Chapter 212: Affordable talents

Chen Wanrong and Liang Lingzan came to Xiong Hu when they first met. Although they were a bit reckless, they were sincere. Since returning from the war, Chen Wanrong's biggest change has been much more cheerful than in the past. He likes to give Xiong Hu.

"Haha!" Monk and Liang Lingzan laughed at the same time.

"General Chen, we are here this time to surrender to you, and we are afraid that you don't want us!" Liang Lingzan's answer surprised Chen Wanrong, not understanding why.

"Master Liang, where do you start? Please sit down, please sit down!" Chen Wanrong asked the two to sit down.

Liang Lingzan did not answer Chen Wanrong, but looked at the monk and his party: "I'd better ask the master to tell you about this matter."

Although the monk and his party were in Buddhism, they did not have the artificial spirit of monks at all. They did not call the Buddha's name or call me a monk. They nodded and said, "General Chen asked me, and they should explain it. A few days ago, I was studying the celestial phenomena in the mountains. I received the emperor's imperial edict and asked me to come to Chang'an to attend a grand event to welcome the soldiers who returned triumphantly.

"I was happy even though I did not participate in the battle of Tubo. I had a great ambition to participate in such a grand event. It was my great honor. As soon as I packed up my luggage, I rushed to Chang'an."

The monk's real name is Zhang Sui. He showed extraordinary talent when he was young and was diligent and studious. He once traveled hundreds of miles to ask people for advice for a mathematical problem. Talent and diligence are indispensable conditions for a person to succeed. He has all the monk's reputation when he was young. From the emperor to the common people, he knows the name of the monk's.

In order to welcome the soldiers who returned from triumphantly, Ruizong not only wanted the ministers from Chang'an to participate, but also issued an order to governors from all over the country to rush back to Chang'an to participate in this matter. So far, more and more governors have arrived in Chang'an. In addition, Ruizong also wanted to bring celebrities from all over the country to Chang'an.

Sima Chengzhen had received the imperial edict written by Ruizong and asked him to participate in this grand event. The monk and his party were no less famous than Sima Chengzhen, and it was no exception. More importantly, the monk and his party were famous mathematicians and even more amazing astronomers. Astronomy was the most important thing for any dynasty, and it was inevitable that the monk and his party were invited.

The monk's journey was a monument and a mountain. Chen Wanrong was particularly concerned about his actions and asked, "Master, what about later?"

"Haha!" The monk and his party saw Chen Wanrong's eagerness and replied with laughter: "After I arrived in Chang'an, I did not rush to see the emperor, but went to Liang's donor's house to linger for several days. In the past few days, we have discussed some astronomical and calendar calculations, and believed that the current calendar is not accurate and should be corrected. If you want to correct the calendar, you have to observe astronomy. To observe astronomy, astronomical instruments are needed. In this regard, Liang's donor is quite accomplished, but it is difficult to create it without suitable tools.

"After I met the emperor, I had not yet mentioned the matter of correcting the calendar. The emperor's wiseness first proposed it. The emperor asked me if I had any opinions on the existing calendar? Can I correct it? Isn't this exactly what I think? I told the emperor all about the troubles.

"After hearing this, the emperor smiled and told me that if the tools are simple, you can go to the military weapon supervisor to find General Chen. The emperor also said that you even have machine tools that cut iron like mud, but you are worried that there are no tools available?

"I was very happy when I heard this. After discussing with Donor Liang, I was about to visit General Chen. Last night, the emperor sent someone to send something. When I saw it, I was shocked. This is a treasure, and it would save trouble for observing the celestial phenomena. So I hurried to Donor Liang today."

Take out something from the package, put it on the table, pointing at it and saying, "This is the treasure sent by the emperor. It's good, it's a bit rough, and it needs improvement."

When Chen Wanrong saw it, wasn’t it the telescope he made yesterday? It was so strange: “Why did you send it to the emperor to the master?” He looked at Princess Yuzhen involuntarily.

Princess Yuzhen turned her neck, a bit naughty and didn't speak. Princess Jinxian explained: "Yesterday, we returned to the palace and showed the telescope to the father. This is a new thing, and it is the sister's wish to let the father see it. After the father saw it, he said that this thing would be helpful to the master and sent someone to the master."

