Wang Wensu knew that His Majesty was studying his "Baojian of Arithmetic Studies", so he frantically compiled this book in the past year without having to worry about any other chores.
Now, the emperor showed Wang Wensu the results of his "study", but he found that he couldn't understand it.
It’s not that I can’t understand it at all: “Your Majesty…this seems to be arithmetic from the Western Regions?”
Wang Wensu naturally knows Arabic numerals, but there are many strange symbols in His Majesty's manuscript.
In addition, these calculations were written horizontally. Wang Wensu suddenly couldn't turn around. After looking at it carefully, he asked: "Your Majesty's manuscript...should be read from left to right?"
Zhu Houcong smiled and nodded.
After recognizing Arabic numerals and looking at the numerical values before and after the calculation, Wang Wensu naturally easily understood the meaning of some mathematical symbols with his basic skills.
After all, the first few pages are all examples.
For example, the plus sign, the minus sign, the multiplication sign, the division sign, the equal sign... some of this series of mathematical symbols may have appeared in Europe, and some may not have yet, but Zhu Houcong didn't even bother to care about them.
At least he didn't see this in Wang Wensu's "Baojian of Mathematics".
All Wang Wensu's calculations are still expressed in calculation chips and some words, and they are written vertically.
Wang Wensu didn't understand why the emperor expressed it like this: "Your Majesty, these characters... are very difficult to remember. I wonder what's the beauty of writing calculations in this way?"
Since the emperor showed this to him, he naturally thought it was better, but Wang Wensu couldn't turn around for the time being.
A person has long been accustomed to the current calculations. Those calculations are very close to him and easy to remember. He is also very familiar with the use of old calculation formulas.
The other is more accustomed to the calculation method of Arabic numerals, and is well aware of how important a more systematic mathematical expression is to the development of the subject of mathematics.
So Zhu Houcong said: "I have already roughly studied this masterpiece of yours. Mr. Wang, why don't you give me some questions to test, and then see how I calculate?"
The specific calculation process is more convincing. Zhu Houcong must first make everyone in this calculation pay attention to these most basic symbols: to a certain extent, this is a change in mathematical language, like a foundation.
Wang Wensu is obsessed with mathematics and is still interested in this.
And testing the emperor, to be honest, is a bit exciting.
"Baojian of Mathematics" is actually mainly an "applied mathematics" book.
In other words, mathematics was originally summarized from specific applications. Rules, moments, standards, and ropes are the earliest mathematical tools. The decimal system, the multiplication table, the four arithmetic operations, and even fractions have already appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period.
After years of summarization, nine specific mathematical application types, including Fangtian, Corn, Difference, Shaoguang, Shang Gong, Average Loss, Equation, Win Deficiency, and Side Points, are called the "Nine Numbers".
"Nine Chapters of Arithmetic" is based on these nine numbers as the framework. "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic Book" is also divided into nine categories with 81 questions, including Dayan, weather, field, survey, taxation, money and valley, construction, military, and market changes. , Wang Wensu's "Baojian of Mathematics" lists various mathematical application problems, conducts research and enumerates various solutions, and adds some of his algorithms.
Zhu Houcong used to be an accountant and was not bad at mathematics, but what he needs to do now is to promote the "applied meaning" of mathematics to be easier to learn, easier to use, and more systematic.
The best person to lead this work is Wang Wensu.
Let Wang Wensu come up with the question, and naturally he will no longer come up with the original question mentioned in the "Baojian of Mathematics". But Wang Wensu has long been in a class of his own, and he can easily solve a few questions.
The three questions at the beginning were not difficult. After all, he was the emperor, so he had to save some face.
They are "Due to Total Loss of Zero" in Volume 4, "Division and Variation" in Volume 6, and "Yuantian Product" in Volume 8.
He could only read Zhu Houcong's calculations "invertedly" from the front of the imperial case. He saw that the emperor only spent a few sips of tea to finish the calculations. He picked up the piece of paper and turned it over to show him: "Is there any miscalculation? "
"...His Majesty is truly a genius in arithmetic."
Zhu Houcong did not want to show off, he said leisurely: "Mr. Wang, you might as well come up with some questions after the twentieth volume."
If it weren't for the purpose of making him pay attention to the efficiency of new mathematical tools, Zhu Houcong would not have to do this: focus on the junior high school and high school questions, and don't focus on the elementary school questions.
Wang Wensu also became serious now. In his "Baojian of Arithmetic Studies", after twenty volumes, there are many problems that everyone in arithmetic has to study painstakingly throughout the ages, such as the quadrature of a cubic circle, the slow journey, the hidden integral difference, the mutual borrowing of the original, and the calculation of equations. Find the chord using strands and radial vectors...
