He changed Tiwat

Patrick pondered for a moment and then pointed out a few key points: "The first step is to determine the burial depth of the drainage pipe. According to experimental data from the Fontaine Academy of Sciences, the deeper the drainage pipe is buried, the larger the area of ​​land affected. For example, burying the drainage pipe to a depth of 1.5 meters can affect an area of ​​80 to 100 square meters."

"The second step is to determine the spacing between the salt drainage pipes. This depends on the burial depth. Generally speaking, a spacing of about 30 meters between each salt drainage pipe is the most suitable arrangement."

"The third step is to lay out the pipeline network. Based on the local terrain, we need to establish a main network and branch networks, and then collect the brine from the branch underground pipes into the main underground pipes for discharge. This requires not only on-site investigation and experimentation, but also very precise calculation and design. In other words, we need a mathematician... In this regard, I would like to recommend someone to help me."

Han Fulai was secretly delighted; he had really struck gold this time.

While there are indeed exceptionally talented scholars in the world who excel in multiple fields, scientific research is rarely a solitary endeavor; it often requires teamwork to achieve results. Just as Heidifu needed the help of his junior, Hosseini, Patrick also needs teamwork—essentially, Patrick is helping him recruit talent for Liyue!

"Is he also your colleague at the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences?" Han Fulai asked hastily.

Patrick shook his head. "No, he's from my hometown of Petrique, his name is Garcia. Believe me, he was born for mathematics!"

Hearing Patrick say this, Han Fulai realized that this Mr. Galcha was not from the Fontaine Academy of Sciences, which piqued his curiosity.

Patrick's admission to the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences speaks volumes about his academic abilities, and his discovery of "oscillator mapping" further demonstrates his keen scientific insight. But why doesn't this highly regarded talent, described as "born for mathematics," work at the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences?

"Could you introduce me to Mr. Galcia?"

“Yes.” Patrick nodded. “As I told you before, researching groundbreaking projects in Fontainebleau is very risky… and even if you’re willing to take that risk, you might not pass the review and evaluation of the high-ranking technical officers at the Academy of Sciences. Garcia’s research project failed to pass the project approval review…”

"Not only that, the high-ranking technical officers of the Academy of Sciences criticized him for being out of touch with reality and ridiculed his dreams as 'pipe dreams'... So he simply started his own business and formed an organization in his hometown of Petrique with like-minded people. It was called the 'Pipe Dream Club' and he called himself a 'pipe dreamer'."

In other words, Mr. Galcha's research project was not valued by the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, so he simply became a "folk scientist"?

Han Fulai stroked his chin, feeling somewhat unsure how to make a judgment. Although he had Patrick, an "official scientist," recommending him, recruiting a "non-scientist" into the water conservancy engineering team was clearly risky.

Admittedly, given the technological level on the continent of Teyvat, many areas of scientific research remain unexplored. It is easy to make misjudgments due to limitations in knowledge and overlook valuable talents—Einstein was just a lowly clerk at the patent office back then, which, in today's terms, would be considered a "folk scientist."

But it is also possible that Mr. Galcha's research project is really just "wishful thinking".

"So... what is Mr. Galcha's area of ​​research?" Han Fulai asked.

With his knowledge as a time traveler, he possessed a vision that transcended his era, and he could foresee the development prospects of a research project.

Patrick's response to this was—

"A magical machine that uses steam to drive a large number of gear mechanisms to perform calculations and can solve various types of numerical calculations and analyses—the 'numerical pusher'."

Chapter 355 Battleships and Giant Cannons, Multi-Riveted Steel [4k]

“What is this Teyvat Babbage!” Han Fulai blurted out.

Patrick was startled. "Who is Babbage?"

Han Fulai coughed to cover his embarrassment, then said seriously, "Mr. Patrick, please be sure to introduce me to this Mr. Garcia."

The Babbage that Han Fulai just mentioned is Charles Babbage, the famous English mathematician in world history. Babbage was one of the most brilliant minds in the history of mechanics. His "Difference Engine," designed in 1822, is considered the most complex masterpiece in the history of mechanics. The programmable computer was invented based on his "Difference Engine."

The term "difference" is a mathematical concept, corresponding to the "finite difference method," which is a numerical method for solving differential equations. Its computational principle involves approximating the differential equation using finite difference methods, thus transforming it into an algebraic equation for solution.

