Bringing the Railway to Daming

Before traveling through time, Liu Kuan happened to have some knowledge of the origin of mankind.

He paused for a moment, then said, "The mainstream theory about the origin of mankind in later generations is still the African origin theory, but it does not originate from a single ethnic group in Africa, but rather from multiple locations in Africa and multiple times."

"However, with the advancement of science and technology and the continuous development of human archaeology, a few years before I came to Daming, new theories of human origins had already challenged the African origin theory."

"Because ancient ape and ape-man fossils dating back millions of years have also been discovered in China, just not as numerous as ancient human fossils in Africa. And according to the African origin theory, human ancestors were still in Africa at that time - this is obviously contradictory."

"So, the new theory of human origins holds that modern Homo sapiens is the result of the fusion of Homo sapiens originating in Africa and ancient humans from other places, such as Neanderthals in Europe and ancient humans in the East."

After listening to this, Zhu Biao, Zhu Xiongying and others were all thoughtful.

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't seem to care much - in his opinion, there was no practical significance (benefit) for the Ming Dynasty to trace the origin of mankind at this time.

Therefore, while Zhu Xiongying and others were thinking about the almost philosophical question of human origins, Zhu Yuanzhang asked about what he thought was important.

"Liu Kuan, what do all those tech terms like virtual reality, driverless cars, and gene editing mentioned in the previous video mean? Could you explain them to us so we can broaden our horizons?"

Liu Kuan smiled and said, "If Your Majesty wants to listen, I will naturally explain it. However, these are all cutting-edge technologies from later generations, and I only have a limited understanding of some of them. If there are any ambiguities, I hope Your Majesty will understand."

"Just tell me as much as you know," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile. Then he added, "Xiongying, take a pen and paper and write down the meaning of all the cutting-edge technology terms Liu Kuan mentioned."

Zhu Xiongying already had the habit of taking notes while watching movies, and he had a pen and paper handy for taking notes, so he immediately replied, "Yes."

Liu Kuan knew that Lao Zhu wanted to dig out the valuable information from his brain, but he didn't mind.

He said, "Let's start with 'virtual reality' – virtual reality technology was later translated by the great Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen as 'spiritual realm technology'. It uses modern computer technology, simulation technology, display technology, and 3D graphics technology to create a virtual world that is as realistic as possible through multiple senses, including vision, hearing, touch, and even smell."

After giving a basic introduction, Liu Kuan had to stop.

Because he found that Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao and others all had confused expressions, even Zhu Xiongying and other students he had taught for many years were no exception.

Obviously, although they understood every word Liu Kuan said, they did not understand what Liu Kuan said.

Liu Kuan smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty, this is why I rarely mentioned cutting-edge technology like this before—some things are really hard to explain if you don't touch them."

Zhu Yuanzhang came back to his senses, his face flushed slightly, a rare occurrence. But he said shamelessly, "Then you should take the trouble to explain it to us clearly."

Liu Kuan said, "Let me put it this way. Before I came to the Ming Dynasty, virtual reality technology had already been applied in later generations, and many products were on the market."

"The most mainstream ones are glasses or helmets. These products usually completely cover the eyes and come with headphones. When they are turned on, what people see and hear is the virtual world built into the product."

"Well, it's actually just like the legendary illusion, which makes people see and hear imaginary scenes and sounds, as if they have entered another world, an illusory world."

Illusion?

The Zhu family finally understood something.

But it was even more incredible—could later generations create such magical illusions similar to those of immortals? It was too amazing, wasn't it?

However, several of Zhu Yuanzhang's concubines who were more superstitious began to doubt Liu Kuan's origins again.

Seeing that Lao Zhu and the others seemed to understand, Liu Kuan continued, "In addition to goggles and helmets, this type of product also includes full-body equipment, such as virtual experience pods, which can probably simulate some tactile sensations."

"As for whether virtual reality products can bring more senses like smell, I don't know. But future generations of relevant scientists and industries are indeed working towards this goal, so it may be realized in a few years."

"By the way, a few years before I came to Ming, the concept of the 'metaverse' was popular. That is, using virtual reality technology to create an illusory world, allowing everyone on Earth to communicate and even virtually interact in the metaverse, and shopping would also take place in the metaverse."

"Well, it's roughly equivalent to letting everyone's consciousness enter a virtual world. But after implementation, many people found that this metaverse wasn't that useful, and it gradually faded from public view."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zi, the Prince of Tan, who had no great ambitions and no important responsibilities, and who usually indulged in various novels and storytelling, could not help but say, "Isn't this similar to the Ten Thousand Souls Banner in some mythological novels that can contain the souls of many people?"

Liu Kuan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. "Your Highness Prince Tan, the Metaverse is very different from the Ten Thousand Souls Banner in the novel. First, it doesn't absorb people's souls. Second, people still interact with the Metaverse through vision and hearing, not through their souls."

Zhu Yuanzhang still found it a little hard to imagine, so he simply asked, "Then what is the use of this virtual reality technology? Or what benefits can it bring?"

Liu Kuan said, "For the general public, its main function should be entertainment, such as movies, games, and shopping produced with virtual reality technology."

