Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 709 Talent for Governing the Country 8

The following spring equinox, Yun Chu took Zhao Gongzi Dan to the Star Gazing Platform.

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with countless stars. She pointed to the Big Dipper and said, "Young master, have you ever noticed that when the handle of the Big Dipper points east, it is spring all over the world; when it points south, it is summer all over the world? This is the law of celestial phenomena and also a guide for agricultural activities."

Young Master Zhao Dan examined the celestial phenomena closely and said, “Sir, I have ordered people to observe for a year and have found that the movement of the stars does indeed follow a pattern, contrary to what our ancestors said about ‘the will of Heaven being unpredictable.’ If we can accurately grasp the celestial phenomena, agricultural arrangements will be more rational.”

“Good.” Yun Chu took out a bamboo scroll. “This is the ‘Star Calendar’ that I compiled, which records the movement of the sun, moon and stars. Young Master can use it to determine more accurate agricultural times.”

Just then, a servant rushed over: "Young Master! An epidemic has broken out in a village in the western suburbs. Dozens of people have high fevers that won't go down, and the imperial physicians are helpless!"

Young Master Zhao Dan's expression tightened, and he immediately followed Yun Chu to the epidemic area. They saw that the villagers' faces were flushed, they were coughing incessantly, and the air was filled with the smell of burning wormwood.

“This is no ordinary cold.” Yun Chu carefully examined the patient’s symptoms and observed the village environment. “Young master, please look, the stream beside the village is murky, and the banks are piled with rotting matter, breeding mosquitoes. This epidemic must be related to the water source.”

"Sir, are you saying that the epidemic comes from water?" Young Master Zhao asked in surprise.

“Exactly.” Yun Chu squatted down and took a water sample to observe. “There are tiny insects in the water, invisible to the naked eye, but they can cause disease. If we can purify the water source, we may be able to curb the epidemic.”

She immediately instructed the villagers to clean the riverbed, dig new wells, and purify the water with alum. She also ordered people to collect honeysuckle, isatis root, and other herbs to brew a decoction.

However, the village elders objected: "Young master, the ancestral rules say that 'epidemics are divine punishment.' We should set up an altar to worship Heaven and drive away evil spirits and avoid disaster. Such 'strange tricks and frivolous skills' may anger Heaven!"

Prince Zhao Dan was caught in a dilemma. After returning to the palace, he consulted Yun Chu: "Sir, if the people do not believe in science and insist on performing the sacrifice to Heaven, what should I do?"

Yun Chu gently stroked the bamboo slip: "Young Master, have you ever heard of 'Yu the Great Taming the Flood'? If we only know how to offer sacrifices to Heaven and do not build dikes, when will the floods ever be quelled? The same applies to controlling the epidemic. We must not only appease the people but also take practical measures."

"What good plan do you have, sir?"

"We can take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we can treat the water source and prepare medicines using scientific methods; on the other hand, we can ask a priest to set up an altar at the village entrance, but mix the herbs into the offerings to make the people think it is a 'miracle drug'. Once the illness improves, we can slowly explain the truth."

Zhao Gongzi Dan suddenly realized the truth and immediately put it into action. Half a month later, the epidemic was brought under control, and the villagers were extremely grateful, calling Zhao Gongzi a "living bodhisattva".

On the way back to the palace, Zhao Gongzi Dan seemed to be deep in thought: "Sir, I have come to understand a principle: knowledge is good, but if it cannot be accepted by the people, it is like casting pearls before swine. The way to govern a country lies not only in 'knowing', but also in 'transmitting'."

“Young Master has a very high level of understanding.” Yun Chu smiled. “Knowledge is like a seed; it needs suitable soil to take root and sprout.”

A few days later, King Zhao summoned Prince Dan of Zhao: "I have heard that you have cured the epidemic with 'divine medicine' with remarkable results. However, I do not understand why you would use the name of a deity?"

Prince Zhao Dan respectfully replied, “Father, the people have long been ignorant. If we suddenly tell them that ‘the plague is caused by water,’ they may find it hard to believe. We should first use the name of the gods, and then explain the reasoning after we see results. This is the way to proceed step by step.”

King Zhao nodded: "Good. However, I have heard some ministers say that the prince's actions are 'deviant and heretical,' and I fear they may shake the foundations of the state. What is your explanation for this?"

“Father,” Prince Dan of Zhao said calmly, “The Book of Documents says, ‘The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is at peace.’ If we can save the people from suffering, how can we be considered to be deviating from the Way? The Way is in the people, not in empty words.”

King Zhao pondered for a moment: "What you say makes sense. However, you must remember that the way to reform is to seek progress while maintaining stability."

Upon returning home, Young Master Zhao Dan confided in Yun Chu, "Sir, although I understand the principle of 'investigating things to acquire knowledge,' I find it difficult to overcome the conservative views in the court. How can I get more people to accept new knowledge?"

Yun Chu took out a volume of "Gewu Zhi" (Record of Investigating Things): "Young master, have you ever thought about why seeds take time to sprout? The dissemination of new knowledge should also be gradual. I suggest establishing a 'Gewu Academy,' starting with local schools to cultivate grassroots talents."

"How exactly will it be implemented?"

"First, compile simplified teaching materials to transform profound knowledge into popular stories; second, select bright students, teach the basics first, and then impart the essentials; third, let practice speak for itself."

