APSIL -Chapter 62 Complimentary Copies

Faced with a scene that perfectly embodied the saying “the third effort exhausts all momentum,” Zhang Shou finally crooked a finger at A-Liu behind him.

As A-Liu immediately led over the horse carrying the crate of books without a word, Zhang Shou smiled.

“Go over there and give everyone a book.”

Watching the young attendant effortlessly lift the heavy wooden book chest off the horse with one hand before walking toward them, everyone outside the Ge Residence instantly perked up.

Those sitting stood.

Those leaning against the wall straightened their backs.

Some even cleared their throats, ready to recite the speeches they had prepared but never had the chance to use.

Yet when A-Liu reached them, before anyone could utter a single word, he expressionlessly opened the chest and began handing out books one by one.

Everyone froze.

Some stiffly accepted the books.

Others tried to refuse.

Their reward for resisting was A-Liu simply stuffing the book directly into their robes with astonishing speed, giving them no chance whatsoever to decline.

After making one complete round, A-Liu looked into the chest and called back, “Young Master, there are three copies left.”

“Then keep them for now.”

After A-Liu came back and helped him dismount, Zhang Shou walked forward with an easy smile.

“Since everyone here admires my teacher, my teacher wishes to present each of you with a copy of his latest work.”

“I hope you’ll study it carefully after returning home.”

“If you can solve every exercise at the back of each volume, then you’ll truly be able to pat yourselves on the chest and say you’ve achieved something in the field of mathematics.”

He spoke with complete sincerity.

“The study of mathematics is vast and profound. My teacher once told me that the greatest pride of his life was not becoming the only person in history to achieve seven first-place examination honors, nor was it teaching countless outstanding students.”

“It was mastering mathematics.”

“So rather than talking, prove yourselves through action.”

“Being able to solve the problems is worth more than speaking a thousand words here.”

“My teacher sincerely hopes that all of you who truly excel in mathematics will carry on and expand his learning.”

Inside the Ge Residence courtyard, Ge Yong glanced at his old friend Qi Jingshan, who wore a thoughtful expression.

He immediately exploded.

“That little rascal!”

“Using my name to fool people again!”

“When he comes inside later, I’ll give him a proper scolding!”

“Tricking those ill-intentioned fellows outside is one thing—but he fooled me too! I’m furious!”

The first time, Ge Yong had proudly told Qi Jingshan that Zhang Shou had come to visit him immediately upon entering the capital.

He had even boasted that if Zhang Shou could handle those spoiled young nobles, he could certainly handle the troublemakers outside as well.

Instead…

Zhang Shou simply waved his sleeve…and left.

The second time Zhang Shou returned, Ge Yong confidently insisted that this time the boy must have prepared some brilliant plan.

Instead…he once again treated the place as though he were merely passing by…and departed with Zhu Ying.

Only on the third visit did Zhang Shou finally make his move—by giving every single person outside a copy of Ge Yong’s book.

In all his years as a teacher…he had never encountered such a bold disciple.

Complimentary copies.

The books being given away belonged to Grand Tutor Ge himself.

And the sentiments expressed were supposedly the Grand Tutor’s heartfelt wishes.

The crowd’s expressions immediately became varied.

After delivering that astonishingly earnest speech, Zhang Shou respectfully cupped his hands toward everyone.

“Originally, my teacher wished to give an entire six-volume set to everyone who truly loved mathematics.”

“Unfortunately, his official salary has always been modest.”

“Even these books were only printed recently because his grand-disciples voluntarily paid for the printing.”

“And bookstores cannot operate without profit.”

“Even if my teacher purchases his own books, each volume still costs several hundred copper coins.”

“So when he saw all of you gathered here earlier, he could only have the gatekeeper quietly signal me to hurry to the bookstore and buy these books.”

“If, after we passed by twice, everyone still refused to leave…”

“…that would prove your genuine love for mathematics.”

“So he decided to present each of you with one volume, hoping your talents would not go to waste.”

He paused before continuing.

