Fusu walked through the Mohist Pavilion, illuminated by electric lamps. His footsteps unconsciously lightened, as though he feared disturbing the radiance filling the room.
Warm white light poured down from the lamps overhead, falling upon the blue-brick floor and casting his tall, slender silhouette. Even the subtle patterns embroidered upon his robes were plainly visible.
He raised a hand. While his fingertips were still half a foot from the lampstand, he could already feel a gentle warmth—yet there was not the slightest trace of smoke or fire.
This was utterly different from the palace lanterns and oil lamps he had known all his life. There was no choking scent of lamp oil, no flickering sparks. It simply shone in quiet stillness, yet drove every shadow from the corners.
Countless glittering specks of light reflected in Fusu's eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed, and at last he could not help murmuring, "In the past, when I read the Huainanzi and saw the words, 'The Candle Dragon holds a candle in its mouth, illuminating the realm of ninefold darkness,' I had thought it no more than an ancient myth.
"Yet seeing these lamps today, I now know that human effort can truly surpass Heaven!
"Night was once the time when all people ceased their labors. Because of the darkness, farming and weaving stopped, recitation and study stopped, travel and exchange ceased.
"Now, with electric lamps, there is no consumption of firewood and no danger of fires, yet they gather light as bright as day. In the future, common folk may work at night, children may study at night, and travelers may journey at night.
"This is not merely a technique for illumination. It is a tool to relieve the people's hardship, benefit their livelihoods, and save the world!"
Hearing this, Zhao Cheng smiled