My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 157 Establishment Law

Huang Ji paced back and forth in front of Su Ze's residence several times, unable to make up his mind to enter.

Meanwhile, in Su Ze's study.

Zhao Lingxian was immersed in happiness after her marriage.

The marriage attracted attention in the capital, and when Zhao Lingxian returned to her parents' home, she was envied by her family members.

Her husband doted on her, and from the moment she married him, she became the mistress of the house.

Originally, the Zhao family had carefully selected several maids and servants to accompany them to the wedding in the small courtyard.

Later, upon hearing that Su Ze had been bestowed a luxurious mansion by the emperor, Zhao Zhenji hurriedly selected a large number of capable servants to accompany her in her dowry.

These were all servants of the Zhao family, so naturally they listened to and obeyed Zhao Lingxian.

Su Zecheng only had one advisor, Xu Wei, before his marriage, so Zhao Lingxian quickly took over the household management after the marriage.

However, the mansion is too big, requiring a large number of maids and servants, and the fixed monthly expenses are also a huge amount.

When Zhao Lingxian showed the family accounts to Su Ze, Su Ze sighed, saying that not everyone can live in luxury houses and cars, and the maintenance costs are a huge sum.

Thanks to the dowry Zhao Lingxian brought, she was able to make ends meet by supplementing the income from the estates and properties she brought with her.

Su Ze was considering whether to invest in his good disciple Xiao Pangjun's business, or to find some ways to make money for his own shop, but he didn't have any good ideas at the moment.

Of course, Zhao Lingxian also had her troubles in this married life.

As a lady from a prominent family, she was quite averse to doing that kind of thing during the day.

But being newlyweds, she couldn't resist Su Ze's persistent pleading and always gave in to her husband's advances, half-heartedly.

Yesterday, Zhao Lingxian made up her mind and spent the whole day with her personal maid, not giving Su Ze a single opportunity.

Unexpectedly, early this morning, Su Ze begged her again, saying he wanted to experience "adding fragrance to the red sleeves and copying the Jin Dynasty calligraphy", thus tricking Zhao Lingxian into going to the study.

Zhao Lingxian came from a scholarly family, so she knew that the study was the most important place for the master of the house. Therefore, apart from her husband’s advisor Xu Wei, she strictly forbade the maids and servants in the house from approaching the study.

Zhao Lingxian originally thought it would be like in a storybook, where she would grind ink with her own hands, add fragrance to the ink, and accompany her husband as he read.

Unexpectedly, after she entered the study, her husband pressed himself against her.

Zhao Lingxian was quickly disheveled, her hairpins scattered, her clothes half-undone, and she bit her lower lip, secretly regretting that she had fallen for her husband's trick again.

Just then, a maid's voice came from outside the door announcing something.

Hearing that her husband had guests, Zhao Lingxian finally found a chance to push him away and quickly tidied her hair and clothes.

Seeing Su Ze's discomfitured expression, Zhao Lingxian suppressed her laughter and went over to help him straighten his clothes.

Seeing her husband's resentful expression, Zhao Lingxian couldn't bear it any longer and said:

"My lord, please go and greet the guests first. I will wait for you in the study."

After saying this, Zhao Lingxian blushed and lowered her head, wishing she could disappear into the cracks in the blue brick floor.

Su Ze was overjoyed upon hearing this, hugged and kissed his wife before leaving the study.

Huang Ji, who was in the side hall, looked constipated. When Su Ze entered the side hall, he quickly stood up to greet him.

Officials in the Ming Dynasty were entitled to marriage leave. If they were to get married in their hometown, the marriage leave would include the time spent traveling back and forth, and the leave could last up to six months.

For someone like Su Ze who gets married in the capital, the length of his leave usually depends on his superior's opinion, but superiors are generally understanding of newlyweds, and it's normal for him to take half a month or a month off.

Su Ze has already completed his quota of two memorials for this month ahead of schedule, and the affairs of the newspaper have been handed over to Luo Wanhua. Originally, Su Ze planned to rest until March.

Su Ze was surprised that Huang Ji would come to visit him. He and Huang Ji didn't have much interaction. Could it be about the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture?

Sure enough, Huang Ji's first words were about the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture.

"Su Hanlin, I have come here today to discuss matters related to the Academy of Architecture."

Su Ze had tea served. Huang Ji looked at the exquisite tea set and thought, "Everyone says that the dowry of the Zhao family of Neijiang is extremely generous, and it is indeed true."

Thinking of this imperial residence again, Huang Ji felt a pang of sadness, but his mindset was different now than at the beginning.

Scholars like Huang Ji tend to have a relatively simple mindset.

At the beginning, the Crown Prince treated Su Ze with special regard, which naturally aroused Huang Ji's jealousy.

However, as Su Ze's prestige increased, Huang Ji gradually realized the gap between the two.

Huang Ji also discovered that Su Ze really had little interest in lecturing, which actually reduced his jealousy.

Moreover, both men were actually from the Hanlin Academy and served in the same Court of Imperial Sacrifices. These were all "one of his own" in Huang Ji's mind, and his competitive spirit gradually faded.

