Chapter 005: Lagging Behind

Liu Yu's residence is still quite far. From the main hall, there is a corridor; after passing through the corridor, walk to the right for about 100 steps, and after passing through two courtyards, you will reach his residence

There is a significant hidden danger; under any circumstances, the task of surveying and mapping must never be entrusted to foreigners.

Mantou let out a sigh of relief, reached out to pat his chest, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled, saying: "I noticed that Third Master looked unwell, and I thought I was going to get beaten again. Since there is nothing wrong, I will go to Quanliu Residence to inform them, so as to spare those people from worrying."

Moreover, judging from the amount of information revealed in these books, among the Westerners one has befriended, it is likely that they are quite diverse, not merely limited to Jesuit missionaries

The swiftlet stood by, obediently fanning itself, being careful not to let the wind blow too strongly and make Liu Yu uncomfortable

Mantou took the money, performed a bow, and seeing Liu Yu still wearing a worried expression, asked with concern: "Is Third Master in a bad mood?"

The father and son sighed at each other, and in the end, Liu Sheng still waved his hand, signaling Liu Yu to leave

As a rule, the main hall is only used when the emperor issues a decree or when nobles come to visit; otherwise, it serves merely as a decoration in everyday life

Why is Third Master drinking so quickly today?

Hastily walking over, Liu Yu finally remembered that there was a nervous young servant beside him

Although the swiftlet is beautiful, in Liu Yu's eyes, it was merely an unripe sour fruit, tasting sour and lacking flavor, far inferior to the soft and sweet ripe peach.

It turns out that my cultural level is indeed quite high

Apart from these peculiar Western books, the rest are relatively normal

Liu Yu ultimately is still not quite accustomed and can only adapt slowly

It is said that the son, being young, does not prefer such delicate maidens, but rather favors those mature women. If it were not for the concern of face, he would have likely arranged for the well-known flirtatious cook in the household to come over long ago

However, we can only rely on Westerners now, as the local surveying methods are severely distorted

After passing through the front hall along the path filled with flowers and grass, there is another ceremonial gate, which is the inner ceremonial gate

The steamed bun was still patiently waiting by the stable for him, and from a distance, he could see Liu Yu with his head down and horns drooping, feeling a wave of ominous premonition in his heart

Could it be that the rumors claiming that Third Master has a fondness for men are false

This should be a good thing in accordance with the principles of "poetry and propriety," yet upon hearing it, my mother became anxious and restless.

Liu Yu also sighed, as he was aware of the matter of surveying the celestial maps a few years ago, which relied on French missionaries

At the age of sixteen or seventeen, with slender shoulders, a waist as delicate as a willow, eyebrows and eyes like ink, and a small, exquisite beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, her gaze is clear, indeed she is a beauty

I have not heard of any missionary being able to read "The Decameron"; how is this different from a monk reading "The Lantern Monk"

With such days in mind, it is no wonder that the nobility falls from grace so quickly. It is said that studying at the Wude Palace requires one to complete a hundred days of classes in a year, living and dining at the palace; otherwise, one cannot be rated as excellent. Yet, even so, some of the noble youths still find it difficult.

Having mingled with those women who have long been in the realm of pleasure, I unexpectedly found myself attracted to those voluptuous, soft, and flirtatious women at a young age; indeed, the women in the realm of pleasure possess an endless charm.

Hoo ... ...

Upon seeing these books, Liu Yu became even more convinced that the previous rumor of her being "unfocused" was not unfounded. She had considerable interaction with Western missionaries and surprisingly understood quite a bit of Latin

At this moment, the swift has already prepared the ink, and on the writing desk, in addition to the various sizes of brushes for writing, there is surprisingly also a set of quills for writing in foreign languages.

Beneath the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, even the wealthiest merchant cannot build a main hall with seven openings. That would be an overreach, punishable by death.

Liu Yu, seeing his cleverness, smiled and took out a small piece of broken silver from his pocket, tossing it over and said: "Just right, today is the 8th day of the month, and there is a temple fair at the Huguo Temple. You can go and have fun, I won't be going out today, so it's none of your business."

I had no choice but to arrange for someone to privately instruct Yuyan with a few words, all of which were rather embarrassing. With such thoughts in mind, the chosen Yuyan was indeed a rare beauty, even more charming and clever.