In the simplest terms, this method can expand polynomial function calculations (such as sine, cosine, and natural logarithms) into simple and straightforward addition and subtraction that even elementary school students can understand.

If this method has any drawbacks, it's that the amount of calculation is too large. Even simple addition and subtraction can be tiring if done too much—it essentially turns mental labor into physical labor.

But machines don't get tired.

The "difference engine" was a product born from this idea.

It has the storage unit, arithmetic unit, and control unit of a computer, as well as a structural unit for transporting data between these units. Its function is the central processing unit of a modern computer. As long as data is sent to it, it can automatically calculate the result, and then automatically output the calculation result through a "hole puncher," which is a printer.

In Han Fulai's original world, the "Difference Engine" ultimately failed because the precision of the mechanical industry at the time was insufficient to support the manufacture of various precision mechanical parts. One hundred and sixty years later, in 1985, the London Science Museum built the "Difference Engine" according to the blueprints left by Babbage, and the effect was exactly the same as Babbage's design.

In other words, Babbage was a tragic genius who was more than a century ahead of his contemporaries!

Now, hearing that Mr. Garcia in Fontainebleau is researching a "number-pushing machine" that works on the exact same principle as the "difference engine," a sense of destiny at a historical crossroads instantly struck Han Fulai, making him feel excited.

Recruiting a "Teyvat Babbage" for Liyue is like finding a treasure!

Of course, for Han Fulai, these reasons were only one of the reasons that excited him.

More importantly, he realized that he might witness the first "mechanical computer" in the history of Teyvat, ushering in a "steampunk" era!

The "Difference Engine" is a landmark product of "steampunk," representing an incredibly romantic and fantastical era.

—Large warships and massive cannons, reinforced with multiple rivetings and steam-dried steel!

Koubu from Sakura Wars!

The armored fleet in Howl's Moving Castle!

The armored train from "Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress"!

The airship from Final Fantasy XII!

If England's mechanical industry had been capable of supporting Babbage's designs at the time, humanity's technological development might very well have taken a different path.

The technology on the continent of Teyvat is actually in a similar era right now. The most interesting thing is that Teyvat's mechanical technology is fully capable of meeting the requirements of the "Differential Machine"!

He had personally witnessed the "Ruin Guardian," the "Ruin Serpent," the "Universal Directional Conducting Component," the "Return Machine," and the "Mechanical Cooking Divine Machine" created by the True Lord Liuyun Borrowing Wind. The mechanical arts on the Teyvat continent seemed to have been born for "steampunk."

The essential difference between the "Difference Engine" and later electronic computers is that the "Difference Engine" was a purely mechanical calculation, powered by a steam engine, and performed calculations through the meshing, rotation, and translation of gears, while electronic computers are powered by electricity and use integrated circuits made of vacuum tubes to perform calculations.

Similarly, the "Ruins Guardian" powered by abyssal energy, the "Mechanical Cooking Machine" powered by immortal power, and later the "Return to the End Machine" powered by elemental force, could all be replaced with steam power. While the efficiency would certainly be much lower, —

This is a technological force that belongs entirely to humankind.

Unlike Kanrian technology, magic, and elemental power, which are difficult to popularize, it is a power that humans can acquire and develop on their own. Moreover, based on this, because of the existence of those extraordinary technologies, mechanical technology has the potential to be integrated with various technologies for iterative upgrades, eventually becoming a powerful force like gunpowder that any human can use.

It is no exaggeration to emphasize the significance of Galcia's "number pusher".

Seeing how much Han Fulai valued Galcha, Patrick quickly seized the opportunity, hoping that his talented fellow countryman would have a chance to showcase his abilities.

“I happened to run into him at the Wangshu Inn a while ago. He rented a room there to do his research, and it seems he's trying to derive some mathematical formulas… If you'd like to see him, we could…?”

Han Fulai nodded without hesitation and said, "Let's not delay, let's set off immediately."

On the way, Patrick gave Han Fulai a detailed introduction to the "folk science organization" established by his fellow townsmen in Petrique, which was also known as the "Daydreaming Club".

Generally speaking, a club is a loose gathering of people with shared interests, also known as a "salon" in Fontainebleau.

