Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1402: Chapter 1352: Bending the Future with Research

In short, at the end of every dynasty, there are various natural disasters. If Chen Xi were to fail, the calamity would be truly terrifying, and even Liu Bei, with his deep foundation, could not withstand it.

Moreover, ancient rulers often presented themselves as agents of heaven, so such numerous disasters were an enormous blow to them. This is why Liu Bei proceeded cautiously to ensure his legitimacy and rightful rule.

”Hmm, that’s a good suggestion. I’ll reluctantly agree for the sake of benefiting the steps toward unification,” said Chen Xi with a smile.

”But Wen He, are you really that interested in immortality?” Li Youu asked with some curiosity. To be honest, Li Youu had already come to terms with the concept of death; as long as he could fulfill his ideals, he didn’t really care about life or death, so immortality didn’t hold much allure for him.

”Uh, really? Wen He has an interest in immortality?” Chen Xi frowned. He had already figured out the essence of immortality from various sources, and thus truly had no interest in the so-called undying immortals.

Whether these people should be considered immortals or merely inheritors of past shadows is debatable. Were they really alive, or merely impersonated? Chen Xi truly had no interest in such things.

”I have little interest in immortals but am interested in immortality,” Jia Xu said with a raised eyebrow. His initial purpose was simply to live, to live better, so upon seeing the possibility of immortality, Jia Xu actually had a great interest.

”Oh, like the Marquis Wenn?” Chen Xi asked back.

”Exactly, but alas, we have little chance,” Jia Xu sighed, ”So I shifted my focus to researching other things.”

”It seems there hasn’t been much progress,” Li Youu mocked. However, only Li Youu dared to be so unrestrained with Jia Xu.

”Hmph, let me show you... show... forget it.” Jia Xu, mocked by Li Youu, immediately flared up but quickly cooled down, turning away disdainfully.

”Actually, it would be good for us to see it as well, to see just what you’ve been up to,” Chen Xi noted Jia Xu’s situation and realized there was potential, though Jia Xu was too embarrassed to present it outwardly. But speaking of which, Chen Xi was quite interested.

”Alright, I’ll show you, just don’t laugh.” Jia Xu said helplessly, then signaled to Jia Fu, who came over holding a thin, seemingly light, three-inch waterwheel.

”Ha, this isn’t something you can make,” Li Youu laughed. But Jia Xu returned a look that silenced Li Youu, and having spent a long time with these two, Chen Xi understood the meaning behind that glance: ”You’ll die if you speak.”

”Looks like the work of Duke Zheng Wen,” Chen Xi muttered. Jia Xu rolled his eyes and then injected a measure of spiritual capacity, starting the waterwheel turning without wind.

Though the speed was extremely slow and the waterwheel very light, its windless automatic movement took Chen Xi by surprise.

”Hahaha, Wen He, could this thing really be your masterpiece over the past six months?” Li Youu laughed, starting to pound the table, ”What use does this thing have?”

”At least it can move! If you have the ability, make one!” Jia Xu defended strongly. It was clear Jia Xu was filled with resentment now; six months of idle time spent researching without processing affairs led to this, and Jia Xu himself felt embarrassed.

”Uh, Zichuan, what are you looking at?” Li Youu asked, noting Chen Xi excitedly leaning beside Jia Xu’s table, closely observing the waterwheel. Honestly, given how long he had worked with Chen Xi, Li Youu had never seen Chen Xi’s eyes light up like this.

During the incense stick time that the waterwheel moved without wind, Chen Xi was fixated on it, his eyes shining brighter. In the end, Li Youu and Jia Xu even saw a fervor in Chen Xi’s eyes, a situation that had never occurred before.

Until the waterwheel slowly came to a halt, Chen Xi finally raised his head, his eyes filled with admiration. He had never admired anyone before; today was surely a revelation.

”Zichuan, why are you staring at me?” Jia Xu couldn’t help but ask, feeling unnerved by Chen Xi’s ardent gaze.

”Wen He, trust me, you will be remembered throughout history,” Chen Xi exclaimed excitedly.

”I knew that long ago,” Jia Xu said, looking at Chen Xi without expression.

”Before, it was due to your wisdom; you opened a period of prosperity with Xuande. But this time, you will start a new era because of it. You’ve successfully shifted the future down a different path,” Chen Xi said with enthusiasm.

Seeing the bewildered faces of Jia Xu and Li Youu, thinking they might grab him to force medication, Chen Xi suddenly felt a certain loneliness — the generational gap. This pair didn’t realize that this thing had revolutionized the future’s technological direction.

”Cough, cough, cough, I know you two might think of taking me to see Physician Hua now, but I assure you there’s no need. You absolutely cannot comprehend the value of this waterwheel,” said Chen Xi, laughing wildly.

Jia Xu and Li Youu nodded dumbfounded, afraid to provoke Chen Xi.

”Humph, this waterwheel doesn’t need any manpower to turn. If it could be expanded, couldn’t it be used for other purposes? Though it’s currently shaped like a waterwheel, we can transform it into other usable forms,” Chen Xi continued laughing.

Nobody expected Jia Xu’s study of immortality would lead to creating something like this. How did he skillfully develop such a technology tree? But reflecting on how ancient China discovered gunpowder while researching immortality, it makes perfect sense.

China’s immortality techniques work miracles, no matter the underlying principles. There’s significant research value in it. In the future, it might liberate manpower like steam engines did, leading to a manpower explosion, eventually forcing entry into the industrial era.

With the same population and complete system, an industrial nation would overpower an agricultural nation. Forget other scenarios; even in cold weapon eras, industrial nations could mobilize greater populations for warfare!

Jia Wenhe, your technology tree is truly extraordinary. It needs strong support, significant support; this technology tree is indeed worth pursuing!

”This way, much manpower would be freed, agriculture would no longer be the biggest issue for a nation,” Chen Xi laughed wildly. ”Wen He, you really surprise me. Once this research is complete, even ten Romes will be no match for us.”

”Let me calm down,” Jia Xu began using his Spiritual Talent to deduce. Hypothesis one, this could replace animal power; hypothesis two, it could be popularized. Jia Xu’s face was already filled with ecstatic joy; his spiritual calculation told him the results that would emerge under these premises.