Chapter 141: When the power of the areas is the same, the volumes cannot be different

"When the power of the areas is the same, the volumes cannot be different." Zhu Zaiyu brought out this single sentence and said with a grave expression, "To understand the meaning of this sentence is extremely difficult."

The meaning of this sentence is that if two solids of equal height have equal horizontal cross-sectional areas at any given height, then these two solids have equal volumes.

Zhu Zaiyu took out two solids; the first was a cube, and the other was a sphere. The side length of this cube was equal to the diameter of the sphere. He handed the two small spheres to Zhang Hong for His Majesty to inspect before he began to speak: "This begins with an error."

"The *Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art* states that a square inch of gold weighs sixteen *liang*, while a gold sphere with a diameter of one inch weighs nine *liang*. The ratio arises from this, yet it has never been verified. That is to say, a metal sphere with a side length of one inch weighs sixteen *liang*, while a sphere with a diameter of one inch weighs nine *liang*."

"From this, we derived a formula for a sphere, which is V = 9/16 d³."

"This formula has been in use since the Zhou Dynasty. The *Rites of Zhou: Records of Trades* says: 'The Ke clan makes measures; by refining gold and tin, there is no waste; only after there is no waste can one weigh it; only after weighing it can one standardize it; only after standardizing it can one measure it.'"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yijun asked in confusion, "What is the margin of error for the sphere formula calculated using the method of actual measurement?"

Zhang Juzheng took the abacus and clattered away at it, then answered, "9/16 - π/6 ≈ 0.06. It is obvious that the difference is not very large, but mathematics is just like this: if it is wrong, it is wrong."

Zhu Zaiyu continued, "Therefore, the ratio of nine to sixteen happens to be close to the actual value, but the sphere is still slightly damaged. According to the 9/16 ratio, when calculating the volume of a sphere and its circumscribed cube, the volume of the sphere is slightly larger than the actual volume. How much larger? About 0.038 times larger."

"We mentioned when we spoke of 'cutting the circle' previously: the more finely it is cut, the less is lost; cut it again and again until it cannot be cut further, and it will coincide with the circumference of the circle without any loss."

"This means that points constitute lines, and lines constitute surfaces. This is also the basic principle derived from the area mnemonic."

"We know that the area of a circle is equal to π/4 of the area of its circumscribed square. 1,300 years ago, Liu Hui pondered whether one could find a solid such that no matter where one cut it, its cross-section would be a circle and its circumscribed square."

"Liu Hui designed such a solid, named the *Mouhefanggai* (Bicylinder). *Mou* means same, *he* means to cover, *fang* means square. It means that the cross-section of every face of this solid is a square. It covers like an umbrella; its shape is two square umbrellas buckled together, perfectly tangent to the sphere."

"Liu Hui intersected two cylinders with the same base radius and then extracted the common part to obtain this solid."

"At this point, one only needs to find the volume of this solid and multiply it by π/4 to obtain the volume of the sphere."

"Unfortunately, Liu Hui was never able to find the volume of this solid. He said, 'The shape is crude and the intent is difficult; I fear losing the correct principle. I dare not leave it in doubt, but wait for those who can speak of it,' pinning his hopes on the wisdom of future generations."

Zhu Yijun received the *Mouhefanggai*. This was a teaching aid made by Zhu Zaiyu. Thanks to the skillful hands of the Great Ming craftsmen, the *Mouhefanggai* extracted from the intersection of two cylinders was indeed difficult to calculate in terms of volume; it was irregular.

Zhu Zaiyu then continued, "More than 1,000 years ago, Zu Chongzhi's son, Zu Geng, solved this problem."

"He cut the *Mouhefanggai* into eight small *Mouhefanggai*, then sliced them open. Using the Pythagorean theorem and other calculations, he subtracted the volume of 1/8 of a sphere from the small *Mouhefanggai*, transforming it into the volume of a square pyramid. By obtaining the volume of the square pyramid, he could obtain the volume of the small *Mouhefanggai* as 2r³/3, the volume of the large *Mouhefanggai* as 16r³/3, and the volume of the sphere as 4πr³/3, thus solving the problem."

