The servants of the Li Residence were especially diligent today. They were woken up before dawn by the head housekeeper. Even the pillars outside were cleaned until they were spotlessly clean.
There was going to be a guest coming to the residence, and it was a very important guest. A few days ago, they all found out about this matter. In order to welcome this guest, Lord Jue not only made them specially clean up a courtyard, but also had extremely harsh requirements for them. Although they had been scolded a lot, their salaries had more than doubled. The harsher the scolding, the fiercer the increase. Now, in the residence, which servant girl had the most allowance, they just had to see who had been scolded the most by Lord Jue.
It was Chinese Valentine's Day yesterday, and Lord Jue entered the palace early in the morning. The maids of the Li Residence were naturally curious about who was coming to the residence.
…
…
Li Yi had been in a good mood these days, especially when he was hugging little Yong Ning. He felt a sense of intimacy that came from his soul. It was something that no one in this world could give him.
Today was the day he had arranged to meet the old Emperor. He could have waited at home for Yong Ning to be sent over, but when he saw Old Man Chang's old face at the door, he knew that he would have to enter the palace again.
The morning court session at the Hall of Political Affairs had not ended yet, so Chang De took him directly to the Hall of Diligent Government.
As soon as he stepped into the hall, he discovered that he wasn't the only one inside. Li Xuan was there as well. There were also a few people who looked somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that they were the chancellor of the Directorate of Studies and several mathematics professors.
"County Uncle Li."
Li Xuan did not greet him first, but the people from the Directorate seemed to be very familiar with him, and they all smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.
"Good morning, everyone!" Li Yi casually cupped his hands in greeting and walked towards Li Xuan.
The Chancellor of the Directorate hurriedly chased after him and said, "I wonder when Lord Li will start his mathematics class again. The mathematics professors of the Directorate can attend and learn the new method of mathematics …"
The professors nodded. His Majesty had decreed that all students of the Imperial College had to learn the new mathematics. However, the problem was that the professors who were in charge of teaching them did not know much about it …
These days, the mathematics professors of the Directorate of Imperial College had been anxious to the point of insanity. They were afraid that the imperial court would have something for them to calculate again. Once or twice could be forgiven, but if they made a few more mistakes and caused a loss of tens of thousands of taels of silver to the national treasury, it would be hard to say whether they could still keep their heads on their necks.
"I won't be free for the next few months. Let's talk about it after the new year …"
The Chancellor of the Directorate's face twitched, and several professors of mathematics looked horrified. After the new year …
Anything could happen in five months. They didn't know if they could see Uncle Li at that time. They couldn't wait another day!
"What's the matter this time?" Li Yi ignored the people from the Directorate and walked over to ask.
Li Xuan shook his head and said, "I don't know. I was also summoned to the palace early in the morning."
Li Yi frowned. His intuition told him that trouble was coming …
After waiting for a quarter of an hour in the Hall of Diligent Government, the old emperor finally arrived.
These days, his condition seemed to have stabilized, and his complexion looked good. In all fairness, Li Yi hoped that the old emperor could live a few more years, so that he could also live a few more years in peace.
"Today, I asked you to come here because I have an important matter. I have thought about it for a long time, and I still intend to entrust it to you." After sitting down, Emperor Jing said directly.
When he spoke, he looked at Li Yi and Li Xuan.
"A few days ago, because of the chessboard and rice, I and many officials almost fell into the trap of the envoy of the Qi Kingdom. Before that, Prince Jin used the new mathematics method to save tens of thousands of taels of silver for the national treasury." A thoughtful expression appeared on Emperor Jing's face, and he said, "Since then, I have discovered that mathematics is really unfathomable, and its importance is no less than that of governing the country and pacifying the people …"
Hearing this, the mathematics doctor of the Directorate looked ashamed. His Majesty's words were like a slap in the face!
