Xu Bai said, "My mother likes these things. If she has the opportunity to go to the Southwest, she might be able to learn some of these skills from the locals."
Wu Muyue said, "I know a very famous Miao doctor in the area. Their medical skills have been passed down through generations. If your mother has the opportunity to go there, I will introduce her to them. Who knows, with their joint research, they might actually be able to develop something to cure diseases and save lives."
Xu Bai nodded, leaned on the table, propped his head up with his chubby hand, and said, "So, we need to be open, not just in terms of mindset, but also in terms of technology. Medicine, and all sorts of technologies, like iron smelting and brewing, need elites from various industries to come together to research, discuss, and have a great collision of ideas. Who knows, we might actually come up with something amazing. If we keep our own things to ourselves and shut ourselves off from what our ancestors passed down, we will only become more and more closed off and regress, and in the end, we will only be eliminated."
Xu Bai's idea was too advanced. Even Wu Muyue had to think about it carefully for a while before he could figure out what was in Xu Bai's words.
Wu Muyue didn't know if Xu Bai had come up with these ideas himself or heard them from others, but in front of Chen Yuyuan, who looked completely bewildered after hearing them, Wu Muyue said casually, "These are all unique skills of their respective families. How can we face our ancestors if we let others learn them?"
Xu Bai said, "But everything in this world is moving forward. Uncle, look at those skilled craftsmen in history who clung to their family traditions and have long been lost in the long river of history. Groundbreaking technology cannot be created by any one family or school."
Xu Bai said, "Moreover, we should pay attention to the development of skills. Not to mention anything else, Uncle, our uncle said that every improvement and advancement in the silk weaving techniques in Jiangnan brings about social progress, doesn't it?"
Xu Bai was just speaking in a hurry, and what he said wasn't very logical. Even Wu Muyue couldn't quite understand it. However, he could understand that the skills Xu Bai was talking about were the techniques mastered by those craftsmen.
In recent years, Chen Yuyuan has spent his time studying literature and practicing martial arts. Naturally, he doesn't understand what Xu Bai is talking about. However, not understanding doesn't stop him from listening to Mr. Wu and his younger brother Bai talking back and forth about these interesting things as if they were stories.
Wu Muyue couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Brother Bai, did you hear these words from others or did you figure them out yourself?"
Xu Bai said, "Uncle, I don't like reading those rigid essays. I prefer reading miscellaneous notes. I think that any country that wants to become strong must have money. And how do you get money? You have to develop the skills of the artisans in all walks of life in this country. Once these people's skills are developed, there's no need to worry about the country not developing."
Wu Muyue said, "Brother Bai, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"
Xu Bai sighed and said, "Uncle, actually I don't want to take the imperial examination, but now, only by participating in the imperial examination and obtaining an official position can I do some things I want to do. My elder brother told me that only when I become strong can I have the freedom to do whatever I want. So my current goal is to study hard, pass the palace examination, and then have a place in the court so that I can do what I want to do."
Wu Muyue asked, "So what exactly do you want to do?"
Xu Bai sighed and said, "Uncle, I've been talking to you for so long, haven't you figured it out yet? I was thinking of bringing together the top people from all walks of life, so that they could have a good discussion and study together, and make their skills even more refined and advanced."
Wu Muyue never expected Xu Bai to have such thoughts. At first, he thought that since the Xu family had him study literature and martial arts with them, he would either make him an official or let him join the army in the future. With the prestige of the Yongning Marquis's Mansion, plus the abilities of Xu Rao and Xu Di, Xu Bai, the youngest child of the Xu family, would have a bright future as long as he didn't do something reckless. Who knew that he would have such thoughts?
Upon hearing Xu Bai's words, Chen Yuyuan exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Bai, didn't you say you wanted to be a great general?"
Xu Bai said, "But then I thought about it again. Being a general means having to manage battles and your soldiers, which is too troublesome. I'd rather be someone who can improve the soldiers' weapons. If I develop their weapons to be very powerful, they can kill more enemies and protect themselves when they go to the battlefield. Isn't that more enjoyable than being a general?"
Chen Yuyuan listened, nodded, and said, "Brother Bai, your idea is truly brilliant."
Xu Bai said, "That's only one aspect. There's also the glass. It's very transparent, and more importantly, it blocks the wind better than the paper used to cover windows. It's just that it's expensive, so most people can't afford it. The reason it's expensive is because the technology to make it is not yet mature. I want to lead the craftsmen to do a good job of researching and developing, improving the technology and skills, and increasing production capacity. If the products become cheaper, every household can afford them. Wouldn't that be considered doing a good thing to improve people's lives?"
Wu Muyue and Chen Yuyuan both nodded. Xu Bai said, "With the improvement of technology in all industries, why worry about the country not being strong, or about the people not living a happy life?"
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