Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 221 Papermaking and Printing: Liu Bei Promotes Reforms (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
"Speak, what brings you to the East Pavilion today? If you want to borrow books again, I will not lend them to you!" Cai Yong snorted and did not continue to talk about Hua Tuo not returning the books.

More important than Hua Tuo refusing to return the book was that Cai Wenji didn't encounter a quack doctor.

Liu Bei then took out a small box from his bosom and brought it closer, saying, "Father-in-law, don't worry, I'm not here to borrow books this time, but to deliver them."

Sending books?

Cai Yong looked at Liu Bei with suspicion. His intuition told him that Liu Bei would not come to Dongguan to find him simply to deliver a book.

He took the small box from Liu Bei with a puzzled look, opened it, and Cai Yong's eyes widened in surprise, his tone even more astonished: "This is Zuo Bo's paper?"

Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, papermaking technology was on the rise, and high-quality paper suitable for writing, such as Zuo Bo paper, emerged.

Later, due to war and the increasingly serious problem of selling official positions, all industries declined, and Zuo Bo paper, which relied heavily on natural drying and manual processing, also became scarce.

Cai Yong had used Zuo Bo paper before, so he had a deep impression of it.

Upon seeing this paper, which is almost identical to Zuo Bo's paper, I had an instinctive reaction.

Seeing that Cai Yong was interested, Liu Bei then explained, "Father-in-law, this is not Zuo Bo paper, but paper that has been improved and manufactured by the Chang'an workshop. In terms of production quality, it is comparable to Zuo Bo paper."

After giving strong support to the Chang'an workshops, Liu Bei asked Bi Lan to find a way to improve papermaking techniques so that they could reach the level of Zuo Bo's paper production.

Bi Lan, who once used ingenious tricks to please Liu Hong, was a man of exceptional insight. He not only collected a large number of improved papermaking techniques from the court and the people, but also had artisans under his tutelage who knew how to make paper.

As Liu Bei expected, after more than a year of repeated experiments, Bi Lan improved the papermaking technique for Liu Bei, making it comparable to Zuo Bo's paper.

Although Liu Bei's preferred material was bamboo paper, which could be mass-produced from bamboo, rather than the paper made from hemp fibers, tree bark, and rags, such ingenious techniques required time to develop and could not be accomplished overnight.

The ability to improve papermaking to a level comparable to that of Sōhaku paper was a significant step forward in papermaking technology.

However, the book presented to Cai Yong today is not only comparable to Zuo Bo's paper in terms of its paper quality, but also features a more important technological presentation.

This book was not handwritten; rather, Bi Lan specially commissioned skilled craftsmen to print the simplified Chinese Thousand Character Classic onto woodblocks.

During Liu Hong's time, there was already a very mature technique for rubbing inscriptions on stone tablets, which Bi Lan was quite familiar with. As soon as Liu Bei mentioned woodblock printing, Bi Lan was able to understand Liu Bei's intention.

Therefore, it's more accurate to say that Liu Bei was integrating resources rather than inventing them.

With improved papermaking techniques comparable to Zuo Bo's paper, relatively mature stone rubbing technology, and the simplified characters promoted by Liu Bei, the integration of these three resources directly led to the early publication of the paper books that Liu Bei had been looking forward to.

Liu Bei was also very fortunate that he spared Bi Lan's life at Beiman Mountain, allowing this eunuch, who had been providing Liu Hong with all sorts of ingenious skills, to transfer his most treasured techniques and craftsmen to Liu Bei.

Otherwise, even if Liu Bei had ideas, he would have found it difficult to find suitable technical talent to realize them.

The longer Liu Bei held a high position, the more he realized that there were actually many technical talents at the end of the Han Dynasty, but because they were not valued and there were not enough resources invested, coupled with the deaths of too many people due to natural disasters and man-made calamities, there was a gap in the technology.

Therefore, all Liu Bei needed to do was propose an idea and a general theoretical framework, and then invest a lot of resources, and professional technicians would create corresponding handicrafts for him.

soon.

