The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 31: Are Mathematics and the Investigation of Things Important?

Dr. Song presented Xia Chengzong's exam paper and said, "Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the exam paper that Young Master Zong completed today."

Dai Quan took the test scroll from his hands and presented it to Emperor Yonglong with both hands.

Emperor Yonglong took the exam paper, glanced at it, and then looked at Dr. Song.

The meaning behind that look was: Do you think I can understand?

Emperor Yonglong put down the examination paper and said, "Dr. Song, I am very busy. You don't need to show me these. Just get to the point."

Dr. Song said, "Yes, Your Majesty, Young Master Zong is exceptionally gifted in mathematics."

"The method he used for the last question on this exam paper is something even I don't understand."

"His expertise in mathematics has surpassed that of this old minister. If he can dedicate himself to the study of mathematics, he will surely enable our Great Qian Dynasty's mathematical scholarship to take a giant leap forward!"

"Your Majesty, mathematics is the foundation of all disciplines, and is extremely important..."

Upon hearing these words, Emperor Yonglong was momentarily dazed.

So Zong-ge'er is really that good at math? So good that even this old man admires him greatly?

My grandson is truly remarkable!

However, he had an even more important mission, so how could we let him concentrate on studying mathematics?

Thinking of this, Emperor Yonglong spoke:

"Not only is Zong-ge'er skilled in mathematics, but he also has an exceptional talent for investigating things. Do I really intend for him to pursue the study of things?"

"I will make arrangements for Zong-ge'er's education, so you don't need to interfere. Just be a good teacher and leave."

Dr. Song refused to leave and loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, you are wasting a precious talent, squandering Young Master Zong's genius! You are a sinner against the mathematics of our Great Qian Dynasty..."

Dai Quan's lips twitched, and he hurriedly beckoned two eunuchs to come and carry Dr. Song out.

Emperor Yonglong's face darkened. This old bastard truly deserves to die; how dare he insult me!

Enough, enough. Such a pedantic and stubborn scholar is not worth my time!

……

Inside the main hall of the school, it was already the second period.

Dr. Huang walked in, and his gaze toward Xia Chengzong was somewhat strange.

He asked, "Young Master Zong, why did you previously believe that water pressure was only related to water depth?"

Upon hearing this question, Xia Chengzong was taken aback.

Hasn't this problem already passed?

Why is Dr. Huang still pursuing this relentlessly?

Or is there some controversy surrounding this issue?

At this thought, Xia Chengzong's heart stirred.

He said, "Dr. Huang, I think that if the water is calm, the water pressure and the size of the water surface may not be that important."

Dr. Huang nodded thoughtfully, then asked everyone, "What do you think?"

"How can water pressure be unrelated to the size of the water surface? Can a well and a lake be compared?"

"I'll dive in the pond, you'll dive in the ocean, dare to compete?"

"There's definitely a connection!"

Dr. Huang waved his hand to stop the students' noise and said:

"Just the day before yesterday, Song Shichang, a student at the Imperial College, conducted an experiment."

"He sealed a wooden bucket filled with water, connected it to a bamboo pole in the middle, and then stood on the second floor pouring water into the bamboo pole."

"Before he even filled the bamboo pole with water, the bucket broke under the pressure. This shows that water pressure should only be related to water depth."

"The Imperial Academy has already begun revising its physics textbook. On the day of the exam, Master Zong's answer was correct, and his intuition was also correct."

After Dr. Huang finished speaking, the classroom fell silent.

Xia Chengzong also showed a thoughtful expression.

In his previous life, someone had also conducted this experiment.

However, it was done by a Westerner named Pascal.

This time, however, it was the people of the Great Qian who made it.

Of course, it's not impossible that no one in the West has conducted the same experiment.

Scientific discoveries also have both accidental and inevitable aspects.

The Imperial Academy of the Great Qian Dynasty seems to have a strong research atmosphere!

Even the discipline of investigating things was compiled by them.

With such a research atmosphere, how could Daqian not develop its scientific research?

……

In the afternoon, when it came time for martial arts practice, Xia Chengkun couldn't stand the hardship and stopped practicing stances, instead following Instructor Wei to learn swordsmanship.

Xia Chengqian also became somewhat perfunctory, while only Xia Chengzong was still practicing the stance seriously, and seemed to be making progress.

After dinner, Emperor Yonglong, as usual, took the five children to play in the Imperial Garden.

Emperor Yonglong suddenly asked, "Do you think mathematics and the study of things are important?"

After Emperor Yonglong finished asking his question, the five children fell into deep thought.

Xia Chengzong's mind raced; whether mathematics and the study of things were important or not was not important.

The important thing is to guess Emperor Yonglong's thoughts correctly, or at least not to go too far against them.

If he were to say now that mathematics and the investigation of things are very important, and that in the future mathematics and the investigation of things should be included in the imperial examinations, and that they should be vigorously promoted and studied throughout the country.

Believe it or not, Emperor Yonglong will remove him from the succession line, and even the throne that his father was able to obtain by lying down will be lost!

He wanted Emperor Yonglong to pay more attention to mathematics and the study of things, but he couldn't go too far; he had to find the right balance.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Chengxu spoke first:

"Grandfather, in my opinion, mathematics and the study of things are minor arts!"

"These are merely strange and ingenious skills, and should not be taken seriously. For scholars, the foundation of their character remains literature and education."

"Understanding the rules, maintaining order, and being reasonable are the most important things."

Xia Chengxu belittled mathematics and the study of things, partly because, in his understanding, this was indeed the case.

Secondly, wasn't Xia Chengzong exceptionally good at mathematics and physics? Then let's downplay the status of mathematics and physics, making his achievements less noticeable.

Xia Chengli said, "Grandfather, I believe that the current status of mathematics and physics is just right."

"The current status of mathematics and the study of things is impartial; they neither conflict with education nor conflict with culture, and they are equally beneficial to the country and its people. Therefore, there is no need to change them."

Xia Chengyan, on the other hand, felt that the status of mathematics and the study of things should be elevated.

Before Xia Chengzong arrived, his academic performance in physics was the best.

Raising the status of the study of things can also amplify one's own value.

Xia Chengren, on the other hand, dismissed mathematics and the study of things as worthless.

Well, among the group, his grades in mathematics and physics were the worst; his strength lay in martial arts.

Finally, Emperor Yonglong looked at Xia Chengzong and asked, "Brother Zong, what's your opinion?"

Xia Chengzong said, "Grandfather, I believe that the status of mathematics and the study of things should be elevated."

"Education establishes order, while mathematics and the study of things can enrich the people and strengthen the nation."

"Agronomy can cultivate superior seeds and increase yields; natural science can make our weapons better and our armor stronger."

"Therefore, education and the study of things are two sides of the same coin, complementing each other."

After listening to Xia Chengzong's explanation, Emperor Yonglong nodded slightly.

Xia Chengzong's arguments were not merely statements of opinion, but rather substantial, demonstrating his genuine understanding of the benefits of mathematics and the investigation of things.

He was extremely satisfied with this answer.

He asked, "Then how do you think we should elevate the status of mathematics and the study of things?"