Historically, Fang Yizhi and Western missionaries Bi Fangji and Tang Ruowang were friends.
Fang Yizhi combined traditional Chinese astronomy with Western astronomy introduced by missionaries at that time, and discussed astronomical issues such as the geocentric theory, the nine-layer theory of heaven, the ecliptic equator, precession, constellations, eclipses, and calendars.
He attached great importance to the knowledge of Western astronomy and often tracked the latest developments in Western astronomy. For example, when he discussed the movement trajectories of celestial bodies, he proposed the orbits of Venus and Mercury based on the fact that Westerners used telescopes to observe the sky and discovered that Venus had changes in its phases. A correct guess at the movement of the sun.
Fang Yizhi accepted Western scientific and technological knowledge, not blindly, but through his own careful thinking and digestion.
For example: Regarding the Western round earth theory, he first examined the observational evidence on which the round earth theory was based, and then accepted it.
He refuted the missionaries' erroneous statements. For example, missionaries once said that the radius of the sun is more than 160 times the radius of the earth, but the sun is only more than 16 million miles away from the earth.
Fang Yizhi pointed out that this is wrong, because according to this calculation (assuming that the Earth's circumference is about 90,000 miles), the diameter of the sun is nearly one-third of the distance between the sun and the earth, which is obviously impossible.
But at this time, Fang Yizhi had not yet come into contact with this knowledge.
Therefore, when I learned this knowledge from Zhang Fukang, I was immediately shocked!
Fang Yizhi saluted again and praised: "Brother Zhang is really a learned man, Fang has learned a lesson!"
Zhang Fukang was extremely happy to see Fang Yizhi impressed, but also a little ashamed.
"I don't dare to take it, I don't take it! Who am I! Master Fang said this, and I almost blushed! But I have made up my mind to learn all aspects of knowledge well and live up to the expectations of the young master! I, Zhang Fukang, will never Fall behind others!”
Fang Yizhi praised loudly!
Just as Zhang Fugen was about to speak, Xiong Tingbi walked in with a smile, followed by a middle-aged man in a long gown, in his thirties or forties.
Fang Yizhi looked up and was shocked. The person who came was actually his father Fang Kongzhao!
"I've met my father!"
Fang Yizhi stood up and saluted.
"Did father come to look for the child for something?"
Fang Kongzhao said with a smile: "No, my father received the emperor's decree and went to Beijing to receive the order. When I traveled to Huaiyuan, I heard that Lord Xiong was in charge here, so I came here to visit. I didn't expect that my son was also here!"
Fang Yizhi said with great joy: "Is your Majesty's special move? My father is going to revolt? Is my father going to Beijing?"
Fang Kongzhao nodded and sighed: "Yes, I didn't expect that my mother would still remember my father who was dismissed from office. I secretly said that if I go to the capital here, I might not be able to return to my hometown for a while. You have to study hard at home." , get your name on the gold list as soon as possible, and serve the imperial court with your father!"
Fang Yizhi said: "Father, my son, please come to Beijing with you. I want to study at the Ming Dynasty First Academy of Sciences! I hope my father will make it happen!"
Fang Kongzhao was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's fine! My father is also very curious about Marquis Zhongyi's Academy of Sciences! You might as well go and learn it!"
Fang Yizhi couldn't help but be happy.
"Thank you, father! I will definitely work harder! I will definitely not be weaker than others!"
He looked at Zhang Fukang and said he was no weaker than others.
They both looked at each other and smiled, encouraging each other.
…
Chen Jiawu's team heading to Yansui Town also entered the boundaries of Yansui Town and settled in Shaanxi Station in the evening.
Shaanxi Post has always been the largest post in Shaanxi because it is close to the important military town of Yansui Town and is also the only place where envoys from the Western Regions countries must pass when entering Beijing.
The number of soldiers and horses led by Chen Jiawu this time was more than double that of Zhang Fugen. There were two sentries for the soldiers alone. There were more than 500 Dahuangzhuang militiamen and various craftsmen who accompanied the army to escort the supplies!
Mainly some weapons, ammunition, and then vermicelli and other grains and grain seeds! There is only half a million silver.
The group set out from the capital, passed through Zhending Prefecture, entered Taiyuan Prefecture in Shanxi Province, turned south, passed Pingyang Prefecture, entered Shaanxi Province, passed through Yan'an Prefecture, and then headed to Yansui Town.
Arriving at Shaanxi Yi this evening, this is also the last stop on the journey. Tomorrow we will arrive at Yulin City, where the General Military Mansion of Yansui Town is located.
A group of people came towards the inn.
In the post station, an old post guard said to two young men beside him: "Jin'er, Xiao Huang Lai'er, there is such a large group of people coming outside, the post station must be short of manpower, you must be more agile, good job, post station." I'm easy to talk to over there, especially Xiao Huang Lai'er. If he wants to make a living here in the future, Hu Yi Cheng is very capable, so he can recommend a good place."
The man named Jin'er is named Li Jin, the son of an old postman. He is twenty-five years old this year. The man named Huang Lai'er is nineteen years old this year. According to seniority, it is Li Jin who calls the nineteen-year-old man For uncle.
Li Jin said: "Dad, I think Hu Yicheng must not be in a good mood this time. There are so many people, people eat what horses chew, can't they make our station poor?"
The old postman smiled: "How can we let so many people in? Just some officials!"
Li Jin said: "I don't think there are any serious officials. Maybe they are caravans. I'm afraid Hu Yicheng is going to make a fortune!"
The old postman smiled and shook his head silently.
Huang Lai'er said: "It can't be a caravan! These people are all from the army. Although they don't wear Ming army uniforms, they definitely can't be a caravan!"
The old postman said appreciatively: "Lai'er has good taste! Okay, let's go and say hello! If you don't go, Hu Yicheng will scold you."
The three of them went out and greeted him.
"Do you guys have any plans to cooperate?" the old postman asked.
Chen Jiawu shook his head and said: "No, we won't enter the inn. We will camp outside and buy some fodder and water from you."
The old postman's eyes suddenly lit up!
This is a big deal! Not to mention the oil and water, Hu Yicheng can still make a small fortune.
"Yes! Yes!"
The old postman said: "We still have good rooms in our posthouse. The stewards can live in them, while the others can camp outside. The price is not expensive, a room costs eight coins a night, and there is a dinner. There is also hot water for bathing…”
Chen Jiawu shook his head and interrupted: "No! Just buy fodder and water, and we can make the meals ourselves!"
The old postman was shocked. It was already September, and it was already freezing at night in Shaanxi. The manager actually refused to stay at the post station just to save less than a tael of silver!
It is said that they are poor, but it doesn't look like they are. These people have rosy faces and their clothes are very neat and warm. At first glance, they are not those who are suffering.
But why are you so stingy!
The old postman agreed on the price, and Chen Jiawu paid for it.
The old postman went to pay the account, leaving Li and Jin to greet them.
"Unlucky, so many people need so little money!" Hu Yicheng accepted the money dissatisfied.
The old postman retreated.
He asked Li and Jin to help feed the horses.
After feeding the cows and horses, Li Jin and his uncle had nothing to do, so they just stood aside and watched the fun.
But they saw that the seven or eight hundred people had found a flat land. Soon some people were cutting down trees and some were setting up tents.
Everything was in order, which surprised the two of them.
Soon, thick trees were used to build tents all around the plain, and tents were set up one by one. Others were making fire to cook, giving a sense of life.
"Damn, who are these people! They're amazing!" Li Jin exclaimed.
