binnovel Chapter 21 Profound Meaning in Concise Words!
Chapter 21 Profound Meaning in Concise Words!
Chapter Twenty-One: Profound Meaning in Simple Words!
This question made everyone put down their pens, frowning as they pondered. After a long while, they could only sigh:
"It's so difficult."
"I can't figure it out. Your Honor, aren't you making things difficult for me?"
Ye Ru pondered for a moment. One jin here is equivalent to sixteen liang in the Confucian Continent.
It's very simple to calculate using equations.
After pondering for nearly two minutes, and as everyone's hearts gradually calmed down, Ye Ru looked up and answered:
“The sparrow weighs one tael, or thirteen-tenths of a nineteenth of a tael; the swallow weighs one tael, or five-tenths of a nineteenth of a tael.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Sijun's pupils contracted, and a hint of shock appeared on his face, while Wang Xiaoyang and the teacher were even more delighted.
Zhao Cheng and the others thought Ye Ru had made a mistake, and their hearts sank.
"Two people, A and B, have an unknown amount of money. A receives half of B's money, which is fifty coins, while B receives more than half of A's money, which is also fifty coins. How much money does A and B each have?"
The scholar Chen Sijun asked again.
“A holds thirty-seven and a half coins, and B holds twenty-five coins.”
Ye Ru thought for a while, and quickly flipped through the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art in the Siku Quanshu, finally settling on the eighth equation of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art.
As soon as he finished speaking, three minutes had passed, and everyone's eyes lingered on Ye Ru and Chen Sijun, their faces showing some unease.
After a moment, Chen Sijun exhaled, and shock gradually appeared on her face. She looked at Ye Ru with great excitement, seemingly seeking guidance.
"You are a promising student! How did you find the answer? Could you teach me your method?"
Although he thought it was asking the impossible, he also wanted to see if Ye Ru had any real talent.
However, today's experience stirred up a storm in his heart.
"The first problem sets up two known numbers, and then uses the unknown numbers to solve it. They are exchanged and each weighs eight ounces."
"The second question is also like an equation, involving addition and subtraction."
As he spoke, Ye Ru wrote down the steps of the calculation problem on a piece of paper.
In the previous life, this was a system of two linear equations in two variables, which was taught in junior high school. However, due to the backwardness of civilization in this world, the equations were changed to a method that is easier for this world to understand.
If the level of civilization is insufficient, all efforts will be in vain.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood and began to praise it.
After examining the paper for a moment, Chen Sijun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Ye Ru:
"Thank you teacher for clarifying my doubts."
The words fell lightly, yet they undoubtedly stirred up a storm in the examination room, leaving everyone's faces utterly stunned.
"A Jinshi scholar actually called Ye Ru 'teacher'?"
"Did I hear correctly?"
Countless people were instantly excited. If this were released in Qingyun County, it would undoubtedly be huge news!
Although he was merely a teacher who answered questions, he indirectly proved Ye Ru's scholarship.
It should be noted that it was unprecedented in history for a scholar to humbly ask questions of a junior scholar.
And Ye Ru, standing before us, actually managed to do it.
Wang Xiaoyang and Master Li's expressions were somewhat uncertain.
Chen Sijun has always been arrogant and haughty, and very few people in the entire Qingyun County can earn his praise.
And now, he actually sought advice from a student who had just completed his studies!
"Scholar Chen, if I may be so bold, surely the arbitration panel wouldn't only present one question?"
Master Li gritted his teeth, glanced at Ye Ru, and then said in a sinister tone.
The anger on the faces of those around him intensified. It was clear from the fact that Ye Ru had been asked for advice by a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) that his talent and learning had reached a level that ordinary people could not achieve.
This also proves that Master Li deliberately framed Ye Ru.
Moreover, the arbitration questions are getting more and more difficult each time.
Many people looked at Master Li with disdain.
"Alright, since you know the rules, you also know what punishment you will receive if Ye Ru loses, right?"
Chen Sijun's words made Master Li's face turn pale.
"As the title suggests, the twenty-eight constellations range in degree from thirty-three to just one. Why is this uneven? This time, you have ten minutes."