But in Zhu Houcong's eyes, these questions were nothing more than some one-variable and two-variable equations, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional. In addition, they were all simple problems in the fields of plane or solid geometry, functions, etc., at least they did not exceed his mathematical level.
Seeing the emperor's pen running non-stop and quickly calculating each question, Wang Wensu was a little doubtful about life.
Although the types of questions are similar, even if he encounters these calculation problems, he has to use calculation chips or an abacus to fiddle with them before he can say that the results will be correct.
But judging from the emperor's algorithm, he calculated quickly and the steps were much simpler.
Probably because... each number does not need to be written in one stroke, and most words are written in one stroke? And those symbols...
After Zhu Houcong showed him the calculation process and results of the last question, Wang Wensu's throat moved and he asked in a harsh voice: "Your Majesty, you know all the calculations by heart, do you do all the calculations in your head?"
"There are calculation formulas here. The mental arithmetic part is just the simplest addition, subtraction, multiplication and division." Zhu Houcong said, "The secret lies in these calculation formulas. The numbers and symbols used are clear at a glance."
In the original calculation formula, calculations were like Bagua symbols, requiring several strokes to be written for each number; and the calculation formula was recorded vertically, and the operators representing the relationship between numbers were all Chinese characters, so the writing efficiency was very low. .
Transformations and complex calculations in equations are first broken down into steps to calculate simple calculations. Zhu Houcong's efficiency is the embodiment of many mathematical ideas after mathematics has been perfected from generation to generation.
Wang Wensu was greatly shocked.
Zhu Houcong did not understand the so-called systematic ideas of algebra, geometry, and analysis in mathematics, nor did he know when the basic axiom system in mathematics was systematically sorted out. However, the mathematical training he received was comparable to that of contemporary Wang Wensu. Mathematical arm wrestling with everyone even inspired him.
What he wants is not just one Wang Wensu, but thousands of talents with certain mathematical skills. How to make mathematics education simpler is what Zhu Houcong hopes Wang Wensu will do.
As for more advanced mathematical research, as long as the base is large, geniuses will always emerge.
Wang Wensu listened to the emperor talking about the meanings of different mathematical symbols, why the calculations should be arranged in this way, and what each step of the changes in the calculations means...
Suddenly I felt that I was not a math teacher, but a student.
"What do you think Mr. Wang thinks of these algorithms?"
"...Your Majesty is a scholar of heaven and earth, and I admire you greatly."
Zhu Houcong looked at him: "Mr. Wang, I am discussing with you the ingenuity of these algorithms, not to listen to your flattery. Mr. Yang Ge and others please introduce the new method, and one of the major changes is the new accounting method. In that new Under the accounting system, in the future, land, taxes, and auditing of accounts... there are many places where arithmetic will have to be done without knowing it. Mr. Wang, I think this arithmetic should not be more difficult than the Four Books and Five Classics, right?"
Wang Wensu was greatly shocked when he heard this: "...Your Majesty's intention is that all the scholars in the world should learn clearly in the future?"
"I don't expect him to become a master, but etiquette, music, archery, imperialism, calligraphy, mathematics, and arithmetic are originally one of the six arts that scholars need to know." Zhu Houcong nodded and said that he did mean this, "It's just that arithmetic has been passed down for so many years. The arithmetic problem is longitude and latitude, so it is naturally difficult to learn. There are also laws of heaven in arithmetic, just like the multiplication method. If we can find out the most commonly used and simple laws of heaven in arithmetic, we will have a simpler way to learn them. Be able to flexibly master most of the arithmetic problems in the "Arithmetic Guide"."
"Arithmetic... Dao?" Wang Wensu muttered to himself.
His "Baojian of Mathematics", the ideological guidance is actually the technique of solving problems. In this world, apart from a few schools of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, how can other learnings dare to be called the Great Way?
"Arithmetic naturally has its own way." Zhu Houxuan took this opportunity to express his own point of view, "From my point of view, natural principles are at the top, physics and human principles are at the bottom. This physics is not changed by human will, and everything is indestructible. Great truth. That's how it is in arithmetic. No matter who solves the same arithmetic problem, the result will remain the same, and the numbers will not deceive others. If you continue on the path of arithmetic, you can also get a glimpse of the laws of heaven!"
Wang Wensu was not a master of Confucianism. He did not know that he was the first person besides the advisor and fellow bachelor to hear about the three principles of "Heaven, Things, and Humans".
In his opinion at this moment, this was the emperor's recognition and encouragement for arithmetic.
Not only is it called the Great Way, but does it also mean that arithmetic will be included in the imperial examination in the future?
He understood the purpose of being left behind today, and looked at the manuscript and the calculation processes handed to him by the emperor: "Your Majesty wants me to re-compile the "Arithmetic Book" and promote new numbers and new calculation formulas?"
