Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 145 Ten thousand years is too long, we must seize the day!
(Haha, I finally got the badge! It was a few hours early, thanks to all the readers for their support and understanding.)
Zhu Gang paused slightly, taken aback by the determination and powerful aura his father was displaying at this moment.

At the same time, he also saw his father's firm determination in this matter.

He immediately understood that his father, the emperor, had no choice but to do this.

The Imperial Academy was bound to be anything but peaceful in the future.

It will become the core of the debate among all parties and transform into the main battlefield.

While feeling nervous, I also felt a lot of excitement and exhilaration.

As expected of my father, he does things differently from ordinary people and has great ambition!
To do something like this in the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the country.

It's something many people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

But his own father, the emperor, was different.

Not only did my own father dare to think about it, but he was also preparing to put it into practice!
After his father's analysis, he also felt that his father's approach was absolutely correct.

The Ming Dynasty was a major agricultural country, with so many people relying on agriculture for their livelihood.

The entire country was built on agriculture.

But they neglect agriculture. What kind of logic is it to not increase research in agriculture?

Reading is indeed important, and studying the classics of sages is equally important.

However, a fundamental prerequisite for reading is to have a full stomach.

One should not study on an empty stomach, nor should one engage in empty talk about benevolence and morality on an empty stomach.

Guanzi said that when the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they are well-fed and clothed, they know honor and shame. This statement could not be more true.

However, this simple and straightforward truth will certainly be opposed by many people.

There will inevitably be those who hold high the banner of Confucianism, claiming to promote Confucianism and uphold its orthodoxy, and will strongly oppose this matter.

They are forbidden from dining at the table with members of the same school of thought.

After all, the Hundred Schools of Thought had existed for many years before Dong Zhongshu came up with the idea of ​​unification, pandering to imperial power and leading to the suppression of other schools of thought and the exclusive veneration of Confucianism.

This led to a great development of Confucianism.

After that, the other families disappeared without a trace.

They will either perish or be absorbed and assimilated by Confucianism.

From then on, Confucianism became the dominant school of thought.

The advantages of a monopoly are obvious.

He had numerous disciples and followers who took advantage of reading the classics and learning Confucianism.

Once you get on the bus, closing the door tightly to prevent others from getting on is an instinct for many people.

Many people who wave the banner of Confucianism, spout benevolence and morality, and appear to be compassionate and take responsibility for the world, also enjoy doing these things just as much.

Previously, the emperor's insistence on including arithmetic in meals had already caused dissatisfaction among many people.

If we were to add agronomy to the mix at this point, the reaction would be even stronger.

But... even so, what can be done?
My own father, the emperor, has such great determination in this matter.

Given his father's methods, these people would not be able to resist.

No matter how fierce the struggle, the one who will ultimately win is inevitably his own father, the emperor.

Things will proceed as my father, the emperor, had planned.

"Father, what is physics?"

Zhu Gang's voice was filled with curiosity.

If it's about agricultural books or animal husbandry, he can understand them at a glance and comprehend what they're about.

But this physics book really moved him and left him puzzled.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Physics, simply put, is the principle of matter."

Everything has its reason; events have their reasons, and objects have their reasons as well.

This principle is not the kind of principle we usually understand.

Rather, it refers to certain inherent laws governing objects.

And its characteristics, etc.

Zhu Yuanzhang explained to Zhu Gang.

Zhu Gang listened, seemingly understanding but not quite: "Could it be... that this is the principle derived from Zhu Xi's concept of 'investigating things to extend knowledge'?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "It's different from what Zhu Xi called 'investigating things to acquire knowledge'."

Zhu Xi's so-called "investigation of things to attain knowledge" did not yield objective laws.

It is not the principle of the object itself, but rather the understanding gained through examining all things and phenomena, such as moral and ethical concepts.

It belongs to a philosophical category.

It is a summary and extension of the classics of the sages.

Overall, it is at the ideological level.

It does not involve objective laws.

The physics we're talking about refers to things that actually exist, things that objects themselves.

It refers to the object itself, and the objective reason for its existence.

They are completely different in terms of their thoughts.

Ideas change with the times and with different people.

However, the principles governing these objects are different.

Whether you recognize it or not, whether or not it is seen by others, it exists and will not change.

It exists objectively and is independent of human will.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he saw that Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, seemed to understand but not quite.

After thinking for a moment, I removed the lid from the tea container.

This is a round wooden lid, covered with a layer of cloth.

"Look at this."

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he gently tossed the object forward with a slight force.

The small, round lid then began to roll on the ground.

It rolled more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) before slowly coming to a stop and lying flat on the ground.

"Tell me, why does this lid roll forward?"

He looked at Zhu Gang and asked.

Zhu Gang seemed somewhat stunned upon hearing this.

No... Father, what's going on here?
What is this problem?
This question is a bit puzzling.
It's not that it's too difficult, but rather that it's too easy.

"Father, this... doesn't it only roll when Father pushes it forward?"

This was originally a very obvious problem.

But it is precisely because it is too simple and too obvious.

This even made the usually intelligent Zhu Gang somewhat insecure.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "You're right."

It is precisely because we push it forward that it rolls forward.