"For two solids of equal height, if their horizontal cross-sectional areas at any height are equal, then the volumes of these two solids are equal. Zu Geng used this method to solve the formula for the volume of a cone. Your Majesty, this is very difficult to understand."

Zhu Yijun, however, said with a smile, "'When the power of the areas is the same, the volumes cannot be different'—it is not very difficult to understand."

The young Emperor thought for a moment, took out a pencil, drew a few lines, and asked Zhang Hong to go and prepare. Before long, Zhang Hong brought over a cylinder and a pile of silver coins.

"These are silver coins from the West, and this is a cylinder with the same base radius as the silver coins." Zhu Yijun stacked the silver coins randomly and said with a smile, "Their volumes are equal. Finding the volume of the cylinder is simply finding the sum of the volumes of the silver coins."

Zhang Juzheng and Zhu Zaiyu looked at each other, then at the stacked silver coins and the cylinder. They could only say that in the matter of mathematics, it seemed His Majesty had never been stumped; His Majesty was always able to accurately grasp these contents.

What was Zhu Zaiyu talking about? He was talking about integration, infinite summation.

Differentiation is infinite cutting; integration is infinite summation. Differentiation and integration are inverse operations; this is calculus.

In the field of mathematics, the Great Ming is fully qualified to conduct archaeological-style scientific research. If we can figure out mathematical principles from over a thousand years ago, the Great Ming's mathematics will already stand completely at the pinnacle of the world.

"Imperial Uncle, is it like this?" Zhu Yijun said with a smile.

Zhu Zaiyu bowed his head and said, "It is like this. Your Majesty is wise."

"Is it only like this? Can we not go a step further?" Zhu Yijun continued.

Go a step further? Zhu Zaiyu fell into a state of confusion. How could one go a step further? He lacked a mathematical tool to advance further.

"We shall take it slowly." Zhu Yijun stood up and said with a smile, "Imperial Uncle has studied well; there shall be heavy rewards!"

Archaeological-style scientific research is not something unacceptable. The concept of infinite summation can solve many practical problems, such as the ongoing land survey; the problem of measuring the area of irregular shapes can utilize this line of thought.

By cutting an irregular shape into small rectangles with a width of one *bu* (pace), establishing a small rectangle on the left side of the *bu* and a small rectangle on the right side of the *bu*, and dividing the sum of the areas of the left and right rectangles by two, one obtains the area of the irregular farmland. This method is used with great proficiency in actual land surveys.

"Your Majesty, Cheng Dawei has a land-surveying cart to offer." Zhu Zaiyu actually did not value the rewards very much; he had never cared much for these worldly possessions. Otherwise, he could not have lived for over a decade in a mud house outside the Prince's mansion.

Zhu Zaiyu cared more about achieving his ambitions, and he was achieving them step by step. His Majesty's support for his scientific research work could be summed up in three words: no upper limit—whatever he asked for, he was given.

"A land-surveying cart?" Zhu Yijun had originally thought that today's mathematics session was over, but he did not expect a big item to be waiting for him. He said with a face full of smiles, "Present it quickly."

Cheng Dawei pushed a land-surveying cart forward and handed a book to Zhang Hong.

This book contained detailed records of the land-surveying cart, complete with part diagrams, assembly drawings, design specifications, and modification instructions. This was the result of precise recording and comprehensive understanding. That is to say, one only needed to distribute this book, and all parts of the Great Ming could use the designs in this book to mass-produce land-surveying carts to measure the amount of farmland in the Great Ming.

This thing looked complicated, composed of a wooden casing, a cross, bamboo measuring rulers, and iron parts like pivots, drill feet, and rings, but in reality, it was just the tape measure used in later generations.

