Chapter 521

"However, yesterday you bombed the city wall with gunpowder, and the whole ground was shocked. This feeling is almost the same as the earthquake. I want to know whether the earthquake is a warning from heaven or something like gunpowder exists underground." Li Shimin took a deep breath.

Since ancient times, people have called the incomprehensible phenomenon the meaning of heaven. However, since the emergence of Merton, Li Shimin has repeatedly cracked and overcome it, and naturally found Merton's head.

Merton suddenly realized that he understood Li Shimin's meaning. Since various natural disasters were overcome, coupled with the crack of Tiangou's eclipse of the sun, only the earthquake was left to restrain the imperial power. In addition, Li Shimin felt the same feeling as the earthquake yesterday, and his heart naturally became suspicious.

Merton immediately fell into a dilemma. He naturally knew the principle of the earthquake, but the earthquake occurred on the surface, which could not be predicted by future generations, not to mention the technology of the Tang Dynasty. Merton knew it but could not prove it.

And once he said the principle of the earthquake, the imperial power lost its final restriction and became a power monster, he could not predict. Of course, the consequences of cheating Li Shimin were equally serious.

Li Shimin did not urge, but waited quietly.

As soon as Merton gritted his teeth, he came forward and said, "the earthquake is deep underground, unpredictable and unconfirmed. Although Mohism has records, it is only speculation. The result is that the Mohist sages themselves can't believe it, let alone some ordinary masters."

Earthquakes are not like eclipses of the moon and the sun. Although they are far away, they can also be observed with the naked eye. However, the earthquake occurred underground and there is no way to guess. Merton first gave a preventive shot to avoid Li Shimin's disappointment.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "but it doesn't matter. I just want an explanation."

Merton nodded and said, "Mohism is based on mechanics. When an earthquake happens, mountains and rivers break, houses collapse, and strong earthquakes are thousands of miles away, you should feel shaking. Is this not a force? It's just that this force is too huge, far beyond ordinary people's imagination."

Li Shimin nodded. It is this kind of power that is too great to be feared and called the will of heaven.

Mozi Tianzhi said, "the son of heaven is good, and heaven can reward it; the son of heaven is violent, and heaven can punish it." even if you are the son of heaven, heaven can reward and punish, and the earthquake is one of the most serious means of reward and punishment.

"How can such amazing power be done by manpower? However, after the boy used gunpowder, he had a vague guess." Merton said in a voice.

Li Shimin's face was suddenly solemn and stared at Merton.

"The boy thinks that the earthquake is not a sign of heaven, but a natural phenomenon like the dog eating the sun," Merton said positively.

"What basis do you have?" Li Shimin said hoarsely.

Merton thought and analyzed: "first of all, earthquakes mostly occur in mountainous areas, and the distribution is very regular. If your majesty lists the locations of earthquakes recorded in previous dynasties, you will find that the locations of earthquakes are like a belt, while there are few in other areas. Or there are no earthquakes at all."

Li Shimin's heart moved. If so, I'm afraid there will be a big problem.

Merton also said, "if it is really God's punishment, why doesn't God directly punish Chang'an or the surrounding places? Isn't such punishment the best effect, but most earthquakes are thousands of miles away."

Li Shimin nodded. This is really a doubt.

"According to the Mohist guess, what caused the earthquake? Are there minerals like gunpowder buried underground?" Li Shimin asked solemnly. The components of gunpowder, sulfur and saltpeter, are minerals. No wonder Li Shimin would guess so.

Merton shook his head and said, "of course not. When Mohists observed the occurrence of earthquakes, they often caused ground cracking. Therefore, it can be inferred that the cause of earthquakes is probably caused by the fracture of rock layers under the ground.

"Rock fracture can cause earthquakes," Li Shimin frowned. This reason is too simple for him to accept.

Merton nodded, looked around, and suddenly saw a pot of familiar potted plants. He stepped forward and pulled it out.

Li Shimin blushed. This potted plant was the one that Merton survived when demonstrating the governance of the Yellow River. However, in the end, it has not escaped Merton's poison.

Merton reached out to remove the trunk of the potted plant, picked up the trunk, held it with both hands, and made a sudden force. The trunk of the potted plant snapped from the middle.

"Your Majesty, this is the strength generated when it breaks." Merton handed half of the broken potted trunk to Li Shimin.

"This is the reason for the earthquake!" Li Shimin looked at Merton with a bad face. The boy destroyed his favorite potted plant, but gave him such an answer.

Merton said without shame: "yes, the breaking force of a branch is naturally very small, but if people put their hands on the broken place, they can still feel pain, but what if the trunk held by one person is broken?"

Li Shimin was awe inspiring. That kind of strength might kill a person.

"According to the Mohist investigation, there are rocks under the soil. Your majesty, imagine how strong it would be if the rocks several miles thick or even more than ten miles thick were broken." Merton said excitedly.

Li Shimin's eyes lit up. This time, he believed Merton's statement that under the ground, except soil is stone. Perhaps only this explanation can answer the cause of the earthquake!

"It's true that there is no heavenly will." Li Shimin suddenly rejoiced. His heart was like a big stone being removed, and he was refreshed.

Merton suddenly sighed: "of course, this speculation can not be confirmed. After all, the earthquake is underground. Don't say you don't know where an earthquake will occur. Even after the earthquake, it can't be confirmed in depth."

Li Shimin's face suddenly darkened. Although he had broken the induction between heaven and man, he also knew that even if he said this theory to Merton, those old die hards could not accept it.

The secret of Tiangou's eclipse of the sun only needs to be revealed on the first day of May. However, I'm afraid the popularity of earthquakes is still far from important.

"OK, step back! Don't talk to anyone about today." Li Shimin looked at the map and said coldly.

Now the most important thing in the Tang Dynasty is the western expedition. Before the end of the western expedition, there can be no negligence. Li Shimin doesn't want a fire in the backyard at this time.

"I understand!" Merton nodded and bowed back.

When Merton retreated, Li Shimin clapped his hands, and pound came in from the outside of the hall.

"What's your Majesty's order!" said pound.

Li Shimin said, "the king of Wei once said to me that he wanted to write a book on mountain geography to correct the name of the Datang mountains. It was really a piece of loyalty. He sent orders to reward a thousand liang of silver and collect a hundred volumes of books as a reward."

Merton never thought that the famous local chronicles of Li Tai in later generations would be born in advance because of him.