But why does it roll forward as soon as we push it forward?

Isn't it simple?

Zhu Gang felt that his father's question was too simple, so simple that there was no need to think about it at all.

He immediately had to open his mouth and explain.

However, after opening his mouth, he suddenly froze.

He remained silent for a long while.

If you throw it forward forcefully, it will roll.

If you throw it hard, the object will also fly out.

These are all very common problems in life.

I no longer find it strange at all.

What distressed him was that, despite his father's persistent questioning about this perfectly ordinary phenomenon, he couldn't give a coherent explanation.

This question seems so simple that even a three-year-old could answer it.

But when I actually tried to answer, I couldn't think of a response right away.

Zhu Yuanzhang waited for a while, and seeing that Zhu Gang couldn't say anything, he said, "This is because when we exert force, we will apply our force to it."

This force is not the force that exists in the object itself, but the force that we apply to it.

It is an external force, so we call it an external force.

With the help of an external force, it began to roll forward.

Also, why did it only run that far before stopping and lying down on the ground without moving?

“The power that Father Emperor exerted on it is gone.”

Zhu Gang answered hesitantly.

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and said, "That's right!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the lid of the tea canister that had rolled away and asked Zhu Gang to pick it up.

After Zhu Yuanzhang got it in his hand, he rolled it forward again with about the same amount of force as before.

This time, however, it won't scroll vertically.

Instead, place the lid flat and apply force.

As a result, the lid moved forward less than two feet and then stopped moving.

"We used about the same amount of force as last time, so why is our distance from the top so much less than last time?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked again.

"This is because Father Emperor laid this lid flat."

Therefore, it can't roll very far.

"Then why doesn't the lid roll very far when placed flat, with the same force?"

"This……"

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin was speechless once again.

The wheel-like thing rolls vertically and can easily roll to a distance.

If you roll it flat, it definitely won't go very far.

If this thing is heavy, it won't even roll.

Isn't this common sense that everyone knows?

But at this moment, when asked this question by his own father, the emperor, it was difficult to give a suitable explanation.

"This is because when it is laid flat, such a large part of the lid is in contact with the ground."

When held upright, only a small portion makes contact.

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands: "Well said!"

But why is it that the more contact it has, the shorter it runs, while the less contact it has, the longer it runs?

Just as Zhu Gang felt he had managed to answer some of his father's questions and was feeling slightly relieved, he was once again stunned.

There was a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.

He never imagined that one day he would be so afraid of being asked such a simple question.

And yet, such a simple question can make me sweat profusely.

It's difficult to give a clear answer.

"Father, I do not know."

"It's because, in addition to the force we apply, there is also friction when the object comes into contact with the ground."

The greater the friction, the greater the force required.

A large portion of the force we apply to it is canceled out by friction.

Therefore, the more contact a creature has with the ground, the greater the friction, and the shorter its range.

Zhu Gang found it both novel and somewhat strange.

But upon further reflection, I realized that what my father said made a lot of sense. "Pick up the lid again."

Zhu Gang was at a loss for words.

This is just an ordinary lid, but my own father has made it into something amazing!
Zhu Yuanzhang took the lid and rolled it upright again.

After rolling a distance of two or three zhang (approximately 6-9 meters), the lid fell to the ground and remained motionless.

Zhu Gang blinked. Hadn't his father already done that?
What is the rationale for doing this now?
"Tell me, why was it able to stay upright at first, but then it couldn't stay upright and fell to the ground?"

Zhu Gang blinked: "This wasn't the first time Father Emperor exerted force on it."

"Later on, when the force disappeared, did it collapse?"

Zhu Gang tried to answer his father's seemingly ordinary yet tricky and difficult question by using the principles he had learned from his father.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "That's not right."

This is not just about force, it also involves the issue of inertia…

After Zhu Yuanzhang's explanation, Zhu Gang understood to some extent what inertia was.

"See that? That's physics."

The principles underlying the existence of an object.

This can also be called a pattern.

These things are beyond human control.

Regardless of who comes, these laws of physics are simply objective realities.

No one can change it.

Zhu Gang nodded. Through his father's simple demonstration, he had gained a very intuitive understanding and a deep appreciation of physics.

It turns out that there are so many principles in this world besides Confucianism.

And these principles actually seem quite interesting.

"But... Father, what use are these things once you understand them?"

Confucianism is a useful philosophy.

It teaches people many principles of conduct, self-cultivation, family management, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world.

It can improve people's moral standards.

It can formulate numerous rules to maintain systemic governance.

Tell people what is right, what is wrong, what should be done, and what should not be done.

But what use is all this physics that Father Emperor came up with?

Many things are only worth learning, researching, and developing if they are useful.

He couldn't immediately figure out what the use of the physics his father had mentioned was.

"This thing is very useful."

After all, the world we live in is a material world.

Humans themselves are material beings.

Once the reasons for the existence of these substances are understood, they can be utilized based on the objective laws governing their existence.

This will transform the world into a more suitable place for our survival.

For example, inertia, as well as force and friction.

Since a wheel, through the application of force and the influence of inertia, can remain upright and roll forward.

