Through the conversation, Zhao Hao learned that Hua Shuyang had loved arithmetic since he was a child.

Arithmetic is one of the six arts for a gentleman, and the Hua family is the richest in Wuxi, so they really need their children to be good at financial management. Therefore, Hua Shuyang studied arithmetic with Cheng Dawei, a famous mathematician and businessman from Xiuning, after school. In addition, he was gifted and intelligent, far beyond ordinary people, and soon read all the previous works he could find, such as "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art", "Zhoubi Suanjing", "Suanxue Baodian", and "Zhuishu".

But there were many things he couldn't understand, such as the Tianyuan Technique and the Siyuan Technique... Hua was confused and still couldn't figure it out after asking for help from everyone. Cheng Dawei was already considered a top mathematician in the world, but he still couldn't answer Hua Shuyang's questions.

Since the Song Dynasty abolished the "Magic Mathematics" from the imperial examination, the once glorious mathematics in my country has gradually declined. In this dynasty, it is only used in daily life, and few people specialize in this subject. Moreover, most of the great mathematicians in our history are good at arithmetic and solving equations. They are far ahead of the world in calculating specific problems, but they only regard mathematics as an application and an interest. They lack thinking about the deeper things in mathematics, and naturally cannot axiomatize it.

Axiomatization is necessary for future generations to systematically study mathematics and conduct in-depth research. Without this step, it will always be difficult to enter the door of mathematics; we can only look up to the achievements of our predecessors and be puzzled...

It was not until Hua Shuyang read the book "Elementary Mathematics" that he felt he had found the key to answering those difficult questions. He saw from the book that the author had sorted out a complete subject system. As long as he followed the author's steps, not only would his questions be answered, but he would also become a great mathematician.

What makes him even more fascinated is that in this book, any assertion can be supported by arguments for affirmation or negation, and such arguments are rational and objective, completely unaffected by any sophistry or authority, and can accept any doubts and rebuttals!

This is very different from traditional Confucianism. Confucian scholars can only succumb to the Song Confucianists' annotations on the words of the saints, and those with a little ability to think critically will inevitably have doubts. So the rebellious Xinxue came into being, but Xinxue still could not prove its correctness and still took the old path of idealism.

Hua Shuyang then had a bold idea: if he could establish the pursuit of knowledge through investigation of things on the basis of mathematics, use mathematical methods to study the world, and then axiomatize it, wouldn't he be able to find the absolute truth that can stand the test of anyone?

No matter how proud Hua Shuyang was, he couldn't resist this temptation. So he made up his mind that even if his father-in-law didn't let him in, he would still worship Zhao Hao as his master!

Anyway, I have already married my wife, so what is there to be afraid of?

At worst, I'll just kneel on the washboard...

~~

One of them was determined to become a disciple, while the other was willing to accept a disciple. It was like dry wood and fire that could be ignited at any time.

Zhao Hao pretended to be a little bit, then sighed helplessly and said: "Originally I didn't plan to accept any more disciples, but firstly Wu Yang said a lot of good things about you; secondly, there are not many scholars in this world who are willing to learn mathematics. In order to prevent this knowledge from being lost, I will make an exception and accept you."

"Great!" Hua Shuyang was extremely surprised. He had heard Wang Wuyang say that he almost fainted at first, and only then did his master take pity on him and let him become his disciple. He didn't expect that when it was his turn, he only had to kneel for an hour...

It seems that Master likes me more than Sixth Brother...

Hua Shuyang happily bowed four times to Zhao Hao, then stood up to greet his senior brother Wang Wuyang.

Wang Wuyang was a little jealous at first, wondering why his master didn't embarrass him anymore. But when he heard Hua Shuyang calling him "brother", he suddenly came to his senses.

No matter how many disciples the master accepts in the future, I will be the eldest disciple and they will all have to respect me!

Thinking of this, Wang Wuyang regained his brilliant smile, and with a smile he helped Hua Shuyang, who was bowing, up and said, "Don't worry, Junior Brother. I will teach you well."

"Thank you, Senior Brother..." Hua Shuyang thought Wang Wuyang was just saying something polite. Unexpectedly, this Senior Brother was serious...

After lunch that day, it was time for Zhao Hao to take a nap.

Hua Shuyang also wanted to find a place to take a nap, but Wang Wuyang pulled him to Gao Wu's room and asked him to change out of his flashy hibiscus brocade robe and put on a short robe with narrow sleeves made of large woven cloth like himself.

Hua Shuyang fiddled with the narrow cuffs and couldn't help but smile curiously: "Are you going to ride and shoot? I've never worn this style before."

