The stores lining the street were occupied, housing intriguing items from different regions. Over the past few years, the ancient Silk Road displayed signs of resurgence as the Western Regions gradually stabilized.
Each day, caravans from the Western Regions entered and exited Changan City in an uninterrupted flow. With their pockets full, the common people were also eager to spend in these shops they had previously hesitated to enter. This continuous exchange fostered a thriving comrcial atmosphere.
The prosperity of a nation could be asured by various criteria, sotis even contradictory ones.
However, there was an undeniable truth, a country’s prosperity was undeniably linked to providing its ordinary citizens with a hopeful life.
Father and son, Su Li and Su Che, strolled side by side, observing as they went. Though holding his father’s hand, young Su Che could hardly stay still. Whenever he spotted a snack he hadn’t tried, he would stop and gaze up at Su Li with eager eyes.
In this regard, Su Li differed from other parents. While other parents refrained from allowing their children to eat street food primarily due to concerns about hygiene and health, Su Che’s body was as robust as a young tiger’s—eating sothing that could upset his stomach was practically impossible. His digestion was excellent, and his appetite surpassed that of ordinary children his age.
Although the als at the Princess’s Mansion were considered excellent in the Tang Dynasty, having been accustod to delicacies from mountains and seas, it was only natural for him to develop an interest in simple fare like plain tea and rice.
However, two full hours had already passed after a complete circuit along Zhuque Avenue. Throughout the afternoon, father and son had practically sampled every food stall along the way.
Su Che possessed a lively personality, and whenever he ca across sothing fascinating, he would pause and observe. Unconsciously, the day transitioned into dusk. Stores and street vendors had already closed for the day.
Su Li walked leisurely with his contented son towards the Princess’s Mansion. Among the hurried pedestrians, the two of them appeared even more relaxed and content.
“Dad, I just realized how waterwheels work!” Su Che held Su Li’s large hand, his face filled with excitent.
He referred to the miniature waterwheel model they had seen earlier in a shop that supplied wooden items to the wealthy.
The Tang Dynasty, known for its romantic reputation among the various dynasties, was not one to simply speak idly. One of its prominent characteristics was the rapid succession of various trends and updates.
Recently, a trend of creating and designing gardens erged in Changan City for so unknown reason. Wealthy families competed in this field with imaginative and unconventional ideas, striving to outdo each other in uniqueness and charm.
One household might establish a garden with an animal the, while another would create a natural and tranquil environnt. So even favored rustic countryside landscapes.
For instance, the wooden waterwheel being sold in the shop they had visited earlier was rely human height and had no practical function. However, if placed in a courtyard alongside so artificial rocks and flowing water, with a few acres of cultivated land nearby, it would instantly evoke a sense of pastoral charm. So of the cultured and influential elites enjoyed this kind of return-to-nature aesthetic.
After contemplating, Su Li smiled and asked, “So, have you figured out where the waterwheel gets its power?”
“Water flow! As long as there’s water flowing and washing against it, the waterwheel can keep turning and lifting water,” Su Che replied happily.
“In that case, Che, have you ever thought about how we could artificially create a force to drive various chanisms and make them move independently?” Su Li gently guided.
Su Che possessed remarkably high talents in every aspect, making him an undeniable prodigy, no matter the field. Su Li’s approach to his son’s education did not adhere to conventional strict thods. He preferred to impart knowledge through enjoyable experiences.
With Su Che’s intense curiosity, his focus during today’s outing had been on waterwheels. Su Li followed his lead and guided his thoughts towards this question. After posing the question, Su Li couldn’t help but feel a sense of introspection.
Being well-versed in future history, he had insightful perspectives on many matters. In this era, he was more aware of the crucial significance of productivity to a nation than anyone. And at the heart of productivity lay the issue of power.
Before the invention of the steam engine, humanity’s productivity had remained relatively stagnant. The most common sources of power were human labor and animal power, with the use of natural forces at a very primitive stage.
During their excursion to Changan today, Su Li gained a deeper understanding of the current state of the Tang Dynasty. While it appeared that the nation’s resources had beco more abundant compared to before, it was still far from sufficient.
An upgrade of productivity was urgently needed to break free from these limitations and progress further. The complete technology for manufacturing steam engines was within Su Li’s ntal repository.
However, he had no intention of revealing it. His current mindset had beco increasingly indifferent, often leading him to view everything as if it were a ga.
Regardless of who it was, possessing an extended lifespan and transcending human limits led to such feelings.
At this mont, his self-perception was more like that of an observer from beyond the world. Yet, on this occasion, Su Che suddenly showed an interest in the power issue. For the sake of teaching his son, there were no taboos.
Su Li conceived a daring idea… he wanted young Su Che to interact with a steam engine!
Upon hearing Su Li’s question, Su Che imdiately thought deeply.
Thanks to Su Li’s educational approach, Su Che, despite his young age, had a mature way of thinking about problems. He quieted down, a rare occurrence.
Su Li didn’t interrupt him, he held his son’s small hand, and the father and son continued walking leisurely toward their ho.
It happened to be alti upon their return to the Princess’s Mansion. Instead of taking Su Che to wait for dinner, Su Li led him straight to the kitchen. He did indeed want to guide Su Che, but he didn’t intend to have his son spend too much ti on this matter.
Su Li deeply understood that while intellectual brilliance was crucial for scientific progress, the real key was the “Eureka” mont of inspiration. (ED Note: “Eureka” often refers to the Eureka effect, a psychological phenonon. It’s when a person suddenly understands or solves a problem, often after struggling with it for so ti.)
This had been the case for several critical scientific advancents in later tis. For instance, an apple falling from a tree. Or, for another example… the lid of a boiling teapot!
Father and son entered the kitchen, and Su Li led Su Che to a copper kettle that was currently boiling water. This type of narrow-spout copper kettle had beco quite common in Changan nowadays, so it wasn’t particularly remarkable.
Su Che stood before the stove, which was taller than himself, following his father’s guidance. He gazed at the copper kettle, his eyes unwavering.
“Perhaps what you’re looking for is right here,” Su Li said warmly, patting Su Che’s head.
After a while, the water in the kettle boiled, and the whistle attached to the lid emitted a sharp sound. Simultaneously, the boiling water caused the lid to bounce repeatedly.
Watching this scene, Su Che’s eyes grew brighter and brighter. He waved his small hand, gesturing for the servant who was coming to lift the kettle to stop.
The boiling water in the kettle continued to churn, and finally… with a clatter, the lid shot up high and landed on the countertop.
“Dad, I understand!”
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