Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Li Si's eyes, and he felt a surge of resentment.

It's Changping Jun again!

It's always been like this; on the surface, they always put on a dignified and thoughtful demeanor, but in secret, they've done their fair share of sabotaging people like themselves who have no real power base.

Now that Zicheng is riding high, he has changed his target. This seemingly fair but actually cryptic question about "patriotism" is a common tactic of his.

He couldn't help but glance at Wang Guan, who was now radiant again.

Indeed, a barking dog can't bite; it's the one that silently bares its teeth that needs to be guarded against.

However... this question is indeed not easy to answer.

Li Si's fingers unconsciously clenched slightly inside his sleeve.

Changping Jun's question can be described as a sharp and deadly one.

The advantage of bamboo slips lies in the fact that the craft has become completely democratized over the centuries. The raw materials are readily available. Although the production process is somewhat complicated, it is known to almost everyone, and the cost is virtually zero.

Even if paper has a thousand good qualities, as long as its production and supply are entirely dependent on the imperial court, the nation's foundation will eventually be dragged down by the impending, almost inexhaustible demand.

This is an open strategy, and it's difficult to refute directly.

Unless... the technique is made completely public, allowing the world to imitate it.

How is that possible?!

Li Si's mind raced, and he almost instantly guessed Changping Jun's deeper intentions.

He had no intention of acting in the best interests of the court. Rather, he used this as a wedge to force Zhou Wenqing to relinquish his monopoly on the profits, ultimately compelling him to hand over the papermaking technique. Under the pretext of sharing the burdens of the country, he allowed these deeply entrenched old aristocratic forces to take over, thus firmly controlling the production method of this product.

After all, the imperial court could not afford to supply paper for the entire country. These nobles voluntarily contributed their time and money to set up workshops to share the emperor's burden. Wasn't that a testament to their sincere loyalty?

Ah!

Li Si felt disgusted, but his gaze remained fixed on the slender figure in the hall, and a sense of unease inevitably rose in his heart.

I wonder what Brother Zicheng was thinking. Did he foresee this? He must have already come up with a foolproof plan... right?

He hadn't even uttered a single word to me, so now that I wanted to secretly help him, I felt I had no way to do it and could only wait and see.

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Zhou Wenqing raised his eyebrows slightly, revealing a perfectly timed look of surprise, as if he had heard some deeply misunderstood remarks.

"Your Excellency has likely misunderstood," he said in a clear and composed voice. "I only said that this is something that 'preserves the literary tradition,' suitable for recording national history, laws, and classic texts. When did I ever say that 'this kind of paper' should be used for everyday writing?"

"Hmm?" Changping-kun was taken aback upon hearing this.

After realizing what Zhou Wenqing had said, the corners of his mouth almost couldn't help but curl upwards.

Suppressing his smugness, his tone shifted to one of slight regret and skepticism: "Oh? If this 'paper' can only be used for solemn official documents and not for everyday use, then isn't what Zhou Neishi said earlier—'the continuation of the literary tradition, benefiting the world'—an exaggeration? Its benefits and value, I'm afraid..."

"Prime Minister, please allow me to finish speaking." Zhou Wenqing interrupted him with a smile before he could continue.

"What I just mentioned was 'this kind of paper.' As for the paper used for everyday writing..."

He paused, then reached into his robes again, this time pulling out a distinctly different stack of papers.

The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward, carefully took the item, and presented it to the emperor's desk.

Everyone stared intently, and saw that the stack of paper was yellowish in color, much rougher in texture, and its surface was not as smooth and flat as the "fine paper" from before, making it look rather "plain".

A hint of curiosity flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. He picked up his brush again, dipped it in ink, and tried to draw a line on the rough paper.

The ink was still clearly visible, though not as smooth and silky as on clean, white paper, with a slightly rough, scratchy sound. But it was still many times more convenient and smooth than writing on bamboo slips. Moreover, this paper was also thin and soft, easy to carry and read, far superior to bulky bamboo slips.

