Chapter Sixty: Friends

“Today, we will study multiplication and division.”

It was the same room as before, though its arrangement had undergone a drastic transformation. A lectern stood at the front, with five sets of desks and chairs neatly placed throughout. Behind the lectern, a wooden board five feet wide and eight feet long replaced the original smaller one. It was painted with a layer of black lacquer, emitting a faint, pungent smell.

Mo Dun picked up a piece of chalk and wrote several characters on the board. The white limestone stood out clearly against the dark surface, the contrast between black and white pleasing to the eye and immediately comprehensible.

This set of equipment had been completed in haste at Mo Dun’s request by Old Zhang. The blackboard was simple enough for a novice craftsman to make, and chalk itself was easy to produce. Mohist Village had no shortage of limestone; after mixing it with water and letting it settle, it was poured into prepared molds, and after two days of drying, the chalk was ready.

The pristine chalk left sharp marks on the blackboard, rows of numbers lined up with perfect clarity.

“The multiplication table?” Qin Huaiyu read softly.

“Precisely. Today, we are learning multiplication, and the multiplication table is the most fundamental basis of mathematics.” Mo Dun, now teaching for a second time, quickly found his rhythm.

Zu Mingjun gazed at the board, astonished by the clarity of the multiplication table. He could, of course, calculate these numbers, but when he fully grasped multiplication himself, he was already over ten years old and had spent much effort in private study.

“One times one is one, one times two is two…”

Watching the group of old students recite the multiplication table with earnestness—whether the mischievous trio of Qin Huaiyu, or Li Gaoming who was single-minded in his pursuit of learning, or even Zu Mingjun who already had considerable accomplishments in mathematics—each absorbed this new knowledge eagerly.

Mo Dun felt a surge of gratification. The wisdom he imparted was distilled from the essence of thousands of years of ancestral learning. Now, spreading it saved untold numbers from needless detours, which was the greatest respect one could show such knowledge.

The multiplication table and basic multiplication and division posed no difficulty for the five students; each had a solid foundation in mathematics, lacking only certain techniques. The multiplication table neatly summarized and organized their prior knowledge.

“If only I’d known such a simple method earlier, I wouldn’t have suffered so many beatings,” Qin Huaiyu sighed.

Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin nodded in agreement. The three had attended school for years, enduring countless punishments; only they knew the hardship involved.

Though the three were considered wastrels and ranked at the bottom of the Imperial Academy, that was in comparison with the nation’s elite. Relative to ordinary folk, their foundations were solid, for the education of great families was systematic, and each bore the weight of their family’s prosperity. It was impossible for any of them to be truly ignorant.

“A marvel, truly! The ancient sages of the Mohist tradition, silent for a millennium, have produced such profound mathematical knowledge. This method is simple, convenient, and straightforward—a blessing for countless students,” Li Gaoming exclaimed, amazed.

Zu Mingjun nodded. He too hailed from a family of mathematicians, rich in scholarly heritage, but all their proud achievements paled beside the importance of the multiplication table before him. With this, even a six-year-old could learn multiplication fluently, an incalculable boon for the spread of mathematics.

The lesson ended swiftly. After once again savoring the mouthwatering dishes prepared by Master Yu, the five rose to take their leave.

“Brother Li, please stay a moment,” Mo Dun called out to Li Gaoming, who was about to depart.

“What is it, Brother Mo? Is there something you need?” Li Gaoming asked in confusion.

Mo Dun smiled silently and gestured. At his signal, Ziyi entered, carrying three pairs of boots.

“Young master!” Ziyi called crisply.

“These are a gift I personally prepared for Brother Gaoming,” Mo Dun said, pointing to the boots.

Qin Huaiyu and the others looked curiously at the boots in Ziyi’s hands, smiling. “Mo Dun, you’re so partial, giving Li Gaoming a gift behind our backs.”

“They look quite impressive! Such fine shoes are rare indeed!” Cheng Chumo remarked with exaggerated admiration.

He was not wrong. Made by the best shoemaker in Mohist Village, the materials and craftsmanship were superb.

“You are too kind, Brother Mo. As the saying goes, one should not accept a reward without merit. I came shamelessly to study, and you, Brother Mo, withheld nothing, imparting all you knew. I am already deeply ashamed, how could I accept such a valuable gift?” Li Gaoming protested.

Mo Dun smiled mildly. “Brother Gaoming, please don’t decline. Try them first, and then decide.”

After repeated insistence, Li Gaoming reluctantly picked up the shoes.

“There are three pairs—large, medium, and small. Not knowing your exact size, I had them made in all three. Surely one will fit,” Mo Dun said confidently.

Li Gaoming’s expression showed some hesitation. He could tell there was a reason Mo Dun gave him shoes, but he did not wish to reveal his difficulty walking in front of everyone.

“Brother Li, why not come with me to the back hall and try these on? Don’t let Brother Mo’s kindness go to waste.” Cheng Chumo offered to help, taking the shoes from Ziyi and leading Li Gaoming away.

Qin Huaiyu and the others waited in the front hall. Zu Mingjun was puzzled, while Qin Huaiyu watched the back hall with a thoughtful look.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, a cry of surprise rang out from the back hall.

“What happened?” Qin Huaiyu jumped up, tense.

“It’s nothing!” Cheng Chumo called loudly, though more cries of amazement, tinged with joy, followed. Qin Huaiyu restrained himself from rushing in.

Before long, the curtain lifted and Li Gaoming and Cheng Chumo entered, both wearing expressions of disbelief.

“Thank you, Brother Mo, for your kindness. Gaoming will remember it always!” Li Gaoming strode toward Mo Dun and saluted him solemnly.

“Gaoming, you’re too formal. Friends should help each other as a matter of course,” Mo Dun quickly helped him up.

“Gaoming, your leg?” Qin Huaiyu exclaimed in delight, noticing that Li Gaoming’s limp had vanished after putting on the new shoes; his walk was perfectly normal.

“Haha, isn’t it astonishing?” Li Gaoming was beside himself with excitement, walking steadily—no sign of his previous ailment.

“What happened?” The others were astonished; Li Gaoming had only spent a quarter of an hour in the back hall, and his leg seemed cured.

“Is it the shoes?” Zu Mingjun fixed his gaze on the new footwear.

“Yes, it’s these shoes! Though they look no different from ordinary shoes, they conceal a secret—a slight lift inside. With these, I no longer need to endure ridicule when I walk,” Li Gaoming declared joyfully.

Li Gaoming was overjoyed. His leg issue had always been a source of anxiety, and now it was so cleverly resolved. Though not completely cured, it no longer affected his walk.

“Mo Dun, words cannot express my gratitude; your kindness will never be forgotten,” Li Gaoming said earnestly.

“Brother Gaoming, you’re making too much of it. We are friends, and friends help each other without expecting anything in return. To speak of kindness is to create distance,” Mo Dun replied with mock indignation.

“Well said! Today, I, Li Gaoming, make you my friend,” Li Gaoming laughed heartily.

“Yes, we are friends!” Qin Huaiyu and the other three rose together, solemnly affirming the bond.