Chapter 136: Zhang Yi Exposed and Fiercely Confronts Liu Bowen

Inside the modest study of the Xu Mansion, Xu Cunren and Zhang Yi stared at each other in dismay.

The sight of Xu Cunren bristling with anger and glaring with widened eyes struck Zhang Yi as inexplicably comical.

"Teacher, have you been driven mad by the Emperor?"

Of course he had. The moment Xu Cunren heard that mathematics was to be included in the imperial examinations, a splitting headache immediately seized him.

Although the initiative originated with him and was now a settled matter, his most pressing task was to compile a mathematics textbook for the Imperial Academy. This textbook would likely become the official mathematical curriculum for the entire Ming Empire.

Yet, this very task of compilation had brought Xu Cunren to a complete and utter standstill.

He had spent his entire life studying the works of the sages and was utterly clueless when it came to mathematics!

Initially, Xu Cunren had assumed he could use his connections to gather mathematical talent. With mathematics entering the imperial examinations as a heaven-shaking, earth-transforming reform, he naively believed finding mathematics instructors would be effortless.

Only when he set to work did he realize he had been ostracized by his fellow officials.

In particular, his old friends and compatriots from Zhejiang had subtly distanced themselves. When he approached a few peers with whom he was usually on good terms, his requests were politely refused.

Driven to a dead end, Xu Cunren had no choice but to turn to Zhang Yi for a solution.

As for Zhang Yi, he had already intended to hand his self-compiled textbook over to Xu Cunren; he simply hadn't finished transcribing the material yet!

Seeing Xu Cunren in such a state, he found it amusing and decided to tease the old man a bit. Transcribing the textbook from his previous life wasn't just to help Xu Cunren.

The inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations was an idea he had proposed himself. Believing it to be a profoundly meaningful endeavor, he naturally wanted to see it done right.

The special imperial examinations would be held in two years, yet most scholars probably lacked even the most rudimentary foundation in mathematics. Only those who happened to study the *Classic of Changes* or possessed a personal interest in mathematics would hold any advantage.

If the imperial court took charge of writing the textbook, leaving aside the time consumed, he simply did not trust the standards of the ancients.

It wasn't that the mathematical proficiency of the ancients was lacking—certain mathematical geniuses among them might well surpass his own level. Furthermore, when it came to integrating mathematics with the calendar and astronomy, he was far inferior.

However, what Zhang Yi doubted was not the upper limit of the ancients, but their lower limit.

A textbook was not meant to be a showcase for showing off profound erudition; it required a progressive and well-structured system. In this respect, who could possibly rival the fiercely competitive Eastern dragon of later generations?

Zhang Yi didn't need to rack his brains; he just needed to recall the textbooks he had studied in the past. It was an easy task for him, though the mere physical labor of transcription was tiresome. He was already pondering whether he should set up his own printing apparatus!

"His Majesty hasn't driven me mad," Xu Cunren muttered bitterly. "It's just that my popularity has plummeted lately. I do know a few fellow townsmen who enjoy studying mathematics, but they all rejected my invitations!"

Standing outside the window, Liu Bowen silently memorized every single word of the conversation between the two.

Liu Bowen still remembered that child; he was the son of Zhang Zhengchang, the Great Preceptor of Mount Longhu.

He held a poor impression of Mount Longhu and certainly felt no fondness for Zhang Yi. Still, upon hearing that the inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations was Zhang Yi's suggestion to Xu Cunren, he had been greatly astonished.

As the Censor-in-Chief, whose duty was to oversee all officials, Liu Bowen held investigative powers akin to those of an inspector. Even if he wished to remain indifferent, reports concerning Zhang Yi frequently landed on his desk.

Ever since the incident involving the Duke Yansheng, many officials in the imperial court who looked unfavorably upon Mount Longhu had either filed secret reports with the Censorate or submitted memorials directly to the throne, accusing the descendants of Mount Longhu of being unlearned and insulting the sages—accusations against Zhang Yi were never in short supply.

Yet this child seemed... unusual?

