King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

"Your Highness, spare your life! Your Highness, spare your life!"

Those sons of the noble families knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, but Zhu Tan remained unmoved.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Soon, outside the school, there were heard the screams of Master Zhao like a pig being slaughtered, as well as the dull sound of wooden boards hitting flesh.

Zhu Tan watched this scene expressionlessly, and said to the students who had not yet taken action:
"You all go and take a good look. This is the result of not respecting teachers and honoring the law! I opened this school, not to let you do whatever you want! In the future, you will either become talented or become scum! There is no third way!"

Although the students were afraid, they did not dare to disobey Zhu Tan's orders. They had to bite the bullet and walk outside the school to watch this "punishment".

Young Master Zhao and those sons of the aristocratic families who were about to take action were beaten to a pulp, with their skin torn and their flesh wailing like ghosts.

However, Zhu Tan remained indifferent until they were beaten, then he ordered people to bring them to him.

"Tell me, do you realize your mistake now?" Zhu Tan sat on a chair, looking down at Master Zhao and others who were kneeling in front of him, covered in wounds, with an indifferent tone.

Mr. Zhao was already on the verge of death after being beaten. He endured the severe pain in his body and said tremblingly: "I know I was wrong... I will never dare to do it again..."

"Oh? What did you do wrong?" Zhu Tan raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Student...student shouldn't talk back to teacher..." Mr. Zhao said hesitantly.

"What else?" Zhu Tan asked.

“Students…students shouldn’t…shouldn’t…” Master Zhao was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

"You should be thankful that you are a student now. I am only giving you a slight punishment today. If it were someone else, you would have been beheaded based on your words and actions today!"

Zhu Tan said coldly, "Do you admit your guilt?"

Master Zhao was so frightened after hearing Zhu Tan's words. He had never thought that his usual behavior of bullying others was so heinous in the eyes of the prince!
He ignored the severe pain in his body and struggled to crawl to Zhu Tan's feet. He kowtowed desperately, and his forehead hit the ground with a dull "dong dong" sound, and blood soon seeped out.

"Your Highness, please spare me! Your Highness, please spare me! I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again. I will definitely change my ways and never make the same mistake again!"

Zhu Tan looked at him expressionlessly, with no intention of stopping him.

The students around were silent.

When Master Zhao's head was broken and bleeding and he was almost fainting, Zhu Tan slowly said, "Get up."

Master Zhao felt as if he had been pardoned. He quickly struggled to get up, knelt down aside, lowered his head, and did not dare to look at Zhu Tan again.

Zhu Tan's eyes swept over everyone present, his tone serious and earnest:
"I have no intention of punishing you today. I just want you to understand that in this world, there is more than just power and status. There are more important things, that is, knowledge, reason, and the responsibility to seek the welfare of the people!"

He paused, then continued, "Do you know why mathematics is the foundation of all subjects?"

Some students looked at each other, obviously never thinking about this question. They studied mathematics only because of pressure from their parents or in order to better manage the family business in the future, and never thought about the deeper meaning of this subject.

There were also some students, with a gleam of curiosity in their eyes. They listened carefully to every word Zhu Tan said, trying to understand the deep meaning behind it.
Zhu Tan said slowly:

"For example, the river embankment that we want to build in Jinan Prefecture. How much stone and manpower are needed to build the embankment? How long will it take to complete? All these require the use of mathematics."

"Without accurate calculations, the riverbank may collapse, and the lives and property of the people will be threatened."

He pointed to the various farm tools placed in the school and continued:

"Look at these farm tools. Their sizes and shapes all need to be precisely calculated to achieve the best results, thereby increasing food production and ensuring that the people have enough food and clothing."

“Mathematics may seem simple, but it is closely related to our lives. It can help us build houses, make tools, develop agriculture, and even predict the weather and control floods.”

Zhu Tan's tone was filled with emotion, "It can be said that without mathematics, there would be no civilization as we know it today."

Zhu Tan's words were like morning bells and evening drums, striking the hearts of these children of the aristocracy who had not yet experienced the beatings of society.

They live a life of luxury on a daily basis and never thought that these "vulgar" knowledge could be related to themselves, let alone the national economy and people's livelihood.

just.

Zhu Tan's majesty forced them to start thinking seriously about this issue.

Some students who were originally not interested in mathematics also began to sit up straight and try to understand the significance of this subject.

Seeing that the students were touched, Zhu Tan's mouth corners curled up slightly.

