Solve a Problem First

Lady Zhu was concerned about the outcome of Zhao Jingli's consultation.

However, fearing that her daughter might overthink things, she didn't ask Zhao Ruxi directly. Instead, the next day, after Zhao Ruxi went to Beining, she summoned Matron Yuan and inquired about the situation.

Matron Yuan then recounted the conversation that had taken place the previous day.

Lady Zhu knew that Zhao Ruxi was good at mathematics. When she first heard from Matron Yuan that Zhao Jingli's mathematical talent had been recognized by Zhao Ruxi, she was quite Gao Xing.

But when she heard that Zhao Ruxi had changed her mind and would not teach Zhao Jingli mathematics, she frowned. "Did Young Master Li Gao Xing Miss Xi?"

"This old servant didn't notice Gao Xing in you, young lady. You even said you were asking the mathematics teacher at the academy to take your son as a student, so you're probably not angry. It's probably because your son thinks your mathematics skills are inferior to the teachers at the academy, and you noticed that, which is why you said that."

Matron Yuan favored her own young lady and didn't want Lady Zhu to think Zhao Ruxi was petty, so she subtly sowed discord between Zhao Ruxi Zhao Jingli.

Despite her own daughter's busy schedule, she still found time to teach the young master painting and arithmetic. Instead of being extremely grateful, the young master complained that his daughter wasn't good at arithmetic. Matron Yuan was very Gao Xing.

If Zhao Jingli knew that Matron Yuan thought so much about him, he would definitely cry foul. He didn't look down on Zhao Ruxi; he only inwardly marveled at how capable the mathematics teacher at the Women's Academy was.

Although Lady Zhu had feelings for Zhao Jingli, her heart still leaned towards her biological daughter. Her thoughts were similar to those of Matron Yuan.

She said, "Miss Xi is so busy, she doesn't even have time to sleep, and she's gotten so thin from exhaustion. It was fine when she was painting, no one could replace her. Now that Young Master Li wants to learn mathematics, it's natural that he should learn from a mathematics teacher. If the second branch can't afford the tuition, I'll pay for it myself. There's no need to trouble Miss Xi with this."

"Yes." Hearing Lady Zhu Matron Yuan this, Yuan Mama felt relieved.

The lady still cared about the young lady.

Although the eldest young master is also pitiful, it's all his mother's fault, and has nothing to do with the girl.

Because of this, he enjoyed the privileges of a prince for over a decade, which was already a huge windfall. Now that the Earl, his wife, and his daughter are still looking after him and trying to help him, he is already incredibly fortunate. He cannot ask for more; otherwise, he would be greedy and try to swallow an elephant.

The next day, Zhao Ruxi went to Beining and made a special trip to the academy to find the mathematics teacher and mention Zhao Jingli's matter to him.

She said, "I've tried teaching him. He's quite talented in math; at least not so stupid that you'd get angry teaching him. Could you please do me the trouble of tutoring him?"

This mathematics teacher's surname was Gan, his given name was Gan Lun, and he was already sixty-seven years old. He was originally Ministry of Revenue the Zhejiang Bureau of Revenue Department of Revenue. His mathematical abilities were also extremely famous.

Good students receive preferential treatment from their teachers, and Gan Lun especially favored Zhao Ruxi, which is why Zhao Ruxi dared to make such an excessive request to the old gentleman.

"Teach your brother?" Gan Lun glanced at Zhao Ruxi, casually pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Zhao Ruxi. "Solve this problem, and I'll agree to do it for you."

Zhao Ruxi said helplessly, "Master, can't you try a different approach?"

"No way," Gan Lun said seriously. "One trick is all you need, haven't you heard? A trick never gets old, as long as it works. Hurry up and do your problem, stop rambling."

Zhao Ruxi had no choice but to sit down, take out her charcoal pencil, grab a piece of draft paper, and start looking at the questions.

After carefully reading the question, she looked at Gan Lun with even more helplessness. "Master, where did you get this question? It's so difficult, I can't solve it."

"I can't agree to your request if I can't do it." Gan Lun said without looking up. "Why don't I spend that time having drinks and fun with my old friends? Why do I have to go through all this trouble?"

Zhao Ruxi gritted her teeth.

She knew the old man was doing it on purpose.

Ever since the old gentleman discovered her exceptional mathematical abilities, he started this testing method.

He didn't know where he found these problems, but he tried his best to get her to solve them, and even promised her benefits, such as a uniquely shaped paperweight or a famous dish from a certain restaurant.

She could afford to buy them herself and didn't care for these things. But the elderly teacher wanted to play this bounty game with her, and she couldn't bear to refuse or disappoint the old man.

Seeing elderly gentlemen like Gan Lun and Kang Shilin reminds her of her modern mentors.

The old man treated her like his own daughter, even better than his own daughter who had lived abroad for many years. He'll be heartbroken if she's gone.

Unable to refuse, but also unable to appear too impressive, she played this game with Gan Lun at a rate of one out of three solutions.

This caused quite a stir; the old man became even more brazen, making her do homework every time they met.

Therefore, Zhao Ruxi came here today prepared to solve the problem.

After carefully reading the question, she thought for a moment, then picked up a pen and began to calculate on the draft paper.

She originally wanted to stall for time to make herself seem less impressive. Unfortunately, after just one meal, she had to attend her training course, and the old gentleman also had a class at the North Academy to teach.

She had no choice but to finish the question at a normal pace.

This was an old question left over from the Ministry of Revenue, Gan Lun didn't actually know the answer. Seeing that Zhao Ruxi had solved it and did so with ease, he was shocked but remained completely calm on the surface.

He adopted a teacher-testing-student stance, saying, "Knowing how is not enough; you must also know why. Explain your thought process in solving this problem."

At first, Zhao Ruxi was somewhat flustered when Gan Lun asked her this question, because she didn't know how to explain the source of her answer.

Later, she read through all the mathematical books from the Great Jin that she could find, and gained a general understanding of the mathematical level of that era, which made her feel more at ease.

The mathematical level of the Great Jin was not low, equivalent to that of the Ming Dynasty. After Empress Shengyao traveled through time, she published several books on mathematics, which roughly covered the mathematical content of elementary, middle and high school, and even mentioned calculus.

However, she probably couldn't remember, or she herself didn't fully understand it, or perhaps she was already in her later years, suffering from illness and lacking energy when she wrote these books. The theories she spoke of were rather general, and many things were not explained clearly. She also used modern mathematical symbols. If she hadn't personally taught, reading her math books would have been like reading gibberish.

After Empress Shengyao finished writing the book, she personally taught her two grandsons. However, the two grandsons either lacked talent or were not focused on the subject, so they only learned a superficial understanding. Moreover, due to their status and position, they did not spread the knowledge they had learned.

Soon after, Empress Shengyao passed away, and her few books on mathematics had to be explored by the scholars of the Great Jin on their own.

However, regardless of the circumstances, since the Empress Shengyao had mentioned modern mathematical knowledge, Zhao Ruxi's mathematical ability had a basis, and she spoke calmly and confidently about problem-solving strategies with Gan Lun.