Han Gonglian?

Upon hearing this name, Xu Yun's expression froze.

Unexpected, truly unexpected.

The candidate that Old Su proposed....

Is it really him?

Han Gonglian.

This is a mathematician from the Northern Song Dynasty, with very little information left behind about him, and later generations don't even know his courtesy name.

It's only in his birthplace's "Guping County Anecdotes" that there's some brief mention of him calling himself Mr. Yang Huai.

After all, nicknames in those days were like Bilibili usernames in later times, anyone could choose one.

Apart from the well-known users, only a few ordinary people, like those agreed upon by fate or the Mongolian solo top, are remembered.

However, even from those scant details preserved, later generations can still easily judge Han Gonglian's ability.

First Year of Song Yuan You.

Han Gonglian served as an official at the Ministry of Personnel, at the lowest rank of Senior Ninth Grade.

At that time, Old Su was serving as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, obliged to inspect the Celestial Sphere used by the Imperial Observatory and to prepare to make a new instrument.

In the end, during his visit, Old Su heard that Han Gonglian was proficient in mathematics and astronomy and was a master of calculation in Bianjing.

Old Su personally visited him and informed him of the instrumental methods of previous astronomers such as Zhang Heng, Liang Lingzhan, and Zhang Sixun.

He hoped that Han could thoroughly investigate and emulate them.

Han Gonglian thus wrote a volume titled "Nine Chapters on Gougu and Celestial Measurement" and created a wooden mold of a geared wheel.

After reviewing it, Old Su believed that while it wasn't entirely like the ancients described, the design of the hydro wheel had unique features with high feasibility.

Thus, this scheme was chosen and submitted to the Court, where it was approved.

Second Year of Yuan You.

Han Gonglian was appointed as an institutional officer and began creating the new instrument.

Seventh Year of Yuan You.

The instrument was finally completed and named the Yuan You Celestial Sphere.

Meanwhile, in history, Han Gonglian is also considered the most crucial figure in the creation of the Yuan You Celestial Sphere, besides Old Su.

Therefore, it is evident.

Although Han Gonglian may not have much written about him in historical texts, his ability in mathematics was significantly above that of ordinary people.

From a certain perspective.

He was actually quite like a Portuguese player named Eder from later generations.

Previously unknown, almost no one had heard of his name, and he seldom played.

In the 2016 European Championship final, he came off the bench, scored the winning goal, helping Portugal win the championship, and then faded into silence again.

No other way.

Although mathematics developed rapidly during the Song Dynasty, the feudal dynasty was ultimately focused on personnel struggles.

Many mathematicians didn't have much chance to showcase their skills, let alone be recorded in history.

Of course.

While that's the reason.

If truly a top-notch mathematician, they should, to some extent, leave some traces in history.

For instance, Qin Jiu Zhao.

Or Yang Hui.

Or even the person who wooed away Nobel's wife, well, that doesn't count...

So, speaking objectively:

Han Gonglian should be an advanced, perhaps nearly top-tier talent in mathematics.

But the distance from the 'pinnacle of the era' is probably still quite a way off.

Therefore, Xu Yun thought for a moment.

He was still prepared to ask Old Su if he could find a few more talents like Han Gonglian.

After all, the workload for this calculation is quite large, and you can't put all your eggs in one basket:

"Sir, if as you said, Mr. Yang Huai is indeed quite a formidable candidate.

However, the steps required for the astronomical telescope's calculations are extremely complex, relying on one person may be time-consuming and laborious.

Thus, if you have other candidates, it would be prudent to find a few more skilled in calculation to assist, as a contingency strategy."

Old Su nodded while listening, seemingly accepting this suggestion.

He had seen Xu Yun tinkering with generators and electrolysis cells, knowing that some knowledge of the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect was extraordinary.

There might be some discrepancy with existing knowledge, perhaps even necessitating a refreshing of established understanding.

If only Han Gonglian were recruited and he could grasp the principles, it might still be manageable.

But if there were hesitations or doubts.

Then the entire 'restoration' process of the astronomical telescope could face delays or even halts.

Then he carefully recalled the mathematicians he knew, and after a minute, suddenly his eyes lit up:

"Xiaowang, could you describe the mathematical knowledge you're speaking of in writing?"

Xu Yun looked at him curiously, a bit puzzled by Old Su's intentions, but still nodded:

"It's not difficult, since I read the content in books after all, summarizing some key points is quite easy."

Old Su, seeing this response, waved his hand excitedly and said:

"Excellent, later you shall accompany me to the study to draft a letter to be sent to Yingtian Prefecture.

There resides a master of contemporary calculation in a countryside hut; if persuaded to come to Bianjing to assist, the precision of the lens can certainly be achieved!"

Seeing Old Su express such excitement and admiration for the first time, Xu Yun grew interested:

"Who might this master be?"

Old Su paused for a moment, organized his words, and said with some reverence:

"This person is named Jia Xian, studied under the master of Nine Chapters Calculation, Chu Yan..."

Before Old Su could finish, Xu Yun's eyelid twitched fiercely.

Oh my.

Jia Xian?

This monument-level figure in the history of ancient mathematics is still alive at this time?

Speaking of well-known mathematicians of ancient Huaxia.

In many people's minds, the first name likely to come up is Zu Chongzhi.

The man who was the first in the world to calculate the value of Pi to the seventh decimal place, more than a thousand years before Europe.

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