I studied in modern times

Chapter 802: Innate Scientific Body
The next day, Shen Kuo entered the palace as ordered. When he arrived at the inner east gate, he was told that because the weather was good today, the emperor decided to go fishing in the back garden. Therefore, the place where he would meet the emperor was changed to the inner pond.

Shen Kuo didn't care. Ministers like him who often entered the palace would often be told when they entered the palace that the emperor had decided to summon him to another place!

At first, Shen Kuo thought that this was the nature of young people, who always liked to do whatever they wanted.

It was not until later, when he mentioned this matter to his wife, that his wife woke him up with one sentence: "In the past, many things in the Forbidden City were leaked. Since the emperor came to power today, the words of the ministers in the Forbidden City have rarely been known to the outside court!"

He suddenly understood what was going on.

The young master is not doing whatever he wants at all, but is using a very clever political strategy.

This can disrupt the spying plans of outsiders.

At the same time, you can also effectively clean up the people around you - through this method, you can test the people around you in rounds.

If a secret is leaked, all the people involved will be implicated and put on a separate list.

In this way, no one would dare to spread the forbidden language casually.

This is what the military strategy calls: make a feint to the east and attack in the west, avoid the strong and attack the weak!

Shen Kuo followed Feng Jing into the palace from the inner east gate, then went west through the Huitong Gate and passed the Chongzheng Hall.

After passing Chongzheng Hall, you will enter the real inner palace.

The atmosphere here became noticeably tense.

Patrolling officials were moving back and forth on the Imperial Road.

Follow the long imperial road, pass through the colonnade behind Chongzheng Hall, and go out from the narrow corridor between Yanhe Hall and Jingfu Hall to reach Guangsheng Palace, and behind Guangsheng Palace is the back garden.

During the time of the previous emperor, Shen Kuo came here once.

At that time, he was still the judge of the Military Equipment Bureau. One time, the late emperor specially took him to the back garden to enjoy the flowers and fish.

So, Shen Kuo had some impression.

But that was seventeen years ago.

Shen Kuo felt quite sad when he thought about it.

Seventeen years ago, the Xining Reform was at its peak and he was also in his prime.

But seventeen years later, the world has changed.

However, the palace wall before him still looked the same as he remembered.

So, Shen Kuo stopped for a moment when passing through the palace gate.

Feng Jing was so smart that he noticed it immediately and asked quietly, "Has the supervisor been here before?"

"Well... Seventeen years ago, I was favored by the late emperor and accompanied him to the back garden..."

Feng Jing was immediately filled with awe.

Seventeen years ago... this official was already able to accompany the late emperor to the rear garden...

He is indeed worthy of being the assistant minister specially trained and selected by the late emperor for the young master!

He said: "There are not many people in the court who can be favored by two generations of emperors like the Tiju!"

"I think the day will come when the promotion will be announced and dismissed!"

Shen Kuo was overjoyed when he heard this.

Xuan Ma Baichu got a cool umbrella, which was his greatest pursuit in his life!

It is also the highest pursuit of all the scholars and officials in the Song Dynasty today.

However, he was still modest: "There are countless wise ministers in the country, and those who are more virtuous than me are countless... How can I dare to hope to do the same as Xuanma?"

Feng Jing smiled and said nothing, then took Shen Kuo into the back garden.

As soon as you enter the back garden, the security level immediately rises.

The Imperial Dragon Guards wearing mountain-patterned armor replaced the personal officers of the Imperial City Administration.

There is almost one post every three steps and one sentry every five steps.

Shen Kuo didn't dare to look around again. He just lowered his head and followed Feng Jing forward.

After walking around the back garden for about a quarter of an hour, Shen Kuo heard the sound of gurgling water and the gurgling sound of a waterwheel drawing water.

He raised his head slightly and saw many umbrellas growing on a pier next to the pond under the bright summer sun.

You can vaguely see a young man in a brown-yellow uniform, holding a fishing rod, sitting on a chair made of vines, and seemingly looking at the pond intently.

Shen Kuo looked at it and thought to himself: "The emperor today and his ancestors all love fishing!"

Since Emperor Taizong, all the officials in the dynasties were fishing enthusiasts.

