Chapter 95
Chapter 95
“The first stomach has a tremendous capacity, storing more than an ordinary person ever could. From time to time, the ox brings its food back up, reviewing the old to gain new understanding. The second stomach resembles a honeycomb sieve. It separates the essence from the dross while freeing space in the first stomach for new material. The third absorbs moisture, integrating everything to improve digestion. The fourth digests it completely, incorporating it into the body and making it the ox’s own.”
“In my eyes, an ox possesses an extraordinary memory. Its mind can hold ten thousand books, and it constantly chews over their meaning, revisiting the old to learn the new. Yet in the Third Young Master’s eyes, an ox instead becomes an idiot incapable of being taught. Is my interpretation mistaken, or is the Third Young Master’s vision so narrow that he sees only the vulgar surface meaning, making him unworthy of the name ‘talent of the Su Residence’?”
Su Wenhao stood frozen, his face scarlet from the lecture. “This official…”
“Oh.” Xie Chengze spread his small hands and continued, “Or perhaps all of you know this perfectly well but deliberately extract only the dross and never mention the essence, all to humiliate me. What a petty, contemptible manner of conduct. Even someone as poorly educated as I finds it laughable.”
Su Wenhao had been rebuked into speechlessness.
Everyone else at the table covered their faces and laughed, as if mocking a direct descendant who had lost an argument to the supposedly mediocre Second Prince. His father’s disappointed gaze and his elder brother’s disdainful shake of the head pricked Su Wenhao like countless fine needles. For the first time, he understood that Su Qinghe lived beneath such gazes every day in this residence.
Su Wenhao could not bear it for a single moment. How had Su Qinghe endured?
Was it because Su Qinghe truly was mediocre, while Su Wenhao prided himself on being the Su Residence’s second-greatest talent?
Yet he could not even out-argue the Second Prince.
He had never imagined that the Second Prince could be so eloquent. More than that, he had to admit Xie Chengze was right.
The Second Prince truly possessed profound insight into the nature of cattle chewing cud. His interpretation was illuminating, and Su Wenhao conceded defeat from the bottom of his heart.
Though the Second Prince was usually arrogant and untalented, today he had delivered Su Wenhao a sobering blow and finally taught him the true meaning of the saying, “Among any three people, there is always one who can teach me.”
His eyes reddening slightly, Su Wenhao rose and folded his hands in a deep bow. “Wenhao has learned from Your Highness’s stern instruction today. I should return and study further, so I will not remain for the meal.”
With that, he fought back the tears in his eyes and fled the main hall beneath everyone’s varied gazes.
Xie Chengze rubbed his little nose. “How did a few words send him running? I had not even used thirty percent of my strength. Still, Academician Su, I must say your family’s pre-breakfast discussions are quite entertaining. This was my first time participating, and I truly enjoyed myself.”
As if still unsatisfied, he turned toward Su Haichao. Su Haichao’s entire body abruptly jolted, and he lowered his eyes, refusing to meet Xie Chengze’s gaze.
Xie Chengze looked at the others around the table. Every one of them lowered their head, staring solemnly at the tip of their own nose without making a sound.
Then he looked at Su Zhongyue. Su Zhongyue hastily turned toward the door and stroked his beard. “Why has breakfast not arrived? The Second Prince is famished. Someone go urge the kitchens to hurry!”
Xie Chengze sighed in faint disappointment.
“Would Your Highness like some pastries to tide you over?” Su Qinghe patted the rosewood food box on his lap, worried that Xie Chengze had come so early without eating.
“Hehe. Yes~” At the mention of pastries, Xie Chengze instantly broke into a radiant smile and lowered his head to peer into the rosewood box.
The beautiful young man’s delight was utterly genuine. Su Qinghe’s heart softened, and a gentleness he did not notice entered his expression. He set the lid aside and arranged the white jade plates on the table one by one. “The Su Residence places little importance on pleasures of the palate, so the dishes from its kitchens are rather plain and rough. Your Highness may find them unpalatable. The next time you visit, it would be best to fill your stomach first.”
Xie Chengze nodded obediently. “All right.”
Su Zhongyue and Su Haichao: …
What was wrong with plain, rough food?! As refined scholars, they ought to make tireless study their foremost concern, keeping books as their companions and learning as their foundation. Only then could they live up to their finest years and bring glory to their clan. How could they indulge in mere pleasures of the mouth?!
Still, so the person Su Qinghe had invited was actually the Second Prince?
When had the two of them grown so close? In the past, when the Second Prince kept delivering letters, had Su Qinghe not claimed illness and refused to leave his room?
Breakfast was brought in, and the main hall fell silent. Everyone observed the rule against speaking while eating and began their meal at an unhurried pace. Only when they were seven-tenths full did they salute and withdraw to continue studying in the library.
