Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 551 Zhang Heng
"This is truly a scene of a prosperous age!"

In the seventh year of Yongyuan,

At the tender age of seventeen, Liu Zhao, who officially took control of the empire, spent three years pacifying the court and reorganizing both internal and external affairs.

Peace reigns throughout the land, and prosperity reigns across the world.

Luoyang, the capital city located in the center of the world, also flourished along with the prosperity of the nine provinces, becoming decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere.

This amazed Zhang Heng, who had just arrived in Luoyang to study. He looked around at the people and felt overwhelmed, unable to see them all in a single day.

Fortunately, he is only seventeen years old, and his studies at the Imperial Academy have just begun, so he has plenty of time.

After it was tidied up,

Zhang Heng then took the letter from his friend and went to visit Wang Jing, his idol whom he had admired for many years.

He was from Nanyang County. Although his hometown was far from the main channel of the Yellow River, it was prone to floods due to the intertwined waterways.

After the Yellow River returned to calm,
Wang Jing's talent was undoubtedly demonstrated. Adhering to the principle that "talented people must be employed," Emperor Ming repeatedly appointed him as a local official, allowing him to shine in various places.

Aside from the years he spent at home caring for his grandmother, seeing her off in her final days, and observing mourning, Wang Jing rarely stayed in Luoyang for long.

South of the Yellow River, the Jianghuai region, which was prone to floods and heat due to its climate, also benefited greatly from Wang Jing's favor.

Zhang Heng had heard of Wang Jing's deeds since childhood and had also seen the latter casually point out the water conservancy projects repaired by local officials when he passed through Nanyang.

Sturdy and easy to use
Even with occasional droughts and floods, there have never been any problems.

As a result,
In addition to reciting the classics of various philosophers, Zhang Heng also began to study arithmetic and the Book of Changes.

Naturally,
This knowledge, blessed by the gods and spirits, would also bring Zhang Heng to their attention.

After all, knowledge is acquired by each individual.

"...I knew it! Even after all these years, this guy wouldn't let me off the hook!"

When Wang Jing, who was nearly seventy years old, received news of the young man's visit and saw the letter in Zhang Heng's hand, he couldn't help but sigh.

Zhang Heng immediately became curious.

He asked hesitantly:
"Do you have any grudges with Mr. He?"

Depends on age,
Zhang Heng did not think that his friend would have any connection with Wang Jingcun, who had served as an official for many years and was regarded as a fine horse by Emperors Ming and Zhang.

The difference is too great.

So when He Bo, who claimed to be suffering from the "pain of losing a son" and was going to a faraway place to collect his remains, handed him the letter...
Zhang Heng assumed that this was because the other party's elder had a past relationship with Wang Jing.

Judging from the reactions of the older generation now...

It seemed more like it was directed at that friend.

This is really strange.

Wang Jing didn't explain to him.

Anyway, once the kid in front of me dies, he'll naturally understand my intentions.

He only gave a vague reply:
"I've ended up like this because of that guy surnamed He!"

After all,

Wang Jing stretched out his old hand and rubbed his aching lower back.

He did not want to become an official.
Unfortunately, his talent was too outstanding, and he could not hide in the crowd. That's why Emperor Ming picked him up like a claw machine.

However, he was also somewhat stubborn and meticulous in his personality, which led him to serve the Han Dynasty like a slave for many years. Only a few years ago did he take advantage of the turmoil caused by the Dou family to find an excuse to resign from his official post and enjoy a peaceful and leisurely old age in his old house in Luoyang.

Ugh,
If only the Yellow River hadn't breached its banks back then.
If only Wang Yanshi had tamed the river back then!

If only I hadn't been on the land of Qi and Lu, lamenting the overflowing flood, thus bringing about that entangled fate.
Feeling the back pain caused by years of hard work, Wang Jing's resentment slowly surfaced on his face.

Zhang Heng's doubts remained unresolved, and in fact, they intensified because of his senior's words.

But his rationality told him not to say anything more and quickly changed the subject.

So Zhang Heng took out two thick books from his bundle, piled them in front of Wang Jing, and said to him:
"This is a gift that Mr. He asked me to bring to you. He said that you will be happy to see this book!"

Wang Jing took them and saw that one book was called "Tiangong Kaiwu" and the other was called "Mingwu".

He flipped through it and realized that the former recorded artifacts made by craftsmen from ancient times to the present, arranged neatly in chronological order using different chapters and supplemented with pictures, so that people could understand their structure, form and function at a glance.

As for the latter
It takes the meaning of "clarifying the law" from Han Feizi's thought, and considers it as a book that clarifies the principles of how all things operate, which perfectly corroborates "Tiangong Kaiwu".

The term "clarifying the law" means making the laws and regulations clear and ensuring that the people know them, and summarizing the laws and regulations so that the people can use them.

And Wang Jing's view of "Mingwu" is naturally the same.

"He is still somewhat useful, knowing that compiling such books can benefit the people and the country."

