xymnovel Chapter 77 Steampunk Version
Chapter 77 Steampunk Version
Xianyang, the eastern side hall of the Imperial Academy of Sciences of the Qin Dynasty.
This place was originally a storeroom for sacrificial ritual objects, but it has now been completely transformed. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows (though still quite shaky) allow sunlight to pour in unreservedly, illuminating the rows of tiered seats inside. A strange smell permeates the air—a mixture of the fragrance of ink, the smell of engine oil, and the incense from the scholars' sleeves.
Above the main hall hangs a plaque inscribed by Qin Shi Huang himself: "**Investigation of things to attain knowledge**".
This is the scene of the first "Science and Philosophy Symposium" of Daqin, commonly known as the "Hundred Schools Forum".
Since the advent of the "controlled variable method" and "microbiology," the various schools of thought in ancient China have felt an unprecedented existential crisis. Previously, people debated "human nature is good or evil" and "universal love and non-aggression," but now the Qin Dynasty's winds have changed, and His Majesty only cares about "efficiency," "production capacity," and "sterilization rate."
Although Ying Zheng was stopped by Xiao G from burning books and instead used "technology to alleviate poverty," the people of the Hundred Schools of Thought knew that if they couldn't keep up with the times, they would be eliminated sooner or later.
In order not to be left behind by the times, today, the leading figures of the Hundred Schools of Thought have gathered together to forcibly explain their own doctrines using "science" under the witness of Wang Jianguo.
This can also be considered a contest of "survival instinct".
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**Scene 1: The Mechanical Ascension of the Mohists**
The first to take the stage was the contemporary "Grand Master" of the Mohist school.
The old man was dressed like a boiler repairman, in a short brown robe, his hands calloused, and a vernier caliper (a gift from Wang Jianguo) tucked into his waistband. Unlike the gloomy faces of other schools of thought, the leader of the Mohist school walked up with his head held high and a breezy air about him.
"Ahem." The leader of the Mohist school stood before the blackboard, and without further ado, pulled out a huge blueprint. "Gentlemen, you've always said that we Mohists are just carpenters, not worthy of being called respectable. Today, I'll tell you, Mozi was actually the world's first physicist!"
In the audience, Chunyu Yue, the representative of Confucianism, rolled his eyes but didn't dare to say a word.
The leader of the Mohist school pointed to the diagram on the blackboard: "The *Mo Jing* says: 'The shadow is a person of light, shining like a beam; those below appear high, and those high appear low.' What does this mean? This is the principle of pinhole imaging! This is irrefutable proof that light travels in a straight line!"
"The optics that Mr. Wang talked about, we Mohists wrote about in the *Mo Jing* two hundred years ago!" The Mohist leader became more and more excited as he spoke. "And the lever principle, which we Mohists call 'fundamental' and 'symbol'. Today, the steam engine and cranes of the Qin Dynasty—which of them can function without our Mohist mechanical arts?"
"Moreover," the leader of the Mohist school patted the vernier calipers at his waist, "the standardization and precise measurement that Mr. Wang taught us perfectly align with our Mohist philosophy of 'universal love'—making every part precise and every gear interchangeable. This is the mechanical manifestation of 'universal love'!"
As he spoke, the leader of the Mohist school waved his hand, and several Mohist disciples carried up a strange device—a complex gear transmission system connected to a miniature steam piston.
"Watch closely!" The leader of the Mohist school lit the alcohol lamp.
Steam rose, pistons pushed, gears meshed, producing a pleasant metallic clanging sound. Finally, this force propelled a mechanical wooden hand, automatically pouring a cup of tea for everyone present.
"Splash—"
Although it spilled a little, the whole audience was shocked.
"Universal love is like standardized parts, ensuring every gear finds its place; non-aggression is like using the strongest defensive fortifications (concrete bunkers) to leave the enemy in despair." The leader of the Mohist school concluded, his eyes gleaming. "Science is the new skin of the Mohist school! The Mohist school is willing to give its all for the industrialization of the Qin Dynasty!"
Wang Jianguo led the applause. These Mohists were practically born engineers; they didn't need any brainwashing—they were science and engineering types to begin with.
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**Part Two: Logical Sophistry by Masters**
Next up is Gongsun Bian, a representative figure of the School of Names (logic) and an admirer of Gongsun Long.
This person had a pointed face and a shifty gaze; he looked like a professional debater. The masters of the past were most adept at using logical traps like "a white horse is not a horse" and "a solid white stone" to confuse people.