Liu Bowen elevated his estimation of Zhang Yi slightly, only to find his aversion growing deeper.

"A Daoist priest studying in the Imperial Academy is one thing, but how dare he meddle in the imperial examinations?"

The mere thought of the trouble caused by the inclusion of mathematics in the examinations soured Liu Bowen's impression of Zhang Yi even further.

Unwilling to listen any longer, he gave a deliberate cough.

"Someone outside?"

Hearing the cough, Xu Cunren and Zhang Yi turned their gazes toward the window.

"Liu Ji!" Xu Cunren called out in surprise. He hadn't expected Liu Ji to come visit him; such a thing was rare indeed.

Because of the mathematics examination controversy, he had long since become a figure of public revulsion, and others avoided him like the plague. Not only in the outer court, but even his colleagues in the Imperial Academy kept their distance.

"Brother Xu, please forgive me for calling uninvited!"

"What kind of talk is that? I couldn't be happier that you've come. Where is my wife?" Xu Cunren peered past him, searching for Madam Xu.

"Your good wife just stepped out; she was the one who opened the door for me!"

"Just a woman, completely ignorant of hospitality. I'll brew some tea for you!"

"Teacher, let me do it!"

For reasons unknown, Xu Cunren and his wife didn't even employ servants. Zhang Yi eagerly took over the task of making tea and darted away like a wisp of smoke.

"Brother Liu, please come in!"

Xu Cunren led Liu Ji into the main hall, and the two men sat down.

Once close friends, they now fell into an eerie silence.

Immediately afterward, Liu Ji broke the silence:

"Brother Xu, just now outside the window, I heard that the rumor of mathematics entering the imperial examinations is true?"

Xu Cunren stiffened awkwardly. Even he himself was somewhat surprised that he had managed to push through the inclusion of mathematics in the exams.

He nodded silently.

Anger surged within Liu Bowen:

"How could you treat the imperial examinations as such a child's game? Do you have any idea how many of our compatriots might fail because of your frivolity? If word of this gets out—that a mere child from Mount Longhu orchestrated the examination reform of our Great Ming—how will any of us have the face to look our predecessors in the eyes?"

Xu Cunren was deeply embarrassed. Having worked with Liu Bowen for many years, he was well aware of his fellow townsman's temperament.

While not lacking in political shrewdness, Liu Ji was fundamentally an orthodox scholar. Unlike Xu Cunren's free-spirited nature, Liu Ji regarded orthodoxy with paramount importance. His inherent prejudice against Mount Longhu, combined with the disruptive impact of the mathematics reform, was more than enough to fuel his intense dislike for Zhang Yi.

"What? Did a Daoist priest eat the rice from your household?"

Just as Xu Cunren sat too embarrassed to speak, a sarcastic voice rang out from behind Liu Bowen.

The two men turned their heads to see Zhang Yi standing there with a chilly expression, his lips curled into a mocking smile.

Liu Bowen's face turned livid. How dared this child talk back to him?

Although it was somewhat awkward to be caught speaking ill of Mount Longhu, what did a mere ignorant youngster know?

Liu Bowen let out a cold snort, unwilling to lower himself to argue with Zhang Yi.

Xu Cunren hastily chimed in: "Zhang Yi, is that any way to speak to Lord Liu?"

Unfortunately, he did not understand Zhang Yi.

When Zhang Yi truly hardened his heart, even Zhang Zhengchang couldn't sway him, let alone Xu Cunren. Old Zhang Zhengchang often said that there was a demonic streak in Zhang Yi—once he grew stubborn, he would dare to pierce the very heavens.

"Zhang Yi, the forty-third generation successor of Mount Longhu, pays his respects to Lord Liu!"

Zhang Yi stripped off his outer civilian tunic, revealing the Daoist robe beneath. He bowed formally before Liu Bowen, neither servile nor overbearing.

Liu Bowen's expression turned slightly chilly. This brat had quite a temper.

