APSIL -Chapter 119 Almost Entering the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the Potential of a Leader

Shuntian Prefect Wang Jie swiftly brought the case of the Linhai Garrison soldiers colluding with officials and plotting rebellion to a conclusion. At the same time, he deciphered the thirteen secret letters exchanged between the conspirators, demonstrating that mathematical knowledge was absolutely necessary when dealing with certain matters.

When the Emperor brought a group of ministers to the Ge residence to observe the hollow-space test on the founding Emperor’s plaque, Minister of Revenue Zhang Huaili exposed that the gold stored by the Ministry of Revenue was counterfeit. The Emperor flew into a rage and compared the gold stored in the imperial treasury with the gold from the Ministry of Revenue. The results proved that Zhang Huaili’s accusation had indeed been correct.

Therefore, the scene where Minister Zhang accused the experiment of being “demonic sorcery,” only to be condemned as ignorant in return, was tactfully hidden by everyone who had witnessed it.

Afterward, because he became overly agitated and suffered a minor stroke, Minister Zhang honorably retired. He was granted the honorary title of Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. Just like Wang Jie being granted an additional noble rank, his situation became a topic of endless discussion among ordinary people.

However, compared with the fate of these two high-ranking officials, an even greater commotion was caused by another imperial decree.

The Emperor approved that from now on, during the Shuntian Prefecture examinations and academy entrance examinations, a mathematics question would be added as a regular additional subject.

If a candidate could not solve it, their literary evaluation would not be lowered.

But if they could solve it, their ranking would be raised by one level.

This alone caused a huge uproar.

Therefore, when the Nine Chapters Hall of the Guozijian began recruiting students separately, and Shuntian Prefecture officials posted the examination questions throughout the city under Wang Jie’s instructions, the entire capital was filled with crowds coming to watch.

And the news that Zhang Shou, who had originally only been responsible for the mathematics department as a Guozijian Doctor, had now taken charge of Half-Mountain Hall as well, had been granted an imperial ruler by the Emperor, and even had two newly initiated princes sent to him as students—

This news completely exploded both the official circles and the common people.

“Doctor Zhang, this is my examination paper!”

“Please take a look at my answers!”

“I can recite the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art backwards!”

By evening, when Madam Wu entered through the back gate of the Duke of Zhao’s residence accompanied by Old Liu, Liu Auntie, Qiao Hu, and Yang Hao, she was still shaken when she thought about the shouting outside her home during the day.

After returning to the capital after many years, she had been completely unfamiliar with everything around her. She had only just begun thinking that perhaps she could find something to occupy herself with for the rest of her life, and after revealing her background to Zhang Shou, live peacefully.

But the sudden crowd blocking the entrance had completely frightened those thoughts away.

Seeing Zhu Ying personally waiting for her at the back gate, Madam Wu pressed a hand against her chest.

“I was scared to death.”

“Even at night, I wouldn’t dare enter through your family’s main gate, Yingying.”

“I heard there were still people blocking your front gate and shouting?”

“During the day, I was afraid they would break down the door or even climb over the wall!”

“It’s just adding one more question. How did things become so ridiculous?”

Nanny Li smiled bitterly.

“Although failing to solve it does not affect the evaluation of their essays, being able to solve it raises their ranking.”

“Who would give up such an opportunity?”

“ Madam Wu, only after becoming a Xiucai does one truly gain official recognition. They can avoid certain taxes and labor obligations, and it is also the prerequisite for taking the imperial examinations for Juren and Jinshi.”

“If no one wanted to study at Nine Chapters Hall before, there will certainly be people willing now.”

Zhu Ying, however, smiled brightly.

“More people is better.”

“The other halls have hundreds of students.”

“If Nine Chapters Hall has too few students, wouldn’t that make A-Shou lose face?”

“Besides, Nine Chapters Hall is only so large. It can’t accept every random person.”

She looked toward Zhang Shou.

“Anyway, Prefect Wang promised that he would conduct the first round of paper selection and grading himself. He will decide the initial list.”

“I absolutely don’t want A-Shou to have to interview hundreds of people afterward!”

Because Qi Jingshan’s residence was temporarily unsuitable for living, Zhang Shou had no choice but to entrust his mother Madam Wu and the others to Zhu Ying.

Meanwhile, he himself was arguing with Wang Datou at the Shuntian Prefecture office.

Seeing the Shuntian Prefect’s long, unhappy face, Zhang Shou sincerely asked: “Xiaodai previously told you about line charts and bar charts. Are they useful?”

