Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms as Lu Bu: I Have a Pseudo-Apocalypse System

When news of the Han Dynasty's circumnavigation fleet's return spread throughout the country, those who had once opposed the theory of a spherical Earth fell silent.

In Anyi County, Hedong Commandery, the old Confucian scholar who had vehemently denounced Liu Hong for "spreading heresies and misleading the public" was now sitting in his own courtyard, holding a copy of the "Great Han Ten-Day Report," his hands trembling.

His disciple asked cautiously, "Master, what should we do now?"

The old scholar remained silent for a long time, then sighed deeply: "I was wrong. His Majesty is right. The earth is round, and Liu Hong is not a sorcerer. I will immediately submit a memorial to the court to admit my mistake and beg for forgiveness."

The disciple quickly said, "Sir, you are not well, so please don't exert yourself. His Majesty will not hold it against you."

The old scholar shook his head: "No, one must admit one's mistakes; that is the integrity of a scholar."

He picked up his pen and wrote a memorial, admitting that he was short-sighted and had misunderstood the court's good intentions, and asked His Majesty for forgiveness.

When Lü Bu received the memorial, he glanced at it, picked up his brush, and wrote four characters: "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue."

In Hongnong County, Zhou Xuan, who had publicly cursed Liu Hong, was terrified upon hearing the news.

He rushed to the prefectural yamen, knelt down, and confessed: "Your Honor, I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I spoke nonsense and deserve to die. Please spare my life!"

The prefect glanced at him and said, "His Majesty has decreed that those who admit their mistakes and correct them will be pardoned. Go back now, and from now on, teach diligently and stop talking nonsense."

Zhou Xuan kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After returning home, he taught diligently and became a staunch supporter of the theory of a spherical Earth.

On the fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month, in Luoyang, at the Imperial Study.

As Lü Bu was reviewing memorials, Guo Jia entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Zhao Wen requests an audience."

Lu Bu looked up: "Let him in."

Zhao Wen walked in tremblingly, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, this old minister is guilty."

Lü Bu asked, "What crime have you committed?"

Zhao Wen said, "This old minister is ignorant and did not know that the earth is round. I have presumptuously commented on the new policies of the court, and I deserve to die. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."

Lu Bu looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and said, "Zhao Qing, it's good that you know your mistake. I don't blame you. But remember, the world is vast and full of wonders. Just because you haven't seen something before doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In the future, don't look at new problems with old eyes."

Zhao Wen kowtowed: "Your Majesty's teachings are etched in my heart."

Lu Bu waved his hand: "Get up, go back and retire peacefully, don't cause any more trouble."

Zhao Wen thanked the emperor and left.

As news of the circumnavigation fleet's return spread throughout the world, the theory of a spherical Earth was finally accepted by most people.

But some people still don't believe it; they just don't dare to say it.

Lu Bu knew that changing a person's mindset was not something that could be done in a day or two.

Especially for those old Confucian scholars who have studied all their lives and adhered to rigid principles, it always takes time to get them to accept new things.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

He has plenty of time.

When the younger generation grows up, and when those educated people who have learned new knowledge enter officialdom and society, everything will be different.

Luoyang, Imperial Academy.

Standing on the podium, holding a copy of the "Great Han Xunbao" newspaper, Zhao Yu addressed the students below: "Fellow students, you've all seen the news about the circumnavigation, haven't you?"

The students shouted in unison, "We saw it!"

Zhang Ji said, "This proves that the earth is round. Your Majesty is right. Those who oppose the theory of a round earth are wrong. Remember, in scholarship, one must be realistic. Just because something hasn't been seen doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The words of sages are not necessarily all correct. You must learn to see the world with your own eyes and think about problems with your own mind."

The students seemed to be deep in thought.

A student raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, what should we learn from now on?"

Zhang Ji said, "We must learn everything that is useful. We must learn the classics, history, philosophy, and literature; we must also learn arithmetic and natural philosophy; we must learn geography and astronomy; we must also learn agriculture, industry, and medicine. His Majesty has said that the world is vast and full of wonders. There is still so much for us to learn."

The students replied in unison, "Yes!"

In the twelfth month of the 405th year of the Han calendar, every household in Luoyang City was preparing for the New Year.

This year's year-end was more lively than in previous years.

The circumnavigation fleet had returned, bringing back crops and exotic animals from overseas. The people of the city were all talking about these new things.

You can hear this kind of conversation everywhere, on the streets and in the alleys:

"I heard there's something called sweet potato overseas that can grow on hillsides and yield over a thousand kilograms per acre!"

"Really? Then we'll finally be able to have enough to eat?"

"Of course it's true. What's in the newspaper, how could it be false?"

"Your Majesty is truly a genius. He even knows that the Earth is round and sent a fleet out to sail and confirm it several years in advance."

"Of course! His Majesty is a man blessed with divine provisions. How could the gods be wrong when they tell him?"

Standing atop the palace tower, Lü Bu gazed at the myriad lights of the city and listened to the distant sounds of firecrackers, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

It's been eight years since he ascended the throne. Eight years will soon have passed.

During these eight years, he promoted a new calendar and new weights and measures, promoted the theory of a spherical earth, promoted the reform of the imperial examination system, promoted land reform, promoted government-run education, promoted industrial development, encouraged innovation and invention, promoted commercial prosperity, and promoted naval construction...

Every step is difficult, and every step is met with opposition.

But he still made it through.

Because he had an army, because his prestige was unmatched, and because he possessed a divinely bestowed granary.

More importantly, he knew he was doing the right thing.

He turned to Jia Xu beside him and said, "Wenhe, I am about to begin promoting various new sciences."

Jia Xu said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Lü Bu said, "The theory of a spherical Earth has been proven. Next, I will have people study the universal gravitation, laws of motion, free fall, buoyancy, air pressure, refraction of light, propagation of sound, thermodynamics, chemistry, electricity, biology, bacteria..."

Jia Xu stared in disbelief at these unfamiliar terms: "Your Majesty, did the gods tell you all this?"

Lü Bu laughed and said, "Yes, the gods have given me a great deal of knowledge, and I will teach it to the people of the world one by one. I will ensure that the scholars of the Han Dynasty not only know how to recite the classics, but also how to investigate things and explore the principles of heaven and earth."

Jia Xu bowed deeply: "Your Majesty is wise. Although I do not understand these things very well, I know that what Your Majesty has done is definitely right."

Lü Bu patted him on the shoulder: "Wenhe, don't worry. I won't throw everything out at once, I'll take it slowly. Let's start with the Imperial Academy, let those young people learn first. Once they've learned, they can teach others. If one generation isn't enough, then two generations. If two generations aren't enough, then three generations. One day, the Han Dynasty will undergo earth-shattering changes."

Jia Xu replied, "Yes."