Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 701 Temperament
When Zhang Shou finished the morning exercises and new content, it was lunch time. He was not a good teacher and was not used to repeating things over and over again, so when he selected students in Jiuzhang Hall, he first used written tests and then interviews, and personally tested everyone's thinking ability one by one, at least to ensure that his students were not stupid.
However, it was not just the people from Jiuzhang Hall who accompanied the prince to study, there were also Zhang Dakuai and two others from Banshan Hall, and six students from the Imperial Academy. Even if Zhang Dakuai had worked hard to study the arithmetic, it would be a foolish dream to keep up with the progress, let alone the others?
So, when the class was over, Zhang Shou saw the boring faces in front of him and smiled nonchalantly: "Every profession has its own specialty, especially mathematics. There are very few people in the world who are truly good at it. You have been ordered to serve the prince to study, and those who have become interested in mathematics are naturally gifted. If you don't understand, don't force yourself."
"Because for ordinary people, it is enough to learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, understand account books and keep accounts."
Zhang Dakuai had originally vowed to apply for the Jiuzhang Hall, but after a few classes, he was almost discouraged. When he heard what Zhang Shou said, he saw that no one else said anything, so he couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, since you said that just understanding the basics is enough, then why do you have to teach such difficult things? Your Highness the Crown Prince has learned so many mathematical classics, is it possible that he will have to study in the future?"
Zhang Shou immediately smiled and glanced at the Third Prince who was visibly stunned after hearing this, then he said seriously: "You all know that I don't understand astronomy and astrology, and Teacher Ge's "New Edition of Ge's Mathematics" does not involve such content."
Qi Liang looked a little bit puzzled when Zhang Shou still attributed the New Compilation of Mathematics to Ge Yong, but many other people also understood. Today, many people have already known the real author of "The New Compilation of Mathematics by Ge Yong". It was not Ge Yong, but Zhang Shou!
Astronomy and astrology are often mentioned in other mathematical classics, but they are not included in the Ge's New Compilation of Mathematics. This is totally inconsistent with the reputation of Master Ge as a master of astronomy and astrology. However, if this is not Ge Yong's work, but Zhang Shou wrote it under the name of his teacher, then it is very reasonable. Therefore, even though Master Ge has publicly admitted it, there is still not much slander from the outside world.
Since the elder who came from a famous family, had served in several dynasties and was the emperor's tutor had already made it clear, and Zhang Shou had explained it clearly in public, who would think it was too stubborn to hold on to the old tutor? Aren't they afraid of the emperor's wrath?
Therefore, Zhang the big guy continued to play the role of livening up the atmosphere, nodding repeatedly and saying, "I have always wanted to take the entrance exam for Jiuzhang Hall, so I specially asked people about the course. I heard that not only is it not in the textbook, but the teachers in Jiuzhang Hall never teach astronomy and astrology."
"So, I just want to break the old idea that mathematics can only be used for astronomy and astrology." Zhang Shou smiled, and then said calmly, "Mathematics is a tool, not just for astronomy and astrology, which are easily linked to prophecies and divinations. Of course, those very complicated calculation formulas and the like, maybe some of you will forget them all within a few years after leaving Jiuzhang Hall."
"However, the step-by-step and deductive thinking methods used to solve difficult problems are what you have truly gained. In the future, perhaps when you are faced with some complex situations and need to unravel them, these thinking methods you have learned now will come in handy. Of course, I don't want what you have learned with great effort to become just a way of thinking in the future."
At this point, Zhang Shou smiled and said, "Mathematics is extensive and profound. What I am teaching you now is just the key to entry. Some of you may have the qualifications to go higher and further, and derive the mathematical classics to a more difficult level than the so-called Tianyuanshu and Siyuanshu. You should know that among those who read the books of sages and study, perhaps no one can surpass Confucius in the past, but..."
"Among those who study mathematics, there are always one or two who stand out. They will definitely stand on the shoulders of their predecessors and overlook the secret realm that their predecessors have never reached! One day, I hope that someone among you can raise questions that your predecessors could never imagine and come up with unprecedented theories. And the rest of you don't have to be discouraged, because what you have learned is the truth beyond the realm of words!"
"These truths can make your thinking more meticulous and sharper. And your future path may not be limited to mathematics. You have also seen the truth hidden in the operation of all things from experiments. Therefore, in addition to mathematics, there are physics, chemistry, medicine, biology... There are many truths waiting for you to discover..."
