Astonishing Talent
Su Li quickly returned the greeting and said, "Lord Gu, I can't accept it. I am just a simple village woman; I really can't accept such a grand courtesy."
Lord Gu, however, said, "My courtesy is something ordinary people cannot accept. But young lady Su, you are worthy of it."
Su Li was even more surprised: "Lord Gu, what do you mean by that?"
Lord Gu smiled, gestured for Su Li to sit down, and sat himself. He began to explain patiently: "The situation is like this. Our dynasty values both literature and numbers. The imperial exams not only test the Four Books and Five Classics but also include a special additional subject: mathematics. Originally, my Wutong Academy gathered the nation's top mathematicians. I was quite proud, believing our academy was the best in mathematics. But just when I was so arrogant, I witnessed your mathematical skills, young lady Su, and realized I was a frog in a well — quite laughable. To be honest, after our half-day mathematical exchange, I consulted other mathematicians about your theories. None could answer, nor solve your intricate problems."
Lord Gu sighed as he spoke: "My Wutong Academy, the best in the world, with all its resources, could not solve a single problem posed by a woman. At first, I was unwilling to accept this, but then I came to understand that mathematics knows no gender; men are not necessarily superior to women. Your mathematical skills are the best in the world. With such talent before me, I am eager to recruit you. That is why I came with Mr. Zhuge to visit, hoping you will honor us by taking a position at my Wutong Academy."
"You want me to go to Wutong Academy to be a teacher?" Su Li's eyes widened in disbelief. What was going on?
Wasn't she just rejected before because she was a woman? How did things suddenly turn around 180 degrees?
Mr. Zhuge smiled and said, "Young lady Su, to be honest, Director Gu was very concerned about the difference between men and women at first. But your extraordinary talent in mathematics has completely won him over. So, the gender difference, hehe, in the face of your talent, is no longer a big deal."
Xiao Zetian, who was listening nearby, was so proud he felt like his tail would wag all the way to the sky!
Who is Lord Gu? Before Xiao Zetian became famous, he was the Grand Chancellor who dominated the court for over forty years! His power was immense, with disciples all over the government. Even though he has retired and no longer holds office, when Lord Gu stamps his foot, the court trembles.
Within the Three Departments and Six Ministries, hundreds and thousands are disciples or disciples of disciples of Lord Gu, their relationships complex and deeply rooted. Moreover, his grandson, Lord Gu Taifu, is the top civil official. Although Lord Gu no longer serves at court, his prestige surpasses even his former glory.
To have Lord Gu lower himself and personally come out of retirement to invite a woman, there is only one person in this world who can do that — Xiao Zetian's precious wife, Su Li!
At this moment, Xiao Zetian looked at Su Li with such a fiery gaze, he seemed to want to devour her right then and there!
After hearing them speak, Su Li blushed, thinking to herself that she just happened to benefit from being a time traveler. Her math scores in elementary, middle, and even university calculus were pretty good. Though not a math genius, her mind held the entire mathematical theories of the 21st century, gathering the wisdom of that era and thousands of years of math masters before.
Compared to the mathematics of this era, even a random theorem would be enough for these ancient mathematicians to study for a lifetime.
And those theorems that would take them a lifetime to study, Su Li had at least a hundred stored in her mind.
In terms of mathematical skill, she could indeed be said to be the number one person of this era.