xymnovel Chapter 30: Sending a key, opening a door
Chapter 30: Sending a key, opening a door
Having figured this out, Xia Chengzong began to work on the questions seriously.
Dr. Song couldn't wait any longer and stepped down from the podium to walk to Xia Chengzong's side to see how he would solve the problem.
He would sometimes nod slightly, sometimes be excited and almost slap the table in admiration, and sometimes frown and fall into deep thought.
At this moment, the other students stared at the five test questions as if they were reading gibberish.
This includes Xia Chengxu, and even Xia Chengli, who was once the best at mathematics.
Their expressions when faced with these five questions were almost identical.
They recognized each word individually, but when put together, they felt like a dog trying to bite a hedgehog—unable to get a grip.
If everyone is unable to solve a single problem, or even has no clue what to do, then what is the purpose of the exam?
Is it just to humiliate them?
Then look, Dr. Song is standing right next to Xia Chengzong, staring intently at him as he answers.
The students could easily guess that this exam was actually designed specifically to test Xia Chengzong.
夏承绪负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承言负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承仁负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承礼负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1+1+1
……
Xia Chengqian's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
……
Xia Chengkun's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Before long, Xia Chengzong finished the last question.
This problem is extremely difficult and requires the use of calculus.
He frowned and pondered for a long time before finding a solution, which he then wrote down on the test paper.
At this moment, Dr. Song, who was standing next to him, asked, "What method did you use to calculate the volume? I've never seen this formula before."
Xia Chengzong replied, "Sir, I used the method of derivatives."
After listening, Dr. Song nodded, picked up Xia Chengzong's test paper, and walked onto the podium.
He first addressed the students, saying, "Everyone did well on this exam. Young Master Zong, please come with me."
"Yes, sir."
Xia Chengzong followed Dr. Song out, leaving the students inside completely bewildered.
Do you want to hear what you're saying?
Did everyone do well on this exam?
If you can't answer one question and hand in a blank paper, is that considered good?
Perhaps only Xia Chengzong answered correctly?
Ever since Xia Chengzong arrived, Dr. Song has changed; now he doesn't even act anymore...
夏承绪负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承言负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承仁负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承礼负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1+1+1
……
Xia Chengqian's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
……
Xia Chengkun's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
Seeing another large influx of emotional points, Xia Chengzong was secretly delighted.
He checked his mood score, which had now reached 3652 points, still some distance from 10,000.
However, at the current rate of nearly a thousand points per day, even if the speed slows down later, I believe it won't be long before I can accumulate ten thousand emotion points.
Once inside, Dr. Song eagerly asked, "Young Master Zong, what formula did you use for the last volume problem?"
Xia Chengzong replied, "Sir, I used the derivative method."
"Mr. Wang Wensu of the Ming Dynasty mentioned this method in his book 'New Collection of Comprehensive Mirrors of Ancient and Modern Mathematics,' and this is the method that students use."
Xia Chengzong certainly didn't learn calculus from this book.
But that was the only explanation he could offer.
In fact, the study of differential and integral calculus in ancient China predates that in the West by a long time.
As early as the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Hui's ideas on integral calculus, such as the method of exhaustion and his conception of volume calculation, were the seeds of integral calculus.
The method for solving derivatives proposed by Wang Wensu of the Ming Dynasty was also 140 years earlier than that of the West.
However, after the Qing Dynasty, these academic studies began to stagnate or even regress, leading to a complete backwardness compared to the world.
Dr. Song's eyes lit up when he heard this. He had heard of the book before, but had not studied it in detail.
He hurriedly said, "Come on, tell me quickly, how exactly is this derivative used?"
"Yes, sir."
Next, Xia Chengzong began to explain to Dr. Song in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
Dr. Song's eyes grew brighter the more he listened.
Xia Chengzong gave him a key, opened a door for him, and let him see the colorful and brand-new world of mathematics behind the door.
Afraid of forgetting, he quickly took out paper and pen and wrote it down.
After Xia Chengzong finished speaking, Dr. Song was still deeply immersed in the mysteries of calculus.
After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "I wish to become your disciple, young master. I wonder if you would be willing to accept me as a student?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Chengzong was stunned, wondering what Dr. Song was up to.
He hurriedly said, "A teacher is a student's teacher; there is an order of seniority. How can a teacher bow down to a student as his teacher? Wouldn't that disrupt the established ethical order?"
Dr. Song said nonchalantly, "Your talent is enough to be my teacher! If you feel that the seniority is messed up, I will simply resign from my position."
"I sincerely wish to become your disciple and learn mathematics from you. I will compile the knowledge you impart into a book to make you famous."
Upon hearing these words, Xia Chengzong couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Dr. Song.
Dr. Song is a very pure scholar who doesn't care about fame or fortune at all.
Xia Chengzong himself could not do it, but he always greatly admired scholars like him.
But the more this is the case, the less he can accept apprentices.
He said to Dr. Song, "Sir, you know my identity. If I accept your offer of service, it will surely cause a lot of trouble."
"Therefore, the students thought that we could exchange mathematical knowledge at any time and did not necessarily need to become teachers."
Dr. Song said, "Alright, that's fine then. By the way, why don't you come with me to the Imperial Academy and devote yourself to the study of mathematics?"
"Mathematics is extremely important; it is the foundation of all disciplines. With your talent in mathematics, you will surely become a leading figure in the field, and your name will be engraved on the monument of mathematics."
Good grief, it's one thing for you to be great, but you also have to drag me down with you.
Xia Chengzong politely declined to comment.
He quickly replied, "Sir, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise."
"The student's knowledge is too shallow to be competent for such an important task. Let's discuss this matter later."
Dr. Song is a very pure scholar, but he is not stupid; on the contrary, he is very smart.
He could see that Xia Chengzong was unwilling to dedicate his life to mathematics, which he found very regrettable, but he could not force him to.
He let Xia Chengzong leave, but he was ultimately unwilling to give up.
This young master Zong's mathematical talent is one in a hundred years. It would be a great loss to the mathematical community if he didn't pursue it!
In the end, Dr. Song decided to try one more time.
He changed his clothes and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with Emperor Yonglong.
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Yonglong, who was reviewing memorials, was genuinely surprised to learn that Dr. Song was requesting an audience.
These gentlemen wouldn't come to see you unless they had something important to say.
There was no precedent for this.
Emperor Yonglong couldn't guess Dr. Song's purpose, but still had Dai Quan lead the person in.
After Dr. Song paid his respects, Emperor Yonglong asked:
"May I ask what brings you to my court, my dear minister?"
Dr. Song declared passionately, "Your Majesty, mathematics is the foundation of all disciplines and holds an extremely important position..."
Emperor Yonglong said with a headache, "I already know all of this, you don't need to say anymore, just get to the point."