Jiang Sheng couldn't solve the problem either.
But the revolving lantern was so beautiful that it captivated her.
"You like this?" Zheng Ruqian was stunned. He didn't expect his younger sister to have such good taste, liking the most difficult one.
Jiang Sheng looked at him expectantly, "Second Brother, can you take it off?"
If Zheng Ruqian had a mouthful of chicken blood in his mouth right now, he would spit it all over the ground.
Sister...you think too highly of him.
"I can barely manage with the abacus," Zheng Ruqian muttered. "As for couplets and essays, you should go find your older brother."
Jiang Sheng then turned her expectant gaze to Xu Mo.
Xu Mo suddenly felt a weight on his shoulders. He was quite talented in literature and had even been praised by the teacher at the school, but after all, his age and reading were limited, so he couldn't possibly master everything.
But Jiang Sheng's eyes were so bright that Xu Mo and Zheng Ruqian felt they were worthless if they didn't try their best to win her over.
"Let's give it a try." The two exchanged a glance and began to ponder the matter in their hearts.
Chang Yan squinted and carefully examined the couplet for the second question; it didn't seem too difficult.
Just as Zheng Ruqian had figured it out and was about to stand up to answer the first abacus question, the shopkeeper of the revolving lantern walked out with a smile.
"Gentlemen, only one person can answer from beginning to end for this answer; we can't collude."
Zheng Ruqian paused for a moment.
No wonder that even though the question wasn't too difficult, no one had ever been able to solve the problem of the revolving lantern.
In this world, people who learn abacus calculation are less likely to learn couplets and essays.
People who study literature generally don't touch abacus calculations.
So it's not that there aren't smart people on this street, it's just that there aren't any all-around smart people who can do everything.
"It seems there's no hope for this 'revolving lantern' project." Zheng Ruqian turned around.
It was clear to the naked eye that Jiang Sheng's expression turned sour.
Zheng Ruqian felt very sorry for him, but he only knew how to do abacus calculations and didn't know how to write couplets or essays, so he really had no choice.
As for Xu Mo, he knew nothing about abacus calculation.
Just as he was racking his brains for a way to comfort his sister, Changyan, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up and said, "Second brother, teach me abacus."
"Learn it now?" Zheng Ruqian was surprised. "Not to mention there's no abacus practice, you can't learn it in just a short time."
Back then, he secretly observed Manager Bai for five or six days and then secretly practiced for half a month before he learned it.
Chang Yan didn't speak, but just looked at him quietly.
Zheng Ruqian shut his mouth, inexplicably believing that Xiao Wu could do it. He took two steps forward and explained the abacus mental method in the simplest and quickest way.
Chang Yan closed his eyes, then opened them shortly after, put his hands behind his back, and strode to the front of the stage.
Perhaps it was because he was only ten years old and too small, or perhaps it was because someone finally dared to go on stage, that the whole street fell silent.
"Young master, are you ready to answer?" the shopkeeper asked with a smile.
He nodded during the long banquet.
The shopkeeper took out the first question: "Calculate the numbers from one to one hundred, stacked sequentially, before this incense stick burns out."
Following his gesture, everyone saw a stick of incense, about the length of a thumb, already burning.
Wow, if this were in the time it takes to catch your breath, it would probably burn out in about fifty strokes.
Not to mention calculating the sum from one to one hundred.
Jiang Sheng's heart clenched for her fifth brother, and the other brothers also frowned.
Zheng Ruqian screamed inwardly, "It's over, it's over, it's over!" This question was too difficult. Even he, with an abacus, would have to work on it for a long time, let alone Chang Yan, who had just learned abacus.
Everyone in front of the revolving lantern, including the restaurant that set the questions, was not optimistic about Changyan.
Even Chang Yan himself frowned and stood frozen in place for a long time.
Until the incense had almost burned out.
The shopkeeper beamed with joy, preparing to wait for the next contestant.
Suddenly, Chang Yan uttered a number, "Five thousand and fifty."
The shopkeeper was taken aback, then immediately took out the scroll. "...This young master's answer is correct."
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
A young master from a wealthy family had already sent someone to collect the copper coins. One hundred portions of copper coins of different amounts were divided on the spot and then mixed together.
Sure enough, there were five and fifty.
"How did you calculate that?" someone asked curiously.
"Yeah, yeah, I can figure it out too, but you're way too fast." Some people disagreed, "Did you know the answer beforehand?"
The shopkeeper quickly waved his hand, "Young master, this is too much. We have never seen this young master before."
"However, I am also very curious about how the answer was calculated. May I ask if you could reveal it to me, young master?"
Chang Yan stared at him intently, uttering only two words, "Rule."
Everything in the world has its own rules; once you figure them out, any problem becomes easier to solve.
Those who were smarter at the scene, like Xu Mo, had already realized what was going on.
Even the less intelligent among them only have a vague understanding.
Chang Yan smiled slightly, "The second question."
After getting past the most difficult first question, the couplets and the passage were almost no challenge.
Chang Yan didn't display any more outstanding literary talent; he simply answered politely, without making any mistakes or standing out, and successfully obtained the prize.
The most beautiful lantern in the entire Xiyang County was hanging in front of her. Jiang Sheng could no longer hold back and rushed over to give Chang Yan a tight hug.
"Thank you, Fifth Brother. You're the best, Fifth Brother."
The little girl hugged the revolving lantern and jumped and danced with joy.
Chang Yan was initially stunned, but after seeing her smile, he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth.
Zheng Ruqian, on the other hand, was extremely jealous and muttered to himself, "Every time I give Jiang Sheng money, I've never seen her hug me for that long with such joy."
Xu Mo glanced at him, "At least I've hugged you before, but my sister has never hugged me once."
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