Cai Yong also saw the potential in this Thousand Character Classic and exclaimed, "Although it is not as easy to preserve as silk or paper, if we can mass-produce rubbings, even ordinary farmers will be able to afford the book."

Liu Bei praised, "Father-in-law, you are right." Then he sighed, "It's just that there are too few books suitable for printing now. Alas, if we could publish rare copies, perhaps geniuses with their own specialties would emerge in every industry."

"Instead of everyone spending their lives studying classical texts and prose, and then repeatedly annotating a single sage's words, they will only be busy with their writing, discussing the black and white, and playing with words."

Cai Yong's face immediately darkened: "Xuande, after all you've said, don't you still just want my treasured rare book?"

"Father-in-law, you misunderstand. I didn't say I wanted it." Liu Bei said without batting an eye, and then sighed, "I just lamented that this rare book could not be published and could not benefit the people. It's like the ministers who bought their positions in the past. They could neither correct the ruler nor benefit the people. They were all just holding positions without doing any work."

Upon hearing Liu Bei's words—clearly wanting something yet pretending not to, and using metaphors—Cai Yong's expression shifted for a long time.

After much internal struggle, Cai Yong sighed, "Forget it! Forget it! If I don't give it to him, Xuande will secretly gossip behind my back that I am a useless person who cannot help the emperor or benefit the people."

Having achieved his goal, Liu Bei solemnly bowed and said, "Thank you for your support, Father-in-law!"

Cai Yong then pointed to Lu Zhi and the others, saying, "They also have many rare copies; Xuande cannot favor one over the other."

Liu Bei's smile widened, and he said, "It's all for the benefit of the people, so I'm sure Lu Shi and the others won't refuse!"

Lu Zhi and the others, who had been watching the show, suddenly changed their expressions.

Who doesn't have a hobby of collecting rare books?

Did Liu Bei manage to wipe out their entire stockpile in one fell swoop?

Half an hour later.

Liu Bei left Dongguan in high spirits, and then returned to the General's Mansion, where he entrusted the task of making rubbings of the unique copy to Cao Ang, who was obsessed with strange and ingenious techniques.

This is a long-term task, which could take anywhere from three to five years to ten years.

However, Cao Ang was not interested in anything else, but was only fond of strange skills and ingenuity, and he took Liu Bei's task very seriously.

Compared to Liu Bei's active efforts to promote the development of paper books, Liu Xie, back in his palace, had little interest in it.

Today's hunt has become a joke, which makes Liu Xie feel quite upset.

The bravery of an emperor, leading his troops into battle—these are nothing but child's play.

I am the chosen one of Heaven!
They are not just playful country children.

Fu Wan, Liu Ai, and Zhong Ji all lowered their heads in shame, not daring to look directly into Liu Xie's angry eyes.

Empress Fu Shou also lowered her head and remained silent. The more she had boasted in front of Liu Xie earlier, the more ashamed she felt now.

Unable to bear the somber atmosphere any longer, Zhong Ji suggested, "If Your Majesty wishes to display imperial prowess, you do not necessarily have to personally lead the troops. Emperor Wu of Han never went into battle himself, but instead made good use of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing."

Liu Xie sneered, "Then tell me, who is Wei Qing and who is Huo Qubing?"

Sensing Liu Xie's anger, Zhong Ji hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, during today's hunt, I observed that Lü Bu was trying to curry favor with Your Majesty in every way. Otherwise, with Lü Bu's archery skills, it's impossible that he couldn't have hit the target with a single arrow."

"I have also heard that Lü Bu is extremely lustful. When Dong Zhuo was Minister of Works, Lü Bu had an affair with one of Dong Zhuo's maids. Such a bold man, who is willing to do anything for beauty, can also be won over with beauty." Fu Wan chimed in, "Your Majesty, I believe the Grand Herald is right. Lü Bu was once the adopted son of Ding Yuan. Before Ding Yuan died, he recognized Dong Zhuo as his adoptive father. Before Dong Zhuo died, he served the Imperial Uncle. This shows that Lü Bu is a man who abandons loyalty for personal gain."