Relying solely on coercion and inducement can only make these arrogant guys obey on the surface. Only by making them truly aware of the power of knowledge can they be fundamentally changed.

“Mathematics may seem boring, but it is actually full of mysteries.”

Zhu Tan's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone. "Take the most basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division for example. They may seem simple, but they are the foundation of all mathematics..."

He picked up a branch and wrote a few numbers on the ground:
"For example, let's calculate how many bricks are needed to build a section of the city wall. Suppose this section of the city wall is 100 feet long, 20 feet high, and 10 feet thick, and the length, width, and height of each brick are..."

As Zhu Tan spoke, he wrote down the corresponding numbers and guided the students to calculate step by step, and finally came up with the required number of bricks and stones.

"Of course, this is just the simplest example."

Zhu Tan brushed off the dust on his hands and continued:

"In practical applications, we will encounter various complex situations, such as terrain undulations, material loss, etc. This requires us to flexibly apply various mathematical knowledge to obtain accurate results."

He paused, glanced at the students who were confused, and smiled playfully: "Why, do you find it difficult?"

The students looked at each other, and no one dared to speak first.

"Haha, it's not difficult, not difficult at all."

Zhu Tan suddenly burst into laughter. "As long as you master the method, mathematics is actually much simpler and more interesting than you think. For example, geometry may seem complicated, but it is actually..."

Zhu Tan said, and picked up the branch again and started drawing on the ground. He started with the most basic points, lines and planes, and gradually went into the properties and calculation methods of various geometric figures such as triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles.

And combined with actual cases, it explains how to use this knowledge to solve practical problems.

"For example, if we want to measure the width of a river, we can use the principle of similar triangles..."

As Zhu Tan spoke, he drew the corresponding figures on the ground and gave a detailed explanation.

The students were originally drowsy, but they immediately became alert after hearing this.

They imagined themselves standing by the river and using the geometry knowledge they had learned to measure the width of the river, which they found novel and interesting.

"For example, if we want to calculate the volume of a granary, we can use..."

Zhu Tan became more and more excited as he spoke, and the students became more and more fascinated as they listened. The originally empty and dull classroom was gradually filled with an atmosphere of seeking knowledge.

Even the book boy who was in charge of taking notes was so absorbed in listening that the brush in his hand stopped in mid-air and he forgot to put it down.

"Your Highness, can you really do what you said?"

A student couldn't help but ask, his tone full of curiosity and suspicion.

Zhu Tan smiled slightly. He knew that these children of the aristocratic families had been instilled with the idea that "everything is inferior, only reading is superior" since childhood.

I despise mathematics, a subject used by "craftsmen" from the bottom of my heart.

"Seeing is believing, hearing is not." Zhu Tan looked around and his eyes fell on Zhang Tieniu, who was standing in the corner with a look of admiration on his face. "Zhang Tieniu, what do you think?"

Zhang Tieniu scratched his head and thought for a long time before he finally uttered a sentence: "Your Highness is right, this is a learning, it is useful!"

This sentence caused everyone to burst into laughter. Zhang Tieniu's face turned even redder, and he wished he could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.

Zhu Tan waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, and said:
"Zhang Tieniu is right. Mathematics is indeed useful! Tomorrow morning, he will take you outside the city for a field exercise! Then, you will know how magical mathematics is!"

When the students heard this, they immediately became excited and started talking to each other.

"Your Highness, what are we going to see?"

"Are you going to see the city wall being repaired?"

"I heard there's a tower being built outside the city, how about we go and see it?"

Zhu Tan pressed his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet, and said with a smile:

"Zhang Tieniu will arrange tomorrow's trip, so just study hard!"

Zhu Tan walked out the door.

Then he pulled Zhang Tieniu to the door.

"Zhang Tieniu, I'll leave tomorrow's matters to you."

Zhu Tan poured Zhang Tieniu a cup of tea and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I will do my best..."

Zhang Tieniu took the teacup and responded in a panic. A few drops of scalding hot tea spilled on his hand, scalding him and making him shiver.

Zhu Tan smiled and shook his head, saying:
"Zhang Tieniu, when teaching students, don't just pursue the word 'awesome'."

Zhang Tieniu was stunned for a moment, and asked in confusion: "Your Highness, what does this mean?"

Zhu Tan put down the teacup and said seriously:

"You have to remember that mathematics is not a showmanship, but a practical science! You have to make them understand that mathematics is not a boring number game, but a tool that is closely related to their lives and can solve practical problems!"

