Wang Wensu knew that His Majesty was studying his "Treasure of Arithmetic", so he frantically finished compiling this book in the nearly a year when he didn't have to worry about any other miscellaneous matters.

Now, the emperor showed Wang Wensu the results of his "study", but he found that he was a little incomprehensible.

It's not that I can't understand it all: "Your Majesty...... This seems to be the Western Regions word counting? ”

Wang Wensu naturally knew Arabic numerals, but there were still many strange symbols in His Majesty's manuscript.

In addition, these calculations were actually written horizontally, Wang Wensu suddenly couldn't turn around, and after reading it carefully, he asked again: "Your Majesty's manuscript...... Do you want to read it from left to right? ”

Zhu Houxi smiled and nodded.

Recognizing Arabic numerals, and then looking at the values before and after the arithmetic, it is naturally easy to understand the meaning of some mathematical symbols with Wang Wensu's skills.

After all, the first few sheets of paper are examples.

Such as plus, minus, multiplication, division, equal...... Some of this series of mathematical symbols may have appeared in Europe, or some of them may not, and Zhu Houxi doesn't bother to care about them.

At least he didn't see these in Wang Wensu's "Treasure of Arithmetic".

All of Wang Wensu's calculations are still reflected in arithmetic chips and some words, and they are written vertically.

Wang Wensu didn't understand why the emperor wanted to express it like this: "Your Majesty, these characters ...... It's hard to remember. I don't know what's the point of writing this formula? ”

Since the emperor showed him this, he naturally thought it was better, but Wang Wensu couldn't turn the corner for a while.

A man who has long been accustomed to the current calculations, those calculations are very close to him and easy to remember. He was also familiar with the use of old arithmetic.

The other is more accustomed to the Arabic numeral method of arithmetic and understands how important a more structured mathematical expression is to the development of mathematics as a discipline.

So Zhu Houxi said: "I have studied most of your masterpieces. Mr. Wang, why don't you come up with some questions to test me, and then see how I do the math? ”

The specific calculation process is more convincing, and Zhu Houxi wants to make this arithmetic everyone pay attention to these most basic symbols: to a certain extent, this is a change in the language of mathematics, like a foundation.

Wang Wensu is obsessed with mathematics and is still interested in this.

And the test of the emperor, to be honest, is a bit exciting.

In fact, the book is mainly an "applied mathematics" book.

In other words, mathematics is originally summarized from concrete applications. Rules, rules, standards, and ropes are the earliest mathematical tools, and the decimal system, the ninety-nine multiplication table, the four operations and even fractions have appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period.

After years of summarization, nine specific types of mathematical applications, such as Fangtian, Corn, Difference, Shaoguang, Shanggong, Average Loss, Equation, Winning Deficit, and Sideways, are called "Nine Numbers".

"Nine Chapters of Arithmetic" is based on the framework of these nine numbers, and the "Nine Chapters of the Book of Numbers" is also divided into nine categories of eighty-one questions, such as Dayan, Tianshi, Tianyu, Surveying, Servitude, Qiangu, Construction, Military, and Shiyi.

Zhu Houxi used to be an accountant, and he was not bad at mathematics, but what he needs to do now is to promote the "application significance" of mathematics to the aspects of ease of learning, ease of use, and systematization.

The best leader of this work is Wang Wensu.

Let Wang Wensu come up with the question, and naturally no longer come up with the original question mentioned in "The Treasure of Arithmetic". But Wang Wensu has already become a family of his own, and he still has a few topics at hand.

The three questions at the beginning are not difficult, after all, he is the emperor, so he has to save some face.

They are "Zero Due to Total Loss" in Volume 4, "Division Variation" in Volume 6, and "Circle Field Product" in Volume 8.

He could only look at Zhu Houxi's calculation "upside down" from the front of the imperial case, only to see that the emperor only spent a few sips of tea in total, and picked up the paper and turned it upside down to show him: "Is there a mistake?" ”

“…… Your Majesty is truly a genius of arithmetic. ”

Zhu Houxi didn't want to show off, he said leisurely: "Mr. Wang, you might as well come up with some questions after the twenty volumes." ”

If it weren't for the fact that he would have noticed the efficiency of the new math tools, Zhu Houxi wouldn't have done this: Fix the problems of junior high school and high school, don't do everything you need to do in elementary school.

Wang Wensu also became solemn now. In his "Treasure of Arithmetic", after twenty volumes, there are many arithmetic problems that everyone has to study painstakingly in the past and present, such as finding the product of a circle, delaying the stroke, hiding the difference, borrowing from each other to find the original, the equation into the Pythagorean, and the radial and sagittal to find the chord......

