Li Longji and the other officials were all stunned. They were skeptical of Ang Lee's explanation, but because they didn't know why, they didn't seem to have a better choice than to trust Ang Lee.
"The moon is hanging in the sky, but I didn't expect it to be eight hundred thousand li away from us."
"Even if we zoom in fifty times, it's still just a circle. It's clearly very far from us!"
"The moon is covered with immortal mountains and immortal lakes, and there are even immortal palaces. So there really are immortals living there!"
"That's right! It's just that it's too far away. We can only see its outline. If we zoom in closer, just imagine how big it is! "
"Of course the moon is very big. If it's only as big as Hu Bing, how can immortals live there?"
"That's right! That's right! That makes sense. "
Clearly, after some thought, most of the officials accepted Ang Lee's explanation. After all, Ang Lee's explanation was quite reasonable. Relatively speaking, there was no better explanation.
"Your Majesty, if there really are immortal mountains and immortal lakes on the moon, as well as immortal palaces and immortal palaces, then it seems inappropriate for us to spy on them like this. We might incur the wrath of the heavens."
An official from the Bureau of History reminded.
Li Longji hurriedly looked at Ang Lee and asked, "Assistant Minister Li, what do you think?"
"Your Majesty, this is looking up, not spying. The officials are all literary stars who have descended to the mortal world, and Your Majesty is the true dragon, the son of heaven. Looking up at the moon with a pious heart is reverence to the heavens. How could it incur the wrath of the heavens?"
Ang Lee immediately gave an explanation that Li Longji and the officials were satisfied with.
"Assistant Minister Li is right. This is looking up at the moon, not spying. Moreover, we're only looking a little closer than usual. We haven't seen anything that we shouldn't have seen."
"Looking up, that's right, this is looking up."
All the officials agreed with Ang Lee's explanation. Only then could they be at ease and proud of their extraordinary destiny.
Li Longji naturally agreed with what Ang Lee said. These words were beneficial to the ruling class, so it was easy for him to accept them. This was the weakness of human nature. As long as he followed the direction he wanted to go, it would be easy for him to accept it.
For example, Qin Shihuang desperately wanted to be immortal. At this time, Great Liar Xu just needed to fool him a little, and Qin Shihuang believed him. Then, he spent a lot of manpower and material resources to let Great Liar Xu find the Elixir of Immortality.
"Assistant Minister Li, the Moon Palace is nearly eight hundred thousand li away from us. How did you know?"
The official from the Taishi Bureau asked suspiciously. He had read many books in the Taishi Bureau, but none of them mentioned that the moon was eight hundred thousand li away from the earth. Because of this, he was rather suspicious.
"This was calculated by Ah Weng. As for how he calculated it, I'm not too sure, but it shouldn't be wrong."
Ang Lee casually explained, bringing up his deceased Ah Weng.
"Assistant Minister Li, if the Moon Palace is eight hundred thousand li away from us, then how far away are the stars in the sky?"
The official from the Taishi Bureau persistently asked.
"This, of course, is even further. There are some that are eight million miles away, some that are eight million miles away, and some that are ten million miles away. Of course, there are some that are even further away. There are even some that are so far away that we can't see them at all."
Ang Lee explained.
"Oh, so the stars are so far away from us. Ten thousand li, that's too far."
"That's right! It's precisely because they're too far away that we can only see a bright spot. In fact, there are mountains, lakes, and immortal palaces up there. If they're only a small dot, how can an immortal official live there? "
"That's reasonable, that's reasonable!"
All the ministers agreed very much. This explained why there were only small dots on the stars where immortal officials lived. It was because they were too far away.
Next, Li Longji and the officials of the Tang dynasty asked a lot of questions. Ang Lee evaded them with very smooth and pleasant words.
Although everyone was still a little skeptical about Ang Lee's words, no one dared to say it out loud. Firstly, they couldn't give a more reasonable explanation. Secondly, Ang Lee's explanation was completely in the service of the ruling class and did no harm to these emperors and ministers. On the contrary, it further explained why the ministers and emperors could become superior and made them more confident that they were immortal officials who had descended to the mortal world. Moreover, the immortal palaces were not only small but also very large. In this way, when they ascended to heaven, they could reach the paradise mentioned by Ang Lee.
Since looking up at the starry sky meant no disrespect to heaven, the ministers once again picked up the binoculars in their hands and looked at the sky curiously. In addition to the moon, they also looked at the stars. The officials of the Taishi Bureau were even more surprised to see many stars that they didn't know about, which verified Ang Lee's words.
