Volume 1, Chapter 26: Shock! A Man of Future Generations Actually Built a Heavenly Palace?

As the video began to play, a massive white rocket appeared, standing tall beside its launch tower. The sheer scale of the behemoth left Old Zhu’s eyes wide with disbelief.

"This... this is a rocket?" he stammered. "Can something like this really carry people beyond the Earth?"

Zhu Biao did not doubt Jiang Lin’s word, yet he struggled to grasp the reality of it. The scene shifted to the interior of the launch capsule, where three astronauts sat huddled together.

Jiang Lin explained from the side, "These three are the astronauts, the personnel responsible for carrying out the celestial ascent mission. Although later generations have mastered manned spaceflight, the technology is not yet entirely mature, allowing us to send only a small number of professionally trained individuals into the heavens. However, I believe that one day, humanity will establish bases on the Moon and Mars."

"Brother Jiang," Zhu Biao asked, "is this 'Moon' the same moon we see in the night sky?"

Jiang Lin nodded. "Exactly. The Moon is a spherical celestial body that orbits the Earth; it is Earth's natural satellite."

Zhu Biao beamed, happy to have guessed correctly. "And Mars? Could 'Mars' be the Sun we see during the day?"

"Mars is not the Sun!" Jiang Lin shook his head. "Mars is one of the eight planets in the solar system. According to the research of future scientists, Mars shares many similarities with Earth, making it a planet highly suitable for human migration."

Just as Jiang Lin was explaining, the rocket video reached its climax. The countdown began:

[10!]
[9!]
[8!]
[...]
[3!]
[2!]
[1!]
[Ignition...]

Accompanied by a thunderous roar, the rocket slowly ascended, its tail spewing raging flames like a ignited dragon, piercing the silent sky. Old Zhu’s eyes glowed with excitement; such a magnificent spectacle truly left him stunned. As it gained altitude, the rocket’s speed increased rapidly, eventually transforming into a dazzling streak of light that broke through the atmosphere and headed straight into the vast starry expanse.

"Wow, what a beautiful sight!" Zhu Yourong exclaimed, staring at the glittering stars on the screen. "So this is what it looks like outside of Earth!"

Jiang Lin explained, "Beyond Earth lies the universe. The universe is immense, comprised of many galaxies. Earth is located within the solar system, and the Sun is but one star in the Milky Way."

Suddenly, the video displayed the full view of Earth—a deep blue, oval sphere. Zhu Biao shot up from his seat, shouting with great agitation, "Heavens! It is just as Brother Jiang said; the place where we live is a sphere."

Old Zhu nodded slightly. When Biao had told him this yesterday, he hadn't believed it, thinking his precious son had been thoroughly misled by this charlatan, Jiang Lin. But now, seeing it with his own eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang was completely convinced. He couldn't help but sigh, "It is truly hard to believe that people of the future can actually ascend to the heavens. It is miraculous—truly miraculous. I thought their invention of flying airplanes was impressive enough, but I never imagined they could invent rockets to reach the heavens."

As the family watched in shock, the various stages of the rocket began to detach. The massive craft was now reduced to the innermost spacecraft, which unfolded its solar panels upon reaching its designated orbit.

"This... this is a successful ascent?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in amazement.

Jiang Lin nodded. "Correct. Now the astronauts must execute their mission in space."

"Execute a mission? What kind of mission?" the curious Zhu Yuanzhang pressed.

Jiang Lin smiled lightly. "Your Majesty, keep watching the video, and you will see."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his gaze back to the wall as the video shifted inside the space station. The interior was spacious and bright, with soft LED strips embedded in the silver-white metal walls, creating a tranquil and futuristic atmosphere.

Zhu Yourong could not help but exclaim, "Wow! What a beautiful room; it looks like a dwelling for immortals!"

"This is not a residence for immortals," Jiang Lin clarified. "It is called a space station, the living quarters for astronauts in space."

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes widened. "Do astronauts really live beyond Earth?" He pointed at the screen, his face filled with disbelief. Empress Ma was equally stunned, her mouth slightly agape.

"People of the future have actually built homes outside of Earth!" she whispered. "Could this... could this be the Heavenly Palace from our myths and legends?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Jiang Lin replied. "The name of this space station is 'Tiangong'—the Heavenly Palace."

Hearing this, Zhu Biao was completely dumbfounded. "Tiangong? You people of the future actually built it?"

Jiang Lin laughed and waved his hand. "Your Highness, this is not the real Heavenly Palace. We only borrowed the name to commemorate the myths passed down by our ancestors; it is a romance unique to the Chinese people. Through the tireless efforts of several generations, we are realizing the dreams of our forefathers step by step."

"What a wonderful romance unique to the Chinese people!" Zhu Biao exclaimed, continuing with emotion, "Though there are only three people in this Heavenly Palace now, you will eventually be able to bring everyone up there. Wouldn't that make you no different from the immortals in the sky?"

Jiang Lin said softly, "We are not immortals, nor do we rely on them. We rely only on our own hands to realize the dreams of the Chinese nation."

Zhu Yuanzhang was moved by these words and couldn't help but clap in approval. "Well said. Not relying on any immortals, but relying on one's own hands to achieve greatness. I must say, you people of the future are truly formidable. I genuinely admire you!"

As the video concluded, Jiang Lin turned off the projector. Just as he was about to pack it away, he heard Zhu Yourong’s voice.

"Jiang Lin, could you please not put the projector away yet? I... I want to see the cartoon that little Xiongying mentioned yesterday, the one about the brother gourds who possess magic."

Jiang Lin chuckled. "Princess, I will find you something else; I guarantee you will love it."

"What is it?" Zhu Yourong asked expectantly.

Jiang Lin turned the projector back on and found a romantic drama that had captivated countless girls in the future. As the drama began, Zhu Yourong became fixated on the screen. Even Empress Ma was drawn in, and the pace at which the two of them ate their hotpot slowed significantly.

"That second female lead is so wicked! Why is she slandering the heroine in front of the hero?" Zhu Yourong muttered, her face full of indignation. Though Empress Ma remained silent, her tightly furrowed brows showed that she, too, was greatly angered by the plot.