Wang Jie immediately shut his mouth.

Although those clerks in the Revenue Office had been tortured by him until they complained endlessly, after the charts were finally completed, even they had to admit that these things were much clearer than ordinary tables.

Then Zhang Shou smiled.

“Actually, the method I used to decipher that secret letter here that night was basically equivalent to Tianyuan mathematics.”

“How about we discuss it?”

The moment Wang Datou heard the words “Tianyuan mathematics,” he immediately softened.

Thus, when Zhang Shou quietly left the Shuntian Prefecture office through the back entrance, the recruitment matters had already been completely handed over to Wang Jie.

The Shuntian Prefect was currently holding a newly printed book from the San San Bookstore called Equations while studying first-degree equations with one and two variables.

When Zhang Shou met A-Liu at the back gate, although his steps were relaxed and his expression even more relaxed, after walking several steps he still could not help asking: “A-Liu, the assassin who tried to kill me before, and later the servant at the Guozijian who slandered me…”

“It seems there still hasn’t been any clear explanation about either matter?”

Immediately, four calm words came from beside him.

“Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”

Zhang Shou almost choked.

He turned around and glared at the expressionless young man.

“You clearly know that at the time I could only say that temporarily!”

“Who knows what your master really thinks of me?”

“Who knows whether he deliberately allowed someone to fire that arrow?”

“A madman could indeed do such a thing.”

A-Liu nodded seriously.

Then he looked at Zhang Shou.

“Does Young Master want me to investigate?”

“You only have one person. You’re not an immortal. How would you investigate?”

Zhang Shou laughed.

But before A-Liu could reply, he suddenly asked: “A-Liu, I won’t ask how you came to my house.”

“I only want to ask…”

“Do you like staying in my house?”

For such a simple question, A-Liu actually thought for a very long time.

Finally, he nodded.

“I like it.”

“Really?”

“More than practicing martial arts with that madman.”

A-Liu paused.

Then, unusually, he added several more words.

“Back then, I was abandoned by the madman on the road that Madam was destined to pass.”

“If Madam had not accepted me…”

“Perhaps I would have entered the Directorate of Ceremonial.”

Seeing Zhang Shou’s face suddenly stiffen, A-Liu continued in his usual flat tone, seemingly unaware of how terrifying that possibility was.

“The madman belongs to the imperial family, not the Zhu family.”

“I belong to the Zhang family, not the Zhu family.”

“But…”

“I really like Miss.”

If A-Liu’s voice had not remained completely emotionless when saying those words, Zhang Shou would almost have thought Zhu Ying had gained another admirer with a special identity.

Yet somehow, he completely believed A-Liu’s words, whose meaning carried enormous implications.

He instinctively reached out to pat A-Liu’s shoulder.

But halfway there, he remembered that this kid was actually an unmatched martial expert.

His hand froze awkwardly in midair before slowly lowering.

“If you like it here, then stay for a long time.”

“I have always considered you family.”

“As for investigating the assassin and servant…”

“I was only mentioning it casually.”

“When you have time, think about how to do it.”

“Take your time. Don’t rush.”

“Mm.”

Receiving such a brief reply, Zhang Shou was already used to it.

He did not notice the faint coldness flashing through A-Liu’s normally expressionless eyes.

The two quietly walked along the back streets of Shuntian Prefecture, turning into Guozijian Street where the academy was located.

Under the cover of night, they entered through the Taixue archway.

They paused for a while before the partially renovated Nine Chapters Hall, then went toward the dormitories.

Before even reaching Lu Sanlang’s room, Zhang Shou heard a familiar loud voice.

“My father is that kind of person!”

“He would never admit he was wrong in his entire life!”

“But now?”

“These past two days, whenever he sees me, he wishes he could walk around me!”

“Why?”

“Because Grandmaster Ge admitted that this disciple of his grandson generation is outstanding!”

“Because His Majesty also said that this little fatty of mine has a promising future!”

“Returning from being a prodigal son is worth more than gold?”

“No!”

“Now I’m a prodigal son who returned and became a genius!”

Hearing Lu Sanlang boast at the top of his lungs, Zhang Shou was both amused and helpless.

He quickly walked to the door and knocked.

The next moment, Lu Sanlang laughed proudly.

“See that?”

“These past few days, countless people have come to visit this genius personally praised by His Majesty…”

The door suddenly opened.

The smug expression on Lu Sanlang’s chubby face instantly froze.

