The Ming Dynasty started with caution

"How can a mere merchant be allowed to enter the palace to settle the yellow books? If he makes a mistake, what should be done? The Ministry of Revenue has many capable officials, so let the Ministry of Revenue do it." Liu Jian was worried.

Since we have to re-check, we must get accurate numbers.

If we make a mistake in calculating one, it will be in vain.

Yan Chengjin knew that Xie Yu was unlikely to make a mistake, but he could not guarantee it to His Majesty.

At this time, Chen Qing said, "If there is someone who is proficient in mathematics to assist, I will think faster. Under my supervision, I will definitely check and audit it before presenting it to Your Majesty."

"How fast is this person in mathematics?"

Yan Chengjin thought for a while and said, "He can calculate the population and acreage of Liangxiang and Fangshan in half a day. He is an old scholar who failed the imperial examination and has been learning mathematics since he was a child."

Xie Yu calculated it in less than an hour.

But it is inevitable that he will not perform well in the palace, so he said three more hours.

"Approved. After the calculation of one prefecture is completed, it will be presented to me first. Compared with the number of acres of cultivated land in previous years, I want to see how many people have abandoned their fields and fled." Emperor Hongzhi had already thought of a plan.

Your Majesty's move is very smart.

Looking at the total number, we can only see that the population and cultivated land are less or more.

But by comparing each of the thirteen prefectures, we can see which prefecture or county has more, and the blame can fall on the parents.

In later generations, this is called subdividing responsibilities to individuals.

Yan Chengjin raised his head slightly. I'm afraid that His Majesty also knows that there is something fishy.

The officials and Yan Chengjin thought of the same thing, and their faces were worried.

Liangxiang, pawnshop.

Xie Yu counted the accounts of the wine shop, and the marbles on his fingers crackled.

Although he counted day and night, it was much more comfortable than his business trip.

He could also earn money. How could he be grateful for such a good thing?

"Master Zhang, why are you here?"

"The court summoned you to the palace to settle the yellow books?"

Has the reputation of Xie Da Suanpan spread to the palace? Xie Yu's head seemed to float up with water.

The court's order was the imperial decree issued by His Majesty.

But he only glanced at His Majesty in the crowd. How could His Majesty remember him?

Zhang Xian said: "This time, you need to go to the palace for a month of seclusion to settle the accounts. You must be prepared."

The rope and ruler are easy to make and were soon sent to thirteen provinces by the Ministry of Works.

The household clerks of Shuntian Prefecture took the lead in using them. After only ten days, the yellow books were submitted to the Ministry of Households in various states, counties and townships.

Chen Qing stroked his beard and sighed: "I will retire in another year. Alas, how dare I retire if I don't settle the accounts thoroughly now."

If he retired at this time, he would be recorded in the history books by the historians and become a stain on his life.

"Sir, the old scholar from Liangxiang is here."

Chen Qing and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue looked at the door of the duty room, and saw a timid old scholar carrying an abacus into the courtyard of the Ministry of Revenue.

This was Xie Yu's first time in the palace, but he had been to the south and north and was well versed in worldly affairs.

Not daring to look around, he followed the clerk to the duty room and saw the official wearing a brocade pheasant red robe.

He saluted quickly: "Student Xie Yu, meet Sir Chen, meet all the lords, I am here to calculate the yellow book under the order of Sir Yan."

Seeing that he was no different from the accountant in the market.

At such an age, his fingers are not flexible, and he must not be able to calculate quickly. Even if he calculates quickly, his eyes can't see clearly, right?

Chen Qing and the chief clerk of the Ministry of Revenue were overjoyed. If he calculated wrong, it would be Yan Chengjin's.

Xie Yu reminded: "Sir, where is the yellow book?"

Soon, the clerks of the Ministry of Revenue brought all the prepared yellow books over.

Xie Yu couldn't help complaining, so you guys don't calculate, so let me calculate it alone?

But he didn't dare to say anything, and sat down angrily.

