The two lenses of a telescope: the one closer to the eye is called the eyepiece, and the outer one is called the objective lens. However, it's not simply a matter of placing two lenses front and back; focal length and prisms must also be considered.
Many modern telescopes incorporate prisms, whose function is to invert the image, which is otherwise flipped both upside down and left-to-right, into an upright image. Simply put, it makes the "image" appear normal to the viewer.
However, there's a problem here. Crystal is ultimately not as clear and pure as glass. If prisms are added on top of that, the image becomes unclear after multiple reflections or refractions.
Pei Ying initially experimented with prisms but ultimately had to compromise for the sake of clarity.
There was no other way. If the image is inverted, then so be it.
If a "thousand-mile eye" could truly be achieved, the ancients, who had never seen an "upright image" telescope, would likely be quite willing to accept an inverted one.
As for installing prisms, that could wait until proper glass was truly produced. At worst, they could just make a new telescope then.
After the lenses were finished, what followed was a continuous process of adjustment. And just the adjustment alone took Pei Ying an entire afternoon.
Once she finally determined the focal length, she hurriedly recorded it, along with detailed notes on the thickness and shape of the lenses, to facilitate replication later.
The busy work continued.
Elsewhere, Huo Tingshan, leading Chen Yuan, arrived at the designated meeting point with a contingent of Black Armored Cavalry.
This meeting place was situated between the armies of Yuzhou and Yongzhou. A large area had been specially cleared, and several massive tents had been erected.
The sound of hoofbeats approached from afar, rumbling like distant thunder.
With stirrups and high-cantled saddles, plus superior reins and bridles, the horses were extremely well-equipped. The soldiers riding these fine steeds were all tall and robust, clad in black armor. Sunlight fell upon their cold, black armor, reflecting a sharp, icy gleam.
Compared to a ten-thousand-strong army, the Black Armored Cavalry numbered only two thousand. But as soon as they arrived, the atmosphere in the surroundings immediately tensed like a drawn bowstring.
Huo Tingshan reined in his horse and dismounted.
The guards stationed at the camp had spotted the Youzhou forces from a distance earlier and had already gone to report. Therefore, not long after Huo Tingshan dismounted, someone came out to meet them.
Laughter arrived before the man himself. His laugh was hearty and open: "You have pacified the Xiongnu in the north and vanquished the Blue Turbans in the south. The fame of Huo Youzhou resounds like thunder; even in Chang'an, I hear of it often. Today, I finally lay eyes on you. Lord Huo cuts an imposing and extraordinary figure. A pleasure to meet you."
The newcomer did not introduce himself, but hearing he came from Chang'an, Huo Tingshan knew this must be that General Zhu Yanwu from Chang'an.
Just as Huo Tingshan was about to speak, Chen Yuan, standing behind him, gave a light cough. The man's movement paused slightly, then he raised a hand to cover his mouth and also coughed lightly. When he spoke again, his usual imposing aura had diminished by half. "General Zhu, the pleasure is mine."
He could barely tolerate not killing someone sent by Ji Xianbai; his pleasantries were particularly perfunctory.
Zhu Yanwu had just turned thirty this year and was quite tolerant. He acted as if he didn't notice Huo Tingshan's coldness, still smiling amiably.
Governor Lei of Yuzhou, Lei Chengshuang, arrived later.
Many of the provincial governors had held posts in Chang'an in their early years, though not all. Like Huo Tingshan, and like Lei Chengshuang, they had both inherited the governor's seal and ribbon from their fathers.
The two had never met before.
Unlike Shi Lianhu and Li Xiaotian, Lei Chengshuang did not come from a military background. His build was more akin to a scholar's—lean and thin.
When Huo Tingshan walked over, Lei Chengshuang's eyebrow twitched. He swiftly and discreetly glanced at the guards beside him. Seeing them standing ready and vigilant, he felt slightly relieved.
