Zhao Xi didn't really grasp the nine linked rings, he only remembered: two up one down, move the back one; one up two down, move the back one... this was the general idea.

  I vaguely remember it took over 300 steps, and I also recall that the shortest record in later generations was two or three minutes.

  He initially looked at the mnemonic, taking almost half an hour to go through it step by step. At that time, he seemed to have grasped some kind of rule, but unfortunately, he thought it wasn't difficult, just too cumbersome, so he didn't continue.

  If I had known... who would have thought I'd end up dying halfway through playing this game in ancient Song Dynasty.

  I can only try then.

  Zhao Xi chose Luban Lock, which left a way out for himself. Even if he couldn't open the nine linked rings, his reputation as a clever person would still be established.

  The first ring is easy to solve, the second ring seems not difficult either, but the third ring...

  Zhao Xi had no choice but to put the first and second rings back on again.

  Such an operation made Du Yan nod his head, at least the old man wouldn't think that this Marquis of E was prepared.

  "Governor Du..."

  "It's normal for the king to do so."

  Mr. Xiang also watched Zhao Xi busy, speaking in a low voice.

  "This is a complex and difficult problem to solve. Although one or two parts may be free to move up and down, it's not easy to discern the underlying mystery."

  "Mr. Han's words make sense, I've tried it before, every time I get to the 4th or 5th ring road, I get confused."

  "It's just child's play; strange and clever tricks are of no benefit to the country."

  "Brother Yong, this statement is incorrect. Children's play is not wrong, but it cannot be equated with clever tricks. The solution to the linked rings involves mathematical reasoning and deduction at the same time. It is not something that ordinary people can achieve; if a child can solve it, it is clear that they are intelligent, and teaching should be tailored to their abilities..."

  Du Yan held a heavy pen, but also made a long refutation of Ouyang Xiu's so arrogant words.

  "Youth is not always successful, old age is not necessarily good."

  Zhao Xi seemed to be concentrating on the nine linked rings, but in fact, when he was working on the first and second rings from top to bottom, he had already thought of the rules he used to disassemble them at the beginning. It's just that this thing... how can I put it, always feels like it needs a bit more grinding time.

  It's just as well to hear what these gentlemen have to say...

  "Ouyang Xianggong, why did you open the gate early and close it late? Did the scholar pass through the gate?"

  Zhao Xi knew he had spoken out of turn. Later generations have the story of Ouyang Xiu, who knows if it's already been passed down now. Afraid that speaking out would be unjustified.

  "Your Highness, Yong Shu has made a military decision. Please forgive him."

  Zhao Xi was stunned. This old man didn't get angry, but instead acted like this, which left him speechless.

  "Master Ouyang, Xier's words were childish, I still hope Master will not hold it against him. It was my fault for not teaching him well."

  Alas! How did the empress take over? Well, it's good that I don't have to think of what to say.

  "You needn't be so anxious. What the king said is quite right, children are not yet set in their ways and education after birth is of utmost importance. Jinxiu Zhongyong has a precedent, and Yongshu is also a warning from past experience."

  What's going on here? Zhao Xi was a bit unaccustomed to the straightforwardness of scholars, leaving him at a loss. What was originally a rather embarrassing matter, after being openly discussed by him, had become an exemplary model, a model for great talents.

  Looking at all of you gentlemen and old men, it seems like this is how it should be.

  It was Han Qi and Fu Bi staring at Zhao Xi, making him feel a bit uneasy.

  Anyway, I'm just a kid, isn't that what they say about kids saying whatever they want? That's all I've got to say, think whatever you want.

  I'm not playing blind man's bluff with you guys, I'll go play nine linked rings instead.

  Being stared at like this, I'm a bit guilty, not because of being spied on, but because of knowing the story.