"Your Majesty, after using the binoculars, this humble subject discovered many new stars. These were not recorded in the books of our ancestors. This humble subject earnestly requests Your Majesty to grant the Bureau of Imperial History some binoculars so that the Bureau of Imperial History can record more stars."
The officials of the Taishi Bureau urgently needed these binoculars and made the request in front of Li Longji.
"Well, the Taishi Bureau does need binoculars."
Li Longji nodded in agreement and looked at Ang Lee. "Assistant Minister Li, can you make a telescope with a larger magnification? This way, we can observe farther. "
"Your Majesty, a magnification of 50 is already a lot. However, I'm developing a telescope with a magnification of 100 and 200. I'm afraid it's not realistic to make it any bigger."
Ang Lee said truthfully. The astronomical telescopes of later generations only had a magnification of about 100. If the magnification was too large, it would be difficult to control. It would even be difficult to see objects clearly because of the air flow, so it was not very meaningful.
"A magnification of 200? Isn't that four times larger than a magnification of 50? You can shorten a distance of one thousand li to five li. Truly a clairvoyant! Assistant Minister Li, you must hurry up with your research. We will wait to see. "
"Yes, Your Majesty. This lowly subject will definitely work even harder."
"Assistant Minister Li is proficient in astrology. When you have time, you should visit the Taishi Bureau more often and give your subordinates some pointers," the Taishi Bureau official said sincerely.
The official from the Taishi Bureau said sincerely.
As long as I have time, I will definitely go and take a look. However, I really can't count as pointers. Let's exchange pointers and learn from each other! "
Ang Lee said modestly.
When it came to astrology, Li An's knowledge was clearly inferior to that of the officials of the Bureau of Imperial History. In fact, they couldn't even be mentioned in the same breath. However, with the basic knowledge of astronomy from later generations, it was still possible for him to intimidate these knowledgeable officials. Li An was very confident in this.
"Your Majesty, this is the five thousand mu research and development center that this lowly subject has designed. Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Ang Lee handed over the blueprints that he had been working on for the entire afternoon to Li Longji and gave a detailed explanation of the contents of the blueprints.
Li Longji looked through them and was full of praise for Ang Lee's plan. He also said that after the spring plowing, he would transfer some manpower to build the research and development center. At the same time, he reminded Ang Lee to spare some energy to guide the laying of the railroad tracks and strive to complete the construction of the railroad tracks as soon as possible.
Although the laying of the railroad tracks hadn't officially started yet, the imperial court had already mobilized a large number of craftsmen to set up tents in the north of the Daming Palace. They had also begun to melt iron blocks to build sections of railroad tracks. At the same time, they had also transported a large amount of wood to make sleepers.
After a careful observation of the starry sky, the officials left the Daming Palace one after another. Li Longji asked Ang Lee some questions about astronomy. Of course, Ang Lee couldn't tell the truth. He didn't dare to tell the truth either. He casually made up a story to make Li Longji happy and think that he was destined to be the emperor.
After returning to the mansion, Ang Lee felt very tired. However, Yan Ruyu hadn't woken up yet. She had a happy smile on her face. Ang Lee couldn't bear to disturb Yan Ruyu's beautiful dream. In addition, he was also tired and didn't have the mood to do that. Therefore, he gently lifted the quilt and snuggled in.
The next morning, Ang Lee went to the side courtyard. As the construction of the fifteen miles of railroad tracks had been completed, he naturally had to inspect it.
Li Yu and Li Qiu had also arrived at the railroad tracks early. They were sitting on the railroad tracks and nibbling on cucumbers. When they saw Ang Lee, they hurriedly passed the extra cucumbers that they had prepared to Ang Lee.
"Are cucumbers really that delicious? You're all addicted to them. "
Ang Lee took the cucumbers and said casually. No matter how early he came, he could almost always see Li Yu and Li Qiu sitting on the railroad tracks and nibbling on cucumbers.
"It's fragrant and crispy. Of course it's delicious. Assistant Minister Li, do you think it's not delicious?"
Li Yu asked curiously.
"It's delicious. Of course it's delicious. The railroad tracks are ready. Let's have a complete experience! Also, I have something good to give you today. "
After saying that, Ang Lee stuffed the cucumbers into his mouth. No matter how Li Yu and Li Qiu asked, he didn't say a word.
