Chapter 195

Yangzhou, the Wang family's Academy of Sciences.

=> "Yangzhou, Wang Family Science Academy."

But need to keep punctuation? We'll translate as "Yangzhou, Wang Family Science Academy."

Wang Hao had stood before that roaring steam engine for a full hour.

=> "Wang Hao stood before that roaring steam engine for a full hour already."

Wang Hao had stood before that roaring steam engine for a full hour.

He remained silent, merely watching quietly, feeling the primal force of steel and fire intertwined, and sensing every tremor of the ground beneath his feet.

=> "He said nothing, just quietly watching, feeling the primal force of steel and fire intertwined, feeling every tremor of the earth beneath his feet."

In recent years at the northern court, he has matched wits and courage with contemporary talents such as Guo Rong, Fan Zhi, and Zhao Kuangyin.

=> "Over these past years, in the northern court he has matched wits and courage with contemporaries like Guo Rong, Fan Zhi, and Zhao Kuangyin."

Though he seemed humble and calm outwardly, inside he was still very proud, believing he had already reached the era's peak and understood the world's direction.

=> "Although he appeared humble and calm on the surface, inside he was still very proud, believing he had already stood at the pinnacle of the age and seen the direction of the world."

But now he realizes how shallow and ridiculous he is.

=> "But now he has realized how shallow and ridiculous he is."

While they were still scheming and fighting over the gain or loss of a city, the possession of a crown, spilling blood in their intrigues.

=> "When they were still scheming and spilling rivers of blood over the gain or loss of a city, over who would wear a crown."

His family had already, silently and without notice, left the entire era far behind in another dimension.

=> "His family had already, silently, in another dimension, flung the entire era far behind them."

This machine is more terrifying than ten Zhao Kuangyins, a hundred Guo Rongs.

=> "This machine is more terrifying than ten Zhao Kuangyins, a hundred Guo Rongs."

Note: we will translate the term as 'willing sacrifice'.

"How does it feel?"

=> "\"How does it feel? \""

The family head, Wang Zhen, had at some point walked up to his side.

=> "Head of Family Wang Zhen had, at some point, walked to his side."

"Shocked, bewildered, and even... a little fearful," Wang Hao said candidly.

=> "\"Shocked, bewildered, even... somewhat fearful. \" Wang Hao said frankly."

He pointed to the Japanese apprentices, numb as they operated the machine, each bearing some scars.

=> "He pointed at those numb apprentices of the Wa people operating the machine, each bearing some scars."

"Is it worth so many deaths and injuries for this?" he asked, voicing his greatest doubt.

=> "\"For this, is it worth so many casualties? \" he voiced his greatest doubt."

This is the most instinctive question of a Confucian scholar-official; although Wang Hao did not receive orthodox Confucian education from childhood, he has still been influenced by it during his years in office.

=> "This is the most instinctive question of a Confucian scholar-official; although Wang Hao did not receive orthodox Confucian education from childhood, his years in office have still exposed him to its influence."

Wang Zhen did not answer directly, but instead countered: "What do you think—was it worth it for Zhao Kuangyin to seize that position, inciting a mutiny at Chen Bridge Post, potentially destabilizing the Hebei defenses and allowing the Khitan cavalry to sweep south, bringing devastation to the people?"

=> "Wang Zhen did not answer directly, but countered: \"What do you think—was it worth it for Zhao Kuangyin to seize that position, stirring rebellion at Chen Bridge Station, possibly destabilizing the Hebei defenses and letting Khitan cavalry sweep south, bringing misery to the populace? \""

Wang Hao remained silent.

=> "Wang Hao fell silent."

"Hao'er, you must understand. Whether it's a change of imperial rule or a technological revolution, sacrifice is inevitable."

=> "\"Hao'er, you must understand. Whether it is the change of imperial rule or technological innovation, sacrifice inevitably accompanies them."

"The former sacrifices innocent civilians for one person's ambition; the latter," Wang Zhen's gaze fell on the steam engine, his eyes burning, "we sacrifice a group of willing participants to achieve the strength of the entire Huaxia nation for generations to come."

=> "\"The former sacrifices innocent commoners to fulfill one person's ambition; the latter, \" Wang Zhen's gaze fell on the steam engine, her eyes blazing, \"we sacrifice a group of willing paid prices, and what we achieve will be the strength of the entire Huaxia nation for generations to come! \"" Need to keep quotes.

Better: "The former sacrifices innocent commoners to achieve one person's ambition; the latter," Wang Zhen's eyes fell on the steam engine, blazing, "we sacrifice a group of willing paid prices, and what we achieve will be the strength of the entire Huaxia nation for generations to come!"