The mountains and rivers, the Westerners have all left copies, which will pose hidden dangers in the future

The swiftlet had followed Liu Yu for a long time. Upon seeing Liu Yu enter the study, it hurried to grind the ink. Liu Yu entered the study and glanced at the books arranged on the bookshelf, shaking his head in self-mockery.

As the conversation reached this point, Liu Yu could not help but feel anxious

The conflict between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party erupted precisely at this moment, while the Roman Catholic Church stubbornly clung to the issue of rituals, making reconciliation between the two sides impossible

But even if one turns against another and no longer maintains contact, what does that say about the close relationship that existed before? If something were to happen in the future, would anyone take the opportunity to stir up trouble?

Do I not know that there are things to learn from Western knowledge? Yet now the Roman Catholic Church has sent people here, speaking arrogantly, forbidding our nationals from honoring their ancestors, and demanding the complete opening of various cities to allow missionaries to come and go freely. No one would permit such a thing

At the age of youthful vigor, his mother was concerned that Liu Yu would become infatuated with the pleasures of the world, so she specifically chose a charming young maid, hoping that it would make Liu Yu more attached to home and less inclined to frequent the brothels.

In the earlier Ming Dynasty, the "Wanli Yehuo Bian" stated that at the beginning of the nation, there were prohibitions on studying astronomy; those who practiced astronomy were sent to the frontier, and those who created calendars faced death. The ice does not freeze three feet deep in a single day.

Under the system of etiquette and law, brothers and sisters cannot mix together for too long. Once they reach puberty, they must live separately. My sisters are all in some courtyards behind the main hall, and my mother is also there to conveniently care for and educate my sisters

Upon mentioning this, Liu Yu also recalled the matter at hand; he still did not know what was written on the several sheets of paper his father had given him, so he indicated that he wanted to go write.

Rumi, Rome, Rum, Rumelia... In fact, they all refer to the Ottoman Turks

The swiftlet is not unaware of Liu Yu's mother's intentions, yet it cannot bring itself to employ any seductive tactics, only hoping that one day the situation will naturally come to fruition

Before Liu Yu could respond, the maid handed over a towel for Liu Yu to wipe his hands. After catching a whiff of the faint scent of alcohol on Liu Yu's breath, she took back the towel and smiled charmingly, saying: "Had I known that the Third Master went drinking, I would have prepared the maple sap from the north, which has cooled down perfectly and is just right to drink to dispel the alcohol smell"

Father Liu Sheng said that the mountains and rivers of our country are known to all the French... In fact, it is not only the French who are aware of this. Even some missionaries from various lords of the Holy Roman Empire, who have never been to China, are able to compile and draw complete maps of the provinces of Han territory, with clear annotations.

Mantou no longer asked any questions and went to the stable to take the horses and leave

It is nothing, it does not concern you, you can rest assured.

Liu Yu only felt a bit of sweat on his back and murmured: "Yes, my son understands. However, Western knowledge indeed has its merits. If we sever ties with the West because of this matter, it may not be beneficial for our nation. In the previous dynasty, Xu Guangqi, with such talent, still praised the great abilities of Matteo Ricci, and works such as 'Elements of Geometry' and 'Western Water Management' have been passed down. Today, the world is not limited to the nine provinces and the red counties..."

Move to one's own small courtyard, where there are two ginkgo trees, and the sunlight falls, casting dappled shadows.

Yes. The son has noted it down

At this moment, having changed his heart, he found it quite intriguing upon a second glance. After observing for a while, he noticed that the face of the swift was slightly flushed, and only then did he shift his gaze away

Because Galileo developed the method of measuring longitude using the moons of Jupiter, the first standard map with defined latitude and longitude appeared in the world. When Louis XIV first saw the standard latitude and longitude map of France, he remarked: The land lost by scientists is more than what I lost in a battle.