The stories and anecdotes about their fishing could almost fill a book.

For example, during the Zhen Temple period, there was a legend in the Forbidden City that the prime minister was chosen by fishing.

It is said that Zhen Miao loved fishing but could never catch any fish.

To this end, Zhen Miao decided to take the ministers fishing.

Let's see if it's a technical problem or if there's something wrong with the fish in the backyard?

result……

Almost everyone caught a fish that day, except the temple!

Suddenly, the emperor became furious!
At this time, Ding Wei saw that the wind direction was wrong, and he immediately composed a poem. One of the lines said: The orioles are startled by the phoenix chariot flying through the flowers, and the fish are afraid of the dragon's face and are slow to take the bait!
After hearing this, Emperor Zhen Miao was very pleased. After returning, he summoned the Hanlin academicians and appointed Ding Wei as prime minister!

No one knows whether this story is true or not.

However, what Shen Kuo could be sure of was that since the ancestors, it had been the system for the emperor to go fishing and have his close ministers accompany him.

Especially during the Renmiao era, the "fishing banquet" was specially developed.

According to the ministers who attended the fishing banquet that year, there are rules for fishing in this forbidden area.

For example, if the emperor has not caught any fish, even if the ministers have caught some, they cannot lift the fishing rod. Another example is that when the emperor and his ministers go fishing together, the king and his ministers use different scoop nets.

The emperor uses red nets, and ministers use white nets.

This is especially important!
Because, it is said that Cao Liyong used a red net when he accompanied the emperor to fish, which offended the Emperor Ren Miao, so he was dismissed from his position as prime minister, exiled, and finally forced to death.

Thinking about these things, Shen Kuo trembled as he arrived at the dock. He bowed to the emperor, who was sitting on a chair and concentrating on fishing, and said, "I, the scholar of the Longtu Pavilion, the minister of the court, and the director of the military equipment manufacturing bureau, respectfully wish the emperor good health!"

Yes, Shen Kuo was promoted again.

Now, he has almost risen to the rank he was dismissed from after the defeat in Yongle City.

At that time, he was the academician of Longtu Pavilion and Taizhong doctor, and was appointed as the governor and pacifier of Fuyan Road, and he was only one step away from Xuanma.

But, it’s this step…I just can’t take it!

Now, after many twists and turns, he has finally been promoted to an official rank and position that is only slightly lower than before he was dismissed and demoted.

The doors of the two mansions were opened to him again.

Zhao Xu turned around, looked at Shen Kuo, and smiled: "Shen Qing is here!"

"No need to be polite, come to my side and fish with me..."

"Yes!" Shen Kuo was flattered and bowed again to express his gratitude. Then he stood up and came to the emperor respectfully.

Feng Jing moved a chair in front of him, served him tea, and brought him a fishing rod, a fish basket and a scoop net, all white!
Shen Kuo looked carefully and found that the scoop net placed in front of the official was indeed red.

Zhao Xu saw Shen Kuo's expression and grinned: "What did you remember?"

The fact that the Zhao officials loved fishing is known to almost everyone in the modern Song history research circle.

Someone even joked: "Maybe it's because the Zhao family has been empty-handed every year, so their luck has been balanced to Diaoyucheng, allowing them to catch a Mongolian Khan!"

Zhao Xu took his scoop net and swung it around.

Shen Kuo said quickly: "I am terrified..."

"No problem!" Zhao Xu said with a smile, "Please sit down and chat with me while we fish."

"Yes!" Shen Kuo sat down carefully, took the fishing rod, and skillfully put the bait on it, but did not cast the rod immediately. Instead, he carefully observed the fish situation on Zhao Xu's side.

There was no movement from the fishing rod!

But there seemed to be quite a few fish on the water!
This is very embarrassing.

After all, according to legend, if the emperor did not catch a fish, the ministers could not lift the fishing rod even if they did.

There is also a legend that Cao Liyong was caught in a fishing accident. He caught fish before Ren Miao and used Ren Miao's scoop net, which offended others and eventually led to him being hanged on the beam of the house.