This term originally referred to the luxurious drawing room in the residences of the upper class in Fontaine. In the past, famous people in Fontaine often turned their drawing rooms into renowned social venues, inviting other social elites, such as artists, scientists, and politicians, to gather together, sip drinks, enjoy elegant music, and have unrestrained conversations. Sometimes, they would even hold impromptu dances.

Later, this kind of gathering gradually evolved into "clubs," which are part of the daily social activities of the people of Fontaine. There are all kinds of clubs in Fontaine, just like the various associations in Liyue.

This "Daydreaming Club" is different from ordinary clubs. The basis for their gathering is not just "interest", but "dream".

The club's members are "folk scientists" who have been expelled from mainstream society and whose ambitions are thwarted, so they simply call themselves "dreamers".

Although Patrick held an official position at the Fontainebleau Academy of Sciences, making him seem quite successful compared to his fellow countrymen, he also suffered under the oppression of the Fontainebleau research system, and therefore greatly admired these "dream chasers" who never gave up.

According to Patrick, although the "Imagination Club" has few members, they all possess great imaginations. In Patrick's eyes, they are the ones who can truly lead the times forward, rather than the Fontainebleau Academy.

There are five members in this club.

The founder's name was Phyllis Yug. Phyllis hoped to create a power source that could operate indefinitely.

He hoped that this power source would be manufactured using a mechanical structure, without using any raw materials that ordinary people could not operate.

In short, it is about studying "perpetual motion machines".

Now, Phyllis Yug appears to be promoting his work in Mondstadt, a mechanical device called "Perpetual Motion Painting".

It is a unique hanging picture assembled with mechanical gears. It consists of multiple mechanical parts that can be assembled with each other. With just a gentle turn of the spring, the "perpetual motion mechanical picture" can run automatically for a long time to form a variety of landscape patterns, which is both worry-free and pleasing to the eye.

If these kinds of wall hangings were sold in stores, they would probably be very popular.

The other is Xavier, the great inventor whom Han Fulai had also seen in the Inazuma map of the game.

This fellow possesses exceptional artistic talent and has created an ingenious "photograph machine." He improved upon the existing "photograph machine" in Fontainebleau, giving it not only photographic capabilities but also projection capabilities, allowing it to continuously play pictures and produce moving images.

Han Fulai immediately understood – Xavier invented “movie”.

His "projector" was actually a "movie projector".

Xavier's friends all believed that he would one day become Teyvat's greatest "filmmaker," or "director."

However, he has been out of contact since he went to Inazuma alone for a certain task, and Patrick was somewhat worried when he mentioned him.

There were also two others, known as the "extraordinarily energetic Maconton and Babbis brothers".

The two brothers are currently still in Petrique, building a super cannon. In their plan, this cannon will fire projectiles that reach the same altitude as the stars in the Teyvat sky... and the projectiles will also be able to carry people.

If a strange mini-earthquake or a mushroom cloud of explosion were to occur in Petrique, it would mean that the two brothers' experiments had failed once again. If they hadn't lost their lives in the experiments, they would soon be emerging from the lab, covered in soot, carrying buckets of water to put out the fire…

So locals also called them "the dusty-faced Maconton and Babbis brothers".

Although their project is currently still in the fuel-finding stage, Patrick has to admit that the brothers' "pipe dream" is the craziest plan he has ever heard of.

However, Han Fulai knew that this plan was actually very likely to be realized.

As early as the 19th century, science fiction writer Jules Verne wrote about a similar idea in his novel "From the Earth to the Moon"—putting people in cannonballs and then firing them into space with a cannon.

This concept, in modern times, is known as "manned spaceflight." And that super cannon was actually the prototype of a "launch vehicle."

Humanity's yearning for the stars and the sea is just as exhilarating, even on the continent of Teyvat.

The last member of the "Daydreaming Club" was Mr. Galcha, who is now at the Wangshu Inn.

Galcha would come to Liyue, and Felice Yogg would go to Mondstadt, while Xavier would go to Inazuma—all for the same reason: research funding.

To put it bluntly, it's about making money.

Contrary to popular belief, most technological advancements are actually achieved through massive financial investment.

