Chapter 5: Feeling the Oppressive Weight of Data!

Qin Feng’s calculations were undoubtedly impressive, yet the practical value of mastering arithmetic seemed trivial in the eyes of many.

Zhu Di, however, voiced the very doubts lingering in everyone’s hearts.

Old Zhu chuckled inwardly as he saw Zhu Di boldly challenge Qin Feng: “Well done! The Fourth Prince’s retort was quite sharp!”

But before Qin Feng, Old Zhu put on a stern expression and roared at Zhu Di, “Fourth Prince, how dare you disrespect the scholar I invited? Apologize to him at once!”

Zhu Di, expressionless, cupped his fists and replied, “Your servant is not at fault; I was merely seeking the scholar’s guidance.”

“You little brat!” Old Zhu shot a glare at Zhu Di, then turned to Qin Feng with a forced smile, “Please forgive my fourth son’s lack of discipline; I beg you not to hold it against him.”

Qin Feng smiled and said, “It seems, Your Highness the Prince of Yan, that you are not particularly interested in arithmetic.”

“If he doesn’t wish to be my student, that’s fine; the loss is his, not mine.”

“Teaching one less student won’t reduce my monthly stipend by a single coin—it will make things easier for me.”

Displeasure was written all over Zhu Di’s face as he scoffed, “Master, you have yet to answer my question. Can mastering arithmetic really help govern a family, a country, or bring peace to the world?”

Confucian culture had been passed down for a thousand years and held an unshakable status. To scholars, it was an essential discipline for governing wisely, while arithmetic was dismissed by Confucians as nothing more than trivial tricks unworthy of serious consideration.

Zhu Di’s question echoed the doubts shared by all the princes.

Old Zhu had arranged for them to be taught by Song Lian, a great Confucian scholar from an illustrious family, to impart the ways of governance through Confucian teachings.

Yet now, they had been assigned a mathematics teacher as well—what could be the meaning behind this?

All eyes of the princes fixed on Qin Feng.

If Qin Feng could not answer clearly, he would only embarrass himself before Old Zhu.

The question Zhu Di raised was not only on the minds of the princes but was also what Old Zhu hoped Qin Feng could elucidate.

From the simple arithmetic problem just posed, it was clear that Qin Feng possessed profound skills in the subject.

But the question remained: what practical benefits would mastering arithmetic bring to ruling the country?

“Since Your Highness the Prince of Yan asks with sincerity, I shall graciously enlighten you.”

“Your Majesty, please prepare ink, paper, brushes, and an inkstone—I will speak with numbers.”

“Today, I shall give them a free lesson!”

Old Zhu called out to Wang Jinghong, “Quick, prepare the writing tools for the scholar!”

Though Qin Feng’s words carried a touch of arrogance, Old Zhu was eager to witness his true ability.

After all, he was from over six hundred years in the future and would inevitably face skepticism.

If he could not withstand such doubts, how could he lead the Ming Dynasty to a glorious era?

Once the ink, paper, brushes, and inkstone were arranged on the table, the princes gathered around, awaiting Qin Feng’s explanation of arithmetic’s usefulness.

“Your Majesty, do you currently have thirteen sons?”

Old Zhu nodded.

It was not surprising that a man from the future would know how many children he had.

“Your Majesty, have you recently established the salaries for the royal family? Princes receive fifty thousand shi of grain, and dukes receive eight thousand shi?”

Old Zhu nodded again. “The decree has just been issued. Do you find something amiss, scholar?”

Qin Feng did not answer but continued, “Your Majesty, does the Ming Dynasty’s annual revenue amount to about twenty million shi of grain?”

Old Zhu’s expression changed; the annual revenue of the Ming court was a closely guarded secret.

Aside from himself and the Secretariat, who else could possibly know such confidential information?

Now that Qin Feng could reveal state secrets, there was only one explanation: this man truly hailed from over six centuries in the future!

Zhu Di grew impatient, frowning as he asked, “What are you trying to prove by asking these questions?”

Qin Feng smiled, “Prince of Yan, be patient. You will soon understand the importance of arithmetic.”

He began to record these figures on the pristine white rice paper.

“Very well, with all conditions met, let us begin the calculations.”

“We will take Your Majesty’s children as variables and the salaries you set as constants.”

“How much salary is required to support all the princes of the Ming?”

Zhu Di snapped, “Do you take us for fools? Aside from the eldest who inherits the throne, there are twelve princes to support—sixty thousand shi of grain annually.”

Qin Feng applauded, “Prince of Yan, you have quite the talent for arithmetic! But what about one hundred years from now? How much salary will it take to support all the royal kin?”

Zhu Di was stunned.

The problem had suddenly escalated a hundredfold—from a simple arithmetic question to a projection challenge.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Di said, “The number of princes will change over time; it cannot be calculated precisely.”

Qin Feng replied, “Since you cannot figure it out, allow me to demonstrate.”

“Assuming each generation of princes and dukes has three children, with a generation spanning twenty years, one hundred years equals five generations.”

“First generation: twelve royal kin.”

“Second generation: thirty-six royal kin.”

“Third generation: one hundred eight royal kin.”

“Fourth generation: three hundred twenty-four royal kin.”

“Fifth generation: nine hundred seventy-two royal kin.”

As Qin Feng enumerated the ever-increasing number of royal kin, the princes gradually felt the crushing weight of these figures.

Their expressions turned to shock and disbelief.

Even Old Zhu’s eyes widened, his mind momentarily stunned as if struck by lightning.

The calculations were terrifying to contemplate.

No matter how poor a mathematician he was, the meaning behind the numbers was unmistakable.

Seeing the princes dumbfounded, Qin Feng smiled and added, “These figures do not even account for princesses and other royal relatives.”

“Nor do they consider some princes and dukes who died young without offspring.”

“Even excluding these factors, in just one hundred years, the Ming royal kin will number over a thousand!”

“With so many royal kin, even if all were paid at the duke’s salary level, it would consume nearly half of the Ming Dynasty’s annual revenue.”

“And this is only after a century. What about after two hundred years? Three hundred years?”

After hearing Qin Feng’s words, Old Zhu wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

If future generations really distributed salaries according to the decree he had issued, what would become of the Ming?

Would it not lead the dynasty to an abyss of ruin from which there was no return?

Sensing Qin Feng’s far-reaching insight, Zhu Di quickly cupped his fists, “I am enlightened, Master!”

“What I just demonstrated was the simplest quantitative projection using arithmetic. There is still much more for you to learn.”

With that, Qin Feng reclined back on the bed, picked up a piece of pastry, and took a bite.

He glanced casually at the princes and asked, “Now, is there anyone who still does not want to attend my lessons?”