Five *chi* make a *bu*, 240 *bu* make a *mu*, and 100 *mu* make a *qing*. Cheng Dawei introduced his land-surveying cart: "In ancient times, measuring fields for width and length relied entirely on ropes and rulers to pull and measure. It required a great deal of manpower, and the errors were huge; it could not be precise. By rotating to achieve the retraction and release of the ruler body, characters are written inch by inch on the bamboo ruler; every inch is two *li*; five inches is one *fen*; five *chi* is one *bu*, increasing in order, stopping at thirty *bu* or forty *bu*. The bamboo is oiled with tung oil so the characters do not easily fall off and are easy to clean."

(Note: The text repeats the measurement units).

"Good item, good item." Zhu Yijun looked at the tape measure in front of him and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Sir, would it be good to have it printed and sent to the Southern Yamen for use in the land survey?"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhang Juzheng bowed his head and said.

The application of the tape measure would greatly accelerate the Great Ming's land survey, clarify the specific amount of farmland under heaven, and carefully calculate and clarify the Fish-Scale Registers that had not been touched for nearly two hundred years.

In the 26th year of Hongwu, the whole country checked and found 8.5 million *qing* of land, about 850 million *mu*. Later, this Fish-Scale Register became chaotic and inaccurate. After the 15th year of Hongzhi of Emperor Xiaozong, the land registered in the whole country was only 4.22 million *qing*, a decrease of half in 109 years.

After Xiaozong, this severely distorted farmland figure of 4.22 million *qing* had always been the standard land register for the Great Ming's regular taxes. What Zhang Juzheng wanted to do was to figure out exactly how much farmland there was under heaven and figure out exactly whose hands the farmland under heaven was in. Whoever held the land would be taxed.

In the original historical timeline, Zhang Juzheng finished the land survey of all farmland under heaven except for Henan in the 9th year of Wanli, totaling 【missing figure】 *qing*, and it became the tax base for later years. This was also the confidence that allowed the Wanli Emperor to act recklessly.

If he figured out whose hands the farmland was in, it would be strange if he were not liquidated after Zhang Juzheng died.

When Zhu Yijun left the side hall of the Wenhua Palace, he whispered to Zhang Juzheng beside him, "Sir, please be sure to protect yourself."

Zhang Juzheng bowed his head again and walked toward the Wenyuange. Zhang Juzheng thought about problems as he walked. He had to consider the loopholes in the name-hiding system of the Performance Evaluation Law, consider the various indulgences during the land survey process, consider the restless Tu Manhan tribes, and consider whether the Northwest faction would truly join forces with Andahan... He had to consider many, many things. The late Emperor had handed the empire and the young Emperor to him. On the day he returned power, he wanted to return a prosperous Great Ming Dynasty to His Majesty.

And he did not notice that the young Emperor was watching him.

And Zhu Yijun looked at the distinct black glazed tiles of the Wenyuange, watching Zhang Juzheng walk into the Wenyuange. The young Emperor tilted his head and said to Zhang Hong, "Big Attendant Zhang, what do you think Sir is actually aiming for?"

Zhang Hong shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, this question is probably also a question that lingers in the hearts of the court officials, the officials, the powerful and wealthy families under heaven, and the powerful gentry. What is Sir actually aiming for?"

"Your subject has pondered this and only obtained one answer: that is to repay the late Emperor and be loyal to His Majesty's duty."

Zhu Yijun said calmly, "Sir wants to be Zhuge Kongming, but some people do not want him to be. It doesn't matter. Let the demons and monsters come; at worst, we will just burn this world clean."

Zhang Juzheng, who was handling imperial government affairs in the Wenyuange, shivered violently and looked toward the Wenhua Palace. He always felt a palpitation just now.

"War in the Northeast has started again, and there is still the fear of factions in the Northwest." Lu Diaoyang pasted a blank floating slip on a memorial.

This was another memorial impeaching Zhang Juzheng. The content of the impeachment was the old tune of Zhang Juzheng intimidating the monarch. It was just that Lu Diaoyang, who participated in the court discussion, knew very well that these people had no idea in their hearts. If Zhang Juzheng were truly impeached and fell from power, and the young Emperor took charge, the situation would only be worse.

