Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Xue Fucheng said sadly, "But now, apart from the imperial examination, where else can we go? General Liu, I am not you. I am just a weak scholar..."

Liu Ye said unhappily, "Who says scholars can't serve their country? Wasn't Zeng Guofan a scholar? Zuo Zongtang was just an aide, and now he's become a high-ranking official. Why are you so self-deprecating, Brother Shuyun? There are thousands of ways to serve your country, and all of them lead to the Forbidden City!"

Xue Fucheng's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "General Liu, why are you teaching me?"

Liu Ye replied, "Just now, I was discussing the study of the Western world with Brother Bochen. If China wants to revive and return to the top of the world, it must study the Western world and learn from the Western world. Brother Shuyun is a great talent with profound insights into Western affairs. How could he not stand out?"

Xue Fucheng asked doubtfully, "The study of Kewu?"

Liu Ye nodded and said, "Nowadays, all scholars believe that the imperial examination is the only correct path. How absurd! The classics, history, and miscellaneous books are just one of the common paths. However, if everyone studies the classics, history, and miscellaneous books, who will study Western systems for China? Who will manufacture guns and cannons for China? Who will defend China's borders? Every field needs someone to explore, and it is urgently needed. I think I have good military capabilities and am willing to defend the country. Brother Bochen is also a great talent and has studied Westernization. What about you? Are you willing to manufacture guns and cannons for China?"

Xue Fucheng smiled bitterly and said, "Making guns and cannons? How could I know anything about that? I can't even get a glimpse of the basics. I'm a complete layman!"

Liu Ye smiled and said, "Making guns and cannons is what I call the study of the science of kewu. Without it, we simply cannot accomplish such a task! Moreover, this is also the talent that China needs most right now. Whether it is to enrich the country or strengthen the army, it is absolutely inseparable from these people. The classics, history, and miscellaneous books are all the stuff of old scholars, and now they are everywhere. Young people should do things that young people do!"

Xue Fucheng shook his head and replied, "General Liu, all other things are inferior, only reading is superior!"

Liu Ye sneered and asked, "Who says studying physics isn't reading? Euclid's 'Elements' is a masterpiece of nature, infinitely more useful than the 'University and the Doctrine of the Mean'. It's a classic that benefits the nation! 'On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres' is also a classic that explores the ultimate principles of the universe. It's just that we, the people of the world, are too narrow-minded to have seen anything."

Guo Songtao became interested. "Elements of Geometry? On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres? What kind of books are these? I've never heard of them."

Liu Ye didn't say anything. He picked up a cup of water from the side, picked up a piece of wrinkle-free oil paper and covered it with it. With a flip of his wrist, the cup turned over, and not a drop of water fell out!

Guo Songtao and Xue Fucheng both widened their eyes. They had never seen this before!

"Hey, General Liu, is this a magic trick? How did you do this? This is..."

Xue Fucheng shouted.

Liu Ye said in a deep voice: "Do you know why this water can't flow down?"

The two shook their heads, and Liu Ye replied, "This is the study of things. Westerners have studied that even a wisp of air has weight and power. The reason the water can't stay is because the air below the teacup is supporting the water in the cup. Westerners are not surprised by this, but we are ignorant of it. Isn't this the tragedy of us scholars?"

Xue Fucheng was young and full of vigor, so he said, "General, is this what you call the study of things? From my perspective, it's just a minor subject."

Liu Ye smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother Shuyun, I heard that you always have a book in your hand. Take out two books."

Xue Fucheng turned around and took two books from the bookshelf in the private room.

Liu Ye took it and crossed every page of the two books and intertwined them.

Liu Ye said, "You two can move and lift even a hundred of these books, but you can't pull these two books apart!"

Guo Songtao was full of disbelief and said, "My dear brother, you are exaggerating. It's just two books..."

Xue Fucheng picked up two books, grabbed their spines, and pulled them apart...

Not moved at all!

Xue Fucheng was stunned, and gradually increased the strength in his hands, but it still didn't move at all!

In the end, Xue Fucheng used all his strength, but still did not move!

The two of them stared at each other with horror on their faces. What was going on in Liu Ye's head?

Liu Ye laughed heartily, stood up, and said, "How's it going? Brother Shuyun, are you convinced? The study of physics is broad and profound. It encompasses mathematics, mechanics, geometry, astrology, and even the foreigners' telegraph theory. We call it electromagnetism. It can be said that it is the only way to explore the ultimate principles of the universe. What is the study of classics? It is just the exploration of the ultimate principles of life and conduct, and the ultimate principles of the universe are the most profound principles!"

Xue Fucheng asked in surprise: "Electromagnetism? What is electromagnetism?"

Liu Ye replied, "Electromagnetism, in short, is the study of electricity and magnetism, as well as the relationship between them. This discipline has only just begun to emerge in Western countries like Britain and France. If you master its mysteries, not to mention making guns and cannons, you can even build the world's most advanced ironclad warships..."

Xue Fucheng's heart was pounding, and he was eager to try. He asked, "General, I would like to be your disciple and learn the secrets of this art!"

Liu Ye waved his hand and replied, "Brother Shuyun, I have only just scratched the surface of this. If you want to truly master it, you will need to travel extensively to study. I'm not sure if you can endure the hardships involved."

Xue Fucheng stood up and said proudly: "General, I am just studying. Although I am not a real man, I still have this determination. As long as you tell me, I will definitely be able to do it!"

Liu Ye said in a deep voice, "Really? Brother Shuyun, are you willing to take on this important task and explore the science of Kewu?"

Xue Fucheng replied in a deep voice: "Yes, General, I understand what you mean. You have been explaining things to me since I came in, wanting me to explore the science of Kewu. Haha, you have successfully aroused my interest. Since you think highly of me, then I will give it a try. However, I have no idea how to delve deeper into it..."

Liu Ye was overjoyed and said with a smile: "Brother Shuyun, the opportunity is right in front of you, waiting for you to grab it!"

Xue Fucheng was startled and asked, "What opportunity?"

Liu Ye took out the blueprint and said, "Look, you two, this is the blueprint of a new rifle I designed. Its performance is even more advanced than that of the West. Unfortunately, no one in our vast land can manufacture it. Therefore, I have reached an agreement with the American Minister, John Warren, to work together on this matter. We will work together to establish an arsenal in the United States to produce rifles. Once the rifle is developed and equipped to the Qing army, who will be able to compete with China in the future?"