APSIL -Chapter 148 The Unveiling

When Zhang Shou finished the morning lesson at Banshan Hall and hurried over to the Hall of Nine Chapters, he found a crowd of people muttering to themselves, tugging at their hair, stroking their beards, counting on their fingers, and looking utterly miserable.

Needless to say, not a single one of them noticed his arrival.

Not even the steaming buns and hot soup he had specifically instructed the servants to buy for lunch had been touched.

Seeing Lu Sanlang standing there with an air of complete self-satisfaction, Zhang Shou didn’t even need to think to know the fellow had been tormenting everyone with impossibly difficult questions.

He had no objection to Lu Sanlang establishing his authority this way. Beckoning Qi Liang over, he quietly asked, “How many questions has he asked?”

“Originally they were competing with one another to decide who would be dormitory head. But after Lu Sanlang stumped everyone with a single question, it turned into him testing everyone instead. He’s asked ten questions altogether.”

Qi Liang was grinning from ear to ear. He recounted how everything had unfolded before continuing, “They’re actually quite impressive. Even though the very first question left everyone speechless, each of them still managed to answer at least five or six afterward. It’s just that Lu Sanlang has far too many problems stored in his head. After all, he solved an absurd number of them back at Cuiyun Retreat. I don’t think they’ll last much longer.”

Exactly like how Lu Sanlang himself had once been tortured half to death by the problems engraved on the bamboo plaques at Cuiyun Retreat.

Zhang Shou chuckled before suddenly letting out a loud cough.

Lu Sanlang immediately put on his friendliest smile and hurried over. The others finally snapped out of their daze and rushed forward to pay their respects.

Smiling, Zhang Shou said, “It’s a good thing that you’re all so eager to learn from the very beginning, but that doesn’t mean you should forget to eat or rest. It’s lunchtime. Finish your meal first, then let Lu Sanlang take you to the dormitories.”

After everyone hurriedly agreed, Zhang Shou offered a few more words of encouragement before watching Lu Sanlang proudly march away like the lead ram of a flock, leading everyone behind him.

Without even guessing, Zhang Shou knew exactly what the fellow was planning.

Lu Sanlang would certainly show everyone his own cramped little single room, then conveniently pass by Zhang Shou’s equally modest room, further reinforcing the image of teacher and students enduring hardship together.

In that regard, Lu Sanlang, his finest straight man, had always carried out his role with exceptional dedication.

Since the Hall of Nine Chapters would hold its very first afternoon lesson, Zhang Shou’s lunch was much simpler than usual.

Although the Duke Zhao Estate had once again sent over a large food box, it contained nothing extravagant—only various steamed buns and pastries that kept well and were warmed over charcoal, ready to eat at once.

Knowing the dormitory area would be crowded, Zhang Shou had no desire to return there. Instead, he invited Qi Liang to eat with him in the deserted Banshan Hall.

Sure enough, he had only finished one flower roll and half a bowl of soup when a loud cough echoed from the entrance.

Looking up, he saw Ge Yong leading the way with his usual swagger, followed closely by Qi Jingshan and Chu Ying.

Chu Ying’s face clearly carried a look of reluctance, as though he’d been dragged here against his will.

Zhang Shou quickly rose with Qi Liang to greet them.

“Teacher, and the two gentlemen—what brings you here?”

Ge Yong snorted.

“I taught at the Hall of Nine Chapters back in the day. Now that it’s finally reopening, I naturally had to drag these two over to have a look. Who would’ve thought we’d find the doors locked tight? Even the plaque inscribed by the Founding Emperor is covered with a red cloth. Naturally we had to come ask you instead.”

“The first lesson isn’t until this afternoon. At noon, Lu Sanlang took everyone to the dormitories. I was worried random people might wander in, so I had the doors locked first. As for the red cloth… we’ll unveil it later as part of the opening ceremony.”

Ge Yong immediately frowned.

“That plaque is hanging so high. How are you planning to remove the cloth? Have someone climb a ladder? You might as well wait until classes officially begin before hanging it!”

Zhang Shou smiled.

“Teacher measured it yourself before. Have you forgotten how heavy that plaque is? When the repairs to the Hall of Nine Chapters were finally completed, it took a whole set of pulleys and several people just to hang it—and even then it was an enormous effort.”

Ge Yong was instantly left speechless.

Still smiling, Zhang Shou continued, “Since Teacher has come together with Master Qi and Master Chu, why not have the three greatest masters of mathematics personally unveil it? It would be quite a surprise for the students we just recruited. Seeing the three of you will give them a goal worth striving toward.”

Ge Yong hurriedly waved both hands.

“No, no. I’m just an old man. Why should I steal the spotlight?”

Watching Ge Yong obviously delighted while pretending to decline, Qi Jingshan couldn’t help shaking his head.

Chu Ying, however, disliked Ge Yong’s habit of disguising vanity as modesty.

“This Hall of Nine Chapters was reopened because Zhang Shou personally recruited these students. You shouldn’t compete with your own disciple for attention. If anyone should unveil the plaque, it should be Zhang Shou.”

If you don’t have anything nice to say, just keep your mouth shut!

Ge Yong glared fiercely at his lifelong rival before huffing.

“That was exactly what I meant! Zhang Shou, you’re my final disciple. You should conduct the unveiling yourself. The three of us old fellows will simply watch.”

Then he glanced inside, noticed the lunchbox still sitting on the floor, and realized Zhang Shou probably hadn’t finished eating.