So that's the case! Ye Tianheng nodded and reminded him: "My friend, the emperor attaches great importance to calendar affairs, and we have to do our best."

For modern people, calendar is just about knowing what month and day it is, and not being too confused. In ancient times, calendar was the top priority for national destiny, so I have to explain it.

Although the people in the "Imperial Heavenly Prison" who manages the astronomical calendar are not very powerful and have low titles, they have a superior status. Even the prime minister has to respect them three times when he sees them. What is the reason?

First, in ancient times, the heaven was the supreme existence. People in the Imperial Heavenly Prison observed the celestial phenomena and knew the will of heaven well. Who dared to disrespect? Even the emperor did not dare to easily touch the people in the Imperial Heavenly Prison. If the emperor killed the Imperial Heavenly Prison, he would often be denounced as a tyrant.

Second, they observed astronomy and formulated calendars. Calendars played an extremely important role in ancient times and were more effective than modern "red-headed documents". Nowadays, red-headed documents are placed on the desk, so we are just curious and flipped through them. In ancient times, the people attached great importance to the calendar and often acted according to the calendar.

The reason for this situation is that the ancient calendar was not as simple as the modern calendar, not only month, new moon, season, solar terms, and tide changes.

The most important thing is that the calendar also has guiding techniques for agricultural production, such as sowing a few kilograms of seeds per acre of field, when to plow the fields, when to plant, how to fertilize, how to weed, and how to deal with pests and diseases, these will be written in the calendar.

Therefore, ancient almanacs can be called "agricultural production technology guide", and their importance to the people can be imagined.

China is a traditional agricultural power, and it was not until modern times that China transformed into an industrial society. In modern times, agricultural power was synonymous with backwardness, which meant being beaten; in ancient times, agricultural powers were just the opposite, and agricultural powers could be strong. What is the reason?

An agricultural country is good, because more food can feed more people. With more people, you have to do more things, such as building a larger army, creating more wealth, and expanding territory.

In ancient times, China had vast territory and abundant resources, but the population was not large and not enough. Even the 60 million people of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the 70 million people of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and the invisible population were nearly 100 million, and the more than 100 million people of the Northern Song Dynasty were not enough. If you want to have a large population, you have to let them have enough food, which requires developed agriculture.

It is precisely because of this that Shang Yang set the tone of "respecting agriculture and suppressing the end of the world", and eventually evolved into a traditional national policy. Although there were emperors with a broad mind such as Qin Shihuang, Han Wu of Han, and Emperor Taizong of Tang, they not only did not change, but instead strengthened them.

Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, defended this traditional strategy to the extent of being sick. He attached importance to agriculture and despised merchants. In his eyes, merchants were similar to artemisia. That was because he was a beggar, begged, hungry, and knew the importance of a meal to the people.

In order to guide agricultural production, in addition to taking effective measures, dynasties of all dynasties also wrote the techniques of agricultural production in almanacs, and these almanacs are distributed for free to the people once a year.

If it is time to publish the almanac, but it is not published, then the people will think that the court will not be able to do it, and even agriculture is not important, and the prestige of the court will greatly decline.

Whether it is a wise or a foolish monarch, it is a must-do to distribute calendars to the people. If it cannot be done, it can be said that this dynasty is over. What is interesting is that it is precisely during the war period that ordinary people cannot obtain calendars and often "waste their farming season."

After the great victory of Tubo, Ruizong was ambitious to be a great king. How could he not pay more attention to agriculture? How could he not pay attention to the calendar? How could he not correct the calendar?

This important task naturally fell on the monk who was proficient in astronomy, which was also the purpose of Ruizong's summoning monks to the capital this time. Even if the monks did not mention him, Ruizong also asked him to recompile the calendar.

Chen Wanrong knew how important this matter was, and he said without thinking: "We will cooperate with this matter with all our might. What the master needs, just say."

"Thank you General Chen!" The monk bowed and thanked him, and then said: "The first thing is that we want to make a water-transport amphibious sphere, which requires some tools. The military weapon has a machine tool that cuts iron like mud, which saves much trouble."