"This humble junior is merely a Daoist from the wilderness, unlearned and unskilled. Recently, thanks to His Majesty's grace, this poor Daoist has been permitted to study and read characters in the Imperial Academy. My teacher once taught me: *'Those who bring you tales of right and wrong are themselves people of right and wrong.'* Let us set this matter aside for now!

"This poor Daoist has long admired your great reputation and held you in high respect, but upon seeing you today... you are nothing special after all."

Taunted so blatantly, Liu Bowen actually laughed: "Little Daoist priest, you have an opinion of me?"

Unflinching, Zhang Yi answered in a deep voice:

"I didn't have one originally; when I spoke of Liu Bowen earlier, I still held you in high regard! But listening to your words today, I realize your perspective is altogether too petty. To think I used to worship you—I must have been blind!

"The Master said: *'When I walk along with two others, they will serve me as my teachers.'* Since you lack even this basic breadth of mind, it is truly difficult for people to hold you in esteem.

"Let this poor Daoist inform you: the inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations was precisely my proposal. If you have objections to it, argue the merits of the case itself! Yet you keep harping on about 'a Daoist priest' and 'Mount Longhu.' Is that arguing the merits?

"What I see clearly is a man whose interests have been encroached upon, barking madly like a cornered dog! Let me ask you this, Lord Liu: when scholars sit down to discourse on the Way, must they also rank themselves by seniority?"

Neither Xu Cunren nor perhaps even Master Huang and his son had ever witnessed Zhang Yi in such a ferocious state.

Stung by this barrage of insults, Liu Bowen nearly choked with fury. He wasn't the type to lose his temper immediately upon being scolded, but this time he was genuinely in the wrong.

Furthermore, Zhang Yi's criticisms hit the mark: if one debated the case on its merits, he could discuss the pros and cons of mathematics in the exams; but by immediately dragging in Mount Longhu as a slur, did he really think the people of Mount Longhu were easy to bully?

Zhang Yi had a peculiar temperament. He could detest Mount Longhu and mock Zhang Zhengchang himself, but if outsiders dared to disparage it, he would fight back fiercely.

Liu Bowen's chest heaved up and down, his breathing rapid. It had been a long time since anyone had dared to dress him down like this, and yet he had no way to retort. When all was said and done, he had been caught red-handed speaking ill of someone behind their back. This awkward predicament made Liu Bowen wish the ground would swallow him up.

Yet, being a man capable of distinguishing right from wrong, he let out a cold snort and said:

"This old man is indeed dissatisfied with your identity as a Daoist from Mount Longhu, and I am equally dissatisfied with mathematics entering the imperial examinations. I will not conceal that. If you feel aggrieved, this old man apologizes to you once more..."

He knew that if he continued to entangle himself in this matter—especially with a child—the only one who would end up looking foolish was himself.

Cupping his hands in a perfunctory bow to signify an apology, Liu Bowen sharply changed the subject:

"But as for your talk of discoursing on the Way, do you honestly believe you are qualified?"

Zhang Yi laughed. "If Lord Liu believes I am not qualified, why bother flying into a rage at Teacher Xu? That only shows the inclusion of mathematics in the exams has indeed threatened your interests!

"Let me guess: has the once far-sighted and strategic Master Liu been coerced by those beneath him in the court, losing touch with his original aspirations? You speak endlessly of the teachings of the sages, but how much of your heart is driven by compromise, and how much by ideals?"

His words struck Liu Bowen's ears like a sudden crash of thunder.

Under any other circumstances, Zhang Yi's words would not have caused a single ripple in Liu Bowen's mind. But only today, he had heard Zhu Yuanzhang say: *I am very disappointed in you...*

The Emperor's disappointment was the primary reason Liu Ji had been thrown so off balance and cast into emotional turmoil.

Liu Bowen was a clever man; he understood the main reason Zhu Yuanzhang employed him. In terms of background, he couldn't hold a candle to Li Shanchang; in terms of favor in the Emperor's eyes, he likewise fell short.

By placing him in the position of Censor-in-Chief, Zhu Yuanzhang had implicitly hinted at his expectations. But if Liu Bowen ruined those expectations, it might well mark the moment the Emperor cast him aside.