Prince Zhao Dan immediately set about implementing the plan. He ordered people to adapt the "Star Calendar" into "Agricultural Songs," which were easy to recite and spread; he also set up "Scientific Corners" in various villages to demonstrate simple scientific experiments.

However, its implementation soon encountered resistance. One day, an old Confucian scholar publicly questioned, "Young master, you advocate 'investigating things,' but have you ever read 'The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting one's bright virtue'? Abandoning the essential for the trivial, isn't this tantamount to harming the country?"

Zhao Gongzi Dan remained calm and composed: "Old sir, 'investigating things to acquire knowledge' is the first of the eight items in 'The Great Learning.' If one does not understand the principles of things, how can one 'cultivate sincerity and rectify the mind'? If one does not understand the opportune time and favorable location, how can one 'govern the country and bring peace to the world'?"

He took out a bamboo scroll: "This is the 'Agricultural Calendar,' made based on celestial phenomena and soil conditions. Last year, the land sown according to this calendar yielded a 20% increase in harvest compared to previous years. This is not about 'manifesting virtue,' but about understanding the principles of nature to benefit the people."

The old scholar was speechless, but the onlookers nodded in agreement.

As summer arrived, the State of Zhao suffered a once-in-a-century drought. Many court officials advocated setting up altars to pray for rain, but Prince Dan of Zhao overruled the objections and proposed a scientific drought relief plan.

Based on the meteorological knowledge taught by Yun Chu, he analyzed the patterns of drought in previous years and formulated three strategies: First, dredge old canals and dig new wells; second, promote drought-resistant crops and adjust the planting structure; and third, establish a rainwater collection system.

However, the project encountered a problem as soon as it started: the groundwater level was too low when digging deep wells, and ordinary tools could not draw water.

Young Master Zhao Dan summoned the craftsmen to discuss the matter, but none of them had a good solution. In the dead of night, he went to the construction site alone and pondered as he looked at the wellhead under the moonlight.

Yun Chu appeared quietly: "Does the young master know the principle of the 'well sweep'?"

"Please enlighten me, sir."

Yun Chu took a tree branch and drew a lever diagram on the ground: "This is a lever, with the fulcrum in the middle and equal forces applied to both ends. If the fulcrum is moved closer to the heavy object, a light force can lift the heavy object. If we can design a water-lifting tool based on this principle, we might be able to solve this problem."

Young Master Zhao Dan's eyes lit up, and he summoned craftsmen overnight to design the "Dragon Bone Waterwheel." This wheel, based on the lever principle and equipped with a chain water bucket, allowed one person to lift water several meters high.

As the clear spring water gushed from the well, the onlookers cheered with joy. An old farmer exclaimed excitedly, "Young master, this is far more effective than 'rainmaking'!"

After the drought eased, Prince Dan of Zhao summarized in court: "Natural disasters are not divine punishment, but changes in nature. If we can understand the principles, we can respond to them. 'Praying for rain' is not as good as 'seeking help from ourselves,' and 'offering sacrifices to heaven' is not as good as 'controlling the waters.'"

King Zhao was greatly impressed: "Dan'er has deeply grasped the essence of governing the country."

During the autumn harvest season, the fields using the new methods indeed yielded a bountiful harvest. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhao Gongzi Dan promoted the "Gewu Academy," establishing teaching points in various places to cultivate talents in agricultural technology, medicine, and water conservancy.

One day, Yun Chu led Zhao Gongzi Dan on a tour of the school. They saw the students practicing measuring the land, using a simple level to correct the field ridges; another group of students were observing the stars and recording the changes in the seasons.

“Sir,” Zhao Gongzi Dan said with emotion, “I finally understand that ‘investigating things to acquire knowledge’ is not only about accumulating knowledge, but also about transforming one’s way of thinking.”

“What you say is absolutely right, young master.” Yun Chu smiled. “Knowledge is like water, and thought is like a channel. Only with a channel to draw water can fertile fields be irrigated.”

“However,” Zhao Gongzi Dan said thoughtfully, “what if we encounter stubborn rocks blocking the way?”

“Even the hardest rock can be worn away by dripping water.” Yun Chu pointed to the distant mountain stream. “Look at that stream, it winds around rocks and falls over cliffs, eventually reaching the sea. The way of change should be the same.”

Zhao Gongzi Dan bowed deeply: "I will keep your teachings in mind. Governing a country is like controlling water; one must adhere to principles while also being flexible and adaptable."

Yun Chu gently stroked the bamboo slip: "Young Master has progressed from 'knowing' to 'doing' and then to 'transforming,' which can be described as a great achievement."

As the sun sets, Young Master Zhao Dan stands on a high place, gazing at the bountiful fields.

In the distance, the newly built canal meanders like a silver ribbon, and from the school comes the sound of children reciting: "The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie..."

He turned to Yun Chu and said, “Sir, I have drafted a new strategy for investigating things, which I plan to implement nationwide. This strategy is based on the principles of ‘understanding the truth, being pragmatic, and benefiting the people,’ and integrates scientific knowledge into the national governance strategy.”

"Good." Yun Chu nodded with satisfaction. "The tree of knowledge will eventually grow into a towering tree."

Prince Dan of Zhao gazed into the distance, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. He knew that the road ahead was still fraught with difficulties, but as long as he adhered to the principle of "investigating things to acquire knowledge," he would ultimately benefit the people and revitalize the Zhao state.

The seed planted in that thatched-roof schoolhouse has blossomed and borne fruit in Handan, nurturing an even brighter future.