In Fanyang County, the Zu family was a famous local clan. Of course, this was partly due to the kindness of their ancestor, Zu Chongzhi. However, several hundred years had passed and the Zu family had gradually declined.
However, after Zu Mingjun created the Parabola, the Zu family gradually showed signs of resurgence. Zu Mingjun became the hope of the Zu family. Although he was only twenty years old, his status in the Zu family was already very important.
"Greetings, young master!" Zu Mingjun walked out of the courtyard and the servants of the Zu family all bowed.
Zu Mingjun nodded and asked, "Has this issue arrived yet?"
The steward of the Zu residence hurriedly handed over a copy and said, "Young master, the issue has just arrived. This old servant was just about to deliver it to you."
Zu Mingjun was famous for another reason in Fanyang County. He was Mo Jiazi's best friend. Meton was famous for his novel, Liang Zhu. Even in Fanyang County, everyone knew about him. People often asked him about Mo Jiazi.
Zu Mingjun took the magazine. In Chang 'an, an issue of the magazine only cost one cent. However, in Fanyang County, an issue of the magazine cost twenty cents. Although the price was not cheap, the supply did not meet the demand.
Although some restaurants and teahouses didn't buy twenty copies at once like the Pan Family Restaurant, they would often buy a single copy and place it in the store to attract customers. However, one copy naturally wasn't enough for everyone to read. This led to the birth of a new profession, which was to read newspapers and read newspapers.
Some literate people were invited by restaurants and teahouses to read newspapers in the shops. To the public, drinking tea in the teahouses, listening to the newspapers, and learning about the state's affairs was the greatest enjoyment. Especially after the publication of Liang Zhu, the public could not get tired of hearing it a hundred times. It was always packed with people.
This issue was the ending of Liang Zhu. It could be said that the entire country was looking forward to this issue. The moment this issue arrived in Fanyang County, it was immediately snatched up. Zu Mingjun was lucky enough to get a copy because he had paid a deposit in advance.
After reading Liang Zhu's ending, Zu Mingjun reluctantly put down the journal in his hand. Then he read all the journals after returning from Chang 'an, from the annual report of the Mo Village, to the Lantern Festival, to the exhibition of Mo Skills, and then to Liang Zhu. He could not help but sigh.
"It seems that Brother Mo is having a wonderful life in Chang 'an!" Zu Mingjun looked at his boring life in his hometown and suddenly felt bored.
"Da da da!"
The rapid sound of horse hooves broke the tranquility of Qiu County. A courier rode a tall horse straight for the Zu family's old residence.
"Excuse me, is this the Zu Clan's old residence?" The courier hurriedly dismounted and asked.
"Exactly! May I know why you're here? "The Zu Estate's housekeeper looked at the courier suspiciously. He didn't understand why the courier had come to the Zu Estate.
"This is a letter of conscription from Chang 'an City, summoning the ancestors of the Zu family to enter Chang' an City," the courier said loudly.
"A conscription letter from Chang 'an City!" The Zu family's old house was soon alarmed.
"Could it be the imperial court's summons? Quick, invite the young master over." The Zu clan head hurriedly shouted after hearing the news.
Very quickly! Zu Mingjun walked over in confusion. He hadn't been outstanding in the Imperial College back then. Apart from mathematics, everything else was ordinary. He couldn't think of any way he could have been summoned by the imperial court.
"This lowly one is Zu Mingjun!" Zu Mingjun cupped his hands.
When the courier saw Zu Mingjun, he handed him a letter and said, "Young Master Zu is summoned by the Firearms Supervisor."
"Firearms Supervisor, Brother Mo!" Zu Mingjun immediately understood.
However, the members of the Zu clan couldn't help but frown. They had thought that the imperial court had summoned Zu Mingjun to be an official, but who would have thought that it was Mo Jiazi's Firearms Supervisor?
The courier nodded and said, "Merton has asked this lowly one to pass on a message to Young Master Zu. There is a famous mathematical study that has been passed down through the ages that needs to be studied. He asks if you are interested."
