What if, let's say, during his childhood or life as a young adult, the Confucius becomes interested in exploration and/or new technologies. However, he is not so influenced by it that he decides to be an engineer, explorer, or merchant, and still preahces his ideals.
Would Confucianism still triumph over other Ideologies?
What effect would this have on China?
How would it effect China's standing in the world?
Does it mean that China will hop right into exploration more speedily, or will it's unique geographical position still keep it uninterested with the rest of the world?
Will China begin going further than they already did?(IE, they had mechanical clocks, but not an accurate calender. They burned coal, but never experimented it to the extent of a steam engine.)