Chapter 27
Before the applause and gasps had completely subsided, Teacher Chen's voice had already been clearly transmitted through the microphone throughout the quiet auditorium.
"Xie Qingyan, please listen to the question—"
Everyone's hearts tightened once more, their gazes fixed intently on the slender figure in the center of the stage. The first round tested miraculous memory; this second round, however, would test true intellectual prowess.
Teacher Chen pushed up his glasses and said in a deep voice:
"The question is as follows: Starting with 'the world's first actual measurement of the meridian, presided over by the ancient Chinese monk Yi Xing during the Kaiyuan era,' please elaborate on the historical background, astronomical and geographical principles, mathematical calculation methods, and significance of this event in the history of science in China and the world. Finally, summarize its core value in one concise classical Chinese sentence and one accurate English sentence."
After the question was read, the audience fell silent for a moment, followed by a collective gasp of surprise.
This question... is too harsh!
It spans four disciplines: history, astronomy, geography, and mathematics. It requires not only knowledge of the events, but also understanding of the principles, methods, and meanings, and finally, a precise summary in both Chinese and English! This is completely beyond the knowledge scope of high school students, and even for many college students, it is an extremely challenging comprehensive essay question.
This wasn't just making things difficult; it was placing a towering peak of knowledge directly in front of Xie Qingyan.
Even the other teachers on the evaluation panel were secretly worried for Xie Qingyan. They knew the weight of this question.
Xie Qingyan stood quietly in the center of the stage for a moment.
He remained calm, without frowning, and his gaze did not waver. He simply lowered his eyes slightly, as if rapidly recalling and organizing the relevant knowledge in his mind.
After a few breaths, he raised his head. His eyes were clear, his tone steady, and he began his explanation. Every word was clear and powerful, echoing through the silent auditorium via the microphone.
"This event is recorded in the 'Treatise on Astronomy' in the New Book of Tang. During the Kaiyuan era, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ordered the monk Yi Xing to oversee astronomical measurements in order to revise the calendar." He started with the history, accurately identifying the time, the people involved, and the purpose.
"The core of it lies in calculating the arc length of one degree of the Earth's meridian by measuring the length of the shadow cast at different locations north and south of the same meridian."
Next, he turned to the principle:
"The astronomical principle it is based on is the method of measuring shadows with a gnomon and the Pythagorean theorem. The geographical principle is based on the assumption that the earth is a sphere. The measurement points were set up in four places in the plains of Henan: Baima, Junyi, Fugou and Shangcai, stretching for thousands of miles from north to south, in order to obtain accurate data."
Then there are the specific mathematical methods:
"The key to the calculation lies in measuring the difference in altitude between the North Pole and the distance between the two locations. By using the principle of similar Pythagorean theorem, and by measuring the difference in the length of the shadow cast at noon on the summer solstice, combined with the known baseline and observational data, the length of one degree of meridian can be calculated. Although the method is ancient, its logic is rigorous and can be regarded as a model of ancient applied geometry."
When discussing the scientific significance, his voice rose slightly, carrying a heartfelt sense of agreement and respect:
"This is the first scientific quantitative exploration of the size of the Earth in human history based on actual measurement rather than conjecture, about ninety years earlier than the measurement by the Arab scholar Al-Khwarazm under the leadership of Caliph al-Ma'mun. The result of 351 li and 80 steps, although there is an error compared with the current value, its pioneering nature is beyond doubt. It marks an important step in the transition of ancient Chinese science from empirical description to quantitative verification, and is an immortal monument in the history of world science."
The logic was clear and the presentation progressed step by step. Historical materials, principles, methods, and significance were readily available, as if the speaker had a wealth of knowledge. In the audience, the history teacher nodded frequently, the geography teacher showed his approval, and the math teacher, Mr. Chen, had eyes full of admiration.
But that's not all.
Xie Qingyan paused briefly, as if considering his final summary. Then, he slowly began, starting in classical Chinese:
"In short: measuring the heavens and the earth with a ruler is the beginning of empirical evidence."
These eleven words, concise and powerful, directly address the core issue—using a measuring stick to measure the heavens and the earth, pioneering the field of empirical science.
He then switched to English, with standard pronunciation and precise word choice:
“In essence, it was the pioneering endeavor to measure the Earth with scientific rigor, heralding the dawn of empirical inquiry in ancient China.”
(Essentially, this was a pioneering effort to measure the Earth with scientific rigor, heralding the dawn of empirical research in ancient China.)
The summary in both Chinese and English is not only accurate, but also elevates it to the level of scientific spirit!
Whoosh—!!!
The applause and gasps, even more enthusiastic and longer than in the first segment, erupted like a volcano, instantly engulfing the entire auditorium!
This time, not only the students, but also many teachers couldn't help but stand up and applaud enthusiastically!
"That's amazing! He really knows everything!"
"How did he manage to have such a broad knowledge base?!"
"The classical Chinese summary is so precise! The English is perfect too!"
"I'm impressed, I'm really impressed... This isn't a student, this is a walking academic encyclopedia!"
On the evaluation panel, the principal could no longer hide the satisfaction and excitement on his face. The teachers from various subjects exchanged glances, their eyes filled not only with shock but also with the ecstatic joy of discovering a gem.
A person's ability speaks for itself. When someone can articulate obscure knowledge so fluently, profoundly, and creatively, all speculation about cheating becomes a joke.
From the side of the stage, Jiang Ci, who had been watching quietly, slowly and completely leaned back in his chair. His tightly clenched hands finally loosened. From an angle unseen by anyone, he gently exhaled a long breath, a breath carrying a sense of relief that had settled, and an almost proud ease. He knew Xie Qingyan had won. Without a doubt.