Ying Zheng's eyes gleamed with admiration. He waved his hand again, and the eunuchs understood, carefully distributing the stack of papers as well.

The hall erupted in another uncontrollable commotion and exclamations. Many officials eagerly took the paper, ran their fingers over it, borrowed brushes and ink to try it out, and compared the differences between the two types of paper. The discussions were even louder than before.

Li Si gripped the edge of the rough yellow paper tightly in his hand, his fingertips turning slightly white from the force, his excitement surging like a tide.

This method of breaking the deadlock was something he hadn't expected at all.

I knew it! I knew Brother Zicheng had a backup plan! But the magnitude and thoroughness of this plan far exceeded my expectations!

"Your Majesty, this is called 'Manuscript Paper'," Zhou Wenqing explained at the opportune moment, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears. "Although it is not as white and smooth as the 'Fine Paper' we just had, and is somewhat fragile, its ease of writing on it far surpasses that of bamboo slips. And its greatest advantage is—"

He raised his voice slightly, his gaze sweeping over the surprised and doubtful Changping Jun, and the many courtiers who were listening intently:

"The cost is extremely low! Compared to that kind of high-quality paper, the cost is more than a thousand times lower!"

"A thousand times?!"

"The difference is so huge?!"

A commotion erupted again in the hall, with shouts of surprise rising and falling.

Zhou Wenqing's face remained calm, as if he were completely at ease, but his heart was filled with a different story.

You think you can get something for nothing, force me to hand over my skills, and let you monopolize the market? Dream on!

He sneered inwardly. Anyway, he had a firm grasp on the specific process and the actual cost, and there was absolutely no possibility of it being leaked. So what if it was a thousand times, ten thousand times, or even a hundred million times?

First, firmly establish the impression that "the paper is extremely cheap" in everyone's mind, thus eliminating any thoughts that some people might have of seizing the technology or demanding subsidies under the pretext of huge costs.

As for the fact that the actual cost difference between the two types of paper is less than double, that's a minor matter... cough! Let's just ignore it.

Zhou Wenqing cleared his throat and continued talking nonsense with a straight face.

"The production process of this type of paper is a hundred times simpler than that of fine paper, and even... much cheaper than that of bamboo slips, which have a more complex production process!"

"Using this 'manuscript paper' for daily official correspondence, for scholars to practice calligraphy and reading, and for people to keep accounts and make contracts is not only perfectly adequate, but it can also greatly save on the consumption of materials and manpower."

Many officials in the hall who had initially been influenced by Lord Changping and worried about the country's expenses now had different expressions. If daily paper was really that cheap, even cheaper than bamboo slips, the pressure on the court to promote it would be greatly reduced. However, some expenses were... not unacceptable.

Changping Jun was clearly not expected that Zhou Wenqing had this "high-low combination" trick. His face stiffened slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes as he was caught off guard.

But having spent many years navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, he quickly suppressed his shock and forced himself to remain calm. Stroke his beard and said, "Even so, no matter how low the cost of this paper is, if we want to supply the whole country, the initial construction of workshops, recruitment of craftsmen, procurement of materials, and even the maintenance of operations will all require money and provisions. The national treasury will still need to continuously allocate funds. In the long run, the amount will probably be..."

"Why must all the expenses for writing materials in this world be allocated from the national treasury?!" Zhou Wenqing interrupted him without any politeness, his voice suddenly becoming clear and sharp, carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

He no longer looked at Changping Jun, whose expression had subtly changed, but abruptly turned to face the throne, solemnly cupped his hands, straightened his back, and asked in a loud voice:

"Your Majesty! The pure white 'fine paper' that I present is intended as a vital artifact for preserving national history, engraving laws, and maintaining the cultural heritage of our Great Qin for all eternity. However, Your Majesty's grace is boundless and your benevolence extends far and wide. I believe you would not hesitate to bestow this treasure, which carries the weight of a thousand years, upon the meritorious officials and noble families of our Great Qin, allowing them to use it to revise their family genealogies, record the achievements of their ancestors, and pass on their family traditions and precepts, so that their family's glory can be clearly and dignifiedly passed down to future generations?"

