of relief. Some candidates who had originally doubted Zhang Shou's true talent and knowledge made up their minds while slipping away.
Next time... I will definitely not come!
Even if they want to question, they have to first find out what the other person is saying. But they can only understand what those people say. As for understanding those mysterious and cryptic books, that is simply too much to ask!
Even Zou Ming, who had been saved by Zhang Shou, could not help but rub his temples with lingering fear, and then said with a bitter face: "I never thought that mathematics could be used for these things... and it is so difficult and complicated. I felt like I was listening to a foreign language just now!"
His two companions looked at each other and felt that heroes saw the same thing. Not only them, but also Mr. Song, who was standing next to him, took a breath of cold air exaggeratedly, shook his head and said: "Everyone says that life and death are the greatest terrors, but I used to think that practicing literature and art all day long was the greatest terror. But now I finally discovered that there is an even greater terror in the world, such as mathematics! It is so terrifying, so terrifying!"
Fang Qing almost laughed out loud at Mr. Song's words. But when he turned his head, he found that Yang Zhan and Guan Qiu were whispering to each other. Neither of them was a math student, and they were not as busy taking notes as Ye Mengqiu just now. But thinking of Zhang Shou praising their talents, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Yang Qi, Xiao Guan, do you understand?"
"Nonsense!" Yang Zhan, who was no longer skinny, rolled his eyes and then said angrily, "Of course I didn't understand!"
He added, "I have only studied mathematics for a short time, how can I possibly understand this? I didn't even understand how to calculate the volume of the official hu! But Xiaoguan seems to have learned a lot, no wonder, he has always been self-taught!"
Guan Qiu felt a little embarrassed by being stared at by everyone. He laughed and then whispered, "Brother Zhang asked me to calculate the bulk density of various grains and wrote down the data. He said it was just a test. I didn't expect that he would talk about it in the open class..."
Before he finished speaking, the others held their foreheads with their hands, sighed, or shook their heads. Who could have thought that a boy who was a carpenter's apprentice was the only one among them who not only could understand, but also participated in Zhang Shou's experiment so early on?
These few people were different from Zhang Chen and Zhu Ying. They were originally sitting among a large group of talented people in astronomy and numerology. Unlike the candidates who turned pale and fled, most of them did not leave. Of course, people around them heard them talking, and someone asked them about it immediately.
"May I ask who this young master's master is? Does he also live in Zhang Garden? If it is convenient, can I ask for your advice in the future?"
Guan Qiu was stunned to find that someone wanted to discuss academic issues with him.
After a long while, he scratched his head and said awkwardly: "I am not a scholar, just a craftsman."
"Yes, yes. He is just a craftsman, but he was praised by the emperor. He said in person that he is worthy of being a master craftsman."
Mr. Song on the side could not help but complain. He saw that the guy who made the invitation looked sincere, but when he heard that Guan Qiu was just a craftsman, he immediately frowned. Although he did not show disdain, he showed an expression of contempt after all. But after hearing what he said, he looked surprised again. He couldn't help but sneer in his heart. He was simply a crazy person who changed his face.
He simply said slowly: "Don't talk about Master Zhang's experiment today. Even many things that Master Zhang made before were inseparable from Xiaoguan. For example, spinning machines, looms, clocks, glass..."
Before he could finish his words, Fang Qing beside him coughed heavily. At this moment, Mr. Song immediately realized that he had revealed information that he should not have disclosed, and immediately laughed and shut up. However, once words are spoken, it is impossible to take them back. The person who had just asked Guan Qiu for advice was overjoyed and immediately pressed him to ask more questions.
"Oh, so this Master Guan is the one who made so many ingenious things? Why haven't I heard of his name before? As we all know, whether it's the loom or the spinning wheel, or the clock or the glass, I only heard that they were invented by Master Zhang. Isn't he deceiving the world and stealing the name?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mr. Song's heart skipped a beat, realizing that his ostentatious change just now seemed to have caused trouble.
However, before he could organize his words to fight back, he heard Guan Qiu's always honest voice: "Sir, those waterwheels, hoes, sickles, canals, etc., were they really built by the man in the name? I don't think it's possible. Whether it's a waterwheel or farm tools, they must have been built by blacksmiths and carpenters according to the drawings. As for the canals and embankments, the real builders were a large number of civilians... But, so what?"
Guan Qiu, who usually didn't like to talk, stared at the young man with an extremely unnatural expression and said word by word: "Can that cover up the great contribution of the person who knew how to improve the design of farm tools? Can that erase the reputation and evaluation that the initiator who personally presided over, raised funds, and organized laborers to build various water conservancy canal facilities deserves?"
"I did contribute , but it's not all my credit. It's more the credit of Brother Zhao Si and Brother Luo. The most important thing is that the initial inspiration was all thought up by Brother Zhang! Those who say he is a fraud are judging others by their own standards!"
Seeing that the young man's face was turning pale and blue, especially when he was described as a villain, he could no longer sit still and simply stood up and covered his face and walked away . Guan Qiu put away his anger and smiled honestly: "The spinning wheel that has just been promoted was improved by my senior brother Luo Xiaoxiao, and the glass was greatly contributed by Brother Zhao Si, which has nothing to do with me. I mainly did some insignificant things on the loom and clock. But I still say that this is more of the credit of Brother Zhang."
"When he encouraged me to study, he said something I couldn't agree more with. Knowledge is power!"
Song Juren finally realized what it meant to speak with a resounding voice and awaken the deaf. He was in high spirits and glanced at the companions of the guy just now. Seeing that they all avoided his sight, but there were several other people who were obviously not from the same group who gave Guan Qiu a thumbs up, he smiled and said, "Xiao Guan, what you said is very good, everyone should listen carefully!"
