Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 292 At a Time of Change, Pioneers for the Nine Provinces (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The effort required for any innovation is unimaginable to outsiders.

This is destined to be a road full of thorns.

Fortunately—

The Gu family was not afraid of setbacks, nor were they afraid of thorns.

Gu Yi immediately used the "Spirit Jade" to strengthen Gu Qi's determination to explore this skill.

To reiterate, he cannot force growth.

Yet he was willing to be a pioneer for Kyushu!

—The First Industrial Revolution!
This can be considered one of the most important changes in the entire world in the original history.

Before that, the whole world was the same.

After it, the whole world became a different place!
The reason he acquired it is also because so much has changed since then, and Gu Yi no longer has such a big air about him.

This is something that benefits the entire Gu family, the entire Kyushu, and even the entire world.

He would certainly be willing to take the risk!
Of course, this is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

In fact, the Gu Clan Academy is also currently exploring the use of this "fire energy".

To put it bluntly, this is just the beginning.

In the original historical period, it would have taken a very long time to fully utilize "steam," let alone in this time.

Although the world's ideas have changed significantly compared to the original history.

However, this new idea cannot replace the existing skills.

To truly create a transformation in productivity, it is necessary to fill in all the gaps and require the continuous efforts of generations.

However, Gu Yi was not in a hurry about this.

In his opinion.

Once the people of Kyushu have taken this step, that is enough!

Time flies, and years pass by.

This is destined to be an era full of changes.

Just like the newly established dynasties in history, when they were founded, the whole world would experience a rapid period of development in a short period of time.

There are many factors at play, such as the situation of the hidden population at the end of the dynasty, or other reasons.

But this is all normal.

The same is true for the Song Dynasty today.

Although the Song Dynasty was not a new entity, it had only just begun to unify the country.

This is a very simple truth.

Before unifying the country, the mature trade system under the Gu family had already fully exploited the potential of the entire Song Dynasty. At least in the short term, without amazing technological innovation, the Song Dynasty could not have become stronger with its current territory.

But now it's completely different.

Each territory allows the Song Dynasty's current system to fully utilize its capabilities, which in turn drives the continuous rise of its overall national strength.

And this is precisely the main direction of development for the Song Dynasty at present.

It means using the original foundation of the Song Dynasty to drive the economy of the entire country.

This is also a gradual process.

It is impossible for everything to be prosperous in the middle.

Various institutional loopholes and other systems adapted to local conditions all require time to be continuously refined and adjusted.

In a time when information exchange is still very slow, all of this takes time.

It is worth mentioning that Gu Yi never gave up his attention to Wanyan Aguda.

Wanyan Aguda's actions were also as Gu Yi had expected.

At least in the present era.

He had no reason to rebel, but instead cooperated with Gu Lin to continuously promote the integration of various Jurchen tribes into the Nine Provinces, including popularizing the culture brought by Gu's Academy.

In addition to that, he is also constantly improving himself.

I am constantly learning about the culture of Kyushu.

Although the cultural influence of the Gu Clan Academy has long reached the northern frontier, these tribal cultures are still incredibly backward, and this is now the best opportunity.

The key is--

He also made perfect use of the various systems of the Song Dynasty to strengthen the Jurchen tribes.

This is the effect of economic development.

Although the Jurchen tribes were poor, their prey and local specialties were highly sought after by the wealthy people of Jiangnan, especially the furs of their prey, which were fetched exorbitant prices.

How could someone like Wanyan Aguda not see the opportunity in this?

Gu Yi didn't seem to care too much about it.

Although this move seems somewhat risky.

But in reality, it's just due to the influence of preconceived notions from history.

From the perspective of current development alone, this move will greatly accelerate the integration of the Jurchen tribes into the Nine Provinces, which will definitely not be detrimental to the Song Dynasty.

Why should he care so much?
Time flies by.

And things unfolded exactly as Gu Yi had predicted.

It was in the thirteenth year of Yuanxing.

With the continued development of the economy, new cities are emerging in various parts of Kyushu.

In the northern frontier—

Relying on the influence of Damingfu in Beijing, a new city named "Guihua" has sprung up on the edge of the southern grassland.

This place is no longer just a military fortress, but also serves as a trading market, a government office, and the northern branch of the Gu Clan Academy.

Fur and livestock from the grasslands converged and were traded here with tea, cloth, ironware, and porcelain from the Central Plains.

The Jurchen tribes under Wanyan Aguda, as well as other nomadic tribes that had submitted, began to settle here, either as part-time herders and farmers, or as guards and guides for passing caravans.

The establishment of the academy's branch campuses systematically taught knowledge of agriculture, medicine, and mathematics, subtly changing the local way of life.

This city symbolizes the fusion of grassland and agricultural civilizations, and also became an outpost for the empire's expansion into the northern frontier.

In the Hexi Corridor—

With the support of Xijing Henan Prefecture, Anxi New City guards a strategic location.