Take Charles Babbage, for example. He was the son of a very wealthy banker and a professor at Cambridge University. However, he spent tens of thousands of pounds of his fortune to build the "Difference Engine," leaving him penniless. He also squandered £17,000 of funding from the English Treasury, and the government even suspected him of fraudulently obtaining the funds—back then, a manor with a plantation was only worth £20,000.

Historically, most scientists were actually wealthy individuals with substantial assets. The reason why the research stories of impoverished geniuses are celebrated is precisely because they are rare and legendary.

Scientists also need to eat, experimental equipment costs money, laboratories cost money to build, and assistants and workers cost money to hire.

Drawing design diagrams and writing formulas may not cost money, but turning theory into reality can be a bottomless pit of money.

The reason why scholars in Sumeru are so eager to take the entrance exams for the Academy of Teachings, and why scientists in Fontainebleau are so desperate to get into the Academy of Sciences, ultimately boils down to one word—money.

Without the resources and funding of the Academy of Sciences, small-town test-takers like Patrick would have no chance to do any decent scientific research.

However, there is a loophole in Fontainebleau's strict scientific research laws, and the "amateur scientists" in the "Dream Club" are exploiting this loophole—"self-funded scientific research".

Without funding from the Academy of Sciences, one is naturally exempt from corresponding responsibilities and obligations, and can fail at will.

Patrick risked the death penalty to develop "crystal mapping" in order to obtain the patent revenue behind it, so that he could take the road of "self-funded scientific research" in the future.

Phyllis's "Perpetual Motion Machine Painting," Xavier's work repairing equipment in Inazuma... all of that was to make money. Historically, Charles Babbage, in order to subsidize his "Difference Engine" research, also had to engage in "revenue-generating" activities that he would normally disdain, such as creating and selling board games.

And what is this "Teyvat Babbage," Mr. Galcha, doing in Liyue?

Two people were sitting in the dining area on the first floor of Wangshu Inn.

One was a black-haired young man dressed in Liyue attire, and the other was a blond middle-aged man dressed in a Fontaine suit.

The blond middle-aged man was lost in thought, muttering to himself, "...the parameters here, oh, and here..."

His mind was filled with densely packed data interpolation tables.

The young man sitting opposite him couldn't help but call out, "Mr. Garcia?"

Garcia shook his head. "No, no... almost... no... it's ingenious, very ingenious..."

Clearly, he did not hear his companions calling him.

The young man had to raise his voice: "Mr. Garcia!"

Garcia snapped out of his daze, his gaze finally focusing on the young man before him: "Ah, Lutong, dear Lutong, did you order that dish for me?"

The young man named Lu Tong nodded and replied, "The radish and vegetable soup has been ordered, sir."

Garcia smiled with satisfaction: "That's great, you're so thoughtful, dear Lu Tong. This time I'm sure I can transcribe the recipe for that dish."

“I have high hopes for this, sir,” Lu Tong said in a flat tone, “but I must remind you that our funds are in crisis. When exactly are you planning to look for work, sir?”

Chapter 356 Garcia and Luton [4k]

Upon hearing Lu Tong's question, Galcha adjusted his small round glasses and awkwardly explained, "Dear Lu Tong, inspiration in scientific research is something that can't be forced. Ever since I drank that 'radish and vegetable soup' seven days ago, inspiration has been falling into my mind like a shooting star from the sky. I believe you understand this feeling..."

“I don’t understand, sir. I’m just an assistant and bookkeeper.” Lu Tong’s voice was flat. “It’s worth mentioning that, including today, we’ve been eating radish and vegetable soup for six days in a row, sir.”

At this moment, a strange sound came from Lu Tong's abdominal cavity. It was the sound of his intestines moving, not because he was hungry, but because...

Lu Tong added expressionlessly, "Besides the financial crisis, our gastrointestinal problems are also becoming unavoidable..."

Garcia nodded vigorously: "You're right, absolutely right! My dear Luton, you're always so perceptive! Perhaps it's precisely because of our digestive issues that we can't accurately judge the taste of this dish, and that's why the recipe for radish and vegetable soup has errors..."

“I think the problem might not be here…” Lu Tong shook his head helplessly.

The problem is that they shouldn't have stayed at Wangshu Inn for so long at all.

To raise funds for Galcha's research, Lutong and Galcha have agreed to find decent jobs in Liyue Harbor as soon as possible—whether it's doing accounting or making and selling mechanical gadgets, they need to raise some money first.