Bringing the Railway to Daming

In his memorial, Zhu Xiong Ying first described what he knew about the development of medicine in the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Xiong Ying believes that modern Ming Dynasty medicine, based on the traditional Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory and describing the human body using the concepts of form, qi, and spirit, is entirely unscientific. Many treatments are even inherited from ancient shamanistic culture, lacking any scientific basis whatsoever. (Zhu Xiong Ying's views do not represent those of the protagonist, nor do they represent the author's views.)
However, there is no concrete evidence to support the concepts of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the form, Qi, and spirit of the human body, and even the meridians of the human body. They are very likely figments of the imagination of physicians throughout history.

In addition, although the Ming Dynasty established a medical school more than ten years ago, medical education is still mainly based on the traditional master-apprentice system.

Because nowadays, the improvement of medical skills mainly relies on accumulating clinical experience, and it is difficult to improve medical skills by only conducting theoretical research.

In conclusion, it can be said that the medicine of the Ming Dynasty is now entirely based on experience. Its theoretical foundation is unscientific, and even its system is unscientific. Naturally, it cannot conduct theoretical research through scientific methods and experiments, and it cannot rapidly promote the progress of the medical level of the Ming Dynasty.

Upon seeing this, Liu Kuan felt completely numb.

Why would Zhu Xiong Ying think that way?

'Isn't this similar to the misunderstandings most people had about Traditional Chinese Medicine in the late 20th century, before I time-traveled?'

"Furthermore, it completely places Traditional Chinese Medicine in opposition to science—I'm teaching him all sorts of scientific knowledge, not so he'll understand and apply it in this way."

'This kid is going astray!'

Liu Kuan was a little anxious, but he had no choice but to continue reading.

After Zhu Xiong Ying finished describing the medicine of the Ming Dynasty as he saw it, he said that if he wanted to promote the rapid progress of medicine, he had to carry out a revolutionary reform, or a medical revolution!

He believes that a group of science students who are interested in studying medicine but have not yet been exposed to traditional medicine should be found and allowed to conduct medical experiments such as dissections of death row inmates in order to construct a brand-new medical theory based on scientific methodology and experimental results.

This can be called the new medicine!
The scientifically grounded aspects of traditional medicine should be extracted and incorporated into modern medicine; as for medical theories, treatments, and prescriptions that lack scientific basis, they should be categorized as witchcraft and superstition, and should not be promoted, and should even be cracked down upon.

Only in this way can we clear the way (market) for the decaying traditional medicine that is entangled with witchcraft and superstition, and open up space for the development of new medicine.

After reading it, Liu Kuan's forehead was slightly sweaty.

Looking up at Zhu Biao, he asked, "What does Your Highness think of the contents of this memorial?"

Zhu Biao said, “I think Xiong Ying’s idea is somewhat extreme, but it is also quite reasonable. Since the year my brother-in-law came to the Ming Dynasty, we have been vigorously developing medicine, and now twelve years have passed.”

"However, although medicine in the Ming Dynasty has made significant progress compared to the past, it is still too slow compared to the development of other industries in the Ming Dynasty."

"My mother's illness has been diagnosed for several years, but even the most renowned doctors in the Ming Dynasty are helpless and can only watch her pass away."

"During his mother's funeral, Xiong Ying expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of medical development. It was probably because of his mother's passing that he conceived the idea of ​​reforming medicine again."

"I think that if we can really develop a medical system based on scientific methodology and various experiments, as Xiong Ying said, it might be possible to improve the medical level of the Ming Dynasty even faster."

Zhu Biao's statement clearly indicates that he agrees with Zhu Xiong Ying's viewpoint.

Seeing this, Liu Kuan felt that things were getting serious—if his arrival caused traditional Chinese medicine to be discontinued in the Ming Dynasty of this time and space, he would be committing a grave sin.

He then said, "Your Highness, in fact, there was a period in later generations when the public's understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, which is now medicine, was similar to that of Xiong Ying."

"People thought that the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory was unreasonable, and that the meridians in the human body did not exist, etc. But as science and technology advanced, people gradually discovered that the theory of traditional Chinese medicine had its own logic, but ordinary doctors could not master it thoroughly."

"The theories of human meridians, form, qi, and spirit are not without basis, but they were difficult to prove with the scientific and experimental conditions at the time."

"Before I came to the Ming Dynasty, as China's scientific level had risen to a considerable level, researchers discovered that many of the treatments and prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine had scientific theoretical basis and were not entirely based on experience."

Zhu Biao was quite surprised by Liu Kuan's words and asked, "What does the brother-in-law mean?"

Liu Kuandao said, "Xiongying wants to reform medicine again, and even develop a new medicine based on scientific methodology and experimental research. I think it is feasible."

"But it would be too much to suppress traditional medicine at the same time. On the contrary, after some reforms, we should support the development of traditional medicine and let it corroborate the new medicine."

"Only in this way can the medicine of the Ming Dynasty develop steadily and more rapidly."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "If Xiong Ying knew what his brother-in-law was thinking, he would probably be very surprised."

Liu Kuan gave a wry smile—he hadn't expected Zhu Xiong Ying to have such extreme ideas.

He then asked, "What is Your Majesty's opinion on this memorial?"

Zhu Biao sighed, "Father has been spending most of his time copying Buddhist scriptures for Mother, apart from handling state affairs, so he hasn't seen this memorial yet."

Liu Kuan said, "If Your Majesty asks, I hope Your Highness the Crown Prince can convey my thoughts."

"I will."

After saying that, Zhu Biao brought up another matter: "In a while, the foreign tribes from overseas will return to the capital one after another to pay homage to the Empress Dowager."