Note: we will translate the term as 'willing sacrifice'.

Let's translate: "we sacrifice a group of willing ones, and what we achieve will be the strength of the entire Huaxia nation for generations to come!"

"With it," Wang Zhen pointed to the spinning machines driven by the steam engine, "our cloth production efficiency is ten, even a hundred times that of manual labor! This means that everyone in the world can wear cheaper, warmer clothing."

=> "\"With it, \" Wang Zhen pointed to the spinning machines driven by the steam engine, \"our cloth-production efficiency is ten times, a hundred times that of manual labor! This means everyone in the world can wear cheaper, warmer clothing. \""

"With it," he then pointed to the tireless hammers, "the speed and quality of our weapons and armor will far surpass any dynasty! This means our soldiers will possess the strongest armor and the sharpest weapons."

=> "\"With it, \" he pointed again to the tireless forging hammers, \"the speed and quality of our weapons and armor will far surpass any dynasty! This means our soldiers will possess the sturdiest armor and the sharpest weapons. \""

"And this is only the beginning."

=> "\"And this is only the beginning. \""

Wang Zhen's voice was filled with an indisputable tone.

=> "Wang Zhen's voice was filled with an indisputable tone."

"In the future, it will drive ironclad ships, allowing our Wang family's fleet to roam the four seas, trampling all barbarians underfoot! It will drive carriages, enabling our troops and supplies to travel a thousand miles a day across the vast lands!"

=> "\"In the future, it will drive ironclad ships, letting our Wang family's fleet roam the four seas, trampling all barbarians underfoot! It will drive carriages, allowing our troops and supplies to travel a thousand miles a day across the vast land! \""

"By that time, do you think it's still worth the deaths of fifty Japanese?"

=> "\"By that time, do you think killing fifty Wa people is still worth it? \""

Wang Hao fell silent again.

=> "Wang Hao fell silent again."

The sage teachings and ruler-minister principles he had upheld during his years in office appeared so... fragile before this pure notion that pursues strength as its sole goal.

=> "The sage teachings and ruler-minister principles he had upheld in his years of office seemed so... fragile before this pure notion that pursues only strength."

"I understand." After a long while, Wang Hao finally spoke, his eyes shifting from initial shock and confusion to clarity.

=> "\"I understand. \" After a long while, Wang Hao finally spoke, his eyes shifting from initial shock and incomprehension to clarity."

"I just need some time to adjust."

=> "\"I just need some time to adjust. \""

"Very good." Wang Zhen nodded with relief.

=> "\"Good. \" Wang Zhen nodded with relief."

"The family needs you, but not as a schemer, nor as a scholar-official." Wang Zhen looked at him, "I know that over these years of serving at court you have been influenced quite a bit."

=> "\"The family needs you—but not as a schemer, not as a scholar-official. \" Wang Zhen looked at him, \"I know these years of official service have influenced you greatly. \""

"But I still hope you become that eager, ambitious young man who once approached every new thing with curiosity."

=> "\"But I still hope you become that former enthusiastic, progressive young man, full of curiosity toward all new things. \""

"From today on, you are the vice president of the Academy of Sciences." Wang Zhen made the appointment, "Although Mr. Luo Yi excels in mathematics and investigation of things, he still lacks in coordination and management."

=> "\"From today on, you are the vice president of the Science Academy. \" Wang Zhen made the appointment, \"Mr. Luo Yi, though skilled in mathematics and investigation, still lacks in coordination and management. \""

"I need you to use the experience you've accumulated in the north to establish a completely new, efficient operating system for the Academy of Sciences."

=> "\"I need you to use the experience you accumulated in the north to build for the Science Academy a brand-new, highly efficient operating system. \""

"Yes, family head." Wang Hao did not decline; he knew the Wang family's recognition of his service in the north was also a test from the family, and his first step into integrating into this "new Wang family."

=> "\"Yes, Head of Family. \" Wang Hao did not decline; he knew the Wang family's recognition of his northern merits was also a test from the family, his first step into integrating into this \"new Wang family. \""

At that moment, a boy in a green robe, appearing only fifteen or sixteen, hurried over carrying a stack of drawings.

=> "Just then, a boy in a green robe, about fifteen or sixteen, hurried over clutching a stack of drawings."

Seeing Wang Zhen and Wang Hao, he quickly stopped, bowed, and said, "Greetings, family head, greetings, Uncle Hao."

=> "Seeing Wang Zhen and Wang Hao, he quickly stopped, bowed, and said, \"Greetings, Head of Family, greetings, Uncle Hao. \""

His face still bore a hint of childishness, but his eyes shone unusually bright, flashing with wisdom and focus beyond his years.