But these topics fell into Zhu Houxi's eyes, which are nothing more than some one-dimensional and binary equations, one-time, two-time, and three-time. In addition, they are all simple problems in the fields of plane or solid geometry, functions, etc., at least not beyond his mathematical level.

Seeing that the emperor's pen kept walking, and quickly calculated it one by one, Wang Wensu was a little skeptical about life.

Although the question types are similar, even if he encounters these arithmetic problems, he has to use the calculation chip or abacus to fiddle with it, so that he dares to say that the result will not be wrong.

But judging from the emperor's algorithm, he calculated quickly, and the steps were much more concise.

Probably because of ...... Why don't you use one stroke to write each number, and most words are only done with one stroke? And those symbols......

After Zhu Houxi showed him the calculation process and results of the last question, Wang Wensu's throat moved, and he asked astringently: "Your Majesty has many calculations by heart, and you can count them all by heart?" ”

"There is an equation here, and the mental arithmetic part is only the simplest addition, subtraction, multiplication and division." Zhu Houxi said, "The mystery is in these calculations, and the numbers and symbols used are clear at a glance. ”

In the original formula, the calculation chip is like a gossip symbol, and a number needs to be written with several strokes; The equation is recorded vertically, and the operators that represent the relationship between numbers are also Chinese characters, so the efficiency of written arithmetic is very low.

The transformation and complex equations in the equation are first disassembled into steps to calculate simple equations, and Zhu Houxi's efficiency is the embodiment of many mathematical ideas after mathematics has been perfected from generation to generation.

Wang Wensu was shocked.

Zhu Houxi didn't understand the so-called algebra, geometry, analysis and other systematic ideas in mathematics, and he didn't know when the basic axiom system in mathematics was systematically sorted out, but the mathematical training he received could wrestle with Wang Wensu, a contemporary mathematician, and even inspire him.

What he wants is not just Wang Wensu, but thousands of talents with certain mathematical skills. How to make mathematics education easier is what Zhu Houxi hopes Wang Wensu will do.

As for the more advanced mathematical research, as long as the base is large, geniuses will always emerge.

Wang Wensu listened to the emperor talk about the meaning of different mathematical symbols, as well as why the equations were aligned and arranged in this way, and what was the reason for each step of the equation to change......

Suddenly I felt that I was not an arithmetic teacher, but a student.

"What does Mr. Wang think, what about these algorithms?"

“…… Your Majesty is a scholar of heaven and man, and he admires him to the fullest. ”

Zhu Houxi looked at him: "Mr. Wang, I am not trying to listen to your flattery when I learn from you about the magic of these algorithms. Yang Ge Lao and others asked for the new method, and one of the major changes is the new accounting method. Under the new accounting system, the land, taxes, and accounts will be checked...... In many places, it is impossible to ignore arithmetic. Mr. Wang, I think this arithmetic should be no more difficult than the Four Books and Five Classics, right? ”

Wang Wensu's heart was shocked when he heard this: "...... Your Majesty's intention is to let all the scholars in the world know how to learn in the future? ”

"I don't want it to become everyone, but etiquette, music, archery, royalty, calligraphy, mathematics, and arithmetic are originally one of the six arts that readers need to know." Zhu Houxi nodded to indicate that he did have this intention, "It's just that the arithmetic has been inherited for so many years, and it is naturally difficult to learn it with the title of arithmetic as the longitude and latitude." If you can find out the most commonly used and simplest laws of heaven and reason, and have a simpler way to learn, you will be able to flexibly master most of the arithmetic problems in this "Treasure Book of Arithmetic". ”

"Arithmetic...... Boulevard? Wang Wensu muttered to himself.

In his "Treasure of Arithmetic", the ideological guidance is actually the art of problem solving. In this world, except for Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc., where do the rest of the learning dare to be called what avenues?

"There is naturally a way to learn arithmetic." Zhu Houxi took this opportunity to say his opinion, "From my point of view, heavenly principles are above, and physics and human principles are below. This physics is the great principle that does not change due to people's will, and all things cannot be broken. This is the case with arithmetic. No matter who solves the same problem, the result remains the same, and the numbers do not deceive. If you keep walking on the road of arithmetic, you can also get a glimpse of Tianli! ”

Wang Wensu is not a Confucian scholar, he does not know that he is the first person to hear about the three principles of "heaven, matter, and man" in addition to consulting and accompanying bachelors.

In his opinion at this moment, this is the emperor's recognition and encouragement of arithmetic.

Not only is it called the Great Dao, but also the meaning of letting arithmetic enter the imperial examination in the future?

