131Set questions for the Grand Tutor
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 131 Giving the Grand Tutor a Question
The next morning.
Shen Yulou walked out of Consort Qing's warm bedchamber, a satisfied smile on his face, feeling refreshed.
He tidied his attire and walked straight towards the Golden Throne Hall.
Today would be the crucial day for the establishment of the Imperial Academy, and as the protagonist, he naturally needed to arrive early.
In the square in front of the hall, civil and military officials had already arrived one after another, gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices.
Just as Shen Yulou was about to go over, he suddenly saw Li Hui limping out, clutching his backside.
Shen Yulou was startled, "Commander Li, what happened to you?"
Li Hui shook his head with a look of disappointment.
"That incompetent emperor, that incompetent emperor!"
Shen Yulou:...Upon arriving at the hall entrance.
Shen Yulou immediately spotted several white-haired old men in scholar robes, who were none other than Grand Tutor Wang Shushi and Junior Tutor Li Deguang, among others.
They were the teachers of the Imperial Heirs, responsible for teaching classics, history, philosophy, and literature. They were highly respected in court but also the most rigid and conservative.
Wang Shushi's face was stern, his eyes holding a hint of scholarly arrogance. Upon seeing Shen Yulou approach, he merely cast a cold glance before turning his head away.
Li Deguang, beside him, was even more direct, letting out a disdainful snort with his nostrils flared, clearly looking down on this young man who had risen quickly through his medical skills.
Mainly, those Imperial Heirs in the Imperial Harem now often had Lord Shen's name on their lips.
These old fellows, on the other hand, seemed to have become marginalized figures.
Shen Yulou paid no mind, merely smiling faintly and walking directly to his designated spot.
"Silence! Court session!"
As Eunuch He Shun's high-pitched voice rang out, the three cracks of the silent whip echoed, solemn and majestic.
The civil and military officials immediately straightened their attire and, according to their ranks, civil officials to the east and military officials to the west, filed in an orderly manner into the magnificent Golden Throne Hall.
Emperor Ren, supported by He Shun, slowly ascended the dragon throne with a slightly stiff posture.
He suppressed the soreness in his waist, trying to maintain his imperial dignity.
"Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!" The ministers knelt and bowed.
"All ministers may rise." Emperor Ren's voice carried a hint of imperceptible fatigue.
After the court had discussed a few routine government affairs, Emperor Ren cleared his throat and went straight to the point.
"Ministers, after much deliberation, to ensure the well-being of the Imperial Heirs and their dedication to learning, We have decided to establish the 'Imperial Academy' and gather all Imperial Heirs here for secluded instruction. The position of head of the Imperial Academy shall be held by Shen Yulou."
As soon as these words were spoken, the court erupted in an uproar.
Grand Tutor Wang Shushi immediately stepped forward, holding his jade tablet, and declared loudly: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present! Shen Yulou is from a medical background and is likely ignorant of classics, history, philosophy, literature, and the ways of governing the nation.
The Imperial Heirs are the future of the nation; how can they be entrusted to a mere medical official for instruction? This would mislead the youth and shake the foundation of the nation, Your Majesty!"
"I second that!"
Junior Tutor Li Deguang followed closely, "The Imperial Heirs are of noble birth; how can they be confined and raised like prisoners? This goes against ancestral traditions and is absolutely impermissible!"
For a time, several old ministers spoke out in opposition, their words fierce.
Emperor Ren looked down at Shen Yulou and gave him a look.
Shen Yulou immediately understood, slowly stepped forward, and cupped his hands to the crowd.
"What the various Lords have said, this humble official dares not agree with.
Although I am a doctor, I am confident in my talent and more than capable of instructing the Imperial Heirs.
All of you Lords are learned scholars, highly knowledgeable.
How about this humble official poses a question? If any Lord can answer it, then I will admit to showing off my meager skills, and I will never again mention the position of head of the Imperial Academy."
Wang Shushi snorted coldly: "What question? Go on and say it!"
These few were all old pedants; what kind of question hadn't they seen?