This Huo Youzhou was a fierce general from the north, having defeated both fierce northern tribes and southern rebels. Knocking him (Lei Chengshuang) down would probably be a matter of two punches for the other man.
However, after exchanging pleasantries, Lei Chengshuang noticed something else: the other man's complexion was pale, and his voice lacked strength. He seemed unwell. "Is Huo Youzhou feeling unwell?"
Huo Tingshan already had his excuse prepared: "I caught a chill some time ago. It's nothing serious."
Then he changed the subject to ask about Li Xiaotian. "Why is Li Sizhou not here?"
Lei Chengshuang explained: "What a coincidence. Li Sizhou developed a high fever yesterday and is now bedridden, so he couldn't come. However, he sent his deputy. His deputy will be present to observe and can represent Sizhou. It shouldn't be a problem."
Huo Tingshan covered his mouth and coughed twice more. "That's fine."
Youzhou Army Camp.
For the entire day today, Pei Ying and Sha Ying stayed in Meng Ling'er's tent.
Originally, the little girl's tent was neat and clean. But after all the grinding and polishing, the area around the small table was covered in dust. However, Meng Ling'er didn't mind at all. She sat on the floor, elbows propped on her thighs, chin in her hands, watching Sha Ying and her mother work with great interest.
"Let's put them in these two positions," Pei Ying indicated.
Sha Ying nodded and took out two pre-made mortise and tenon joints.
Speaking of these mortise and tenon joints, Pei Ying had been quite fascinated when she first saw them. It's said that food is the paramount necessity of the people. In an era where even iron pots were not common, one could see how precious ironware was. Nails, which consumed iron, were naturally avoided whenever possible.
Thus, mortise and tenon joints were born.
Relying solely on the interlocking convex and concave parts of wood, mortise and tenon joints could firmly join two separate wooden pieces, saving the iron needed for nails.
However, the mortise and tenon assembly process also had a step that couldn't be called a flaw, but was indeed inconvenient for the current telescope tube assembly.
For assembly, tapping was indispensable.
Crystal is hard but brittle. If the force was too great, the lens would surely shatter from the vibration. But if the force was too light, the tenon and mortise wouldn't join together.
The sun set in the west, the daylight gradually dimmed. On this rather cool spring evening, Sha Ying, working on the final assembly of the telescope tube, was so nervous he broke out in a sweat.
Each light tap of the small hammer was executed with extreme caution.
Midway, Xin Jin came to report, "Madam, the General has returned."
"He's probably had his evening meal, right?" Pei Ying asked. It was dinner time, and with representatives from various provinces gathered, she guessed there was likely a banquet.
Xin Jin indeed nodded.
Pei Ying once again used her daughter as an excuse: "Then tell him I'm having dinner at our daughter's place and will return later tonight."
Xin Jin acknowledged the order.
Time flowed slowly. Dusk pressed heavily upon the earth. Soon, the last glimmer of twilight vanished from the sky.
The three of them had a simple evening meal and then got busy again. Unknowingly, another hour passed.
Sha Ying tapped the final blow with the small hammer. Seeing the telescope tube finally joined as one, he let out a deep sigh of relief. "It's finally done. Madam, please take a look."
Pei Ying smiled. "You've worked hard."
"It's a small matter. You are too kind." Sha Ying wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was a man who knew how to read the situation and seized the moment to say, "Madam, I noticed there's still some crystal left. Could I make another telescope?"
The purest crystals had already been picked out, but Sha Ying felt many of the remaining pieces were still quite good. His standards weren't high; being able to see through them was enough.
Pei Ying agreed and asked Sha Ying, "Do you need my help?"
"No need to trouble you, Madam. I already have a general idea of how to make it. If there's anything I don't understand, I'll come ask you then." Sha Ying was eager to try.
Pei Ying: "Very well."
Having received permission, Sha Ying picked out a few pieces of crystal to be used as raw materials, then wrapped up the remaining ones and tidied up the little girl's tent.
