roccoschili Chapter 108 The Surprise of a 9-Year-Old
Chapter 108 The Surprise of a 9-Year-Old
The private residence of Wei Zhongxian in Beijing.
Wei Zhongxian sat in his study, a roll of blueprints spread out on the table in front of him.
He was about sixty years old, with a thin face, no beard, and a pair of triangular eyes that gleamed sharply. He wore a python robe, a black gauze hat, and a jade belt around his waist, exuding an aura of sinister menace.
"Is this what Liu Cheng sent?"
He picked up the blueprints and looked at them over and over for a long time, his brows furrowing more and more.
"What nonsense! We don't understand any of this."
The young eunuch standing to the side quickly said:
"Your Excellency, Eunuch Liu said this is a 'Royal Garden Water System,' which can make water spray automatically and even make puppets dance on their own."
"Water spraying out automatically? Dolls dancing on their own?"
Wei Zhongxian gave a cold laugh.
"Is that old bastard Liu Cheng senile? He dares to try and fool us with this kind of nonsense?"
"Your Highness, please calm down," the young eunuch said tremblingly. "Eunuch Liu also sent a model, saying he wanted Your Highness to see it in person."
"The model? Bring it here."
The young eunuch quickly brought up the wooden model.
Wei Zhongxian took the model and examined it carefully.
The model is very well made, about the size of a palm, with a water tank, pipes, nozzles, and a few small mechanisms.
How do I use it?
"Eunuch Liu said, 'Pour water into this trough, then turn on this mechanism, and the water will spray out by itself.'"
Wei Zhongxian was skeptical, so he had a eunuch pour some water in, and then he personally activated the mechanism.
With a soft "whoosh," water gushed out from several small holes at the bottom of the model, tracing thin arcs in the air.
Wei Zhongxian was stunned.
He then activated another mechanism, and the sprayed water column immediately changed shape, transforming from several thin lines into a scattered water splash.
"this……"
Wei Zhongxian's eyes lit up.
He had spent decades in the palace; what strange and wonderful things hadn't he seen? He had seen and was tired of Western clocks, music boxes, and telescopes.
But this was the first time he had ever seen something that could spray water on its own and change shape.
"interesting……"
He muttered to himself and examined the rolled-up drawing again.
Although he couldn't understand the lines and symbols, he could vaguely sense that this thing was not simple.
"Someone come here!"
"What are your orders, Your Excellency?"
"Go and fetch Wang Zheng."
"yes."
……
Half an hour later, an official in his fifties rushed over.
This man was named Wang Zheng, courtesy name Liangfu, a native of Jingyang, Shaanxi, and a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the 41st year of the Wanli reign. He was proficient in mechanical manufacturing and had collaborated with Western missionaries to translate "Illustrated Explanation of Strange Western Instruments." He was a rare "technical" official in the Ming Dynasty.
"Your humble servant Wang Zheng pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities." Wei Zhongxian pointed to the blueprints on the table. "Come and take a look at this."
Wang Zheng stepped forward, picked up the blueprints, and began to examine them carefully.
The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.
The more he looked, the wider his eyes opened.
"Who...who drew this?"
"What? Is there a problem?"
"No problem, no problem," Wang Zheng shook his head repeatedly. "No, I should say, absolutely no problem."
He pointed to a spot on the drawing and said excitedly:
"Your Majesty, please look. This is a reservoir, built on high ground. Water flows down from the reservoir, through pipes, and reaches the sprinklers. Because of the water pressure, it sprays out automatically. Westerners call this principle 'water pressure,' something no one in our Ming Dynasty has yet studied."
"And here," he pointed to another spot, "this is a diversion valve, which controls the direction and flow of water. By adjusting the valve, the water can be sprayed in different shapes. This design is even more ingenious than that of the Westerners."
"And here, the rising stage and the automatons. Using water power to drive gears, the gears move the stage and the automatons… This design is simply ingenious!"
Wang Zheng became more and more excited as he spoke, and his voice even trembled slightly.
"Your Majesty, this set of blueprints is absolutely the work of a genius! The person who drew these blueprints probably has a level of understanding of mechanical principles that is no less than that of Westerners!"
Wei Zhongxian was overjoyed to hear this.
Although he didn't understand mechanical principles, he did understand one thing—the emperor liked these kinds of things.
Emperor Tianqi, Zhu Youxiao, had a strong interest in woodworking and machinery from a young age. The woodenware he made by hand was exquisite, even surpassing the skills of the old craftsmen in the palace.