He muttered something Zhang Heng didn't quite understand, then took out a pair of glasses and began to read.

Noticing Zhang Heng's curious gaze, Wang Jing pointed to the glasses and said, "This is a gift from He Sheng, whom you mentioned."

"I'm getting old and my vision isn't very clear, so I need it."

"If you have read the classics of the Mohist school or this book, Mingwu, you will understand the reason."

The two eyepieces were personally ground by Emperor Ming and Emperor Zhang, who had served him for many years.

The frame was made by Wang Yanshi.

As for He Bo?

He was in charge of supervising the work and took credit for making the glasses himself.

Zhang Heng nodded knowingly, indicating that his family had quite a large collection of books and that he was not dull-witted.

It's just that when you see "glasses" for the first time, you can't help but stare at them a few more times.

Then, he recalled the various objects his friend had brought to work on and study with him, and his thoughts drifted away.

Until Wang Jing took off his glasses, closed the book, and spoke:
"It's a good thing. The hard work I put into it back then wasn't wasted."

Wang Jing was well-versed in a wide range of knowledge and enjoyed writing down his thoughts and experiences when he was tired from his official duties, as a way to relax.

His excessive busyness left him no time to organize those scattered notes into a book.

Fortunately, He Bo offered his help, saying that Wang Jing was unavailable but he could assist.

Anyway, he's always been very free.

Just right,

In God's heart, there has always been the idea of ​​summarizing the technology of the world today and then explaining the principles behind it.

While the dead in the underworld can certainly fulfill God's requirements, matters such as technology, which are closely related to reality, don't just appear out of thin air like the earlier "Miscellaneous Sayings" or the current "A New Account of Tales of the World."

Stories can be made up.
Thoughts can be clear and fleeting.

But every action leaves a trace, and even the most sophisticated technology requires accumulation.

How can a high-tech achievement suddenly emerge from the wilderness without any foundation?
The firepower is so strong that it can't even melt copper, yet it can be used to smelt steel?
The so-called castles in the air and the moon reflected in a mirror are nothing more than this.

Moreover, theoretical schools of thought can be formed by one person, but technology cannot be formed in the same way.

Since God did not protect the heavens and the four directions, granting them absolute favorable weather and abundant harvests, and regarded all people as infants in swaddling clothes, unable to be separated from their parents, He naturally would not simply throw these crystallized wisdoms, which require time to accumulate, careful verification and improvement, and the inheritance of ancestors and descendants, into the masses.

Otherwise, this "borrowing" approach would be too much of a "borrowing" approach.

Therefore, similar books,

Bored ghosts in the underworld had already compiled it, but God did not allow it to circulate.

At most, it would allow the dissemination of technologies that were hidden away in various places and considered their exclusive domain, as well as those technologies that actually existed and could be developed by people with a little ingenuity, to more places that needed them.

If you want it, come and take it yourself!

Isn't Wittgenstein's statement the truth enough?
Therefore,
When Wang Jing finished reading the thick book in his hands and saw the fruits of his years of research, culminating in a conclusion alongside those of his predecessors and contemporaries, his resentment towards He Bo, this "god," and towards Wang Yanshi, this "substitute for a water ghost," finally lessened somewhat. ...

“I should present these books to His Majesty so that the people may learn and follow them.”

If we consider the Xia people as a civilization, they are now just entering their prime.

He was physically strong, quick-witted, and had bright eyes that were not clouded by ignorance.

What would later be criticized by moralists as "strange skills and frivolous tricks" and "heretical practices" could not be widely promoted at this time to be considered a flourishing and prestigious field of study, but it could still gain the attention of the imperial court.

During the Spring and Autumn Period,

The land of the Xia people was still inhabited by some barbarians, and the Rong people of Yi and Luo were still running around happily around Cheng Zhou.

During the Warring States period,

Only then did the Chinese basically drive the barbarians out of the vast and fertile land of the Central Plains.

The lands of the barbarians were thoroughly irrigated, spreading from the Central Plains to Lingnan, Liaodong, and even the northern frontier, before finally escaping the all-encompassing, all-powerful hands of the Chinese gentry who could reach out and educate them at any time.

When the Qin and Han dynasties, which unified the country, were to emerge,

The arduous struggles of the past have not been completely forgotten, and wise leaders still understand the importance of pragmatism and reliability.

Therefore, during the Qin Dynasty, officials were assigned to popularize laws among the people and teach them to recognize some characters and learn some arithmetic.

A typical example is the letter written by the soldier Hei Fu to his family, which became famous in later generations, and the popularized Nine-Nine Rhyme.

The Agricultural Classic, compiled during the Former Han Dynasty, which recorded advanced farming experiences and related technologies from various regions, had already become a classic most recognized and familiar to middle and lower-level court officials, thanks to the urging of those in power and the efforts of officials.

Some local officials, who lacked the talent to read the works of the philosophers and understand the principles of righteousness and propriety, were able to rise to the central government and serve in the Ministry of Works by applying their knowledge of the Agricultural Canon.

