Chapter 69: The Origins of Zhang Chuchu

Zhang Chuchu’s father was named Zhang Yukuan. During the Wude years, he served under Wang Xiaotong, the Assistant Grand Historian and Tongzhilang, holding the position of Doctor of Mathematical Calendars—a minor and obscure official mainly responsible for astronomical and calendrical calculations.

Zhang Yukuan was talented and skilled in mathematics, a direct descendant of the renowned mathematician Zhang Qiujian from the Jin dynasty. His family possessed Zhang Qiujian’s original manuscripts, the three-volume “Mathematical Classic of Zhang Qiujian,” which Zhang Yukuan studied deeply. He also had considerable achievements in astronomy and arithmetic.

By rights, an able official such as Zhang Yukuan should have been promoted and valued by the court, never remaining in such a minor post for long. Yet, he never received the opportunity for advancement. Zhang Yukuan was indifferent by nature, not adept at forging connections or currying favor with powerful figures; he was the quintessential scholar devoted to research. Thus, in an era where pedigree and relationships counted for everything, his career proceeded unremarkably—six years under Wang Xiaotong’s tutelage, yet nothing more than a low-ranking official.

It wasn’t until the ninth year of Wude, after the Xuanwu Gate Incident when Crown Prince Jiancheng was executed and the political landscape of the court was shaken, that Zhang Yukuan, like many other officials, was implicated. Even such a minor official was not spared; discovered to have some connection to a former minister, he was dismissed and sent home in the first year of Zhenguan.

On his journey home, Zhang Yukuan was heavy-hearted and, having always lacked physical strength, fell ill at Xiaoxin Village in Sanyuan County. Fortunately, the kindly Zhang Buliang took them in and nursed him back to health. From then on, father and daughter stayed with the Zhang family. During recovery, Zhang Yukuan noticed that Zhang Chuwen, the son, was clever and well-mannered, much to his liking, and so resolved to take him as a disciple. It was both to repay Zhang Buliang’s kindness and to ensure his knowledge would not be lost—Zhang family’s mathematical learning needed a successor.

However, Zhang Chuwen’s performance greatly disappointed Zhang Yukuan. Though clever, Chuwen lacked sensitivity to numbers and was clueless about calculations and the calendar. No matter how Zhang Yukuan taught, Chuwen couldn’t grasp the essentials, while Chuchu, playing nearby, often understood after hearing things just once.

After several fruitless attempts, Zhang Yukuan had to admit that mathematical talent depends on innate aptitude. He abandoned the idea of teaching Chuwen mathematics, guiding him instead toward literature and history, so he might attain scholarly honor and thus repay Buliang’s life-saving grace.

As for mathematics, Zhang Yukuan set his sights on Chuchu, who was only five at the time. Perhaps it was heredity, family tradition, or the influence of Zhang Yukuan from an early age, but Chuchu’s comprehension and practical skills in mathematics often amazed her father. While teaching her, he would often sigh, “If only Chuchu were a son!”

And so, Chuchu studied mathematics, Chuwen studied literature and history, under the guidance of the learned Zhang Yukuan, for two years.

In the second year of Zhenguan, Zhang Yukuan succumbed to his lingering illness in mid-March, at the age of thirty-five. Chuchu was only seven at the time. To lose one’s father at such a tender age—the pain was indescribable.

After helping bury Zhang Yukuan, Zhang Buliang and his wife, pitying Chuchu’s youth, took her in as their adopted daughter the following month. From then on, she and Chuwen were siblings in name. Chuwen, aged ten, was already showing scholarly promise at the private school, earning high praise from his teacher. Zhang Buliang and his wife recognized this as Zhang Yukuan’s merit and grew ever fonder of Chuchu, treating her as their own. Chuwen cherished his little sister, knowing her love for mathematics, and often brought her mathematical classics from his teacher for her to study.

Chuchu was always obedient and grateful, understanding filial piety from an early age, helping Madam Liu raise silkworms and manage household chores to please her foster parents. She was beloved by Zhang Buliang and his wife, even more so than their own son.

By the eighth year of Zhenguan, Chuchu had grown into a young woman beloved by all, and had reached marriageable age. Suitors began to arrive, including many scholars attracted by her reputation. Yet, Chuchu had no intention of marrying. First, she wished to serve the Zhang couple for a few more years to repay their kindness; second, she sought a husband who could inherit her father’s legacy and carry on the Zhang family’s mathematical tradition.

Thus arose the origin of Chuchu’s Three Mathematical Challenges for choosing a husband.

The problems she posed were mostly mathematical, drawn from the difficult sections of the three volumes of “Mathematical Classic of Zhang Qiujian,” and few could solve them. She used this to delay her marriage for two years, and the number of suitors dwindled, until, in the last year, not a single matchmaker dared to approach. Zhang Buliang and his wife grew anxious—an unmarried woman at sixteen was a major issue at the time. If she delayed much longer, who would marry her?

In this regard, Chuchu and Liu Yitiao were well matched—he, eighteen and unmarried; she, sixteen and unwed, both considered difficult cases. So, when Third Aunt came to propose on Liu Yitiao’s behalf, Zhang Buliang was so delighted he nearly leapt for joy. He had met Liu Yitiao—courteous, capable, decent in appearance; if his daughter could marry him, it would be a fine match.

After Third Aunt’s visit, Zhang Buliang and Madam Liu began urging Chuchu to abandon the challenge or at least lessen its difficulty. Chuwen, grateful to Liu Yitiao for his previous gift of a cow, also spoke highly of him, piquing Chuchu’s curiosity about Liu Yitiao.

When Liu Laoshi brought Liu Yitiao to propose, Chuchu hid behind the door curtain, secretly observing. Liu Yitiao was not tall, but stood steadily, imparting a sense of reliability—a feeling Chuchu had only experienced in her father before.

“Master Liu resembles my father,” Chuchu said softly, sitting across from Liu Yitiao, her beautiful eyes lingering with nostalgia. “Serene, elegant, unassuming, confident. Talented, yet never boastful. And in mathematics, Master Liu’s expertise even surpasses my father’s.”

“So, I do not wish to deceive you, sir. I dare to reveal my background here, lest you regret it after our marriage.”

Liu Yitiao listened quietly, Chuchu’s voice gentle and measured, soothing to the ear. He hadn’t expected such a tragic history—losing her parents young, raised under another’s roof. How much sorrow must she have carried?

Looking at that slender figure, Liu Yitiao felt a surge of compassion.

He set his teacup on the table, gazed deeply at Chuchu, and spoke with unwavering resolve, “Miss Chuchu, though I am a farmer, I am also a man who stands tall under heaven. The words I speak and the things I do, I never regret!”

Hearing this, Chuchu lowered her head, her hands clasped tightly together, her face blushing like rosy clouds.

——

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