In the Golden City Mansion, Li Ang looked at an article in a Natural Science journal and couldn’t help but clap his hands.
Chai Chai, wearing an apron, came over. She placed two dishes on the table and asked curiously, "Young Master, what’s making you so happy?"
"The microscope. Someone’s made it."
Li Ang spread the book open on the table. "A Doctor of Science named Sun Wenyu, from the Lu Li Academy, and that same Ji Xingwang who invented the telescope, have stacked several lenses together. They mounted them on a frame to create a new kind of device that can clearly see extremely tiny objects: the tiny stomata on plant leaves, the compound eyes of insects, and even the creatures in water that are invisible to the naked eye."
So my efforts to save Ji Xingwang’s life back in Bingzhou truly weren’t in vain!
Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Ang realized the appearance of the microscope marked the unveiling of the microscopic world, finally laying a foundation for disciplines like protozoology, cytology, and microscopic anatomy to develop.
Members of the Philosophy Societies spread across Yu Country, numbering in the tens of thousands, would surely replicate the microscopes using the schematics published in the Natural Science journal. They would then use them to observe a variety of tiny objects.
Cells, bacteria, fungi... Once people saw for themselves the uncountable tiny creatures in water, they would naturally resist drinking untreated water or swimming in impure waters. This would spare Li Ang from having to repeatedly give advice and exhortations in the Natural Science journals.
Chai Chai didn’t fully understand the specific reason for Li Ang’s joy, but she also felt happy to see him pleased. She brought out two bottles of juice from a refrigerator (a chest stuck with a Liliang Talisman).
Both ate their meal in a pleasant mood, and during the meal, Li Ang continued to browse through the Natural Science periodical.
The influence of the microscope had already begun to ferment. The strongest reactions were not from the many Doctors of Science, but instead... from senior monks.
Indeed, in Yu Country, a portion of monks and Daoists were also faithful readers of Natural Science publications. They often used scientific discoveries to seek support for religion. For example, they would arrange stories of deities based on changes in the constellations from Astronomy.
The current discovery of the microscope greatly excited the monks and clergy—according to Buddha’s teachings, a bowl of water contains 84,000 creatures, and one must chant the right sutra to avoid eating the flesh of myriad beings.
Thousands of years ago, Buddha had already perceived the countless tiny creatures in water. He was truly worthy of the title of Buddha, the Enlightened One.
Amidst the excited promotions of the monks, the Daoist community hit back.
Both doctors who had invented the microscope were from the Lu Li Academy. Among them, Sun Wenyu had even studied and served as a Daoist priest for four years when he was young.
If credit was due, it should go to the Daoist community. What did this have to do with Zen?
Next, the claim of "84,000 creatures in water" wasn’t originally Buddha’s but a fable of Jainism from Tianzhu. When did it become the exclusive property of Zen?
Furthermore, if the water indeed contained countless moving tiny creatures, then by the non-violence principles of Zen, shouldn’t the monks avoid drinking water altogether? Drinking water also counted as taking life!
The two sides quarreled incessantly. Li Ang could even imagine that when the debate between the monks and the Daoists took place in Chang’an City, the scene would be incredibly lively. It might be hard to settle without a fight.
In any case, now that the microscope is made, the theory of cells will sooner or later be established. But the progress of clinical medicine... ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Li Ang put down his chopsticks and, deep in thought, placed his hand on the Natural Science journal.
The special topic on the dissection of livestock like cows and sheep had been completed, but human anatomy—he had yet to release it.
He was also unsure whether his current reputation could counteract the societal notions of body integrity, gifted by parents, and make people no longer fear the discipline of anatomy.
If anatomy is regarded as the practice of Evil Demons, all my efforts over such a long time will be for nothing.
I must secure the support of the Academic Palace... I wonder when Mountain Master will return.
As Li Ang was pondering, there was a knock on the courtyard door, and two guests appeared outside.
Li Ang rose to greet them, somewhat surprised. After Song Shaoyuan’s recent admission into the Academic Palace, he had been studying hard to catch up and rarely went out. And You Xiao, by his side, had even brought a basket of gifts?
"Risheng," Song Shaoyuan’s eyes twinkled, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "It’s a bit sudden, and I don’t mean to impose. Can we talk inside?"
"Between family, there’s no imposing."
Li Ang waved his hand, inviting Song Shaoyuan and You Xiao inside. Chai Chai tidied up the table and brought out tea and a fruit platter.
Once Song Shaoyuan and You Xiao were seated, they first talked about Aunt Song’s situation. The family home in Yizhou had been mostly settled, and Aunt Song was likely to move to Chang’an by the end of autumn.
Then he expressed his thanks for Li Ang’s help over this period.
Previously, Li Leqing had mentioned in passing that the court wanted to encourage the perfume industry, and You Xiao had also invested some capital in businesses. These were golden opportunities, where investing practically guaranteed a profit. All the investors were people of status and influence, either from the royal family or relatives of Ministers.
They allowed You Xiao to get involved in investing largely due to Li Ang’s influence—the essential condensers for the perfume industry were his invention.
"Hey, it’s nothing. I’m glad I could help."
Li Ang waved his hand and noticed the strange expressions on their faces. "What’s the matter?"
"Risheng..." Song Shaoyuan’s face turned red. He opened his mouth, struggling to speak.
"We’re family. Whatever it is, just say it."
Li Ang frowned slightly. Song Shaoyuan was now an Academic Palace Disciple; in theory, he shouldn’t be facing any trouble.