Chapter 149: Why Bother Asking the Emperor for Rewards When He's So Stingy?

Surrounded by a crowd, Chang Mao was making a commotion at the entrance of the Imperial Academy.

Seeing Zhang Yi descending, he did not recognize him at first.

However, as Zhang Yi looked at him, he sensed Zhang Yi's gaze. Immediately, he shouted, "Is that you, you stinking Taoist?"

"Ah, it's the young master of the Chang family!"

Although Zhang Yi was surprised to find Chang Mao at the Imperial Academy, he was hardly afraid of him.

Yet, upon seeing Zhang Yi, Chang Mao's expression visibly soured.

"Brother Chang, who is this...?"

Most of the people hanging out with Chang Mao were sons of founding meritorious officials. The speaker looked to be about the same age as Chang Mao, with rugged features and a prematurely mature look.

His robust torso was wrapped in a round-collared, wide-sleeved robe, looking thoroughly incongruous.

Still, it was evident that he came from a military family; his stride was firm, making him vastly superior to a good-for-nothing like Chang Mao.

"If I may reply, Brother, I am Zhang Yi, son of Zhang Zhengchang, the Great Preceptor of Mount Longhu. By the Emperor's command, I have come to the Imperial Academy to temper my temperament and experience the mortal world. Brother Chang and I are very well acquainted; I often visit their home... By the way, Brother Chang, how is Miss Chang recently?"

Zhang Yi went straight to the point, revealing his identity.

Upon hearing this, the man was suddenly enlightened, while simultaneously casting a peculiar look at Chang Mao.

Although the Chang family had suppressed the matter of Chang Mao beating a servant to death, and the Emperor had not publicized it, news inevitably circulated within a small circle.

He had only heard that because Chang Mao beat a servant to death, the victim's vengeful ghost had sought out Lady Lan, and it was only after a Taoist priest exposed the truth that the matter came to light.

However, the cost of exposing the truth was that Chang Mao could not get out of bed for a month.

So, the seven-year-old child before him was that very Taoist priest?

"I am Zhu Yu; the Deputy General Conquering the South, Zhu Liangzu, is my father!"

*Oh~ Another unfortunate soul!*

Zhang Yi cast another glance at Zhu Yu. He was the second son of the future Marquis of Yongjia, Zhu Liangzu, and also a meritorious scion of the Huaixi faction.

No wonder he and Chang Mao were so close.

"Ah, Brother Zhu! Let us grow closer in the future!"

Knowing he and Chang Mao would never see eye to eye, Zhang Yi offered some perfunctory pleasantries and prepared to retreat immediately.

He pulled Kong Ne along as they ran into the Imperial Academy, Zhu Yu's gaze following them as they left.

"So that little Taoist priest is the eminent master from Mount Longhu who helped your younger brother cross over to peace!"

"What eminent master? Just a demonic Taoist! Why did Brother Zhu speak with him? Whenever I see him, I just want to punch him. That fellow caused me to take a beating; I've been wanting to thrash him for a long time!"

"Aren't you afraid of Mount Longhu's 'Divine Palm Thunder', Brother Chang?"

"What is there to be afraid of? When His Majesty's army arrived at Mount Longhu back then, I didn't see any of those Taoists performing Divine Palm Thunder!"

With his irritable temperament, Chang Mao simply refused to listen to reason.

The others present wore varied expressions at his words.

Some felt sympathy, some sarcasm, while others maintained an attitude of complete indifference.

"This is the Imperial Academy. If you don't want to taste His Majesty's wooden boards, you had better not do anything rash! Unless you're outside the academy, where no one can see..."

"Or, we could invite him to a gathering another day and find a way to humiliate him?"

As they chatted unconcernedly, as if no one else was around, the surrounding students consciously gave them a wide berth.

...

Upon entering the Imperial Academy, Zhang Yi went straight to find Xu Cunren.

After inquiring about the Libationer's whereabouts, he headed directly to his office.

Xu Cunren had been driven dizzy with exhaustion lately.

The inclusion of mathematics in the imperial examinations involved an immense number of complex issues.

Seeing Zhang Yi and Kong Ne arrive, old Xu chuckled warmly:

"It seems it takes His Majesty's personal prestige to get you to visit!"