  He knew that at this time, the gentlemen's hearts were filled with shock and amazement. It was not surprising to know about Ouyang Xiu's story, as it was a well-known tale. However, what was astonishing was that the three-year-old Prince of E, could counter Ouyang Xiu's "In youth, one is bright; in old age, one may not be excellent" with the most suitable refutation.

  This is what all of you gentlemen are astonished at, and the degree of astonishment is even stronger than Zhao Xi opening the Lu Ban lock.

  Luban lock is child's play, but Zhao Xie's words clearly express his talent for inductive reasoning and making connections between seemingly unrelated things.

  There is a possibly wise emperor, whether he is good or bad is hard to say.

  Fan Zhongyan, on the other hand, was shocked and delighted that the old man had put so much thought into his new policy, but despite repeatedly explaining it to Your Majesty, you still didn't understand.

  If Your Majesty had the wisdom of King Wu of Yue, then the court would be in harmony with its ministers and there wouldn't be such an uncertain situation as now.

  At this time, King E was already disassembling the nine linked rings, it's not the right moment to congratulate Your Majesty...

  Zhao Xi was already confident in his ability to solve it, but he was considering whether he needed to repeat it again during the fifth or sixth round, just to make a show of suddenly realizing something.

  Isn't it too surprising if it's solved just like that for the second time?

  Exceeding ordinary people by one foot and you are still human, exceeding ordinary people by one zhang is considered a freak, if it exceeds ordinary people by one li, I'm afraid it will no longer be defined as human.

  It's not that he didn't try, this thing isn't familiar, even if you know the principle, you have to focus. Zhao Xi had something on his mind and really messed up when reassembling...

  Du Yan nodded again, repeatedly acknowledging Zhao Xi's operation.

  No need to pretend anymore, it's just right. When Zhao Xi put on the nine linked rings again, her tender small hands didn't stop moving.

  Everyone watched him fiddling with those rings, listening to the clanging of the copper hoops, all staring at Zhao Xi.

  "Whoosh"

  All the rings have been opened...

  "This..."

  "Wealthy people don't rush, look at those below."

  Then Zhao Xi was once again fiddling with the copper ring that had already fallen off... He wanted to put it back on.

  Loading and unloading are originally the true meaning of this game, so they can't be taken apart and ignored.

  "King of Hubei..."

  "Sir, actually solving this ring is about finding the right pattern, the rest is just tedious. The so-called rule is just a specific sequence."

  "Remove the first two rings and then solve the remaining ones in sequence from back to front."

  Zhao Xi didn't know if this could be explained clearly, but it was absolutely impossible to recite the incantation. It was possible to analyze and summarize the solution to the ring, but it wasn't something that someone of his age could do, and even these two sentences felt a bit too broad for him.

  Who cares what he says? This move to break the deadlock has shocked everyone, each with a hundred emotions surging inside, and who still pays attention to his verbal organization skills.

  "Long live Your Majesty! Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

  "Congratulations to Your Majesty, felicitations to Your Majesty! I suggest that Prince of Hubei may enter the imperial academy..."

  "I humbly agree..."

  "I humbly concur..."

  What does this mean? Isn't this child's play?

  The cleverness of Prince E is already a given, what needs to be done next is how to educate the prince into what they hope for... This is what all the masters think of first.

  With such intelligence, if he were to be manipulated by the filthy harem for a long time in the palace, it's uncertain what kind of emperor he would eventually become.

  "Gentlemen, Xi'er is not yet four years old; has there ever been a precedent for someone of this age entering school?"

  "Your Majesty, the wisdom of Prince of E cannot be measured by ordinary standards. At seven years old, Xiang Yu was a teacher to saints; at twelve years old, Gan Luo was appointed as a high-ranking official; and at five years old, Cao Chong was known for his intelligence - these were all ancient sages."

  "In our dynasty, Jin Xi was able to recite poetry at the age of five and Sima Qian broke a jar to save someone at the age of six. Whether they became accomplished or not was due to their education. I beg Your Majesty to make a decision."