So...what if, by some chance, he gets caught after he comes...how embarrassing would that be?
Shen Kuo felt that he had to wait a while.

Seeing this, Zhao Xu smiled and shook his head, asking, "Why don't you put down your pole?"

"Are you afraid that you will catch the fish before me?"

"It's okay!" Zhao Xu chuckled and looked at the water in front of him: "I'm not as kind as my ancestors!" "If the fish in this pond don't give me face, then I won't spoil them! I'll order someone to pump out the water tomorrow!" He licked his lips and laughed strangely.

As soon as he finished speaking, the fishing rod in Zhao Xu's hand moved.

With a gentle pull, he pulled up a carp weighing almost half a pound.

Feng Jing on the side was quick-witted and immediately took out the scoop net, scooped up the carp and put it into the fish basket, while he kept praising "your divine power", "you are intimidating the fish", "this fish is caught by you, you are really lucky" and so on.

Zhao Xu was naturally very happy to have caught a fish, and said to Shen Kuo proudly: "Shen Qing, do you think pumping water will work?"

Shen Kuo obviously didn't know the trick, so he could only laugh along and then cast away his fishing rod.

Zhao Xu caught the fish and became more interested.

After Feng Jing caught the fish, removed the hook and put it into the fish basket, he continued to put on the bait and continued to cast the rod.

While he was about to swing, Zhao Xu said to Shen Kuo, "Mr. Shen, I suddenly remembered a story from our ancestors..."

Shen Kuo pricked up his ears and said respectfully, "I wonder what your Majesty is thinking of?"

"It also happened here!" Zhao Xu smiled, "It is said that during the reign of Emperor Taizong, elephants from Jiaozhi were raised in this back garden!"

As soon as Shen Kuo heard it, he knew what was going on.

He immediately began to make fun of the elephant: "I have also heard that... It is said that the elephant is quite spiritual. Taizong loves it and once watched the elephant with his attendants in the back garden..."

Zhao Xu nodded and continued, "You also know what happened after the elephant died, right?"

Shen Kuo nodded and said respectfully: "I have heard a little bit... It is said that Emperor Taizong once ordered people to cut open an elephant to take out its gallbladder... But when the butcher cut open the elephant's belly, he couldn't find any gallbladder..."

"Xu Qisheng (Xu Xuan, because he was once a palace attendant, so people called him Qisheng) who was accompanying the emperor at that time reported to the emperor: I beg you to ask for it from the front foot!"

"Emperor Taizong ordered his men to cut open the elephant's front foot, and indeed, they found the elephant's gallbladder!"

"Taizong asked why, and Xu Qisheng replied: The gallbladder of an elephant moves in the feet with the seasons. Now it is February, so I know it is in the left foot!"

After listening to this, Zhao Xu clapped his hands and praised: "You are really well-informed!"

"But..." Zhao Xu suddenly turned his head and stared at Shen Kuo's face. He put on an extremely serious expression and asked, "In your opinion, is Xiang Dan really as Xuan said, and is he in his feet with the four seasons?"

Does the elephant's courage move back and forth on its four legs due to the changing seasons?

In his previous life, Zhao Xu might have believed this kind of story.

But in modern times, after receiving scientific education, Zhao Xu knew that this was another story made up by literati.

Shen Kuo swallowed his saliva and replied: "Your Majesty, I have never seen an elephant... I dare not say whether it is real or not!"

Zhao Xu looked at him, suddenly smiled, and clapped his hands and said, "Good!"

"You are a sincere person!"

"The way of the sage [investigating things and seeking knowledge] requires a spirit like yours..."

“Know what you know, and know what you don’t know!”

"Only after actual evidence can a conclusion be drawn! This is the true meaning of the sage's [investigation of things to gain knowledge]!"

"What do you think?"

When Shen Kuo listened, he felt as if he had suddenly been enlightened.

He murmured to himself: "Only after actual verification can we reach a conclusion... Only after actual verification can we reach a conclusion..."

Then, he knelt down facing Zhao Xu, kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty's voice is virtuous and wise... I thank Your Majesty for your advice!"

This is half flattery, but half is sincere.

