Chapter Sixty-Seven: Revealing the Secret Technique for Live Fish

For the past few days, Zhu Mingjun’s life had been nothing short of miserable. Ever since he confided to his family about his discovery of the parabola, the entire Zhu clan had been thrown into uproar. The elders in Chang’an treated his finding as a treasure, dragging Zhu Mingjun to study the parabola with them day and night, scarcely allowing him to rest. They even sent word of this marvel back to their ancestral home in Fanyang. It was clear that Zhu Mingjun’s days would continue in a dizzying whirlwind.

After all, the Zhu family had languished in obscurity for many years. The glory of their ancestor Zu Chongzhi’s discovery of pi had nearly faded away. If they could achieve another breakthrough with the parabola, the Zhu clan could surely rise again for the next century.

It was nearly midday when Zhu Mingjun finally managed to get up. Suddenly, he remembered today was the Mo Technique Exhibition. He hastily dressed and rushed over as quickly as he could.

“Still late!” Hearing the lively commotion inside the exhibition, Zhu Mingjun sighed inwardly. He knew Mo Dun would be presenting many marvels today, and yet he had missed them.

He had previously arranged with Li Chengqian to watch from the tavern. Just as he was about to step into Master Yu’s newly opened tavern, a dignified voice halted him.

“Zhu Mingjun!” The familiar voice of Shen Hongcai rang out behind him.

Shen Hongcai was a descendant of Zu Chongzhi’s disciples, and after the Zhu family’s decline, it was Shen Hongcai who had gone against popular opinion to send Zhu Mingjun to the Imperial Academy. He was, without a doubt, Zhu Mingjun’s greatest benefactor.

Zhu Mingjun turned stiffly to see Shen Hongcai approaching with a group of assistant professors from the Imperial Academy. Leading them was Kong Yingda, the chief examiner.

“Greetings, Chief Examiner, Teacher Shen, and esteemed gentlemen,” Zhu Mingjun said respectfully, bowing to each in turn.

Learning that Zhu Mingjun had a private room reserved in the tavern, Shen Hongcai’s eyes lit up. They were all distinguished figures, and mingling with ordinary folk would be undignified. Watching the exhibition from a private room was the perfect solution.

Master Yu hurried over, and upon hearing Zhu Mingjun introduce the chief examiner and professors from the Imperial Academy, his eyes brightened instantly. Like a parent meeting their child’s teacher in later generations, he enthusiastically welcomed Kong Yingda and his entourage, arranging for them a private room with an excellent view and serving them a selection of pastries, fruit, and tea.

“If the gentlemen require anything else, please let me know,” said Master Yu, ever attentive.

His warm hospitality lifted the spirits of the Imperial Academy’s scholars. With so many professors present, Zhu Mingjun dared not ask Master Yu about Li Chengqian’s whereabouts. He could only serve tea and attend to their needs.

Yet the minds of Kong Yingda and the others were focused not on the exquisite refreshments, but on the view outside the window.

Outside, disciples of the Mo family were removing three cages of poultry chicks from the platform. Seeing the cages packed with chicks, ducklings, and goslings, Kong Yingda and the others stared wide-eyed. Though they had already received reports, hearing about it and witnessing it firsthand were worlds apart.

On the platform stood the curved-plow and seeder cart, while beneath the stage stood a massive tripod cauldron half-buried in the earth. All these sights left Kong Yingda deeply shaken once more.

“How is this possible?” Liu Yinian closed his eyes in disbelief. That little catfish, who was always causing a stir at the Imperial Academy, had indeed produced something extraordinary.

In the Number One Room—

“Kong Yingda, that old pedant, is here too?” grinned Cheng Yaojin as Master Yu returned. “I thought he’d hold out longer.”

“I’ve arranged for Chief Examiner Kong and his group in Number Three Room, so as not to disturb you, sir,” replied Master Yu.

Li Shimin nodded slightly. Kong Yingda’s willingness to set aside scholarly differences and attend showed his recognition of the importance of these two technologies. He was, in truth, devoted to the nation.

By now, the sun was nearing noon, and the Mo Technique Exhibition was drawing to a close. Everyone awaited the final Mo family secret technique—the Living Fish Secret.

The fame of the Living Fish Secret was immense. If you pulled aside anyone in Chang’an and asked, they would regale you for half an hour. Its renown stemmed not only from Mozi’s thousand-year promise and the catfish effect, but also from a legendary tale of wealth. Years ago, Mo family disciples brought ten carts of live fish to Chang’an using water wheels, and in just one new year, they had fed five thousand people in Mo village, transforming it from a destitute hamlet into a place of envy. While not wealthy, they had surpassed many villages—after all, the pursuit of wealth is an eternal theme in any era.

“Living Fish Secret.”

“Living Fish Secret!”

…

The citizens of Chang’an shouted in unison from the stands.

To be honest, though they had been repeatedly amazed today and felt their trip worthwhile, most had come for the Living Fish Secret, unaware of the other marvels beforehand.

They all wanted to know: what exactly was this Living Fish Secret that had once stirred Chang’an and created untold riches?

They had frantically bought catfish in Chang’an, attempting again and again to recreate the catfish effect, only to fail each time, which only deepened their curiosity.

It wasn’t just ordinary folk; even the Grand Minister of Agriculture on the platform and Li Shimin, Kong Yingda, and the others in the private rooms were filled with anticipation.

“Living Fish Secret!” Mo Dun’s voice rang out to everyone’s delight.

“A thousand years ago, Mozi witnessed the catfish effect from an old fisherman by the East Sea. He vowed to uphold the fisherman’s trust for a millennium. Yet, despite countless experiments by Mo family ancestors, the catfish effect failed every time.

But when the Mo family was facing extinction, Mo village finally comprehended the secret of living fish.”

Mo Dun beckoned, and all the curtains of the exhibition fell. Around the exhibition, there were five-foot-wide water pools. With a rush, water cascaded in, carrying masses of fish.

“So many fish!”

Exclamations echoed.

“Wait, these fish are dead!” Someone with keen eyes saw many fish belly-up.

“No, they’re not dead yet. These fish simply haven’t been treated with the Living Fish Secret. If not rescued soon, they’ll surely die,” Mo Dun explained.

“Now, let me demonstrate the Living Fish Secret,” Mo Dun declared passionately.

With a sweep of his hand, a massive windmill rose beside the exhibition. Driven by the northwest wind, it spun rapidly. Each rotation powered a device similar to a modern air pump, injecting air into the water.

Instantly, the pools were filled with countless bubbles. In less than fifteen minutes, the fish that had been belly-up gradually revived, one by one, swimming energetically once again.

A whole batch of nearly dead fish had been brought back to life—this was the Living Fish Secret.