The maid who just served is named Yu Yan, and she is exceptionally beautiful; she was specifically arranged by my mother

Liu Yu touched the few pieces of paper in his hand, unsure of what was written inside. Is there really a need for a father and son to play charades? Why not just say it directly and be done with it

I certainly do not have any peculiar fondness for the tale of the broken sleeve and the peach, I merely accompanied a few young rascals to some places of entertainment

Liu Yu is feeling down and needs to think things through, so she has no choice but to return to her residence

Leisurely passing through the outer ceremonial gate, there was yet another courtyard over twenty zhang wide. Directly ahead was a large front hall with five openings, but this was not the main residence of the Duke's mansion

This is a trusted confidant, a companion who has grown up together since childhood, and naturally, the treatment is different

The swiftlet also noticed Liu Yu sizing her up, yet she did not blush or lower her head shyly; instead, she smiled and thought to herself, has the Third Master changed his temperament today

Upon hearing this from the swallow, Liu Yu's mother thought that at the age of sixteen or seventeen, her son remained indifferent in the presence of a beautiful maid, could it be that he has a fondness for men or a penchant for same-sex relationships

Calculating calendars, within the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, no one can rival, only to cry out, 'It is better for the Central Plains to have no good calendar than to have Westerners.' But what use is that? It is just like the contest of magic in the Kingdom of Chechi in "Journey to the West," where they wager their lives on predicting a solar eclipse, and in the end, all the people of the current dynasty in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau lost the bet. After losing, they refused to accept their fate, and the dignity of our dynasty was completely lost.

After all, Green Rome is still Rome

It is not to say that being infatuated with flowers and willows is a bad thing, but rather that one fears becoming afflicted with a serious ailment, which would be quite unfortunate

There seemed to be a lingering scent of the girl's perfume on her face. Turning to look at the other maidservants attending to her, Liu Yu stretched her fingers and yawned, her bones cracking audibly

By the end of the Ming Dynasty, Lu Michong had already fallen somewhat behind Western Europe, and the path taken was somewhat misguided

When the swift came, the mother asked, and the swift replied that the third young master usually either read books or practiced with the stone lock, and indeed never laid a hand on her, observing the rules of propriety.

Feeling the presence of the lively young girls around her, Liu Yu seemed to empathize somewhat. In such days, who would be willing to go to the Wude Palace to attend classes? It would be a miracle not to fall into decadence.

Liu Yu nodded, thinking to himself, has my mood improved? Looking at the world in peace, yet in reality, the world is undergoing great changes. I do not wish to live a life of idleness, nor do I want the Great Shun to repeat the humiliation of a century later. After much contemplation, I can only sigh and say: "Helplessly, my worries are entrusted to the qin, with few who understand me; when the strings break, who will listen? This matter has nothing to do with you, so you may go about your own business."

France is also famously known as the "Son of God". Due to disputes over rituals and the Great Order, the Vatican was embroiled in conflicts, while France seized the opportunity to send out missionaries in large numbers, including members of the French Academy of Sciences.

The rules here are completely different from those of the previous life; although the characters are similar, they actually represent two entirely different worlds

Just make a note of it, and do not disclose this matter to others. The booklet I just gave you, you should also read it carefully when you return; it will be greatly beneficial.

On the desk sits a small self-ringing clock, beside which is a glass mirror from Venice. Next to it is a Ru kiln beauty vase, slender like the women of the Chu King's palace, containing a bouquet of fresh flowers

Liu Yu took a sip of tea infused with the flavor of maple and birch, the lingering aroma filling her mouth, almost as if she were holding a mouthful of autumn leaves from the mountains.

The "Elements" and "The Western Water Method" translated by Xu Guangqi and Matteo Ricci during the previous dynasty are both Chinese translations

With a self-deprecating smile, I glanced over and noticed that the books on the shelf were indeed of some caliber

In the previous era, all civilian maps were based on Martian coordinates, and it is strictly prohibited for foreign countries to survey their own maps. The Japanese invasion of China also began with sending people to survey maps everywhere

... ...

In addition to the Chinese translation, there is actually a half-volume manuscript of Boccaccio's "The Decameron".

Previously, he would rather have an inexplicable impulse towards the waist and hips of the cook than show the slightest interest in a fruit as astringent as the swiftlet.

As Liu Yu walked from the study to the outside, he felt quite depressed; the cicadas in early autumn were particularly irritating, incessantly chirping away.

Liu Yu recalled and secretly scolded her former self for having a truly problematic aesthetic perspective

The personal maid was sent here specifically for the young masters' indulgence; as long as one does not believe in the ghostly tales from those novels and engages in romantic conversations with their masters on equal footing, it is acceptable. While serious relationships should be firmly discouraged, casual interactions are still supported at home. It is better to allow than to block; at least the family maid is clean.

