Chapter 39: Da Vinci and the Legendary UFO

"So, in the history of other countries, are there any figures who were experimented on or influenced by aliens?" I couldn't help but ask, curious about other alien-related anecdotes from abroad.  

"Yes," Buweiro replied, "Take Leonardo da Vinci for example, the genius painter you learn about in school.  

An alien species once wondered whether the backward human mind could understand and learn advanced culture, and if so, whether it would affect the contemporary backward culture, or even directly cross the civilization level. In order to satisfy their curiosity, they found Leonardo da Vinci of the Renaissance to conduct experiments, called him to a cave, took him away and taught him scientific knowledge for two years.

Due to Da Vinci's limited understanding and cognition at the time, they couldn't impart too much high-level knowledge all at once. Instead, they guided him step by step, starting from the basics.

After over two years, Da Vinci had learned a great deal, but among all his creations, only his paintings were appreciated by those around him. His works in anatomy, robotics, flight, weaponry, and astronomy were incomprehensible to people of his time and thus went unaccepted and unstudied. (Figure 39.1) 

Figure 39.1: Immortal works of Leonardo da Vinci

This experiment proved that civilizations with large gaps cannot be elevated in one leap. Progress must still be made step by step. The environment during one's youth is also crucial for nurturing growth.  

Moreover, once your human knowledge of optics advances a little more, you'll discover the secrets hidden in Da Vinci's paintings."  

Buweiro's explanation left me wide-eyed and speechless. I was astonished at how aliens seemed to find amusement in experimenting on humans. However, when I think of their advanced technology, they don't have to worry about work, making money, life, medical care and health. They have nothing to do all day, so they really need to find something fun to do. It is indeed a good way to have the best of both worlds, to conduct experiments and research to improve knowledge, and to kill time. If it were me, I would do the same.

I really envy primitive civilizations. I wonder when human technology will advance to the point where everyone in the world can live in peace and happiness. After expressing my thoughts, I said to Buweiro: "I see, let's keep talking about the interesting stories from ancient China. I know too little about foreign history. Could you share more about the special events in our history that are related to aliens?" 

"Sure! Let's follow the chronological order of your country's dynasties.  

During the Three Kingdoms period, in the Wei state under Emperor Cao Ru 曹叡, the emperor once encountered a humanoid experimental creature that had sneaked out from an alien base. It had grown up in the base, was curious about the outside world and ended up being discovered by Cao Rui. The Emperor, seeing its armpits adorned with several inches of flesh wings, thought this creature was ugly and strange—like a monster. As a result, he killed it.  

The aliens, upon learning of this, didn't retaliate. Instead, they showed the video to other experimental subjects in the base to demonstrate that surface-dwelling humans disliked them and that venturing out could result in their deaths. Surprisingly, this incident had a very good effect.  

This peculiar story was recorded in the 'Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang' (Youyang Zazu酉阳杂俎), though both ancient and modern people failed to understand its true nature. Today, I'm revealing the truth to you."  

I quickly pulled out my phone and searched. Sure enough, the record existed. After putting my phone back in my pocket, I heard Buweiro continue:  

"The book 'In Search of the Gods' (Soushen Ji 搜神记), another ancient text, also recorded many curious anecdotes and legends. When you have the chance, you should read it.

One historical event occurred during the Jin Dynasty. A farmer named Yang Dao was caught in a thunderstorm and sought shelter from the rain. During this time, he encountered a heavily injured 'Thunder God' who had fallen from the sky.  

Yang Dao, seeing its ugly appearance, mistook it for a monster and used farming tools to kill it. In reality, it wasn't a monster or a Thunder God but an injured alien puppet—what I previously referred to as a 'substitute Grey'.  

Back then, when this little gray man was performing a mission in the solar system, he had a conflict with other alien civilizations and his spaceship was hit by them. He hurried to the Earth and encountered a thunderstorm, which caused the magnetic field in the air to be chaotic and the plasma lightning to be unstable, which hit the spaceship again. As a result, the spaceship was seriously damaged, and the little substitute creature inside was thrown out. He happened to be seen and killed by Yang Dao. Fortunately, the aliens did not embarrass him."  

"That farmer was really lucky! If it were us humans, we would not let it go. We also have an old saying that goes, 'You have to look at the owner before you beat the dog.' What about the dynasties that followed?" I was both amused and confused when I said this.

"Alright, let's move to the Zhenyuan era during the reign of Emperor Dezong 唐德宗in the Tang Dynasty. One day, a group of alien species conducted a live military drill with their spacecrafts in the sky. The magnetic field fluctuations caused by the two spacecrafts disturbed the high-altitude water vapor and atmospheric plasma, resulting in chaotic thunderstorms.  

