The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 2

Upon hearing this, Li Er and Du Ruhui had different opinions.

He said somewhat impatiently, "Listen to what I have to say first."

Knowing that his emperor had a habit of getting to the bottom of things, Du Ruhui didn't say anything more and could only continue watching Xu Tian speak on the stage.

Xu Tian began, "Today, we're having a math lesson!"

This single sentence shocked both Du Ruhui and Li Er. This young man before them was actually teaching arithmetic!

Ordinary school teachers usually teach classics, history, philosophy, and literature; the more capable ones might teach practical policy essays. But looking across the entire city of Chang'an, teachers who can teach arithmetic are extremely rare.

Arithmetic is a very complex subject.

The trade between those merchants required arithmetic, but this was only the most basic level and did not require deliberate learning.

People like Du Ruhui, who plan and calculate for the sake of the country, represent the highest level of strategic thinking.

Upon hearing this, Du Ruhui actually stood up and asked, "I didn't expect that you, sir, would also know arithmetic?"

Xu Tian found this strange, but still humbly cupped his hands and said, "Arithmetic is a fundamental subject here. Do you perhaps have some knowledge of it?"

Du Ruhui suddenly looked down on Xu Tian even more. He knew that in the entire Tang Dynasty, there were very few who could outwit him.

However, I also think that arithmetic is a difficult subject, but I didn't expect him to say that arithmetic is the foundation?

Thinking of this, he cupped his hands again and said, "I wonder if you would like to have a match with me, so that I can broaden my horizons!"

Li Er glared at Du Ruhui.

However, although he felt that Du Ruhui's behavior was somewhat impolite, he also wanted to know whether this teacher who had made such a boastful claim truly possessed the necessary skills.

Therefore, he did not stop Du Ruhui's actions, but sat there wanting to see the outcome of the competition.

Xu Tian found the two people in front of him increasingly strange, but he still agreed: "That's alright, but please do it as soon as possible so as not to delay the students' classes."

Du Ruhui sneered and said, "It won't take long. Let me ask the question first!"

"A farmer had a total of 354 chickens. Seventeen of them died this month, and he bought another 121. How many chickens does this farmer have left?"

Xu Tian almost burst out laughing when he heard this. Wasn't this problem just the most basic addition and subtraction?

For a moment, he forgot to answer, and instead chuckled, then hesitated, "This..."

Seeing this scene, Du Ruhui felt even more hostile towards Xu Tian.

He said, "What is this? Can't you answer it anymore? You dare to call arithmetic a basic skill? What a joke!"

Du Ruhui was currently holding a grudge. Originally, he, like Li Er, had high expectations for the Tianxia Academy.

But unexpectedly, upon arriving at the Tianxia Academy, he immediately heard Xu Tian spouting nonsense. What he wanted to do now was to tear off Xu Tian's mask and let all the students of the world see what kind of clown was behind this deceitful teacher!

However, Xu Tian immediately refuted his statement.

Xu Tian smiled and shook his head, saying, "You've really misunderstood. The reason I didn't answer wasn't because I didn't know the answer. It's just that the question you asked was rather simple."

Hearing this, Du Ruhui's emotions intensified. He stood up abruptly, pointed at Xu Tian, ​​and said, "Still being stubborn! If you have the guts, then tell me the answer to this question..."

Seeing Du Ruhui's intense emotions, Li Er was momentarily drawn into the situation. He also felt that this schoolteacher before him didn't seem to possess much learning...

Before Du Ruhui could even finish his sentence, Xu Tian casually gave his answer.

Four hundred and fifty-eight.

With a single sentence, Du Ruhui's fierce momentum was instantly reduced to ashes, and even Du Ruhui's speech became somewhat stuttering.

He looked at Xu Tian in front of him and asked incredulously, "What...what did you say?"

Xu Tian smiled faintly: "I would say the answer to your question was that the farmer still has 458 broiler chickens."

These words struck Du Ruhui like a bolt from the blue, leaving him utterly shocked.

Li Er hurriedly asked Du Ruhui, "How is it, Lao Du? Am I right?"

Du Ruhui nodded slowly. In fact, Li Er could tell from Du Ruhui's expression just now that Xu Tian was probably right.

However, after receiving confirmation from Du Ruhui, Li Er felt no anger or jealousy whatsoever; instead, he was overjoyed!

There is such a great talent in the Tang Dynasty!

Xu Tian was about to give up, but seeing that all the students were staring at him and Du Ruhui with intense concentration, he couldn't help but smile to himself.

It seems that these children still enjoy this novel classroom atmosphere.

So, he took this opportunity to bow to Du Ruhui and said, "Sir, now it's my turn to ask a question."

Du Ruhui's face flushed red and then turned pale, before he nodded.

Xu Tian began, “My question is this: A farmer went to town to buy rabbits and chickens. He put the rabbits and chickens in the same iron cage. He roughly counted them and found that there were thirteen chicken and rabbit heads and thirty-six chicken and rabbit legs in the cage. How many chickens and rabbits were there?”

After speaking, Xu Tian looked at Du Ruhui with anticipation.

That's right, what he was talking about today was the chicken-and-rabbit problem.

If the gentleman in front of them could provide the answer and solution to this problem, the students would surely listen intently, and they themselves would be able to save some trouble.

However, Du Ruhui's face turned red, and for a moment, he couldn't say anything.

Seeing that the person in front of him had actually stumped Du Ruhui, Li Er's expression became even more excited.

This trip out of the palace was truly worthwhile; we were able to gather such talented people from all over the world!

Du Ruhui's brain was practically burning out. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally blushed and made a request: "Sir, could you perhaps give me paper and pen so I can work out this?"

He was so embarrassed.

Xu Tian provided the answer to the question he posed in the blink of an eye. However, the question Xu Tian posed was one that he not only couldn't answer for a long time, but also required calculation!

Xu Tian didn't take it seriously.

After all, writing the answer process on the blackboard helps students understand it.

So he gestured and said, "It's alright, please come and write on the blackboard."

Upon hearing this, Du Ruhui was even more bewildered.

blackboard?

What is this?