Great Song

For Zhang Zai, who has just returned to Beijing to take up his post, these days and courts have continued to have disputes, which is really worrying.In his opinion, the Baojia Law has many disadvantages, if it is really promulgated, it will definitely cause disasters that disturb the people.However, he has no position to say this.Because the Baojia method is somewhat similar to the military method he proposed, and they must train righteousness and bravery to fight with regular soldiers.If he outright objected, Cai Ting, the former master of Huanqing, would he still use his methods?If the training is delayed, it will be even more difficult to win the battle against Xixia.

What's more, when this new law was implemented for the first time, it was hard to tell how chaotic it was.It is not what he wants to speak rashly.Zhang Zai still had some thoughts of cherishing his life, and he really didn't want to stir up chaos at this time.

It is precisely because of this that he did not participate in this mighty battle over the new law, and just stayed quietly in the government office, doing his own duties.Chongwen Academy is the royal library, the most are books, but it can help him study knowledge intensively.

Of course, in his spare time, he will also pick up two newspapers and read the news.

Opening "Ri Xin Bao" today, Zhang Zai first turned to the column of essays, wanting to see if Meng Xisheng had published any new articles.After looking around but not seeing it, he was a little disappointed. Unexpectedly, when he glanced around, he saw the notice that was too short.Zhang Zai's eyes widened as he almost didn't make a fuss about the case. Someone proved that the atmospheric pressure is great, and he wanted to perform it himself? !

He was thinking hard, but he couldn't come up with any good idea. Someone unexpectedly got a result one step ahead.At this moment, even Zhang Zai, a great Confucian with great energy-raising skills, inevitably changed his color.This is related to what he has learned all his life, how can he not be excited?And Mr. Tongxuan's name, he has heard of it for a long time.The previous arguments about the origin and turbidity of the atmosphere, as well as the theory of carbon gas, all came from this person's "refinement of qi".There is nothing wrong with the atmospheric pressure that is proved again after thinking about it!

Almost instantly, Zhang Zai made up his mind to see the performance with his own eyes.By the way, the Cheng brothers should also be called, so that they can see with their own eyes how powerful the atmospheric pressure is and how it shapes the world!

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"Ziyou, Ziyou! According to the newspaper, Ling Xiaozi has proved atmospheric pressure, and he is going to perform in front of Baoying Temple!" Grabbing a newspaper, Su Shi rushed into the room excitedly, and said loudly, "We are waiting for you!" Go see it too!"

Seeing his appearance, Su Zhe couldn't help laughing: "Brother, aren't you annoyed?"

In the past two days, the Baojia law caused a lot of disturbance in the court, which also made Su Shi very angry.In his opinion, this method is similar to Shang Yang's Shi Wu Lian Zuo, and it is a method for the disabled.Doing martial arts is against the law of the ancestors, and it is easy to cause civil disorder and turn the people into bandits.Not to mention the "Shangfan" and "Jiaoyue" methods of gathering farmers to practice intensively will inevitably delay farming and make the people more miserable.Su Shi, who was in a straightforward mood, couldn't bear it, so he immediately went to the book to refute it.

But a few days ago, Su Zhe was sent by the emperor to the Department of Regulations of the Third Division to assist Wang Anshi in formulating new laws because of his correct performance.Regarding the choice of his younger brother, Su Shi was quite fussy and sulked.But what can Su Zhe do?He also persuaded Wang Anshi in every possible way, trying to change his mind.But how can it be easy to change the direction of the Sacred Heart?

Hearing what his younger brother said, Su Shi snorted: "Political affairs are political affairs, and this performance has nothing to do with the new law. If you miss it, I'm afraid you will regret it later."

He was there when the cup was overturned to prove the atmospheric pressure, and he benefited a lot from it.Now that the theory of atmospheric pressure has made progress, how could he not go?

Su Zhe understood his elder brother's temperament quite well, so he agreed with a smile.

Seeing his younger brother nodding, Su Shi immediately said: "Brother Cunzhong is familiar with Ling Xiaozi, I'll go look for him and give us a good place!"