Huang Ji thought for a moment and then said:

"His Majesty established the Society for the Study of Architecture and appointed me, Huang, as a lecturer. These days, Hanlin Su is newly married, so I and Minister Zhou of the Imperial Observatory are compiling teaching materials together."

Su Ze nodded; the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture was his idea.

Since the goal is to train officials proficient in mathematics, teaching materials are naturally necessary.

Since I was newly married and didn't go to work, the task of compiling teaching materials fell to several lecturers.

Judging from Huang Ji's appearance, he had probably had a conflict with the officials of the Imperial Observatory. Su Ze asked:

"Does Huang Hanlin have a disagreement with Zhou Sitian?"

Huang Ji nodded repeatedly. No wonder the court officials all loved talking to Su Ze; it was so comfortable to talk to a smart person.

Huang Ji steeled his heart; since he was already Su Ze's subordinate anyway, he simply spilled everything.

"That Prime Minister Zhou was appointed to the Society for Research in Architecture by His Majesty, but he was unwilling and did not care about the affairs of the Society."

“I went to him to discuss writing a lesson plan, but Zhou Xiang was very indifferent. He felt that there was no need to teach the basics of mathematics. He thought that as long as we produced a copy of ‘Yingzao Licheng’ and taught some abacus and counting rod techniques, that would be enough.”

Su Ze thought for a moment before remembering what "Licheng" was.

The term "Licheng" is somewhat similar to a slide rule before the advent of computers, which is a pre-programmed calculation table.

Simply put, it involves omitting all calculation processes and original formulas, and creating a calculation table that allows you to calculate approximate results simply by inputting numerical values.

Actually, this kind of thing has been used quite a lot throughout history.

Many craftsmen are not good at arithmetic, but they can recite "Li Cheng" (a Chinese proverb), and can quickly produce perfectly fitting parts while working.

Even artillerymen, who don't understand mathematics, can recite "fire parameters," which is a "calculation table" for calculating the impact point of artillery shells, and accurately hit the target.

It must be said that Zhou Xiang, the head of the Imperial Observatory, was quite resourceful.

Huang Ji complained:
"If you only learn how to do things but don't know why, you can only follow formulas and tables. Wouldn't our Society for Research in Architecture be training calculators?"

"I argued with that Minister Zhou, and he then proposed a contest: we would each teach a young eunuch for three days, focusing on the art of ruler and compass calculation, and see who could calculate faster." Su Ze asked:

"So Huang Hanlin lost?"

Huang Ji lowered his head, his cheeks flushed, and Su Ze secretly laughed at his pedantry.

This system is designed to train people quickly. If you bet with that Zhou Xiang for three days, aren't you just asking to lose?

Huang Ji then said:
"After Zhou Xiang won, he even mocked our Hanlin Academy for not understanding mathematics. I, Huang, really couldn't swallow this insult, so I came to Hanlin Su's residence."

Huang Ji looked at Su Ze.

Huang Ji was like that. He was proud of his status as a Hanlin scholar. When others insulted Hanlin scholars, Huang Ji put aside his grudge against Su Ze and sought help from Su Ze, who was also a Hanlin scholar.

After seeing the Longmen Zhang method, Huang Ji also admitted that Su Ze's mathematical level was definitely higher than his own, so it was not shameful to ask Su Ze for help.

After thinking for a moment, Su Ze decided to stand on Huang Ji's side.

When Su Ze petitioned to establish the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, his aim was to cultivate mathematical talent, not to actually train "materials appraisers" for the Ministry of Works.

If one ends up becoming a mere astrologer who can memorize and master calculations, then one has indeed betrayed one's original intention.

However, just as Huang Ji had come to him for help, there was really nothing to refute about Zhou Xiang's method.

The Licheng method is time-saving, labor-saving, and has a short training cycle. There are already many Licheng methods in use in the field of construction. If we were to compile a book called "Construction Licheng" based on the content of the construction method, it would indeed be the most efficient method.

Su Ze also started to have a headache.

Bringing the Imperial Observatory into the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture was originally intended to break the imperial family's restrictions on mathematics and astronomy, but unexpectedly, a major event occurred this week.

Moreover, many people would probably support him if he did this.

Take this "established method" for example. His teacher, Gao Gong, would probably support it. Isn't this exactly in line with the purpose of practical learning and a method that can quickly solve problems?
Huang Ji said:

"Or should we ask Hanlin Su to submit another petition to expel the Imperial Observatory from the academy?"

Su Ze shook his head. Isn't this just going back to the old ways? If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who raised it.

Su Ze said:

"Huang Hanlin and Zhou Sitian are just arguing over their respective political lines. It's best to clarify this matter."

Huang Ji said dejectedly:
"How can I argue this? I already lost to Prime Minister Zhou in the last competition."

Su Ze thought for a moment and said:
"If we're talking about construction, the method of establishing a structure is definitely more convenient, so it's normal for Huang Hanlin to lose to Zhou Sitian."