Today's reprimand by Zhu Yuanzhang had quickly awakened him. Hearing a child utter these same truths—regardless of whether Zhang Yi intended it or not—forced Liu Bowen to look at the boy in a completely new light.

Even so, as the de facto second-in-command of the Ming civil bureaucracy, he could not afford to lose face in front of Xu Cunren.

He demanded, "Then tell me, what benefits does the inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations actually bring?"

"If you were Teacher Xu, I might assume you didn't understand. But you are a man well-versed in mathematics and logic—how could you not know in your heart? Can people selected solely through the traditional essay examinations truly become competent officials? You, Liu Ji, are not someone who walks the beaten path; why ask questions to which you already know the answer?"

Zhang Yi's biting sarcasm made Liu Ji's face flush red once more. He found himself utterly defeated in a war of words by a mere child.

"You look down upon my Mount Longhu; that is your own affair. But Mount Longhu has, after all, performed deeds for the common people and bestowed blessings upon the realm! You harbor great ambitions and wish to leave behind a clean legacy for posterity—do you want to be remembered for that, or as the factional leader of the Zhejiang clique?"

Every single word of Zhang Yi's pierced straight to the heart, so sharp that even Xu Cunren felt his heart skip a beat.

This was his first time witnessing the terrifying wrath of the Zhang family's rebellious scion, pressing Liu Bowen to the ground and grinding him down relentlessly.

Naturally, Xu Cunren also knew that it wasn't that Liu Bowen couldn't argue back against Zhang Yi, but rather that he was in the wrong for gossiping behind people's backs.

Xu Cunren hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over:

"Alright, that's enough! Zhang Yi, put the tea down and go practice your calligraphy in my study!"

Lowering his head, Zhang Yi set the teapot on the table, poured a cup of tea for Liu Bowen, and then turned around, walking away with a flick of his sleeves without so much of a glance in the other man's direction.

A boulder seemed wedged in Liu Ji's chest; he couldn't swallow his anger for the life of him.

"Wait!"

Liu Bowen called out to the departing Zhang Yi. "Just now, I heard your teacher say you intend to compile a mathematics textbook for the Great Ming?"

Zhang Yi turned and nodded. Since Liu Bowen had already overheard, there was no point in denying it.

"What is your level of mathematical skill? Let me test you—"

"Wait, by what right?"

Zhang Yi refused to fall into the old codger's trap. Why should he submit to an examination? While he considered his own math skills acceptable, if an ancient genius like Liu Bowen threw a fiendishly difficult math puzzle at him, he might not be able to solve it immediately.

If you can't show off, don't pretend; besides, why should he cooperate with old Liu?

Liu Bowen choked on his breath, unable to spit it out for a long time.

Xu Cunren wanted to laugh but dared not. When Zhang Yi set out to grind someone down, he could drive them half to death. Meeting such a little jinx was simply bad luck for old Liu; yet, precisely because he refused to accept defeat, Liu Bowen was determined to outdo Zhang Yi by any means.

"I know what Master Liu is thinking—probably questioning whether I'm qualified once again. Please put away your arrogance, Lord Liu. Compiling this textbook or not means nothing to me at all!

"I have no desire for fame or fortune; this task will hardly bring me any benefits, and because of the misplaced sense of pride in people like you, it might even invite disaster upon my head!

"Yet, as the saying goes, *'He who eats the ruler's rice must share the ruler's worries.'* My teacher was tearing his hair out because the scholars of the Great Ming had no textbooks to use, which is why he turned to me...

"By contrast, what has the Zhejiang faction, headed by you and consisting of my teacher's fellow townsmen, actually done? If my teacher had anywhere else to turn, why would he lower himself to beg a seven-year-old child?

"If you people have no selfish motives, why ignore the objective problems while bickering over who gets to write the textbook? You deem this unqualified and that unworthy—why don't you do it yourselves? If it wasn't supposed to be a Daoist's job in the first place, where were you?"