Chen Sijun ignored Master Li, thought for a while, and then spoke.
This question made everyone's eyes widen again, and they all turned to look at Ye Ru.
"Professor Ye, these are the rules of the arbitration institute. I apologize."
Scholar Chen Sijun apologized.
Zhao Cheng shouted:
"Sir, this is unfair. We have never studied constellations. Isn't this a question that is too difficult for us?"
"It's astronomy!"
Master Li was overjoyed, and then said in a low voice.
This scholar was indeed notoriously difficult to understand; even a novice scholar could not possibly study astronomy, let alone a successful candidate in the provincial examinations.
Only those who passed the imperial examinations could serve as officials in the Imperial Observatory to study astronomical phenomena and ensure the prosperity of the nation.
The few people who had previously supported Ye Ru turned pale and sighed. Arithmetic can be calculated, but astronomy, without personal observation and summarization, is impossible to write down even with quick wit and overflowing talent.
Zhao Cheng and Qian Wei watched Ye Ru nervously, waiting for a miracle to happen.
Ye Ru closed his eyes and pondered the question, which roughly meant why the Twenty-Eight Mansions were distributed so unevenly.
The Siku Quanshu states that constellations are divided based on reference points, therefore he said after a moment:
"The Twenty-Eight Mansions originally had no degrees. This is because calendar makers summarized and calculated that the celestial sphere was divided into a little more than 365 degrees. Since degrees are divided, reference points are necessary. Since degrees are not visible, what is visible are the stars. The stars are uneven, so it is a little more than 365 degrees. It is not that we do not want to equalize the Twenty-Eight Mansions, but these are the only reference points that can be used for division."
Upon hearing this, many people suddenly realized the truth, and without even realizing it, their thoughts had become more profound.
Chen Sijun suddenly realized, feeling as if the clouds had parted to reveal the clear sky.
The distances of the Twenty-Eight Mansions were originally based on a reference point.
Even some members of aristocratic families admired and were sincerely convinced.
"I see, how wonderful, how wonderful! Master Ye, you are very talented, and your future achievements will surely surpass mine."
Chen Sijun clapped his hands, disregarding his image as a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and laughed loudly.
This made Wang Xiaoyang and the other man's faces even uglier. Even the arrogant Chen Sijun said that if Ye Rucheng became a Jinshi in the future, wouldn't that be their death sentence?
“Scholar Chen, although Ye Ru is quick-witted, he betrays his teacher and ancestors, and excludes his classmates. His character is truly despicable. Even animals know to repay kindness, but Ye Ru has done such a heinous thing. It is truly outrageous to both gods and men!”
"In my humble opinion, the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art and astronomy and calendar are merely peripheral details. The words of the sages are the true orthodox teachings of Confucianism and Taoism! I urge Scholar Chen to examine the orthodox teachings of Confucianism and Taoism!"
Master Li gritted his teeth, revealing a ferocious look, and then said in a deep voice.
“Master Li! I respect you as my teacher, yet you harmed Ye Ru. You are unworthy to be my teacher. If anything happens to Ye Ru today, once I become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, I will make you pay a hundredfold price.”
"Count me in."
Qian Wei took a deep breath and said angrily.
Many people also changed their attitude towards Ye Ru; they were all furious and stared at this Master Li.
“Leave a way out for others, Master Li. You’re being so aggressive. What benefits did the Wang family give you? When we get back, the Arbitration Institute of Saints will definitely investigate your relationship with the Wang clan.”
Chen Sijun said with a smile, but the smile was full of coldness, which made the temperature in this area drop significantly.
Master Li shuddered, his face turned deathly pale, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
Ye Ru ignored Master Sun.
The Three Academies of Saints are the highest power institutions in the Ten Kingdoms. Even the imperial court is helpless against them.
"He truly deserved it."
Zhao Cheng snorted coldly.
Many people looked at Master Li with disdain, which only made the latter's eyes more vicious.
"Alright, since that's the case, then I'll test your profound understanding. I'll give you half an hour to explain what 'inner sage and outer king' means."
Everyone was in an uproar!
"They're testing profound meanings in concise language?"