But today, Gongsun Bian was clearly well-prepared. In his hand, instead of a riding whip, he carried a tattered copy of "The Foundations of Natural Science of the Great Qin"—a textbook compiled by Wang Jianguo. Although it only taught the basics, Gongsun Bian had obviously studied it extensively on his own.
"Mr. Wang," Gongsun Bian cupped his hands in greeting, a sly smile playing on his lips, "people used to laugh at my sophistry, but that's because they were too ignorant of the subtleties of 'logic.'"
Wang Jianguo raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What did you learn from the textbook?"
"I have a little knowledge of it." Gongsun cleared his throat. "When I said 'a white horse is not a horse,' I meant that 'white horse' is a combination of color and shape, while 'horse' is the shape. But after reading Mr. Wang's textbook, I realized that this is actually a matter of 'classification.'"
Gongsun Bian turned around and drew a horse on the blackboard, then drew a circle.
"Mr. Wang taught me that science requires classification and summarization. 'Horse' is a broad category, and 'white horse' is a subcategory within it," Gongsun Bian argued confidently. "It's like the relationship between 'animal' and 'horse.' A 'horse' is a type of 'animal,' but a 'horse' is not equal to an 'animal.' Similarly, a 'white horse' is a type of 'horse,' but a 'white horse' is not equal to a 'horse.'"
"Therefore!" Gongsun Bian declared loudly, "A white horse is not a horse! This is the inevitable conclusion of logical classification! Isn't this the most scientific logic?"
The entire room fell into a deathly silence.
The Confucian scholars gaped, finding it a bit convoluted, but it seemed to make some sense.
Wang Jianguo's lips twitched. Good heavens, this is indeed an explanation using logical classification, although it's a bit forced, but at least it's more reliable than "quantum wave function".
"Ahem," Wang Jianguo interrupted him, "Mr. Gongsun, your understanding... is indeed logical. However, you've confused 'inclusion' with 'equivalence'."
"A white horse is included in the broad category of 'horse,' so a white horse is a type of horse. But when you say 'a white horse is not a horse,' you are confusing 'is' with 'equals.'"
Gongsun Bian paused for a moment, his eyes darting around: "Then... then let me put it another way. A 'white horse' is a 'horse,' but a 'white horse' doesn't mean 'all horses'?"
"That's a more accurate statement," Wang Jianguo nodded. "However, your kind of thinking—'infinitely subdividing concepts'—is very suitable for 'logical reasoning' or 'legal clause analysis.' A renowned expert like you could go to the Qin Dynasty Law Research Institute, specializing in finding loopholes in the law… oh no, I mean, perfecting legal logic."
Gongsun Bian wiped his sweat. Although he hadn't won completely, he had at least secured a job as a "legal and logical consultant" for the School of Names, which could be considered a successful "landing" of his career.
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**Scene 3: Confucian Data Statistics for Survival**
The last to appear was Chunyu Yue, a prominent figure in Confucianism and a PhD.
Confucianism is currently in the most awkward position. Legalism holds power, Mohism focuses on technology, the School of Names on logic, and Taoism on health preservation. Only Confucianism, spouting benevolence and morality, seems out of place amidst the roar of the steam engine.
Chunyu Yue was dressed impeccably today, but what he held in his hand was not the Analects, but a scroll of parchment filled with numbers.
He took a deep breath, walked onto the podium, and his gaze was firm. He was determined to fight for his Confucian livelihood.
"Colleagues, Mr. Wang," Chunyu Yue's voice boomed, "the world thinks Confucianism is outdated and only knows how to revert to the past. Little do they know, Confucius was the world's earliest 'data statistician'!"
A few suppressed laughs came from the audience.
Chunyu Yue remained unfazed and continued, "Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, meticulously recording praise and criticism. Why did he need to record 242 years of history? Why was he so precise, down to the year, month, and day? Isn't this simply establishing a 'historical data record'?"
He unfolded the parchment, which was covered with bar charts and line graphs—statistical charting methods he had learned from Wang Jianguo's textbook.
"Recently, I've been reading the *Spring and Autumn Annals* late into the night and re-analyzing it using the 'statistical methods' Mr. Wang taught me. I've discovered that the sage's statement about 'the collapse of rites and music' wasn't just idle talk; it's supported by data!"