Shen Yulou smiled slightly: "The question is very simple. If a person earns one tael of silver on the first day, two taels on the second day, four taels on the third day, and thereafter, earns double the amount of the previous day.
Please tell me, how much silver will he have earned by the twentieth day?"
As soon as this question was posed, Wang Shushi, Li Deguang, and the others were immediately stunned.
They whispered to each other, scratching their heads, some attempting mental calculation, only to find the numbers growing too quickly to calculate at all.
Throughout the entire court, there was only a flurry of whispers, yet no one could provide an answer.
On the dragon throne, Emperor Ren was also silently calculating, but he gave up after a few tries.
He quietly asked, "He Shun, can you figure it out?"
He Shun shook his head.
"Your Majesty, this old servant cannot calculate anything beyond ten."
Emperor Ren:...Isn't that pure illiteracy?
...Watching their embarrassed expressions, Shen Yulou had an eunuch bring paper and pen, and wrote down the answer on the paper.
Over a million?
Everyone was instantly astonished.
Even if they were given an abacus, they couldn't calculate such a large number.
Shen Yulou said, "This is a simple method of doubling, and the amount is enormous. Such mathematics, this official can teach to all the Imperial Heirs in just one morning."
"Let alone the twentieth day, even the hundredth day, it can still be calculated."
"Esteemed Lords, can you do it?"
A geometric progression, they certainly wouldn't know it.
Everyone's expressions turned somewhat ugly.
Li Deguang, however, remained unconvinced and argued forcefully.
"Governing the nation relies on the wisdom of sages, on policies that benefit the world and the people! How can these trivial arithmetical tricks compare? Such minor skills are useless for governing the nation!"
He clearly understood that once the Imperial Academy was established, these imperial tutors would become idle figures with nothing to do, and therefore, he had to prevent it at all costs.
"Oh?"
Shen Yulou raised an eyebrow, "Then, in Lord Li's opinion, what does governing the nation rely on?"
Li Deguang proudly said: "Naturally, it relies on far-sighted political vision and the art of emperorship that understands human hearts!"
"Well said!"
Shen Yulou clapped his hands and smiled, "Then, as you wish, how about I test the vision and strategy of you Lords?"
Wang Shushi said, "As long as it's not those strange arithmetical tricks, whether it's strategy or tactics, how could we lose to a junior like you?"
Shen Yulou's lips curled into a playful smile.
"Alright, then I'll pose the question."
"There is a man who wishes to cross a river with a wolf, a sheep, and a cabbage.
He only has a small boat, and can only carry one item at a time.
The problem is, if he is not present, the wolf will eat the sheep, and the sheep will eat the cabbage.
Please tell me, how can he safely transport all three items across the river?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone immediately looked at each other in dismay.
What kind of question is this?
What does this have to do with governing the nation?
Seeing a commotion below the throne, Emperor Ren said.
"Silence!"
"This question seems simple, but in reality, it relates to strategy and military tactics."
"All beloved ministers, think about it and see who can provide an answer."
Emperor Ren was quite interested in Shen Yulou's question, but after thinking for a long time, he still couldn't come up with an answer.
This question was quite profound, not as easy as it seemed on the surface.
Below the throne, the hundred officials began to discuss fiercely.
Emperor Ren asked in a low voice.
"He Shun, do you know the answer?"
He Shun shook his head.
"Your Majesty, this servant does not eat lamb."
Emperor Ren:...Talking to a brick wall!
...This problem sounded simple, but when Wang Shushi and the others thought about it carefully, they found dead ends everywhere.
"I know! First, take the sheep across the river. That way, the wolf and cabbage are left on the bank, and the wolf doesn't eat cabbage, so there's no problem.
Then take the cabbage across, and finally the wolf..."
Before he could finish speaking, someone in the court questioned.
"No, if you take the cabbage across, when you go back to get the wolf, the sheep on the other side will eat the cabbage."
"This, this, this..."
Several old pedants mentally rehearsed it many times, but could not find a foolproof plan, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on their foreheads.
A quarter of an hour had passed, and Shen Yulou said.
"Everyone, have you thought of a solution? If not, I will announce the answer.