Chapter 48: Let's all move aside, handsome man is going to slap us in the face

Moreover, Shen Lang had only just managed to cultivate an image of "forgive me for being unrestrained and free-spirited" in his mother-in-law's eyes. Now, he was about to seek her favor just because of an incident involving Xu Wenzhao. If he did so, his whole facade would be ruined.

Xu Wenzhao is a distant relative of the mother-in-law. Wouldn't it be difficult for her if Shen Lang sought his favor?

How could you put your leader in a difficult position? Don't you want to advance anymore?

So Shen Lang calmly sat in his place again, quietly waiting for Xu Wenzhao to bring the mother-in-law.

"Aren't you going to run?" Jin Mucong said, "You'll be beaten if you don't, and no one will be able to save you."

Sure enough, just a moment later, urgent footsteps could be heard from outside.

"Lord Count, I can't teach this student. I have never seen such an ill-mannered person before," Xu Wenzhao's voice came through to everyone's ears from a distance.

Present were a dozen or so students, all sitting neatly, their eyes excited and expectant.

They were waiting to watch a show.

"The most important thing in our Great Yan Dynasty is the relationship between heaven, earth, sovereign, relatives, and teachers. But Shen Lang is unrestrained and disregards his superiors," Xu Wenzhao said sternly. "His behavior is, to put it mildly, a bad influence on his classmates, and at worst, it damages the family traditions of the Count's residence. This is an unforgivable crime. Please punish him, otherwise, if everyone follows his example, then the academic atmosphere of our Count's school will be completely ruined."

Shen Lang was a little speechless.

Xu Wenzhao, did you find me disagreeable and didn't want to conceal it first, then find a chance to undermine me? Let me make a big mistake and then be kicked out of the Count's residence.

Even if I were to be whipped thirty times by the Count today, it would only relieve your anger and be of no help at all.

The Count came up to Shen Lang and said coldly, "What's the matter? Can you be so unruly outside, and behave so recklessly at home as well?"

After speaking, he couldn't help but grip the whip in his hand.

He was conservative and old-fashioned, and once a conflict arose between a student and teacher, it was definitely the student's fault. He would usually just beat them first and ask questions later.

Jin Mucong didn't know how many times he had been beaten before, as long as the teacher complained, he would definitely be punished.

So, this fat householder's son was very submissive in front of his teacher.

The Count said, "Shen Lang, if you can't justify yourself today, then don't blame me for being merciless."

It seemed like it would be hard to escape those thirty lashes.

Shen Lang said, "Father-in-law, I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"

"Lord Count, look at how unrepentant he is," Xu Wenzhao sneered.

Shen Lang said, "May I ask, have I been whispering in your classroom?"

"Hmph," Xu Wenzhao grunted.

Shen Lang said, "Have I been reading other books, or sleeping at the desk?"

"Hmph," Xu Wenzhao grunted again.

Shen Lang said, "Since I haven't done any of these things, how can you say I don't respect my teacher and the principles of propriety?"

"Impressive, you know how to argue," said Xu Wenzhao.

Shen Lang said, "When I'm in class, I pay attention. If the subject matter is so simple that I've mastered it, isn't it a waste of time to pretend to listen? That would be the greatest disrespect to you. So, based on the content of your lectures, I extend my thinking and explore the deeper aspects of arithmetic in my mind. That's the purpose of learning, and that's the true respect for my teacher and the principles of propriety."

I'm impressed.

The dozen or so students around him were a bit stunned.

You, Shen Lang, really know how to argue. But why do I feel that even though I know you're talking nonsense, it still makes sense?

"Hahaha..." Xu Wenzhao laughed, "My arithmetic teachings are simple, are they not?"

Shen Lang earnestly responded, "Yes, very simple indeed."

Xu Wenzhao continued, "You've mastered all the arithmetic I've taught?"

Shen Lang affirmed, "Not only have I mastered it, I can freely apply it as I please."

Xu Wenzhao burst into laughter again, "You, a mere child, studied at the school in Hanshui Town for ten years and didn't even finish reading the 'Great Learning.' You've never been exposed to arithmetic, yet you claim to have mastered my teachings. What an absurd and laughable boast."

On this point, Xu Wenzhao was absolutely confident.

Although arithmetic is considered one of the six arts for gentlemen, very few actually study it as it is not tested in civil or military examinations.

Moreover, neither the teachers in Shen Lang's school nor the entire Xuanwu City were proficient in arithmetic. Xu Wenzhao was considered the most outstanding in this regard.

Other subjects could be self-taught, but without a teacher, arithmetic was inaccessible.

So, for Shen Lang to boast about mastering it was truly foolish.

Xu Wenzhao then proposed, "Since you claim to have mastered it all, I will give you ten questions. If you can answer three correctly, then it proves that I have indeed taught you well, and I won't punish you. If you can't answer three questions, you will receive thirty lashes. If you can't answer any correctly, it proves that you don't understand arithmetic at all and it's all just empty talk, then you will receive a hundred lashes. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, the Earl frowned.