Chunyu Yue pointed to the chart: "Look! This is a statistical chart of 'ruler-killing rates' during the Spring and Autumn Period. From the first year of Duke Yin's reign to the fourteenth year of Duke Ai's reign, there were thirty-six ruthless incidents, showing a clear upward trend! What does this show? It shows that social order was declining! The binding force of benevolence and morality was weakening!"
"So!" Chunyu Yue excitedly tapped the blackboard, "Confucius advocated 'self-discipline and restoration of propriety,' which was actually proposing a 'solution for restoring social order'! 'Propriety' refers to behavioral norms, and 'benevolence' refers to moral principles. If these norms are not followed, society will descend into chaos! This is the data insight from the Spring and Autumn Annals!"
The entire audience was shocked.
Even Wang Jianguo was dumbfounded. To be able to interpret "self-discipline and restoration of propriety" as a "social order restoration plan" and the Spring and Autumn Annals as "data records," Chunyu Yue was truly a genius! Although his terminology was somewhat modern, it was at least based on the statistical methods he had already learned.
"Not only that," Chunyu Yue pressed his advantage, "Confucius said, 'My way is one that runs through all things.' We used to think it was 'loyalty and forbearance,' but now it seems that it is clearly the 'unifying principle'! The sage foresaw long ago that there is a unified law behind all things!"
After speaking, Chunyu Yue bowed deeply to Wang Jianguo: "Mr. Wang, the Confucian school is willing to establish a 'social ethics record' for the Great Qin, using data to educate the people, making benevolence, righteousness, and morality quantifiable, assessable, and enforceable!"
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**Epilogue: Ying Zheng's Summary**
The curtain behind the platform was drawn back, and Ying Zheng slowly walked out.
The entire room fell silent instantly, and everyone knelt down.
Ying Zheng stared at the jumbled drawings on the blackboard—the Mohist gears, the logic diagrams of the School of Names, and the Confucian regicide rate curve. His expression was intriguing, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Brilliant!" Ying Zheng clapped his hands. "Truly brilliant!"
He walked to the front of the stage, his gaze sweeping over the group of scholars who were desperately trying to align their outdated ideas with science.
"I used to find the various schools of thought, with their constant bickering and noise, quite annoying. I even considered burning all your books, leaving only the Qin laws in the land."
Chunyu Yue broke out in a cold sweat and kowtowed even lower. He remembered the time before when His Majesty almost issued an order to burn books.
"But later, someone told me that it's better to guide than to suppress." Ying Zheng's voice softened. "I've discovered that you're not stubborn; you just need a little... 'translation for the new era.'"
Ying Zheng picked up a piece of chalk (made of lime) and wrote a large character "用" on the blackboard.
"Whether you are a cog in the machine of the Mohists, the logic of the School of Names, or the data statistics of the Confucians, as long as you can serve the Qin Dynasty, as long as you can increase grain production, strengthen steel, and stabilize society, then that is good learning."
"Mr. Wang says that science is truth. I think science is more like a box into which anything can be put. Since you're all willing to crawl into this box, then I'll give you that opportunity."
Ying Zheng waved his sleeve, exuding an aura of dominance:
"Issue my decree:"
The Mohists were stationed in the Ministry of Industry and the Academy of Sciences, and were responsible for mechanical manufacturing and city defense.
Distinguished experts were stationed at the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to oversee logical reviews and close legal loopholes.
The Confucian school has been assigned to the Statistics Department and the Ministry of Education, responsible for... well, for teaching the people about 'scientific benevolence and righteousness,' and incidentally, for compiling population statistics for the Qin Dynasty.
"Taoism, huh..." Ying Zheng glanced at the Taoist representative who had been dozing off in the corner, who hadn't spoken a word. "Go and work on health preservation and environmental protection. Research how to make energy utilization more efficient, after all, 'Tao follows nature.'"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great favor!!!"
A thunderous roar of gratitude resounded throughout the hall.
The members of the various schools of thought breathed a sigh of relief. Although their doctrines had been drastically altered, and although their founders might be turning in their graves, at least—
In this new Qin Dynasty, where steam roars and electricity surges, they survived. And, it seems, they're living a more exciting life than before.
Watching this scene, Wang Jianguo couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
This is called "cultural collapse" caused by the "technological singularity." When advanced productivity arrives, all superstructures automatically distort their shape to adapt to the new steel foundation.
Qin Shi Huang didn't burn books; he simply gave all the books a "cyberpunk" cover.