Fortune Across the World

Chapter 56: Numbers and the Unveiling of Talent (Part 1)

Lu Weiming froze for a moment, hardly believing his ears. Could there really be something Brother Yu didn't know? But trusting that Brother Yu had no reason to deceive him, he whispered urgently, "Then can you ask Weixi for me?"

"It's okay not to know. Recognizing your gaps is the first step to learning seriously. There's no punishment for not answering. You don't have to get it right," Ding Qiyu tried to persuade him gently.

"I know, I know! I'll study hard! But right now, not being able to answer is too embarrassing. I don't want to be laughed at again. Please help me, Brother Yu!" Lu Weiming was desperate.

Seeing sweat bead on his forehead, Ding Qiyu couldn't refuse. She had never cheated in all her years of exams, but today, for her brother, she was about to break that streak. Glancing at Lu Weixi on the other side, she saw her put down her pen after writing a line. Gritting her teeth, she whispered, "Weixi, Weixi..."

Lu Weixi turned her head at the call, catching Ding Qiyu's quick glance. She saw her write "Help needed" in large characters on her paper, pointing at them frantically. Amused by Ding Qiyu's guilty demeanor, Weixi smiled, thought for a moment, and wrote a new couplet on a fresh sheet, sliding it slightly toward Ding Qiyu.

Ding Qiyu quickly copied the line, passing it to Lu Weiming to transcribe. She finally breathed a sigh of relief. The act felt alarmingly risky—she would never have done it if not for her brother. Exhausted from the stress, she slumped onto the desk, making Lu Weixi's smile reach her eyes.

After poetry class, Ding Qiyu resisted the urge to scold Lu Weiming, noticing no one paid attention to them. She patted his shoulder, "Brother Weiming, you promised to study seriously from now on."

Lu Weiming nodded earnestly, "I understand, I will!" Glancing at Lu Weixi and the others packing up, he leaned in and whispered, "Brother Yu, don't mention this at lunch, okay?" He wasn't lying to Ding Qiyu; he genuinely intended to apply himself. Today's test had caught him off guard, forcing him to seek help.

Following his gaze, Ding Qiyu noticed a certain young lady and understood, nodding knowingly, "I wasn't planning to say anything. You know you need to get serious, that's what matters."

...

The afternoon class was on number theory in Three Questions Hall, a subject Ding Qiyu felt confident in. The natural laws of this world were at least consistent with her prior knowledge. She might struggle with poetry and couplets, but mathematical problems were well within her grasp—a chance to uphold her father's reputation.

The number theory instructor, a stern, middle-aged man named Mr. Chen, spoke with a booming voice that quelled the students' spirits. Ding Qiyu found his demeanor reminiscent of her father. Though her father never taught her directly, she'd once snuck into his classroom, observing his stern, no-nonsense approach. As a child, when he tutored her, he was often so strict that it left her feeling intimidated. This led to her shielding her sister, taking on all her academic issues to spare her their father's rigorous tutoring. Though she used to complain about it, the memory now made her fondly disposed toward Mr. Chen.

The class focused on practical mathematical applications, useful for future commerce and taxation. As Ding Qiyu entered her efficient study mode, she noted that "On the Art of Mechanisms" provided examples for each component, primarily in combat applications like folding swords and concealed weapons, with few examples suited to everyday life. This suggested Yan Huai Ke, like the elder in Yun Zhi Pavilion, was a figure of the martial world, utilizing mechanical arts as a form of offense and defense rather than for daily use.

The idea intrigued Ding Qiyu. Yan Huai Ke's mentioned "equipment" sparked her imagination. She currently had only a small crossbow for protection. If she encountered danger, relying solely on it might not suffice. In this era, where law was not fully established and might often made right, should she consider enhancing her combat capabilities? Otherwise, how could she protect those she cared for?

As Mr. Chen explained taxation issues from "Arithmetic Classics," topics she understood, albeit in Da Qian's unique context, he suddenly posed a question: "Yesterday, from ancient agricultural texts, I found a problem: 'A fertile field's area is unknown. The land steward wants to divide it. Dividing by three leaves two acres, by five leaves three acres, by seven leaves two acres. The field is an integer number of acres. What is its area?' Ponder it now." His emotionless tone and sharp gaze sent many students into stiff-backed silence, hastily calculating.