"Any knowledge should be easy to get started with." Zhu Houcong stood up and took down several thicker books from the nearby bookshelf. "I have studied the "Baojian of Arithmetic Science" one by one and compiled it with new calculation formulas. Mr. Wang , what I want you to do is not to re-compile the "Baojian of Arithmetic Learning", but I hope that you can integrate these new numbers and new calculation formulas, find some of the simplest arithmetic rules, and you can learn them after writing two or three volumes of elementary school literacy. Textbook.”
Wang Wensu stared blankly at the thick stack of books. After flipping through them, he saw that they were all in the emperor's handwriting.
Only then did he realize that the emperor had actually read his "Baojian of Arithmetic Studies" volume by volume, and had rewritten it into what it looks like now, stroke by stroke.
It is hard to imagine how much time and ink His Majesty spent on this matter in addition to dealing with so many state affairs in the emperor's study.
Wang Wensu's eyes filled with tears and she choked with sobs and said: "I...will live up to your majesty's high expectations..."
Zhu Houcong encouraged him: "Let's rest for some time and recuperate our body before starting. If I have any enlightenment, I will write it down and give it to you. I think this arithmetic may be the foundation of the way of heaven, and the principles of all things will be separated from each other." No arithmetic classes."
Whether it's arithmetic or mathematics, Zhu Houcong doesn't care about the title.
But once the mathematical foundation is laid, physics, chemistry and many other disciplines will be able to use it as a tool in the future. This is clear to Zhu Houcong.
Now we need to popularize mathematics more so that other subjects can no longer rely solely on experience, but have the habit of quantifying everything.
Only in this way can there be a smooth path for experimentation, analysis, and progress.
When Wen Suyun and Wen Zhengming came to thank the emperor after finishing their conversation, they saw the emperor and the arithmetic priest standing in front of the desk with a pen and writing and drawing.
Hearing her voice, Wang Wensu lowered his head and did not dare to look around, but Zhu Houcong just said to her: "You should go back first."
After whispering his agreement, he walked to the harem and heard His Majesty continue: "This algebra is to be included in the calculation formula first. Although I don't know what the number is yet, it can be substituted into the equation for calculation. I just looked for this first Symbols, but after careful consideration, I feel that using hexagrams and lines instead of strokes is still too much. Do you have any other ideas?"
The voice gets quieter and quieter.
Wen Suyun felt confused: The emperor was studying algorithms? Why does it sound like he is teaching arithmetic and offering sacrifices?
Didn't Dad say that Wang Chongfeng is one of the few mathematicians in the world?
…
In the early spring of the second year of Jiajing, Guangdong was full of new ideas.
Just after the New Year, social studies and county schools all over the country began to hear the sound of reading. The announcement from the Chief Envoy Si Yamen has been circulated to all counties. In May this year, the Litong Yamen will send out chief examiners to hold hall examinations in all prefectures. In August, the Ministry of Rites will hold another rural examination in Guangdong. Bang Enke.
Guangdong will have a large number of new talents and scholars this year.
The corresponding response is naturally the many new official positions in Guangdong.
After the reform, the top-down leaders of the Guangdong Government Office have been in place, but there is still a shortage of a large number of service officials.
The chief envoy of Guangdong is Si Yamen, Huang Zuo is in charge of the official office, Gui E is in charge of the household office, and Zhai Luan is in charge of the ceremonial office. One is busy selecting and appointing officials, one is busy editing and reviewing the rules, and the other is busy with this year's encore.
Li's father, Zhang Ji, and Jing's father, Chen Wanyan, both worked as stewards in the hall.
Duan Concubine's father, Cao Cha, was transferred from a prefecture in Fujian to the head of the Punishment Department in Guangdong. An's father, Ma Yong, was transferred from the chief military officer of Jizhou to the head of the Public Security Department.
As for Guangdong's original prosecutor, Wang Hong, was transferred to the newly created governor position in Fujian. When he went to Fujian, one of his main tasks was to strengthen military equipment on the coastal defense road.
People in Guangdong are currently discussing two things.
"I heard that for the newly-measured government land, if you lease it as a tenant, you will only have to pay five tons of grain per year for three years as if you were on our own land. Is it true or false?"
"That's right! Didn't Yang Shenzheng tell us personally?"
"Are you stupid? It's more cost-effective to buy it."
"You're stupid! It turns out that Guifuzun of Huizhou is deciding how much food will be paid for miscellaneous taxes next year. I heard someone said that the bottom of the field will be counted as one piece of money, and the top of the field will be counted as one piece of money."
"Doesn't that mean we have to pay two taxes for our own fields?"
"I don't understand... but Yang Shenzheng said that the two coins will be calculated only after the fields have been counted. They are collected from high-ranking officials and wealthy households!"
"How can Mr. Guan be so good? Stop having such wishful thinking!"
"..."