Could we build a frame and create a new type of car?
They used these narrow wheels so that people could sit on them and propel themselves forward by pushing with their feet.

Could we use friction and other factors to create more user-friendly, labor-saving, and lightweight transportation tools?
Once you understand these fundamental principles, you'll have theoretical guidance for many things.

When you do it, you have a basis for your actions, and you can do it better.

Zhu Gang nodded, a look of understanding on his face.

What my father, the Emperor, said really makes perfect sense.

Especially what his own father, the emperor, said about those two wheels, which were made to resemble a vehicle that a person could pedal to move forward.

This greatly interested him.

He felt that what his father had said was very promising.

It's not impossible to make it.

If only we could actually make a car like that.

That would definitely make people's lives more convenient.

It will have a tremendous impact across a wide range of fields.

Zhu Gang felt as if a brand new door had opened for him.

He saw only the tip of the iceberg.

“Father, isn’t this physics… deeply related to craftsmanship?”
Or rather, is it a deeper development of craftsmanship? A discipline belonging to the realm of craftsmanship?

After feeling novel and excited, Zhu Gang suddenly realized something.

He looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked a question.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "That's one way to understand it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang's expression changed.

This... Father Emperor wants to establish this course at the Imperial Academy and promote its development.

I'm afraid it will be very difficult.

Although agricultural science differs from Confucianism, everyone needs to eat.

Since ancient times, the importance of agriculture has been advocated.

No Confucian scholar would object to the emperor and empress personally engaging in agriculture and sericulture.

Anyone who opposes the emperor doing this will be subjected to verbal and written attacks by many Confucian scholars and will easily become the target of public criticism.

However, the things made by craftsmen are completely different.

This is something that is truly beneath anyone to be considered respectable.

Craftsmen had a very low social status.

The status of knowledge related to craftsmanship is self-evident.

When he saw that his father, the emperor, was planning to transfer agricultural studies to the Imperial Academy, he felt that this would be difficult to handle.

This will inevitably cause a huge uproar.

Countless scholars would strongly oppose this.

Now that we understand what this physics is...

His worries intensified.

Without even thinking, he knew how big a commotion it would cause once his father leaked the news.

This is even more exciting than teaching agronomy in the Imperial Academy.

His own father, the emperor, really doesn't seem to mind making things worse.

The more difficult, the better.

This... truly lives up to his father's reputation!

There's nothing he wouldn't dare to think of or do!

“Father, this…this matter is far too big.”

Or... should we compromise?
Don't start offering courses at the Imperial Academy yet.

Let's first set up a new school specifically to teach these things.

In Zhu Gang's view, it would be better to establish a new college and quietly teach physics.

Compared to being established in the prestigious Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the country, it naturally avoids the scrutiny of many Confucian scholars.

If they achieve something in the future, then we'll bring them into the Imperial Academy.

In this way, there will be less resistance and it will be easier to do.

There's no need to maximize the intensity from the start.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "We've considered all of these things you mentioned."

However, we ultimately decided to offer this course at the Imperial Academy.

A physics school will definitely be established, but not now, but later.

"Father, why...why is this happening?"
Zhu Biao felt that his father, the emperor, had indeed acted too drastically in this matter.

In academic matters, a series of actions can easily provoke resistance from many people.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Our Great Ming Dynasty has too many things to do, and your father is also approaching fifty years old."

You tell me, even if I can live a long life, how many more years can I live?

Physics and similar subjects are fundamental disciplines, and it is not easy to develop them and gradually achieve great results.

This matter cannot be delayed.

We must get this done as quickly as possible.

We can't afford to wait.

Even if there's a lot of resistance, we still have to get things done!
Ten thousand years is too long; seize the day!

"Father, you will surely live to be a hundred years old."

My father is in good health and will live to be over a hundred years old without any problem.

And, by sheer chance, one might even attain immortality.

Zhu Gang quickly comforted his father.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head with a smile: "That's all nonsense, how could it be?"

We'd be lucky to live to be seventy or eighty.

Living to be a hundred years old is something I dare not even think about.

As for immortality, it's all a lie.

There is no such thing as immortality.

Once we announce these things, the Imperial Academy will definitely be in an uproar.

You have performed very well at the Imperial Academy over the past six months.

We've decided to promote you and make you an academic assistant.

how do you feel? "

If it were before, I would have heard my father say that he wanted me to be the head of the academy.

Zhu Gang would be overjoyed and would agree immediately without any hesitation.

After all, this was something he had been thinking about for a long time before this.

But this time, he hesitated.

After learning what his father, the Emperor, planned to do at the Imperial Academy.

He knew all too well what the situation would be like at the Imperial Academy.

It is no exaggeration to call it a brutal battlefield.

He was both an academic official and a prince.

Life will inevitably be tough.

It can be said that they are in the eye of the storm.

It’s so difficult!

Zhu Yuanzhang was not surprised by his third son's reaction.

The things I had to do at once were truly astonishing for people of this era.

Even the third child would be frightened.

"If it were the fourth brother, he would definitely take over this matter."

And it was done very well.

After waiting a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang said something as if talking to himself...

(End of this chapter)