"A famous mathematical study that has been passed down through the ages?" The Zu clan's eyes immediately lit up. Their Zu clan had been founded on the study of mathematics, and a single parabola had benefited them greatly. If they could study a profound mathematical study, they might be able to recreate the glory of their ancestor, Zu Chongzhi.
"Ballistics!" Zu Mingjun opened the letter and showed it to the elders of the Zu clan.
"Isn't this just a catapult?" The Zu clan's second son said with disdain.
"No, Zu Mingjun is the hope of our Zu clan. The Zu clan is prepared to let Zu Mingjun train for a few more years and find an official position for him. How can we let him join the army as a soldier?" Many members of the Zu clan shook their heads.
Zu Mingjun explained, "This isn't joining the army, but assisting the Firearms Supervisor in researching catapults so that they can accurately hit their targets. Once the research is complete, this lowly one will naturally leave the Firearms Supervisor, and our Zu clan will obtain a brand new mathematical study. "
The Zu clan's third son shook his head. "The Zu clan appreciates Merton's good intentions, but the Mo clan's situation isn't clear yet. Our Zu clan can't rashly choose a side."
Now that the conflict between the Confucians and the Mo clan was once again in the limelight, the Zu clan naturally didn't want to participate in it. If they rashly sided with the Mo clan, it would be detrimental to the Zu clan!
Many members of the Zu clan immediately shrank back at the thought of the conflict between the Confucians and the Mo clan.
The Zu clan's patriarch looked at Zu Mingjun and said, "Enough, let's not argue anymore. This matter concerns Zu Mingjun's future. Let's ask him what he thinks!"
Zu Mingjun bowed. "Elders, our Zu clan has been declining ever since our ancestor passed away. Our ancestor's mathematical study was extremely profound, but very few people know how to do it. In the future, I'm afraid that our Zu clan will be the only one left. He Ye!"
The elders of the Zu clan immediately became resentful. Although they were usually arrogant and thought of the Zu clan as a master of mathematics, they couldn't deny that the Zu clan had declined.
"Because no matter how profound the Zu clan's mathematical study is, it's useless. This child once witnessed the rise of the Mo clan in Chang 'an City. Because what the Mo clan promotes is useful. Only if it's useful will it not be forgotten or abandoned, "Zu Mingjun said loudly.
The elders of the Zu clan fell into deep thought.
"But is mathematical study useless? This child heard that Brother Mo used mathematics to calculate the population in a hundred years in the imperial court to change the marriage laws of the imperial court. Isn't that the use of mathematics? Does ballistics only apply to my Zu Mingjun? If Chang 'an's Professor Shen or even Brother Mo were willing to put in the effort, how could they not be able to calculate it? "Zu Mingjun said proudly.
The Zu clan members nodded dejectedly. They couldn't deny that Shen Hongcai and Mo Jiazi had already surpassed the Zu clan in terms of mathematics.
"Brother Mo's words are correct. This is the study of mathematics that has been passed down for generations. As long as there's a need for catapults, we'll need ballistics. This is the usefulness of mathematics. The Mo clan is giving our Zu clan a chance to demonstrate the usefulness of mathematics, not begging us. What right do we have to be picky?" Zu Mingjun shouted.
"Well said!" The patriarch of the Zu clan nodded. "The Zu clan's foundation is mathematics. With the Mo clan leading the way, the Hundred Schools of Thought are gradually rising. If we don't separate mathematics and catch up, we'll probably fall into decline again. Now that there's mathematics before us, how can the Zu clan miss it? If we don't take it, we'll be punished instead."
"The patriarch is wise!" Zu Mingjun said happily.
"The Zu clan will not participate in the conflict between Confucianism and Mo, but since it concerns mathematics, the Zu clan cannot miss it. Immediately prepare a horse and send Zu Mingjun to Chang 'an," the patriarch said.
Zu Mingjun shook his head. "There's no need. Brother Mo has already made the arrangements. Brother Mo is using the imperial court to recruit this child. This child can ride a horse straight to Luoyang. Once there, the Mo clan's carriage will pick me up."
As expected! After Zu Mingjun packed up and walked out of the Zu clan's gate, he saw a courier waiting for him.
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