Chapter 101: Mathematics

In the deliberation hall of the National Academy, Kong Yingda’s expression was grim and silent. On each side of him sat three chairs occupied by five National Academy doctors, with the third chair on the left conspicuously empty—obviously the seat of former National Academy Doctor Shen Hongcai.

“Now, let us discuss reinstating Shen Hongcai’s position,” Kong Yingda finally said after a long pause.

At the mention of this topic, the four doctors of the law and other disciplines lowered their heads in silence, while only Liu Yinian, the Doctor of Mathematics, flushed with anger as he spoke, “Excellency, why restore Shen Hongcai’s post? Are you aware that Shen Hongcai altered the teaching content without authorization and even adopted the new-style mathematics of the Mohist school? Without punishment, how will others regard our National Academy and Confucianism?”

Liu Yinian’s words took the high ground of Confucian orthodoxy. Among those pushing for Shen Hongcai’s dismissal, Liu was the most fervent.

Within the National Academy, aside from Kong Yingda, Liu Yinian was the most senior and was even considered a candidate to succeed Kong as the head of the Academy.

No one expected that His Majesty would suddenly take an interest in mathematics, causing Shen Hongcai’s status to rise sharply, even subtly surpassing Liu Yinian.

Upon hearing that Shen Hongcai had employed Indian mathematics, Liu Yinian was ecstatic and immediately reported to Kong Yingda, advocating for Shen’s expulsion from the Academy.

He even secretly instructed Wang Ling and others to spread slander against Shen Hongcai, attempting to ruin his reputation and prevent any chance of a comeback.

Unexpectedly, the Mohist scholar organized a debate featuring renowned experts that directly changed Kong Yingda’s mind.

“Dismiss Shen Hongcai, then who will teach mathematics at the National Academy?” Kong Yingda said irritably.

“There are plenty of renowned mathematicians in Chang’an—descendants of Liu Hui and Zu Jia, for example. Given the Academy’s prestige, wouldn’t they be eager to join?” Liu Yinian retorted unhappily.

“Then go invite them! See if they’re willing to come!” Kong Yingda snapped.

Liu Yinian was stunned, unable to understand.

“Doctor Liu, perhaps you are unaware: those qualified mathematicians in Chang’an have all declined the Academy’s invitation. None are willing to teach here,” the Doctor of Law kindly reminded.

“Why is that?” Liu asked, puzzled. Then, suddenly recalling something, he exploded in anger, “Could it be that the Mohist scholar is scheming behind the scenes?”

The Doctor of Law shook his head bitterly. “Brother Liu, don’t you see? No one can teach mathematics to these students anymore.”

“They’re just a bunch of young novices...!” Liu Yinian suddenly remembered the lightning-fast mental calculation performance by the Class C students before the debate—a terrifying calculation method, a breathtaking display.

“We’ve been outmaneuvered!”

Liu’s face changed dramatically as he finally understood. The Mohist scholar’s true intention wasn’t to defeat Class C through debate but to use the pre-debate mathematical demonstration to powerfully prove a fact: the mathematical level of Class C has surpassed the old methods and can no longer be taught traditionally.

Even if new mathematicians were invited, they would face the same predicament as Shen Hongcai—if they used old methods, the students would outshine the teachers; if they adopted new methods, they would suffer the same fate as Shen. This was the real concern among Chang’an’s mathematicians. Teaching at the National Academy offered no advantage but rather risked ruining their reputations.

Liu Yinian slowly lifted his head and saw the others relieved. Fortunately, this situation had not fallen upon their disciplines; otherwise, Shen Hongcai’s fate would have been theirs.

Kong Yingda clearly understood that this was the Mohist scholar’s overt strategy—a grassroots pressure campaign. Yet he had to admit that the development of mathematics had already exceeded control.

Since the emergence of the Mohist scholar, it began with an appeal to His Majesty’s interest in mathematics through a problem involving disaster victims, then introduced Indian numerals, inspiring the discovery of the parabola by Zu Mingjun, and finally developed the extraordinary lightning-fast mental calculation—a terrifying computational power that scared off all mathematicians coveting the National Academy post.

Now Kong Yingda truly empathized with Shen Hongcai’s struggles. Other than Shen, no one else was deemed competent for the position.

In the ensuing silence, Shen Hongcai’s reinstatement was passed.

When Shen once again appeared at the entrance of Class C’s dormitory, all the students cheered in unison.

“Welcome back, Master!” they respectfully called. For a teacher wholly devoted to scholarship, they all held deep reverence.

“Thank you all,” Shen Hongcai said emotionally. He had thought this would mark the end of his career at the Academy but was moved that these students had turned the tide and saved him.

“In this pavilion of the National Academy, it was thanks to you, Modun,” Shen Hongcai solemnly said, his face weathered.

“You flatter me, Master! Modun has done nothing special; it was everyone’s effort,” Modun replied humbly.

Shen smiled faintly, changing the subject. “I have seen the lightning calculation. Though it saves much time, it seems unsuitable for widespread promotion.”

Shen voiced his concern: lightning calculation wasn’t fit for broad dissemination. If the Academy realized he had been deceived, the consequences would be graver.

“Master, you are wise. But for the Academy students, lightning calculation isn’t a problem. Promoting it internally is sufficient,” Modun said simply. Even if lightning calculation couldn’t spread among ordinary people, as long as it flourished within the Academy, Shen’s position would be unshakable.

“Mathematics is indeed vast and profound. I was truly a frog in a well before,” Shen said with emotion. During his suspension, he had devoted himself to recalculating classical mathematical works using Indian numerals and found that problems once difficult were now easily solved.

“Master is right. I believe that among all schools, only mathematics has existed eternally since humanity’s dawn. It is indispensable to daily life and state finance, threading through all aspects of human progress. Yet, mathematics has not received its due status. Many private schools teach only the Four Books and Five Classics, neglecting mathematics, producing distorted talents.

“This is partly due to the environment, but largely because mathematics is too obscure and difficult. Now, Indian numerals have greatly simplified calculation methods, marking a time for great advancement. Modun earnestly requests the Master to compile an accessible, progressively structured mathematics textbook to promote its flourishing.”

Modun’s words stirred Shen deeply. This was a mathematical revolution. If such a textbook could spread throughout the Tang empire’s academies and private schools, mathematics would truly prosper.

“Very well, to build something new, the old must be broken. Since the previous mathematics is no longer suitable for promotion, I shall boldly compile a new mathematics book to advance the discipline. As this new mathematics employs Indian numerals, to distinguish it from the old, I shall name it ‘Mathematics,’” Shen Hongcai declared passionately.

Modun was speechless; he had never imagined that, unwittingly, he had brought the birth of mathematics on Chinese soil centuries early.