Bringing the Railway to Daming

When Zhu Yuanzhang and his comrades saw that the police from the Bald Eagle Kingdom had dispatched cavalry and armed helicopters to intercept Caesar and the other gorillas on the Golden Gate Bridge, their hearts sank.

He thought to himself: Although these chimpanzees are agile and strong, they are probably no match for humans with firearms, not to mention that humans also have armed helicopters that can maintain absolute dominance in the air.

But what happened next was different from what everyone expected.

Caesar divided the gorillas into three groups, advancing simultaneously from the ropes above the bridge, the bridge below, and the bridge surface. After a fierce battle on the bridge, although some gorillas died, they ultimately defeated the bald eagle police blocking their way, broke through the blockade, and successfully returned to the forest (national park).

Will, unwilling to leave Caesar behind, drove after him into the forest.

Caesar appeared and met with him. Will asked Caesar to come home with him and promised again that he would protect him.

Caesar glanced at the group of gorillas behind him and rejected Will with the words, "Caesar is home."

Then Caesar went up to the top of a tall redwood tree and looked out over San Francisco, as if he were looking forward to something.

Then the movie credits started rolling.

Everyone thought the movie was over and was about to discuss its contents when, unexpectedly, new scenes appeared soon afterward.

But Will's neighbor, the pilot who had been sprayed with blood by Franklin after inhaling gene drug (virus) number 113, was on his way to the airport with his suitcase to prepare for work, but found himself in a situation similar to Franklin's nose spurting blood.

The film ends here with a strange and grand background music.

This time, everyone waited until the credits rolled and the screen froze before excitedly and emotionally discussing the event.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Liu Kuan, does the scene at the end of the movie just now mean that the human disease caused by that gene drug No. 113 can be transmitted to others?"

The others were also curious about this question and looked at Liu Kuan.

“Yes.” Liu Kuan nodded. “It was mentioned in the movie that this gene drug is actually a virus. The original ‘drug’ was not only a gas that could be spread in the air, but patients could also be infected through close contact.”

"In fact, this is demonstrated in the next installment of this film—the disease caused by the gene-113 drug spreads globally and is known as 'simian flu,' ultimately causing the death of 90% of the world's population and the collapse of human civilization."

Everyone's attention immediately shifted upon hearing this.

"There's a second part?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, his old eyes shining. "Do you have it here?"

The others also looked over expectantly, clearly wanting to see a second part.

Liu Kuan replied helplessly, "Your Majesty, I only have the resources for the first part."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly disappointed and said, "Why didn't you download the later parts as well?"

Liu Kuan explained, "In my opinion, the later parts are not as good as the first part, nor do they have the profound meaning of the first part."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Speaking of which, the Bald Eagle Man in this movie brought this upon himself. For apes like Caesar who are as intelligent as humans, we should either treat them well and recruit them for our own use, or kill them directly to eliminate future troubles."

"But in the movie, Navel, knowing its high intelligence, ultimately alienated it from humanity. Even with many unexpected factors, it is still quite infuriating that it failed to live up to expectations."

"However, speaking of which, the gene-editing drug experiment in the movie was really suicidal—such a dangerous experiment caused such a huge accident that it led to the situation you mentioned in the second movie where 90% of the world's population died."

In the end, Old Zhu shook his head, unsure how to even begin to comment.

Liu Kuan said, "In fact, His Majesty should understand that many things are double-edged swords for mankind, with both advantages and disadvantages."

"For example, in the past, dynasties governed the country with Confucianism, which could certainly make the people know etiquette and understand loyalty and righteousness, but it could also limit the development of thought to a certain extent, and at the same time, it could be used by civil officials to counter the monarch."

"The same is true of science and technology—for example, the development of gene therapy drugs can certainly lead to the creation of effective treatments for various incurable and difficult diseases, but it may also lead to a global pandemic."

"In fact, a few years before I transmigrated, a global pandemic occurred. One theory is that it was spread from a laboratory in the United States, but the mortality rate was not as high as the 'simian flu' in the movie."

"Take nuclear bombs for example—there are many apocalyptic novels and films in later generations, the background of which is that several major powers that possess nuclear bombs eventually broke out into a full-scale war, dropping nuclear bombs on each other, which ultimately led to the death of more than 90% of humanity from nuclear radiation, and even caused a nuclear winter on Earth, and the collapse of human civilization."

A double-edged sword?
Zhu Yuanzhang reflected on the role of Confucianism, considered the terrifying weapon of nuclear bombs, and the various technologies of later generations, and found that this was indeed the case.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao said seriously, "The rest is fine, but if technology develops to a certain level and can really develop a plague virus that can infect all mankind, then our Great Ming really needs to be on guard."

"If this technology is used by some people with ulterior motives, even if our Great Ming is powerful, it may collapse in an instant, and even bring disaster to people all over the world."

