Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 204 Just Like Young Students, Liu Bei's Seven Disciples (Seeking Follow-up and Monthly Tickets)
It is said that in literature there is no first place, but in martial arts there is no second.

Even though they were all Liu Bei's disciples, they would still compete with each other.

Liu Bei had already noticed the hint of dissatisfaction on Zhou Yu's face.

Sun Ce quickly tugged at Zhou Yu: "Gongjin, we are both beginners, let's get to know each other first before we have a match?"

Zhou Yu looked at Liu Bei with even more determination: "If we get to know each other before we compete, we won't be able to test each other's true abilities. Please allow me, Master."

Ambitious!
I like!
Liu Bei summoned a soldier in white feathers and instructed him to lead Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to the courtyard where Fa Zheng and the others were. He then said, "If you want to have a martial arts contest, you can seek out Ma Chao. If you want to have a literary contest, Fa Zheng, Zhuge Liang, and Liu Ba are all suitable. There's no need to compete with Cao Ang; his studies are somewhat unorthodox and he's not suited for a contest."

Of Liu Bei's five disciples, Ma Chao was single-mindedly focused on martial arts, always finding excuses whenever he wanted to study.

Fa Zheng, Zhuge Liang, and Liu Ba were all learned in a wide range of subjects, including Confucianism, law, and military strategy.

All three were exceptionally talented and young, so naturally none of them were willing to admit defeat to the others, and they all wanted to be number one in everything.

Cao Ang was the only one whose talent in martial arts was inferior to Ma Chao's, and whose talent in literature was inferior to Fa Zheng, Zhuge Liang, and Liu Ba's. Therefore, he did not compete with Ma Chao and Zhuge Liang.

Cao Ang preferred to learn unusual skills and ingenuity.

Liu Bei taught according to aptitude, and he knew that Cao Ang was not qualified to be a famous general or minister. Since he liked strange skills and crafts, it was not a bad idea to let Cao Ang devote himself to engineering.

Therefore.

Liu Bei then found a large number of books related to strange skills and tricks for Cao Ang, and also gave Cao Ang two research topics.

The first task is: how to print text onto paper in batches.

The second topic is: how to make paper suitable for writing and printing.

Liu Bei had already sent Bi Lan in Chang'an to lead research and experiments on printing and papermaking improvements, and the books he gave to Cao Ang also included summaries of Bi Lan's research and experiments.

Although Liu Bei's personal involvement in the research could have brought printing and papermaking improvements to fruition earlier, he was, after all, a great general bearing the heavy responsibility of the nation, and could not truly become a scientific researcher.

Since Cao Ang had this interest, Liu Bei naturally had to pave the way for his protégé.

We can't wait until later generations evaluate Liu Bei's disciples and ask: How did Cao Ang become a disciple?
Liu Bei also had his pride.

Now that we've accepted Cao Ang as our disciple, whatever our purpose may be, we must ensure that Cao Ang performs exceptionally well.

In the neighboring courtyard.

Cao Ang was studying the herringbone gear that had just been delivered from Chang'an in the corner.

Herringbone gears appeared as early as the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The south-pointing chariot and the odometer cart of the late Three Kingdoms period also adopted gear transmission systems. The water-powered mill invented by Du Yu transmitted the power of the water wheel to the stone mill through gears.

However, because these unusual skills and tricks are not tolerated by mainstream academia and are often looked down upon, and because Bi Lan had only done so to please Liu Hong, it was difficult for both to inherit and learn them.

After Liu Bei came to power, he organized all the existing books on engineering in the Eastern Pavilion and found more than 300 related books in Cai Yong's collection, which he ordered to be copied and organized.

If it weren't for the fact that Liu Bei was only copying the text instead of taking it directly, Cai Yong would never have agreed: "I spent so many years collecting over three hundred volumes, and you're just going to pack it up and take it away for me?"

Human potential is limitless. As long as talented individuals are willing to study, and those in power support and guide the world to respect technology, science and technology will unleash unprecedented power.

