A few months passed in the blink of an eye, and the three-year spring exam was about to begin. Scholars from all over the country gathered in Shuntian Prefecture to take the exam.
Lun Wenxu and Zhan Ruoshui went to Beijing to take the exam together this time. Zhan Ruoshui had been thinking about taking the exam since he separated from Li Jie last time. Last year, he won Jie Yuan in the provincial exam. Chen Xianzhang knew that with the level of the two disciples, he would be able to take the exam.
There was no problem in coming to participate in the examination, so they sent the two of them to the capital to participate in the examination in the sixth year of Hongzhi.
Li Jie received a message from Lun Wenxu a few days ago and was extremely happy to learn that the two of them were going to Chunwei together this time. It was certain that the two senior brothers would be named on the talent list. The examiners for this examination were Li Dongyang and Lu
Jian, Li Dongyang has now been promoted to the rank of Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, but he is still concurrently serving as a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. The other Lu Jian is the Shaoqing of Zhanshi Mansion.
Li Dongyang and Li Jie were very familiar with him. He had dealt with him a lot when he was in the Hanlin Academy. Although he couldn't go through the back door, at least he wouldn't be tripped up by others. It would be very difficult to cheat in high school if he cheated in the exam.
However, it is very easy for some high-ranking officials to depose someone, and it is also very secretive to do so, making it difficult to get a handle on them.
As soon as Lun Wenxu arrived at the gate of the city, they met the servant sent by Li Jie, who led them all the way to the Lin Mansion. This time, they planned to live in the Lin Mansion, saving the expense of having to stay outside.
He said that his home would always be quieter, which would be more conducive to preparing for exams.
Li Jie was waiting for the two senior brothers in front of the house. When he saw them, he stepped forward and said, "After a long separation, Shen Zhi misses you very much. Two senior brothers, please come in quickly."
After the two of them settled down with their entourage, Li Jie had already ordered the kitchen to prepare food.
The three of them raised their wine glasses and Lun Wenxu asked, "Shenzhi, where is senior brother Liang Chu? Why are you missing?"
Li Jie drank the wine in the cup and explained: "Senior brother was sent to Jiangxi a few days ago and will not be back for a few months. Before leaving, he said to me that he would like to wish the two golden palace disciples in advance and be careful with them.
Senior brother, I have been looking forward to this for a long time and have long wanted to serve as an official in the same court as my senior brothers."
The two of them felt relieved when they heard this. Lun Wenxu sighed. He had not seen Liang Chu for a long time. Most of the exchanges were through letters. Due to poor communication, there were only two or three letters a year at most. Originally, he wanted to
The four senior brothers held a candlelight conversation at night, and it was a pity that one person was missing.
"Be careful, the two of us have just arrived in the capital. I wonder if the examination chief has been decided?"
Zhan Ruoshui also acted as if he was listening attentively. Li Jie smiled slightly: "The examiner for this examination is Li Dongyang, the young minister and lecturer of Taichang Temple. The junior brother has more contact with him on weekdays and advocates ancient customs.
You are a senior fellow who is proficient in this skill, so you don’t have to worry about ranking."
Lun Wenxu felt relieved when he heard that the examiner was Li Dongyang. Li Jie often sent letters to the two of them. The letters explained many things in the court one by one. Although the two of them were far away in Baisha, they had no contact with Beijing.
The situation in China is quite clear.
In his letter, Zhan Ruoshui was very interested in the "Preliminary Interpretation of Arithmetic" written by Li Jie. Halfway through the banquet, he said: "Shenzhi, has your "Primary Interpretation of Arithmetic" been compiled?"
Li Jie had already prepared to pick up a brochure from the table and handed it over: "Senior brother, let's take a look. I hope I can get it right."
Zhan Ruoshui waved his hand with a smile: "I can't compare with you in arithmetic. Whether it's circle cutting, equations or Pythagorean, I'm far behind you, my junior brother. But according to your letter, this book is for Meng children.
It is, and it is very different from the existing books. Senior brother, I have long wanted to find out."
Lun Wenxu saw that Zhan Ruoshui was addicted to the book in his hand and did not speak, and said: "Shenzhi, the teacher is very satisfied with what you have done. Now you are well-known in Fujian, and countless Zaohu households are grateful for everything you have done for them.
, Senior brother originally planned to participate in the next Spring Festival this time, but the master said that you need some close people to help you in the court, so he sent him here."
Li Jie did not expect that there would be such changes. Seeing Zhan Ruoshui who was addicted to books, his heart warmed slightly. After returning to Baisha to interact with Zhan Ruoshui for a while, Li Jie discovered that this senior brother was not too keen on fame.
If it hadn't been for his mother's constant persuasion, I'm afraid he would have been more willing to devote himself to studying knowledge like his master.
"Wonderful! I didn't expect that arithmetic can be explained in this way. Your book has really benefited young children all over the world. When I first came into contact with arithmetic, I thought it was very obscure. It was not as easy to understand and well-organized as what you said in your book.
, from the shallower to the deeper, although it is just introductory knowledge, but I found it very helpful after reading it."
After speaking, he turned to the last page and pointed at the Arabic numerals on it: "This is what you got from translating that "Elements of Geometry"? But I think it is still easy to use, but the strokes are too troublesome to write."
Li Jie knew that it would not be that simple for them to accept new things, so he only gave a brief introduction to Arabic numerals in the book. Calculation has been circulated in China for thousands of years, and it has its own unique way of being passed down to this day.
It is indeed impossible for people to abandon calculation and use foreign things.
"My translation of "Elements of Geometry" is just to broaden my horizons. Everything has its strengths and weaknesses. Take the essence and discard the dross. Not all foreign things are bad."
Zhan Ruoshui nodded approvingly: "Yes, this is the way to study. You can't blind your eyes with a leaf. Even evil people are not all bad. There are still advantages in them. What's more, when it comes to knowledge, the key is to be complacent. Bochou is here
You are not as good as you here."
Lun Wenxu couldn't help but blush when he heard his senior brother criticize him: "Senior brother, that... I didn't understand it at first. Now I have no prejudice against these barbarian and Di studies. Who would have thought that there are people thousands of miles away who are no worse than
In our country, the Ming Dynasty, if it weren’t for Shen Zhi’s many letters, I would not have believed it.”
At first, the two of them didn't quite believe in the situation of the foreign countries mentioned in Li Jie's book. Until Li Jie listed the records of the overseas countries in the Hanlin Collection one by one, they were still doubtful. After all, there were too few records and it was not necessarily true.
Really, it wasn't until Li Jie sent some translated books that the two of them were convinced.
Both of them are people who have read poetry and books, and the knowledge in books will not deceive others. The development of such a comprehensive system cannot be achieved in one day. They have lived in Guangdong for a long time, and after being reminded, they also found some
Fanshang confirmed, and after some twists and turns, he was convinced that it was correct.
What impressed them most was that the development of overseas firearms was actually ahead of the Ming Dynasty. This shattered their concept of a heavenly empire and gave them a sense of crisis. They no longer looked at the new ideas that Li Jie accidentally proposed.