As he spoke, he looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, "Xiong Ying, you must keep a close eye on that medical research institute in Qixia Mountain—it's fine to research medicine, but make sure it doesn't cause any trouble." Zhu Xiong Ying said speechlessly, "Father, how far has that medical research institute progressed? Although I have already had the research institute at the Academy of Crafts develop the microscope that my teacher mentioned, allowing medical personnel to see the existence of bacteria, we still need to develop a higher-powered microscope to observe viruses."

"Even with bacteria, we are currently only observing and understanding them. It will probably take many more years before we can truly enter the field of bacterial research."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang instructed, "Xiongying, you should listen to your father and strengthen the supervision of that medical research institute—if it causes a large-scale plague, our Zhu family will become a great sinner, understand?"

Seeing that Old Zhu had spoken, Zhu Xiong Ying had no choice but to reply, "Grandson understands. After the yamen opens this year, we will continue to strengthen the supervision and management of that area."

Zhu Yuanzhang added, "Furthermore, we know you believe in the power of science and technology, but you just heard what your teacher said—science and technology can be said to be a double-edged sword that is even sharper than Confucianism."

“If used properly, it can certainly make the Ming Dynasty stronger and its reign longer, but if used improperly, it may also seriously damage itself.”

"In the future, all emerging technologies will be subject to the same level of monitoring, especially those technologies that may have a significant impact, and we need to be more cautious in their use."

Zhu Xiong Ying agreed with this, and nodded solemnly, saying, "Grandson will remember."

After Lao Zhu, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Xiong Ying finished their discussion, Tang He finally had a chance to ask Liu Kuan a question.

"Lord Jiangning, did later generations really develop a drug to treat Alzheimer's disease?"

Liu Kuan shook his head. "No, in later generations there are only drugs to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and some methods to prevent Alzheimer's disease."

Upon hearing this, Tang He was initially disappointed, but quickly asked, "Marquis of Jiangning, could you tell me how to prevent this?"

He felt that he was only showing some signs of dementia at the moment, and if he could take preventative measures, it might not get worse, and might even improve.

Liu Kuan actually knows a lot about this disease because when he was in college, his grandmother had symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but she passed away from cardiovascular disease before she was diagnosed.

He said, "First and foremost, it is important to eat, exercise, rest, and even take medication on time. Nowadays, there should be some medications that can improve Alzheimer's disease. As for what kind of medication, you can ask the imperial physician."

"The most easily overlooked aspect here is activity—later research has shown that the more often elderly people stay at home and do not participate in social activities, or even have a reading habit, the more likely they are to develop Alzheimer's disease."

"Reading books, watching plays, and going out to play with others can all effectively prevent Alzheimer's disease."

"Or, even though you are old, you can imagine yourself living with the mindset of a young person."

Not only Tang He, but also Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, and some of Zhu's elderly concubines diligently remembered Liu Kuan's words and prepared to follow them in order to avoid developing Alzheimer's disease as they grew older.

Afterwards, the group discussed some other aspects of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" before adjourning the meeting.

As for the idea of ​​holding a meeting with the princes to discuss state affairs after the movie screening banquet, as was the case before, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that since he had abdicated and become the retired emperor, he could no longer do this and that Zhu Biao should be responsible for it.

Zhu Biao, however, felt that since many of his younger brothers were still minors, and only Zhu Xiong Ying and Zhu Yunwen were adults among his children, there was no need for the princes to discuss matters of state for the time being…
···
Xu Da left the palace and arrived at the Duke of Wei's mansion. Recalling the videos he had seen in the Great Benevolence Hall and the last movie, he was still filled with emotion.

What impressed him most was the content about the late Ming Dynasty in that historical video.

In addition, Zhu Yuanzhang had given him special instructions today, which made him feel that he had to put some effort into managing his household.

Otherwise, his descendants might really become good-for-nothings and even parasites of the Ming Dynasty.

Taking advantage of the fact that it was still the Spring Festival and all his sons were at home, he called them all to his study.

"I wonder what business Father has with his son?" asked the eldest son, Xu Huizu.

Xu Tianfu, Xu Zengshou, and Xu Yingxu also looked curious.

All four knew that Xu Da had gone to the palace to attend a banquet to watch a movie today, and they wondered: Could it be that Father wants to tell us about the things he saw in the future?
Given my father's personality, if he were willing to speak, it must have been with the permission of the Emperor Emeritus, right?

As Xu Da looked at his four sons, he thought to himself that although his four children were not as accomplished as he was, they were by no means spoiled brats or good-for-nothings. But his grandchildren and even his descendants might not be so.

After a moment's thought, Xu Da said, "My family is deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor. The title of Duke of Wei can be inherited indefinitely and will last as long as the country. However, this title can only be passed on to the eldest son of the legitimate wife; others should not even think about it."

Upon hearing this, the four men reacted with varying expressions, all of them somewhat surprised.

Xu Huizu's position as the young master was extremely secure, and neither Xu Zengshou nor Xu Yingxu had any intention of seizing it.

However, Xu Huizu's eldest son, Xu Qin, although only five or six years old, already showed signs of being spoiled, playful, and averse to studying. (End of Chapter)