Transmigrating to the Three Kingdoms as Lu Bu: I Have a Pseudo-Apocalypse System

Lu Bu calculated that the bamboo slips currently in use by the common people cost ten coins per piece, and dozens of bamboo slips were needed to write an article; silk was even more expensive, costing a hundred coins per foot.

The new paper that Cai He improved based on his suggestions was three feet long and could hold a thousand characters. It cost only a few coins and was truly inexpensive.

Jia Xu picked up a piece of paper, took up his brush, and wrote. The ink did not bleed, and the characters were clear. He praised, "Excellent paper! Although it is not as smooth as silk, it writes smoothly and is inexpensive and of good quality. It is better than the Cai Hou paper we used before. If it were promoted throughout the world, poor scholars would no longer have to worry about copying books."

Guo Jia's thoughts went even deeper: "With this inexpensive paper, all imperial edicts and official documents can be written on it, making it lightweight, portable, and quick to transmit. It can also be used to copy books and spread knowledge, educating the people."

Lü Bu nodded, then asked Cai He, "Is it possible to improve it further? I want paper that is whiter, smoother, and stronger."

Cai He pondered, "We could try adding lime for bleaching, using a fine screen to make the paper, and then burnishing it with a stone. However, the process is complicated, which would reduce production and increase costs."

"It's alright," Lü Bu said. "You will divide the artisans into two groups. One group will continue to produce cheap paper for everyday writing in the countryside; the other group will focus on improving the paper to produce high-quality paper for official documents and important books in the court. Just ask if you need any raw materials or tools, and the court will provide full support. But remember one thing: the quality of the high-quality paper must be better than Cai Lun's paper, but at a lower cost. Once you succeed, I will petition for you to be granted the title of Marquis of a Township, a higher rank than your ancestor Cai Lun's Marquis of Longting."

Cai He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble subject will do his utmost to live up to the expectations of Duke Jin!"

After leaving the paper mill, the group went to the adjacent printing workshop.

This workshop was even larger, divided into four areas: typesetting, typesetting, printing, and binding. The workshop owner, Yin Hao, was originally a master stone carver who was recruited by Lü Bu to develop movable type printing.

Yin Hao presented several newly printed books: "Duke of Jin, please take a look. This is the Analects printed using movable type."

Lu Bu opened the book and saw that the handwriting was clear and neat. Although it was not as exquisite as a handwritten copy, it was perfectly readable. A copy of the Analects, if handwritten, would require craftsmen several days and cost hundreds of coins; but if printed with movable type, a hundred copies could be printed in half a day, and the cost of each copy was only twenty or thirty coins.

After examining the book, Meng Cheng exclaimed in shock, "If this method were used to print books, the cost of a single book would only be a few dozen coins, while the selling price would be a hundred coins. Ordinary people could afford it with just a few days' wages! Books throughout the land would no longer be monopolized by powerful families!"

Jia Xu, however, pondered a difficult problem: "Where do the characters come from? There are thousands of Chinese characters, and three thousand of them are commonly used. Casting these movable type would be extremely expensive."

Yin Hao replied, "Jia Pu She, rest assured, I have already cast three thousand copper movable type pieces. I have prepared dozens more for commonly used characters, and will cast additional pieces for rare characters as needed. The cost of a complete set of movable type is about five hundred thousand coins, but it can be reused repeatedly, and can print ten thousand books without damage."

Guo Jia calculated: "If we print 10,000 copies, and each copy costs 50 coins, plus paper, ink, and labor, the total cost will be no more than 70 or 80 coins. If we sell them for 120 coins each, we will still make a profit. And if these 10,000 copies are circulated throughout the world, their educational value will be immeasurable."

Lü Bu felt gratified.

Papermaking and printing were technologies that were bound to appear in China sooner or later; he simply accelerated their development.

But in this chaotic world, its significance far exceeded the ordinary—it broke the monopoly on knowledge and gave those from humble backgrounds a path to upward mobility.

"Master Yin," Lü Bu said, "I want you to print 5,000 copies each of various classics, including the Analects and the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, within three months and distribute them to schools in various prefectures and counties. Also, print 10,000 copies each of 'Detailed Explanation of the Nine Ranks and Eighteen Grades System' and distribute them to officials at all levels for study."

"Yes, sir!" Yin Hao accepted the order.