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This performance of atmospheric pressure has nothing to do with political affairs, and it coincides with the turmoil in the court, which makes people careless to watch this kind of ignorant trick.However, despite this, many scholars still came here admiringly.When they came to Baoying Temple, everyone was stunned.

There are too many people!Except for the secluded performance venue, Baoying Temple was completely blocked, and there were even people in the nearby streets and alleys looking around curiously.It was even more noisy than Shangyuan Lantern Watching and Xiangguo Temple Gathering.If you come too late, you can only look at the sea of ​​people in front of you and sigh, and you can't make an inch of progress.

Unexpectedly, Mi Fu would have such an attitude, so he couldn't help heaving a sigh of relief: "I'm still smart, and I told Brother Zhen early on. Otherwise, there are so many people here, I'm afraid I can't see clearly."

As he spoke, he adjusted the easel in front of him, and said to Li Gonglin, "Brother Boshi, don't you really want an easel? This time it's a horse-drawn iron ball. Aren't you good at drawing horses?"

Li Gonglin didn't really want to talk to him.He hasn't forgotten the result of painting on the street last time, how could he be fooled again?Besides, drawing depends on memory, if you don't look carefully and remember it in your heart, how can you draw vividly?

Not far away, Su Shi also looked at the iron ball placed in the field with great interest: "This ball is so big? Could it be that the horse cannot pull it away because it is too heavy?"

Shen Kuo coughed at the side: "It was made in this size for everyone to see clearly. Besides, the iron ball is not heavy, and a horse can easily pull it."

His pseudonym has been dismantled, but it is not easy to pretend to be ignorant in front of Su Shi.

Su Shi stroked his beard and nodded: "There is some truth in saying this. Only eight horses can pull it away. It is really too exaggerated. Is it really not Ling Xiaozi's Taoist method?"

"Really not. If you switch to a small ball, there will be pressure, so you won't need so many horses." Shen Kuo replied honestly.

This answer made Su Shi's heart itch even more. He wished he could watch the demonstration right away. He couldn't help turning his head to Zhen Qiong who was beside him and said, "Ling Xiaozi, isn't the auspicious time here yet? When will we be able to perform the technique?"

"I have to wait a little longer, the person hasn't come yet." Zhen Qiong muttered in a low voice.He didn't expect to meet so many people. Seeing the crowd of people, he almost felt stage fright. He wished he could finish it early and slip away early.But the emperor hasn't arrived yet, so he can't do anything.

Su Shi couldn't help laughing when he heard the words: "Who is so arrogant?"

There may not be thousands of people around this Taoist temple, who has such a big face to make thousands of people wait together?

Zhen Qiong gave him a strange look: "It's the official."

Su Shi:"……"

Wait, the officials actually want to watch the performance?Then why don't you choose to be in the palace, but go to Guanyu here?Talented Su suddenly fell into a daze.

In the distance, crowded in the crowd, Cheng Yi was also full of irritability.Originally, he didn't want to watch this mysterious performance, but his uncle Zhang Zai invited him, and it was not appropriate to flatly refuse, so he could only come with his elder brother.

However, he doesn't believe in the statement in the "Daily News" that "the atmosphere has great power".It's not that he hasn't done experiments at home. If the covered cup is bigger, the paper won't be able to hold the water in it.If you don't even have this bit of strength, how can you say "huge strength"?I'm afraid it's not the "Ri Xin Bao" who made a ghost out of it!

Don't think he doesn't know, that Ling Xiaozi has a lot to do with the proprietor of "Ri Xin Bao", maybe he just wants to attract people and make money by taking the opportunity.Thinking of this, Cheng Yi was even more angry.Now the posters on the "Ri Xin Bao" are becoming more and more outrageous, and the store promotions are no longer plain, they are all rhetoric and boasting.How can such a philistine newspaper spread throughout Tokyo without annoying people? !

This time, he didn't come here to watch tricks, but as the editor-in-chief of "Mingde Daily" to expose the deception!As long as there is a slight flaw in the acting, he must publish it in the newspaper!How can atmospheric pressure have any great power?This "principle of heaven" must come before "qi"!

