Xiao Shixuan had been to the General Military Mansion before, coming with his father Xiao Weigong.
After Fei Ruhe led his troops to drive away Sailu Bu and seize the entire Taihe County, the father and son came to inquire about the return policy.
As a result, the living Xiao family will allocate land as normal as ordinary people. Real estate, shops, workshops, etc., as long as the deed can be produced to prove it, all will be returned to the Xiao family. If the deed cannot be produced, then
All shall be confiscated.
Zhao Zhenfang's journey was smooth, and officials would stop and greet her when they saw her.
Seeing such a situation, how could Xiao Shixuan not guess the truth?
Zhao Zhenfang must be a family member of some high official!
Don't think that some people who do research have low emotional intelligence. They just have different concerns. In fact, they understand many things and don't show they care that much.
Take this moment as an example. Although Xiao Shixuan guessed the truth, he didn't have any special ideas. He was just here to discuss academic matters. He would continue chatting if he was happy, and leave if he wasn't happy. Anyway, he didn't ask anyone for help.
"Miss."
"Please tell me that I have brought a big scholar back with me. This is his mathematics manuscript."
Zhao Han was handling official business when he suddenly heard that his younger sister had brought someone to see him. He first dug out the data manuscripts and was immediately attracted by the various algebraic symbols. Because they were born from cursive writing, he could still recognize A, B, C, and D if he looked carefully.
After a few casual glances, Zhao Han said, "Invite them in."
Not long after, three girls came in with Xiao Shixuan.
"ah!"
Liu Miaotong immediately covered her mouth. She recognized Zhao Han at a glance because Zhao Han had once gone to a girls' school to deliver a speech.
The identities of Zhao Zhenfang and Fei Rumei were not kept secret, nor were they deliberately publicized. Few people in the entire girls' school knew about them.
"Second brother, Mr. Xiao is good at mathematics research," Zhao Zhenfang said with a smile. "Mr. Xiao, this is my second brother. He introduced the Thai and Western numbers."
Second brother?
Xiao Shixuan thought that Zhao Zhenfang was the daughter of some high official, but he didn't expect that she was Zhao Han's sister. His face finally showed a surprised expression, and then he clasped his fists and said, "Taihe Xiao Shixuan, meet Mr. Zhao."
"Mr. Xiao, nice to meet you!"
Zhao Han smiled and returned the greeting: "Please sit down."
Xiao Shi chose a seat to sit down and subconsciously looked at Zhao Zhenfang, but Zhao Zhenfang winked at him mischievously.
Zhao Han flipped through the mathematics manuscript and asked, "These formulas and theorems were discovered by you yourself."
"Sometimes." Xiao Shixuan replied.
"Well done, keep working hard in the future." Zhao Han encouraged.
Xiao Shixuan originally wanted to discuss mathematics. When he found out that the person he was chatting with was Zhao Han, he immediately said: "Mr. Zhao, I think that what is more important than formulas and theorems is to change the fundamental concept of studying mathematics."
"Oh, please speak." Zhao Han felt a little surprised.
Xiao Shixuan said: "Take equations as an example. When it comes to the calculation of complex equations, it is often easier to calculate using Tianyuan Shu together with calculations. But I am sure that even if Tianyuan Shu is more convenient to calculate, it will definitely be used in the future.
Replaced by equation algorithm.”
Using calculation chips to solve Tianyuan Technique, once you get started, is often easier than solving equations.
Zhao Han asked: "Why do you say that?"
Xiao Shixuan began to talk eloquently: "The biggest difference between Tianyuan Shu and equations is the unknown number. The article "Qiu He" in "Nine Chapters of Arithmetic" actually describes the system of three-dimensional linear equations in words, but there are no algebraic symbols and operation symbols.
The ancients omitted these symbols and expressed them directly with calculations (laying out matrices). There is a strange book called "Dongping Suanjing", which has been lost for a long time, but one or two things can be inferred from Li Yezhi's works... Qin Jiushao in the Song Dynasty has used it.
Double lines, single lines and other symbols represent addition, subtraction, multiplication and division..."
Zhao Han listened very carefully, although he had never even heard of these ancient arithmetic books and mathematicians.
