NOVPUBThis year’s recruitment exam is already over, and the next one will be after the Imperial Examination.
However, this is not a problem for Li Nuo.
Li Nuo closed the book in his hand and walked to the classroom prepared for Mumu and Ning’er at the Song Residence.
The four masters from Qingfeng Academy were already waiting there.
This matter did not require the trouble of his father; he already had connections at the academy.
After finishing today’s Mathematics lesson, Li Nuo casually mentioned it to them.
Mr. Chen’s face lit up with joy, and he excitedly asked, "Has Mr. Li agreed to teach Mathematics at Qingfeng Academy?"
Li Nuo shook his head, correcting him, "Not to teach Mathematics, but to be a student."
"Ah?"
The four masters were utterly astonished upon hearing this.
All the Mathematics masters at Qingfeng Academy were his disciples, all having attended his lectures at the Song Residence. Who had the ability to teach him, who would dare?
He might be willing to listen, but they might not dare to lecture.
Li Nuo explained, "I want to take part in the next session of the Imperial Examination. If Qingfeng Academy is inconvenient, I will inquire at other academies."
"No inconvenience at all!"
"Mr. Li coming to Qingfeng Academy is an honor for the academy."
"There’s nothing inconvenient. If Tang Xian dares disagree, I will petition the court to remove his position as dean!"
...
The masters came back to their senses and, without a second thought, agreed.
Mr. Li selflessly shared his understanding of Mathematics with them, asking for nothing in return.
If they couldn’t even agree to such a small request, how could they deserve to attend his lectures?
But, he actually plans to participate in the Imperial Examination?
The four of them had just been preparing to suggest to the court to make minor reforms to the Mathematics section, keeping the original "Nine Numbers" problem type unchanged but adding some new Mathematics they learned from Mr. Li to select more excellent Mathematical talent for the court.
Of course, they intended to consult Mr. Li about this reform.
They planned to have him preview the Mathematics problems they would set for the examination.
But now, wouldn’t he be both the examinee and the examiner, setting questions for himself to answer?
This seemed... somewhat inappropriate.
The matter of going to Qingfeng Academy was thus settled.
After the four masters left, a figure entered the classroom.
Ever since being inspired by Li Nuo’s interest in Mathematics, every time he lectured the masters, Song Jiaren would listen from the side.
Like before, she pointed to the two rows of equations on the board, asking, "How do we get from here to here?"
In the past, Li Nuo would patiently explain until she fully understood.
But today was different.
Without even looking at her, Li Nuo said, "I’m tired today. Let’s talk about it next time..." n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
...
Li Nuo didn’t sleep too well last night.
Because his wife was not by his side.
Last night, she went to sleep with Mumu.
Li Nuo knew it was because he had not gone over the problem with her.
If sleeping alone, then sleep alone; other things can be compromised, no big deal.
But on matters of principle, not a step back.
If he gave in this time, he would have to the next time, and he wasn’t wrong, so why should he tolerate this injustice?
Last time, to paint for her, his wrist was almost broken, and when seeing nice things outside, his first thought was to bring them back for her, but what he received in return was her distrust...
It was mentally exhausting.
Li Nuo stopped thinking about this matter. After getting up, he ate breakfast alone and began planning for the Imperial Examination six months later.
He divided the Six Arts that the exam would cover into two parts.
Book, Mathematics, Ritual.
Music, Archery, Charioteering.
Among them, the first three were considered literary subjects, where one could achieve good results by mastering the knowledge in the books, and they could be improved in the short term.
As for the latter three, they required long-term intensive practice and were almost impossible to learn quickly; he would have to find another way.
Specifically, that was to identify targets proficient in these fields, find evidence of their crimes, and then send them to prison, even if just for a few days, as long as their portraits were marked in the Law Code.
In the first three subjects, Mathematics, if he didn’t score full marks, it would be a disgrace to the extreme.
The Ritual Department wasn’t much of a problem, as it mainly examined the procedures of various occasions. One only needed to memorize the five books of "auspicious ceremony," "Funeral Rites," "Military Ceremony," "Guest Ceremony," and "Fine Ceremony," and there generally shouldn’t be any big issues.
If he really felt insecure, he could find a reason to send his second uncle, Song Lian, to jail for a couple of days.
He was an Assistant Minister of Rites, an official who actually dealt with the Ministry of Rites’ work, and in the entire Ministry of Rites, or even the whole court, no one understood the rites better than he did.
Li Nuo studied the "Official System Law" thoroughly; the court had detailed rules for officials’ management.
Officials who were late or left early, or who were improperly dressed when attending court, would be punished.
But since the court wasn’t strict about this, and the officials naturally became lax. If one got serious, there were plenty of legal reasons to put him in jail for a few days.
But Li Nuo was currently in a titled state, so when the time came, he would have to ask his father for help.
With Mathematics and the Ritual Department largely taken care of, the Book Department was a bit more complicated.
This subject was the most significant in the Six Arts and further divisible into Calligraphy, Painting, Law, and Composition.
With Gu Yanran’s portrait, he could exchange a day of his lifespan to gain her calligraphic ability. Her graceful and elegant Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script was matchless in Daxia.
Although that style of writing was rather feminine, the Imperial Examination did not forbid its use.
If it came down to it, he could simply capture a few calligraphy masters.
As for painting, lighting up Han Zhuo’s portrait should be no major issue.