=> "His face still held a hint of childishness, but his eyes shone unusually bright, flashing with wisdom and focus beyond his years."

"It's you, Che'er." Seeing him, Wang Zhen smiled gently, "It's so late—why aren't you resting?"

=> "\"It's you, Che'er. \" Wang Zhen saw him, a gentle smile on her face, \"It's so late—why aren't you resting? \""

"Reporting to the family head, I have just, based on Mr. Luo's theory, come up with a new idea for the cylinder's sealing structure!" The boy raised his drawings excitedly, "Perhaps this multi-layer structure could solve the problem of gas leakage under high pressure!"

=> "\"Reporting to Head of Family, based on Mr. Luo's theory I've just had a new idea for the cylinder's sealing structure! \" The boy raised his drawings excitedly, \"Perhaps this multilayer structure could solve the leakage problem under high pressure! \""

Wang Zhen took the drawings, glanced at them—though he didn't fully understand—and nodded approvingly: "Not bad. If you have an idea, go ahead and try it boldly. Tell the steward what materials or manpower you need."

=> "Wang Zhen took the drawings, glanced at them, though she didn't fully understand, she nodded approvingly: \"Not bad—if you have an idea, go boldly try it. Tell the steward what materials or manpower you need. \""

"Thank you, family head!" The boy replied excitedly, bowed to Wang Hao, and rushed into the nearby small laboratory.

=> "\"Thank you, Head of Family! \" The boy replied excitedly, bowed to Wang Hao, then darted into a nearby small laboratory."

Wang Hao watched the boy's retreating back, somewhat surprised: "Which branch of the family is he from? I've never seen him before."

=> "Wang Hao watched the boy's retreating back, somewhat surprised: \"Which branch's child is this? I've never seen him before. \""

"His name is Wang Che, a sixteen-year-old branch member of the fourth house." Wang Zhen's tone was full of appreciation, "Three years ago he was just a mischievous brat in the clan school. Since the Academy of Sciences was founded, I have summoned all clan descendants, regardless of lineage or legitimacy, to study the investigation of things as long as they are interested."

=> "\"He is Wang Che, a cadet of the fourth branch, only sixteen this year. \" Wang Zhen's tone was full of appreciation, \"Three years ago he was just a mischievous brat in the clan school. Since the Science Academy was founded, I have called on all clan descendants, regardless of lineage or legitimacy, to come study if they have any interest in the investigation of things. \""

"This kid, it's as if he's just opened his mind and dove right in. His talent for machinery and mathematics even makes Mr. Luo Yi feel ashamed. Many of the steam engine's key components were his ideas."

=> "\"This kid, it's as if he's just opened his mind and dove right in. His talent in machinery and mathematics even makes Mr. Luo Yi feel inadequate. Many key components of this steam engine were his ideas. \""

Wang Zhen looked at Wang Hao and said meaningfully, "Hao'er, look. The future of the Wang family is not mine, nor yours."

=> "Wang Zhen looked at Wang Hao, speaking meaningfully: \"Hao'er, look. The future of the Wang family lies neither with me nor with you. \""

"But in theirs."

=> "\"But with them. \""

His gaze swept over the boy named Wang Jing, then over the artisans and apprentices sweating away.

=> "His gaze swept over the boy named Wang Jing, over the artisans and apprentices sweating away."

"What our generation must do is build a solid platform for them, for the future of the Wang family. Even if this process requires some… unsavory means."

=> "\"What our generation must do is build for them, for the Wang family's future, the most solid platform possible—even if this process requires some… unsavory means. \""

Wang Hao followed his gaze, and his heart was again deeply moved.

=> "Wang Hao followed his gaze, his heart again shaken deeply."

He recalled himself, buried in the Temple of Ancestors' library, poring over old texts to seek the wisdom of ancestors for the family.

=> "He recalled himself in the Grand Sacrificial Temple's library, buried among old texts, seeking the wisdom of ancestors for the family."

He recalled Wang Meng, who in the eastern seas used iron-fisted methods to promote Sinicization, providing resources and troops for the family.

=> "He recalled Wang Meng, who in Dongying used iron-blooded methods to promote Hanization, providing the family with resources and troops."

And there is the present figure, seated in Yangzhou, driving the family's technological leap—family head Wang Zhen.

=> "And there before him, seated in Yangzhou, driving the family's technological leap—Head of Family Wang Zhen."

And like Wang Jing, a new generation rising up.

=> "And like Wang Jing, a new generation just beginning to rise."

Wang Family is no longer a traditional aristocratic clan.

"Head of Family," Wang Hao's gaze became extremely resolute, "I am ready."