"Furthermore, I have observed that Lü Bu often refers to the Imperial Uncle as 'Xuande' in private, showing no respect in his words. If Your Majesty can win him over with your beauty and then offer him important responsibilities, you can surely make Lü Bu serve Your Majesty."

Liu Xie frowned and said, "That may be true, but I have no beauties I can trust, so how can I win them over with my looks?"

Zhong Ji responded, "Does Your Majesty still remember Empress Dowager Dong's nephew, Dong Cheng? He was originally a general under Niu Fu under Dong Zhuo. When the Imperial Uncle was selecting brave warriors to form the Lingyan Army, Dong Cheng was unwilling to join the Lingyan Army, so he chose to enter the court as a court attendant. Dong Cheng has a daughter who is quite beautiful and can help Your Majesty win over Lü Bu."

In terms of relationship, Dong Cheng's daughter was also Liu Xie's cousin.

If Lü Bu is won over, then Lü Bu will become Liu Xie's cousin-in-law.

With this kinship connection, Zhong Ji was confident that he could sow discord between Lü Bu and Liu Bei in the future.

Liu Xie was intrigued by this: "I wonder if Dong Cheng would be willing to assist me?"

Zhong Ji said confidently, "Dong Cheng is currently only a Vice Minister, but he must be ambitious. If he can help His Majesty win over Lü Bu, it will be a great achievement, and he will have the opportunity to be ranked among the Nine Ministers in the future. Therefore, I believe that Dong Cheng will not refuse."

Liu Xie was overjoyed: "In that case, I will entrust this matter to Zhong Qing. If you can win over Lü Bu, Zhong Qing will have made a great contribution!"

Liu Ai offered a suggestion: "I have heard that the Imperial Uncle originally intended to have Sun Jian replace Gai Xun as the governor of Xuzhou, but because Minister Wu Qiong offered a suggestion to Your Majesty, the Imperial Uncle was unable to achieve his goal of changing the governor. We can win over Wu Qiong to help him."

Thinking of Wu Qiong, Liu Xie hesitated: "This man has the intention to instigate, and may not be truly willing to help me."

Liu Ai smiled and said, “Your Majesty, do not worry. It is precisely because Wu Qiong has the intention to instigate that Your Majesty wants to win him over. I suspect that Wu Qiong is related to Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu. Your Majesty is pretending to win over Wu Qiong so that he can cause trouble boldly. If Wu Qiong offends the Imperial Uncle too badly in the future, Your Majesty can also accuse Wu Qiong of colluding with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu and have him beheaded and displayed to the public. In this way, Your Majesty’s wisdom and imperial power can be demonstrated.”

Liu Xie suddenly realized: "What you say is very true, Minister Liu. We should use both strategies simultaneously. Minister Zhong is responsible for winning over Lü Bu, and Minister Liu is responsible for winning over Wu Qiong."

Seeing that Zhong Ji and Liu Ai both had their own tasks, Fu Wan suggested, "Uncle, your prestige is too great now, and you have a reputation for virtue and wisdom. Therefore, I think we should try to tarnish your name and weaken your prestige."

"After the assassination of the Prince of Hongnong, Princess Tang returned to Yingchuan. Her father, Tang Mao, wanted her to remarry, but she refused. Your Majesty can issue an edict to welcome Princess Tang back, settle her in the palace, and then appoint her as Princess of Hongnong again, treating her as your sister-in-law. Princess Tang will surely be grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."

"There are rumors in Guandong that the Prince of Hongnong was killed by His Majesty. His Majesty can take advantage of this rumor. When the time is right, you can ask Consort Tang to use the old story of the Prince of Hongnong's death to accuse the Prince of Hongnong's assassination of being related to the Imperial Uncle, so as to smear his name."

Liu Xie readily agreed to Fu Wan's suggestion.

Although these are all underhanded tricks, Liu Bei now wields too much power, and Liu Xie has no other choice but to resort to these schemes.

He couldn't win in reasoning, he couldn't win in martial arts, and he couldn't win in prestige. Liu Bei was superior to Liu Xie in every way.