"Greetings, Teacher Xu!" Kong Ne saluted Xu Cunren politely and with utmost propriety.

Xu Cunren offered a faint smile, refraining from asking Kong Ne about his grandfather's illness.

The friendship of gentlemen lies in knowing boundaries.

Although he knew of Kong Kejian's condition, he understood that Kong Ne did not wish to speak at length about his grandfather.

Zhang Yi beamed cheerfully: "Teacher, how have you been keeping lately?"

"How have I been keeping? Just introducing mathematics into the imperial examinations has turned the entire Imperial Academy upside down!"

"You have the teaching staff, and you have the textbooks. What else is there for Teacher to worry about?"

"The problem is, what should we do if the teachers cannot understand the textbooks?" Xu Cunren spoke with a rueful, aggrieved expression.

He recounted the whole affair, finally letting the two boys understand the ins and outs of the situation.

In truth, the matter was not complex, nor did it exceed Zhang Yi's expectations.

The two mathematics doctors invited by the Imperial Academy were indeed rare mathematical talents.

Yet, mathematical geniuses of this era often faced a common dilemma: what they had studied lacked a systematic framework.

Mathematics had been in decline for a long time, and scholars who earnestly studied it generally did so out of personal interest, or were officials like the Director of the Astronomical Bureau who needed to deal with numbers.

While their attainments were indeed high, teaching students required more than just personal proficiency; one had to know how to impart that knowledge effectively.

The two doctors at the academy were likely facing a similar predicament. When reading through the textbooks, they first had to master an entirely new system originating from later generations before they could teach it to their students.

Perhaps given half a year or a year, they could figure out the textbook contents on their own.

However, now that the Emperor was making such a grand spectacle of introducing mathematics into the imperial examinations, old Xu needed to produce some tangible results quickly.

Understanding the root of the problem, Zhang Yi chuckled:

"That's simple. Later, I'll write a lesson plan for you, draft a few sets of examination papers, and have both the teachers and the students take a test!"

"Don't wait for later; you're going to do this for me right now, and you can skip your classes!" Xu Cunren did not hesitate in the slightest, detaining Zhang Yi on the spot.

Zhang Yi did not refuse. He had someone fetch brush and paper, and swiftly drafted the core knowledge points from the *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics*. When Xu Cunren picked it up to read, he found it concise, clear, and methodical.

"Splendid!"

While Xu Cunren was reading the lesson plan, Zhang Yi began drafting the examination papers. Writing at an astonishing speed, he produced several sets in no time.

"Teacher might as well give these materials to the two doctors and the other examinees for a test. In mathematics, success relies entirely on practicing problems!

Ideally, the study halls should hold a minor exam every month and a major exam every year! Through this kind of relentless problem-solving, students will improve their scores the fastest!"

If anyone else had said this, Xu Cunren probably wouldn't have believed it.

But since Zhang Yi was the very compiler of the textbooks, his words carried weight.

He dismissed the others, leaving only Zhang Yi and Kong Ne behind.

"Regarding your *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics*, there is still something I need to tell you!"

"Please speak, Teacher!"

"I confessed your identity to His Majesty, and His Majesty acknowledged your contributions. However, regarding the authorship credited on the *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics*..."

At this point, Xu Cunren looked somewhat embarrassed. "Considering the potential fallout, we did not use your real name. However, the author 'Master Yi' is your pseudonym!"

"Why?"

Before Zhang Yi could even react, Kong Ne jumped up with an indignant expression.

In his view, being able to compile mathematics textbooks was an opportunity worthy of leaving one's name in the annals of history.

Which scholar did not yearn to leave a legacy?

Caught up in a strong sense of empathy, Kong Ne momentarily suffered the illusion that someone was robbing him of his authorship rights.

Only Zhang Yi's expression remained unchanged, his face wreathed in a calm smile.

"Is it because of my identity as a Taoist?"

Xu Cunren nodded awkwardly and explained:

"You also know the difficulty of introducing mathematics into the imperial examinations and the resistance from the officials—that old fellow Liu Ji is a prime example. Although His Majesty chose your *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics*, considering the recent pressure surrounding the examination reforms, we had to wrong you temporarily!

His Majesty is well aware of your merit and keeps it in his heart.