Amidst the roaring applause, Xie Qingyan remained standing calmly. Only when the applause subsided did he bow slightly to the judges and the audience.
The principal stood up, gesturing with his hands to signal everyone to be quiet. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Xie Qingyan with great admiration.
"The second segment is over." The principal's voice trembled slightly. "Xie Qingyan's performance was outstanding. Now, we will move on to the third segment: a Q&A session. Teachers and students present can ask questions about Xie Qingyan's performance or any questions about her studies."
There was a moment of silence in the audience, and then countless hands were raised.
But the first person to stand up was not a student, but Mr. Zhang, a leading figure in the Chinese language teaching and research group. His hair and beard were all white, but his face was flushed and his eyes were fervent.
"Thank you, Qingyan!" Teacher Zhang's voice was a little hoarse with excitement. "You just recited oracle bone inscriptions in ancient pronunciation, and then went from the specific piece numbers in the 'Bian' volume to the Yuan dynasty Sanqu poem by Bai Pu, and then to the monk Yi Xing's meridian measurement. This knowledge is vast and profound, far beyond what high school textbooks can cover. May I ask—just how broad is your usual reading range? How...how did you build such a large and profound personal knowledge system?"
This question embodies the ultimate curiosity in everyone's heart.
Thousands of eyes, like searchlights, focused once again.
Xie Qingyan remained silent for a moment. This time, his silence was longer than ever before. He seemed to be pondering how to answer this question that touched upon his core secret.
Finally, he raised his head, his gaze clear and deep, as if piercing through the dome of the auditorium and looking towards a distant time and space.
“Teacher Zhang,” he began, his voice not loud, yet carrying a strange penetrating power, “I believe that knowledge itself has no distinction of breadth or depth, only the difference between true knowledge and false knowledge. The so-called system is nothing more than stringing together scattered pearls of knowledge into a chain with logic and curiosity as the thread.”
He paused, then continued:
"As for reading... students do indeed read widely. They read classics, histories, philosophical works, natural history, strange tales, and even translations of Western texts; whatever they gain, they find delightful. Perhaps," he said slowly, looking at the dense crowd below, his gaze sweeping over each young, inquisitive face, "that is, the vast sea of people below, their eyes scanning each one."
"It is because students have truly experienced the pain of ignorance and have also been fortunate enough to glimpse the beauty of truth. Therefore, they deeply understand that the path of learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you will fall behind. It is also like climbing a mountain to look into the distance; after the layers of mountains, there will surely be a more magnificent view waiting."
He didn't directly answer how to do it, but instead articulated an attitude and mindset towards learning. These words, however, were more powerful than any specific methodology.
Teacher Zhang listened intently for a long while, then sighed heavily, sat down, and tears welled up in his eyes: "The younger generation is truly formidable! The younger generation is indeed formidable!"
Then, several more students stood up to ask questions, some about study methods, others about how to balance different subjects. Xie Qingyan answered them all one by one, with sincere words, unique insights, and no reservations.
Finally, when the last questioner sat down, the auditorium fell silent once more. All eyes were on the principal, awaiting the final verdict.
The principal stood up, walked to the center of the stage, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xie Qingyan. He patted Xie Qingyan on the shoulder, then faced the entire audience and spoke in a deep voice, each word resounding:
"Teachers and students. Today, we have witnessed a special academic test together, and we have also witnessed the amazing talent and character of a student."
"Facts speak louder than words. Xie Qingyan has proven with undeniable strength that his knowledge reserves, thinking ability, and academic potential fully match, and even exceed, the level he demonstrated in this mock exam. The school officially recognizes that Xie Qingyan's mock exam results are genuine and valid!"
"At the same time," the principal's tone turned serious, "the school strongly condemns all unfounded suspicions, the spread of false information, and actions that damage students' reputations. Building a positive academic atmosphere prioritizes integrity, but also requires tolerance and rationality. Learning from the virtuous is the right path; jealousy and envy are unacceptable!"
His gaze swept over the direction where Li Ming and the others were located below the stage. Those people had already turned pale and wished they could bury their heads in the ground.
"I hope this incident will prompt everyone to reflect and focus their energy on genuine learning and self-improvement!" The principal concluded by looking at Xie Qingyan, his gaze softening. "Xie Qingyan, I hope you will remain humble and diligent, continue your efforts, and bring honor to the school and serve the country in the future!"
"Thank you, Principal; thank you, teachers; thank you, classmates." Xie Qingyan bowed deeply.
The applause rang out one last time, thunderous and lasting for a long time.
This time, the applause was filled with pure admiration, respect, and heartfelt blessings.
The storm has finally passed.
No, it never truly destroyed anything; instead, it washed away a pearl buried in silt, making it shine brightly and hang high in the eyes of all.
Xie Qingyan walked off the stage amidst applause. The crowd parted automatically to make way for him, their gazes a mixture of curiosity, admiration, envy, and shame…
He walked through the crowd toward the auditorium entrance. Sunlight streamed in through the tall doors and windows, casting a long shadow behind him.
At the entrance, he paused slightly, turned his head, and looked in the direction of Class 12's area.
There, Jiang Ci was standing up, preparing to leave with the crowd. Their eyes met briefly and very slightly, across a great distance, amidst the noisy throng.
No words were spoken.
No action was taken.
But it seemed that a thousand words had been silently exchanged during that thrilling hour.
Jiang Ci nodded almost imperceptibly.
Xie Qingyan's lips curved into a very faint, yet genuine smile.
Then, he turned around, stepped out, and walked completely into the bright sunlight outside the door.
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