Most importantly: Liu Bei's surname was Liu!
This status as a member of the imperial family naturally gave Liu Bei the righteous cause of restoring the Han dynasty.

After Fu Wan and the other two left, Liu Xie reverted to a melancholy beyond his years.

Thinking of Liu Hong's will, a few struggles flashed in Liu Xie's eyes, but then turned into determination.

Before his death, Liu Hong asserted that Liu Bei was worthy of the title of hero in terms of his writings, martial arts, and strategy.

Throughout history, those who can be called heroes must have lofty ambitions, brilliant strategies, the ability to encompass the universe, and the will to swallow the heavens and earth.

Looking back now, Liu Xie also agreed with Liu Hong's assertion.

What Liu Hong couldn't accomplish in twenty years, Liu Bei accomplished in just two years.

In Yongzhou, Sili, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, all the high-ranking officials bowed their heads, and all the powerful and influential families submitted.

A new policy that even high-ranking officials, powerful families, and wealthy clans were unwilling to accept was able to survive and be implemented stubbornly.

Liu Xie was also envious of Liu Bei's abilities, and often thought that it would be perfect if he had Liu Bei's abilities.

Liu Hong's suggestion to use trust to restrain Liu Bei's heroic ambitions, while correct in its direction, was not something Liu Xie wanted to follow.

Previously, the rebels were powerful, so Liu Xie had to trust Liu Bei to support him, so that Liu Bei would not have to worry about Liu Xie's suspicions when he was on the throne while he was fighting the rebels.

Now that the rebels are weak, and it seems that Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are in control of the north and south respectively, they are no match for Liu Bei. Liu Xie is no longer willing to trust Liu Bei.

Liu Xie wanted to rule the world, not be a figurehead emperor.

"Father, please forgive your son for not being able to obey your last wishes."

"I am only eleven years old now, and I don't want to listen to my royal uncle for the rest of my life."

As the low murmur arose, the worry on Liu Xie's face transformed into determination.

Liu Xie was ultimately not Liu Shan, and would not truly regard Liu Bei as his imperial uncle and trust him absolutely.

They certainly wouldn't think like Liu Shan, "What's the use of Cao Rui's intelligence? Does he have a prime minister? I have a prime minister, that's enough." or "I can't live without a prime minister, the country can't live without a prime minister."

For Liu Xie, what mattered more was the throne than the country and its people.

the other side.

Zhong Ji, acting on Liu Xie's orders, found Dong Cheng, who was serving as a court attendant, and revealed Liu Xie's plan to use Dong Cheng's daughter to win over Lü Bu.

Dong Cheng voiced his doubts: "I have heard that Lü Bu has a close relationship with the Imperial Uncle. Even if I offer my daughter to Lü Bu, he may not necessarily betray Liu Bei."

While helping Liu Xie was one thing, Dong Cheng didn't want to lose his daughter and end up with nothing in return.

Zhong Ji said confidently, "Lu Bu is a man who abandons righteousness for profit. He first abandoned Ding Yuan, then Dong Zhuo. How could he give up his future for a little personal affection?"

Dong Cheng's gaze was intense: "It is precisely because Lü Bu is opportunistic and treacherous that we cannot directly marry our daughter to him. With the current power of the Imperial Uncle, the benefits that His Majesty can give Lü Bu are not as great as those that the Imperial Uncle can give him. How could Lü Bu betray the Imperial Uncle?"

Zhong Ji's expression changed: "Does Minister Dong not wish to assist His Majesty?"

“I am Empress Dowager Dong’s nephew. Since Your Majesty wishes to accomplish great things, it is only right that I assist you.” Dong Chengxian stated his position first, and then added, “I just think that the Grand Herald’s plan still has room for improvement.”

Zhong Ji's expression softened, but he frowned and asked, "Then, according to Minister Dong's opinion, how should it be improved?"

Dong Cheng chuckled lightly: "Has the Grand Herald ever heard of a trick in the art of sowing discord called: 'One woman betrothed to two husbands'?"

(End of this chapter)