Volume 1, Chapter 25: Future Generations Shall Yet Ascend to the Heavens and Descend into the Seas!

Zhu Yourong looked at Jiang Lin with eyes full of admiration, sparkling with light.

"No wonder Young Master Jiang is so knowledgeable and understands so much!"

On the surface, Jiang Lin remained calm, but inside, he was already blooming with joy! So, this is how satisfying it feels to be admired by a girl! However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg; it was just the nine-year compulsory education! If Zhu Yourong knew that there were three more years of high school and four years of university ahead, and that he possessed even more advanced knowledge, how much more would she worship him? It was unimaginable!

Jiang Lin felt that explaining it like this was too dry, and they might not necessarily understand. He looked at Zhu Yourong with a smile and asked, "Yourong, let me pose a question to test you: if an egg and a piece of wood are both dropped into water, why does the egg sink to the bottom, while the wood floats on the surface?"

"Uh... is it because..."

Zhu Yourong pondered for a long time without coming up with an answer, her eyes widening in confusion. Her large eyes were filled with great bewilderment... That’s right! Why?

Old Zhu, Empress Ma, and Zhu Biao, who were standing nearby, also began to ponder. After racking their brains and thinking hard, the three of them were stumped. Is there even an answer to this question? It seemed no one had ever explained it!

Facing the four bewildered people, Jiang Lin smiled and explained, "The density of the egg is greater than the density of the water, which is why it sinks to the bottom. Conversely, the density of the wood is less than the density of the water, which is why it floats on the surface. This concept of density is just one of the many principles in physics."

The four of them remained silent; it was clear they didn't quite understand.

Jiang Lin continued, "Let me give you a simple example. For instance, the steam engine I mentioned earlier, which converts the energy of steam into reciprocating power for mechanical work—that is a form of physics knowledge. Physics encompasses every aspect of life; almost everything in our daily existence is inseparable from physics, and almost any phenomenon can be explained through its principles. Physics is the cornerstone of technological development for future generations!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang instantly grasped the significance of this subject called physics. No wonder the people of the future could master so many magical things, each comparable to the arts of immortals—it turned out it was all because of this thing called physics. This won't do! The Great Ming must also master this miraculous science!

Old Zhu thought to himself: A strange sense of possessiveness welled up; he had to possess physics.

However, before Old Zhu could speak, Jiang Lin’s next words left him completely stunned. "Physics can create all sorts of things. For example, the items you see in my home, or the rockets that ascend to the heavens and the submarines that dive into the seas..."

"Wait!"

Before Jiang Lin could finish, Zhu Biao interrupted him, his eyes filled with shock. "Brother Jiang, you... what did you just say? Can the people of the future ascend to the heavens and enter the seas?"

Jiang Lin nodded. "Of course. However, in the era I come from, rocket technology is not yet fully developed, and we currently only possess the technology to take a limited number of people into the sky. But the technology to carry people into the heavens is already very mature; the invention is called an airplane!"

Such a casual remark from Jiang Lin left the entire family of Old Zhu wide-eyed. To the heavens? Flying has been a dream for the people of this land from ancient times to the present. The myths woven by the ancients, where mortals ascended to the celestial palace after achieving immortality, were clearly expressions of this desire to fly. Old Zhu never expected that the people of the future would actually realize this dream.

"A 'flying chicken'? The name is quite vivid, though..."

In Zhu Yuanzhang’s mind, an image emerged of a group of people sitting on the back of a giant chicken that carried them into the sky to roam freely. Pfft! He couldn't hold it in! Old Zhu burst into laughter and said to Jiang Lin, "Jiang Lin, you people of the future are indeed capable, but that image is just too hilarious! Since you can breed a giant flying chicken, why not breed other animals? A giant flying crane would have an ethereal air, and a giant flying eagle would be even more imposing! I must admit, your technology is far more advanced than ours, but your aesthetic sense... tsk!"

Hearing Old Zhu, Jiang Lin realized he had misunderstood, taking "airplane" for a "flying chicken." Jiang Lin stood up, fetched a projector, and cast an image onto the opposite wall. He quickly found a promotional video filmed by an airline.

Zhu Yourong’s eyes widened as she watched this incredible scene. It was exactly as little Xiong Ying had said: Jiang Lin possessed a magical treasure that could conjure images. Heavens! The people of the future have actually reached a point where everyone possesses such immortal treasures.

In the video, Old Zhu saw the full view of the airplane—its true appearance. The aircraft sat quietly on a vast tarmac, like a silver giant beast ready to spring into action. Its wings were broad and powerful, adorned with exquisite portholes, and the tail was painted with a distinct design, showcasing the unique style of the airline. The overall presence was magnificent, revealing the beauty of modern aviation industry.

Zhu Biao suddenly realized, "So that is an airplane. How handsome!"

"Cough!" Old Zhu’s face flushed red as he recalled the scene of him mocking Jiang Lin just moments ago, feeling incredibly embarrassed. This airplane was more than just handsome; it was incredibly cool, possessing both style and majesty.

"Brother Jiang, the wings of this airplane are rigid, not like a bird's; how does it fly into the sky?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

Jiang Lin explained, "The principle behind an airplane flying into the sky is, in simple terms, aerodynamics, which is also a part of physics."

"So that's how it is..." Zhu Biao nodded, not daring to press further. He knew that even if he did, he would certainly not understand Jiang Lin's answer.

Seeing Zhu Biao nod, Jiang Lin continued, "The airplane is currently also the fastest mode of transportation for people in the future. For example, the distance from Yingtian Prefecture to Beiping is over a thousand kilometers. Even if you drove a carriage day and night, it would take several days to arrive. By airplane, it takes less than two hours—that is, less than one *shichen*—to travel from Yingtian Prefecture to Beiping."

"What?!" The four of them exclaimed in unison.

In their perception, such a massive object... even if it could carry people into the sky, its sheer size would surely make it incredibly clumsy. They never imagined that the airplane would not only be agile but also exceptionally swift! A journey of over a thousand kilometers in less than one *shichen*?

*Hiss...*

Thinking of this, they all gasped, their hearts filled with admiration for the wisdom of the people of the future.

"Beyond that, the footsteps of humanity in the future have gone even further than just the skies; we have long since explored beyond the Earth. There is something called a rocket..."

Before Jiang Lin could finish, the overwhelmed Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted. "Jiang Lin, why don't you show us the video while you explain?"

For some reason, as Old Zhu listened to Jiang Lin, he felt inexplicably drowsy, struggling to suppress yawns and even wanting to lay his head on the table and fall asleep. Upon hearing this, Jiang Lin found a video of a rocket launch from the future, intending to let Old Zhu and his family witness the technology of the future firsthand.