Zu Chongzhi studied natural science throughout his life, and his main contributions were in mathematics, astronomy, calendar and mechanical manufacturing.
Before the Han Dynasty, China generally used three as the value of pi, that is, "three diameters are one". This results in a large error when calculating the circumference and area of a circle.
Zu Chongzhi, based on the scientific method of finding pi using "circle cutting" created by Liu Hui, used the open secret method and repeated calculations to find the pi between 3, 1,415,927 and 3, 1,415,926. This was the most accurate value in the world at the time, and he became the first person in the world to calculate the accurate value of pi to the seventh decimal place. It was not until more than a thousand years later that this record was broken by Europeans.
It can be said that pi is Zu Chongzhi's masterpiece. This alone has pushed Zu Chongzhi to the pinnacle of ancient mathematics. Regardless of ancient and modern times, no one can question his historical status in the field of mathematics.
But now, this Wang Xiaotong actually dares to attack the "Master Zu"?
Of course, this was the first time Fang Junshang had heard about the book "Zhu Shu". He had no idea what the arguments in the book were. There is no doubt that both Zu Chongzhi and his son are among the greatest mathematicians in history. Of course, this does not mean that all of their mathematical arguments are correct. However, according to the scientific spirit of Zu and his son who were neither superstitious about the ancients, dared to innovate, were modest, prudent, and open-minded, and placed their hope in future scholars, Fang Jun would definitely not believe Wang Xiaotong's comments.
Achievement and character are not the same thing, but sometimes they are closely related.
Just by what Wang Xiaotong said just now, "Invite people who can calculate and discuss the pros and cons. If anyone sends me a word, I will thank you with a thousand pieces of gold." You can know his attitude towards science. He thought that his work was perfect and seamless, and his contemporaries could not sing along with it...
His complacency and arrogance are the mentality that a scholar should have?
If such an extremely arrogant mentality can really produce some academic research that will shock the past and the present, then it is a fool!
Kong Yingda solemnly said: "Xiaotong is proud and arrogant, but he doesn't know that there is no end to learning? The way of studying requires a deep heart, humility and prudence, in order to make progress. If you are impetuous, you will not be able to listen to other people's words, and you will not be able to read other people's books. , is tantamount to being complacent and not the attitude of learning!"
These words can be described as merciless, pointing out that Wang Xiaotong has an impetuous mind, which is not the mentality that a student should have.
To Fang Jun's surprise, Wang Xiaotong was neither angry nor accepting of Kong Yingda's words. He just thought Kong Yingda was farting. One is strict and old-fashioned, the other is arrogant, they have completely different styles. It is hard to believe how the friendship between the two is maintained...
Wang Xiaotong ignored Kong Yingda's dissuasion, just stared at Fang Jun, and said proudly: "Compared with Zu's father and son's "Zhu Shu", which is full of errors and omissions, the "Ji Gu Suan Jing" compiled by a certain person explores the secrets, and it is full of twists and turns. A bosom friend will eventually become a few people. A certain person thinks about it every day and night, sighs loudly when writing books, and often stagnates with this reason, fearing that once he closes his eyes, no one will know about his descendants."
Fang Jun laughed.
It is the responsibility of scholars to contribute their knowledge to society. However, thinking that only one can reach the highest peak, and that it is impossible for later people to reach, let alone surpass, one's own level, is in sharp contrast to the spiritual realm of the ancient philosophers and sages who "can speak only as soon as possible", and in vain exposes one's own arrogance. His mentality is like that of a clown...
Belittle the predecessors, look down upon the peers, despise the younger students, and think that one is unprecedented and unmatched. Can this be the attitude of a scientist?
A scientist does not have to be a humble gentleman, but he cannot be so arrogant either. Under the control of this kind of mentality, it is not impossible to achieve some creative achievements. However, generally speaking, it is impossible to achieve the level of achievements like Zu Chongzhi. With this arrogant mentality, Wang Xiao did not humbly learn and study things he didn't understand, but dismissed them as "completely wrong and incomprehensible."
Wang Xiaotong was displeased: "Why are you laughing?"
Fang Jun suppressed a smile: "This junior has been of great benefit today, so I am very happy."
Whose achievements will shock the past and the present, and will be remembered forever? No one is more qualified to judge than Fang Jun. Who can be annihilated in the tide of history, and who will be respected by thousands of people thousands of years later? Who knows better than Fang Jun? In terms of reputation alone, Wang Xiaotong's mathematical achievements and theoretical level are far behind Zu Chongzhi's. That "Ji Gu Suan Jing" has never been a shocking literary masterpiece...