While Cao Ang was studying it, Zhuge Liang also came closer to examine the newly delivered herringbone gear. Compared to the previous herringbone gears, the new herringbone gear delivered from Chang'an was clearly more exquisite.

Fa Zheng and Liu Ba were arguing about the law. Fa Zheng insisted that the emperor should be punished the same as the common people, while Liu Ba insisted that the law should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. He even gave an example: if Liu Bei ordered that anyone who trampled on a wheat field should be sentenced to death, and Liu Bei trampled on the wheat field because his warhorse was startled, should Liu Bei be sentenced to death or be exempted from punishment?
Fa Zheng, however, believed that Liu Ba was distorting the law. He argued that the death penalty for trampling on wheat fields was not in accordance with sentencing standards. If Liu Bei had issued such an order, Liu Bei should be punished for speaking falsely, rather than enforcing such an unreasonable law that punishes those who trample on wheat fields with death.

Liu Ba also believes that Fa Zheng is resorting to sophistry.

The two argued for half an hour without reaching a conclusion.

Ma Chao, with his hands supporting his chin, stared blankly at the Thirty-Six Stratagems before him, finding them utterly incomprehensible.

For example, the Empty City Stratagem describes a strategy where, when outnumbered and lacking in military preparedness, one deliberately signals to others that there are no troops, creating a false impression for the enemy and thus frightening them into retreating.

However, Ma Chao thought: So what if the enemy outnumbers us? The Imperial Uncle's 20,000 Lingyan Army defeated hundreds of thousands of rebels. In this situation, why use the Empty City Stratagem? Shouldn't we just charge in and take the general's head?

While I was thinking.

Suddenly, two people walked in through the door; it was Sun Ce and Zhou Yu.

Upon seeing Sun Ce, Ma Chao's eyes lit up instantly. He stood up and shouted, "Hey you on the left, who are you? How dare you trespass here?"

Before Sun Ce could speak, Ma Chao grabbed a spear and threw it at him, shouting, "Don't say I didn't give you a chance. If you beat me, I won't pursue the matter; if you lose, I'll accuse you of trespassing and arrest you."

Sun Ce caught the spear, his eyes filled with suspicion as he looked at Ma Chao: Who is this guy, so arrogant? He even wants to arrest me and take me to see the officials? This is the General's mansion, what officials are you talking about?

Suddenly, Sun Ce remembered Liu Bei's words, "If you want to have a duel, you can seek out Ma Chao," and became excited: "You are Ma Chao of Fufeng? I've heard that your martial arts are quite impressive, and I've long wanted to test my skills. I am Sun Ce of Wu Commandery, dare you fight me for three hundred rounds!"

Ma Chao laughed loudly: "I'm afraid you won't even last three rounds! If you can't use your skills here, come with me!"

Sun Ce patted Zhou Yu on the shoulder and said, "Gongjin, I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to test Ma Chao's martial arts skills!"

Zhou Yu nodded, glanced at the people in the courtyard, and saw that Cao Ang was tinkering with herringbone gears with his head down and did not look up, while Fa Zheng, Zhuge Liang and Liu Ba were looking at him with a scrutinizing expression.

He then bowed and said, “I am Zhou Yu from Lujiang, courtesy name Gongjin. Greetings. My father’s name was Yi, and he was once the magistrate of Luoyang; my uncle’s name was Zhong, and he was the Grand Minister of Agriculture; my great-grandfather’s name was Jing, and he rose to the position of Grand Commandant; my great-grandfather’s name was Xing, and he rose to the position of Gentleman of the Palace; my great-great-grandfather’s name was Rong, and he served as the Minister of the Palace during the reigns of Emperor Zhang and Emperor He.”

Zhou Yu's unique self-introduction made even Cao Ang, who was tinkering with herringbone gears, look up.

Is this someone flaunting their family background?
Liu Ba was the first to be furious. He cupped his hands in return and said, "Liu Ba of Lingling, courtesy name Zichu, my father's name is Xiang, the Prefect of Henan!"

Fa Zheng then returned the greeting, saying, "Fa Zheng of Fufeng, courtesy name Xiaozhi, my ancestor's name was Zhen, and his title was 'Master Xuande'."

