Chapter 60 Displaying the Miraculous Artifact

At this moment, the four people gathered around Zhang Bo stood frozen in place after hearing his words.

They had just witnessed that miraculous scene firsthand.

Hearing the voice without seeing the person.

If this range were to be magnified to a distance of twenty li, then this device...

Gleams of burning enthusiasm flashed in the eyes of the trio from the Eastern Han.

Without a doubt, if it was truly as the shopkeeper claimed, capable of real-time communication with others within a distance of twenty li, this item would bring about a revolutionary transformation to their future battlefields.

Since ancient times, the situation on the battlefield has been ever-changing. Once circumstances shifted, the commanding general had to redeploy forces based on the real-time dynamics of the field.

As for how to communicate between the commanding general and the subordinate generals, one had to rely entirely on a specific military branch: the messengers.

Even though the messengers' horses were rigorously selected, it still took about two quarters of an hour just to run a distance of twenty li.

A round trip not only consumed a massive amount of time, but even the latest combat intelligence would become outdated after such a long delay.

However, with the item before them, everything would be vastly different.

Zhuge Liang looked at the walkie-talkie in his hand, fully aware of what it meant if it truly functioned as the shopkeeper described.

There would no longer be any need for messengers to run back and forth. In practically an instant, various camps separated by twenty li could instantly learn the conditions of their respective battlefields and share intelligence in real time. As long as the disparity in strength was not too overwhelming, victory would be guaranteed.

Zhuge Liang gripped the walkie-talkie tightly in his hand.

This item was of paramount importance to them at present.

However, its value was likely to be astronomical.

Perhaps he needed to think of a way to earn some wealth.

"Shopkeeper, is the principle behind this item also related to the thirteen academic disciplines you mentioned earlier?"

Song Yingxing stared at the walkie-talkie in deep thought for a long time, looking somewhat bewildered.

Not to mention that past historical records contained no similar accounts, but even with the knowledge he had gained thus far from reading the *Exploitation of the Works of Nature*, he could not fathom under what possible circumstances two people could converse in real time without seeing each other.

Therefore, Song Yingxing boldly surmised that this item might be related to the thirteen academic disciplines the shopkeeper had previously told him about.

Thirteen academic disciplines?

Zhuge Liang shifted his gaze away from the walkie-talkie and looked at Song Yingxing who had just spoken.

From the previous conversations among the group, he had already realized that this man possessed extraordinary knowledge, truly worthy of someone whose name would endure in history.

And to elicit such an expression from someone living over a thousand years after the Eastern Han, those thirteen academic disciplines must undoubtedly be extraordinary.

"Uncle Song, the principle behind the walkie-talkie is the same as the electricity we mentioned earlier; they both belong to the branch of natural philosophy known as physics. It's just that what the walkie-talkie utilizes is electromagnetic waves."

Electromagnetic waves?

Song Yingxing had already learned about electricity from Zhang Bo's words earlier, and now another entity called electromagnetic waves had appeared. Evidently, this was somewhat different from the physics he had imagined.

At this moment, Song Yingxing also developed a profound interest in physics.

Natural philosophy? Electromagnetic waves?

Standing beside them, Zhuge Liang listened to their conversation with a thoughtful expression.

"Shopkeeper, I wonder if there are any books available concerning physics."

"Uncle Song, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a few days for that."

As for books on physics, he didn't have any on hand; he would have to buy them online. Moreover, he could only buy junior high school physics books and progress step by step into deeper concepts. Otherwise, if he directly bought a book on electricity or electromagnetic waves, Song Yingxing would most likely not understand a word of it.

At this moment, a deeply embarrassed look appeared on Song Yingxing's face.

"Shopkeeper, I am not as wealthy as Lord Xuande. I am afraid I cannot bring you gold, but perhaps I can figure out a way to procure some silver."

Zhang Bo hadn't minded this matter at all initially. Just as he had intended to give Song Yingxing a few bags of seeds earlier, providing these few physics books was no difficult task for either of them.

However, Song Yingxing's words caused Zhang Bo to start taking notice of Song Yingxing's financial plight.

Song Yingxing, the man who wrote *Exploitation of the Works of Nature*—a work praised unceasingly even by later Western scholars—had actually spent his later years in grinding poverty.

Zhang Bo pondered for a moment and came up with a brilliant idea, one that could not only alter Song Yingxing's situation but also yield sufficient benefits for himself.

"Uncle Song, I have an idea. What if I hand over some goods from future generations for you to take and sell in the Ming Dynasty, and we split the profits fifty-fifty?"

This...

Song Yingxing was utterly stunned by Zhang Bo's whimsical notion.

Could things even be done this way?

Yet, after pondering for only a moment, he concluded that the plan was entirely feasible.

The sheer value of the crystal-clear, flawless glassware in the shopkeeper's hands alone would likely fetch dozens of taels of silver in the Ming Dynasty.

"Many thanks, shopkeeper."

Song Yingxing immediately bowed deeply with cupped hands toward Zhang Bo to express his gratitude.

Beside them, Guan Yu's eyes also lit up.

Their current situation in the Eastern Han could be described as destitute. If they could do business with the shopkeeper just like Song Yingxing, there was no doubt their pace of development would accelerate immensely.

"Shopkeeper, we too wish to take part in this. Might that be possible?"

"Naturally, that is not a problem."

"Then many thanks to the shopkeeper."

While the group was conversing, Guan Yu noticed that there were other smaller boxes inside the large box Zhang Bo had brought back.

"Shopkeeper, are there other items inside as well?"

"Indeed."

Zhang Bo walked over to the stack of courier parcels, retrieved a package similar to the previous walkie-talkie, and unwrapped it.

Seeing a binocular-shaped object appear in Zhang Bo's hand, everyone's brows were filled with curiosity.

For a moment, they could not guess the purpose of this uniquely shaped item.

Zhang Bo had no intention of keeping them in suspense and immediately began introducing it to the group.

"This item is called a telescope, used for viewing distant objects. In the Ming Dynasty, it is also known as a thousand-li mirror. I imagine Uncle Song must have heard of its reputation."

Facing the gazes cast by the Eastern Han trio, Song Yingxing nodded slightly.

"The thousand-li mirror was brought to the Ming Dynasty by the Westerner Giulio Aleni during the Wanli era. It was precisely because of this marvelous item that he received an audience with Emperor Wanli.

Although I have never personally seen the thousand-li mirror presented by Giulio Aleni, I have heard whispers of it.

Legend has it that the device is three feet long and one inch wide. Compared to the lightweight telescope in your hand, shopkeeper, it falls short by more than just a little bit."

"Chang geng, can the thousand-li mirror really see a thousand li away?"

Liu Bei asked Song Yingxing, who had just spoken.

"I have never witnessed it with my own eyes, so I cannot make a judgment."

"Lord Xuande, seeing a thousand li away is somewhat of an exaggeration. However, while it may not see a thousand li, it is more than adequate to clearly make out the exact appearance of a person two or three li away."

Clearly make out the appearance of someone two or three li away?

Liu Bei asked himself in his heart, and he knew he could not accomplish such a feat.

Turning his head, he looked toward his second sworn brother, Guan Yu.

Guan Yu also shook his head helplessly.

Clearly, Guan Yu could not do it either.

"Shopkeeper, such a marvelous item—might we be permitted to try it out?"