Chapter 603: We Were Far Ahead |
Wang Zheng considered himself quite talented. After all, he had translated Western works and introduced many Western technologies and sciences. Deep down, he harbored a trace of pride, feeling he understood principles others did not.
Little did he expect the first person he encountered would be Song Yingxing. It was truly like being hit square in the face, and it really hurt.
It took him quite a while to recover before he could climb back up. “Anyway,” he started, “this thing is a machine. Machines have their regular principles. Undoubtedly, the propulsive force must be greater than its gravity. As long as we carefully study the forces at play, we can certainly figure out its mechanics.”
As Wang Zheng uttered this, Song Yingxing let out a surprised “Oh?”
Such words wouldn’t be odd coming from a student of the Physics department in Gaojia Village, but hearing them from an outsider was rather unusual.
Song Yingxing asked, “Brother, it seems you have some knowledge of machinery?”
Wang Zheng replied humbly, “A slight understanding, nothing more.”
Song Yingxing chuckled and beckoned, “Would you like to come up and take a look?”
Overjoyed, Wang Zheng asked, “May I?”
So the two men sat side by side on the massive sun chariot, while Wang Zheng’s servants followed slowly on horseback along the dirt path beside the cement road.
Wang Zheng immediately began inspecting the chariot – looking left, right, front, and back. After a long while, he remained utterly baffled. With his current knowledge base, understanding the sun chariot was impossible.
Song Yingxing sighed, “Brother, it seems you cannot fathom it either?”
Wang Zheng nodded, “I cannot! I can understand the drive shafts, the wheels, and other mechanical parts. But the power for this chariot comes from light… that truly baffles me.”
Song Yingxing revealed, “After studying Physics, I’ve learned the principle behind this chariot. But knowing the principle doesn’t mean understanding its realization. Sigh! How exactly the heat energy in sunlight is transformed into electrical power through a panel… it’s beyond me, truly beyond me.”
Wang Zheng suggested, “Since you find it impossible, why not seek out the creator of this chariot and ask? With sincere dedication to learning and sufficient silver, surely the creator would impart their knowledge fully?”
Song Yingxing shook his head, “This chariot wasn’t made by man. It was bestowed by an immortal, crafted by a deity… so there’s no one for me to ask.”
Wang Zheng exclaimed, “!!!”
Shocked, he blurted out, “The Dao Xuan Deity?”
Song Yingxing nodded, “Indeed. This is an immortal chariot lowered from the heavens by the Dao Xuan Deity. Much of it adheres to the principles of physics, yet other parts defy physical explanation. Hence, I remain unable to grasp it completely. Sigh… One must say, immortals are truly capricious! Either use pure immortal arts or pure physics. Why mix them, using half physics and half immortal art? What’s the meaning of that?”
Wang Zheng felt a small surge of excitement. Unlike Song Yingxing’s frustration, he wasn’t conflicted at all. After all, he embraced Buddhism, Daoism, Catholicism, and science! Half and half was fine; even a quarter each would be acceptable.
Wang Zheng said warmly, “Brother, it seems we share similar interests. You clearly possess considerable knowledge. We’ve hit it off wonderfully. We must interact more in the future.”
Song Yingxing readily agreed, “That would be splendid! Science thrives on interaction. The Deity also said academic atmosphere is crucial. Now, in the East, we are lagging behind in this very aspect. The West currently boasts a very rich academic atmosphere. More than ten years ago, Cambridge University in the West even held a debate competition titled ‘Can Dogs Conduct Syllogisms?’ Sigh, such an atmosphere is truly worthy of our emulation.”
Wang Zheng’s gaze shifted to several machines being transported on the chariot. “If I’m not mistaken, these machines are spinning machines?”
Song Yingxing confirmed, “Correct! These spinning machines are produced in Chengcheng County. They’re bound for a textile factory in Dali County. Given their size and the heavy steam engines they carry, ordinary transport proved cumbersome, so the magical car was summoned for the task.”
Wang Zheng’s eyes scanned the spinning machines intently. “These things… were they also crafted using immortal arts?”
Song Yingxing chuckled, a hint of pride entering his tone. “Heh heh, these we made ourselves! No immortal arts involved. We used blacksmithing techniques.”
Overjoyed, Wang Zheng inquired, “That means… I could learn this too?”
Song Yingxing invited, “Brother, if it interests you, come along with me to the textile factory for a look.”
Wang Zheng enthusiastically agreed, “That would be excellent indeed!”
One hour later…
Under Wang Zheng’s watchful eye, the steam spinning machine was installed inside the textile factory. Coal transported from Heyang County was loaded into the steam engine.
Steam began to rise. The power generated by boiling water activated the mechanism, setting the spinning machine into motion. Experienced female workers dispatched as “support” from Chengcheng County demonstrated to a large group of newly recruited women from Dali County how to use the steam-powered machinery for spinning threads and weaving cloth.
Wang Zheng also stood by, becoming a temporary apprentice.
This male apprentice stood out conspicuously amidst a group of female workers. However, he wasn’t learning how to spin or weave cloth; instead, he focused on observing the machine’s operational process, trying to grasp the principles behind its movement.
The more he watched, the more intricate and fascinating it became. Not looking closely had masked this wonder.
“Brother Wang, care to follow me to Chengcheng County next?” Song Yingxing smiled. “There, you’ll encounter even more novel and intriguing things.”
“Go! Of course I’ll go.” Wang Zheng was utterly captivated, lost in a whirlwind of fascination.
This single steam spinning machine alone made his previous knowledge, mainly acquired through Catholicism, seem utterly eclipsed.
“I sense this steam engine has even greater potential uses,” Wang Zheng murmured, his expression filled with admiration. “It is undoubtedly a far ahead machine. Far ahead of the entire world, far ahead of the West… far ahead.”
Song Yingxing couldn’t help retorting, “While it is indeed far ahead, for some reason, hearing that phrase makes me want to hit someone.”
Wang Zheng proclaimed passionately, “We must continue leading!”
Song Yingxing waved him off, “Alright, alright, far ahead, far ahead. You’re right. Let’s go. Follow me to Gaojia Village.”
Thus, the two men set off once more.
This time, they couldn’t travel by the magnificent solar chariot because rain began to fall once again. Once the winter of Year Four of Chongzhen set in, the heavens frequently bestowed rain. While this was a blessing for the vast majority of farmers, it was devastating for the sun chariots.
The Gaojia Village Sun Buses were often grounded, rendered useless.
Song Yingxing boarded Wang Zheng’s carriage, returning to traditional transportation as they headed towards Gaojia Village.
Wang Zheng remarked with a smile, “The celestial sun chariot is marvelous, but its uselessness in the rain… well. It seems us mere mortals also need to find solutions, we can’t always rely on Celestial Treasures.”
Song Yingxing nodded in agreement, “Brother Wang speaks the truth. The young genius of our Gaojia Village, Young Master Bai, is currently devising a solution. We shall see if he can resolve this predicament.”