Pei Ying walked to the window of the tent and first tested the telescope.
Materials were limited, so she had made a single-tube type, requiring one to look with one eye closed. She had used the best quality crystal. Although it couldn't compare to perfectly pure glass, the effect was still good, at least allowing a clear view of distant scenes.
The distant torches and braziers were distinct, and she could even see the slight flickering of the flames when a breeze passed over them.
Everything was fine, except the image was inverted. But that was unavoidable. Pei Ying was satisfied.
This single-tube telescope was about the length of a forearm, not exactly convenient to carry. Pei Ying placed it into a wooden box she had prepared earlier. "Nannan, I'm going back. You should rest early too."
Meng Ling'er was playing with a piece of smoothly polished crystal. "Alright, goodnight, Mother."
When Pei Ying returned to her tent, she found Huo Tingshan was already there.
A luminous pearl was placed in the tent, its soft glow dispersing the darkness. Whether it was an illusion or not, she felt Huo Tingshan's expression seemed momentarily unnatural.
But upon closer look, the man was no different from usual, still wearing that somewhat casual and relaxed demeanor.
The man sat behind a low table, before him a half-drunk cup of tea. It was unclear how long he had been back.
Seeing the box in Pei Ying's hand, Huo Tingshan thought it was something given to her by Meng Ling'er. "Was my lady with the little girl all evening?"
He wasn't wrong. Pei Ying nodded, then asked about his day. "Did that Li Sizhou show up today?"
Huo Tingshan gave a cold laugh. "No. The Sizhou side only sent an unfamiliar deputy, claiming he could also represent the Sizhou. I call that utter nonsense. That so-called representative probably won't live long after returning."
The man had been in close contact with him. Since Li Xiaotian was convinced he carried the plague, how would he let that man live? He'd likely be disposed of right after reporting the news outside.
Pei Ying fell silent for a few moments, finding it strangely ironic.
Wanting to use plague as a weapon, yet fearing it like a wolf or tiger—desiring to harm others while remaining completely safe oneself. How utterly greedy.
Pei Ying asked about other matters. "How did your discussions go today? Has a time been set for the expedition against Jing Province?"
You, Si, Yu, and Yong Provinces had already assembled. Their four armies were arrayed in a horseshoe formation along Jing Province's border, waiting only for the final province, Yi, to take its position, completing the northern encirclement.
Five provinces united, a massive army pressing on the border.
Huo Tingshan: "Tentatively set for four days from now."
Pei Ying glanced at his face again. It was clean, the pearl powder long gone. She didn't know if he had washed it off after returning or wiped it off immediately after leaving the enemy camp.
Privately, she believed it was the latter.
Noticing her scrutiny, Huo Tingshan pressed his tongue against the back of his teeth. "What is my lady looking at?"
His tone held a hint of danger.
Pei Ying immediately averted her gaze. "Matters of military campaigns are beyond me. But given the General's exceptional abilities, I have nothing to worry about."
Huo Tingshan had figured it out. Nowadays, when she was angry or feeling guilty, she would call him "General"—the former with a mocking tone, the latter with somewhat eager flattery.
Huo Tingshan curled his lips in a cool smile. "It has been nearly a year since we became husband and wife, yet today is the first time I've heard my lady praise me. I am truly overwhelmed, hah."
Pei Ying: "..."
He was being sarcastic again. She suddenly didn't want to give him the telescope.
"It's not the first time," Pei Ying said quietly.
Huo Tingshan gave her a chance to prove it. "Then tell me yourself, my lady, aside from this time, when else has there been?"
Pei Ying choked. It seemed there really hadn't been.
Unable to answer, Pei Ying simply found something else to do. She had been carrying the wooden box for a while; it was rather heavy. There happened to be a low table nearby, so she set the box down on it.
The tent was very quiet, a silent stillness flowing through it.