Huang Ji was completely deflated, and Su Ze then said:

"To refute him, we must address the issue through established laws."

Huang Ji asked in confusion:
What's wrong with the established law?

Su Ze thought for a moment and said:
"There are certainly problems with the established law."

"The reason why Zhou Sitian wanted to use the established method is probably because the Imperial Observatory uses the established method the most."

This brings us to Huang Ji's blind spots in knowledge. Although he had been in the Hanlin Academy longer than Su Ze, the books he focused on were mainly classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, unlike Su Ze's more diverse collection.

Su Ze explained:

"Our dynasty's calendar is the Datong Calendar, which was established during the reign of Emperor Taizu. In reality, it is the Shoushi Calendar, which was formulated by Guo Shoujing during the Yuan Dynasty."

Huang Ji knew this knowledge point; he had seen these materials when he was studying mathematics.

Su Ze said:

"However, as the calendar is used for a long time, it will gradually deviate from the celestial measurements, so it is necessary to revise the calendar. Therefore, Emperor Taizu ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to revise it and made a set of established rules, namely the 'Datong Calendar General Rules', which was also intended to be passed on to future generations. In the future, calendar revisions can be carried out by simply following the calculations of this set of established rules to ensure the accuracy of the calendar."

Huang Ji suddenly realized, "So that's how it is! No wonder that Minister Zhou kept talking about the established law. It turns out that their Imperial Observatory uses the established law!"

The calendar needs to be revised because of the limitations of ancient observation techniques and mathematical calculations; if it is not corrected, the errors will only grow larger.

Su Ze said:

"But the problem with our dynasty's calendar lies in this 'Datong Calendar General Guide'."

"Because of this set of 'Datong Calendar General Guide', the successors of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau only knew what it was but not why it was so, and could not understand the calculation methods of the celestial sphere behind the established method."

"The Datong Calendar also has errors. These errors, when added together, caused the Datong Calendar to gradually deviate from the Chenghua period."

"Several eclipse predictions were inaccurate, and there was even a miscalculation during the reign of Emperor Wuzong. In the thirteenth year of Emperor Shizong's reign, due to the inaccuracy of the Datong Calendar, the Qingming Festival was miscalculated by twenty days, which led to delays in spring plowing and reduced grain production. Emperor Shizong was furious and executed a junior official, but the problems with the calendar remained deeply entrenched and difficult to resolve."

Huang Ji gradually became agitated. "Good! The Imperial Observatory itself has so many problems, yet you still want to bring the issues of establishing laws into the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture!"
Huang Ji immediately said:

"Su Hanlin, so you're going to submit a memorial saying that Li Cheng's work was inaccurate and hold the Imperial Observatory accountable?"

Su Ze shook his head, and Huang Ji quickly said:
"By the way, calendar and astronomy are forbidden arts and should not be discussed lightly."

Su Ze knew Huang Ji had misunderstood, and he said:
"There's no need to worry about that. Scholars are allowed to discuss calendars and celestial phenomena."

"?"

Su Ze said:

During the reign of Emperor Renzong, the emperor inquired about astronomical phenomena from Yang Shiqi. Yang Shiqi replied, "The imperial court prohibits the private study of astronomy, therefore we ministers dare not study it." Emperor Renzong responded, "This is only for the benefit of the common people. You, the ministers of the state, share the joys and sorrows of the nation; how can there be prohibitions?"

After speaking, Emperor Renzong bestowed the "Jade Calendar of the Celestial Officials" upon his officials, encouraging them to study the art of calendrical calculation.

"During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, because the Datong Calendar was inaccurate, Emperor Xiaozong ordered that hermits in the mountains and forests who were knowledgeable about calendars be summoned to repair the calendar, but no one responded."

The ban on astronomy in the Ming Dynasty actually only applied to the early period after the founding of the dynasty.

However, the ban during this period had led to a shortage of astronomical books and talent among the people, so by the time Emperor Wuzong wanted to revise the calendar, there were no longer enough people and materials available.

In the history before Su Ze's time travel, it wasn't until the late Ming Dynasty that Xu Guangqi presided over the revision of the calendar and used Tycho Brahe's method from the Westerner Johann Adam Schall von Bell to compile the "Chongzhen Calendar".

However, the Ming Dynasty was already on the verge of collapse at that time, and the new calendar was opposed, which benefited the Qing Dynasty, which renamed it the "Shixian Calendar" and issued it.

The calendar in the Ming Dynasty had significant problems. As Su Ze said, the accuracy of the calendar would affect farming in all four seasons.

Of course, astronomical surveying also has a very important function—measuring longitude.

Longitude is one of the most important data in modern times, and it can be said to be related to the future of the Age of Exploration.

Su Ze originally intended to gradually influence and change the Imperial Observatory, but now it seems it's time to deliver a heavy blow to it!

Su Ze looked at Huang Ji and said:

"Huang Hanlin, I have a method you can use to make a bet with Zhou Sitian. If it works, it can refute the entire Imperial Observatory. Are you willing to give it a try?"

(End of this chapter)