With Zhang Yi's parting volley:

"If you want to accomplish something, do it honestly and stop staring obsessively at Mount Longhu day in and day out. Mount Longhu does not owe you a thing! And frankly, if I may be so bold, my willingness to produce this textbook is a blessing for the Great Ming!"

Liu Bowen swallowed hard, nearly suffocated to death by Zhang Yi's sharp tongue.

Seizing the first opening he could find in Zhang Yi's words, he counterattacked:

"Such arrogant phrasing! 'A blessing for the Great Ming'—how could you utter such words? Furthermore, how do you know I haven't wanted to do something for the inclusion of mathematics in the examinations? I came here today precisely to discuss the textbook matter with Brother Xu!"

Xu Cunren was startled, and then overjoyed.

For Liu Bowen to proactively step forward carried immense political significance. With him stepping up, to say nothing of the mathematical talents among the Zhejiang faction, Liu Ji himself was an expert in mathematics and logic.

Xu Cunren had witnessed many miraculous feats from Zhang Yi, but when it came to mathematics, he truly had no other choice. If Liu Bowen was willing to take on this task, nothing could be better.

Eager to ease the tension, he quickly stood up: "I thank Brother Liu on behalf of the realm!"

With a turmoil of emotions warring in his chest, Liu Bowen merely waved a hand.

He had originally come to Xu Cunren's residence out of a desire to redeem himself after being reprimanded by the Emperor. Yet this stinky brat from Mount Longhu had inexplicably aroused his competitive spirit. Ignoring Xu Cunren, Liu Bowen fixed his gaze entirely on Zhang Yi:

"Little Daoist priest, since you are so confident in your textbook, then produce it! This old man will naturally invite his colleagues to compile a separate mathematics textbook as well. When the time comes, we will have Brother Xu present both textbooks to His Majesty for the Emperor to decide whose is superior!"

"Fine!"

Provoked by Liu Bowen's aggressive stance, Zhang Yi's own temper flared. Who was afraid of whom?

"This old man will not bully you. If you lose, you need not do a thing! But if by some chance you win, this old man will grant you a single request!"

Though blinded by anger when making the wager with Zhang Yi, Liu Ji retained his intrinsic pride. Yet, what seemed to him like an act of condescending charity appeared to Zhang Yi as nothing more than pathetic posturing.

Mockingly, Zhang Yi replied, "Then I want three thousand liang of silver. Does Lord Liu have that?"

Liu Bowen's expression underwent a dramatic transformation.

His face turned ashen, and he grew visibly flustered and uneasy.

Three thousand liang of silver? He certainly did not have that.

Old Liu had followed Old Zhu in conquering the empire, and Zhang Yi knew very well what kind of temperament Zhu Yuanzhang possessed. Liu Bowen's personal integrity was still sound; demanding three thousand liang of silver from him under such circumstances was practically asking for his life!

Zhang Yi smiled inwardly. Reducing historical figures to such a state of utter embarrassment seemed like a rather pleasant pastime.

He calculated that Liu Bowen could not possibly produce the sum. Even if he waited until the day Liu Ji was enfeoffed as an earl the year after next, his annual salary would only be around one hundred and twenty liang of silver.

You could kill Liu Bowen, and he still wouldn't be able to pay it!

"If Lord Liu finds it difficult, then say no more. In truth, this poor Daoist is not short of money! Even if I win, I forgive you; you needn't do anything.

"Ah, my father always lectures me, saying my temperament is too poor, and that getting into petty disputes with ordinary mortals damages my spiritual cultivation!"

Sighing heavily and putting on a mature air, Zhang Yi turned and walked away, cutting quite a daoist, ethereal figure.

Yet this nonchalant departure appeared utterly hateful in Liu Bowen's eyes.

He never expected that today, arguing with a mere child, he wouldn't gain the upper hand even once!

"Brother Liu, calm your anger!"

Having finished chewing everyone out, Zhang Yi had run off, leaving Xu Cunren to clean up the mess...

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(End of this chapter)