540 alexei volkov
[4] [If one] intends to distribute equally according to the number of the
people, [then] [it will be] uneven and there will be a remainder of 4
phan 8 li.
[5] [If for those] ranging from the high to the low [positions] the pattern
of ‘equal rank [distribution]’ ( ) [is applied], [then] there is [some-
thing] incorrect. So, the method of ‘fl at-rate distribution’ cannot be
universally applied, [it is] already
[6] clear. Now, [one] wishes to use this money to be applied equally [within
one rank] according to unequal ranks of the aforementioned corpus [of
functionaries] in separating them into three ranks [as follows]. Rank A:
/p. 30b/
[1] 8 persons, each person obtains 7 parts; rank B: 20 persons, each
person obtains 5 parts; rank C, 300
[2] persons, each person obtains 2 parts. [If we proceed in this way],
then what will be the [amounts of money corresponding to] the parts
obtained by all the people and the due amount [of money] for each [of
the three groups of functionaries]? [We] examine all
[3] the experts in computations [who] ‘study and exercise’, 64 [those who]
penetrate into the subtleness of weights and measures, [who can] dis-
tinguish and diff erentiate, analyse adequately, [those who know how
to] arrange and dispose [the counting rods], in order to inspect the
simple as well as the profound [matters]. 65
[4] Answer:^66
[5] each person of rank A obtains 49 lượng of silver; the due amount is
392 lượng ;
[6] each person of rank B obtains 35 lượng of silver; the due amount is 700
lượng ;
[7] each person of rank C obtains 14 lượng of silver; the due amount is
4200 lượng.
[8] Response [of the examinee]: [I,] so-and-so,^67 say: [this] computational
method involves [the operations of ] multiplication and division and
does not go beyond the [method of ] ‘distribution according to grades’64 A quotation from the fi rst chapter of the Confucian classic Lun yu ( Th e Analects ).
65 Probably, this paragraph is a formal ending appended to every problem proposed to candidates
at the examination.
66 Th e answer is written in smaller characters; it is possible that the answer was supposed to be
written by the examinee in the blank space left aft er the word ‘answer’.
67 A self-depreciatory (Chinese reading yu ) indicates the position in which the actual name is
to be inserted.