He felt that Xu Wenzhao was being excessive and said, "Shen Lang, apologize to Mr. Xu and let this matter pass. In the future, don't be absent-minded in class."

Well, it seems my father-in-law still cares for me.

Meanwhile, the young lord Jīn Mùcōng beside them was surprised. Father, you're not usually like this. You are usually so harsh on me. If a teacher reports me, you'd punish me immediately. But for Shen Lang, a simple apology is enough?

The Earl was conservative and traditional, but he wasn't blind. He naturally understood why Xu Wenzhao was so fixated on Shen Lang. Wasn't it because his nephew, Wáng Lián, wasn't chosen as a son-in-law for the Earl’s family?

However, Xu Wenzhao had been with the Earl's house for many years, and had been managing their accounts diligently. The Earl valued him greatly and thus had to give him face.

Xu Wenzhao suddenly became anxious. A simple apology wouldn't suffice. Today, he definitely needed to punish Shen Lang and let out his pent-up frustration.

When he went home yesterday, he was scolded by his wife and sister for letting Wáng Lián lose to a worthless man.

Xu Wenzhao then said, "If only an apology could resolve this, then everyone would follow suit in the future. Wouldn't it ruin the academic atmosphere of our Earl's house?"

Suddenly, Shen Lang asked, "If I answer all ten questions correctly, will I be off the hook?"

"Impossible, young man, stop daydreaming," Xu Wenzhao replied. "Arithmetic is profound; for you, a mere child, it’s a lifelong endeavor. Let alone answering all ten, if you can answer five correctly, it would prove that you truly understand the subject and don't need my teaching. I will publicly apologize to you."

"Agreed," Shen Lang bowed. "Father-in-law as the witness, the elder as the witness, and all the students present as witnesses."

The Earl was about to scold Shen Lang for his antics.

But the elder behind him, who taught the "Book of Changes," smiled and said, "Very well, I'll be the witness."

The elder was over seventy years old, not only was he Jīn Mùcōng’s teacher, but also the Earl’s teacher. Since he intervened, the Earl couldn't refuse.

"Hmph," the Earl glared at Shen Lang. "If you get punished later, don't blame me for being too harsh. Don't wail and cry about it."

Xu Wenzhao then said, "Since I am the teacher, I will take care of the punishment myself."

He was worried that the Earl would be too lenient, so he wanted to personally administer the punishment, at least to beat Shen Lang half to death.

The Earl wanted to refuse.

But Shen Lang said, "Mr. Xu, please give the questions."

"Hmph!" the Earl was not happy.

Shen Lang, if you don't understand what’s good for you, then go ahead and court death. I know your memory is exceptional, but without years of immersion in arithmetic, you can't learn much about it.

Xu Wenzhao's arithmetic skills are so profound that it would be like trying to crack a stone with an egg to compete with him.

...

With a smug feeling in his heart, Xu Wenzhao immediately returned to his desk and began to contemplate, determined to come up with difficult questions.

He would certainly come up with the most challenging questions, ones that Shen Lang wouldn't be able to solve at all.

That way, he could whip Shen Lang a hundred times, nearly beating him to death.

Xu Wenzhao was well aware that although Count Jue favored Shen Lang, if he were to really whip Shen Lang a hundred times, the Count would not be pleased.

But so what? His future was already at an end, so why should he swallow his pride?

Furthermore, he had control over the accounts of the entire Count's mansion; the Count couldn't do without him, but he could do without the Count's mansion.

This is why he was so overconfident.

For a full half hour, Xu Wenzhao worked his brain, using all the knowledge he had acquired in his lifetime.

Finally, he came up with ten difficult questions, each one more challenging than the last.

Xu Wenzhao was certain that none of the students present would be able to solve even the first question.

Not only the students present, but there were very few people in Xuanwu City who could solve the first question.

And yet, this was only the easiest question.

The following questions were unbelievably difficult, to the point of being maddening.

Several of the questions were things he had read in ancient arithmetic classics, which ordinary people couldn't even understand, much less solve.

For someone like Shen Lang, who was ignorant and untalented, getting one question right would be a rarity.

Xu Wenzhao could almost picture what it would be like when he whipped Shen Lang.

He placed these ten questions directly in front of Shen Lang and said, "Just remember, if you answer three questions correctly, I won't pursue the matter. Otherwise, I will whip you thirty times. If you can't answer a single question correctly, then it will be a hundred lashes!"

"Today, I will teach you what it means to respect your teacher, and what it means to understand arithmetic."

Inwardly, Xu Wenzhao muttered, "Young man, just because you're good-looking doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. You're still too tender to compete with me, I'll beat you nearly to death soon."