However, with a fixed mind in his heart, he waited and waited, but he couldn't wait for the performance.Cheng Yi couldn't help but said: "Could it be that there are too many people coming to the small road, so they don't dare to play tricks?"

Zhang Zai was getting old, and it was not very comfortable being crowded in the crowd on this hot day.Taking out the handkerchief and wiping the sweat from his forehead, he said: "Maybe he is waiting for the right time? The iron ball and the horse are all prepared, so we won't be able to return in vain, right?"

In that empty field, the huge iron ball and eight horses were waiting quietly.Looking from a distance, you can see a few familiar faces beside Ling Xiaozi, so you can't even fool these officials together, can you?But if you really have to choose the right time to act, the trick is intriguing.Zhang Zai really didn't want to see this feat of seeking Tao turned into a joke...

Just as he was thinking, there was a sudden commotion outside the crowd, and he turned his head to look in a daze.Among the three, Cheng Hao was the tallest, he also turned his head to have a look, and suddenly said: "It's Yujia! The official is here!"

This sentence surprised both Zhang Zai and Cheng Yi.However, the tall palace guards had already protected the royal driver, pushed aside the crowd, and arrived in front of Baoying Temple.The three of them did not dare to be negligent, and hurriedly followed the people around them, and saluted the emperor together.

Zhao Xu didn't expect so many people to come, even if he was riding in a car, his forehead would inevitably sweat a little.If something goes wrong here, it won't end well. Fortunately, Zhen Qiong was thoughtful and even invited the officials of the Kaifeng government to help maintain order.However, with so many people, he really didn't want to stay for a long time. After being greeted by everyone, he sat in front of the seat specially set up for him, and asked, "I wonder if the time is right? Mister may have started to practice?"

"This method is not limited to the time of day. If the officials want to see it, they can start immediately." Zhen Qiong wanted to leave earlier than Zhao Xu, so she replied immediately.

Zhao Xu also breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that the time is not limited, and it can be seen that this thing may not be a spell, so he nodded and said, "Mr. Thank you."

With the approval of the emperor, Zhen Qiong rolled up her sleeves and walked to the field.Without looking at the dark crowd, he focused his attention on the acquaintances who were standing or sitting on the left and right sides of the throne, and at least suppressed his panic, before he said loudly: "What I want to demonstrate today is the sign of atmospheric pressure. I will Pour water into the iron ball, then completely pump out the water in the ball and seal it tightly. At that time, the atmosphere will firmly press down on the iron ball, and eight horses will not be able to open it."

His voice was not too loud, but several apprentices around him repeated loudly, making the words spread all around.

Because of the arrival of the Son of Heaven, the empty space that seemed a little silent before was immediately buzzing with people.Many people whispered to each other, suspecting that they had heard it wrong.Even if an iron ball is bigger, it won't be impossible for eight horses to be separated, right?

Cheng Yi's brows were already furrowed, and he murmured "nonsense".It's just an iron ball, and the eight horses are inseparable. Isn't it a joke in the world?He even asked the emperor to come to watch the ceremony. Isn't this going to deceive the emperor?But what means should be used to realize this method?

Cheng Yi's heart was churning, full of disbelief, but Zhang Zai's eyes widened and he looked towards the field.I saw Xiaodao, who was dressed in fine clothes, rolled up his sleeves, asked a few apprentices to support the two hemispheres, stuffed something in them, and pushed them together vigorously.When the iron balls merged, Na Xiaodao personally used a funnel to pour water into the balls.Although it is a big ball of one foot five, it doesn't take long to fill it with water.After it was filled, he dried the ball with a towel, waited for a while, and after confirming that there was no more water leakage, he took a pump with a long pointed mouth and a flexible hose, and put the pointed hose into the pump. Plugged into the hole in the ball and began to use the pump to pump water.