Li Yi was a little surprised that the old emperor had such insight. Technology was the first productivity, and mathematics was the queen of science. After hundreds or thousands of years, people would understand this truth. Although the level of mathematics in this era was far from being able to understand this, if basic mathematics was used to the extreme, it would be enough to make a big step forward for the Jing Kingdom.
"Therefore, I intend to set up a mathematics school outside of the Directorate, and Li Yi, the County Earl of Chang 'an, will be the superintendent. In addition to the mathematics doctors and mathematics students of the Directorate, another 100 people will be selected from the capital to learn the new mathematics method. The superintendent can make the decisions for the affairs of the mathematics school."
"Mathematics school?" Li Yi was stunned when he heard this. No way. Was it going to be so big this time?
"In addition to the mathematics school, an Academy of Sciences will be set up independently of the Ministry of Works." Emperor Jing glanced at Li Xuan and thought of the things he called "science". He said, "Superintendent Li Xuan, regarding the two academies, I will let the Ministry of Works quickly supervise the construction."
Li Xuan's face showed a surprised expression. A few days ago, he had gathered all the things that the people of the people had come up with, but he had not received any response. He thought that Uncle Huang had long forgotten about it. At this moment, he was a little surprised.
The superintendent of the Academy of Sciences was much more interesting than the supervisor of Gyeonggi Province. Didn't it mean that in the future, he could work on those things justifiably?
Although Emperor Jing's words were very good and very right, the establishment of the mathematics school and the Academy of Sciences was a magnificent feat in the Jing Kingdom. If the mathematics school was incorporated into the Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Agriculture, Army, Medicine, and Life Science were added to the Academy of Sciences, this great emperor would definitely be remembered in history.
For an ancient person, it was very rare to be able to do this, but — — He really didn't want to be a superintendent!
Wouldn't it be exhausting for a single person to teach so many students? He had to recruit more teachers. The Imperial College's mathematics professors were not bad. It was just that their rigid way of thinking had not been reversed. It wouldn't be a problem for them to give a few pointers.
There was also Prince Jin. Although he was young, it was not a problem. This boy was born to do mathematics, so he couldn't let him go. If he didn't have a cheating device, he might be crushed by him …
"Master Li, this is the list of the students of the mathematics school." Chang De handed a long memorial to Li Yi, and even the way he addressed him changed.
The list was drawn up. It seemed that Emperor Jing had never thought about asking for his consent. Didn't he say that he would not force him? Didn't he say that the emperor would not go back on his words?
The memorial was as long as his arm, and it was densely filled with names. After Li Yi glanced at it, he frowned slightly.
"Your Majesty, this list … … I'm afraid it's not possible."
"Why not?" Emperor Jing looked at him doubtfully.
Most of these people were selected from the families of the powerful and officials. If he didn't insist on recruiting 30% of the students from poor families, he was afraid that these 100 places would be occupied by them.
Anyone could see that the imperial court attached great importance to the mathematics school. This meant that it was almost a blessed place for promotion. Whether it was a noble or a courtier, who didn't want to place their own people there?
"I forgot to bring a small notebook …" Li Yi touched his waist sleeve and said with some depression.
"What?" The doubt on Emperor Jing's face was even stronger.
"Nothing … …" Li Yi raised his head and said with a serious face, "Your Majesty, you may not know that mathematics is the same as writing poetry and playing chess. It is also about talent. Talented people can master extremely profound knowledge in a short period of time, just like Prince Jin. However, there are also some people who don't have talent in mathematics. No matter how hard they work, they won't achieve much in their lifetime."
Emperor Jing nodded. Although he didn't know much about the new mathematics, what Li Yi said just now was true everywhere. Every path was about talent.
Old General Xue couldn't write beautiful essays, and Prime Minister Qin couldn't lead troops to war. However, in fact, when they were young, there was no difference in the education they received. It was nothing more than a matter of talent.
"That makes sense. In your opinion, how should the students of the mathematics school be selected?" Emperor Jing agreed with Li Yi's opinion and looked at him and asked.
Li Yi smiled and said, "This is simple …"
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