Look at the previous retirement of Minister of Rites Lu Shusheng; the young Emperor did not say a word to Lu Shusheng. Today, as soon as Zhang Han mentioned retirement, His Majesty agreed immediately. If Zhang Juzheng had not mediated, I am afraid Zhang Han would have already been kicked out and gone home.

Zhang Juzheng said with great interest, "With Wang Chonggu in charge, Zhang Siwei won't be able to make any trouble."

"Oh? Does the Grand Secretary mean that Zhang Siwei's victimization this time was done by Wang Chonggu?" Lu Diaoyang pondered Zhang Juzheng's words slightly and immediately tasted something different. Regarding who poisoned Zhang Siwei, there were many opinions, and Gao Gong was the most suspected.

What surprised Lu Diaoyang was that no one suspected that Zhang Juzheng had done it. This was the most terrifying thing about Zhang Juzheng. Zhang Juzheng could win a complete victory without using any conspiracies or tricks.

"This is what you said, not what I said." Zhang Juzheng did not give a direct response, but he knew that it was Wang Chonggu who had attacked Zhang Siwei.

You Qi's connections were very broad, broad enough to know who was doing these things. You Qi also roughly knew that the cook in the Zhang mansion had fled to Sichuan, but as for where he fled to, he had no idea at all.

Lu Diaoyang also sneered when he heard this and said, "It really is a case of dogs biting dogs; the infighting of villains is truly unbearable to look at."

"It's not necessarily villains. I think it was some of Zhang Siwei's actions that angered Minister Wang. Otherwise, Minister Wang wouldn't have attacked his own relative. That was his own nephew. Wasn't he forced into a corner with no other choice?" Zhang Juzheng knew exactly what behavior had angered Wang Chonggu into taking action.

Zhang Siwei had bribed his cook and also bribed His Majesty's cook. And these two cooks—one was the bait Zhang Juzheng had thrown out, and the other was the bait His Majesty had thrown out. When Zhang Juzheng found out, he was completely numb.

It really was the apprentice he had taught himself; the methods were exactly the same.

While Zhang Juzheng was on duty in the Wenyuange, he had someone send an invitation to Wang Chonggu, inviting Wang Chonggu to his mansion for a talk. He wanted to have a good talk with Wang Chonggu.

When Wang Chonggu received the invitation, he knew exactly what Zhang Juzheng was looking for him for: the war in the Northeast.

When Zhang Juzheng returned to the Quanchu Huiguan, Wang Chonggu had already arrived early to wait. After Zhang Juzheng and Wang Chonggu exchanged pleasantries, Zhang Juzheng stopped beating around the bush and brought up the main business: "There is a major battle in the Northeast. I do not wish to see border provocations in the Northwest. Can this be done?"

"Minister Wang must be very clear about how thick the ten percent profit from the wool official factory is. The imperial court does not forbid making money or getting rich. Silver, after all, is indeed a good thing. But a gentleman loves wealth and acquires it in the right way. Since Minister Wang has a close relationship with the Northern Hu in the Northwest, if this matter is handled properly, the imperial court will only be generous with rewards."

The wool official factory was set up in the capital region, not the Northwest. This was a dog chain the imperial court used to hold the Northwest. If the dog didn't listen, it could be tightened to let the Northern Hu know who was the master and who was the servant.

Wang Chonggu did not hesitate and immediately said, "Since the Grand Secretary has spoken so clearly, I will also speak clearly. It can be done. At least for two years, there will be no problems. After two years, I don't know. Zhang Siwei is an idiot."

Now Wu Dui is in charge of the Northwest. How could Wang Chonggu dare to guarantee the situation after two years? He dared to guarantee it now because he still possessed absolute influence and decision-making power in the Northwest. That was why Wang Chonggu called Zhang Siwei an idiot; moving him to the capital was the most stupid move.

