Chapter 38: Explaining Science and Technology to the Ministers

Chapter 38: Explaining Science and Technology to the Ministers

The officials remaining in the chamber were those who shared Li Shimin’s vision. Even someone like Wei Zheng, who constantly locked horns with the Emperor, was ultimately on the same side as him. In terms of sheer charisma, Li Shimin was arguably within the top five, if not number one, throughout five thousand years of history.

"May I ask Your Majesty, what exactly is science and technology?" Wei Zheng asked first.

Li Shimin answered according to the script provided. Seeing that the ministers did not fully grasp the significance of technology, Li Qing projected two films using a holographic display. The first was *Midway*, and the others were the *Liberation* trilogy produced by the Soviets.

The military generals—Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Zhijie, and Hou Junji—stood up involuntarily the moment they saw the airplanes. Who among these warriors could resist the temptation of such magnificent machines and massive naval guns?

"If we possessed such divine artifacts, what need would there be for Li Yaoshi to launch a surprise attack on the Yin Mountains?" Yuchi Gong patted his bulging belly. "A single detachment would be enough to trample the Turks!" He was referring to the torrent of tanks surging across Kursk.

"Is the Prince of Qin suggesting that if we follow the path you have outlined, the Great Tang could possess such artifacts in the near future?" As the top-ranked official in the Lingyan Pavilion, Changsun Wuji immediately grasped the true intent behind Li Qing’s films. In his excitement, he accidentally plucked out one of his own whiskers and winced in pain.

"The development of productive forces is never achieved overnight," Li Qing said, shrugging apologetically. "But one thing is certain: if the Great Tang develops its technology with my full assistance, we might be able to manufacture these things in a few decades." He dared not promise more, so he simply whetted their appetites.

"I believe it is feasible!" Fang Xuanling cupped his hands in support.

Wei Zheng reached out toward the bag of potato chips in Cheng Zhijie’s arms, but found nothing. Undeterred, he asked, "If I may be so bold, Prince of Qin, does this 'science and technology' of yours include products related to the people's livelihood?"

"Of course."

Li Qing waved his hand, and the holographic images shifted. "This is a medium-sized combine harvester," Li Qing said, pointing to the machine working in the fields. "You can see its purpose from the image. It can harvest three to five hundred acres of land in a single day."

"And this is a large-scale mechanized plow," he continued, gesturing to a massive machine. "This beast can plow nearly two hundred acres in an hour. There are smaller and medium versions as well, with work capacities varying by model."

Wei Zheng stared at the roaring machinery with wide, glowing eyes, wishing he could leap into the projection and grab one for himself. Alas, he could only watch and fret.

"Observe, this is hybrid indica rice, with a yield of over one thousand catties per acre," Li Qing explained. "And potatoes and sweet potatoes—these are high-yield crops that produce four to five thousand catties per acre. They can be eaten as vegetables or as a staple grain. All of this requires the development of technology to cultivate."

"Rice... sweet potatoes... potatoes!" Li Shimin stared at the mountain-like piles of crops on the screen, his eyes bloodshot with intensity.

"As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, they are here." Li Qing shifted the image to a world map. "We set sail from here and arrive here..." As he spoke, a conspicuous glow appeared over South America. "If we develop steam-powered ironclad warships, a round trip would take about half a year, perhaps even less."

He looked up and noticed the atmosphere had shifted. Everyone was staring fixedly at the origin of the potatoes and sweet potatoes, breathing heavily, their gazes like starving wolves.

"Five thousand catties per acre... five thousand catties per acre..." Fang Xuanling muttered, trembling. His mind was completely occupied by the thought of these high-yield crops.

"Whoever dares to obstruct the development of science and technology! I, Wei Zheng, will fight them to the death!" Wei Zheng glared at the location of South America, wishing he could fly there immediately to bring back these crops.

"We request the command!" several generals shouted. "Give us a few seafaring ships, Your Majesty. If we do not bring these crops back for our Great Tang, we are not men!"

Li Qing sighed inwardly. This was the true court of the Zhenguan era—a court not yet tainted by decay. "Generals, please do not be impatient," he urged. "With our current shipbuilding technology, we cannot withstand the storms of the ocean. We must wait until our shipbuilding technology matures."

"But what are we to do!" Niu Jinda said, tears in his eyes. "Every quarter-hour saved might mean one more person saved from starvation..."

"We cannot gamble with the lives of our soldiers, General Niu," Li Qing sighed. "Even if you set sail now, what would happen? With current navigation technology, you would have to rely on ocean currents to drift there. Do you think you could make a round trip in less than three to five years?"

"In that time, we could have already built steam-powered ironclads!" Li Qing said with a tone of frustration. "By then, not only will our speed be greatly improved, but our safety will also be guaranteed. Surely that is better than our current rafts?"

"Is what you say true, Prince of Qin?" Niu Jinda looked up suddenly. "Is it truly possible to build ironclads in just three to five years?"

"Of course, as long as no one obstructs the development of technology!" Li Qing said firmly.

Niu Jinda took a deep breath and nodded heavily. He said nothing, but his eyes made it clear: anyone who dared to obstruct the progress of technology was a dead man.

"Furthermore, the benefits of technology go beyond this. For example, airplanes..." Li Qing turned the image to a plane spraying pesticide. "These can be used to spray pesticides and eliminate pests."

"This falls under the realms of chemistry and biology. Speaking of biology, by studying the natural relationships between species, we can eradicate locust plagues entirely!" Li Qing flickered his fingers, and a group of beautiful birds with pink bellies appeared on the screen.

"These are rosy starlings. They love to eat locusts. Scientific research shows that when locusts swarm, they produce toxins in their bodies, but these rosy starlings are immune to them. Despite their small size, they can consume nearly two hundred locusts a day." The image changed to show a rosy starling feeding a locust to its chick.

"This... how can such divine birds exist in this world?" Li Shimin watched the birds with sparkling eyes. He had always loved birds; how could he not adore a creature that devoured locusts?

Locust plagues were among the most devastating natural disasters in antiquity. Since records began, the Qin and Han dynasties saw a plague on average every 8.8 years; the two Song dynasties, every 3.5 years; the Yuan dynasty, every 1.6 years; and the Ming and Qing, every 2.8 years.

To realize that these plagues could be suppressed by such unassuming little birds, without the need for massive human labor, left everyone—including Li Shimin—gasping for air.

"The world does not lack beauty; it lacks eyes that can discover it," Li Qing said, pointing to his own eyes.