Li Ke, seated below, listened to Fang Er's words with a complex expression.
He was very young.
The same age as Li Chengqian.
Nine years old this year, by the traditional counting of years.
Consort Yang had told him more than once to be content and to become a leisurely prince in the future.
But Li Ke, gifted with extraordinary intelligence, had never been willing!
Now, Fang Er's words were equivalent to opening a door for him.
A door leading to a new world!
Yes!
Since Great Tang had no family fortune for me to inherit, then I will use my own hands to forge a fortune of my own!
At this moment, he had found his goal.
His tender fists clenched, and he told himself in his heart to work hard!
Only by working hard could he obtain what he desired!
Li Tai, however, was different.
Looking at the enormous world map on the blackboard.
He was bewildered!
So vast!
How could one travel across it?
But in a flash, he thought of the carriages that could travel two thousand li a day.
He too had found his goal!
Wait for me!
Wait until I create carriages that can travel ten thousand li a day!
Or, tools that can fly like birds!
Or, tools that can swim like fish!
No matter how large the world, I will go and see it!
Li Chengqian's heart surged even more!
All of this will be mine, no matter how big the world, it will be mine!
I will do even better than my father!
Grow up quickly! When that time comes, I will personally lead expeditions!
Conquer those unknown lands! Forge an everlasting legacy!
At that time, I will build cement roads stretching for ten thousand li!
As Elder Shan envisioned!
Looking out, all that can be seen are dragon flags!
All that can be heard are Tang melodies!
Under the heavens, all are Tang people!
Where the sun and moon shine, all is Tang territory!
Fang Er looked at the three youngsters, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.
Indeed, there are no simple children in the imperial family!
His efforts had not been in vain.
Alright, this lesson ends here.
After saying so, he left the classroom.
Back at the Fang residence.
Chai Yue was sitting in the courtyard, feeling bored. Upon seeing Fang Er return.
She immediately came forward.
"Husband, Yue'er is so bored, I want to play with that."
Saying so, she pointed to the bicycle by the wall.
Looking at the bicycle that was missing only a seat.
Fang Er slapped his forehead.
He had forgotten about this.
First, he made a piece of soft wood, carved it into the shape of a seat, then covered it with leather, and filled it with kapok in the middle.
He fixed it onto the bicycle, and it was done.
"Come, husband will teach you how to ride, Qing'er, you come too."
After speaking, he pushed the bicycle and went out of the Fang residence.
Chai Yue and Xiao Qing happily followed behind.
Stepping out of the house, Fang Er mounted the vehicle with a single leg.
He pressed down on the seat with his backside.
The feel of the seat was quite acceptable.
"I'll ride a lap first, you all watch, I'll teach you later."
With a firm push of his feet, the bicycle began to move forward.
Chai Yue had seen it once before, so she was fine.
Xiao Qing saw it for the first time and was incredibly astonished.
After riding around once and confirming the bicycle was fine, Fang Er returned to the entrance.
"Yue'er, you go first."
Saying so, he dismounted and held the rear of the bicycle with both hands.
Chai Yue walked over excitedly, lifted her leg, and sat on it.
"Husband, is it like this?"
Fang Er nodded.
"Pedal the pedals below with your feet, just like I did just now.
Look straight ahead, and grasp the handlebars with both hands.
Here we go~~!"
Saying so, he pushed the bicycle forward.
At first, Chai Yue was a little nervous, fearing she might fall.
But Fang Er held on very steadily from behind. After walking a distance.
She tried pedaling by herself.
The bicycle, difficult to master, yet easy to learn.
Difficult to master was the sense of balance.
Easy to learn because if done smoothly, one could ride in a short while.
Chai Yue was clearly experiencing the difficulty.
As soon as Fang Er let go, the bicycle hadn't traveled three meters before it wobbled and tilted.
Startled, Fang Er quickly ran up and held it again.
Chai Yue's face turned pale with fright.
"Husband, this is so difficult."
"Yue'er almost fell just now."
Fang Er patted her back to comfort her.
"It's alright, it's just the first time, it's very easy to learn, try again."
A determined look appeared on Chai Yue's face.
"Yes, it's just the first time, I can learn it eventually, can't I?"
She got back on the bicycle.
Carefully pedaling.
The bicycle moved again, Fang Er followed behind, and when it stabilized, he let go of his hands.
This time it was better than before, it wobbled after traveling more than ten meters.
She learned and practiced like this, again and again.
Fang Er stayed by her side, fearing Chai Yue would fall.
An hour later, Chai Yue could finally ride by herself.
Excitedly, she stopped the bicycle in front of Xiao Qing.
"Qing'er, you try too, I'll teach you."
Chai Yue gently took Xiao Qing's hand and placed it on the handlebars.
Xiao Qing was very happy and said to Chai Yue with a smile.
"Thank you, Madam."
Chai Yue walked to the rear of the bicycle, imitating what Fang Er had taught her.
She held the rear seat firmly.
"Come, let's go."
Fang Er sat down on the steps at the entrance of the house.
He was very gratified and happy.
Family harmony is truly wonderful.
"Marquis of Liaodong is unfair!"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Fang Er turned his head and saw Sun Simiao, with a displeased look, walking out from the courtyard.
He quickly stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
"Master Sun, why do you say that?"
Sun Simiao complained.
"The Marquis of Liaodong had said he would let this old Daoist see that tiny worm with his own eyes. Have you forgotten?"
Fang Er put his hand to his forehead.
"Damn it, I really forgot."
"Master, please wait at home. This youngster will be back soon, and then I can let you see the tiny worm."
"At most a day, but perhaps as little as half a day."
Sun Simiao stroked his long white beard.
"Marquis of Liaodong, please go ahead. This old Daoist will wait."
After bowing respectfully to him, Fang Er asked Huang Sheng, who was guarding the door, to bring out Bai Xue.
He instructed him to look after Xiao Qing and Chai Yue, and then rode the horse towards the workshop himself.
Upon arriving at the workshop.
First, he made a frame.
He didn't understand the structure of a microscope, but the principle was easy to figure out.
It should utilize the principle of convex lens imaging to magnify tiny objects to a size perceivable by the human eye.
Unable to measure the focal length of the lenses, Fang Er simply made a pile of convex lenses with different curvatures.
He fitted them into the constructed lens barrel and tested them one by one.
By the time it was almost dark, Fang Er returned to the Fang residence with the adjusted microscope.
As soon as he entered the house, he saw Sun Simiao waiting for him in the courtyard.
Chai Yue and Xiao Qing were by his side, chatting with Sun Simiao.
"Master Sun, this youngster has brought the item back."
Sun Simiao looked curiously at the metal object in his hand.
"Oh? Quickly let this old Daoist see that ubiquitous tiny worm!"
Fang Er smiled.
He carried the microscope and walked into the house.
"Master Sun, it's getting dark, it's better to view it inside the house."
Chai Yue helped Sun Simiao to follow them.
Xiao Qing quickly ran into the house to light the lamp.