"Being well-dressed is not only convenient for riding and shooting, but also for working." Wang Wuyang threw a rag to Hua Shuyang and said, "Wipe all the furniture, tabletops, bedside tables, and window sills in the room. Don't make any noise and disturb the master's lunch break."

"Ah, I still have to work?" Hua Shuyangjun's face was full of surprise. He was the richest man in Wuxi and the son of Grand Tutor Hua, but he had never done housework.

"Nonsense, didn't you see everything that day?" Wang Wuyang rolled his eyes at him and said, "After I came in, I worked every day and never took a day off."

After saying that, he lay down on Gao Wu's bed, stretched himself and said, "Finally, someone is working for me..."

Gao Wu would go to the front to help at this time, and Wang Wuyang would take the opportunity to occupy the position and close his eyes for a while.

"You..." Hua Shuyang realized that what Wang Wuyang said that day was true. Looking at the rag in his hand, he asked unwillingly, "What can I let the book boy do?"

"No, Master said that only by doing things personally and practicing them physically can one temper his character." Wang Wuyang shook his head firmly.

Hua Shuyang asked dejectedly, "Sweeping the courtyard, serving tea and water, massaging shoulders and backs, and washing and picking vegetables, do I have to do all of that?"

"Each is indispensable." Wang Wuyang closed his eyes and said comfortably: "If not, how can I grind away your arrogance? If not, how can I help you find your innocent heart? If not, how can I help you stop being impetuous?"

"Well, okay..." Hua Shuyang thought about it and it made sense. After all, Wang Wuyang was also the son of the Wang family. If he could lower himself to do the work, there was no reason why he couldn't do it. Otherwise, wouldn't his master look down on him?

Thinking of this, he picked up the basin, took the rag and started working.

~~

An hour later, thinking that the master was about to wake up, Wang Wuyang came out of Gao Wu's room, stretching himself, and saw Hua Shuyang still wiping the windowsill.

He reached out and wiped the place where Hua Shuyang had just walked, then pointed to his finger and said, "There's still dust there, it's not cleaned up yet."

"We are outside, do we need to be so serious?" Hua Shuyang rolled his eyes and muttered quietly, "It's been raining all day, how can we clean it?"

"Do you think this is just work for you?" Wang Wuyang put on the airs of a senior brother and taught him, "This is cultivation, do you understand?"

"I'm studying math, not sweeping or mopping the floor!" Hua Shuyang was so angry that he threw the rag to the ground.

"If you can't even clean up your own room, how can you clean up the world?" Zhao Hao was seen standing at the door with his hands behind his back at some point.

Qiaoqiao almost fainted after hearing this. When it comes to laziness, is there anyone in Caijia Lane, no, in Jinling City, who can compare to you, Young Master Zhao?

How can you have the nerve to educate your apprentice like this?

Unexpectedly, Hua Shuyang showed an expression of learning. He bent down to pick up the rag and said, "Master, I was wrong..."

"It's good that you admit your mistake. Just do your work well." Zhao Hao didn't expect that his words had such weight in his second disciple's heart. He felt embarrassed to pretend for a moment.

He said to Hua Shuyang in a gentle voice: "Since you are going to take part in the provincial examination, don't be distracted by mathematics for the time being. First, review your writing with Wuyang. If you can pass the examination and get the first place, I will teach you elementary mathematics."

"Yes, Master." Hua Shuyang's eyes suddenly lit up and he felt more motivated to work.

"Master, didn't you also let me win the first prize..." Wang Wuyang was panicked when he heard it, "There is only one first prize?"

"Then it depends on who has the ability." Zhao Hao said with a smile, then glared at him and said, "Don't bully your junior brothers in the future. Fellow disciples should be friendly and help each other, remember?"

"Yes, Master." Wang Wuyang was naturally more respectful than Hua Shuyang.

"Now that you know it, go pick the vegetables!" Zhao Hao waved his hand and sent Wang Wuyang to the kitchen.

"Actually, we don't need their help." Qiaoqiao served Zhao Hao a plate of longan and whispered, "It was fine with just one apprentice, but now I have two apprentices working, and I'm almost out of a job."

"Don't worry, they don't know how to cook." Zhao Hao smiled and comforted Qiaoqiao, "If you really have nothing to do, you can help me peel longan."

"You wish!" Qiaoqiao reached out and hit Zhao Hao on the head, then turned and ran away.

Zhao Hao smiled and sat back on the chair. He peeled the crystal clear longan and looked at the rainbow that quietly appeared in the eastern sky. He couldn't help feeling a little drunk.

ps. The second chapter is here. The special chapter will be downloaded in the evening. Please recommend, collect and comment~~~