"Water Armary Circumstance?" Chen Wanrong's eyes widened when he heard the name. Ye Tianheng and the others just thought that this was an astronomical instrument, and it was no big deal, but Chen Wanrong knew the epoch-making significance of the water-to-air Armary Circumstance.

The water-transport amphibious sphere is more complex and clever than the armpit sphere made by Zhang Heng. This is just in terms of astronomy. The reason why this instrument has epoch-making significance is that it uses a lot of mechanical knowledge, and it is a mechanical clock. It uses gear transmission, and two wooden men are made on it, beating the drum every moment and hitting the bell every hour, and has the function of telling the time.

It is much more accurate than the ancient hourglass, and it is more convenient.

With so many functions and so complex design, the appearance of the armillary sphere of the water transport in the Tang Dynasty was definitely a miracle. With so many mechanical knowledge, wouldn’t Chen Wanrong be surprised?

"Master, can you tell us about the armillary sphere?" Chen Wanrong felt a little dry in his throat, and wanted to see if it was really the same as the armillary sphere in history, with the function of prompting time.

"It is absolutely necessary for the general to listen. However, it is better to ask Donor Liang to say this matter!" Seng Yixing is also a skilled craftsman, but he is far inferior to Liang Lingzan in terms of machinery. This matter is worse than that of Liang Lingzan.

"I'm so ugly!" Liang Lingzan was not polite, took out a piece of paper, spread it on the table, and said, "Please look, this is the water armillary celestial sphere."

"Good technique!" Most of the military weapons prisons are good craftsmen, and there are also people who can do anything to make fun of them. When they see this picture, they can't help but praise it.

It is impossible to say that the lines of this painting are beautiful and smooth, which is comparable to those of Wu Daozi. Liang Lingzan's painting skills are not inferior to Wu Daozi. How can the pictures he draws are not good? However, what he made future generations remember him because of his outstanding mechanical talent, not paintings.

"Master Liang, you and Brother Wu are so bright. When you meet, you must be sympathetic." Chen Wanrong looked at the picture and was very surprised by Liang Lingzan's painting skills.

Liang Lingzan waved his hand and said, "General Chen is too much award. How can I compare to Wu Daozi? Wu Daozi has achieved such a high achievement at a young age, and I am so old that I am still quite inferior to him. Otherwise, I would have challenged a thousand taels of gold."

His painting skills can only be compared with Wu Daozi, but they are still somewhat inferior. This is a pertinent statement.

Chen Wanrong looked at it carefully and saw that the picture was clearly drawn. The structure of the water-transport amphibious celestial sphere was complex and it was difficult to see clearly for a while. Even if he understood it, Chen Wanrong knew nothing about astronomy and did not know the use, so he would not have much effort.

What attracted Chen Wanrong the most was that there were two wooden men in this picture, one with a big drum and the other with a big bell, which should be used to tell the time.

"Really, it's really the same as in history. It has the function of telling time, and it's a mechanical clock!" Chen Wanrong's eyes became wider and wider, staring at the part of telling time, and kept shouting in his heart.

Pointing to the time report part, Chen Wanrong's throat and hair dry, and asked, "Master Liang, is this used to report time?"

"Yes!" Liang Lingzan only answered two words.

Chen Wanrong said excitedly: "Master Liang, why don't you improve this thing and make such a large and easy-to-carry timer? With this thing, we can see at a glance when we are at the right time. There is no need to tilt your neck to look at the sun, and you will live a clear and clear life."

There were hourglasses in ancient times, but the hourglass was too bulky and could not be kept by the side when they were away. They could only estimate the time by observing the sun. It was rainy, cloudy, and sunny suns vary greatly, which was a big mistake. If there were clocks, everything would be cleared.

This is a big event with far-reaching influence, but Liang Lingzan shook his head and said, "General Chen, I have thought about this, but it is impossible to do such a big thing. It is too difficult. Maybe later generations can do it, but I can't do it now."

"What can be done is definitely something!" Chen Wanrong was very sure: "This thing has a pendulum and gear. The structure is not complicated, but it must be precise. If it were in the past, it might be difficult to do, but now we have machine tools, it will be much easier to make. Perhaps, the accuracy of the work is not enough, which is much better than looking at the sun."

While talking and gestured, he explained it to him in the style of mechanical watches he had dismantled when he was a child. How many modern children have never dismantled mechanical watches? Chen Wanrong remembers it clearly, and the explanation is detailed and vivid.

