Liu Chang just felt that the name was very familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere.
But he didn't dare ask more.
He only knew that the teacher in front of him, who looked very kind and amiable, was a very learned man.
"Chief, have you ever learned to count?"
"You are a bit contemptuous... um... I understand a little bit."
"Okay, I'll teach you this then."
Liu Chang finally couldn't help it, "Teacher, if we talk about Confucian knowledge, I am indeed not as good as others, but if we talk about numbers, I have never met an opponent!"
"Oh? You like counting too?"
Zhang Cang was very excited. He took Liu Chang's hand and hurriedly took out a few manuscripts from the books he brought with him. "Here, take a look at this. Can you understand it?"
Liu Chang read it carefully.
"Now there is a field fifteen steps wide and sixteen steps wide. I ask how much the field is? The answer is: one mu."
"There is also a field with a width of twelve steps and a width of fourteen steps. The question is how many steps the field is. The answer is: one hundred and sixty-eight steps."
"Isn't this just length and width? What's so confusing about this?"
Liu Chang took a quick look and said proudly, "Teacher, you can ask whatever you want! If I can't answer, you can tear me apart!"
"Hmm?" Zhang Cang was stunned, but still asked: "There is a field with a width of fifteen steps and a width of twenty steps. How many steps is the field?"
"Three hundred steps!"
"good!"
Zhang Cang's eyes were full of praise. Although the questions were very simple, it was really amazing that Liu Chang could answer them so quickly at his age. Next, he asked Liu Chang to continue reading. Liu Chang looked back and saw that the next question was indeed division... extremely simple.
Further on, there are fractions, proportion algorithms, volume formulas, negative numbers and their addition and subtraction rules, as well as equations, the Pythagorean theorem... Although they are not difficult, these things are all applied mathematics, and are related to practical problems such as calculating fields, allocating land, building, and distributing grain.
The more Liu Chang looked at it, the more familiar it looked. "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art?"
At this moment, Liu Chang finally remembered who the big man in front of him was.
Zhang Cang...the brave man who added to and improved the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art".
Zhang Cang was very excited by Liu Chang's talent in mathematics. The two began to discuss mathematical problems, and the teaching turned into a debate. Liu Chang naturally would not miss this good opportunity to show off himself. He loudly recited various mathematical formulas, which made Zhang Cang stunned.
"Great! Great!"
Zhang Cang listened and took notes, and his attitude towards Liu Chang became closer and closer.
However, when the mathematical problem was linked to today's real-life problems, Liu Chang was no match for Zhang Cang. Zhang Cang comforted him, saying that it was only because he didn't know much about the outside world and he still needed to gain more knowledge. Your knowledge in the future would definitely far exceed mine!
Next, Zhang Cang asked about the textile machine, and Liu Chang was surprised to find that this tough guy actually knew about machinery! !
Liu Changru was so happy to have met a soulmate. In this era, it is so rare to meet someone who can discuss advanced mathematics with you and explore physics and mechanics with you!
It can be seen that Zhang Cang was almost the same. His originally fair skin turned red. He became more and more excited as he talked, and the two of them almost hugged each other's shoulders.
Liu Chang gradually let go of his guard against Zhang Cang and asked casually, "Master, besides mathematics and mechanics, what else do you like to do on a daily basis?"
"I love to eat. I travel around to study, mainly for the different cuisines in different places!"
"me too!!"
Liu Chang shook his hand excitedly.
"Of course, I have to meet some local beauties occasionally...hahaha, different places produce different beauties!"
"me too!!"
The two of them quickly began to hug each other's shoulders, and the master and disciple suddenly became friends regardless of age.
"When I went to Yan State to study, I stayed at a family's house. That person insisted on letting his concubine serve me..."
Zhang Cang said this with a smile, having long forgotten about the ethics of a teacher.
If Liu Chang's ancestor saw them like this, he would probably jump out of the coffin and chop them with a sword.
"And then?"
…
"Mr. Zhang... this boy is very naughty. I hope you can discipline him properly."
Liu Bang said with a smile, Zhang Cang said with a straight face, "Young Master Chang is still very well behaved, I will discipline him well."
Liu Bang liked Zhang Cang very much, not only because his teacher was Xunzi, but also because of his extraordinary talent. Among all the disciples of Xunzi, Han Fei and Li Si were famous, but this little disciple was always easily forgotten.