He understood the purpose of being left behind today, and looked at the manuscript handed to him by the emperor and the process of arithmetic: "Your Majesty wants the minister to recompile the "Treasure of Arithmetic" and promote new numbers and new formulas? ”

"Any knowledge should be easy to get started." Zhu Houxi stood up and took down a few thicker volumes from the bookshelf next to him, "I have already studied the Treasure of Arithmetic one by one and compiled it with a new formula. Mr. Wang, what I want you to do is not to recompile the "Treasure Book of Arithmetic", but to hope that you can integrate these new numbers and new formulas, find out some of the simplest arithmetic rules, and compile two or three volumes of textbooks that can be learned after learning and reading in Mongolia. ”

Wang Wensu looked at the thick stack of books blankly, and after opening it and skimming it, it was all the emperor's handwriting.

Only then did he know that the emperor had really read his "Treasure of Arithmetic" volume by volume, and rewrote it one by one.

It is hard to imagine how much time and ink His Majesty spent in this emperor's study to do this in addition to dealing with so many state affairs.

Wang Wensu burst into tears, choked up and said, "Minister...... I will live up to Your Majesty's high expectations......"

Zhu Houxi encouraged him: "Rest for a while first, recuperate your body before starting." If I have an understanding, I will write it down and give it to you. I think that this arithmetic will probably be the foundation of the Dao of Heavenly Principles, and the reason of all things is inseparable from arithmetic. ”

Whether it's arithmetic or mathematics, Zhu Houxi doesn't bother with this title.

However, once the foundation of mathematics is laid, many disciplines such as physics and chemistry will be able to use it as a tool in the future, which Zhu Houxi is clear.

Now it is necessary to popularize mathematics a little more, so that other disciplines can not rely only on experience, but have the habit of quantifying everything.

In this way, there is a smooth way to experiment, analyze, and progress.

When Wen Suyun and Wen Zhengming finished talking and thanked the emperor, they saw the emperor and the arithmetic worshipper standing in front of the bookcase with a pen to write and draw.

Hearing her voice, the old man Wang Wensu lowered his head and didn't dare to look around, but Zhu Houxi just said to her: "You go back first." ”

When he whispered yes and walked to the harem, he heard His Majesty continue: "This algebra is to be included in the equation first, although I don't know how many numbers it is, but it can be substituted into the equation for operation." I just looked for this symbol first, but after thinking about it, I feel that there are still many hexagrams instead of strokes, what else do you think? ”

The sound is getting quieter.

Wen Suyun only felt very puzzled: The emperor is studying algorithms? Why does it sound like he's teaching that arithmetic offering?

Didn't Dad say that the king is one of the few arithmetic scholars in the world?

……

In the early spring of Jiajing's second year, Guangdong was full of new ideas.

Just after the end of the New Year, social studies and county schools in various places began to hear the sound of Lang Lang books. In May of this year, the Yamen of the Rite Hall will send a chief examination to hold a unified examination in all prefectures, and in August, the Ministry of Rites will hold another township examination in Guangdong.

A large number of new talents and promoters will appear in Guangdong this year.

To correspond, of course, there are many new official positions in Guangdong.

After the reform, the first officials of the Guangdong government office from top to bottom have been put in place, but there is still a shortage of a large number of officials.

The Yamen of the Guangdong Political Envoy Division, Huang Zuo in charge of the Officials Hall, Gui Cao in the Household Hall, and Zhai Luan in the Auditorium Hall, one is busy selecting and appointing officials, one is busy editing and reviewing the rules, and the other is busy with Enke this year.

Concubine Li's father, Zhang Ji, and Concubine Jing's father, Chen Wanyan, both became affairs officers in the auditorium.

Cao Cha, the father of Duan Concubine, was transferred from a prefect in Fujian to the head of the Guangdong Criminal Division. And Ma Yong, the father of An Concubine, was transferred from the chief military officer of Jizhou to the head of the Public Security Department.

As for Guangdong's former procuratorial envoy, Wang Hong, who was previously the procurator of the Procuratorial Department, was transferred to the newly established post of governor of Fujian, and one of the main tasks of his visit to Fujian was to strengthen the military garrison in Haiphong Province.

There are two things that the people of Guangdong are talking about now.

"I heard that the newly measured official land, if the tenant rents it, we will only pay five buckets of grain a year according to our own land for three years, is it true or false?"

"That's right! Didn't Yang say it to us personally? ”

"Stupid or not! It's more cost-effective to buy. ”

"You're stupid! Originally, Gui Fuzun of Huizhou was setting how much grain to pay after next year for those miscellaneous taxes, and I heard some people say that they want to calculate a penny at the bottom of the field and a penny on the surface of the field. ”

"Isn't that our own land to pay two pieces of money and grain?"

"I don't understand...... But Yang Shenzheng said that it is only after the number of fields that it will be counted as two money, which is specially collected from big officials and wealthy households! ”

"Can the official master be so good? Don't be delusional! ”

“……”

The imperial court stipulated that many years of office and sitting office, now the household department is going to pay silver to Guangdong to buy. Some local government expenditures are also borne and paid by the Guangdong Household Office, and some large-scale projects are procured by the Household Office from the Huangmingji Labor Service Bank and other non-governmental commercial banks, and the remaining miscellaneous taxes and forced labor are compiled and unified into a local miscellaneous tax.

