"This," Cao Zheng suddenly became a little confused. He had never considered the question from the point of view that the earth was a ball, so he didn't know how to answer for a while. Not only him, but Zhou Wei and Sichengtang were a little confused.

"Your Majesty, if it is indeed as Your Majesty said, it is difficult to deny that the earth is a ball, but it is also impossible to verify it as a repetition." He thought for a moment and said.

"That's true. This can only be used as a statement. Yun Xi actually had a way to confirm it in his heart, and planned when to confirm it, but now he changed the subject: "In addition, do you two have any other things that you two don't understand?" ”

"Your Majesty, there are many incomprehensions about the astronomical phenomena, but the biggest puzzle is why the sun, moon and stars hang in the sky and do not fall."

Si Chengtang on the side couldn't help but nod. This question can be said to be the ultimate question in astronomy, and the ancients were very puzzled by both the East and the West, and finally the West turned to theology, believing that there was a first impulse to push them so that they would not fall, until Newton, the first true scientist of mankind, proposed the law of universal gravitation.

Dongfang put forward the theory of Xuanye: "The sun, moon and stars naturally float in the void, and they must be angry when they walk on them", creating the theory that the sun, moon and stars float in gas, and in further development, it is believed that even the sun, moon and stars themselves are composed of gas. But there is also a huge problem with Xuanye, that is, if they are suspended in space, it cannot explain why they circle the earth every day, so it is also denied.

Similarly, Yunhee is unable to prove the existence of gravity with a mathematical model, and even more, he prefers to inspire others to solve this problem.

So Yun Xi carefully mentioned a few words about gravity in words that were in line with the cognition of people of this era, but seeing that they didn't think in the direction they were leading, he could only put it aside for the time being.

After saying all these astronomical questions, Yun Xi stood up, glanced at Cao Zheng, Zhou Wei and Si Chengtang, and said to them: "Cao Zheng, Zhou Wei, I want to give you two a new official position, are you two willing?" ”

The two of them suddenly felt a tightening of their hearts. At this time, it is said that they will have a new official position, and needless to say, it can only be related to astronomy. Maybe it's just to let the two of them go to the Qin Heavenly Prison.

The two of them were not willing. Although they enjoyed the study of astronomy, the study of astronomy at this time was generally considered to be unprofessional, even if it did not take into account the relationship of transgression. Astronomical phenomena, as long as the calendar can be formulated according to it, what is the use of studying other things?

The two of them can imagine what kind of guidance they will receive in their lives if they accept Yunxi's appointment. Cao Zheng is better, after all, he is a noble son, and he is much more obedient all day long, at most he was beaten by Cao Xing, and he was ridiculed by everyone in the social circle, and maybe he will be valued by everyone because he can be received by the emperor in the future; Zhou Wei is different, as a civil official, he suddenly became a person who is considered to study the astronomical phenomena of Shinto, and most of his friends will no longer associate with him, and the clansmen in his hometown will also scold him. Zhou Wei's father's health was not good, and he was angry again.

But Cao Zheng secretly glanced at Yun Xi's eyes, and felt that he couldn't go against Yun Xi's words, at least the two of them couldn't both reject Yun Xi's appointment, gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, the minister is willing to accept Your Majesty's official position." ”

Zhou Wei hesitated for a long time, and finally said: "Your Majesty, as a second-class jinshi, although he likes to study astronomy, astronomical matters have little to do with the national economy and people's livelihood. ”

Yun Xi felt a little regretful, but it was also expected. So he didn't look angry and said, "It's fine." ”

"In that case, Zhou Wei, I still remember your words, the writing is good, and the article is also very conventional." Yun Xi said as he sent the guards downstairs to buy pen and ink, and after the pen and ink were bought, he continued: "You have prepared a decree for me. ”

"Fengtian carries the emperor's edict and says, from now on, abolish the Qin Tianjian," Yun Xi's first sentence made Zhou Wei's hand shake, and he almost made a typo, but Yun Xi didn't look at him but stared at the ceiling, so he didn't know that he paused, but continued: "Take the meaning of Ge Wu Zhizhi, set up Gezhi Academy, study astronomy, geography, physical changes and many other phenomena, study mathematics, and compile a calendar." ”

"Gezhi Yuan has a head of the hospital, four products, a deputy of the hospital, from the four products, and there are other official positions such as the main book. Gezhiyuan does not belong to any of them, just like the Tai Hospital, the Maritime Affairs Hospital, etc. ”

"Yang Shiqi, a member of the Chinese Academy, is the head of the academy and has jurisdiction over the affairs of the institute, and Cao Zheng is the deputy of the academy and presides over the research. If any of the officials of the former Qintianjian Yamen have studied astronomy and geography, they will be admitted to the Gezhi Academy. ”

What Yun Xi proposed is an institution similar to the modern Academy of Natural Sciences.

Because of its long-term centralization, China despised the knowledge that could not be an official and could not promote agricultural production. He can't change the status quo of centralization, in order to develop science in Daming, he must support people who like to study science, and not secretly support, must be openly supported, so that they can become officials, in order to attract more people to devote themselves to the cause of science.

Of course, there is a chance that someone will die in power, but he can only do it now.

As for why the word 'science' was not directly invented and called Gezhiyuan, first, the translation word "science" did not actually fully reflect the original meaning of science, and many translators in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China opposed the direct borrowing of the Fusang translation, proposing the use of more appropriate words such as "Gezhi" or "Gewu";

It is not only necessary to set up the Gezhi Academy to encourage research, but also to translate books from the West, and select the leading aspects of the Ming Dynasty for Cao Zheng and others to study, not only to learn their Gezhi, but also to learn their way of thinking in research. The Great Cannibal has had a century-old translation movement, translating the books of the ancient Greek and Roman eras into the Great Food Literature, plus their own independent creation, thus creating a situation where the Great Cannibal has led the world for hundreds of years. ’

Whether it was the Great Voyage or the colonial plunder, it was the main reason why the Furak people later dominated the world, and the most important reason was that their science was greatly developed, and the wealth from colonial plunder only played a role as a catalyst. As long as the Ming Dynasty can always be ahead of the world, the Ming Dynasty will inevitably be the most powerful country in the world. Yun Xi thought.

Thinking of the end, Yun Xi raised his head and said, "Cao Zheng, in the future, Gezhiyuan will inevitably become a very important place in the Ming Dynasty, and you will definitely not regret coming to Gezhiyuan." ”