Chapter 1117: Ideals

Although the calendar used by Great Qi improved every year, it was actually extrapolated according to the Tongtian Calendar left behind by the previous dynasty. The Tongtian Calendar was in turn derived from the Great Yan Calendar of the Tang Dynasty.

In order to compile an astronomical calendar, not only did one have to be proficient in astronomy and geography, but they also had to know farming and numerology. It was not something ordinary people could do. Once it was done, the creator would definitely leave his name in history.

Of course, Mu Yangling did not think that her younger brother would do such a thing for the sake of leaving his name in history. However, the key was that she had never realized that he was especially interested in such things in the past. Well-read in all four books and five scriptures, he had also discussed history books with her. Why did he take a sudden interest in the astronomical calendar now?

Mu Yangling thought of her father’s attitude and planned to have a long talk with Mu Bowen. If he was just having a whim, he might as well give up on this idea as soon as possible. If not… she would think about it when the time came.

Mu Yangling led him to a secluded area to talk.

Actually, Mu Bowen did not have such thoughts on a whim. He had had such thoughts a few years ago, long before he became a jinshi.

He had been smart since he was young and worked hard in his studies. When others were still bitterly trying to become a xiucai, he had already passed the imperial examination and was in charge of the nursery and a large plot of farmland. Compared to those scholars who stayed at home and focused on studying, he clearly thought more deeply.

He had already contemplated his future before he became a jinshi.

After becoming a jinshi, naturally, he would become an official. However, what kind of official would he be, and how would he go about doing it?

Even though he had placed in the second tier of the imperial examinations, he did not stay in the capital, and instead chose to be a county official. This was inconceivable to many people.

This was because his older sister was a princess consort, and his father was a general. If he stayed in the capital and entered Hanlin, he would undoubtedly have the qualifications to become a minister one day.

However, he did not want to spend three years in the Hanlin Academy. Although observing politics in the Hanlin Academy could also teach him a lot of skills, he wanted to do practical things for the people in a local region. He wanted to promote agriculture and build water conservancy facilities.

Mu Bowen had always been a calm person since he was young and did not have much ambition. In addition, he had always been protected by his sister who had always taught him to be kind. He also did not have much desire for power. Hence, he had always felt that he just had to do what he liked.

After becoming a county magistrate, Mu Bowen knew more about the people’s livelihood. Combined with what he had seen and heard since he was young, Mu Bowen felt that scholars were very important, merchants were very important, and workers were also very important. However, the most important thing was agriculture. It was not because of the so-called advocacy of the Imperial Court, but because of what he had experienced first-hand.

Only when agriculture was sufficiently developed and there were surplus agricultural products could commerce develop. With money and capital to study, workers would have better prospects.

Apart from farming techniques and seeds, the most important things in farming were farming season and water conservancy. When he was the county magistrate, he paid special attention to the construction of water conservancy facilities in his district. Almost all the labor under his jurisdiction was deployed to build and repair water conservancy facilities.

He even recorded the weather, geometric rainfall, and farming season when he personally walked through the villages. He had done so without fail every day, even on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

However, this was not enough as there was too little data, still far from what he wanted to do. Moreover, the mountains and ley lines differed, so the water conservancy was naturally different. Therefore, he needed more data, be it astronomical or geographical.

He had already been promoted from a county magistrate to a governor, but it was not of much help to what he wanted to do. In the past two years, he had already read all the information and documents he could find. If he wanted to obtain more information and investigate on the ground, he had to leave the state.

Hence, Mu Bowen wanted to resign.

He had thought about this carefully. He had mentioned this to his father last year, but Mu Shi did not agree.

Currently, Great Qi could be considered peaceful, but they could not rule out the possibility of bandits. Considering Mu Bowen wasn’t particularly strong, they wouldn’t be at ease to have him travel all over the country. Before anything happened to him, they would be so worried that they could not sleep or eat. If something really happened, who could they cry to?

Moreover, Mu Bowen was the eldest son, and the eldest son was supposed to be the pillar of the family. He also had a wife and child now. If he left, what would happen to his wife and child?

After all, not everyone had the strong physique of Little Bear and his brothers. A four or five-year-old child could develop a fever and die if he was not acclimatized during such a long journey.

In short, Mu Shi did not agree to his son resigning and leaving to fulfill his so-called dream.

Mu Yangling was silent for a long time before asking, “How’s your numerology?”

Mu Bowen glanced at his sister and said, “Sister, I’ve read all the books related to numerology that I can find. I can’t say that I’m proficient in the topic, but I understand most of it. If I come across something I don’t understand, I can always do some research or find more books to read.”

Alright, she could not use this excuse to stall for time.

Mu Yangling stroked his head with a sigh. “I didn’t expect a scientist to emerge from the Mu family.”

Mu Bowen’s expression darkened. “Sis, I’m not young anymore. You can’t keep touching my head.”

Mu Yangling ignored him and continued, “Although I’m glad, Father is right. You can’t bring Sister-in-law and the child along, right? First of all, you can’t guarantee the child’s safety or his education on the road, and it’s not appropriate to leave them behind at home…”

Seeing that her brother’s expression was getting darker and darker, Mu Yangling sighed. “However, you can’t think so much in the face of ideals. Otherwise, can it still be called an ideal?”

Only then did Mu Bowen look better.

Mu Yangling patted her butt and stood up. “Since this is your dream, you can discuss this matter with Sister-in-law yourself. I’m old and can only support you from the bottom of my heart.”

Mu Bowen gaped and said, “Sister, you have to put in a good word for me in front of Father…”

Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “You should talk to Father about this yourself. I’ll cheer for you in my heart.”

Mu Bowen pouted as he looked at her.

Mu Yangling fled, but she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Though she had shirked all responsibility with Mu Bowen, she couldn’t really just leave things be. However, with her father on one side and her younger brother on the other, it didn’t seem right to help either.

Seeing that she had flipped over again, Qi Haoran couldn’t help but pull her into his arms. He sandwiched her between his legs and hugged her tightly in his arms. With his eyes closed, he muttered, “If you don’t sleep soon, I’ll deal with you.”

Mu Yangling pushed him and said, “Get off me. I’m so hot.”

Qi Haoran hugged her even tighter, and Mu Yangling sighed faintly.

Qi Haoran could only open his eyes and ask, “What did Bowen tell you?”

Mu Yangling could only tell Qi Haoran about his ideals.

Qi Haoran closed his eyes again and said, “Not bad. What a good aspiration. If he can create a calendar that’s more accurate than the Great Yan Calendar, not only will he be able to leave his name in history, but it won’t be difficult for him to use this as a means to become a minister. Throughout history, those who could develop a calendar were all proficient in agriculture, numerology, and accounting.”

He pulled Mu Yangling into his arms and patted her. “Don’t worry. If he doesn’t want to be a governor, let him return to the capital and directly enter the Ministry of Works. If he wants to learn water conservancy construction and study the astronomical calendar, there’s no place more suitable than the Ministry of Works. When he’s done learning the skills of the Ministry of Works, he can consider going out to travel the world. At that time, you don’t have to worry about his wife and children because his son will definitely be old enough to support the family. I bet it will take him at least 20 years to learn all the skills of those old men in the Ministry of Works.”

Mu Yangling: “…”

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