Now the Ministry of Household Affairs has to pay money to Guangdong to purchase many annual and sitting offices stipulated by the imperial court. Some local government expenditures are also borne by the Guangdong Household Office. Some large-scale projects are purchased by the Household Office from Huangmingji Labor Service and other private companies. The remaining miscellaneous taxes and corvees are being compiled and unified into a local miscellaneous amount. Tax.
The imperial court and Guangdong are still discussing how to collect this tax. Anyway, it will be after next year.
There is another thing that people are hotly discussing now.
"Pei Lizheng, are you telling the truth? Are you really going to be paid?"
"That's what Mr. Zhang told me." Li Zheng here replied, "In the past, the county used to exploit those of us who are here, but Mr. Zhang said that has changed in the future. I'm afraid it's better to rely on land to make money." Purchasing makes money. But the head of the Industrial Department has said that although the Commercial Department has not yet been established, the company license and regulations are already in place. After contracting the purchase, the balance must be kept and verified before the balance is paid. Employees must be paid, otherwise the license will be there is none left."
"Where's Huang Mingji? Is this the same?"
"The same is naturally true for Huang Ming Ji. However, I heard that Huang Ming Ji now uses Yi people for workmanship."
"Why use barbarians? Why don't you make money for us if you have money?"
"...I don't know about that."
"..."
Huang Mingji has brought back nearly 3,000 barbarian workers from Nanyang ship by ship. They are specially controlled by people, live in the same camp, and do the most labor-intensive work - repairing Guangdong Chidao.
Now, Zhang Tingbo, the in-law of Liang Chu's Zhang family, only heard Wei Bin say lightly: "Brother Zhang, don't worry. If Huang Mingji takes over everything, and the wealthy gentry and wealthy households in Guangdong have no way out, then how can Okay? Not to mention there are still a lot of purchases, you can go to the Industrial Office to submit an application for purchase, even here at Huang Mingji Sea Trade Co., Ltd., there are also a lot of purchases."
"I see, then I can tell the shopkeepers of other merchants." Zhang Tingbo laughed along with him, "This year, the sea trade house still has to build ships and buy goods?"
"It's like this. The wind was strong last year and many ships were destroyed." Wei Bin said with a smile, "Yang San and Dai Ming, who were recruited by Wang Futai last year, one went to Beijing to worship His Majesty, and the other stayed in Guangdong. Official Office The shipyard has limited capacity, and the Haiphong Road needs many ships. We have already asked Your Majesty if we can try privately building sea-going ships exclusively for Huang Mingji Sea Trading Company. Although the decree has not yet been issued, but It should be possible."
Zhang Tingbo's heart suddenly swayed.
In fact, the private construction of sea-going ships has never stopped, and the Zhang family has gradually accumulated a large fleet.
But in terms of ship shape, try to avoid going overboard. If you have this "license", you can build large ships with hundreds of materials? If all such a big ship were purchased, one big ship would cost one thousand taels of silver.
Wei Bin stopped talking and said: "The situation is overwhelming. Since Brother Zhang knows the direction of the sea, you, the leader of the Guangzhou line, will have to work harder. The crew and workers of the sea trade will not hire foreigners. What is going on now?" Although the determination of taxes has not yet been determined, it is ultimately related to acres of land and people. There are still so many hidden fields and hidden people, which is harmful rather than beneficial. Those who know the current affairs are heroes, but those who keep their eyes only on the fields are no different from fools ?”
Procurement by various agencies is creating countless huge opportunities in Guangdong and requires a lot of manpower. How Guangdong's real population needs to be balanced between agriculture and industry and commerce is being adjusted through new rules.
Sun Jiao, who went south to supervise the reform of Guangdong government offices, is now a little embarrassed.
"Congratulations to Mr. Jiu Feng, you are still strong!" Liang Chu looked at him with a funny face, "This good news must be reported to His Majesty."
"..." Sun Jiao is actually doing nothing in Guangdong, just avoiding the limelight. Who knows that he will avoid problems if he avoids it? "Don't make fun of Mr. Liang."
"This is a good sign!" Liang Chu said seriously, "Perhaps when the good news comes to Beijing, the good news about the Queen will also come later."
Sun Jiao was very confused and distressed.
To be honest, I can't bear to let the new "bed-warming concubine" in Guangdong abandon this child, and I can't bear to let him live happily even at such an old age.
I also feel a little proud in my heart.
But his daughter, the queen, was originally a "daughter born in old age". Now that the good news of her not being pregnant has reached Guangdong, he, the head of the state, actually wants to give her a younger brother or younger sister in Guangdong. What does this mean?
He did not take the initiative to report, but the news quickly reached Zhu Houcong through Jin Yiwei.
Zhu Houcong was stunned: Isn't he already seventy years old? The power of the state leader is so terrifying!
