The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Lin Yue's words about traveling the world were like the sun breaking through the clouds, and the lecture hall instantly became lively.

Even Zhu Gaoxu, who was skilled in using superpowers, was surprised and indicated that he understood.

"What nonsense Lin Gejian said before is now making sense."

This fleet's ability to circumnavigate the world proves that the world is round, far superior to anything like shadows or lunar eclipse orbits!

These words struck a chord with everyone, and the students rubbed their hands together, discussing the matter animatedly.

"Going all the way back? How sturdy must this ship be to withstand thousands of miles of wind and waves?"

"Our Longjiang Shipyard hasn't even finished building them yet; those giant ships are still just blueprints. Can we really build ships that can travel that far?"

"We've never even been to the Western Ocean, let alone travel the world! Wouldn't we be adrift at the ends of the earth? How would we manage supplies and shipping routes?"

Zhou Shuxue stroked his beard and pondered. Zheng He, as the person in charge of the treasure shipyard, frowned slightly but could not hide the light in his eyes as he discussed with Wang Jinghong in a low voice.

"If the ships are big and fast enough, supplies can be replenished along the way, which might actually work. It just seems that the shipbuilding cycle needs to be accelerated."

In a secluded private room on the second floor, two figures remained motionless behind the paper window.

Zhu Di asked, "Daoyan, did you hear that? A journey around the entire world!"

"Lin Yue's ambitions are far greater than I imagined."

Yao Guangxiao, dressed in a plain monk's robe, clasped his hands together and said, "Lin, the Censor, has such courage that it is rare in ancient and modern times. Using navigation to prove the laws of nature is unprecedented."

If we can truly build large ships, expand our maritime territory, and enhance our national prestige, such an achievement would be a great blessing for the Ming Dynasty.

"Achievements..."

Zhu Di read it aloud in a low voice, his previously nonchalant expression suddenly changing, his eyes burning with fervor.

Although the Jingnan Rebellion brought peace to the court and the public, there were always people who secretly said that his ascension to the throne was illegitimate. What Emperor Yongle was thinking about day and night was to do something unprecedented, so that future generations would remember the prosperity of Yongle and forget those gossips, just like when they mentioned Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin.

"Even the Qin and Han emperors merely guarded the Central Plains; who ever imagined traversing the entire country?"

Zhu Di thought to himself with great eagerness.

"If the Ming fleet can truly succeed, it will be a monumental achievement for all time! My name will likely be inextricably linked with this voyage, and I will be remembered for generations to come."

"That kid Lin Yue not only understands things, but he also understands people's hearts."

Zhu Di's gaze pierced through the paper window and landed on Lin Yue downstairs, his tone full of admiration.

"The principles of the sun, earth, and moon orbiting each other and lunar eclipses are too profound for anyone to understand, but the circumnavigation of the globe is undeniable proof. We use concrete facts to silence others and establish the prestige of our Great Ming."

After the lecture and mobilization session at the Baochuan Shipyard ended, the noise in the lecture hall gradually subsided.

Lin Yue stood alone in front of the wooden board, gazing at the spheres, tracks, and sails painted on it, lost in thought.

The difficulty of teaching far exceeded his expectations.

What later generations considered fundamental logical reasoning was like a foreign language to the people of the Ming Dynasty. It wasn't that there was a difference in their intelligence, but rather that many people had already formed their own ideas, and when faced with the knowledge he presented, their first reaction was not to think about why, but to try to refute it.

Their proactive resistance based on their values ​​is something that's hard for others to emulate.

Lin Yue thought about it and had already made up his mind.

The academy needs to expand its scale, not only by recruiting craftsmen and scholars, but also by finding people who are willing to get to the bottom of things and systematically teach them about physics, mathematics, and astronomy.

To change the ingrained ideas of the people of the Ming Dynasty, we cannot rely solely on words; we must start with the most direct empirical evidence to break down their mental barriers before we can find ways to teach them knowledge.