“Of course, a complete six-volume set costs two taels of silver, which is by no means inexpensive.”

“Those who love mathematics may not all be able to afford it.”

“So if anyone comes seeking instruction in the future, my teacher will ask Sansan Bookshop to do him a small favor by lending the books out for copying.”

“In that way, these books will truly fulfill their purpose.”

At that moment…

Even Zhu Ying—who knew perfectly well that Zhang Shou hadn’t seen Ge Yong for days—found herself almost believing his outrageous fabrication.

As for everyone else…they had even less reason to doubt him.

After all…

A neatly dressed young gentleman in plain clothes and black shoes naturally inspired trust.

Couple that with Zhang Shou’s handsome, almost immortal-like appearance…and his warm, approachable smile…and disbelief became even harder.

Silence lingered for quite some time.

Then, all at once…a middle-aged man burst into tears.

“I’ve wronged Grand Tutor Ge’s kindness!”

He sobbed loudly.

“Someone heard I could calculate faster in my head than with an abacus.”

“They gave me a whole string of cash to come here and make trouble.”

“They even said that if I got caught, I should simply demonstrate my mathematical ability!”

“I’ve already been dismissed from two bookkeeping jobs!”

“I’ve never met anyone as kind as Grand Tutor Ge!”

“I’ll never forget the kindness of this gifted book for as long as I live!”

He cried as he knelt, repeatedly kowtowing until tears streamed down his face.

Compared to him…

Some people looked embarrassed.

Some looked ashamed.

Most simply clutched their books tightly, bowed deeply toward the Ge Residence, and quietly slipped away.

Only then did Zhang Shou step forward to comfort the weeping man.

“What’s your name?”

“Where do you live?”

After asking, he gently continued, “If the person who hired you blames you for failing today, simply come here.”

“My teacher will naturally stand up for you.”

“There are already far too few people gifted in mathematics.”

“People like you shouldn’t be treated as disposable pawns.”

“If bookkeeping doesn’t suit you…”

“…you may also come find me in Rongshui Village outside the capital.”

“I live right by the village entrance.”

A man who could calculate mentally faster than others using an abacus…yet somehow kept losing bookkeeping jobs.

He almost certainly had some glaring flaw in personality or elsewhere.

Even so…such talent was worth recruiting.

After watching the middle-aged man—the first, and ultimately the only one to admit he had been hired—leave amid repeated words of gratitude…the crowd outside the Ge Residence gradually dispersed.

Only then did Zhu Ying quickly dismount and walk over.

She first smiled at Zhang Shou before turning toward the gatekeeper and conversing with him through a series of hand gestures.

After quite some time, she turned back with a bright smile.

“Grandpa Ge has taken in quite a few people with hearing impairments.”

“They take turns serving as gatekeepers.”

“I learned sign language from them for a while.”

“Otherwise, whenever crowds like this gathered, they’d be driven mad.”

Seeing Zhang Shou staring blankly, she asked with amusement, “By the way, A-Shou…”

“You weren’t wondering whether Grandpa Ge keeps these people around because he has some secret he doesn’t want others to know, were you?”

Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

“Why would Teacher do something like that?”

“With his mastery of mathematics, if he truly wanted to hide a secret, all he’d have to do is devise a mathematical cipher.”

“He could write letters, notes, or manuscripts entirely in code.”

“Even if someone obtained his correspondence…”

“…they could rack their brains forever and still never figure out what he meant.”

He paused briefly.

“What I was actually thinking…”

“…was that sign language really does differ from place to place.”

“I couldn’t understand a single one of the gestures you just used.”

Back in his previous life, he had even volunteered for a time.

Yet the gestures Zhu Ying had just made had completely baffled him.

Zhu Ying had never imagined that, while he seemed lost in thought, Zhang Shou had actually been contemplating sign language.

She found it unexpectedly amusing.

Just as she was about to demonstrate a few more signs for him…

Ge Yong’s booming voice suddenly rang out from inside the residence.

“You two planning to stay outside forever?”

“Get in here already!”