Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Wang Lian, that young Provincial Graduate, was the chief administrator in charge of punishments in Xuanwu City. The truth was now revealed.
“So he's that narrow-minded, the kind of person who retaliates over the slightest grudge.”
At that moment, Jin Mucong glanced sideways at Shen Lang.
*Are you one to talk? Between the two of you, I really can't tell who's more petty.*
However, the big oaf valued loyalty, so he kept his thoughts to himself and offered Shen Lang some advice.
“Shen Lang, you should hurry and plead with Mother. My father is too stubborn; he can't stand people who disrespect their teachers. Since Master He went to tattle, he's definitely going to have you flogged. If not, you could hide in the barracks. Go hide in my sister's military camp.”
Jin Mucong said, a sense of dread in his voice.
“Thirty lashes from a whip will leave you bedridden for half a month.”
What a joke. If he went pleading to his mother-in-law over such a trivial matter, she would surely look down on him. If I, Shen Lang, can't even handle a single accountant with a character flaw, how am I supposed to survive in the Count's estate?
Besides, Shen Lang had painstakingly built an image of a free-spirited and extraordinary son-in-law in his mother-in-law's mind. If he went pleading to her now because of a mere He Wensuo, the persona he had created would crumble. Moreover, He Wensuo was a distant relative of his mother-in-law; wouldn't pleading with her just put her in a more awkward position?
In the end, Shen Lang remained silent, sat back down in his seat, and quietly waited for He Wensuo to bring his father-in-law.
“Brother-in-law! Why aren't you running? When you get beaten later, no one will be able to save you.”
Only a short time had passed before the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from outside.
“My Lord Count, I simply cannot teach this student. I have never in my life seen someone so ill-mannered.”
He Wensuo's voice reached everyone's ears from a distance. The dozen or so students in the classroom all sat upright, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. They were about to witness a good show. He Wensuo said in an enraged voice.
“In our Great Yan Dynasty, we hold dear the values of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, and Teacher.”
“Yet Shen Lang is arrogant and insolent, with no regard for his elders. At best, his behavior will corrupt his peers; at worst, it will damage the reputation of the Count's estate. His transgressions must not be forgiven. I beseech you, my Lord Count, to punish him. Otherwise, others will begin to follow his example, and the academic integrity of our estate's academy will collapse.”
Shen Lang was truly speechless.
*He Wensuo, if you really find me so offensive, why not endure it for now and frame me later when you get the chance? You could have waited for me to cause some major trouble and gotten me kicked out of the Count's estate. What good does it do for you to have me flogged thirty times by the Count today? It might let you vent your anger, but it doesn't solve any real problems, does it?*
The Count approached Shen Lang and asked in a cold voice.
“What is the meaning of this? I can turn a blind eye to your insolence outside, but how dare you be so brazen within our own home?”
The Count unconsciously tightened his grip on the whip in his hand. He was extremely conservative and obstinate; whenever there was a conflict between a student and a teacher, he assumed the student was at fault. He would strike first and ask questions later. In the past, Jin Mucong had been beaten by the Count more times than he could count. Whenever a teacher complained to the Count, Jin Mucong would get a beating, which was why the portly heir had no choice but to be very well-behaved in front of his teachers.
The Count said.
“Shen Lang, you had better give me a reasonable explanation for your actions today. Don't blame me for being merciless.”
It seemed the thirty lashes were unavoidable.
“Father-in-law, I have done nothing wrong.”
He Wensuo sneered.
“My Lord Count, look at him. He remains unrepentant even now. He is truly beyond saving.”
“Allow me to ask, Master He, did I ever whisper to anyone else during class?”
He Wensuo snorted, "Hmph," but did not answer.
“Then did I read other books or sleep with my head on the desk?”
Again, He Wensuo only snorted.
“I have done none of those things, so why do you claim I do not respect my teacher?”
“You were zoning out and lost in thought while I was teaching. Is that the attitude of a respectful student? A teacher pours his heart and soul into educating you, yet you were completely distracted. If that isn't sullying the academic atmosphere of this academy, what is?”
“The Six Arts a gentleman learns are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. Although mathematics is not a subject in the imperial examinations, our Count's estate emphasizes its study. This is because learning mathematics allows one to understand economics and the people's livelihood on a practical level, and the changes of the universe on a higher level. That we place such importance on mathematics is a testament to the Lord Count's outstanding foresight and grand ambition.”
The Count was moved by Shen Lang's words, and his expression softened considerably in an instant.
*This son-in-law of mine may not be obedient, but he certainly knows how to read my mind.*
Shen Lang continued.
“Master He imparts upon us the principles of mathematics, and for that, I hold him in high esteem. I had no intention of disrespecting him.”
“You dare say you respect me when you were daydreaming during my lesson? You spout such nonsense without a shred of shame.”
“Master He, it is because the material you were teaching was relatively simple, and I already knew it all. If I were to pretend to listen intently to something I already know, would that not be deceiving the teacher? Based on the content of your lesson, I was applying the problems in my mind, exploring the principles of mathematics more deeply. I believe that is the true goal of learning, and the truest way to respect one's teacher.”
The dozen or so students nearby were all dumbfounded.