The young maid stood very close, exhaling a fragrance like orchids. On ordinary days, she also carried some mint leaves, which brought a subtle coolness, making Liu Yu feel a tickling sensation.

In recent years, certain items from the West have been introduced to the Nine Provinces, including crops such as corn and potatoes, as well as crafts like glass and clocks, but there has also been the transmission of syphilis from the Americas

While speaking, Rouyi gently dragged a towel with her delicate hand, gracefully moving her body to prepare the maple tea

At this moment, the swiftlet had already brewed the tea and added some birch sap, which was tributed from the bitter cold northern lands, filling the room with a fragrant aroma

He has not yet started a family, nor does he hold any significant position, and he is still living in the inner courtyard of the Duke's residence. Although the Duke's residence is large, the memories ingrained in his bones will not change, and he is not so lost as to forget where he resides

Well, fine. I won't go. There are some matters that have dampened my spirits for drinking. Don't say that I won't go, just say...

It is often said that the Tang dynasty was filthy and the Han dynasty was stinky, but in fact, the noble houses do not pay much attention to this. Their main concern is the possibility of further developments, which could lead to stories reminiscent of "Lu Daoyou's debauchery and Qi Ziyou's return. Having said that one should return, why still harbor such intentions"

A set of the Four Histories, a collection of military texts such as "Li Wei Gong Wen Dui," "Liu Tao," "San Lue," and "Wei Liao Zi," along with a "Lu Mi Chong" matchlock gun from the early Ming dynasty

Are these words still taught by Master San? I just said that Master San was stopped by the Duke and asked about his knowledge

Da Shun is not without intelligence; the Military Government's Department of Military Affairs is precisely responsible for this. The four departments of the Ministry of War bear significant responsibilities that cannot be delegated to others, and the current dynasty is well aware of this.

As soon as she entered, a maid dressed in a blue and yellow skirt approached her. Without waiting for Liu Yu to give instructions, she first brought in the water for washing the face and stood by with a towel in hand, waiting.

Liu Sheng sighed and said: "How could I not know? Previously, when drawing the map of the world, such a significant matter, not a single person from the military or the government could take charge, and we had no choice but to let Western missionaries handle it. The matter of maps is the lifeblood of the nation; how can it be easily entrusted to others? But there is no alternative, as we do not possess the skills. The map of the Celestial Empire drawn by the French missionaries means that the French know all about our borders and mountains!"

A small incense burner on the table is slowly emitting some purple smoke, the scent of which is unknown; it has a faint aroma that perfectly masks the subtle strange odor of the ink

Bowing respectfully, he retreated to the door with small steps and pushed the door open to leave

After taking a sip of this clear tea, I carefully observed the swallow.

Today, the gap between the East and the West has widened, and the remarkable Euler, who could perform mental calculations in calculus and solve the three-body problem of the sun, earth, and moon despite being blind, has begun to emerge, poised to unify the symbolic realm of future mathematics textbooks

It seems that the court intends to prohibit the teaching of religion

This is the standard equipment of the elite troops of the Da Shun Fifth Camp, yet at this time, the British are on the verge of mass production of the Brown Bess used in the Opium War. The gap in technology has already become apparent. By observing a small part, one can infer the whole; Liu Yu has a rough understanding of the military strength and formations of Da Shun.

Several young maidservants are watering the plants, while two others are holding a long bamboo pole from which clusters of gluten are hanging, as they are dipping them in something, likely to avoid the disturbing cicada chirping that might disrupt the young master's peaceful dreams

The swiftlet's heart raced wildly as it asked in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, "Is Master San going to take a nap? Or read for a while?"

Upon entering the inner ceremonial gate and proceeding further, one arrives at the main hall of the Duke's residence, which consists of seven adjoining chambers. This is a standard configuration permitted for noble houses.

It is easy to turn one's back on others. With Dai Jinxian's level of mathematics, he can be considered an expert in this era. However, from the perspective of Liu Yu, who has studied in a previous life, it is merely average, perhaps just a basic understanding of calculus

Surveying and mapping are the lifeblood of the nation. Liu Yu is well aware of this

Sitting at his desk, Liu Yu took out the small booklet that his father had given him, glanced through it a few times, and found it both amusing and exasperating