Page 392 of DATE
There had been various degrees of conflict between modern and ancient cultures. After the establishment of the new dynasty, three wars had broken out in the past two hundred years. The most recent one lasted twenty years and only ended ten years ago.
Since the population of people from the modern era was only around forty to fifty thousand, they had only managed to grow to about three hundred thousand after later education and evolution, but this development was constantly hindered and controlled by conservative forces.
Even though the ancient people possessed machine guns, their minds were still incredibly difficult to change and alter.
Modern education faced issues of limited spread and lack of resonance, and it was also spontaneously resisted by multiple regions.
The distant Eastern empire had experienced numerous wars, with new and old forces continuously battling for power and control. A large portion of their scientific and philosophical works had been destroyed by extremists.
As Hedy read on, her heart sank bit by bit.
This was something she had always worried about.
The leakage of technology would allow barbarians to understand the manufacturing and use of explosives and firearms, unknowingly creating a large portion of natural enemies for themselves.
As she governed this nation, she was always conscious of this concern and anxiety.
Whether it was the ratio of black powder or the production and reactions of nitrocellulose, she had spared no effort in creating vast secret bases to control the flow and spread of information.
The vast majority of people in this world had long grown accustomed to living in unconscious ignorance and darkness. If one were to recklessly ignite a light in the sky, they would even be enraged enough to destroy both the light and the one who brought it.
"—We come from the year 2030, and with the strong support of the first and second generations of leaders, we brought the empire to a level close to the 1990s."
"But we forgot that the fiercest and most cunning enemies might be standing right behind us, disguised as humble and progressive 'friends.'"
"Now, the Great Ming Empire has undergone several revolutions and wars, enduring countless hardships to protect the last remnants of civilization. Yet, their technological level has helplessly regressed back to the 19th century."
... Nearly two hundred years of regression.
Hedy put the book down, covering her face with a long sigh.
As a ruler, perhaps she should feel relieved by this news.
But as a modern woman, also from the future, she had witnessed the prosperity and openness of the modern world. She shared a deep, emotional connection to the fall of civilization.
Certain events described in the pages felt as if barbarians had stormed in, burning universities and museums.
Columbus, having turned to fetch a photo from the box, didn’t hear what had just happened, still immersed in the joy of discovering foreign cultures.
"Their country is incredibly advanced, and the people work in factories!" Columbus pulled out an album and showed them black-and-white photographs. "These are pictures of us traveling north by train, and here are photos of us visiting their workshops—"
Hedy and Leonardo took the photos, seeing themselves in group shots with other East Asian faces.
"I think I want to see it for myself," Leonardo mumbled. "I originally thought I’d have to wait until I meet God... to see these things."
"They have electricity?"
"Yes, electric lights, telegraphs, electric trams!" Columbus shook his head, still in disbelief as he recalled, "Few people use horse-drawn carriages anymore. Most people get into a tin box made of iron instead."
He began explaining the workings of factories with thousands of workers, the machines, and the assembly lines. He talked about his visit to small and medium-sized schools and the full protection of Yangzhou University, which had survived through the war.
— The machine rooms and computers had become postmodern relics, like the remains of a spaceship, now kept in vacuum glass domes as mementos.
As she listened to him speak excitedly, Hedy opened the bilingual document.
A crimson seal was prominently stamped, and the intricate calligraphy appeared as indecipherable as a painting.
"I think I understand now," she said softly. "You can go now."