*Damn you, Shen Lang, you're a hell of a smooth talker. I know you're spouting nonsense, but why does it somehow sound plausible?*
He Wensuo laughed out loud.
“Hahahaha... You say the mathematics I teach is simple?”
“That's right. It's too simple.”
“You claim you know all the mathematics I teach?”
“Not only do I know it, but I can also apply it as I see fit.”
He Wensuo laughed loudly once more and said.
“You're still wet behind the ears. I heard you studied at the Hanshu Academy for ten years and couldn't even finish the *Great Learning*. You've likely never even encountered mathematics, yet you claim to know everything I teach? What shameless boasting. It's utterly laughable.”
On this point, He Wensuo was absolutely certain. Although mathematics was one of the Six Arts of a gentleman, it was not tested in either the civil or military imperial examinations, so very few people studied it. Furthermore, at an academy like Hanshu where Shen Lang had studied, it was likely that even the teachers didn't know mathematics.
In all of Xuanwu City, the number of people proficient in mathematics could be counted on two hands, and He Wensuo was the most skilled among them. While other subjects could be self-taught, mathematics was impossible to even begin without a teacher. For Shen Lang to bluff that he knew it all, he must be incredibly stupid.
“Since you claim to know everything, I will give you ten problems myself. If you can answer even three of them correctly, it will prove that you indeed know the material, and you will not be punished. If you cannot solve even three, you will receive thirty lashes. However, if you fail to solve a single one, it means you know nothing of mathematics and were simply running your mouth, in which case you will receive one hundred lashes. What do you say?”
Hearing this, the Count frowned. He felt He Wensuo was going too far, so he naturally tried to reason with Shen Lang.
“Shen Lang, offer Master He a proper apology, and we will let this matter go. Just don't let your mind wander during class in the future.”
*Yes, my father-in-law does care for me after all.*
Beside them, Jin Mucong was stunned by the Count's words.
*Father, you were always so harsh with me... You were never like this. You used to beat me whenever a teacher tattled. Why does Shen Lang get off with just a proper apology?*
The Count was not so blind as to miss He Wensuo's ulterior motives. He knew exactly why He Wensuo was targeting Shen Lang. Wasn't it because his nephew, Wang Lian, hadn't been chosen as the Count's live-in son-in-law? However, He Wensuo was one of the estate's advisors and had served tirelessly as its accountant for over twenty years. The Count also trusted him greatly, which was why he was trying to save his face.
He Wensuo suddenly grew anxious. He absolutely had to punish Shen Lang properly today to vent his frustration. A mere apology would not suffice. Just yesterday, when he returned home, hadn't his wife and younger sister endlessly berated him, saying he was the Count's confidant yet had allowed Wang Lian to lose to such a useless fool?
“My Lord Count, if we let this go with a simple apology, every student will follow his example in the future. Wouldn't the academic integrity of the estate's academy completely crumble?”
“So if I answer just three problems correctly, I will not be punished, is that right?”
“That is correct. Answering just three will prove that you indeed know the material I've taught.”
“Then what if I answer all ten problems correctly?”
“Impossible. A young man shouldn't indulge in such fantasies. Mathematics is a vast and profound field of study. A whelp like you would struggle to even begin learning it in a lifetime. Forget ten problems—if you can solve even five, it will prove you are well-versed in the principles of mathematics and have no need for my instruction. In that case, I will publicly apologize to you.”
Shen Lang bowed and said.
“Then it's a promise. My father-in-law, Old Master Lin, and all the students here are our witnesses.”
The Count was about to reprimand Shen Lang for causing a scene, but the teacher of the *Book of Changes* standing behind him smiled and said.
“Very well, I shall be a witness.”
Old Master Lin was over seventy years old. He was not only Jin Mucong's teacher but had also been the Count's teacher. Since he had spoken, the Count could no longer intervene. The Count shot Shen Lang a glare and said.
“Hmph. Such arrogance. Don't you come crying and complaining to me later when I punish you without leniency.”
Then, He Wensuo looked at the Count and said.
“As I am this boy's teacher, please allow me to administer the punishment myself.”
He was worried the Count would be too lenient and wanted to beat Shen Lang half to death himself. The Count opened his mouth to refuse, but Shen Lang bowed and said.
“Master He, please present the problems.”
The Count was inwardly displeased.
*Hmph! Shen Lang, you fool, you don't even know what's good for you, digging your own grave with this foolishness. Fine, have it your way. I know your memory is exceptional, but the principles of mathematics cannot be learned without years of study. He Wensuo is an expert in mathematics; challenging him is like an egg trying to break a rock.*
He Wensuo, inwardly triumphant, returned to his desk and began to painstakingly craft the problems. He was, of course, preparing the most difficult questions he could think of, ones Shen Lang would be unable to solve. That way, he could give Shen Lang one hundred lashes and beat him half to death.
He Wensuo also knew that the Count intended to protect Shen Lang. If he really did flog Shen Lang a hundred times, the Count would resent him for it. But so what? He Wensuo had already reached the pinnacle in the field of mathematics. Why should he have to swallow his anger? Moreover, he controlled all the finances of the Count's estate. It wasn't that He Wensuo couldn't leave the estate, but rather that the Count couldn't afford to let him go. Therefore, he had nothing to fear.