There are many so-called accounting officials who cannot use an abacus. It takes them a long time to calculate three-digit addition and subtraction. They rely entirely on their staff to write the accounts.
This situation will inevitably breed corruption.
What's more serious is that once the chaos of grassroots data spreads, the country will completely lose its understanding of the grassroots.
For example, the most basic population data, land quantity, etc. are difficult to count.
When the imperial court ordered population statistics and land measurement, those people simply slightly changed the previous data and reported it.
This situation has already emerged.
Other administrative officials can alleviate this problem by recruiting scholars on a large scale, or by letting local states and counties recommend talents.
Accounting officers are professionals with technical thresholds.
There are few people who know arithmetic, and if merchants are excluded, there will be even fewer people available.
It takes time to cultivate yourself, and this problem can only be alleviated by expanding enrollment.
The test papers are simpler, the standards for grading are looser, and anyone with a certain foundation in mathematics can be recruited.
The Imperial Academy of Accountancy was the only place in the Ming Dynasty that professionally trained accounting officials.
No matter how bad the students here are, they can still understand simple accounting.
Zhu Yuanzhang has decided that all arithmetic students who have been trained for more than two years will be awarded officials.
It is for this purpose that Cheng Yimin, a doctor of arithmetic, was allowed to participate in the compilation of arithmetic examination papers.
Under normal circumstances, that would be absolutely impossible.
This information involved court secrets, and Qiu Guangan did not dare to disclose it at will, so Cheng Yimin did not know either.
Although Chen Jingke was in the palace, he had almost no channels to obtain information, and he also didn't know this.
Therefore, he simply could not understand why Zhu Yuanzhang let Cheng Yimin participate in writing the examination papers.
But it's useless no matter how much he doubts, because he can't do anything in his capacity.
Seeing that he remained silent, Cheng Yimin continued: "I am thinking whether to use new arithmetic symbols in this imperial examination and change the writing method to horizontal writing."
In ancient books, the pages were turned from left to right, and the text was written vertically.
But science requires a lot of calculations, and it is really inconvenient to write vertically, so Chen Jingke changed it to horizontal writing.
But he didn't change the page turning from left to right.
Whether you turn left or right does not affect reading and writing. There is no need to imitate the habits of previous lives.
This habit was quickly accepted by Cheng Yimin and others and promoted in arithmetic classes.
The newly compiled "Hongwu Suanjing" uses horizontal writing.
But he didn't expect that Cheng Yimin would be so radical and wanted to adopt new rules for the arithmetic exam.
His reason is: "The imperial examination is the fastest place to implement new rules. It only takes one time for new arithmetic symbols and writing habits to be popularized."
Chen Jingke thought to himself, fortunately you only have a doctorate in arithmetic. If you are allowed to take charge, it will definitely be a disaster for the country.
"This year's Enke and next year's Zhengke exams are best conducted according to the previous rules, otherwise it will be too unfair to other candidates."
Cheng Yimin explained: "I have thought about what you said, but apart from the Imperial College of Economics and Management, there are very few people participating in the mathematics department."
"I asked someone to check, and there were only less than a hundred people."
Chen Jingke said in surprise: "Are there so few students taking the arithmetic exam?"
You know, more than 10,000 people came to Mingjingke.
Even so, many candidates got the news too late and had no time to participate in this encore.
It is expected that more than 20,000 Mingjing candidates will take part in the formal examination in February next year.
Comparing the two, the gap is really huge.
Cheng Yimin sighed: "Arithmetic is in decline. Most of the people who learn arithmetic among the people are merchants, and they are not allowed to serve as officials."
"Not many ordinary people are willing to learn arithmetic. Even if someone wants to learn, it is difficult to find a teacher..."
"Moreover, the calculation subjects have suddenly increased this time, and the time is too tight. Most candidates have no time to arrive at Yingtian Mansion..."
Chen Jingke was speechless. Even so, he must be too poor in arithmetic.
It is urgent to promote mathematics and develop science.
Cheng Yimin continued: "What I think is, isn't there still time? I can write an arithmetic book and just introduce new arithmetic symbols."
"Then bring these people together and teach them the new symbols."
"Then this arithmetic book will be printed and distributed, and candidates who will take the imperial examination next year can also purchase it and study it."
"In this way, new symbols can be promoted quickly, which can save us a lot of trouble."
Chen Jingke was very surprised. He didn't expect that he would think like this:
"It's absolutely impossible to use new symbols for the imperial examination. It's too easy to cause problems. You have to wait at least three years for the imperial examination."
Cheng Yimin said awkwardly: "It really doesn't work. Hey, I thought it was too simple."
Chen Jingke comforted him: "However, the idea of publishing a book specifically introducing new arithmetic symbols is a very good idea, and I support it."
Cheng Yimin's mood improved a lot.
Then, the two continued to chat about writing exam papers.
He learned that he would go to the Ministry of Etiquette in the next two days and would not be able to come out until the exam was over and the papers had been corrected.
There were several people who went with him, all of whom were core members of the compilation of Suan Jing.
Chen Jingke thought for a while and said, "Let's just stop writing "The Book of Arithmetic" for a while."
"Students who are going to take the arithmetic exam should not come here. Study hard and try to get good results."
Cheng Yimin objected: "How can that be done? This delay is more than a month, which will seriously delay the compilation of the calculation book."
Chen Jingke said: "There is no rush to write arithmetic scriptures. I think it is more important to promote new arithmetic symbols now."
"Now students from all over the world are gathered in Yingtian Mansion, and more students are coming one after another."
"When scholars gather together, they like to point out the world. When new symbols come out, they will definitely pay attention."
When a new kind of knowledge appears, I am more afraid of being ignored than being scolded.
Whether it is criticism or support, it will help the new mathematical symbols become famous.
As for whether too many people scold it will lead to the new arithmetic symbols being hidden.
No need to worry at all.
The imperial court supported the new symbol, and the Ministry of Revenue was already using it privately.
Zhu Yuanzhang was a pragmatist and would not abolish new symbols that were obviously more useful just to appease scholars.
Therefore, this imperial examination is indeed an excellent opportunity to promote new symbols.
After some explanation, Cheng Yimin was finally convinced: "Okay, I will arrange this matter and write this book as soon as possible."
Chen Jingke thought for a while and then said: "Let the students who participated in this imperial examination stop coming and go back to study hard and strive for good results."
The arithmetic subject also requires a scripture test, but the questions are relatively simple.
The exam is approaching, and it’s time for everyone to go back and review carefully.
Cheng Yimin naturally wouldn't object: "Okay, I'll notify you as well."
Afterwards, Chen Jingke learned about the specific process of writing the arithmetic book, helped solve some problems, and left.
By the time we returned to the palace, it was already dark.