According to Xiao Shixuan's explanation, Zhao Han roughly understood that there is an ancient "Dongping Suanjing" that uses nineteen characters such as "Xian, Ming, Xiao, Han... Pass, Quan, Dark, Ghost" to represent unknown numbers.
Power. If A, B, C and D are added, equations within the nineteenth power can be expressed using arithmetic matrices.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Qin Jiushao created arithmetic symbols.
However, the invasion of Jin and Yuan countries brought the development of mathematics in the Song Dynasty to an abrupt end.
Although the mathematicians of the Yuan Dynasty developed the Four-Yuan Technique, which seemed to be an improvement over the Three-Yuan Technique of the Song Dynasty, it was a step backwards in terms of mathematics itself.
Because the path has gone astray, unknown numbers are increasingly ignored, expressions of calculations are increasingly ignored, and arithmetic symbols are completely abandoned. Tianyuan Shu is completely reduced to mechanical calculations, which can be understood as mathematicians programming some kind of program, and later generations directly using this program.
Just go and solve the problem.
Li Zhi, a mathematician from the Kingdom of Jin, was afraid that poor students would not be able to understand the program, so he wrote a book called "Measuring the Circle and the Sea Mirror" to forcibly give the calculation matrix a practical meaning, which is tantamount to breaking away from abstract operations in mathematics.
After Xiao Shixuan had a taste of modern equations, he immediately realized that Chinese mathematics had gone astray.
If we look at it from the perspective of hundreds of years later, from the Han Dynasty to the Song Dynasty, there were no major problems with the development path of Chinese mathematics, and there was still the possibility of developing higher mathematics.
However, the invasion of Jin and Mongolia led to a great decline in mathematical thinking.
After finally introducing European mathematics in the late Ming Dynasty, the Manchu Qing Dynasty did it again, completely blocking the development of Chinese mathematics.
Xiao Shixuan said: "In traditional Tianyuan art, the solution to the four elements is the limit. But Zongzhen's mathematics has endless possibilities."
Zhao Han, a liberal arts student, had almost forgotten advanced mathematics. He said with shame: "I just put forward some superficial ideas. My talent is limited. The development of mathematics requires the joint efforts of everyone in the world."
Xiao Shixuan, this bookworm, suddenly seemed to be able to flatter him: "The Suiren family's drilling of wood to make fire is also superficial, how can it detract from its merits?"
"Hahahaha," Zhao Han took out the "Mathematics" and "Geometry" sent by Xu Ying, handed them to Xiao Shixuan and said, "From next year, schools at all levels must study it. There is no problem with the first part of "Mathematics", you
You can compile the theorems and formulas you discovered into the second half of Mathematics. In the future, if you want to take a subject to get a bachelor's degree, mathematics will also be a compulsory subject."
Xiao Shixuan was overjoyed when he heard this. He carefully held the manuscript and said, "I will do my best to compile the book!"
Zhao Han asked: "Where are you from?"
Xiao Shixuan replied: "Taihe County."
Taihe County was severely harmed by the traitor Sailu Bu. The gentry and wealthy families had to flee or die, so Zhao Han stopped questioning the other party's origins.
"Are you short of money?" Zhao Han asked again.
Xiao Shixuan replied: "There is no shortage of money. My family returned to Taihe County and took back three shops and an oil press. My father is also the director of the criminal chamber in Anfu County, so it is not inconvenient for me to stay at my uncle's house."
Zhao Han thought for a while and said: "In this way, I will give you an official position, be listed as a doctor of mathematics in the Mission and Education Department, and receive a salary according to the rank of county magistrate. From now on, you can study mathematics with peace of mind and don't have to worry about daily chores."
"Thank you, Chief!"
Xiao Shixuan was very happy. He had been fond of reading leisurely books since he was a child and had never been recognized by the world, but now he was valued by Zhao Han.
What made him even more excited was that in the past, there were only doctors of the Five Classics, but now he was appointed as a doctor of mathematics. It was obvious that mathematics was regarded as an equally important subject as the Five Classics.
The two of them chatted until the General Military Mansion got off work. The girls almost fell asleep, but they did not dare to leave early.