Lü Bu then said to Jia Xu, "Wenhe, draft a plan: set up government-run bookstores in the capitals of each prefecture, selling books at low prices. Anyone can buy them as long as they have the money."

"I understand."

After the inspection, on the way back to the city, Guo Jia suddenly said, "My lord, with the advent of paper and printing, the gentry of the world will probably be restless."

Lu Bu sneered: "They have no choice but to sit there, whether they like it or not. Monopolizing knowledge is their means of maintaining their status. I'm determined to break this monopoly and give talented people from humble backgrounds a chance to rise to the top."

Meng Cheng said with concern, "Duke Jin, the power of the aristocratic clans is deeply entrenched. If they join forces to resist, chaos may ensue."

"Resist?" A cold glint flashed in Lü Bu's eyes. "My blade is still sharp. If they want to try, let them come."

No one spoke further, but they all knew in their hearts that a knowledge revolution was about to unleash a tremendous wave.

On June 25th, the Duke of Jin's residence held another meeting.

In addition to his trusted confidants Jia Xu and Guo Jia, he also summoned representatives from various prefectures and governors, as well as scholars from the Imperial Academy and other renowned Confucian scholars, totaling more than fifty people.

The atmosphere in the hall was somber.

The draft of the nine-rank, eighteen-level system has been distributed to prefectures and counties, and the reactions from various parties are mixed.

Some praised its clarity, some worried about its changes, and some secretly resisted it.

Lu Bu sat in the main seat and got straight to the point: "I have summoned you all here today to discuss two important matters: one is the reform of the official system, and the other is a new method for selecting talent."

He looked at everyone and said, "You have all seen the nine-rank, eighteen-level system. Please feel free to express your opinions."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Huan, the Imperial Academy Doctor and Chancellor, rose. He was a renowned scholar from Guanzhong, over sixty years old, and highly respected.

"Lord Jin," Zhou Huan said, bowing slightly, "I believe that the Nine-Rank System is indeed clearer than the current official system. However, the ranking of officials should be based on their virtue and talent. If only political achievements are considered, some people may be eager for quick success and instant benefits, harming the people."

Lü Bu nodded: "Dr. Zhou is right. The performance evaluation criteria should include four aspects: morality, ability, diligence, and performance. Morality is the most important. Those who are talented but lack morality should not be used; those who are virtuous but lack talent can be trained; and those who possess both morality and talent should be given important positions."

He looked at Jia Xu: "Wenhe, the performance evaluation rules must clearly state: anyone who governs cruelly to the people, or who is corrupt and perverts the law, will be subject to a veto, dismissal, and punishment."

"Yes," Jia Xu noted.

Xue Heng, the Prefect of Taiyuan and representative of Wang Yi, the Governor of Bingzhou, rose and asked, "Lord Jin, I have a question: If current officials are assigned ranks that are lower than their previous salaries, what should be done?"

This is a question that many officials are most concerned about.

During the late Han Dynasty, the official system was chaotic. A county magistrate could have received a maximum salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain) per year, but under the new system, he might only be a seventh-rank official with a monthly salary of 60 shi, which translates to an annual salary of only 720 shi, resulting in a significant reduction in income.

Lü Bu had a plan: "A three-year transition period. In the first year, salaries will be paid according to the higher of the old and new systems; in the second year, a compromise will be made; in the third year, the new system will be fully implemented. Within these three years, those with outstanding performance will be promoted without being subject to this restriction."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; three years was enough time to adjust.

Yang Fu, the chief secretary and representative of Liangzhou Mu Ma Teng, stood up: "Lord Jin, Liangzhou is inhabited by both Qiang and Han people, and local powerful families often appoint themselves as officials and do not obey the orders of the prefectures and counties. If the Nine-Rank System is implemented, it may be met with resistance."

Lu Bu sneered: "Resist? Tell those powerful clans: before the new year, they can request to be assigned ranks, and the court will appoint them according to their abilities; after the new year, the counties and prefectures will assess and assign ranks; those who dare to resist will be considered traitors and will be wiped out by the army."

He paused, then said, "Liangzhou has just been pacified and needs to establish its authority. If Ma Shoucheng cannot control the situation, I can go there myself."

Yang Fu hurriedly replied, "The Duke of Jin is wise; the Duke of Teng will surely be able to subdue him."