He will compensate you in due time!"

"With His Majesty's assurance, this humble Taoist is deeply flattered!"

There was not a trace of displeasure on Zhang Yi's face as he readily agreed.

Xu Cunren's words carried another implication: he hoped Zhang Yi would keep his compilation of the *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics* a secret!

Even an emperor could not act with absolute freedom and disregard all constraints.

To have merit without receiving a reward meant the man in the palace truly owed him a favor.

Yet, Zhang Yi did not care!

"Very well, Teacher, we shall head out for our classes now!"

Zhang Yi rose and bowed respectfully to Xu Cunren.

His unusual seriousness and proper demeanor instead filled Xu Cunren with a sense of guilt.

*Was this child truly free of resentment, or was he simply suppressing his grievances?*

...

"What His Majesty is doing is wrong! Why should Taoists be subjected to discrimination? The Master said: 'When walking in a party of three, I must have my teachers.' Even the Sage did not mind learning from a child, yet these people cling to sectarian prejudice!

Whether one is a Taoist or a Buddhist, as long as what they say makes sense, why fear letting others know?"

The moment they stepped outside, Kong Ne released all the anger he had been suppressing in a flurry of complaints, which Zhang Yi found quite amusing.

Seeing Zhang Yi maintain such an indifferent attitude only irritated Kong Ne further.

"Why aren't you angry at all?"

"Nene, would you like to come to Mount Longhu and become a guardian disciple? I find you are far more agitated than I am..."

"You jerk! You can't tell good intentions from bad!"

Realizing he was getting worked up over something that didn't even bother the person involved, Kong Ne flushed with vexation.

Zhang Yi, however, remarked:

"You simply don't understand. Keeping my name out of it is actually a form of protection for me and Mount Longhu!

Recently, my sect has been drawing too much attention, though the trouble my father stirred up didn't cross the ultimate line.

However, inserting mathematics into the imperial examinations will indeed invite the hatred and vengeance of many.

As for Taoist priests—creatures like us who deliver auspicious omens, play the mystic, dupe the emperor into eating longevity pills, or supply a bit of aphrodisiac—even if we invoke public outrage, we don't truly infringe upon official interests.

Yet, using a Taoist's identity to meddle in the imperial examinations crosses the boundary.

Think back to how my father recently used the inoculation method to outshine your Kong family, and how you yourself glared at me like an angry little bird finding me an eyesore. Those officials who pride themselves on being paragons of purity also target our Mount Longhu—why? Isn't it because the Emperor used Mount Longhu to overshadow the Kong family?

If they couldn't stomach that, how much less could they tolerate mathematics in the imperial examinations?

Alright, alright, I acknowledge your good intentions, Comrade Kong Ne, but please be mindful of your own stance..."

*Taoist priests... creatures like us?*

Kong Ne was utterly speechless. Deep down, Zhang Yi seemed to look down on everything, including his own identity as a Taoist.

As for absurd terms like "angry little bird" or "comrade," Kong Ne, long accustomed to Zhang Yi's gibberish, simply ignored them.

Hearing this, his face turned slightly red; he had indeed worried needlessly.

At the same time, he cast a deep, lingering look at Zhang Yi.

Everyone had their own stance, but how many people could step outside their perspective and view matters with such calm objectivity?

With a smile, Zhang Yi continued:

"Besides, I don't care for the Emperor's reward anyway. Given the miserly nature of the man in our palace, getting three hundred taels of silver out of him would be a miracle. What use is that?

It is far better to let him owe us a favor. If anything happens in the future, at least we will have an extra layer of protection!"

Zhang Yi genuinely believed this: it was better if that Emperor never issued the reward.

An unissued reward was what you called a personal favor!

Given Zhu Yuanzu's—correction, Zhu Yuanzhang's stingy nature, rather than letting him bestow some trifling reward, it was far better to have him owe him a favor.

"Speaking of which, whether I wish it or not, I shouldn't be far from being summoned by the Emperor!" Zhang Yi muttered to himself.

"You really dare say anything!"

Zhang Yi, the speaker, was fearless, but Kong Ne nervously scanned their surroundings. Making sure no one else was about, he whispered a warning:

"Have you grown tired of living?"