Finally, Zhao Han personally sent Xiao Shi's gift out the door, which made the officials of the General Military Mansion look at him with suspicion.
After the cousins left, Zhao Zhenfang smiled and said, "Second brother, did I make a meritorious service this time?"
"Remember you for your great contribution." Zhao Han said happily.
Fei Rumei was very confused: "Is knowing arithmetic also a talent?"
Zhao Han said: "This person not only understands arithmetic, he has such knowledge at a young age. He will definitely become a great mathematician in the future."
Zhao Han is still very confident about the development of mathematics in China, or the development of science. As long as mathematics is included in the imperial examination, given China's population base and the intelligence of its people, it will definitely be able to catch up with Europe.
What we have to do now is to sow the seeds and carefully cultivate the seedlings.
When we returned to the inner house, it was not time to start dinner.
Fei Rulan greeted with a smile: "What good thing happened to me today, and my face was filled with joy."
"You can see this?" Zhao Han couldn't help but laugh, "I'm very happy to get a young talent."
Zhao Han was very happy, but Chongzhen was troubled by finances.
At the end of the year, he finally found a place to start, because the salt tax had not been collected in full.
From the time Chongzhen ascended the throne to the sixth year of Chongzhen's reign, the national salt tax arrears were more than 3.2 million taels, and the salt tax in Lianghuai alone was owed more than 2 million taels. At that time, the provinces were ordered to make up for it quickly. Now that the three-year deadline has expired, some provinces still have no debt.
Make up the full amount.
Investigate and deal with it!
At the same time, this year's taxes are also in a mess, because there are wars and disasters everywhere, and the local officials always ask for one year's arrears.
No taxation if there is a military disaster?
Then how much money does the imperial court use to train troops and suppress thieves?
As a result, provinces such as Henan, Huguang, Nanzhi, Jiangxi, and Guangdong were rebelling against bandits and were being pressed for taxes by the court, so they could only step up their efforts to exploit the people.
As for Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces, Chongzhen was embarrassed to urge them. These two places have been experiencing severe drought for ten consecutive years.
In the blink of an eye, the tenth year of Chongzhen began, and the first thing the imperial court did was to send a large number of tax censors.
Chongzhen was also frightened by the eunuchs and did not dare to let the eunuchs collect taxes again. This time the tax envoys were all seventh-grade civil servants.
At the same time, Yao Yongji, the governor of Zhejiang, Zeng Daowei, the governor of Huguang, Chen Hongmi, the prefect of Suzhou, Han Wenjing, the prefect of Yangzhou, and Zhou Guangxia, the prefect of Huai'an... were deprived of their grades and positions because they were unable to pay taxes in full, but they continued to work.
He will not be reinstated until all taxes are paid.
Ding Kuichu, who thought he had successfully run away, was still held accountable by the court for many years of tax arrears in Jiangxi. This guy retired and returned to his hometown. Just after the Lantern Festival, he was arrested and sent to Beijing to be imprisoned for questioning.
Then, Chongzhen and Zhao Han became stupid together.
The spring drought is severe across the country, and this year is destined to be a disaster year.
Zhao Han's side is experiencing a severe drought throughout Jiangxi.
From the beginning of spring to the end of spring plowing, no rain fell in various prefectures in Jiangxi, and officials from various places even began to pray for rain.
In fact, there was a drought in Jiangxi last year. There is only one sentence in "History of the Ming Dynasty": "In the ninth year... Jiangxi also suffered from hunger."
In the tenth year of Chongzhen, we will not mention Shaanxi and Shanxi. The most terrifying thing is that it spread to Zhejiang, which is the most wealthy place in the world: "In the tenth year of Chongzhen, there was a great famine in Zhejiang. Fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands and wives cannibalize each other."
Behind it is: "In the twelfth year, there was famine in Liangji, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Jiangxi. There was a great famine in Henan, and people ate each other."
This is a nationwide severe drought, known as the "Chongzhen Drought" in history. The drought in Jiangxi will last three to four years.
The time to test Zhao Han has come, and the disaster is far more difficult to deal with than the officers and soldiers.