He was clacking on the abacus, and his right hand was writing down the numbers on the account book.

"Fast... too fast!"

"It's the simplest three-finger method, but it's so fast."

The chief clerks of the Ministry of Revenue were amazed and recognized the finger method at a glance.

Except for eating and going to the toilet, Xie Yu's hands were all on the abacus, and they were as flexible as his arms.

This is the Yellow Book.

If you make a mistake in the calculation, you will lose your head, but if you don't calculate, it will be disobeying the order.

"I hope you gentlemen will not calculate, let the students calculate."

I am a little tired, but my life is still in my hands.

West Warm Pavilion.

There was an unusual situation in the court today, and the ministers asked for leave without any prior agreement.

When Emperor Hongzhi saw the officials' reasons, Yang Yue, the chief clerk of the Ministry of Rites, kicked the door sill, and Ji Yue, the doctor of the Ministry of War, sprained his hand...

"Why don't they go to court?"

"I don't know, should I send the factory guards to their houses to secretly inquire?" Xiao Jing asked.

These people are afraid that they will be implicated when the land survey is announced.

Xiao Jing has served three dynasties and knows the direction of the officials. If they take a collective leave, it means something big is going to happen.

But he didn't dare to mention it to Emperor Hongzhi.

"Your Majesty, Xie Pi is in Anlu Prefecture to control the water, and now he is back to report the imperial edict."

Emperor Hongzhi was happy: "Xie Qing's family has worked hard. I thought that after Liu Daxia retired, there would be no more capable ministers in the court to control the water. Xie Qing's family really lives up to your father's reputation."

The water in Anlu Prefecture is no different from the water in other parts of the world.

Xie Qian was very pleased. Since he learned that his son had returned to the palace to report the imperial edict, he hurried from the cabinet.

Seeing His Majesty's praise, he had tears in his eyes. My son has finally made achievements for the court.

He didn't expect that Xie Pi's next words almost choked him to death.

"This is all Lord Yan's credit. When I went to Anlu Prefecture, he gave me a waterway map called Tianhe. Speaking of it, Lord Yan knows too many principles."

"This..."

Emperor Hongzhi knew that Yan Chengjin had many ideas, but he was also able to control water, which really surprised him.

But he couldn't help but sigh. This boy was weak and sickly, and he resisted as soon as he left the capital.

Otherwise, he could be of great use.

...

Yan Chengjin stayed at home. While all the officials took a collective leave, he also took the opportunity to take a day off and didn't go anywhere.

The doorman ran to report: "Master, the son of the Xie family wants to see you."

Xie Pi?

Yan Chengjin changed into a poor-style home clothes and came to the main hall. He saw Xie Pi standing respectfully in the hall.

"Sir, Anlu Prefecture has built three canals to divert the flow of the Han River. Wasteland can be reclaimed along the way..."

Xie Pi reported in an orderly manner.

Anlu Prefecture has reclaimed new wasteland, which can not only effectively dredge floods, but also reclaim more fields.

He took the official position casually.

What he wanted most was the position of chief engineer in Liangxiang.

After returning from Anlu Prefecture, he became more and more convinced that science could change the Ming Dynasty and benefit the people more than being an official in the court.

One day, it would be great to become a chief engineer like Master Xiao Song who can write principles.

Yan Chengjin was a little puzzled: "Your Majesty has already rewarded you, what are you doing here?"

"Student...student wants to increase his salary." Xie Pi gritted his teeth and said it bluntly.

The rank of an engineer is determined by his salary. Now he receives 20 taels of silver, which is the highest except for Song Jing and Wang Ji.

For the promotion of engineers, Lord Zhang dare not make the decision on his own, and he has to ask Yan Chengjin for permission.

If I were not afraid of being beaten by Xie Qian, I would have promoted you to 100 taels.

Yan Chengjin thought for a moment and said, "I'll give you a promotion of ten taels of silver. You still have a long way to go before you can become chief engineer, so don't let up."

"I know." Xie Pi was grateful, but he still needed seventy taels.