For others, this thing may be a heavenly book, and it will be confused when you hear it. However, for Liang Lingzan, it is a marrow-eating taste. The more you hear it, the more you become, the more you become, the bigger your eyes are, and the red light on your face is almost spewing out flames.

As soon as Chen Wanrong finished speaking, Liang Lingzan was so excited that he rubbed his hands straight. A bear hugged Chen Wanrong and kept pounding his shoulders: "General Chen, thank you! Let me feel like I'm pushing away the blue sky and seeing the clouds! With your machine tool help, I will definitely be able to do it."

Watches appeared in the Tang Dynasty, and the lives of ordinary people were more convenient. Not to mention that this military use was very great. In modern society, when wars were about to be fought, the general asked the commanders to implement the plan as soon as they arranged the tasks.

Modern timers are more advanced and do not necessarily require mechanical clocks. This importance is obvious.

The Tang army's command was a drum sound, a commuter was running around, and a flag slogan, which was very inconvenient. If the generals could watch each person, you would not have to think about the benefits.

Next, Liang Lingzan asked for some details and became more confident. He clenched his fists with both hands: "Master, this trip is not worth it! I have a new idea again! Haha, please feel free! Please feel free!"

"You're so happy before you drink it?" Monk and his side teased.

It made everyone laugh.

Ye Tianheng was the most happy and patted Liang Lingzan's shoulder: "Master Liang, I wanted to invite you to the Military Arts Prison earlier, but you are interested in astronomy, and I am embarrassed to disturb you. Now, you have finally arrived at the Military Arts Prison. We are full of talents here! We have to celebrate!"

"Yes, we have to celebrate!" Everyone agreed in unison, their tone was so excited that they were as if they were in the New Year.

Chen Wanrong slapped his chest and said, "I'll treat you to lunch!"

After Liang Lingzan gave Chen Wanrong some advice, his relationship with Chen Wanrong suddenly became closer. He slapped Chen Wanrong on his shoulder and said with a smile: "Master Chen, then we'll bother you!"

If you don’t call General Chen, you call Master Chen, because you have a very close relationship with Chen Wanrong. The monk and his party also changed their words: “Master Chen, your party is not about wine and meat, you can go there with big fish and meat!”

"Haha!" Everyone laughed again, and they were particularly happy.

"Please manage enough, manage enough!" Chen Wanrong was also excited.

Chen Wanrong was very surprised to know that Liang Lingzan had a deep attainment in mechanical aspects, but he didn't expect that he would be so deep. At the same time, Chen Wanrong secretly made up his mind to find an opportunity to tell him what he knew about mechanical knowledge. With his talent in mechanical aspects, he would definitely shine, even better than Ye Tianheng.

No matter how good the technology is, if there is no talented mechanic to make the equipment needed, then these technologies are just paper talk and have no use. The history of technological development has proved this point countless times, and good technology may not necessarily have equipment that meets the requirements.

Ye Tianheng is good, but he is old and has not had much time to come! Furthermore, just talking about mechanical attainments, Ye Tianheng is far inferior to Liang Lingzan. With Liang Lingzan's help, chemical equipment and mechanical equipment are not springing up like mushrooms after a rain, it is not a problem.

The mechanical era is already expected!

The excitement in Chen Wanrong's heart is far beyond description. He is passionate and really wants to find a place to sing loudly and drink him for three days and three nights!

After his mood recovered, Chen Wanrong asked, "Master, what is the second thing?"

The monk and his party did not speak, but picked up the telescope and said, "Master Chen, this telescope is a good thing. It can pull things far away very close and see clearly. This concept is very good. If you can pull the stars and moon in the sky closer to your eyes and let your party see clearly, that would be great. When you observe astronomy, what you lack is such a treasure!"

"Astronomical telescope? Astronomical telescope is good, but can that be made by our current technical conditions? This one was just tried yesterday. Although it can be used, it is just too many problems. A child has just learned to walk and you have to carry a mountain. Can that work?" Chen Wanrong protested in his heart. The monk and his party said it lightly, but it is difficult to implement it everywhere and it is difficult to achieve it.
Chapter completed!