Over the years, Wei Zhongxian went to great lengths to please the emperor. He brought in everything he could find: clocks, music boxes, peep shows. But the emperor grew tired of them and would always ask, "Isn't there anything new?"
Now, something fresh has arrived.
"Wang Zheng, can this set of blueprints be used to build it?"
"Yes!" Wang Zheng said decisively, "As long as there is enough silver and craftsmen, a real water fountain can be built in the Imperial Garden within three months."
"good!"
Wei Zhongxian slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"I must personally present these blueprints to His Majesty!"
……
That afternoon, at the Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Tianqi, Zhu Youxiao, was fiddling with a wooden model in front of his desk.
He was twenty-two years old, with delicate features and bright eyes. He was wearing a bright yellow casual outfit with the cuffs rolled up, revealing his hands covered in sawdust.
The desk was covered with all sorts of tools—saws, planes, chisels, files, and a pile of wooden blocks of various sizes.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Wei requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Zhu Youxiao didn't even look up, continuing to fiddle with the model in his hands.
Wei Zhongxian strode into the main hall and knelt down.
"This servant greets Your Majesty."
"Get up. What is it?"
"Your Majesty, this servant has acquired a fine item and has come to present it to you."
"Oh?" Zhu Youxiao finally looked up, showing some interest. "What good stuff?"
Wei Zhongxian took the wooden model out of his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
Zhu Youxiao took the model and examined it carefully.
"What is this?"
"Your Majesty, this is called a 'water mechanism.' Pour water into this tank, then activate this switch, and the water will spray out by itself."
Zhu Youxiao was skeptical, so he had a eunuch pour some water in and then personally activated the mechanism.
With a soft "whoosh," water gushed out from several small holes at the bottom of the model, tracing thin arcs in the air.
Zhu Youxiao's eyes lit up immediately.
"interesting!"
He then activated another mechanism, and the sprayed water column immediately changed shape.
"It can still change?"
He excitedly fiddled with the model, fiddling with this mechanism and that mechanism, watching the water jets change into various shapes, a childlike smile spreading across his face.
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"
He exclaimed "wonderful!" three times, clearly delighted with the piece.
"Eunuch, where did this come from?"
"Your Majesty," Wei Zhongxian replied, "it was presented by Liu Cheng, the eunuch in charge of the Shandong garrison. "It is said that a scholar named Lu Yan designed it and even drew a complete set of blueprints."
"Blueprints? Show them to me."
Wei Zhongxian quickly presented the scroll of drawings.
Zhu Youxiao unfolded the blueprints and examined them carefully.
The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.
The more he looked, the wider his eyes opened.
"This Lu Yan is someone who knows his stuff."
He pointed to a spot on the drawing and said:
"Look here, the reservoir is built high up, using water pressure to drive the fountain. Westerners call this principle 'water pressure,' which I've seen in 'Western Water Management.' But the design of this set of blueprints is even more ingenious than that of the Westerners."
"And here," he pointed to another area, "a rising stage and automata, powered by water-driven gears. I've never seen such a design before."
He put down the blueprints, looked up, and his eyes shone brightly.
Where is Lu Yan now?
"Your Majesty, he's in Shandong," Wei Zhongxian replied. "This man previously transported imperial timber for Liu Cheng, and he did a very good job."
"Imperial timber?" Zhu Youxiao thought for a moment, "Is it that batch of golden nanmu?"
"Exactly."
"I remember that the imperial timber was originally supposed to take three months to arrive, but it arrived in two months. At the time, I even asked who had arranged it."
"Your Majesty has a good memory," Wei Zhongxian flattered. "It is indeed this Lu Yan."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and pondered for a moment.
"A mere scholar who has passed the imperial examinations can transport timber for the emperor and draw up blueprints; he is indeed a talented individual."
He stood up and paced a few steps in the hall.
"A person like that should be in charge. It's a waste to keep him holed up in Shandong all day."
Wei Zhongxian understood immediately and quickly said:
"Your Majesty is wise. This servant will make the arrangements immediately."
"Hmm." Zhu Youxiao nodded, then picked up the wooden model and started playing with it.
"By the way, I want to build one of these water features in the Imperial Garden. Go and arrange for craftsmen to work on it; I want to see it finished within three months."
"This servant obeys the decree."
Wei Zhongxian bowed and withdrew.
As he walked out of the Qianqing Palace, a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"Lu Yan..."
He muttered to himself.
"At least he has good judgment."