This was the first consensus. The Great Ming's current restored vitality was not enough to support the Great Ming in fighting on two fronts. Fighting in the Northeast and Northwest at the same time was truly too heavy a burden for the Great Ming. Wang Chonggu and Zhang Juzheng reached the first consensus.

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile, "After two years, the Capital Battalion will be formed. The Northern Hu had better behave themselves. No matter how the fighting goes, the Great Ming's wool official factory needs wool, doesn't it?"

"That's right. No matter the result, the Great Ming needs wool, and I will only earn more and more." Wang Chonggu could fully understand the meaning in Zhang Juzheng's words.

This was the second consensus. As long as Wang Chonggu did not use the Hu to threaten the imperial court, Wang Chonggu could keep earning the money from buying wool in the Northwest.

Under the premise of these two consensuses, the rest could be discussed further.

"But what about His Majesty?" Wang Chonggu asked a crucial question. What was the Emperor's attitude? This was the key. If Zhang Juzheng agreed but His Majesty did not, it would not last long.

Zhang Juzheng said with a grave expression, "This depends on Minister Wang. Did Minister Wang participate in the case of assassinating the King? If not, when His Majesty settles old scores, he will not implicate others. If Minister Wang participated, then it depends on His Majesty's will. His Majesty will eventually get married and take personal charge of government."

"The relationship between a monarch and his ministers is reciprocal. If Minister Wang does not wish to serve as a subject of His Majesty, a subject of the Great Ming, then His Majesty will naturally exercise his authority to punish. But having said that, His Majesty would never harm a pillar of the state without cause. In today's court deliberation, Wang Xiyuan clearly had already grasped conclusive evidence against Zhang Han. If it weren't for Zhang Han refusing to show respect, how would His Majesty have allowed me to continue the pursuit?"

The reason Zhang Han was so embarrassed at the court discussion was not because Zhang Juzheng was too intimidating, nor was it because the young Emperor was cold and ungrateful. He had already given Zhang Han enough face. It was Zhang Han who repeatedly disagreed with the name-hiding method, which led to the subsequent naming and shaming pursuit.

Face is given mutually. If Wang Chonggu gives His Majesty face, how could His Majesty harm his subjects without reason?

"I did not participate in the case of assassinating the King, but I am in Zhang Siwei's nine generations. Sigh." Wang Chonggu leaned back in his chair and said quite despairingly, "Zhang Siwei was able to do these things, wasn't it because I, his uncle, was backing him up that he could do them?"

"Whoever's problem it is, it is that person's problem. Minister Wang is overthinking." Zhang Juzheng still offered a word of comfort.

Seeing that Wang Chonggu was still extremely worried, Zhang Juzheng thought for a moment and still spoke, "His Majesty is actually not complicated; he can be seen through at a glance. For the Great Ming, if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, His Majesty will reward; if the disadvantages outweigh the benefits, His Majesty will punish. This is the standard in His Majesty's heart for measuring whether a subject can be retained."

"The reason His Majesty agreed to Minister Wang's return to the court is also for this reason. Minister Wang plugged the hole of the Great Wall's construction in the Northwest and settled 190,000 people. His Majesty has seen all these merits. As for seeking profit, it is indeed a drawback, but Minister Wang's merits already outweigh the disadvantages, so His Majesty naturally agreed to Minister Wang's return to the court."

Some things are better said face-to-face so that villains cannot wag their tongues in the middle to alienate the monarch and subject. In the two years Wang Chonggu returned to the Northwest, he had truly managed to settle the people and graze the land. For a subject whose merits outweigh the disadvantages, His Majesty will reward.

The stone in Wang Chonggu's heart finally fell to the ground. He bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Grand Secretary, for pointing out the way. A villain is always worried. I, this villain, am the most worried."