Only the rustle of paper and the fidgeting of anxious students broke the silence in Three Questions Hall. Pausing her drawing, Ding Qiyu recognized it as a system of congruences problem and knew how to solve it. She pulled out a blank sheet, worked through the calculations, and wrote "twenty-three" at the bottom, then resumed her study of "On the Art of Mechanisms."

Beside her, Lu Weiming struggled with the problem, scribbling and erasing for a long time. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he wrote down the answer. Seeing Ding Qiyu engrossed in her book, he glanced up, catching Mr. Chen's sweeping gaze and dared not speak. Instead, he leaned over to peek at her paper, relieved to see they shared the same answer.

After waiting a while, Mr. Chen descended from the podium, heightening the anxiety of those yet to find a solution. Heads lowered, they hoped not to be called upon. Mr. Chen stopped in front of a desk, drawing everyone's attention. Ding Qiyu turned to see it was Tan Yu, the conceited young master, and couldn't help but revel in the prospect of his embarrassment. Lu Weiming, seeing Tan Yu's panicked attempt to hide, nearly laughed out loud.

Mr. Chen tapped Tan Yu's desk with his book, jolting him awake, and asked, "Have you found the answer?" The grave tone suggested dire consequences for failure. Ding Qiyu recalled advising her father to be less stern, fearing students might fail due to nerves. She wondered if he ever mellowed.

Having been out drinking the night before, Tan Yu had slept through half the class, barely aware of Mr. Chen's question. His groggy mind balked at the problem, and his muscular companion was no help, likely not understanding it at all. Laziness prevailed; he figured he wouldn't be called. But Mr. Chen had noted his inattentiveness and intended to rouse him.

Flustered and angry, Tan Yu stood, trembling, eyeing his peers. All avoided his gaze, leaving him mortified by the attention.

Tan Yu stammered, turning red, as Mr. Chen watched impassively. Lu Weiming shook with silent laughter, the scene infectious for Ding Qiyu.

Sensing Lu Weiming's glee, Tan Yu, seething, had an idea. "Sir, I haven't figured it out... but Lu Weiming surely has, judging by his confidence!" He pointed at Lu Weiming, determined to share the embarrassment, confident Lu Weiming couldn't answer either.

His deflection successful, all eyes shifted to Lu Weiming. His smile froze as Mr. Chen turned, asking sternly, "Do you know it?"

Ding Qiyu sighed, hoping Lu Weiming had found the answer.

Lu Weiming stood, bowing slightly, "Um, I believe the field is twenty-three acres..." His answer prompted murmurs and nods, confirming its correctness. Tan Yu, now seated, was flabbergasted. He answered?! Ding Qiyu was thrilled for him, knowing he could excel with effort.

Mr. Chen nodded, returning to the podium, "Indeed, twenty-three acres. Explain your reasoning."

Caught off guard, Lu Weiming was stunned. How did he find the answer? Could he admit he simply tested each condition? That seemed more embarrassing than not answering! Sweating, he glanced at Ding Qiyu for help.

Seeing his plea, Ding Qiyu assumed he lacked confidence. Encouragingly, she whispered, "Just explain your thought process, don't worry!"

"Um... I..." Lu Weiming stammered, sweat on his brow. Tan Yu relaxed, sure Lu Weiming had cheated, ready to witness his downfall.

All awaited Lu Weiming's response. Lu Weixi, anxious for her brother, could only watch helplessly. Ding Qiyu, seeing his distress, stood and bowed to Mr. Chen, "Sir, I believe my master's answer of twenty-three acres isn't the only solution." She affirmed Lu Weiming's answer while diverting attention to herself.

A gleam appeared in Mr. Chen's eyes, gesturing for Lu Weiming to sit as he asked Ding Qiyu, "There are other solutions?"

Grateful, Lu Weiming felt Ding Qiyu's support. Surely she knew the method, proving once again her remarkable abilities. He forgot her earlier struggle with the couplet, seeing her in an even more admirable light.