Immediately changing his mind, he said, “How about this? These two haven’t visited the Imperial Academy in quite some time. I’ll take them around for a tour. Don’t worry about us. We’ll meet again at the Hall of Nine Chapters later.”

Hearing Ge Yong’s thoughtful intention, Zhang Shou couldn’t help smiling and readily agreed.

After seeing the three off, he noticed Qi Liang grinning beside him.

“What? Laughing because these three grandmasters act like children?”

Qi Liang hurriedly shook his head.

“No, no. I was just thinking… now that Grandmaster Ge and the other two are here, the Director of the Imperial Academy and everyone else probably won’t enjoy their lunch at all.”

The moment he heard that, Zhang Shou burst into laughter.

Zhou Xun had stubbornly insisted there was neither money nor resources, while the other academy officials had happily watched from the sidelines.

Now that Ge Yong and the other two great masters had personally appeared, it was only fair that those people be the ones worrying instead.

Shortly after noon, Zhang Shou and Qi Liang arrived outside the Hall of Nine Chapters.

Lu Sanlang was already waiting there with the newly admitted students of all ages.

Soon afterward, Ge Yong and the other two arrived as well, surrounded by Zhou Xun and a large group of academy officials.

Smiling, Zhang Shou nodded.

“Today marks the official reopening of the Hall of Nine Chapters. We are honored by the presence of Master Ge, Master Qi, and Master Chu. From now on, all of you have worthy examples to strive toward.”

As he spoke, he looked up at the red cloth covering the plaque bearing the Founding Emperor’s inscription.

Just then, something was suddenly slipped into his hand.

Turning his head, he saw the expressionless A-Liu standing beside him.

Raising his hand, Zhang Shou discovered he was holding the end of a thin cord.

Instantly understanding, he smiled.

“In that case… let the Hall of Nine Chapters, written by the Founding Emperor himself, once again see the light of day!”

With a discreet tug, the still-bewildered students suddenly saw the red cloth covering the plaque jerk upward as though seized by an invisible giant hand, soaring into the air and revealing the bold, vigorous imperial calligraphy beneath.

At the same time, the cord was abruptly snatched from Zhang Shou’s hand.

Without even looking, he knew A-Liu had taken it.

Watching the red cloth drift away through the sky like a kite, Zhang Shou secretly marveled at how playful A-Liu could be, though he maintained a perfectly calm expression.

Compared to this elegant unveiling…

His original plan had simply been for A-Liu to leap into the air, rip the cloth off, and disappear with it.

Ge Yong stroked his beard with a satisfied smile.

Chu Ying secretly muttered that the whole affair was unnecessarily theatrical.

Qi Jingshan’s gaze had already followed A-Liu, who had become nothing more than a tiny black speck in the distance.

As for the students, some stared without blinking, some sighed in amazement, some praised it endlessly, while others were too excited to speak.

Quite a few simply watched the flying red cloth as it drifted away.

“All right, everyone, come inside. The desks and chairs have already been arranged.”

With that, Zhang Shou stepped into the Hall of Nine Chapters first.

After Lu Sanlang ushered the students inside in orderly fashion, Zhang Shou pointed toward the dozens of desks arranged across the spacious hall.

“The first three rows are yours. The desks behind them are reserved for future use. Every desk has your name carved into it. Find your seat.”

Aside from Banshan Hall, none of the other six halls of the Imperial Academy enjoyed such treatment.

Everyone quickly found their assigned seats with ease.

Lu Sanlang happily sat in the very front row.

Only then did Zhang Shou, standing upon the central lectern, speak solemnly.

“From now on, the morning lessons will be taught by your dormitory head, Lu Sanlang. His responsibilities will mainly be reviewing the assignments I give each afternoon and preparing everyone for the following day’s lesson.”

The corners of his lips lifted slightly.

Before anyone could question the arrangement, he calmly continued, “The study of mathematics is vast and profound. Previously, all of you studied on your own. But now that you’ve entered the Hall of Nine Chapters, you’ll begin again from the very foundations, learning the entire system step by step.”

“The first thing you must memorize is Grand Tutor Ge’s Mathematical Terminology Handbook.”

“After that comes A Simple Introduction to Mathematics, also written by Grand Tutor Ge.”

Hearing Ge Yong praised twice in succession, Ge Yong’s face first lit up with delight before abruptly darkening.

These days, bookstores everywhere were selling works under the name “Ge Mathematics.”

He knew better than anyone that, aside from the Terminology Handbook, most of them were little more than false advertising.

Unfortunately…

The books themselves were actually quite good, forcing him to grudgingly acknowledge their quality despite himself.

Completely oblivious to Ge Yong’s changing expression, Zhang Shou smiled and continued, “Of course, those books are far too simple for all of you. So Volume One of A Simple Introduction to Mathematics will only take a single day.”

“However, every accompanying exercise must be completed. Practice is necessary to reinforce what you’ve learned.”

“For the first ten days, you’ll finish all ten volumes of A Simple Introduction to Mathematics. The workload will be heavy, but once your foundation is solid, we’ll begin the real lessons.”

He then turned toward Lu Sanlang.

“Lu Sanlang, distribute the books.”

As Lu Sanlang enthusiastically began handing out the newly printed textbooks from Sansan Bookshop, Zhang Shou continued, “The Hall of Nine Chapters is unlike the other halls. Our textbooks are neither the Four Books and Five Classics nor the common annotated classics found in bookstores.”

“These books were all written by my teacher, Grand Tutor Ge, and have only recently been printed. They are quite expensive.”

“So understand this clearly.”

“They are not gifts.”

“They are on loan.”