After the railroad tracks were laid, Ang Lee's newly developed carriage was also moved onto the railroad tracks. This carriage was much better than the one Li Longji had made before. First of all, this carriage was larger and more luxurious. In addition to the seats, there were soft beds and rocking chairs. One could sit, lie, or sleep in this carriage.
Secondly, the windows on the side of the carriage were no longer made of thin silk. Instead, they were made of newly developed tempered medicinal jade. It was more transparent, sturdy, and warm.
Finally, humanized auxiliary facilities were added to the carriage. For example, a toilet room was added at the front of the carriage. There was a squat toilet in the toilet room, and a kitchen was added at the back of the carriage for cooking.
Ang Lee and many craftsmen had spent a lot of effort to make this carriage. Of course, due to the limitations of time and funds, it was not perfect. There were still many areas that could be improved. The R&D Center would be built soon. More talents and craftsmen would be recruited. Better and more powerful carriages would definitely be successfully developed one after another. This would pave the way for the development of passenger trains in the future.
"What do you think? This newly developed carriage is not bad, right?"
Ang Lee threw the last piece of cucumbers out of the window and said while lying on the rocking chair.
"Assistant Minister Li, both sides are made of medicinal jade. Don't you think it's too wasteful?"
Li Yu opened his eyes wide. Medicinal jade was a rare item in the Tang dynasty. However, Ang Lee actually used it to make a carriage window. Even as the imperial grandson, Li Yu couldn't accept it emotionally. He felt that it was too extravagant.
"Wasteful? Is it? I can make medicinal jade myself. Am I afraid of wasting it? You just need to tell me if it's comfortable to sit in here. Is it comfortable? "
Ang Lee said casually and shook the rocking chair.
"Comfortable? Oh, it's comfortable. Of course it's comfortable. "
Li Yu and Li Qiu didn't understand the meaning of comfortable. However, when they saw Ang Lee's expression, they understood what it meant.
Ang Lee sighed and said longingly, "Gwangbyeong Of Gojoseon, Silang, imagine sitting in such a carriage, sometimes sitting, sometimes lying, and sometimes sleeping, looking at the beautiful scenery outside the window. How does it feel to arrive in Anxi in seven or eight days?"
"It's comfortable. It's very comfortable."
Li Yu replied with a smile. He had just learned this word and then used it flexibly. This made Ang Lee feel very gratified. He had taught a good student!
"Assistant Minister Li, what do you mean by separating the back of the carriage?"
Li Qiu felt that the interior of the carriage was strange and asked curiously.
"Come, I'll take you to experience it for yourself."
Li An got up from the rocking chair and brought the two of them to the guest room in front of them to take a look. Then, he brought them to the kitchen at the back to take a look. He introduced the functions of the kitchen one by one and told them that with these facilities, the carriage could travel day and night without stopping to rest.
"Assistant Minister Li, if the steam locomotive you mentioned can be successfully developed, then we can sit in this carriage and arrive in Anxi in seven or eight days. This is too comfortable. I really hope that Assistant Minister Li can develop the steam locomotive as soon as possible."
Li Yu and Li Qiu were both looking forward to it. This was because the travel time would be reduced by twenty times. This meant that they could go to farther places to play. Moreover, they believed that with Ang Lee's ability, he would definitely be able to develop the steam locomotive in the future.
"Assistant Minister Li, you said that you have something good for us. What is it? Will it be more interesting than binoculars?"
Li Yu couldn't hold it in any longer and asked anxiously.
Ang Lee smiled and nodded. "This thing is as interesting as binoculars. Moreover, they are both made of the same material. It's not noon yet, so I'll give it to you when it's noon. Let's experience this carriage first! Take a break while we're at it. I didn't sleep well yesterday. "
The good thing to give to Li Yu and Li Qiu was a magnifying glass with twenty times magnification. This magnifying glass was the most fun to use at noon. This was because the sun was at its brightest at noon. Holding a magnifying glass at an ant would quickly burn the ant to death. It was also effortless to use it to ignite paper and burn tree leaves. In short, there were many ways to play with it. For first-timers, it would definitely be interesting.
Tortoise found a dozen or so male servants to drive the carriage forward and slowly move it southward.
Lying in the carriage filled with tempered medicinal jade and looking at the constantly changing scenery outside the window was a very comfortable feeling. Even if it was only fifteen li, it was enough to enjoy.
"Assistant Minister Li, it's almost noon."
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