Cao Ang glanced at it, returned the greeting, and then lowered his head to continue tinkering with the herringbone gear.

Zhou Yu's gaze fell on Zhuge Liang again, only to see Zhuge Liang smile calmly and return the greeting, saying, "Zhuge Liang of Langya, courtesy name Kongming. I am just a humble villager from Langya, please excuse my poor appearance."

(The courtesy name is for convenience in writing; there's no need to delve into the details of adding a cap.)
Liu Ba and Fa Zheng both looked at Zhuge Liang in astonishment.

A country bumpkin?

Is your introduction really appropriate?

After a moment's thought, the two sat down again, abandoning their idea of ​​competing with Zhou Yu.

The two, who had just been arguing heatedly about a law, were now huddled together like inseparable best buddies.

"Between the descendants of high-ranking officials and the commoner, who is superior?"

"What do you mean by being born into a noble family? He was related to his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His father was just the magistrate of Luoyang; in fact, he was not much different from Zhuge Liang's father."

"There are still some differences. The Prefect of Taishan County is a clerk, while the Magistrate of Luoyang is an official."

"Let's not discuss that. I just want to see if this high-ranking official can surpass Kongming."

"I doubt it, unless Kongming concedes defeat to this man and chooses to attack his strengths with his weaknesses." Fa Zheng and Liu Ba seemed to be whispering to each other, but their voices were actually quite loud. Hearing this, Zhou Yu's competitive spirit was greatly aroused, and he invited, "Would you like to have a match with me?"

Zhuge Liang rested his chin on his hand and carefully observed Zhou Yu for a while, then said, "Often, talented people from Luoyang come to our door to exchange skills, and out of courtesy, I should yield to them. However, your status is extraordinary, so I cannot yield to you today."

Zhou Yu's neck immediately turned red.

Zhou Yu was sixteen years old this year, while Zhuge Liang was only ten. Being told "not to be modest" by a boy six years younger than himself was even more upsetting than what Fa Zheng and Liu Ba had said.

Fa Zheng and Liu Ba were clearly instigating, and Zhuge Liang directly responded with "words as sharp as knives."

"Compared to what?"

"You come to our door, you choose."

"Alright, let's start with a contest of poetry and calligraphy."

"please!"

Meanwhile, in the separate courtyard.

Sun Ce and Ma Chao had already started fighting.

Although both were teenagers, they were both naturally strong.

Both being descendants of valiant generals, they immediately sensed each other's extraordinary abilities upon their first encounter.

"He has some strength."

"You're not bad either."

Both men stared intently, guns in hand, circling each other searching for an opening.

A moment later, they charged forward like tigers, their moves fierce and menacing.

"Have you been on the battlefield?"

The two of them spoke up and asked at the same time.

The most direct difference between those who have been on the battlefield and those who haven't is the difference between tricks and real skills.

In sparring matches, the goal is never to kill the opponent, so they often use tricks to confuse them; on the battlefield, the aim is to kill with a single blow, so it is basically a contest of strength and skill, and they use ruthless methods to kill the enemy in actual combat.

"Then put on your armor!"

"Exactly what I want!"

Once you're wearing armor, you can use your killing moves.

Just as the two were getting into the swing of their match, a burly man with a fierce face stood to the side.

Two tigers fighting can easily result in injury, and Liu Bei was also afraid that if the two got into a fight, no one would stop them, so he asked Dian Wei to watch the fight from the sidelines.

Even if the two fought together, they couldn't defeat Dian Wei, let alone just try to break up the fight.

Liu Bei went to a nearby pavilion, where he could see the contest between Ma Chao and Sun Ce, and hear the contest between Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu.

"Uncle, what do you think of Sun Ce's martial arts skills?" Liu Bei asked Chen Dao with great interest.

Chen Dao's gaze was deep. After observing the battle for a moment, he asked, "Can we join the White Feather Army?"

Liu Bei laughed loudly: "Shuzhi, isn't it a waste to let Sun Ce join the White Feather Army?"