In fact, alien species frequently test their technological advancements in the skies, even today. However, during this particular exercise, they failed to control the intensity, and one of the substitute  inside a spacecraft was ejected and fell to the ground. The locals mistook it for a monster, and the story spread widely, eventually being recorded in historical accounts. At the same time, a fragment of the spacecraft was flung in another direction and was dramatically discovered by a man named Wang Gan, and reported it to the authorities.  

After I had processed the story, Buweiro paused and continued: "There's another incident involving a malfunctioning alien spacecraft that occurred during the late Tang Dynasty, under Emperor Xizong 唐僖宗. At the time, the spacecraft experienced an internal mechanical failure, causing it to malfunction and land on the Earth. The ancient people who found it couldn't understand what it was and assumed it to be a divine object—a 'celestial raft'—which they then presented as a gift to the Emperor.  

The scholars and ministers around Emperor Xizong couldn't identify the object either. One of them removed a component from the machine to study it. However, when the device was separated from its main body, it created illusions, which were documented in records. Initially, the alien species intended to abandon the wrecked spacecraft, but in the end, the Alliance decided to take it away, as not wanting to disrupt the development of ancient humans."  

"Such meddling! Leaving an alien gift for ancient people wouldn't hurt anyone, especially when it's not even their own stuff." As I listened, I secretly thought the Interstellar Alliance was being a bit stingy, but I didn't dare to think too much about it, for fear that Buweiro would sense it.  

"Are there more?" I asked eagerly, captivated by Buweiro's stories. I could listen to these tales endlessly.  

"During the Song Dynasty, alien visits were the most frequent. Let me share a few incidents that you can find in your historical records.  

Your ancient book 'Yijian Zhi' 夷坚志records many fishermen catching blue 'water ghosts' in rivers and killing them. In truth, these were mutated aquatic creatures created by an alien species conducting experiments in the river—similar to the experimental specimens raised in 'The Classic of Mountains and Seas'. One time, the creatures were accidentally released and encountered by the fishermen, who mistook them for water ghosts.  

After investigating the incident, it was revealed that the mutated fish were trying to eat humans, which is why they were killed. The alien species, bound by the face of the Interstellar Alliance, could only chuckle bitterly and let it go without retaliation.  

Another incident occurred during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong 宋真宗. In this case, the aliens openly appeared in the sky recording videos. The ancient people who saw them referred to them as 'hat demons' because the flying craft resembled the flying saucers you see in science fiction movies.  

You humans are very interesting. Ancient people classified anything they didn't understand as demons or monsters, while modern humans attribute unexplained phenomena to aliens. This is a universal explanation!"  

"Pfft!" I couldn't help but laugh. It was so true! After I finished laughing, Buweiro continued:

"You know Shen Kuo, the author of 'Dream Pool Essays' 梦溪笔谈. In his hometown, there was an alien species that openly studied humans for over a decade before leaving. Occasionally, their spacecraft appeared and were spotted by locals, including Shen Kuo himself.  

Shen Kuo was an atheist and a pioneering scientist in ancient China, but even he couldn't figure out the mystery of the alien spacecraft. He could only record it in his notes. This book is regarded as a milestone in Chinese scientific history.  

Then there were aliens who admired art and appreciated your ancestors' literary talents. One such visit was to Su Shi 苏轼, the renowned Song Dynasty poet known for his romantic and literary brilliance. Their visit occurred one night, startling Su Dongpo, who was unfamiliar with the flying craft. After recovering, he composed the poem 'Visiting Jinshan Temple' 游金山寺.  

Additionally, the 'History of the Song Dynasty' records that an alien species attempted to communicate with humans at that time. However, humans were highly wary of outsiders, especially those with unattractive appearances, leading to an unpleasant ending. This account is also true.  

Then there's 'Search Secret Browsing', which mentions an alien creature being punished and abandoned in the streets. Seeing its grotesque appearance, locals wanted to kill it, but an old man who feared ghosts and gods, believed that he was the 'Thunder God' and could not be killed... Let's pause here for the Song Dynasty."  

"Wow, so many alien visits in our country's history!" I exclaimed, marveling at the stories. "I always thought UFOs and unidentified flying objects only appeared in the United States and Europe. I never realized that our country has far more alien encounters and records than any other. It's just that our unique, long-standing culture has further embellished these accounts. Are there more?"  

As I spoke, I couldn't help but reflect. I had always believed that aliens preferred visiting the West, perhaps because of their advanced technological civilization and cultural sophistication. But it turns out that's not the case. Our magnificent nation is truly the chosen one!