In the end, only Su Zhongyue, Su Qinghe, and Xie Chengze remained in the main hall.
After finishing his meal, Xie Chengze dabbed his mouth with a handkerchief. “Does Academician Su have other business to attend to later?”
Unable to fathom what Xie Chengze intended, Su Zhongyue answered cautiously, “I do indeed have several matters awaiting my attention…”
“Mm. Never mind. I have always spoken directly.” Xie Chengze launched into his purpose at once. “I came to the Su Residence this time to discuss the study of arithmetic with Academician Su. I heard that the Xiongnu possessed such excellent weapons that they nearly drove our border soldiers into desperate straits. Had Chancellor Li not relieved the crisis in time, who knows how many more families in Jian’an would have been torn apart?”
He glanced at Su Zhongyue without slowing down. “The Ministry of Works has languished for years, its skilled craftsmen dwindling away. The few old officials who remain possess abundant experience but struggle to cast aside old methods and create something new. As a result, Jian’an’s military equipment has steadily declined, leaving us powerless against the threat on the Xiongnu border.”
Su Zhongyue considered his words for a moment and understood. “Since Your Highness believes arithmetic is closely connected to the Ministry of Works, you may submit a memorial explaining as much to His Majesty. What use is there in telling this official?”
Xie Chengze smiled. “I have always heard that the Su family is a truly eminent and distinguished clan, one that has supplied the court with talent since ancient times, resolved emperors’ difficulties, and spread its principles for governing the realm.”
Su Zhongyue nodded. “That is indeed so.”
“When Eldest Young Master Su interpreted the words ‘standing at the center without leaning to either side,’ he said, ‘As an official, one must consider every party’s interests, resist the temptation of personal gain, and implement policies that benefit the people.'”
“Suppose there were a cause that benefited the nation above and all its people below, yet required Academician Su to join hands with the worthies of the Hanlin Academy and champion it together. Could Academician Su maintain an impartial heart, devise a fine policy for His Majesty, and help bring the great undertaking to fruition?” Xie Chengze asked, his brows lifting slightly.
“Well…” Su Zhongyue finally grasped the implication. “Your Highness wants this official to propose promoting the study of arithmetic throughout the realm?”
Xie Chengze smiled faintly. “Exactly.”
“Well…” Su Zhongyue frowned slightly.
Su Zhongyue was unwilling.
If the study of arithmetic spread widely, it would inevitably give rise to many new elite clans. If letters and arithmetic stood side by side in the world, it would be no different from officials balancing one another at court. By then, the Su family would be constrained on every side and could no longer dominate the Hanlin Academy.
The Su family’s accumulated power would gradually decline as well, and the days when one call from the clan drew a hundred responses would be difficult to restore.
At the thought, Su Zhongyue’s heart sank. “Arithmetic is, after all, a niche discipline, mostly used to calculate the movements of the stars. If the Ministry of Works lacks talent, it can simply broaden its recruitment and enlist promising young people to study the art. Why force it upon the realm, stirring fresh turmoil in the imperial examinations and disturbing the peace of court and countryside?”
“How can a mere handful of people break from the old and create the new, much less plumb the study of arithmetic to its depths? Besides, arithmetic has an extraordinarily wide range of applications. Its uses are by no means limited to military strength.” Xie Chengze shook his head. “Jian’an is a vast realm stretching in every direction. The hardships of the people spring endlessly like weeds in spring and take as many different forms as pests in a field. Perhaps the light of arithmetic can open new paths to resolving them. We should prepare before the rain comes, avoid repeating the mistakes of former dynasties, and never allow progress in people’s livelihoods to stagnate.”
His voice gradually rose, each word ringing with conviction. “I know full well how difficult such a policy would be to promote, but how can we retreat merely because the word ‘difficult’ stands before us? Academician Su agreed just now with the principle of standing at the center without leaning to either side: one must consider every party’s interests, resist the temptation of personal gain, and enact policies that benefit the people. Did you not?”
Su Qinghe spoke up as well. “Father, I believe His Highness is right. If it benefits the common people, what harm is there in trying?”
Su Zhongyue waved a hand, his brow deeply furrowed as he ordered his guests to leave. “This matter can be discussed another day. Your Highness, this official has important affairs to attend to and will not see you out.”
“Father!” Su Qinghe hurried forward and caught Su Zhongyue’s sleeve. But when Su Zhongyue swept him with a sharp, piercing look, his entire body stiffened.
“Did you not arrange to meet Young Lady Sheng? It is getting late. Do not keep her waiting,” Su Zhongyue warned softly.
But Su Qinghe had never arranged to meet Sheng Yiren at all.