Chen Dao shook his head: "If I lead the charge, I will be unable to protect our lord; if I protect our lord, the White Feather Soldiers will lose their edge. In the past, Commandant Zhao was the spearhead, but now Commandant Zhao is leading the army alone. The White Feather Soldiers have shields but no spears, making it difficult for them to exert their strongest fighting power."

Liu Bei slightly composed himself: "Your words have reminded me that the White Feather Army does indeed need a spearhead."

The White Feather Soldiers of today are heavy cavalry, not simply heavy infantry.

If it were just heavy infantry, Chen Dao would be enough as a shield. However, warhorses gave heavy infantry the legs to charge. Without fierce generals as spearmen, it would indeed be difficult to unleash the full potential of the White Feather Soldiers.

"Send a signal to have the two of them fight on horseback, both of them wearing warhorses with horse armor." Liu Bei intended to observe Sun Ce's horsemanship skills to determine the future direction of Sun Ce's training.

During this period, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang had already held six consecutive matches in the courtyard.

Although they had their wins and losses, Zhou Yu was increasingly surprised as the competition progressed. He was actually only tied with a boy who was six years younger than him.
Just as Zhou Yu was about to continue with the competition, Liu Ba couldn't stand it any longer: "Zhou Yu, how about I set the questions this time? Let's have a competition based on the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, a test of calculation ability. Whoever solves the problem first wins, how about that?"

“Alright! You set the questions; I’ve never lost a contest of computing power,” Zhou Yu proudly agreed.

Zhuge Liang paused for a moment, then nodded.

Liu Bei, in the attic, covered his forehead and said, "Liu Ba is trying to trick Zhou Yu. What Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art? You're just taking advantage of Zhou Yu's lack of knowledge of numerical simplification."

The biggest advantage of Arabic numerals is that they are easy to write and easy to read.

If two people with similar computing abilities perform calculations simultaneously, the person who has learned Arabic numerals will have a better instantaneous memory and logical reaction.

Just as Liu Bei had predicted.

Liu Ba immediately started with the "chicken and rabbit in the same cage" problem: There are a number of chickens and rabbits. They have a total of 88 heads and 244 feet. How many chickens and rabbits are there?

The "chicken and rabbit in the same cage" problem already had a solution method in the Han Dynasty, so Zhou Yu naturally knew the solution approach as well.

However, Zhuge Liang had the advantage of instant memory and logical thinking with Arabic numerals, and answered directly before Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu stared at Zhuge Liang in astonishment, not understanding why Zhuge Liang's calculation speed was twice as fast as his own!
If it were a battle between two armies, Zhuge Liang would have already finished deploying his troops while Zhou Yu was only halfway through. There was no way Zhou Yu could win!
"I took a shortcut and yielded."

Zhuge Liang was not arrogant and frankly admitted that the reason for his trickery was that he used Arabic numerals to simplify the numbers during the calculation.

When faced with Zhou Yu's questions, he frankly admitted that the Arabic numerals were taught to him by Liu Bei and were specifically used for simplifying numbers.

Losing is losing, and Zhou Yu is not a sore loser. He cupped his hands and bowed to Zhuge Liang, saying, "Zhou Yu from Lujiang greets Senior Brother Zhuge."

Senior brother?

Fa Zheng and Liu Ba both looked at Zhou Yu in astonishment, and Cao Ang also looked up in surprise.

Zhuge Liang returned the greeting and said, "I had already guessed it, which is why I didn't stop Junior Brother Liu from posing a question to test our calculation skills. If I had lost, it would have made my master lose face."

Zhou Yu laughed and said, "My family's teachings are different from yours. If we are to truly discuss fairness, we must abandon our family traditions, otherwise it would be an unfair victory. I have lost today's contest, and I hope that Senior Brother Zhuge will correct me in the future."

Zhou Yu then apologized to Fa Zheng, Liu Ba, and Cao Ang, saying, "I intended to have a competition, so I asked my master not to inform me beforehand. Please forgive my rudeness just now!"

(End of this chapter)