Zhang Tieniu nodded as if he understood, and asked, "Then, Your Highness, what should I do?"

“You need to connect the knowledge in books with real life, and make those seemingly profound principles vivid and interesting in a way that they can understand and see clearly.”

"For example, for tomorrow's field trip, you can..."

Zhu Tan paused:
"You can take them to measure the width of the moat and let them practice by themselves how to use the principle of similar triangles to calculate the width of the river."

Zhang Tieniu was stunned. Although he was proficient in mathematics, he had no experience in teaching these spoiled children of aristocrats.

"Your Highness, this... is this okay?"

Zhang Tieniu asked hesitantly, "Those young masters are so delicate and tender, how can they handle those measuring tools?"

"What's so difficult about this?"

Seeing Zhang Tieniu's troubled expression, Zhu Tan knew that he was worried, so he smiled and comforted him:
"To put it bluntly, those measuring tools are just some sticks and ropes. They are much simpler than wielding swords and guns! You just need to show them how to use them, and they will learn it naturally."

"As for those young masters, you don't have to worry too much."

Zhu Tan patted Zhang Tieniu on the shoulder and said, "Although they are spoiled, they are not bad boys. Just teach them with all your heart, and they will understand your good intentions."

Zhang Tieniu felt a little relieved after receiving Zhu Tan's encouragement. Thinking of the care that His Highness had given him, he made up his mind and secretly resolved.

We must do tomorrow's work beautifully and live up to His Highness' expectations.

……

The next morning, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle, making it a perfect day for a trip.

The students gathered at the entrance of the academy early in the morning. They were all energetic and interested, and looked curiously at the various strange tools in Zhang Tieniu's hands.

These young masters, who usually lived a life of luxury, had never seen such a scene before and started talking about it at once.

"Master Zhang, what is that thing in your hand? It looks scary!"

"That's right, what can this lump of wood and this rope be used for?"

"Are they going to tie us up and throw us into the moat to feed the fish?"

Zhang Tieniu was so amused by these little ancestors' questions that he had to patiently explain them one by one:
"These are measuring tools, called 'square' and 'ruler', used to measure distance and angle. I will teach you how to use them tomorrow."

Although the students were confused, seeing that Zhang Tieniu was serious, they decided not to make jokes anymore.

I had to control my temper and followed him to the moat outside the city.

This moat is the protective barrier of Jinan Prefecture. The river is wide, the water flows rapidly, and willows on both sides of the river create beautiful scenery.

However, the students had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery at this time, and they were just complaining.

"Master Zhang, when can we go back? The sun is setting!"

"That's right. This math textbook is boring enough, and I have to come to this remote place to study. It's really a living hell!"

Zhang Tieniu turned a deaf ear to him, picked an open area, put the measuring tools in order, cleared his throat, and said loudly:

"My dear young masters, today I will teach you how to use the principle of similar triangles to measure the width of this moat!"

As he spoke, he began to explain how to use the square and plumb line to measure the distance and angle between two points, and use this to calculate the width of the river.

However, these young men, who usually only knew how to write poems and pretend to be cultured, could not understand these complicated calculation methods. They all felt sleepy and yawned.

"Master Zhang, what you said is too complicated. Can you explain it in a simpler way?"

"That's right. It's so confusing, angle and distance. I'm so confused. I'd better go back and read my Book of Poetry!"

The students began to get impatient and tried to slack off.

Zhang Tieniu couldn't help feeling annoyed when he saw this, but remembering Zhu Tan's instructions, he had to control his temper and patiently explain over and over again until the students could barely understand it.

However, understanding the principle does not mean that you can use it skillfully.

When the students actually started to do the hands-on work, problems arose again.

Some students are clumsy when measuring, and either measure the angle incorrectly or measure the distance incorrectly, and the results they obtain are far from the actual situation.

Some students were unwilling to do anything at all. They hid in the shade of trees to cool off, pushed the measurement work to other students, and stood by to point fingers and comment.

"Brother Li, you measured the angle wrong, no wonder the result is wrong!"

"Brother Wang, you too, the rope is not pulled straight enough, so the width of the river is naturally shorter!"

Zhang Tieniu looked at the group of students in front of him. They were all lazy and undisciplined, with no desire to learn. He couldn't help but feel discouraged and thought to himself:
"Your Highness, it's easy to say, but these little ancestors are not so easy to teach!" (End of this chapter)