It rebuilt and expanded the ancient Silk Road post station system, equipped with more complete warehouses, warehouses and guard forces.

Thanks to the powerful national strength of the Song Dynasty and the diversion of some trade to maritime routes, land trade in this area did not decline; on the contrary, it prospered due to its orderly and safe environment.

Caravans from the Western Regions brought jade, spices, and fine horses, while taking away more exquisite and competitively priced Song Dynasty porcelain, silk, and books.

The Gu Family Academy established a branch campus here.

The research focuses on the languages, geography, and species of the Western Regions, and attempts to further optimize and promote the planting techniques of crops such as cotton, so that it can radiate to the surrounding areas.

On the Liaodong Peninsula—

Relying on the increasingly prosperous maritime transport, Jinzhou New City was built along the excellent port.

This place was not only an important base for the Song Dynasty's navy to control the Bohai and Yellow Seas, but also one of the core ports for maritime transport in Liaodong.

Silver, fine materials, and ginseng from Japan landed here, and various handicrafts, books, and even the academic ideas of the Gu family academy spread from Kyushu.

At the same time, the abundant timber and mineral resources in Liaodong began to be exploited in a planned manner and supplied to workshops on the southern coast by sea.

In the southwestern border region—

With the steady progress of the imperial court's policy of replacing native chieftains with appointed officials, Zhennan New City has become the center for education and governance of the southwest.

Officials dispatched by the imperial court and students from the Gu family academy built water conservancy projects, promoted advanced agricultural techniques from the Central Plains, established medical clinics, and taught culture.

Previously, the Tusi tribes, which were independent and often at odds, began to integrate into the imperial system at an accelerated pace under increasingly close economic and cultural ties and the court's strong appeasement policy.

The rise of these new cities is not an isolated phenomenon.

Through an increasingly sophisticated system of official roads and post stations, bustling inland waterways, and ever-expanding sea routes, these regions were closely connected to the four capitals and the heartland of the empire, forming an unprecedentedly vast and orderly economic and cultural network. In fact, this also demonstrates the function of the four capitals system.

When a country's economy truly flourishes and it has no rivals on any side.

The scope of each system becomes crucial.

And this is precisely the present-day Song Dynasty.

Without these four capitals, no matter how strong the Song Dynasty was, it would never have been able to develop to its current state, given the speed of information transmission.

Only in this way can this era become so extraordinary.

Julu County, Hebei Province.

—It is unlike the atmosphere of the entire world.

Although the whole world is constantly advancing, Julu remains peaceful.

Of course, this does not mean that Julu is still standing still and has made no progress.

Quite the opposite.

As the cultural core of the entire Kyushu, Julu has undergone the most significant changes in Kyushu. Whether it is various inventions or the application of new technologies, almost all of them originated from Julu and spread to the world.

This peace exists solely because of the human heart.

This is Julu.

Even in times of chaos, Julu remained peaceful.
In times of peace and prosperity, everything remains the same.

The records of the Gu family over the past thousand years have made the spirit of this land transcend the ordinary in many ways. The common people and officials all have their own beliefs and convictions.

In other words—

This is not just Gu's Julu, but the Julu of all the people and citizens of Julu.

At this moment, in a workshop deep within the Gewu Academy of Gu's Academy.

The air was scorching, filled with the unique smell of burning coal and the scorching sensation of metal.

Gu Qi and a dozen carefully selected disciples were holding their breath, staring intently at the "steam engine" in the center of the workshop, which had undergone countless modifications and was now vastly different from its original form.

The machine still uses a copper cauldron as its core, but its structure has become much more complex.

The key improvement was that they finally partially solved the persistent problem of steam leakage.

It wasn't that they found some miraculous material, but after countless failures, a disciple, inspired by the mortise and tenon joints in woodworking, proposed a method of "multi-layered misaligned sealing"—layering materials with different hardness and heat resistance, and applying uniform pressure with huge external bolts, which forcefully contained the leakage to an unprecedentedly low level.

More importantly, it also includes a clever "slide valve" concept.

Gu Qi and his disciples spent several months meticulously handcrafting copper slide valves and valve seats. Although they still wear out, they have achieved a preliminary level of precise control over the rhythm of steam entering and leaving the cylinder.

"Ignite it." Gu Qi's voice was calm, but carried a hint of tension that was barely perceptible.

The fire was lit, and the bellows began to operate rhythmically.

Time passed slowly as they waited, and a familiar, deep rumble began to emanate from the bronze cauldron. All eyes were focused on the heavy crossbar connecting the cylinder piston.

"The pressure is enough!" the disciple in charge of observing the mercury column whispered.

Gu Qi took a deep breath and personally and slowly turned the lever controlling the slide valve.

"Chirp—clack—"

A crisp, decisive steam eruption sounded, unlike any before.