When he saw Zhang Shou standing outside, he awkwardly coughed.

“Little Teacher… why are you here?”

Seeing Lu Sanlang blocking the entrance, Zhang Shou gestured toward A-Liu.

A-Liu effortlessly pushed the heavy Lu Sanlang aside.

After stepping over the threshold, Zhang Shou saw three people squeezed inside the narrow room.

They were none other than the Zhang family’s trio of troublemakers.

He had not expected all three of them to be hiding here.

“Little Teacher, I visited your home earlier, but you happened to still be sleeping. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I left.”

The first to stand and greet him enthusiastically was Zhang Wu, who was determined to make a name for himself.

“Little Teacher, from now on I’ll also live in the Guozijian dormitory. Fifth Brother and I share a room.”

This was Zhang Lu, whose personality was slippery and crafty.

Finally, Zhang Chen spoke.

His tone was somewhat stiff.

“My father said that if Lu Sanlang can live in the Guozijian, then there is no reason I can’t endure hardship too.”

“So he forced me to move into the dormitory.”

“Since the four of us have to suffer here, there’s no reason others should be exempt.”

“Later, I’ll work with Lu Sanlang to find a way to make everyone live here!”

If this entire group of troublemakers moved into the Guozijian…

The supervisor of the Discipline Office, Xu Heizi, would probably go insane.

Back at Cuiyun Pavilion, Zhu Ying had been there to suppress them.

But there was no way the Guozijian could operate like that.

And Zhang Shou himself—

Even with an imperial ruler granted by the Emperor, or even an imperial cane or execution blade, would not be able to handle this.

Without hesitation, Zhang Shou spoke in the most sincere tone possible.

“Lu Sanlang is hiding from his father.”

“What are you joining in for?”

“He is studying Nine Chapters.”

“Ask yourselves honestly—do you want to spend every day studying mathematics that you may never understand?”

“Students of Half-Mountain Hall will not live in the dormitories.”

“This matter is settled.”

“If you want to show your determination, first bring me the copying assignments I gave you before. Give them to Yingying!”

Seeing Zhang Chen visibly relieved, Zhang Wu disappointed, and Zhang Lu’s eyes darting around, Zhang Shou suddenly said: “Lu Zhu.”

“Have you finished the copying I punished you with?”

Hearing his name suddenly called, Lu Sanlang was stunned.

He instinctively wanted to bargain.

But when Zhang Shou turned around and looked at him, Lu Sanlang felt that the expression clearly meant: “Try saying one more word and I’ll personally deal with you.”

He immediately nodded like pounding garlic.

“Yes! Yes! I’ll finish it and hand it over!”

After suppressing Lu Sanlang’s arrogance, Zhang Shou calmly said: “If nothing unexpected happens, Lu Sanlang will become the head student of Nine Chapters Hall.”

“Half-Mountain Hall also needs a head student.”

“Zhang Chen, you will take that position.”

Zhang Chen widened his eyes in disbelief.

He pointed at himself.

“Me?”

Seeing that Zhang Shou was completely serious, he asked with complicated emotions: “Why… me?”

“Because you have the potential to become a leader.”

Zhang Shou said this with a straight face.

(If being honest, Zhang Chen actually had the potential to become the leader of delinquents and the head of a group of spoiled young masters.)

But then Zhang Shou noticed something.

It was as if Zhang Chen had suddenly been injected with endless energy.

His back straightened instantly.

Taking advantage of this, Zhang Shou looked at Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu.

“Half-Mountain Hall’s classes will be different in the morning and afternoon.”

“The morning classes will roughly be divided into humanities and sciences.”

“You two draw lots.”

“One of you will manage humanities.”

“The other will manage science.”

“You will supervise lateness, early departures, and absences.”

“You will collect the assignments I give.”

“All of this will be your responsibility.”

“As for Zhang Chen, you must lead by example and supervise everyone.”

“Lu Sanlang, you will do the same in the future.”

In an instant, A-Liu noticed that the four troublemakers in the room suddenly straightened their backs.

Together, they shouted: “Yes!”

Seeing that the class leadership structure had finally been established, Zhang Shou smiled.

“Starting tomorrow, go visit every household and persuade students to come study.”

“Nine Chapters Hall is not finished being renovated yet, and recruitment will take time.”

“But Half-Mountain Hall should begin classes!”

“Lu Sanlang, you go as well.”

“As someone personally praised by His Majesty, you should go out and set an example.”

“And when word reaches your father’s ears…”

“Let him regret it properly!”