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile, "Minister Wang is being too modest. His Majesty clearly knows that people act according to the situation. At that time, there was war in the Northwest, Japanese pirates in the Southeast, and the world was exhausted. Peace talks and tribute trade were the best ways to stop losses. Some things, Minister Wang was also forced by circumstances, weren't you? Since His Majesty ascended the throne, Minister Wang's actions have still been more beneficial than harmful. That is enough."

The young Emperor's understanding of reason was the biggest reason why Zhang Juzheng had been relaxed in the past few years. There was no problem under heaven that could stump him.

The only thing that could make him feel difficult was His Majesty. There were only two dark clouds hanging over Zhang Juzheng's heart: the young Emperor not attending to his proper duties, and the young Emperor reading too well.

The faces of these two dark clouds were becoming more and more ferocious.

Zhang Juzheng and Wang Chonggu had an in-depth exchange on the issue of the Northwest border. Both sides reached a general consensus on the issue of border security.

When Wang Chonggu left the Quanchu Huiguan, his mood was much better. The imperial court did not want much, and Wang Chonggu could fully satisfy them. As he walked, Wang Chonggu thought of Zhang Siwei, and his mood immediately became very bad.

Zhang Juzheng had a stack of silver coins in his hand, as well as a cylinder. He kept dropping the silver coins and was pondering a question: can infinite cutting and infinite summation be converted and calculated into each other? If this problem were solved, many engineering problems could be easily resolved.

Finding instantaneous velocity, finding the tangent of a curve, finding the length of a curve, the area enclosed by a curve, the volume enclosed by a curved surface, the center of gravity of an object.

These were all very clear practical problems with universal practical significance.

Zhang Juzheng did not trust anyone. He wanted to grow sweet potatoes in the Baoqi Office himself, fearing that someone would deceive him; he wanted to verify the decomposition of light by a triangular prism himself; he even wanted to try the preparation of sweet potato starch. He also did not trust Zhu Zaiyu. A Prince's son who had no worries about food and clothing did not have sufficient motivation to solve practical problems.

Of course, Zhu Zaiyu repeatedly proved that as an Imperial Uncle, returning to the court was not just about eating and not working. Archaeological-style mathematical research was also a research achievement.

Zhang Juzheng wandered in the principles of the infinity of all things, slowly deducing bit by bit, and slowly returned to reality. He looked at You Qi and asked, "Why are you so panicked?"

"His Majesty had the big eunuch Feng Da send news from the palace: He Xinyin must be tracked down and brought to justice without delay. Even to the ends of the earth, he must be caught. If necessary, the Embroidered Uniform Guard can be ordered to hunt him down."

Zhang Juzheng asked in surprise, "What did He Xinyin do to make His Majesty so angry?"

You Qi said with a face full of emotion, "He Xinyin slandered you, Sir. His Majesty is in a thunderous rage."

"Slandered?" Zhang Juzheng took the slip of paper from You Qi's hand and looked at it for a long time. The expression on his face was truly extremely complex.

He Xinyin slandered Zhang Juzheng as a black-hearted prime minister sleeping on the dragon bed, arranging the relationship between Zhang Juzheng and Empress Dowager Li. There is much right and wrong at a widow's door, and the royal family is no exception. When Zhang Juzheng was young, he was also a handsome young man in the ten miles and eight villages. The matchmakers could have worn out the threshold of Zhang Juzheng's home. Coupled with being pampered for so many years, Zhang Juzheng indeed had the capital of a male lead.

Previously, when Empress Dowager Li reprimanded the young Emperor, she liked to say, "If Mr. Zhang finds out, what will happen?"

Looking at it from another angle, when a mother at home reprimands a child, she likes to use the father to threaten, just like saying, "Don't be naughty, or I'll have your old man beat you!"

He Xinyin underestimated the four words "strict Confucian rites." The strict rites where an Emperor would be impeached by officials if he didn't walk in a square step.

You Qi said confusedly, "These lowly Confucian scholars, why do they like to go below the belt when they arrange people? They are like that themselves, so others have to be like them? A bunch of lowly embryos! They should be sent to the Dissection Institute to have their hearts, livers, spleens, and stomachs dissected and looked at!"

