Chapter 886: Chapter 886 Lantern Festival (5)....
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Yeah. There will be another general examination next year. I’m sure there will be many students coming to the capital in advance.” Gu Chengrui nodded.
“Speaking of exams, Chengrui, are you still not planning to participate?” The Emperor asked.
“No, I’ll just stay in my hospital or medical center. Moreover, I can give Chen He ideas from time to time.” When Gu Chengrui said this, he thought of the drawbacks of the eight essays in the imperial examination. He looked at the Emperor and asked, “Emperor, have you ever thought of reforming the path of the imperial examination?”
“Reforms? How?” The Emperor asked curiously.
Gu Chengrui tried his best to be ignorant and said, “I feel that the imperial examination is too monotonous.
“Just like agriculture and medicine, where mathematics is required by the Ministry of Revenue.
“Also, the knowledge of the construction of river banks and bridges when joining the Ministry of Works.
“This is especially true for building bridges. It won’t be just a simple piling process; there must be many things to learn.
“For example, the local soil quality, the bearing capacity of the required materials, and so on. These required specialized and in-depth research. Only after hiring a scholar in this area would the bridge be more robust and durable in the future.
“It’s just like lifting a palanquin. Why did it feel much lighter when it was carried to the outside and much heavier when it was carried to the inside?
“There’s also the making of paper and soap. Although it’s only a craftsman’s skill, it uses plant ash and even soda powder. All of this can be summed up as a field of knowledge.”
The Emperor seemed to understand.
“Does Your Majesty know a scale?” Zhou Ying asked.
“Of course I know a scale.” The Emperor looked at her inexplicably, not understanding what she wanted to ask.
“What’s important is balance.” After Zhou Ying finished speaking, she went outside and asked for a ruler, a paperweight, and more than ten pieces of cardboard of the same weight and size.
Then, she placed the paperweight properly, balanced the ruler on it, and began demonstrating various kinds of balance in different positions and weights.
“This is the principle of the lever,” she said as she demonstrated the principle of the lever to him.
“Previously, when you built a house with building blocks for Nannan, you seemed to have mentioned the problem of the foundation balance,” the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly quipped in.
“Yes, everyone knows that the foundation of a house is important, but a lot of knowledge is involved.
“Take this restaurant, for example. It must have a stable foundation, and many things must be considered when building the second floor.
“Especially the supporting pillars; they must be made of sturdy, durable mahogany wood. They were not chosen because they looked good but because they could support heavy weights.
“Otherwise, once the pillar breaks, the entire second floor will collapse.”
“Are these things useful?” General Zhou asked in confusion.
“Of course, they are useful. Paper and incense are all things that improve people’s lives.
“Also, why is a bucket fine when water is in it but breaks when it turns to ice?
“Also, how do the wind and clouds we see form?
“If we know what’s happening, could we change the weather with human power?
“Also, why wouldn’t something fly into the sky when dropped? Why will it fall to the ground instead?
“Why would an adult and a child land on the ground simultaneously when they fell from the same height?
“If we want to develop into a strong country, we can’t rely on the current imperial examination system. It’s too singular and monotonous.
“Other than being an official, there are many other paths that people can take.” Gu Chengrui said..