What would be a good way to shock the people of the Ming Dynasty?

A hot air balloon ascending into the sky? A marathon ball proving air? Or a water column in a wooden barrel proving atmospheric pressure?

He was pondering the materials for the hot air balloon when he suddenly heard a noise outside the door.

Two Imperial Guards stood at the door, cupping their hands and saying, "Remonstrance Official Lin, His Majesty summons you."

Another summons? Why are they summoning me every day? It's so annoying!

Having decided to make a big splash in the Ming Dynasty, Lin Yue became much less interested in going to the palace to meet the emperor.

Anyway, Zhu Di is a bastard, no matter how much you scold him, he won't react. It's better to attack the vested interests of the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Lin Yue had a sudden inspiration. He did indeed have a memorial that could greatly anger the scholars of the Ming Dynasty.

Lin Yue searched through the documents, took the memorial, and followed the Imperial Guards into the palace.

......

There was no one else in the Qianqing Palace except Zhu Di, who stood alone by the window, gazing at the pine and cypress trees in the courtyard.

When Lin Yue came in, he turned around with a look of approval on his face.

"Lin Yue, I heard your boastful words about traveling the world around the shipyard."

"Your Majesty flatters me." Lin Yue bowed respectfully.

Zhu Di smiled, his tone appreciative.

"Traveling around the world is a great idea. No one in the world has ever thought of doing this before, but you dare to do it. You have ambition!"

"Go ahead and do your job at the Treasure Shipyard. If you need money, materials, craftsmen, or talent, just submit your request; I will grant it all."

Zhu Di changed the subject, asking, "What was that Western telescope you mentioned in the lecture earlier? Can it really see the masts of ships a hundred miles away?"

At this time, although glass lens technology was developing in both the East and the West, there was little contact between Western Europe and the Ming Dynasty, and telescopes had not yet been introduced.

Although Shen Kuo wrote about phenomena such as concave mirror focusing and optical projection during the Song Dynasty, the detailed principles and further development of the telescope were not systematically summarized by Xu Guangqi until the late Ming Dynasty.

Lin Yue nodded: "Your Majesty, it's an exaggeration to say that the telescope can see a hundred miles away, but it can see a few kilometers away."

However, if pure crystal is used for polishing, the process is complex and the cost would likely be quite high.

"To be made of crystal?" Zhu Di frowned slightly, and the interest in his eyes instantly faded.

He originally intended to use this item for military reconnaissance, but if the cost was too high, it would be difficult to replicate on a large scale, thus losing most of its practical value.

Seeing that Zhu Di's expression relaxed, Lin Yue simply took out a scroll of memorials from his sleeve, preparing to express his own views.

He stepped forward and said loudly.

"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present concerning the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty's finances and taxation. I humbly request Your Majesty's wise judgment!"

He handed over the memorial, his voice firm and resonant.

"Nowadays, scholars in various regions enjoy the right to be exempt from taxes and corvée labor. As the number of scholars increases day by day, more and more people are hiding their land and evading corvée labor. If this continues, the national treasury will be empty and the people's livelihood will be impoverished. This is a real hidden danger to the Ming Dynasty!"

Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty rectify the special privileges of scholars, and that, apart from their official titles and salaries, all other taxes and corvée labor be treated equally!

For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, I dare to remonstrate even at the cost of my life, requesting the abolition of the tax exemption for scholars and the replacement with a monthly stipend of rice!

If Your Majesty does not permit it, I am willing to commit suicide by lying on my sword at the Meridian Gate to demonstrate my resolve!

Zhu Di took the memorial, quickly glanced through it, and his gaze fell on the words "hidden land ownership" and "empty treasury," his expression becoming solemn.

Emperor Yongle looked up at Lin Yue and saw his resolute expression, showing no sign of backing down. Suddenly, he laughed loudly, "This petition is granted!"

Lin Yue looked up abruptly, her face full of astonishment, almost thinking she had misheard.