Chapter 47: A Miracle in Desperation

In the Yun family’s greenhouse, Li Er sat upright and properly under the cucumber frame, without a chair, and deliberately ordered a blanket to be spread on the ground. Changsun knelt next to him, with a small table in front of him, on which there was a small red clay stove commonly used by the Yun family. The pale blue flame licked the bottom of the copper pot, and the water was almost boiling, making a slight sizzling sound. Yun Ye was kneeling opposite Li Er, and in front of him was also a small table. In addition to a white porcelain teacup, there was only ink, paper, and an inkstone.

This is a very formal layout for a formal presentation.

“Dong Zhongshu respectfully presented Confucian treasures, which made it possible to fix the three bonds and five constant virtues, the seniority and inferiority of the young and old in an irreversible way as early as the Han Dynasty. He believed that all things in nature were created for a purpose. Heaven intended for a unified rule, and the emperors of the Han Dynasty were appointed by heaven to rule. The kings of the various vassal states were in turn appointed by the emperor, and the ministers were appointed by the king. In family relationships, the son is subject to the father, and the wife is subject to the husband. This hierarchical relationship of rule is in accordance with the will of heaven. Your Majesty, do you agree?” Yun Ye asked the emperor after reciting the general idea of Dong Zhongshu’s thoughts in history.

“The order of seniority and the difference between the noble and the lowly, Dong Zhongshu’s words are great!” Li Er is the emperor, and such a response is not unexpected for Yun Ye. His brother is a thorough utilitarian. His one sentence shut down any possibility of anyone attacking the fundamental principle of the imperial power being bestowed by heaven. Yun Ye would not be stupid enough to provoke Li Er.

“Your servant will tell you a story, a ridiculous story without immortals, without the rotation of the five virtues, and without the participation of the two energies of yin and yang. After the story, I will explain to you in detail what I have learned.”

Changsun poured a cup of tea for Li Er and Yun Ye, said nothing, and sat back down in his seat.

Yun Ye simply told Li Er about the history of human evolution as he knew it. Of course, he didn’t say that humans evolved from monkeys, but only that humans began to develop intelligence after mastering fire, and then invented various tools. Each invention brought great momentum to human society. From bows and arrows to fishing nets to traps, from hunting to farming, from wearing leaves to wearing clothes, from living in caves to having nests, to wooden houses, to city walls.

From the rudimentary form of human beings to the establishment of society, and then to the legends of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, it has always been inseparable from the improvement of tools and the invention of new things. Every improvement is a blessing for mankind.

Li Er was silent. He had never heard such an explanation of human trajectory. At first it sounded absurd, but on second thought it made a lot of sense. The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. This was completely beyond his understanding.

“You just have to tell me the reason for these things.” Li Er was annoyed and angry because he simply couldn’t understand it. His mind was confused by Yun Ye, and he had long lost his normal thinking ability. Yun Ye was also annoyed. He muttered to himself, “If I hadn’t said it, why would I tell a person from ancient times about the brief history of tools?”

“Your servant just wants to ask Your Majesty, since innovation will bring great benefits to the Tang Dynasty, why did Your Majesty only give 15 strings of cash in reward for my contribution of the plough cart?”

Li Er couldn’t even open his mouth: “You sat on the swing for two days, and you’re still thinking about the fifteen strings of cash?”

“Your Majesty, I wouldn’t even care if you gave me 15,000 strings of cash. I just want to ask why the court is so mean to people who have made such important inventions as the plow, the water wheel, and the cart. You must know how much effort it takes to improve these farming tools, so why are you turning a blind eye to their achievements?”

“What I am presenting to Your Majesty today is the study of the sciences, which encompasses astronomy, physics, geometry, biology, mathematics, and navigation. It can be said to be all-encompassing, and it will play a crucial role in war, people’s livelihood, and the strength of the country. Why do the court officials think it is a joke? Is iron smelting, casting, and construction not important? Potatoes and horseshoes are useless to the court?

“We want the best weapons, the most productive grain, the most exquisite silk. Why is the court, as the master of the country, indifferent? Why did I receive such an unintelligible comment when I last wrote to the court asking for more talented people in the field of science? Confucianism can indeed arm our minds, but who will arm our hands?”

“I have been sitting here for two days, but I still don’t understand such a simple truth. Has no one in the court thought of it? Since I was born, I have had a deep friendship with the Great Tang, and the Great Tang has also returned my deepest love. I don’t know how to repay such deep friendship.

“I originally packed my bags and was prepared to never set foot in Chang’an again for three years. I was going to record all the knowledge my teacher had taught me and teach a few more students. I was going to live a carefree life in the Jade Mountains. But I never imagined that I would be sitting alone on a swing, thinking about the bits and pieces of my time in Chang’an. Thinking of Your Majesty, Your Highness, and the Crown Prince, I am ashamed. As a subject, I saw the flaws but pretended not to see them. I was truly unworthy of being a subject. After much thought, I realized that the only way to solve this problem is to promote the study of military equipment, fortification and craftsmanship. Let our Tang dynasty always be at the top of the world in the fields of military equipment, fortification and craftsmanship. Your Majesty has the breadth of mind to accept all things, please forgive my disrespect.” After saying this, he bowed down.

It was so quiet in the flower room that Li Er and Chang Sun were silent, and Yun Ye was almost asleep on the carpet.

“Tell me the truth. Were you born alone, or were you a pawn in the hands of that school of thought?”

In the end, Li Er still didn’t trust Yun Ye, who had disappeared for 15 years. Yun Ye’s earlier test of Dong Zhongshu had aroused his suspicion.

“My teacher is unique, I am unique, and no one in this world can drive my teacher. Although I do not have my teacher’s talent, I have learned his character perfectly.”

“Confucianism is the object of contempt of the master, Mohism is the object of ridicule of the master, Taoism? Zonghengjia? Bingjia? The master probably understands some of them.” Yun Ye did not understand why Li Er always associated him with the disappeared sects.

“From what you say, it seems that you and your master know a lot about the secrets of these sects. Why?” In this damn era, a lot of knowledge is passed down orally, and it is emphasized that the method is not passed on to six ears. Yun Ye really knows a little more.

“Damn the Hundred Schools Forum, you’ve ruined me.” Yun Ye smiled bitterly in his heart. In the future, there will be all kinds of strange ideas on TV, and theories will be like a flood, overwhelming everything. Who knows what I’ve actually learned? I can’t admit it!

“Your Majesty, I learned whatever my master taught me. I don’t know how to tell you. Anyway, my master said that black dogs and yellow dogs, the ones that can chase away wolves, are good dogs, so I learned a little bit of everything.”

“Xiao Ye, I know that you plan to pass on your master’s knowledge. This is the responsibility of a teacher. I plan to find you a few students. Can I?” Empress Changsun spoke up. This was probably Li Er’s idea. He didn’t personally come out to support the new school.

Yun Ye sighed, his efforts today were in vain. After all the trouble he went to, he didn’t even get a promise!

The powerful Confucianism has already shown its domineering nature in the early stages. When Zhu Xi appeared, he began to eat people. The women in modern Chinese history are sorry, you’d better continue to bind your feet, I can’t save you.

“I thought you would offer me an adult woman, but I didn’t expect it to be just a child. Never mind, I have plenty of time, I can wait. You can rest assured that you will record your master’s knowledge on the farm, and send each volume to Chang’an. I want to see it, and I will give you the opportunity to convince me.” Li Er said with a smile.

Yun Ye stood up suddenly: “Is that true?”

“Of course!”

“The king never jokes?”

Yun Ye got a kick.