My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

Under Li Zhiwei's leadership.

Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian soon arrived at a pavilion.

The pavilion is in a relatively secluded location, standing by the water, with bamboo shadows swaying gently all around. Compared to the bustling atmosphere of the article ranking area, it is noticeably quieter here.

Upon reaching the door, Li Zhiwei first composed herself before raising her hand and gently knocking.

"Master, you are perceptive and seek my insight!"

As Li Zhiwei's voice faded.

A slightly aged but quite steady voice soon came from inside.

"Enter!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei slowly pushed the door open and then led Jiang Xiaobai inside.

As soon as the door opened, the scene inside came into view.

The attic was decorated in a very simple manner.

By the window, there was a large table piled high with account books, papers, and various bamboo rulers and counting rods.

Behind the table, an old man sat upright, one hand constantly filling in the grid, the other holding a brush, writing on the paper.

The old man had gray hair and beard, but he looked very energetic.

Especially his eyes, although they were somewhat clouded by the passage of time, his gaze was still very sharp.

Jiang Xiaobai hadn't paid any attention at first, but after glancing at the table, his expression shifted slightly.

Because what the old man listed on the paper was all numerical calculations.

However, the Arabic numerals used in this world are clearly not the ones he was familiar with from his previous life.

All the numbers were listed one by one in words, then calculated layer by layer, and finally summarized.

At first glance, it appears incredibly complicated.

That's why the old man was writing with such focus that he didn't even look up immediately after they came in.

Seeing this, Li Zhiwei didn't dare to make a sound and could only stand there for a while. Then she turned her head and whispered to Jiang Xiaobai, "This is Master Song."

"Within the Imperial Academy, Master Song's mathematical skills were first-rate."

"Moreover, in addition to teaching students here, Master Song also served as an official in the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the national treasury!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flickered slightly.

The national treasury?

Then this identity is quite extraordinary.

A person who can manage the national treasury is, at the very least, someone the Emperor can absolutely trust.

But why did Li Zhiwei bring him here?

Just as she thought of this, Li Zhiwei spoke up: "Sister Qin'er, you are Master Song's teaching assistant!"

"I see!"

While surprised, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but glance at the contents of the paper a few more times.

Soon, the numbers and their relationships of addition and subtraction were quickly reviewed in his mind.

The next moment, Jiang Xiaobai slowly said, "No need to calculate, the total is three thousand seven hundred and sixty-three."

These words were spoken.

The old man sitting at the table paused noticeably when he put his brush down.

Li Zhiwei was startled on the spot.

She clearly hadn't expected Jiang Xiaobai to suddenly speak up at this moment.

Moreover, they directly interrupted Master Song's calculations.

This……

Isn't this just reckless?

Li Zhiwei's heart tightened instantly, and she quickly said, "I'm sorry, Master!"

"He...he was just talking nonsense, please don't take it personally!"

Yes.

In Li Zhiwei's view, Jiang Xiaobai had only glanced at it twice.

They probably won't even be able to read all the contents on the paper.

How could you just report the total number directly?

At this moment, Master Song also raised his head, his slightly aged eyes slowly falling on Jiang Xiaobai, and his brows furrowed slightly.

His expression clearly showed a hint of displeasure.

He disliked others interrupting him when he was making calculations.

Especially those interruptions who barely look at something before casually rattling off numbers.

However, Master Song did not react on the spot. He simply glanced coldly at Jiang Xiaobai before lowering his head again, picking up his pen, and continuing to write.

Seeing this, Li Zhiwei finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, and after seeing Master Song continue his calculations, he simply shook his head and said nothing more.

The room fell silent once again.

Only the scratching sound of the pen tip falling on the paper continued to ring out.

Li Zhiwei stood to the side, glancing at Jiang Xiaobai every now and then, her clear eyes carrying a hint of helplessness.

This guy...

They just made such a big commotion outside.

As soon as she came in, this happened again.

However, at this moment, Master Song, who had been writing continuously at his desk, suddenly slowed down his movements little by little.

Finally, the calligraphy brush stopped abruptly in mid-air.

Ok?

Li Zhiwei sensed something was wrong and couldn't help but glance at the paper.

Upon seeing that, her eyes widened instantly.

Because at this moment, the final number listed on the paper was exactly three thousand seven hundred and sixty-three!

For a moment, Li Zhiwei was completely stunned.

She first looked at the results on the paper, then looked up at Jiang Xiaobai.

His expression was filled with unconcealable astonishment and disbelief.

Yes.

It actually worked...?

But how is that possible?

From the moment Jiang Xiaobai entered until he spoke, it was barely a moment.

Moreover, he didn't even sit down; he just stood to the side, glanced around casually, and then directly stated the total.

This……

Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?

At this moment, the most shocked person was obviously Master Song himself.

He lowered his head, staring at the result he had calculated himself on the paper, his gaze visibly frozen for a moment.

Then, Master Song slowly raised his head and looked at Jiang Xiaobai again.

This time, the displeasure in his eyes had completely disappeared, replaced by a profound shock.

Jiang Xiaobai has been gone for less than half a cup of tea since he entered the room.

I only glanced at it.

Just a glance!

So you can see the final total directly?

How is that possible?

You should know that what he just calculated was not the kind of simple number that can be obtained easily.

It is an account that needs to be added up layer by layer and then integrated.

For an ordinary student, let alone taking a glance, even if given the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they might not be able to figure it out.

But this young man in front of me... actually blurted it out?

The room fell into an eerie silence once again.

After a long while, Master Song slowly put down his brush, then looked directly at Jiang Xiaobai and asked, "Did you calculate that just now?"

"Yes."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

"Have you studied arithmetic?"

Master Song spoke again.

"I've learned a little bit."

A little bit?

Is it possible to see the result at a glance, even with just a little bit of information?

Therefore, Master Song did not believe Jiang Xiaobai's words.

"Young man, come here."

These words were spoken.

Li Zhiwei's expression shifted slightly.

She knew very well that Master Song was a meticulous person who could not tolerate the slightest falsehood.

But at this moment, the other party not only did not get angry, but also took the initiative to let Jiang Xiaobai step forward.

This is enough to show that... Master Song has truly developed an interest in Jiang Xiaobai.

Thinking of this, a strange light appeared in Li Zhiwei's clear eyes once again.

Jiang Xiaobai did not hesitate and walked over directly.

Approaching the desk, Master Song took out another sheet of paper, covering the final total as he said, "This one, calculate the total..."

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at it and said, "Oh, this one is even simpler, two thousand eight..."