"I'm afraid they'll inevitably bother my brother-in-law with inquiries about overseas matters, so he should be prepared." Liu Kuan nodded, "Your Majesty, I understand."

······
When Liu Kuan returned to the Tiangong Academy, he received good news.

The Jurong Hydropower Station has been completed as planned and is ready for hydropower generation tests!

According to the information obtained by Liu Kuan, the earliest hydroelectric power station in history appeared in France at the end of the 19th century, and then developed rapidly. By the beginning of the 20th century, many countries had built hydroelectric power stations.

Initially, due to technological limitations, the capacity of hydroelectric power stations at that time was relatively small.

For example, the Japanese hydroelectric power station built in 1889, which was touted as the world's largest at the time, only had an installed capacity of 48KW.

However, the technology related to hydroelectric power stations developed rapidly afterward. A few years later, the Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station, built in Bald Eagle, had a installed capacity that surged to 14.7 KW!

The hydroelectric power station built by Tiangong Institute in Jurong is experimental in nature and therefore very small. It is estimated that the installed capacity will be less than 10KW after completion.

However, it is sufficient for experiments and for verifying the feasibility of the hydroelectric power generation technology researched by the Tiangong Institute.

In fact, it would not have been possible to complete the project in just six months if the hydropower development site had not been small enough.

It should be noted that the construction time of many famous hydroelectric power stations in later generations was measured in years.

After reading the official document, Liu Kuan sent an official to relay his reply—he gave the power station two days to prepare to go there the day after tomorrow to oversee the site and observe the first power generation experiment of the hydroelectric power station.

Three days later.

Jurong Hydropower Station Experimental Area.

After Liu Kuan, accompanied by several staff members from the Tiangong Academy and officials from the experimental area, inspected the preparations for power generation once again, he ordered the commencement of the hydroelectric power generation experiment.

The experimental area is located in a small river in Jurong with a relatively large drop. The widest part is only four or five zhang, and the narrowest part is only a little over one zhang. It is not an exaggeration to call it a small ditch.

For the safety of the experiment, the Tiangong Institute built two reinforced concrete dams here. The one upstream only has normal water storage and release functions, and the dam used for power generation is two or three miles away.

Liu Kuan stood in a safe enough spot on the riverbank and watched as the rushing river water flowed into the tunnel inside the dam. Soon after, rows of experimental lights on the shore of the hydroelectric power station lit up.

This indicates that the experiment was initially successful, and the next step is to verify the operational stability of the hydropower station.

The officials and craftsmen in charge of hydroelectric power generation cheered and celebrated for a while. Then, Zhuang Zan, the person in charge of the experiment, came to report to Liu Kuan.

"Director, judging from the current situation of the hydropower station, the hydropower generation process we have developed is basically fine. The next step is to conduct continuous power generation to verify the stability, safety and other performance aspects of the hydropower station."

"The problem now is that hydropower is not as easy to control as thermal power. For example, this experimental hydropower station in front of us only generates enough electricity for the entire Jurong County. Any excess electricity would probably be wasted."

After listening for a moment, Liu Kuan said, "There is no solution to this problem at present. The only thing we can do is to have the power bureau lay cables to the surrounding areas as soon as possible and promote the use of electricity."

"However, once some technological breakthroughs are made in the future and hydropower is built in certain places, we may consider using the surplus electricity to pump water from lower levels to higher levels for storage."

"This is equivalent to converting excess electricity back into potential energy, which can not only be used to irrigate fields during droughts, but also to build hydroelectric power stations at reservoir gates to convert potential energy back into electrical energy for use."

Zhuang Zan, a top student who graduated from the Physics Department of Peking University, had his eyes light up when he heard this and couldn't help but say, "Your idea is brilliant! By extension, thermal power plants could also use a similar method to store surplus electrical energy!"

Liu Kuan smiled and said, "Actually, besides using water to store potential energy, other objects can also be used to store potential energy; similarly, electrical energy can be converted into potential energy for storage, or it can be converted into other forms of energy."

“You people who are engaged in power generation research should not only think about how to generate electricity, but also think more about how to store electrical energy and use it more efficiently.”

Zhuang Zan nodded excitedly, "This humble official understands, thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency!"

After a slight hesitation, Zhuang Zan added, "Your Excellency, although this hydroelectric power station does not require coal, thus saving coal and not polluting the environment, the construction period is too long."

"Even with so much manpower and resources mobilized by the Tiangong Institute, it still took nearly half a year to build this small hydropower station. The money and resources spent were also much more than building a thermal power station. I'm afraid this will not be conducive to its promotion."

Liu Kuan patted Zhuang Zan on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't worry, the imperial court attaches more importance to saving coal and the environmental pollution caused by thermal power plants than you think, so it will also pay attention to the development and application of hydropower stations - your research results will not be useless."

Zhuang Zan smiled sheepishly, "I was overthinking it."

When Liu Kuan returned to the capital, it was already noon, so he went straight back to his residence.

After a half-hour rest after lunch, he went to work at the Institute of Technology—he was born to be a worker.

However, after Liu Kuan finished processing the official documents that had accumulated in the morning, he had nothing else to do. So he drank tea in the main office and picked up the latest issue of "Tianxia Shuo" to read—this newspaper run by Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, was one of his favorite publications.

After the Ming Dynasty rectified private newspapers and issued relevant regulations, private newspapers not only did not suffer a blow, but instead flourished even more. In the past, only those who were bold or had enough background dared to publish newspapers, and some of them even tried to cover it up.

Now, as long as one meets the court's requirements, one can openly and legitimately run a newspaper, naturally leading to an increase in the number of people starting newspapers and periodicals. (End of Chapter)