"In addition, it can also be used for military simulations, construction and various engineering simulations, and even scientific experiment simulations, etc."

"Simulation in virtual space does not require the loss of materials, is faster, and even some effects can be more intuitive. It has many advantages." Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it with almost all his imagination and found that it would be very useful if he could use this virtual reality technology to simulate a war first.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel envious and jealous.

"I wonder when our Ming Dynasty will be able to develop this virtual reality technology."

Liu Kuan didn't know how to answer - virtual reality technology in later generations was just beginning, and no one knew when the Ming Dynasty would be able to develop it. In any case, it was impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang and he to see it.

He simply talked about the next technological term.

"Your Majesty, let me talk about driverless vehicles. As the name suggests, driverless vehicles are vehicles without human operators, such as cars, airplanes, and ships."

"This technology relies primarily on future generations' artificial intelligence, deep learning, real-time sensing, and other technologies. Before I arrived at the Ming Dynasty, several major cities had already been trialing driverless cars in certain areas."

"Also, self-driving cars have appeared in some previously broadcast videos and films, so I won't elaborate on this."

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both nodded.

For them, driverless cars are easier to understand than virtual reality, as they have indeed seen them in videos and movies.

Of course, some concubines, princesses, etc. still found it incredible after thinking about it carefully - in the legend, the carriages of the gods needed to be pulled by auspicious beasts such as dragons and phoenixes, and steam trains also needed drivers to drive them. Cars in later generations could actually move by themselves and find their own way, as if the cars had become spirits. It was really incredible.

"As for gene editing—Your Majesty should have seen from the notes of my lectures in the Great Hall that biological inheritance is closely related to genes. For example, height, beauty, ugliness, certain diseases, and talents in certain areas, etc."

"So, later generations of scientists used various high technologies to modify the genes of organisms. For example, there is a vegetable that, although delicious, is very prone to certain diseases, resulting in very low yields."

"Then we can edit its genes to give it the ability to fight the disease, thereby greatly increasing its production."

"For example, a certain type of fish may be particularly delicious but has too many bones, making it inconvenient to eat. We can genetically edit its genes to make it have fewer bones, or even have its offspring have fewer bones, making it easier for humans to eat."

"There are also more extreme examples, such as humans need the fur of a rare animal, but this animal is extremely rare and endangered. Then you can try to use gene editing to make sheep grow the fur of this animal..."

Having said that, Liu Kuan had to stop.

Because at this time, Lao Zhu's family all stared at him, looking at him as if he were a ghost, with very strange expressions.

In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang was the first to recover. He asked dryly, "Liu Kuan, have future generations really mastered the gene editing technology you mentioned?"

Liu Kuan said: "We can't say we've mastered it. In fact, the reason it's called cutting-edge technology is because humans have only just begun to master it. It's still in the stage of exploration and research."

Zhu Yuanzhang said seriously, "From what you said, it seems that any living thing can be modified using gene editing technology. But is there any example of it being used on humans?"

Liu Kuan thought for a moment and said, "Gene editing technology, or any technology involving genes, actually carries considerable risks. Therefore, in later generations, most countries have implemented strict controls on the application of genetic technology."

"As far as I know, there have only been a few cases of gene editing technology being applied to humans before I traveled through time, and most of these cases were to treat certain hereditary diseases."

"I have heard that overseas, some super-rich people use gene editing technology on their children, hoping to give them better looks and talents, but I'm not sure if it's true or not."

After hearing the answer from Liu Kuan, everyone from Zhu Yuanzhang to the emperor's grandson who could barely understand it could not help but feel their hair stand on end, and some even trembled uncontrollably.

Zhu Xiongying said with a dry throat, "Teacher, if this gene editing technology continues to develop, won't it allow humans to have the terrifying ability to turn people into pigs, horses, cows, and sheep in the future?"

"Um," Liu Kuan didn't know what to say for a moment. "First of all, it's extremely difficult to turn people into childhood sweethearts, cattle and sheep. Even if genetic technology continues to develop, it will still be difficult to achieve this. Secondly, this thing has no practical significance."

Zhu Biao then asked in a dry voice, "Then genetic technology should be able to extend human lifespan, or make people live longer, right?"

Liu Kuan said, "Your Highness, gene editing can help humans enhance their resistance to disease and even prevent the occurrence of certain diseases. It can indeed prolong life."

"According to later research, the upper limit of human lifespan may be related to the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes. Before I came to the Ming Dynasty, later research concluded that the upper limit of human lifespan was around 150 years old, while the longest-lived person on record at that time had reached 120 years old."

Is the human lifespan limited to 150 years?
The longest lifespan of humans in later generations has reached 120 years?!

Hearing this, even the most determined Old Zhu couldn't help but brighten his eyes.

Because even if we go by the longevity record of 120 years old in later generations, he is only in his sixties now and is only in "middle age"!

Seeing Old Zhu's eyes light up, Liu Kuan feared he had been possessed by a demon and was seeking immortality through the entire nation's efforts. So he quickly said, "However, the 120-year-old longevity of later generations is only a special case. Life expectancy in developed countries is actually around years old, and in reality, only a minority can reach or years old." (End of this chapter)