Chapter 2: Eagerly Seeking Talents

Upon further reflection, Li Shimin quietly remarked: "The Edict of Promotion indeed warrants a trial, but how did the author of this proposal know that Xieli and Zhishi Silu were at odds with each other"

What did you say?" Li Shimin was very surprised. Li Chunfeng's mathematical skills were also exceptional. In the entire Tang Dynasty, apart from Yuan Tiangang, he had truly never seen anyone else who could unravel the Nine Chapters of Mathematical Art like Li Chunfeng.

Li Daxiong looked at his frail son carrying a bag of millet and asked, "Where did you get this grain?"

Li Er nodded to signal for someone to come in

Chang'an

All volumes of the Hongwen Pavilion are managed by the officials of the pavilion. If someone writes a commendable essay or proposal, the Hongwen Pavilion will submit it for consideration. For Li Shimin, the entire Hongwen Pavilion serves as a tool for selecting and gathering talent

Li Shimin glanced at the problem again, noting that numerology is indeed quite useful in certain situations. Setting aside the study of geomancy and astrology, it can also be applied in military campaigns. He then asked, "How long did Daoist Li take to solve this problem"

Qin Qiong entered the Wude Hall and bowed to Li Er, saying: "Your Majesty, the situation at the Yin Mountain front has been resolved"

Upon receiving the silk cloth, Li Er opened it and found it filled with densely packed characters, in stark contrast to the few lines written previously. Li Chunfeng had solved this problem and filled the ten-foot-long cloth with his writing

Upon reviewing the submissions from Li Chunfeng and Qin Qiong, Li Shimin discovered two identical typographical errors.

Li Jing faced off against Xieli in the Yin Mountains for several months, continuously gathering intelligence on the Turkic situation. He aimed to defeat the Turkic Khan Xieli with minimal cost, preferring to wait for the enemy to tire. A direct assault was considered only as a last resort for Li Jing.

If one is merely proficient in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, it might warrant a slightly higher regard, but this person is also knowledgeable about military and national affairs

I believe it is someone from the Hongwen Pavilion, and moreover, someone who can write in the characters used beyond the borders. This person has solved the problem with just a few lines of text. Li Chunfeng once again bowed and said: "Your Majesty, this person possesses exceptional skills in numerology"

Since ascending to the throne, the current Tang Dynasty has been severely lacking in talent. Figures such as Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji are holding multiple positions to cope with the situation, and in this regard, Li Shimin is eager to seek out capable individuals

"There is no need to worry about hunger at home; it would be better to save this money for you to marry a wife." Li Daxiong felt somewhat heartbroken, yet he was warmed by the thought that his son had this intention. The child had become sensible and understood the importance of saving money for food.

Li Shimin hurriedly said: "Investigate! Find out who this person is"

First, after performing a bow, Li Chunfeng spoke: "Your Majesty! The problems of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art have been solved by someone!"

Looking at the crooked and messy handwriting above, the answer is already written there

Li Chunfeng spoke of the origin of the matter, "I originally thought of posting this problem at the Hongwen Pavilion, merely hoping to try my luck. I did not expect that it would truly be solved by someone, and moreover, this person left behind a method of calculation"

This plan may be feasible," Li Er nodded and said, "but why is the handwriting of the person who wrote the countermeasure so unsightly, and why are there so many misspellings?

Find the person! I shall go to meet His Majesty now. " After saying this, Li Chunfeng lifted his foot and left.

When Li Shimin saw Li Chunfeng arrive, he couldn't help but feel tense upon noticing his somewhat flustered expression. "Has something happened, Daoist Li?"

Li Chunfeng's eyes were filled with fervor as he summoned the person in charge of Hongwen Pavilion and inquired, "Who is answering on this scroll?"

Li Chunfeng lowered his head in some disappointment, "I cannot understand; his characters resemble symbols. However, this person has the ability to simplify the complex, which is a remarkable state of being. Mastery in numerology and mathematics is interconnected; if we can find this person, it would elevate the numerology of the Tang Dynasty to a new level, paving a path in numerology that has never been seen before."