Zhang Shou knew that he was now teaching dozens of students, among whom perhaps only one in ten could truly achieve something, and even less than one could achieve breakthrough success. So what he had just said was pure chicken soup.
After all, learning something like this really requires talent. However, the so-called talent also requires a sufficiently suitable environment to fully manifest.
Otherwise, why didn't the Qing Dynasty produce any unprecedented scientists for hundreds of years, not even outstanding ones? But when the country suffered such hardships in the late Qing Dynasty, a large number of young people went overseas and not only produced a large number of founding fathers, but also a large number of top people in the scientific community emerged among them?
There is another meaning to the saying that heroes are made by the times. The ideas that were suppressed by the rulers in the past rise up, and ordinary people break free from the shackles and see a completely different world. They are exposed to knowledge that they would never have been able to access in the past. It is like a dry sponge absorbing water, and all talents bloom. It is not that there are no talents under the old system, but that the old system suppresses talents that are not tolerated by them.
Zhang Shou didn't think he was a very good teacher. After all, his current textbooks and exercises were all based on memory. Although the knowledge in his memory was indeed well organized, his previous job as a teacher had nothing to do with it, so when he taught certain knowledge points... it was really simple and crude, and the same was true when he assigned homework.
But no matter what, the greater his fame and status, the more likely it is that the students who will come to him will have better qualifications and talents. As for those initial students, if they have no other way out, they will open more public schools and take over his teaching.
He did not want to use a revolution to change the current situation. At this time, after giving a lot of inspiration to these most different students in the world, Zhang Shou smiled with his hands folded when he saw that the third prince was hesitant to speak.
"Your Highness, I know some people may be worried that if you focus on studying the classics, you will lose your ambition. After all, throughout history , there have been princes who excelled in horsemanship, princes who were excellent in calligraphy, princes who were famous generals and good at commanding troops, and princes who were good at painting... Many of them only cared about their hobbies and forgot their responsibilities as princes."
"But I believe that you are different. No matter when and where, you will restrain yourself in the best way possible."
"Among so many of my students, you may not be the most hardworking, the most self-disciplined, or the most talented... But if we regard hard work, self-discipline, and talent as subjects, and use a total score of one to ten to judge the subject, and add the three together to get a total score, you can get at least 27 points. Your Highness, you don't have any major flaws or shortcomings in these aspects."
"But the only thing you lack is your temperament, so be more confident and assertive! Don't underestimate yourself!"
After hearing this, low laughter finally broke out from all around, and even the Third Prince himself couldn't help laughing awkwardly.
After laughing, I don't know which of the East Palace attendants whispered, "What Mr. Zhang said is right. His Royal Highness has always been kind and tolerant, which is indeed very good, but sometimes he is too easy to talk to. Although His Royal Highness has always been lenient to us, and has been quick to approve leave and reward us a lot, it's really not a way to take advantage of us. What if you spoil us and we get into trouble later , won't others blame you?"
Those who called Zhang Shou "Mr. Zhang" were most likely one of the six students of the Imperial College. But at this time, someone kindly agreed with Zhang Shou, advising the Third Prince to be more assertive, and even used himself as an example. After being stunned, the others immediately started to make a fuss.
"That's right, Your Highness, please keep your eyes open. If anyone makes a mistake, you should punish them severely. This will also let people know that you are kind and strict, and you are not always lenient!"
For a moment, everyone spoke one after another, either interrupting or echoing, all admonishing the Third Prince from their own perspectives... But after Zhang Shou listened carefully, he discovered that a group of young tutors in the Eastern Palace truly respected the Third Prince from the bottom of their hearts, because some even stood up and claimed that they could use themselves as a warning to the rest.
Seeing that the topic was getting more and more off-topic, Zhang Shou coughed heavily. It was not until the huge place that was as noisy as a vegetable market suddenly became quiet that he said slowly, "I advise His Royal Highness to be more confident and strong, but I only advise His Royal Highness not to take people's words too seriously."
"Your suggestions are certainly worthwhile, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to make an example of you. Haha, do you not want to be the tutors of the Eastern Palace anymore? Don't forget, you are not lifelong employees. You are rotated every month. If you fail to live up to your expectations and are replaced by others, even if you cry and beg His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to stay, there will be no mercy for you."