Ying Zheng paused slightly in his hand holding the rough draft paper, looked up at Zhou Wenqing, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and nodded readily: "This is only right. The meritorious deeds of our Great Qin's heroes should be treated well by me. Using fine paper to pass down through generations is also a good thing."

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, your virtue and grace are unprecedented throughout history!"

Zhou Wenqing immediately bowed deeply, his words filled with boundless reverence, his expression devout, as if he were bathed in supreme grace.

He then straightened up, his eyes gleaming, his words sharp as a drawn sword:

"However, this is Your Majesty's grace! As subjects of the Great Qin, we are bathed in Your Majesty's rule; how can we accept this divine favor without thinking of repaying it? Therefore, I have a plan—"

He surveyed the assembled officials, each with their own distinct expression, and clearly articulated his vision, word by word:

"I believe that a special 'Bureau of All Things' should be established under the Imperial Household Department. This department should be responsible for manufacturing and selling these two types of paper: the pure white 'fine paper,' which is expensive and of superior quality, and can be used for compiling national histories, laws, and genealogies for meritorious families; and the coarse 'manuscript paper,' which is inexpensive and practical, and can be used by government officials, scholars, and the general public. Both should be clearly priced, and officials and the public can purchase them according to their needs and in accordance with regulations. The proceeds, after deducting costs, can be used to support the Imperial Workshops to refine their craftsmanship. Wouldn't this be a win-win situation?"

"Even..." He paused briefly, then threw out an even more impactful idea, "In the future, if any talented individuals present new and ingenious items or tools that benefit the country and its people, such as 'paper,' and these are verified to be highly beneficial, they can all be included in the unified production and sale of this Bureau of Hundreds of Items!"

"To encourage talented individuals throughout the land to continuously contribute such powerful national weapons to our Great Qin, I believe we should establish a patent system," Zhou Wenqing declared passionately. "Anyone who presents a new product that benefits the nation will be entitled to one-thousandth of the profits from its sale, as a 'patent fee,' to be received annually by the individual or their family!"

"In this way," he concluded, his voice echoing in the silent hall, "the court will not need to deplete the national treasury to support the nation's needs. Instead, it can profit from the sale of goods by the Bureau of Hundreds of Items, replenishing the national treasury. Encouraged by patents, scholars, commoners, and artisans throughout the land will strive to master their craft, resulting in a constant stream of ingenious ideas that greatly benefit the nation. Furthermore, meritorious families will be able to acquire valuable items at reasonable prices to preserve their family reputation, bringing glory to their lineage. This benefits the nation, the people, technology, and commerce—all four benefit, complementing each other. How can our Great Qin not be secure? How can its foundation for ten thousand generations not prosper?!"

The hall was deathly silent, with only the crackling of the candlelight and the heavy breathing of the people inside.

Changping Jun's mouth was agape, his face turning red and white in turns. His carefully prepared arguments, such as "reducing the burden on the country" and "potentially draining the national treasury," seemed pale and powerless in the face of this complete and seemingly feasible plan. Clearly, there was no way to reverse the situation.

Li Si was dumbfounded, and then an overwhelming sense of excitement and admiration welled up in his heart.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Brother Zicheng's strategy is simply... turning the impossible into the possible!

Not only did he easily resolve Changping Jun's difficult situation, but he also took the opportunity to put forward a set of institutional ideas that would have a far-reaching impact!

He could almost foresee the immense vitality that this proposal would bring to the Qin Dynasty if it were to succeed.

What's even more ingenious is that under the guise of "repaying the king's favor," the actual operation was "commercialized," which greatly downplayed the sensitive aspect of "competing with the people for profit." At this critical juncture, with the incident happening suddenly and without any preparation, who would dare to easily stand up and accuse it of "being tainted by money" and offending the king?

This is also a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard scheme!