Chapter 0095: Xie Chengze Sweeps the Room, Xie Chengze Offers Earnest Advice
“The first stomach has a large capacity, capable of storing amounts that ordinary beings cannot, occasionally regurgitating to review and gain new insights; the second stomach resembles a honeycomb sieve, extracting the essence while discarding the dross, and making room in the first stomach for new material; the third stomach absorbs moisture, integrating and refining digestion; while the fourth stomach thoroughly digests, assimilating it into the body for one’s own use.”
“In this prince’s eyes, cattle are creatures of exceptional memory, their minds capable of holding countless books, constantly ruminating on their meanings, reviewing the old to understand the new. Yet in Third Young Master’s view, cattle have instead become unteachable mediocrities. Is it that this prince’s interpretation is mistaken, or is Third Young Master’s perspective narrow, only glimpsing the vulgar surface meaning, hardly worthy of the reputation of a Su Manor talent?”
Su Wenhao stood frozen in place, flushed with embarrassment. “Your subject…”
“Oh.” Xie Chengze spread his small hands and continued, “Or perhaps, you all knew perfectly well but deliberately took only the dregs, omitting the essence, simply to humiliate this prince. Such petty behavior would make even someone of shallow learning like myself laugh in contempt.”
Su Wenhao was left speechless by the retort.
Everyone at the dining table covered their faces and chuckled, as if mocking him—a direct descendant—for losing to the mediocre Second Prince. His father’s disappointed gaze and his eldest brother’s disdainful shake of the head pierced him like countless needles, making him realize for the first time that this was the kind of scrutiny Su Qinghe endured daily while living in the manor.
How could he bear it for even a moment? How had Su Qinghe endured it?
Was it because Su Qinghe was inherently mediocre, while he prided himself as the second most talented in the Su Manor?
Yet he couldn’t even out-argue the Second Prince.
He never expected the Second Prince to be so eloquent. Moreover, he had to admit that Xie Chengze was right.
Regarding the principle of cattle rumination, the Second Prince indeed had profound insights, offering a refreshing perspective that made Su Wenhao willingly concede defeat.
Even though the Second Prince was usually arrogant and untalented, today he delivered a sobering blow, making Su Wenhao understand the true meaning behind the saying, “When three walk together, there must be a teacher among them.”
Eyes slightly reddening, Su Wenhao stood up, raised his hands, and bowed deeply. “Today, Your Highness’s stern teachings have enlightened Wenhao. I shall return to study further and will not join the meal.”
With that, he fought back the tears in his eyes and fled the main hall under the weight of those varied stares.
Xie Chengze rubbed his small nose. “How did I manage to talk him into running away? I hadn’t even used thirty percent of my strength. But I must say, Scholar Su, your pre-meal discussions are quite interesting. This is my first time participating, and I truly enjoyed it.”
Seemingly still craving more, he turned to Su Haichao, who shuddered and lowered his gaze, refusing to meet his eyes.
He then looked at the others seated around the table, all of whom lowered their heads, eyes fixed on their noses or hearts, not daring to utter a word.
He glanced at Su Zhongyue, who quickly looked toward the door, stroking his beard and saying, “Why hasn’t breakfast arrived yet? The Second Prince is starving—someone hurry and check on it!”
Xie Chengze sighed with a hint of disappointment.
“Your Highness, would you like some pastries to tide you over?” Su Qinghe patted the red sandalwood food box on his lap, concerned that Xie Chengze had arrived so early without eating.
“Hehe, yes~” Upon hearing there were pastries, Xie Chengze immediately broke into a bright smile, lowering his head to peek at the red sandalwood food box.
Seeing the undisguised delight on the handsome youth’s face, Su Qinghe felt his heart soften, his features unconsciously gentling. He set the lid of the food container aside and arranged the white jade dishes one by one on the dining table. “The Su Family does not prioritize culinary indulgence, so our kitchen fare tends to be light and simple. I fear Your Highness may find it unpalatable. Next time you visit, it would be best to eat something beforehand.”
Xie Chengze nodded obediently. “Alright.”
Su Zhongyue and Su Haichao: …
What’s wrong with light and simple! As refined scholars, one should prioritize diligent study above all, keeping company with books and building upon scholarly foundations to honor one’s youth and bring glory to the family. How can one indulge in mere sensual pleasures!
But wait—the person Su Qinghe had invited was actually the Second Prince?
When did their relationship become so close? Previously, when the Second Prince kept delivering letters, didn’t Su Qinghe claim illness to avoid going out?