Seeing Zhang Yi remain silent, Kong Ne asked: "Are you still talking about that book-selling scheme? Since you intend to sell books, why did you go out of your way to make exam papers for Teacher Xu?"

"If those teachers and students don't experience the benefits of relentless problem-solving, how can I demonstrate the true value of supplementary workbooks and past exam papers? Only what is free is truly the most expensive—just wait and watch..."

Chatting as they walked, the two of them suddenly bumped squarely into a pair of figures who looked like scholars.

"Students pay their respects to the teachers!"

Although Zhang Yi and Kong Ne had never met these two instructors, they immediately recognized that these must be the newly arrived mathematics doctors.

"Why are you two here?"

"Reporting to the teachers, because we made a mistake, Lord Libationer brought us in for questioning!"

Facing the teachers' inquiry, Zhang Yi replied with fluid ease.

"Off you go!"

Suspecting nothing, the two men waved Zhang Yi and Kong Ne away.

"Lord Libationer!"

Finding Xu Cunren engrossed in reading something, the two doctors hurried forward to offer a greeting.

"Ah, Doctor Lin and Doctor Wu! Please, take a seat.

May I ask what brings you two here?"

Exchanging a bitter smile, Doctor Lin and Doctor Wu said:

"To eat the ruler's stipend is to share the ruler's burdens. Today, the two of us have come to tender our resignations. Teaching this mathematics curriculum has left us utterly exhausted. The elementary and middle school levels are barely manageable;

as for the advanced university-level courses, the two of us have studied them for a long time with trembling hearts, fearing we will only mislead the students!"

Xu Cunren smiled bitterly; the very thing he feared most had come to pass.

Promoting mathematics was not something that could be accomplished overnight, yet everyone was pushing hard, eager to see immediate results.

As the war in the north progressed smoothly, news of the upcoming special imperial examination gradually became reality.

Scholars across the realm were exerting all their strength for the Great Ming's first special examination.

Yet, the inclusion of mathematics threw everyone's calculations into disarray, instilling a profound sense of urgency in those preparing for the exams.

Everyone was studying the *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics*. Throughout the territories controlled by the Great Ming, the price of this set of books skyrocketed overnight.

Students were studying mathematics, and many temporarily recruited teachers were studying it as well.

Doctor Lin and Doctor Wu were the lucky ones who had attained official posts in the Great Ming dynasty precisely because of mathematics, but once they accepted the job, they found it nearly impossible to do well.

Learning on the fly—the first six volumes of the *Twelve Volumes of Mathematics* were manageable, but the three middle volumes and three advanced volumes contained many concepts that they themselves had to study with intense concentration, let alone teach to others.

After persisting for a few days, the two doctors, unable to bear the pressure any longer, finally laid their cards on the table.

*It was too difficult!*

Xu Cunren stood up to offer comforting words to the two doctors.

"Gentlemen, you are both mathematical talents recommended by Liu Ji. If even the two of you cannot handle this, finding suitable teachers in the Great Ming will likely prove impossible!"

The two doctors gave wry smiles.

"The main issue is that it's all too rushed. Though we are well-versed in mathematics, thoroughly digesting this set of *Twelve Volumes* would take at least a year. But does His Majesty have a year to give us?"

Hearing this, an inspiration struck Xu Cunren.

He turned around and handed the lesson plans written by Zhang Yi to the two doctors.

"Have a look at these two, gentlemen. Can they be of any help to you?"

"Knowledge points... wait, whose handwriting is this?!"

Holding separate lesson plans, Doctor Lin and Doctor Wu began reading them intently.

Before long, both men looked up at Xu Cunren in shock.

"Whose could it be? Never mind that for now, Doctors. Does this material help you?"

"Yes! Although we still need to study the *Twelve Volumes*, at least we now know how to conduct our teaching!"

The purpose of the lesson plans was to distill the core concepts of the books and analyze effective teaching methodologies.

Even if they simply followed the template step-by-step, they would at least be spared the agonizing headache of how to teach.

As for the rest...

When Xu Cunren handed over a stack of examination papers, the two scholars fell into a long, profound contemplation.

Clutching the papers and lesson plans, they no longer mentioned resigning; instead, they departed with faces full of delight!

*(End of Chapter)*