Chapter 529 - 250: "About the Subtlety of - Numbers So the Author Didn’t Want to Give It a Name

That’s right.

It must be Purim!

Within just a few seconds.

William Whewell identified the mastermind and came up with a rough guess about the context of events.

Purim.

This was the same little old man Xu Yun met when he first arrived at the University of Cambridge, outside William Whewell’s office with Wheat and Thomson.

At the time, he had a fierce argument with Whewell and even threw Wheat’s axe at Whewell’s door.

As for the cause of the argument, it naturally stemmed from the tenure issue.

Purim had been at the University of Cambridge for over thirty years, but it wasn’t until 1848 when the moral sciences honorary degree—headed by Tennyson—was established that political economy formally gained recognition.

However, due to ideological conflicts, Whewell believed Purim was not qualified for the position, and Cambridge should dismiss him.

That’s what led to the argument that day.

Actually.

Before the opening ceremony of the matriculation, Whewell always had a question in his mind:

Why didn’t Purim express anything about his actions?

This was clearly not in line with his character.

You see.

Whewell not only removed Purim from the teaching list of Trinity College, but he also persuaded several other Divinity School deans to transfer all political economy courses of four Divinity Schools to McCarthy.

This was like in later generations, where two teachers of the same subject, one teaching the top-performing class while the other only appears in the regular class.

And this person happened to be the most senior teacher in the school, with his first batch of students almost having grandchildren.

Given this.

How could you let him save face?

So Whewell had long prepared for Purim to protest and appeal and even arranged for backup with the trustees.

But after the course schedule was announced, Purim showed no reaction.

As if the entire matter had nothing to do with him.

But who could have thought.....

This old schemer surprised everyone with a sneak attack when Xu Yun took the stage?

Strictly speaking, William Whewell’s actions were undoubtedly not rigorous at that time, with some flaws.

But the problem is that no one would seriously argue about this kind of thing, right?

Any reasonable person understands that confirming Xu Yun’s identity is secondary to the trace of Little Niu’s original letter.

On the other hand.

When this issue is singled out and magnified in the current setting, it becomes a powerful means of attack!

Given the expansion of the British territory, Prince Albert may soon step down as the principal.

And as the Master of Trinity College, Whewell is one of the top candidates to succeed Prince Albert as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

Once he is branded as someone ’seeking quick success and instant benefits,’ it would undoubtedly hand the opponents a weapon in political battles!

Thinking about this.

A thick layer of sweat instantly appeared on William Whewell’s face on the podium.

What should he do?

If Prince Albert and Faraday were not present, it would be easier to handle.

He might still be able to rely on his position to bluff and force a close, but with so many big shots present...

Something might go wrong!

And just as William Whewell was racking his brain but had no idea how to react, he suddenly heard a faint chuckle in his ear.

Then, before he could verify if the chuckle was real, a voice suddenly rang beside him:

"Senior Angus Roman... is that the name?"

William Whewell turned his head and found Xu Yun smiling, looking at Angus Roman, saying:

"Senior Roman, what you said indeed makes sense, so no problem, how do you want to verify my identity?"

"Luo Feng, you..."

Whewell instinctively opened his mouth, wanting to stop his actions, but didn’t know how to continue.

It would be easy to make Xu Yun shut up, but what then?

Without giving a definitive result, the current situation can’t be resolved.

But Xu Yun’s true identity...

Honestly speaking.

Even Whewell himself didn’t quite believe that Xu Yun was the descendant of Fat Fish.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have used that bill to mock Xu Yun.

After all, someone so capable, even if coming from the second or third generation and trying to connect with Little Niu or the British Royal Family, wouldn’t fall so low as to not even possess a primary school... which is equivalent to a middle school graduation certificate in future generations.

Thinking of this.

William Whewell couldn’t help but sigh.

Well.

At this point, there is no other way, let’s see if this so-called descendant of Fat Fish can have some tacit understanding with him.

If he knows what’s best, opting to persist and not deny it, embarrassment is inevitable, but at least it would save face, and he would certainly receive another favor from Whewell afterward.

While Whewell’s mind was racing, Angus Roman’s joy below the stage was evident as he said loudly:

"Mr. Luo Feng, since you are a descendant of Mr. Feiyu, surely your family has some chronicles left by Mr. Feiyu, correct?"

"Let me tell you this—the Royal Society of the United Kingdom secretly unsealed a batch of long-dusty letters by Sir Newton two days ago."

"Some letters recorded anecdotes between Sir Newton and Mr. Feiyu, which are little known, though our Newton Research Association is not included."

"So I’d like to ask you a few questions first, if you can answer them, you’ve initially passed the test, otherwise....."