Li Shimin took a deep breath and said, "However, when you used gunpowder to bombard the city walls yesterday, the entire ground shook. This feeling is almost the same as an earthquake. I want to know if the earthquake is a warning from the heavens, or if there is something like gunpowder underground."
Since ancient times, people have called incomprehensible phenomena the will of the heavens. However, ever since Meton appeared, he had repeatedly solved and overcome it. Li Shimin naturally found Meton.
Meton suddenly understood what Li Shimin meant. Ever since various natural disasters were overcome, and the solar eclipse was solved, the only thing that could restrain the imperial power was earthquakes. In addition, Li Shimin felt the same feeling as an earthquake yesterday, so he naturally became suspicious.
Meton was suddenly caught in a dilemma. He naturally knew the principle of earthquakes, but earthquakes occurred on the surface. Even the later generations could not predict it, let alone the technology of the Tang Dynasty. Meton could not prove it even if he knew.
Moreover, once he explained the principle of earthquakes, the imperial power would lose its last restraint and become a monster of power. He could not predict it at all. Of course, the consequences of deceiving Li Shimin were equally serious.
Li Shimin did not rush him, but waited quietly.
Meton gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "Earthquakes are hidden deep underground. It is impossible to predict and even more impossible to prove. Although the school of Mohism has records, it is only a guess. Even the school of Mohism's ancestors did not dare to believe this result, let alone some ordinary teachers."
Earthquakes were not like lunar eclipses or solar eclipses. Although they were far away, they could be observed with the naked eye. However, earthquakes occurred underground, so there was no way to guess. Meton first gave Li Shimin a heads-up, so as to not be disappointed.
Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "There is no harm in saying it. I only want an explanation."
Meton nodded and said, "The school of Mohism is based on mechanics. When earthquakes occur, mountains collapse, rivers stop flowing, houses collapse, and strong earthquakes can be felt from thousands of miles away. Is this not a kind of force? It is just that this force is too great, far beyond the imagination of ordinary people. "
Li Shimin nodded. It was precisely because this kind of power was too great that people would revere it and call it the will of the heavens.
In Mozi, the Will of Heaven, it says, "If the Son of Heaven is kind, the Heavens can reward him. If the Son of Heaven is violent, the Heavens can punish him." Even if one was the Son of Heaven, the Heavens could also give out rewards and punishments, and earthquake was one of the most severe types of rewards and punishments.
"Such heaven-shaking power, how can it be the work of a human? However, after this kid used the gunpowder, he vaguely had a guess," Meton said seriously.
Li Shimin's face suddenly turned serious as he stared at Meton.
"This kid believes that the earthquake is not the will of God. It is a natural phenomenon like the solar eclipse," Meton said with certainty.
"What evidence do you have?" Li Shimin asked in a hoarse voice.
Meton thought for a while and analyzed, "First of all, earthquakes mostly occur in mountainous areas, and the distribution is very regular. If Your Majesty lists the locations of earthquakes recorded in the past dynasties, you will find that the locations of earthquakes are like a belt, and there are almost no other areas. Or maybe there are no earthquakes at all. "
Li Shimin's heart moved. If that was the case, then there was a big problem.
Meton said again, "Also, if it is really the punishment of the heavens, then why didn't the heavens directly punish Chang 'an or the surrounding areas? Wouldn't such punishment be the most effective? But the earthquakes are mostly thousands of miles away."
Li Shimin nodded. This was indeed a suspicious point.
"Then according to the School of Mo's guess, what is the cause of the earthquakes? Could it be that there are minerals like gunpowder buried underground? " Li Shimin asked solemnly. The components of gunpowder, sulfur, and saltpeter, were both minerals. It was no wonder that Li Shimin would make such a guess.
Meton shook his head and said, "Of course not. When the School of Mo observed the occurrence of earthquakes, it often caused the ground to crack. Based on this, it is very likely that the cause of earthquakes is caused by the rupture of the underground rock layer.
"The rupture of the rock layer can cause earthquakes." Li Shimin frowned. This reason was too simple, and it was difficult for him to accept.
Meton nodded and looked around. Suddenly, he saw a familiar potted plant. He rushed forward and pulled it out.
Li Shimin's face twitched. This potted plant was the one that survived when Meton demonstrated the management of the Yellow River. However, in the end, it did not escape Meton's evil hands.
Meton reached out and removed the branches of the potted plant. He picked up the trunk and held it with both hands. With a sudden force, the trunk of the potted plant broke from the middle with a crack.
"Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the force produced when it broke." Meton handed the broken trunk of the potted plant to Li Shimin.
"This is the cause of the earthquakes!" Li Shimin looked at Meton with an unfriendly expression. This brat had destroyed his most beloved potted plant, and gave him such an answer.
Meton said without shame, "Yes, the force of a branch breaking is naturally very small. However, if a person's hand is placed on the broken part, they can still feel the pain. However, what if a person hugs the trunk and breaks it?"
Li Shimin's heart trembled. That kind of force might be able to take a person's life.
"According to the School of Mo's observations, there are rocks under the soil. Your Majesty, think about it again. If rocks that are a few miles thick or even tens of miles thick were to break, then how much force would be produced?" Meton said excitedly.
Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up. This time, he believed Meton's explanation. There were only rocks and soil under the ground. Perhaps this was the only explanation that could explain the cause of earthquakes!
"So there really is no Heaven's Will." Li Shimin suddenly rejoiced. It was as if a huge rock had been removed from his heart, and he immediately felt refreshed.
Meton suddenly sighed and said, "Of course, it's impossible to verify this guess. After all, the earthquake happened underground. Not to mention that we don't know where the earthquake will occur, even after the earthquake, it's impossible to go deep into the ground to verify it."
Li Shimin's face immediately darkened. Although he had already broken through Heaven's Perception, he knew that even if he were to tell Meton about this theory, those stubborn old fogeys would not be able to accept it.
The secret of the solar eclipse would only be revealed on the first day of the fifth month. However, with the spread of earthquakes, it would still be a long way to go.
"Alright, you may leave! Don't tell anyone about what happened today, "Li Shimin said coldly as he looked at the map.
Right now, the most important thing for the Tang dynasty was the Western Expedition. Before the Western Expedition ended, there could not be any negligence. Li Shimin did not want his backyard to be on fire at this time.
"Your subject understands!" Meton nodded, bowed, and left.
After Meton left, Li Shimin clapped his hands, and Pande instantly walked in from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?" Pande asked.
Li Shimin said, "Emperor Wei once told me that he wanted to write a book on the geography of mountains and rivers to correct the name of the mountains of the Tang dynasty. He is truly loyal. Pass down the order to reward him with a thousand taels of silver and a collection of a hundred volumes of books."
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