Zhang Cang was from Yangwu. When he was young, he studied under Xunzi. During the Qin Dynasty, he served as an imperial censor, in charge of various documents and archives in the palace. His biggest hobby every day was reading, which was many years earlier than Gai Gong. Later, because of a crime, he fled back home.
When Liu Bang passed Yangwu during his conquest of cities, Zhang Cang followed the Duke of Pei to attack Nanyang as a guest.
Later, Zhang Cang broke the law again. He took off his clothes and lay on the torture instrument. He was tall and big, with skin as plump and white as gourd seeds. Wang Ling happened to see him and was amazed at how good-looking Zhang Cang was.
Therefore, Wang Ling interceded with Liu Bang and pardoned his death sentence. This once again proves the importance of appearance. As for what crime Zhang Cang committed, well, it's hard to say, anyway, it's not a serious crime.
Later, Zhang Cang was promoted to be the prime minister in charge of finances. Historically, he served as the prime minister of Huainan under Liu Chang, and finally became the prime minister for his fourth brother.
What talents did Zhang Cang have? The Han Empire's measurement, weights, and calendar were all perfected by this man, and this system has been used for many years. He was the first prime minister in China to directly apply the results of mathematical research to the national economy and people's livelihood.
At the same time, he had some attainments in law, music, classics, mechanics, etc.
The only drawback is that this person has two bad habits... The first is gluttony, and the second is lust.
Therefore, the most powerful one is Xunzi. He taught a few disciples, two of whom became prime ministers and one became a saint.
Liu Chang loved this master to death, not only because they had the same interests and hobbies, but most importantly, he could take him out to play.
That's right, Zhang Cang took Liu Chang away from the palace on the pretext of helping the young master gain knowledge, and Liu Bang and Empress Lu did not stop him at all. In their opinion, Liu Chang had become honest and well-behaved since Zhang Cang arrived, and it was obvious that he was a trustworthy tutor.
When they left the palace by car, Luan Bu was waiting outside.
Luan Bu saw Zhang Cang clearly on the carriage and suddenly leaned down to pay him a great respect.
Zhang Cang smiled and asked him to stand up, then looked at Liu Chang.
"Chief, I'm going to take a quick stroll around the city... After I'm done, I'll pick you up at Zhou's mansion!"
"Master, why don't you take me out to play?"
"Hey, you're still young. When you're older... I'll take you there."
"Okay, I'll go then!"
"Chief, if your friend's parents don't like you, just call me and I'll help you persuade them... Oh, bring me some wine secretly... I'll give you a drink when the time comes... I'll bring you some delicious food..."
Luan Bu standing by was stunned. At that moment, the image of the great Confucian sage seemed to collapse in his heart.
"Mr. Zhang... you are too young to drink..."
Before Luan Bu could finish his words, Zhang Cang had already disappeared without a trace in his car.
Luan Bu followed Liu Chang with a complicated expression. Liu Chang was smiling and praising his master for being so good. Luan Bu seemed to be hesitant to speak.
"Luan Bu, I've never seen you so afraid of someone. Why are you so afraid of the master? Don't be afraid. Those rumors outside are all false! The master is not a cruel person at all!"
Luan Bu said: "The reason why I respect Mr. Zhang is not because of his character, but because of his knowledge. The reason why I fear him is not because of his power, but because of his teacher."
"Oh...he has a master? Who is his master?"
"Xunzi."
Liu Chang suddenly stopped, turned around dully, and stared at Luan Bu, "Who?"
"Xunzi."
Inside Zhou's residence, Liu Chang grinned foolishly and said loudly, "My great-grandmaster was an extraordinary person in his day. He could be called a saint. Do you know who my great-grandmaster is? It was Xunzi! Also, Han Feizi was my uncle-master! So was Li Si! Hahahaha, I have inherited their true teachings now. If my great-grandmaster knew about this, he would surely be extremely pleased!"
"I have decided to inherit the legacy of my master! I will carry forward our Confucianism! I want to become the new saint of Confucianism!"
"Your Majesty... didn't you teach Huang-Lao before? You also told us that Confucianism was copied from Huang-Lao..."
"Bullshit! It's obvious that Huang Lao copied our Confucianism!"
"I am the disciple of Xunzi! How can I be related to Huang Lao?"
"But Mr. Gai has been good to me... " Liu Chang stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said, "Forget it, I'll just be a saint of two schools of thought!"