Breakfast was served, and the main hall fell into temporary silence. Everyone observed the rule of not speaking during meals, eating slowly and deliberately. Only when they were seventy percent full did they bow and withdraw to continue their studies in the study.
Eventually, only Su Zhongyue, Su Qinghe, and Xie Chengze remained in the main hall.
After finishing his meal, Xie Chengze wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. “Does Academician Su have matters to attend to later?”
Uncertain of Xie Chengze’s intentions, Su Zhongyue replied cautiously, “There are indeed some matters awaiting handling…”
“Well, no matter. This prince has always been straightforward,” Xie Chengze said rapidly. “My visit to the Su residence today is to discuss the way of Arithmetic Studies with Academician Su. I’ve heard the Xiongnu’s weapons are so refined that they nearly trapped our border troops in desperate situations. Had Prime Minister Li not intervened in time, who knows how many more families in Jian’an would have been torn apart by tragedy.”
He glanced at Su Zhongyue, maintaining his rapid pace. “The Ministry of Works has long been in decline, with skilled craftsmen dwindling. Only a few elderly officials remain—experienced but unable to innovate—leading to the gradual deterioration of Jian’an’s military equipment. This has left us utterly helpless against the Xiongnu border threats.”
After pondering for a moment, Su Zhongyue understood. “If Your Highness believes Arithmetic Studies is closely related to the Ministry of Works, why not submit a memorial to His Majesty? What use is discussing it with your humble official?”
Xie Chengze smiled cheerfully. “This prince has long heard that the Su Family are true distinguished nobles, having consistently supplied talents to the court since ancient times, assisting the emperor in resolving difficulties and conveying principles for governing the nation.”
Su Zhongyue nodded. “Indeed, that is true.”
“Earlier, I heard Young Master Su explain ‘remaining neutral without bias,’ particularly the line stating, ‘As officials, we should consider all interests without being swayed by personal gain, implementing beneficial policies.'”
“If there were a matter that benefits the nation above and the people below, but required Academician Su to join forces with the Hanlin Academy’s worthies to advocate for it, could Academician Su, with an impartial heart, devise sound strategies for His Majesty and collaborate in this grand endeavor?” Xie Chengze raised his eyebrows slightly as he asked.
“This…” Su Zhongyue finally caught the underlying meaning. “Your Highness wants your humble official to propose promoting Arithmetic Studies throughout the land?”
Xie Chengze smiled faintly. “Precisely.”
“This…” Su Zhongyue frowned slightly.
Su Zhongyue was unwilling.
If Arithmetic Studies were widely promoted, it would inevitably give rise to many new influential families. Literature and arithmetic coexisting in society would be no different from having various officials check and balance each other in court. By then, the Su Family would be constrained from multiple sides, making it difficult to maintain their sole dominance in the Hanlin Academy.
The Su Family’s accumulated prestige over generations would gradually decline, and it would be hard to restore the past era when their call summoned hundreds to respond.
At this thought, Su Zhongyue’s heart sank. “The study of mathematics remains a niche discipline, primarily applied to celestial calculations. If the Ministry of Works lacks talent, why not broaden recruitment to enlist new scholars to study this art? Must we enforce its promotion to the extent of reigniting imperial examination controversies and disturbing court stability?”
“How could a handful of individuals innovate and master mathematical principles? Moreover, mathematics has extensive applications far beyond military affairs.” Xie Chengze shook his head. “Our vast Jian’an empire spans all directions, yet the hardships of the people persist like spring weeds growing endlessly, or like crop pests appearing in myriad forms. Today we might harness mathematics’s illumination to pioneer new solutions. We ought to prepare for rainy days—neither repeating former dynasties’ failures nor allowing the path of public welfare to stagnate.”
His voice gradually rose, ringing with conviction: “This crown prince fully recognizes the difficulties of implementation, but should we retreat before challenges? Academician Su just endorsed impartial neutrality—considering all interests without personal bias, implementing benevolent policies for the people. Is this not so?”
Su Qinghe now spoke in persuasion: “Father, I believe His Highness makes a valid point. If it benefits the people, what harm is there in trying?”
Su Zhongyue waved a hand, his brow deeply furrowed as he issued a dismissal. “Let us postpone this discussion. Your Highness, this humble official has urgent matters to attend and must beg your pardon without seeing you out.”
“Father!” Su Qinghe hurried forward to grasp his father’s sleeve, but froze instantly under Su Zhongyue’s sharp, piercing gaze.
“Didn’t you make an appointment with Miss Sheng? It’s growing late—don’t keep people waiting.” Su Zhongyue’s tone carried subtle warning.
Yet Su Qinghe had never made any appointment with Sheng Yiren.