Huo Tingshan took a breath to steady his emotions. He couldn't argue with her, or he'd be driven to an early grave. "Come here, my lady."
Pei Ying hesitated for a few moments but still didn't go. Did he still want to settle accounts with her?
Separated by a table, Huo Tingshan saw the wariness in her eyes and her lack of movement, so he simply stood up himself.
The man's tall frame stretched upward. He walked around the table and stood in front of the lamp. His shadow was cast forward, enveloping most of the beautiful woman standing before him.
Pei Ying was puzzled. Her right hand was suddenly grasped. His palm was rough and very warm. At first, she thought he was leading her to the soft bed to rest, but that didn't seem to be the case...
Clink. The sound of beads colliding.
A string of beads, warmed by his body heat, slid from his palm onto her wrist. Pei Ying instinctively looked down.
He stood in front of her, blocking the light from the luminous pearl ahead, but the pearl placed to the side was not obscured.
The soft glow fell upon the string of plump, translucent crystal beads, their surfaces seemingly coated with a layer of brilliant, glazed color.
This crystal bracelet was not entirely made of round beads. Strung in the middle was a crystal chubby rabbit. The plump rabbit was round, with two very long ears lying almost flat against its back, so as not to press uncomfortably against the wearer's wrist.
Pei Ying was stunned.
"That large cavern had quite a lot of crystal. I had some of the finest pieces picked out to make a bracelet." Huo Tingshan held Pei Ying's wrist and gently adjusted the bracelet.
He knew the measurement of her wrist. The bracelet was made perfectly to size. Now adorning her fair, lamb-fat-like wrist, it complemented her delicate skin beautifully. Huo Tingshan was very pleased. "It looks exquisite on you, my lady."
Pei Ying, whose wrist he still held, took a moment to regain her senses, utterly surprised. "Did you make this yourself?"
Huo Tingshan pointed at the chubby rabbit, telling the truth. "This one I carved. The other beads were polished by three soldiers in the army who were originally craftsmen."
Pei Ying inexplicably felt the wrist wearing the bracelet grow somewhat warm.
He suddenly asked, "My lady, in the future, are jewelry pieces still hand-carved?"
Pei Ying was still looking down at the bracelet. "Mostly not," she said quietly.
Huo Tingshan wasn't surprised. In a future era capable of having millions of dan of supplies flying through the sky, how could everything still rely on manual labor? "For a thousand years, marriage has required betrothal gifts. That point probably won't change much in the future either. That deceased husband of yours might have bought you jewelry, but likely not like this. This time, he is not as good as I am. You cannot argue for him."
Having said this, he saw her lift her head. That lotus-like face held the surprise he had anticipated, but also a complexity of emotion he had not expected.
A flicker of melancholy, gone in an instant, leaving no trace.
Huo Tingshan immediately furrowed his brows. "He made jewelry for you?"
Hadn't she said he was very busy?
Her late husband would often not come home for two or three nights at a time; even when their daughter wanted to see her father, she had to go to the clinic. One could easily imagine he was probably working day and night, forgetting food and sleep.
And yet, he still found time to carve jewelry for her?
"He did not," Pei Ying shook her head.
Huo Tingshan narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly said, "Could it be that you've received jewelry from another gentleman before?"
Pei Ying hadn't expected him to ask so abruptly. Her gaze instinctively shifted away, and Huo Tingshan, who was watching her intently, naturally didn't miss this detail.
He had only been testing her, but it turned out there really was someone. Judging by her demeanor earlier, she must have been quite taken with that person in the past.
Huo Tingshan gave a light, humorless laugh. "So before that late husband of yours, Mr. Qiao, there was another one? Add me to the mix, and with two more we could form a whole squad. Should I go compete for the position of squad leader then?"
Pei Ying: "...That's not it."
Huo Tingshan's face was expressionless. "Not what?"
Pei Ying said softly, "That one wasn't a late husband. You are the second husband."