It was a bucket with a scale that poured water just now, and now the water is drawn back, and it is also calculated according to the scale.It didn't take much effort for the bucket to be filled again. Xiaodao leaned over to check the water level in the bucket, and then twisted the pointed plug a few times to remove the hose.Then he turned around and walked towards the emperor again.

This is the end?Not only Zhang Zai, but many people have doubts in their hearts.Such a simple pumping of water can make eight horses unable to separate the iron ball?

Being watched by so many eyes, Zhen Qiong was sweating a little on her forehead. When she returned to the throne, she immediately reported: "Officer, the empty ball has been prepared. Now there is no water or air in the ball, it is only pressed by the surrounding atmosphere. , can be drawn by horses."

Zhao Xu was also at a loss, is that all right?Just fiddle with it twice like a joke?He was a little undecided, but seeing Zhen Qiong's calmness, he hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Sir, just try."

Because you want to use a horse, you can't get too close to the emperor.Fortunately, the empty space circled originally was large, and there were officials from Kaifeng Mansion and the imperial guards guarding it together, so there was no need to be afraid of the horse being startled.

Zhen Qiong immediately ordered people to tie the horses to the ball, four on the left and four on the left and right, and asked the driver to whip the horses and pull the iron ball to both sides.

For a moment, the hoofs of the horses rumbled, the smoke and dust billowed, the driver kept lashing his whips, and the eight horses also had their muscles stretched out, panting heavily and galloping forward vigorously.But after such a movement, the iron ball remained motionless, showing no intention of separating.

Suddenly there was an explosion of discussion from all around, and some people shouted: "This must be the mana of True Monarch Thunder!"

Cheng Yi's face was ashen, staring at the ball.What kind of spell is this?Could it be that Ling Xiaozi did something on the iron ball?This is an occasion where thousands of people gather, even the emperor is present. Is he trying to cheat?

Su Shi, who was closest to the horse and the iron ball, was also dumbfounded.He originally thought that the statement "Eight horses cannot be separated" was just an exaggeration.Who would have expected it to be so!Wait, this can't be some kind of manipulation on the ball, can it?

It was not just him who thought of this.Zhao Xu also stayed for a while, and suddenly thought of this possibility.When the eight horses stopped, he couldn't help but said: "This ball is really so powerful? I have brought a lot of horses, how about adding a few more horses?"

In fact, Zhen Qiong also prepared more than eight horses, but the emperor wanted to use his own royal horse, and he had no reason to refuse: "What the officials said is true. The eight horses seem to be inseparable. Why don't we add them first?" Up to twelve horses."

With Zhen Qiong's permission, Zhao Xu immediately ordered the guards to bring four tall horses and add them to the left and right sides.Of course, I didn't forget to ask the servant to take a closer look, is there a mechanism on the iron ball?

The servant quickly reported back, but he couldn't find any clues on the ball.Zhao Xu couldn't help but calm down, and personally ordered: "Pull again!"

The twelve horses were driven together again.This time, the emperor's charioteer rode the horses himself, and saw the horses galloping so fast that the iron cables creaked, but the iron ball seemed to be melted together and did not move.

Twelve horses are still not enough, what about fourteen?The emperor continued to order, and more horses were brought up.The horse neighed louder and louder, but the crowd became quieter.Everyone stared at the iron ball in a daze, silent like a cicada, unable to understand the reason.

Sweat broke out on Cheng Yi's forehead, and there was something shaking in his heart.What kind of spell is this?No "principle" he knew could explain what he saw.But it was extremely difficult to make him believe it was true.Wouldn't the ball have been bolted from the inside?Or something stuck in between the two hemispheres?But what kind of glue can withstand the pulling force of fourteen horses?

No, it must be that Taoist who is a ghost!No matter how many horses there are in this ball, they will definitely not be able to pull it away!

Seeing that the fourteen horses returned without success, Cheng Yi clenched his fists tightly.Changing to sixteen horses would certainly not work...

Under Cheng Yi's unsure whether to be surprised or angry staring, the added horse galloped again.The iron cable was tightened, the body of the ball trembled, and then there was a "boom", the loud noise shook the sky!