Chapter 633 A Dream of Youth 165
After the rain, the sky is clear and blue; it's only August, and the first wild geese sing.
Tick-tock, tick-tock—
The hour hand glides past the engraved numbers second by second, while the clock case, shaped like an exquisite and magnificent Chinese palace building, supports the movement and pendulum. A candle dragon decorated with gilded bronze patterns coils on the top of the hip roof.
What's astonishing is that when the clock hand reaches the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), its eyes open, and when the clock hand completes another full circle and reaches the hour of You (5-7 PM), its eyes close again.
The clock case features openwork designs on all four sides, allowing one to appreciate the beauty of the movement's motion.
The ticking of the pendulum and the dripping of the water clock intertwined, seemingly becoming the only sound in the entire world.
Everyone unconsciously held their breath, afraid of breaking the silence.
Time itself has no physical form; it is merely an abstract concept. Yet, humans perceive and measure its passage in various ways.
The gnomon and sundial were limited by sunlight, so the water clock was invented... Water droplets for measurement, slowly burning incense, atomic oscillations... Humanity's progress has never stopped.
In this quiet moment, they were immersed in the flow of time, their heartbeats unconsciously becoming more joyful with each tick.
The invention of the pendulum allowed them to define the time of day more accurately, meaning farmers could schedule their days more precisely. Whether it was sowing, irrigating, or harvesting, they could operate according to the exact time points, thereby maximizing the yield and quality of crops.
It can also better organize labor and optimize resource allocation to adapt to the increasingly complex needs of agricultural production.
Not to mention the people in the city and the professors in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau who calculated the calendar.
The benefits of more precise time measurement are immeasurable, not to mention that Xie Ning not only made those magnificent clocks, but also palm-sized dial clocks.
Design is not the problem; the only problem is manufacturing precision parts. But sometimes... even that isn't the problem.
She started by working her way up from mining and smelting to making firearms. Back then, they had nothing; they lacked not only suitable tools but also very few experienced workers.
Now, although she lives in an ancient era with relatively backward technology and civilization, she has never underestimated their craftsmanship.
Not to mention, she was at the top and had access to the highest rulers of the feudal era.
Hearing the cheers and congratulations around him, the emperor tried his best to suppress the upward curve of his lips, but when he looked down at Xie Ning, he couldn't help but break into a big smile.
"Xie Ning, you deserve the greatest credit for the successful manufacture of the pendulum! Now, is there anything you desire? I can give you anything you want."
The question, of course, was whether Xie Ning wanted any additional rewards; as for promotions and rewards that followed the proper procedures, that was not something to ask.
Xie Ning bowed deeply to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty's words are truly undeserved. I dare not take credit for it. Although I assisted in leading the successful manufacture of the mechanical clock, the contributions of Supervisor Bai and the craftsmen were also significant..."
The ministers looked at little Xie Ning with a sense of helplessness. Why was this child so humble?
Just when everyone thought Xie Ning was going to refuse the reward again, Xie Ning smiled and said, "But since His Majesty has said he would reward me, then I will shamelessly ask for it."
By no longer referring to himself as "your subject," he immediately shortened the distance between himself and the emperor.
The emperor laughed heartily, then patted Xie Ning's small shoulder and waved his hand, "Just say it! I'll grant your request!"
The minister beside him hesitated, wanting to advise the emperor not to speak so confidently, but remembering that the Xie family father and daughter were people who knew how to be tactful, he swallowed his words.
"Your Majesty, when the pendulum was being made, I noticed that although the craftsmen and some officials involved in its production were very skilled, they lacked a certain spirit."
"Oh? What kind of spirit?"
The others also looked at Xie Ning, especially the head craftsman, whose back was already soaked with sweat. The autumn wind blew over him, and he couldn't help but shiver. Weren't they all getting along well when they were working together?
Just the day before yesterday, Xie Ning was praising him. How come he's complaining to the emperor right in front of him now?
"open."
Xie Ning carefully considered his words and only said one.
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