Just as people age, civilizations also grow old and become rigid and inflexible.

The carefree, confident, and cheerful spirit of the past will eventually fade away with the passage of time.

Zhang Heng naturally understood Wang Jing's intentions, but he still had some concerns:
"The Tiangong Kaiwu (Exploitation of the Works of Nature) is similar to the Agricultural Canon, so it was easy for it to gain the approval and promotion of the imperial court."

"But the things in 'Mingwu' are quite astonishing to people of today. Some of the common sense and material principles were proposed by people from the Qin Dynasty..."

During the prosperous period of Western Qin,
The territory is vast, but unlike the Central Plains, it does not have smooth transportation and abundant resources.

Therefore, in order to catch up with its old rival, the Han Dynasty, and to make up for its disadvantages in terms of water and soil, the Western Qin Dynasty provided strong support for craftsmen.

Some scholars have even combined Roman numerals with counting rods, and mixed in the wisdom of other civilizations, to create some simple and easy-to-write characters for the convenience of calculation and measurement, so that the Western Qin could enjoy a more comfortable and luxurious life as a middleman on the Silk Road.

On this point,

Even the most theoretically sophisticated scholars from the new Xia dynasty are slightly inferior.

After all, Xinxia's pursuit of knowledge through investigation stemmed from both personal interest and divine guidance.

For the people of Xiqin, these things are necessary for a better life; the motivations are different, so the results are naturally different.

"You young lad, you're at the prime of your life, how come you think more narrow-mindedly than an old man like me?"

Wang Jing stared with his old eyes and said, "Isn't Ying Qin part of the Zhuxia?"

"Back then, our great Han Dynasty was able to gift them the Agricultural Canon and collaborate with them on compiling classics and historical treatises. Why can't we use their materials now?"

"Besides, the emperor is young and promising, and he doesn't have the stubborn contempt of an old man!"

"Youth" is an extremely important influencing factor on a person's character and behavior.

Because they are young,

If nothing unexpected happens, he will surely live a long life.

Because they are young,

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will undoubtedly be in good health.

A strong heart, flowing blood, keen senses... these qualities bring confidence and vigor to the younger generation.

They are not afraid of what others fear, and they are good at accepting what others resist.

The emperor, who was only one year older than Zhang Heng, was like the sun at dawn.

Bright and dazzling,
But it doesn't leave people panting from the sun, their faces covered in sweat from their hard work for the Han people.

This is a monarch destined to continue the legacy of his ancestors and create a prosperous era.

"Then how should we present the book to His Majesty?" Zhang Heng blinked, then asked.

Wang Jing had been retired for several years.

After the turmoil in the imperial court caused by the Dou family's usurpation of power and subsequent downfall, some officials also withdrew from the political stage.

His network of contacts also suffered some damage.

Moreover, in the fifth year of Yongyuan,
When the locals heard about the emperor's power grab at the White Tiger Temple, they were amazed by the emperor's youthful talent and worried that his methods might be even more ruthless than those of Emperor Ming. They even presented him with more than eighty "auspicious omens" under the pretext of congratulating him on assuming power.

As a result, the emperor returned all the auspicious omens and scolded the local officials, telling them to focus on their work and not waste their energy on such mystical and esoteric matters.

The last person to use auspicious omens to enhance his reputation and consolidate his rule was Wang Mang!

Afterwards,

The emperor then issued several decrees to restrict local authorities and common people from harassing him under the pretext of presenting treasures.

Wang Jing didn't take it seriously, and just stroked his beard, saying, "It's not an urgent matter, I always have a way."

In a hurry,
He was naturally at a loss for what to do.

But there's still plenty of time, and since I live in Luoyang, why should I be afraid of not finding an opportunity?

"go!"

"It's a rare treat to have a junior like you visit. Let me show you my collection of books and the fruits of my craft!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Jing invited Zhang Heng to his study, wanting to show him the wisdom of his senior.

Zhang Heng naturally did not refuse.

The old man and the young man then walked over.

Zhang Heng kept exclaiming in amazement.

Wang Jing pretended to be tending to the books on the shelf, secretly pleased with himself.

"Where did my latest edition of 'A New Account of Tales of the World' go?"

The sky gradually darkened,

Wang Jing invited Zhang Heng to have dinner at his home.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the old man suddenly asked about his wife.

Occasionally,
His wife would help him take care of the furnishings in the yard and air out the many books.

The old woman then said, "I lent it out."

"What do you need it for? I haven't finished reading it yet!"

"But didn't you say before that this book only records things that people ridicule, and has no moral lessons from sages?"

“Perfect timing! A few friends and I really enjoy watching this kind of stuff!”

Wang Jing said sternly to the younger generation, "What do you, an old woman, know?"

"I was looking at it critically!"

"puff!"

Zhang Heng couldn't hold back and made a sound, disturbing the elderly couple's argument.

He quickly picked up a glass of water, covered his face with his hand, and explained:
"I suddenly remembered something sad!"

(End of this chapter)