Zhang Juzheng said with a smile, "They couldn't find anything else to slander. He Xinyin couldn't say that I, Zhang Juzheng, am not doing well in governing the country. Whether I am doing well or not, isn't it obvious to all?"

The purpose of the imperial court's existence is to regulate the main contradictions of society. At present, the main contradiction of the Great Ming society is that the country is poor and the army is not strong, and the common people are trapped by annexation. Zhang Juzheng effectively regulated the main contradictions, and he did a very good job in governing the country. The impeachment by the officials mainly focused on Zhang Juzheng's personal moral issues.

For a political figure, impeaching his personal morality is not enough to topple Zhang Juzheng.

"You Jianru scholars who go below the belt only know this trick. Look, you can't even refute this kind of rotten thing. A 'traitor' character has one mouth; the more you describe it, the darker it gets. Wang Daokun was previously impeached for forcing women, and Wang Daokun had ten thousand mouths and couldn't explain it clearly." Zhang Juzheng also shook his head. There is a certain reason why lowly Confucian scholars like to go below the belt when slandering people.

The key question in this matter is whether the young Emperor believes it.

Zhu Yijun had only one attitude toward this matter, and that was to send him to the Dissection Institute as soon as he was caught!

Tax-auditing Battalion Commander Luo Bingliang received a strict order from the capital: He Xinyin must be caught and brought back to the capital.

Luo Bingliang received the imperial edict and directly led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to surround the Chongzheng Academy in the Southern Yamen. He called out the Education Inspector Censor Geng Dingding and Jiao Hong. As long as Geng Dingding did not tell the truth, Luo Bingliang would set the entire Chongzheng Academy on fire. Anyway, on the ground of the Southern Yamen, everyone called Luo Bingliang the soul-snatching messenger of Yama. No matter how bad the reputation was, how much worse could it get?

Luo Bingliang didn't care. His son Luo Sigong beat the Emperor every day in the Imperial Palace. If he had done such a rebellious thing, what else was there to fear?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, this half-internal and half-external yamen, mainly looked at the closeness to His Majesty. As long as His Majesty gave an order, Luo Bingliang would resolutely execute it.

"Do not make a mistake. The pain of the five poisons punishment is definitely not something Censor Geng can bear. If you anger His Majesty, the students from the Chongzheng Academy will not be allowed to participate in the imperial examination, and your disciples will also be implicated." Luo Bingliang looked at Geng Dingding and said the threat in a calm tone.

On the ground of the Southern Yamen, it was said that Jiao Hong had the talent of a top scholar. If he could not participate in the imperial examination, for Geng Dingding, it would be better to kill him.

Geng Dingding and He Xinyin did indeed have some relationship; both were people of the Taizhou School.

Geng Dingding shivered when he heard this, and without hesitation, he said directly, "He is in the home of the younger brother of Scholar Cheng in Xiaogan, Huguang."

In the previous gathering of the Chongzheng Academy, Geng Dingding had shown his weakness. He repeatedly told Lu Guangzu that it was better to pay taxes. As soon as he heard the threat from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he confessed immediately without hesitation.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard knew He Xinyin's whereabouts. It only took three days to catch He Xinyin. He was sent to Songjiang Prefecture by fast boat, thrown onto a hydrofoil sailboat, and sent directly to the capital.

I wrote this chapter twice. I wanted to explain the Zu Geng Principle clearly. I wrote more than 4,000 words about the Zu Geng Principle, including the volume formulas for cones, spheres, and the area of a sphere. Zu Geng was more than a thousand years ahead, and it wasn't until the 17th century that Cavalieri figured out this problem. But after writing it, I found it was too obscure and difficult to understand. In the end, I pondered repeatedly and deleted most of it. So the update is a bit late. Please ask for monthly tickets, Aowu!!!!!

(End of chapter)

. ===== CHAPTER 142 =====