Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 44 The Chicken and Rabbit Problem

After reading the question, Ye Ru inexplicably wanted to laugh, but because there were scholars present, he had to suppress his laughter.

This question was a math problem he had in middle school on Earth. According to this civilization, the scholars here only have an elementary school level of math?

After thinking for a moment, he immediately felt relieved. Although the Hundred Schools of Thought had indeed promoted mathematics to some extent, there were still some areas of knowledge that were difficult for them to understand.

"What's wrong? This question is really difficult. We thought about it for three days and three nights, but we still couldn't figure it out."

Chen Sijun sighed, shook her head, and said with utter helplessness.

"Yes, Yip Tong-sheng, do you have a solution?"

Song Feng quickly added, judging from his appearance, he already regarded Ye Ru as someone of his own generation.

"No, it's because this question is too easy..."

Ye Ru couldn't help but laugh and voice his thoughts: the chicken-and-rabbit problem is one of the simplest arithmetic problems in ancient times.

"Ye Tongsheng, as the saying goes, one should not be arrogant because of one's talent, nor should one act domineering because of one's favor. Aren't you going a bit too far with what you're saying?"

Upon hearing this, Li Wenfeng frowned. Such arrogance was unacceptable; it was utterly presumptuous. If he made a mistake later, he would likely have no way to save face.

The others exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of anger in the other's eyes.

"Please, Mr. Yip, answer my questions and let us observe them as well."

One of the elderly men couldn't contain himself any longer. He cupped his hands in greeting and looked at Ye Ru with a strange gaze.

"Ye Ru, this is your weakness. If you are not 100% sure, don't be overly complacent when facing enemies in the future, or you will tarnish your confidence."

Chen Sijun's expression also seemed rather unpleasant, and then she spoke in a deep voice.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure just now. I'll try to do it now."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru realized he had lost his composure and quickly apologized, which eased the tension in everyone's expressions somewhat.

He then took out paper and pen and wrote it down:

"Algorithm 1: Place 35 heads on top and 94 feet on the bottom. Half the number of feet gives 47. Subtract the more from the less and repeat the process: divide the top three by the bottom four, the top five by the bottom seven, the bottom one by the top three, and the bottom two by the top five. This gives 23 chickens and 12 rabbits."

As Ye Ru wrote down each section, everyone's expressions changed. After he wrote down the entire algorithm, their faces showed astonishment.

"They actually wrote it..."

Song Feng opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then swallowed it back down.

"Ye Tongsheng, you wrote Algorithm 1, so are there Algorithms 2 and 3?"

Li Wenfeng was unconvinced and raised his head to speak.

"There is another algorithm. Assuming they are all chickens, there are 70 chickens in total. Then, subtract 7 from 94 to get the number of extra feet that are rabbits. Divide 24 into 12 equal parts, which is 12. Then, calculate that there are 23 chickens."

After Ye Ru finished speaking, the eyes of the five people twitched slightly, and they all fell silent.

"I've wasted all these years!"

Suddenly, Song Feng slammed his fist on the table, filled with grief and indignation. He felt that Ye Ru was bullying him too much.

“We spent three days and three nights and still couldn’t do it, but you did it in less than three breaths and even came up with a second method. It’s no wonder you’re called Master Fang.”

Li Wenfeng was now truly convinced and immediately performed a solemn disciple's salute:

"Student Li Wenfeng greets Teacher Ye."

"We should also call Ye Ru 'Teacher Ye'!"

Seeing this, Song Feng and the others became anxious and quickly bowed to Ye Ru as disciples, all saying loudly:

"Student Song Feng greets Teacher Ye."

"Student Zhao Jungong greets Teacher Ye."

"Student Pang Jun greets Teacher Ye."

……

If any students were to witness this scene, they would jump up as if they had seen a ghost.

Five successful candidates in the imperial examinations all became students of a young scholar—this is an unprecedented tale! If it gets out, it will surely cause a huge sensation!

"Please rise, sir. You are making me feel so ashamed."

Upon seeing this, Ye Ru quickly helped them up one by one.

"That's right. As the saying goes, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' When Confucius met two children arguing about the sun, he also respectfully called them his teachers. There's nothing wrong with that."

Song Feng shook his head and said very respectfully.

"Yes, as the saying goes, those who are accomplished are teachers. Your contribution to mathematics this time is so great that it can probably be compared with those Grand Scholars of the National Academy."

Li Wenfeng shook his head and said.

"Alright then, you can only call me teacher when there are no outsiders around. It won't work when there are people around. If someone with ulterior motives finds out, they might tarnish my reputation, and that would be terrible."

Ye Ru could only manage a wry smile.

He knew that scholars in the Confucian and Taoist continent valued the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues highly, so he didn't say much and agreed.

"I have a favor to ask. I wonder if Master Ye could give a lecture on the Six Arts at my Four Mirrors and Three Brightnesses Pavilion?"

Suddenly, Chen Sijun spoke.

"Giving lectures? I am not knowledgeable enough, I'm afraid I am not qualified."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei was startled. Only highly respected individuals were invited to give lectures, yet he had been invited by five scholars to do so.

“Why not? Master Ye’s math is several levels above ours. The Six Arts are elective subjects in the Four Mirrors and Three Brightnesses Pavilion. Because math is too difficult, few people choose the Six Arts, which has led to its gradual decline. If Master Ye can hold this lecture, it will probably make more students interested in the Six Arts.”

Li Wenfeng looked at Ye Ru with a firm gaze, unwavering in the slightest.

If Ye Ru were to give lectures, coupled with his performance in the Four Mirrors and Three Bright Pavilions, it would certainly have a huge impact.

"At that time, we will be able to write a book specifically about you, which will then be published in the pavilion and finally sold by Yanhuang Bookstore. Your literary reputation will increase significantly then."

Chen Sijun looked at Ye Ru meaningfully and suddenly tempted him with his literary talent.

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru gave a wry smile, as if he had thought of something, and suddenly asked:

"Scholar Chen is in charge of the Four Pavilions and Three Halls? Could it be that he also oversees publishing?"

"That's right. The compilation work for these major counties first needs to be reviewed by the National Academy of Sacred Learning, then reviewed by us, and finally submitted to us for publication."

Chen Sijun nodded and said, not quite understanding why Ye Ru was asking this.

Upon hearing this, Ye Ru seemed to have thought of something, and then suddenly said to Chen Sijun:

"I want to write a popular novel and sell it. I wonder if you, sir, could help me obtain a qualification from the Imperial Academy?"

The five scholars swallowed hard, exchanged glances, and were all taken aback.