It is surprising that someone has solved this problem from the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art. The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art has a long-standing tradition, and with each iteration, it has been refined. The integration and compilation by successive generations of masters in the field of mathematics have led to the present form of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art

Upon closer examination, the other party's strategy also mentioned the discord between the capabilities of Xieli and Zhishi Silil.

Each problem in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art represents the hard work of generations of mathematical masters, and deciphering the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art is also a threshold for becoming a master in mathematics

The Wude Hall of the Chang'an Imperial Palace

Looking at the content above, Li Shimin understood it. This is the Edict of Promotion, which is indeed a good method. How come he had not thought of it before? He could use this to bestow titles and power to Shili and Ashina, thereby civilizing them and encircling the forces of Xieli.

Li Chunfeng, having nothing to do, once again visited the Hongwen Pavilion. He picked up the topic he had previously assigned, thinking that today would likely yield no results once more. As he opened the bamboo slips he had hung up, he found himself standing in place for a long time, unable to move his feet.

Li Zheng did not want to tell him that he made money by selling glass, as he had grown accustomed to a hard life and was afraid of scaring him.

Your Majesty! A young eunuch hurriedly came to report: "The Duke of Yi requests an audience."

Qin Qiong and Li Chunfeng took the ballot and looked at the handwriting on it

Your Majesty, this is what I have calculated" Li Chunfeng once again took out a piece of silk.

But now it seems that

The Qintianjian has always been overseen by Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang

Liu Li, this kind of item, cannot be sold casually; possessing it can be a crime. If sold excessively, it may lead to fatal consequences.

After a while, Li Chunfeng spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have seen poorly written characters before, but this is the first time I have seen characters written so poorly, with even the misspellings being the same, the same misspellings and the same writing style"

The monthly allowance provided by Hongwen Pavilion was saved up by me to purchase some grain. Li Zheng casually found an excuse

Do you understand that person's problem-solving method?" Li Er asked again

Li Chunfeng traveled throughout the Central Plains and considered that apart from Yuan Tiangang, he had no rivals

Li Chunfeng brought a bamboo scroll from the Hongwen Pavilion to the current Emperor Li Shimin, "Your Majesty!"

What are you saying? Li Er has become spirited, and Li Jing has been in a standoff with Khagan Xieli at Yin Mountain for several months. Since last year until now, there has been no outcome, which is one of the things that worries Li Er the most

Similar ones include the Sifang Pavilion in the capital and Li Tai's Literary Museum

You two take a look and see if these two documents were written by the same person

The handwriting is very poor, with misspelled characters, Hongwen Pavilion

Li Shimin had the eunuch beside him hand over the bamboo scroll. Holding the scroll, he noticed some characters written beneath the title that he could not understand, "This is ... ..."

This ... ... '' person in charge was so excited by Li Chunfeng that he was speechless for a long time

Qin Qiong presented a bamboo slip and said: "This is a volume from the Hongwen Pavilion. I have instructed the Hongwen Pavilion to submit all insights regarding the battles at Yanshan every day. Today, I have come across a strategy, and I kindly request Your Majesty to review it."

Li Jing had long discovered the discord between Zhi Shili and Xie Li, but such matters are typically known only through confidential reports, making it impossible for ordinary people to be aware of them

Went to Chang'an and bought a bag of millet, carrying it back home

Xieli is already at the end of his rope; if it were not for the natural barrier of the Yin Mountains, Li Jing would have captured him long ago

"What you mean is the riddle solved by someone from outside the borders." Thinking of this, Li Shimin became even more puzzled and murmured, "But the Hongwen Pavilion does not have people from outside Guanzhong coming and going."

Li Chunfeng began to explain: "I have also encountered this script in ancient texts. Back in the day, such characters were introduced to the Central Plains by the Arabs. The writing of this person bears some resemblance to the characters used beyond the pass."