In an instant, the few people who actually wanted to leave a deep impression on the Third Prince suddenly blushed, and no one dared to talk nonsense anymore.
Zhang Shouqing knew that he had delayed the lunch, so he smiled and said, "Okay, stop talking nonsense. Go out and tell them to send lunch over. Take a nap after lunch to digest the food. You still have other classes in the afternoon!"
Hearing this, everyone just scattered like birds and beasts. However, Zhang Da, the biggest guy who rushed out the door to call for help, was the first to rush back. He shouted in surprise, "Strange, Eunuch Chu is missing!"
After Zhang Dakuai mentioned this, everyone realized that Chu Kuan, who they saw every day, was nowhere to be seen! Although many people felt awkward when they saw the former Chief of the Imperial Household Department grinding ink and stretching paper beside the prince's desk on the first day, after getting used to Chu Kuan's taciturn attitude and his attentiveness in personally serving tea and water, they gradually got used to his presence.
After all, after suddenly falling from a high position to the current situation, most people would not be able to remain calm and polite like Chu Kuan. When people interacted with him, they would not even feel that there was an extra person in the Ciqing Palace. But today, he was not there, and they did not realize that such a person was missing until lunch.
After hearing what Zhang the big guy said, the third prince hesitated for a moment before he spoke: "Eunuch Chu went to Xian'an Palace to attend the funeral of Concubine Jing."
This simple sentence made the huge place quiet, and Zhang, the big guy who first brought up this topic, regretted it so much that he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. Even Zhang Shou couldn't help but think to himself, Chu Kuan was demoted to the bottom, and now he was going to hold a funeral for the deposed queen, Concubine Jing, what name should he use?
Could it be the badge of the manager of Ciqing Palace?
However, when everyone in the room was staring at each other with no one speaking, a voice came from outside: "Your Highness, lunch is ready in the small kitchen of Ciqing Palace. Do you want it to be sent in now?"
If we say that the room turned from noisy to quiet in an instant just now, then at this moment, it turned from quiet to noisy again. The first person to mutter was none other than the big guy Zhang: "It's strange, Eunuch Chu was not here when I just went out!" And the prince said that he had gone to attend the funeral of Concubine Jing. Could it be haunted?
Not to mention the big guy Zhang, even the Third Prince himself felt a little suspicious. On the contrary, Zhang Shou saw that others were looking at each other in confusion, so he smiled and said, "Eunuch Chu, please come in. We have been delayed for a while just now. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and everyone else are hungry!"
Chu Kuan responded and walked in. Seeing that everyone was staring at him, even the Third Prince, he smiled calmly and said, "The servants in Xian'an Palace are all experienced palace maids personally selected by the Queen Mother's Shang Gong Yuquan. They only need to be instructed for many things, and they don't need to be there all the time. There are no new people transferred from Ciqing Palace, so do you still need to rush for food and tea?"
Thinking about the half-day class in the morning, there was warm tea in the cattail bag, and snacks were prepared during the break as usual, so they didn't notice that Chu Kuan was not serving the Third Prince just now, and everyone couldn't help but feel it was ridiculous.
The Third Prince couldn't help but ask, "Eunuch Chu, can Xian'an Palace really leave you?"
"Yuquan Shang Gong has gone there personally." After explaining how he was able to get away so easily, Chu Kuan said lightly, "When I just came back, I heard that Shuntian Prefecture and Wucheng Military Command dispatched a large number of troops at the same time in the early morning to seal off two casinos in the capital and a famous wine shop, and arrested many people."
"Oh, I heard that Lord Zhu was assassinated."
Zhang Shou, who had just been sitting on the Diaoyutai, was shocked when he said this. Just as he stood up, Chu Kuan said the result in a very considerate manner: "But your Highness the Crown Prince and Scholar Zhang don't have to worry. Lord Zhu is a lucky person and will turn danger into safety. Nothing serious will happen. The assassin has been caught. I heard it was a guard named Shi who was close to the Crown Prince."
As soon as these words came out, the Third Prince immediately remembered the Fourth Prince's solemn words the night before, and was shocked and angry. If it was true that the people around his eldest brother were dissatisfied and sneaked back to the capital to stir up trouble, then, wouldn't his father and he have wrongly accused his fourth brother? And if his fourth brother lived outside the palace, would he be in danger?