How to collect this tax is still being discussed between the imperial court and Guangdong, anyway, it will be after next year.

There is another thing that is hotly discussed among the common people now.

"Pei Lizheng, what you said is true? Really pay the wages? ”

"That's what Master Zhang told me." This Li Zheng replied, "In the past, the county was all exploiting us, but Master Zhang said that it will change in the future, and it is probably better to make money by buying and buying from the field." However, the head of the Ministry of Industry said that although the Department of Commerce has not yet been established, the regulations for the license of the business are already in place. After the purchase is contracted, it is necessary to keep the accounts and verify the accounts before sending the final payment. Employees have to be paid, otherwise the license will be gone. ”

"What about the Emperor? Is that also the case? ”

"Huang Mingji is naturally the same, but I heard that Huang Mingji is now using Yiren to work."

"Why use Yiren? If you have money, why don't you earn it for us? ”

“…… I don't know. ”

“……”

Huang Mingji has brought back nearly 3,000 Yigong from Nanyang ship, ship-by-ship, specially restrained by people, living in the same camp, and doing the most labor-intensive work - renovating the Guangdong Chi Road.

Now, Prince Liang's in-law, the Zhang family's family leader, Tingbo, only heard Wei Bin say lightly: "Brother Zhang, you can rest assured." If the emperor remembers everything, and the rich gentry of Guangdong have no way out, how can they do it? Not to mention that there are still a lot of purchases, you can go to the Ministry of Industry to submit an application for buying, even our Emperor Ming Ji Sea Trade Bank, there are also a lot of purchases. ”

"I see, then I'll tell the shopkeepers of other firms." Zhang Tingbo smiled with him, "This year, the sea trade line still has to build ships and buy goods?" ”

"Since that's the case, last year the wind was strong and wrecked a lot of ships." Wei Bin said with a smile, "Yang San and Dai Ming, who Wang Futai recruited last year, one went to Beijing to be His Majesty's worship, and the other stayed in Guangdong. The government-run shipyard has limited power, and Haiphong Road needs many ships, so our family has asked Your Majesty if we can try to open a private sea-going ship for the Emperor's Mingji Maritime Trade Firm. Although the will has not yet come down, it should be possible. ”

Zhang Tingbo's heart fluttered suddenly.

In fact, the private construction of sea ships has never been stopped, and the Zhang family itself has gradually accumulated a large fleet.

However, in terms of the shape of the ship, it is still possible to avoid overstepping as much as possible. If you have this "license", then you can build hundreds of seagoing ships? If such a big ship were all purchased, a big ship would be worth a thousand taels of silver.

Wei Bin stopped immediately: "The general trend is Haohao soup, Brother Zhang is the wind direction of the sea in Suming, and you, the head of Guangzhou, can contribute more." The crew and workers of the sea trade company will not hire Yi people. Although it has not yet been decided how to determine the tax, it is ultimately related to the acres of land and the number of people. There are still so many hidden fields and hidden dings, which are harmful and unprofitable. Those who know the times are handsome, and their eyes are still only staring at the fields, how is it different from a fool? ”

Procurement is creating countless huge opportunities in Guangdong, which requires a considerable amount of manpower. How Guangdong's real population should be balanced between agriculture and industry and commerce is being regulated by new rules.

And Sun Jiao, who went south to supervise the reform of the Guangdong government office, is now a little embarrassed.

"Congratulations to Jiufeng Gong, you should be old and strong!" Liang Chu looked at him with a funny face, "This good news still has to be presented to Your Majesty." ”

"......" Sun Jiao actually has nothing to do in Guangdong, just to avoid the limelight, who knows that if he avoids it, he will avoid problems," Liang Gongmo wanted to make fun of. ”

"This is a good sign!" Liang Chu said seriously, "Maybe the good news will come to Beijing, and the good news of the queen's mother will come later." ”

Sun Jiao was very entangled and distressed.

To be honest, I can still be happy when I am so old, and I really can't bear to let the newly accepted "bed-warming concubine" in Guangdong not want this child, and I am reluctant.

I was also a little proud and proud.

But his queen's daughter is an "old woman", and now the good news that her daughter has not yet conceived has spread to Guangdong, and he, the countryman, is going to add a younger brother or sister to her in Guangdong, what is this?

He didn't take the initiative to report, but the news quickly spread to Zhu Houxi through Jinyiwei.

Zhu Houxi was dumbfounded: Isn't he already seventy years old? The majesty of the country is terrifying!