Immediately afterwards, the heavy bar no longer moved hesitantly and haltingly as before, but began to move back and forth with an unprecedented, firm and stable rhythm!
Through its newly improved crankshaft-flywheel mechanism, it transforms reciprocating motion into continuous and uniform rotational force, driving a small spinning machine model connected to the side, equipped with ten spindles, to rotate smoothly!
The workshop remained quiet, with only the hissing of steam.

There were no cheers, no jubilation; the disciples simply stared wide-eyed at the continuously running machine, their faces filled with a complex expression of disbelief, shock, and ecstasy.

It doesn't run fast, and its power is limited; driving these ten spindles is its limit.

Moreover, after running for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, fine white steam began to seep out from the seal again, and the movement of the slide valve became slightly sluggish. Gu Qi decisively ordered the engine to be turned off.

The machine slowly came to a stop.

Only then did a low, suppressed cheer erupt from inside the workshop.

"We've succeeded! Sir, we've succeeded!" A disciple's voice trembled with excitement.

Gu Qi finally showed a relieved smile, but he quickly raised his hand to suppress the excitement of the crowd.

He walked to the still-warm machine, pointed to the leaky seal and the slide valve that was starting to need maintenance, and said in a deep voice, "Don't be too happy yet."

"Although this machine can output power continuously and stably, the power is weak and can only drive the model."

"The seals and slide valves are still severely worn, requiring maintenance after only a short period of operation. They are far from being truly practical."

As he spoke, he walked to the spinning machine, held up the piece of yarn, and showed it to all his disciples.

"Moreover, the spun sand has many problems," he said calmly, but his words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the slight enthusiasm that had just risen. "With such uneven texture, roughness, and fragility, how can it be sold? And how can it compete with the finely woven fabrics on the market?"

The disciples looked at the mangled piece of cloth, their excitement quickly replaced by the somberness of reality, and they couldn't help but show their dejection.

This is inevitable.

Since proposing that idea, they have returned to Julu, the last place with a strong academic atmosphere, to devote themselves to studying this object.

Over the years, countless problems have been solved and countless efforts have been made.

Seeing this result now, how can one not be disheartened?
But the next moment, Gu Qi's eyes brightened again: "Indeed, this confirms one thing!"

"Our path is correct! The power of fire and steam can indeed be tamed, can be stably output, and can drive fine spinning!"

"This is a fundamental breakthrough!"

Looking at the students' expressions, he took a deep breath: "What we are doing is not for the benefit of a single machine or instrument, nor for the gain or loss of a single moment or place!"

"We are paving an unprecedented path for the entire land of Kyushu!"

"For thousands of years, people have relied on oxen and horses to farm, on sails to sail, and on human and water power to create things!"

"This is the limitation of heaven and earth, an unchanging principle since ancient times! But today—" He pointed to the machine whose shrill sound still echoed in his ears, "you have seen it with your own eyes and heard it with your own ears!"

"The power of water and fire can be tamed and driven to do what we are willing to do."

"This power does not rely on the timing of heaven or the advantages of the land; it only requires coal and water to be inexhaustible!"

His words carried the fervor and piety of a preacher: "Today, it can only power ten spindles."

"In the future, once we have mastered the sealing, refined the transmission, and become familiar with the materials, it will be able to drive hundreds or thousands of ingots!"

"It can propel giant ships through waves without waiting for favorable winds and tides!"

"It can draw upon massive mineral deposits and unearth the earth's treasures!"

"It can bring about a complete transformation to this entire land!"

Gu Qi surveyed the crowd, and said each word with unwavering resolve: "This path is destined to be fraught with thorns. No one has ever walked it before; there are no precedents to follow, no precedents to learn from!"

"Everything must be created by our own hands, paved with blood, sweat and wisdom!"

"How could I not know the difficulties involved?"

"However, our Gu family has stood for a thousand years. When have we ever feared hardship? When have we ever hesitated to start a new era?"

"Today's coarse sand is the foundation of tomorrow's magnificent brocade! Today's meager strength is the beginning of tomorrow's earth-shaking achievements!" His voice was impassioned, filled with an undeniable conviction. "Gentlemen! Do not look at the flaws before your eyes, but think about how the historians will record today thousands of years from now!"

"This will record how we, within this Giant Deer Workshop, ignited the first spark of this 'Fire and Steam' era for all the people of the Nine Provinces!"

"This is our responsibility, and also our honor!"

"Though the road ahead may be arduous, we shall go forth!"

His voice grew increasingly impassioned.

Upon hearing this, the students' eyes lit up once again.

Even if the road ahead is bumpy, we will still forge ahead.

This simple sentence might not have had such a big impact if it came from someone else, but it has a different meaning when it comes from the Gu family.

This will relieve them of all their worries.

Even if they fail in this life, even if they are not remembered by the world.

But Gu remembered it.

The descendants of the Gu family will also follow this path and remember them until this matter is completely accomplished!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, so I'm begging for monthly votes. I'm just a few hundred short of a round number, so please support me, brothers. I would be extremely grateful.)
(End of this chapter)