As for you, it's probably just a joke.
Wang Xiaotong stroked his beard happily and glanced at Kong Yingda with satisfaction. How about this, the most powerful guy in Chang'an City, isn't he convinced by someone and willing to be defeated?
Kong Yingda smiled bitterly and shook his head.
If Wang Xiaotong had not been my neighbor since childhood, and he saved me from falling into the water once when I was a child, and had the grace to save my life, how could I have been friends with him for decades based on his academic attitude?
The difference in how we treat people is really huge.
The duty of the Ministry of Rites is not a solemn and rigorous place, it is just a place where officials are on duty. There is neither a document nor strict rules. Although Kong Yingda's reputation spread throughout the Tang Dynasty, he was always kind and gentle to others. Those subordinates and colleagues I would also ask him for advice when I have nothing to do.
At this time, the Ministry of Etiquette had nothing important to do. When the idle and tired officials heard the loud debate on the floor, they could not help but sneak over to listen.
Fang Jun felt very good about the academic openness of the Tang Dynasty. There are often discussions among famous Confucian scholars, and everyone in the world can listen. Not only can they gain something, they can even express their own opinions, and there is no bad habit of being self-conscious.
At this time, officials from the Ministry of Rites quietly came in in twos and threes and sat quietly on the outside.
Kong Yingda ignored this, while Wang Xiaotong was even more energetic. The more people there are, the more he can spread his reputation...
Fang Jun had no good impression of Wang Xiaotong at all. Seeing the old guy's complacency, he moved in his heart and said with a smile: "Senior's cultivation of arithmetic is really a role model for us juniors. I am honored to have a chat with my senior today." , It’s really a great benefit. But a few days ago, the junior encountered a difficult problem and couldn’t figure it out. I wonder if I can ask the senior for help to solve the problem?”
Do you have any questions?
Wang Xiaotong felt as happy as if he drank ice water in the dog days of summer, that's it! If you have any unanswerable questions, please ask me for advice, and I will answer it for you. It can not only impress you, but also spread my reputation as a mentor and knowledgeable person. It really kills two birds with one stone!
"Here you go." Wang Xiaotong was extremely confident about his ability in arithmetic. There has never been a problem in the past and present that cannot be solved in my eyes...
Fang Jun said: "Please listen to the question..." As soon as the words came out, he suddenly realized that he had spoken smoothly, and said quickly and awkwardly: "Suppose the senior has a boat, and there are seventy-five cows, thirty-four sheep, and two Fifteen horses, may I ask how old the captain is?”
Wang Xiaotong was stunned.
Kong Yingda was stunned.
The etiquette officials present were stunned...
Everyone started doing mental calculations.
Seventy-five cows, thirty-four sheep, twenty-five horses... You have to do it. As one of the six arts of a gentleman, mathematics is something that every scholar must learn well. At the same time, the imperial examination culture of "Confucianism-only history" such as that of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties had not yet formed. Except for the Four Books and the Five Classics, they were all miscellaneous subjects. Every student had done some research on arithmetic and had a very good foundation in arithmetic.
This is this question, but it makes everyone confused...
Wang Xiaotong glanced at Fang Jun in surprise and cursed in his heart: This is not asking for advice, it is clearly to give me a problem and to embarrass me! You little bastard, you are so unkind!
But this question...
There was even an official from the Ministry of Rites who came to Kong Yingda's desk. He picked up a pen and paper and wrote the three numbers seventy-five, thirty-four, and twenty-five on the paper, and then marked them as cow, sheep, and horse respectively, frowning. Think deeply, think hard.
Wang Xiaotong looked up at the sky, his eyes slightly closed, but his thoughts were racing in his heart.
This question is very strange. It seems simple, but there is a twist hidden in it. Otherwise, the seventy-five cows, thirty-four sheep, and twenty-five horses that seem completely unrelated...how can they be related to the captain?
Fang Jun lifted the kettle on the charcoal stove like an old man, poured boiling water into the teapot, and made himself a cup of fragrant tea. He held the teacup, but did not dare to drink it. His stomach almost broke with laughter, and his hands kept I'm shaking, afraid of burning myself.
Let you Tang Dynasty people experience the power of brain teasers...