Since Shen Kuo began to raise the banner of "investigating things and seeking knowledge" and advocated practical learning, he and like-minded people such as Su Song have devoted themselves to this cause.

Although, a lot of achievements have been made.

However, there has been no major progress in theory and academia.

He was always trapped in the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, although he also thought about learning from others.

But apart from Confucius and Mencius, the things that today's scholars like to use to fill their own theories and propositions - the words of Zhuangzi, Laozi or Buddhism - are all too metaphysical.

However, it is of little use to the "empiricism" or "practical learning" that he wants to pursue.

Unexpectedly, now, when he entered the palace to accompany the emperor for fishing, he was awakened by the emperor's words.

Just like the official saying "To study things and to acquire knowledge is the great way of the sages" allowed him to open up a new path that was different from other contemporary schools of thought.

Zhao Xu saw Shen Kuo's expression and waved his hand, saying, "You don't have to be like this..."

"Get up!"

Shen Kuo bowed again to express his gratitude.

At this time, neither Shen Kuo nor Zhao Xu paid much attention to the fishing rods in front of them.

After Shen Kuo sat down, Zhao Xu said to him, "Speaking of which, today I invite you to the palace, but it is also a question similar to the one that Emperor Taizong asked for an elephant's gallbladder. I want to ask you for advice..."

Shen Kuo lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, please enlighten me!"

"It's like this..." Zhao Xu raised his head: "Some time ago, I was enjoying the cool air in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. When I walked out of the pavilion, a fruit fell on my head..."

Zhao Xu reached out and touched his head, pretending that he was really hit on the head by the fruit.

Shen Kuo looked at Zhao Xu in confusion.

Zhao Xu narrowed his eyes: "I have been thinking about this for the past two days..."

"Shen Qing...why do you think that everything in this world falls from high to low? And not the other way around?"

Shen Kuo listened and didn't take it seriously at first. He answered subconsciously without thinking: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, all things in the world have been..."

Then, he froze.

Yup!

Why does everything fall from high to low?

why?

He already had goosebumps all over his body.

Zhao Xu looked at his appearance, nodded secretly in his heart, and praised: "He really is worthy of being a great scientist respected by modern times!"

If it were anyone else, it would be impossible for them to react as quickly as Shen Kuo.

Even if they react, it's probably just acting.

Unlike Shen Kuo, Zhao Xu's observations really began to ponder "Why do all things in the world fall from high to low?" This ancient question opened up modern science.

Therefore, Zhao Xu decided to give him a boost, push him one step forward, and let him open the door to "science".

Zhao Xu then asked: "What else..."

He picked up the bait beside him, rolled it up, and divided it into two balls of different sizes.

Then he weighed it in his hand and asked, "Shen Qing..."

"What do you think? If I throw these two balls of bait from the Kaibao Temple Tower at the same time..."

"Which one will land first?"

"Big one?" Zhao Xu tossed it: "Or small one?"

Shen Kuo swallowed his saliva and replied, "Your Majesty, I think these two balls of bait will break apart before they hit the ground... or be blown away by the wind..."

He is at the forefront, specializing in various experiments and empirical research.

He used the flying bird method to draw maps and made theoretical and technical preparations for Zhao Xu to create the sand table tool.

He also invented the "layered weir measurement method" to accurately measure the drop in height between the Yellow River Kaifeng section and Sizhou, laying the technical foundation for the feasibility of the Luo River to Qingbian Project.

After carefully studying some marine shell fossils in Taihang Mountain, he concluded that the area may have been an ocean or at least a coastal area countless years ago, and thus deduced that North China may be a plain formed by river impact and sedimentation.

He was also a pioneer in acoustics and was the first to discover the phenomenon of acoustic resonance.

So, he is a very scientifically sensitive person.

To be precise, he is the 'Innate Holy Body of Science'.

The kind that only appears once every five hundred years!

As a result, Shen Kuo was trembling all over.

"Your Majesty..." He panted, "I beg to go to the Kaibao Temple Iron Pagoda and use two large and small iron balls as evidence!"

Zhao Xu nodded with a smile: "If you want to do it, then go ahead!"

"As for now..."

"Come fishing with me first!"

(End of this chapter)