Duke of Zhenguan

Chapter 103 Improvements in Papermaking

In the evening, Yan Shigu and Yan Xiangshi returned home after finishing their shift.

Seeing Lin Chuan shamelessly freeloading dinner at the Yan family's house, Yan Xiangshi still didn't give him a friendly look and ignored him.

After the meal, Yan Shigu, being elderly, wanted to go for a walk to digest his food, and the others also left the flower hall.

Seeing that Lin Chuan remained calmly seated in his chair with no intention of leaving, Yan Xiangshi, who had long disliked him, glanced at him sideways and asked, "Is there anything else, Young Master Lin?"

"Master Yan, I do have some questions to ask you!" Lin Chuan nodded.

"Worried about those censors causing you trouble? Don't worry, which powerful person in Chang'an doesn't have some private slaves? As long as they don't keep armored soldiers, it's fine!" Yan Xiangshi said irritably.

"Lord Yan, you misunderstand. My family members are all hired servants. If I really had servants, I wouldn't be exempt from the corvée labor and taxes of the court. I'm asking about something else!" Lin Chuan said.

"What is it?" Yan Xiangshi asked.

"Master Yan, I'd like to ask about the printing of books!" Lin Chuan asked.

"Printing?" Yan Shigu was taken aback. He glanced at Lin Chuan, but didn't think Lin Chuan was ignorant. He explained, "Nowadays, the Cui family of Boling and the Kong family of Shandong do have a method of printing books. It seems that they use hardwood to carve molds and then use the best ink to make rubbings."

"As far as I know, if the printed characters are too small, they become very blurry. They're barely enough for printing pictures, and at most, only scriptures and almanacs can be printed!"

Lin Chuan nodded and said with a smile, "I do have some ideas, but I still need Master Yan's help!"

Yan Shigu looked at Lin Chuan with suspicion and said, "Kid, printing books is not a simple matter. Not to mention whether the printing is clear or not, the woodblock printing alone is an extremely difficult task. There are not many craftsmen with this skill."

Moreover, there's paper and ink, both of which are equally troublesome. Nowadays, only the Pei and Cui families can produce the best hemp paper! Ink, on the other hand, is easier to make; the Imperial Workshop can produce it!

Even if you manage to collect all of these things, the cost will be extremely high, it's not worth it, you might as well copy them by hand!

"Master Yan, since I've spoken, I must have some confidence!" Lin Chuan said with a smile.

Since he spoke up, he must have already done his research.

Papermaking and movable type printing, two of China's Four Great Inventions, are something almost everyone who didn't miss out on nine years of compulsory education has heard of.

Lin Chuan had not only heard of it, but also paid special attention to it. When he was reborn, it was a time of awakening of Chinese culture, and videos of various handcrafted replicas of ancient techniques were all the rage. He liked to watch these videos when he was bored.

He's definitely not capable of doing things himself, but he can talk a good game about them.

Yan Xiangshi stared at Lin Chuan for a long while before saying in a deep voice, "Boy, if you can really come up with a usable seal and calligraphy, let alone Xiao Liu, even if you want to marry Xiao Ba as well, I'll plead with your elder brother on your behalf!"

The "Little Eight" that Yan Xiangshi mentioned was Yan Shigu's granddaughter, Yan Ba ​​Niangzi, who was two years younger than Yan Liu Niangzi.

Previously, Yan Shigu was unaware of Lin Chuan and Cheng Churou's marriage and had jokingly said that he would betroth Xiao Ba to Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan didn't really have any feelings for Yan Ba ​​Niangzi, and awkwardly asked, "In Master Yan's eyes, am I such a calculating person?"

"Could it be that I've misunderstood? Didn't you teach me the punctuation marks that Xiao Liu taught me?" Yan Xiangshi asked coldly.

"Master Yan, you've misunderstood. Even if you don't agree to my relationship with Sixth Sister, I'll still have someone research the method for printing the book!" Lin Chuan said.

This matter must not be admitted under any circumstances. While teaching Yan Liu Niangzi punctuation marks was certainly intended to curry favor with Yan Xiangshi, there was absolutely no intention to coerce him. Otherwise, Lin Chuan would have already sent printing and papermaking techniques to the Yan family.

I'm only speaking now because I'm afraid Yan Xiangshi will misunderstand.

"snort!"

Yan Xiangshi snorted coldly, his expression finally improving.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Master Yan's regular script is unparalleled among scholars. I would like to ask Master Yan to write some commonly used characters as models!" Lin Chuan said, bowing.

This flattery really hit Yan Xiangshi where it hurts, and if Lin Chuan could really come up with a way to print books and use Yan Xiangshi's handwriting as a model, Yan Xiangshi's literary fame would truly spread throughout the world!

What scholar could refuse such a thing?

Yan Xiangshi, who was always aloof, couldn't refuse either, and said, "You brat, figure out the method for printing books first!"

"good!"

After finishing their business, Lin Chuan took his leave. Although Yan Xiangshi had a cold expression, he still saw Lin Chuan to the front door.

I had just returned to the front yard when I saw my granddaughter come in with her maid.

"Grandpa!"

Yan Liu Niangzi obediently bowed to Yan Xiangshi.

"Don't worry, Grandpa didn't make things difficult for him!" Yan Xiangshi said irritably.

"Grandpa————"

When her secret was exposed, Yan Liu Niangzi's face flushed red.

"I wonder what kind of spell that kid cast on you—" Yan Xiangshi sighed.

Even though his most beloved granddaughter was marrying into another family as a concubine, and that person was Lin Chuan, his most admired junior, Yan Xiangshi never considered agreeing to it at first.

But his granddaughter was adamant, and seeing her growing thinner day by day, Yan Xiangshi had no choice but to agree.

It's not because of punctuation marks at all.

Yan Liu Niangzi didn't know why she was attracted to Lin Chuan. After thinking for a moment, she said softly, "Grandpa, Brother Lin is different from others in both his words and deeds, as well as his talents—"

"They are definitely different!"

Yan Xiangshi nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Did he mention printing the book to you?"

Yan Liu Niangzi shook her head.

Yan Xiangshi didn't ask any more questions. He believed he understood Lin Chuan's personality fairly well and knew that Lin Chuan wasn't the type to exaggerate. After Lin Chuan spoke, he already believed most of it.

The next day at noon, Lin Chuan came to the palace to request an audience.

Li Shimin rarely saw Lin Chuan except during the grand court assembly, so he assumed that Lin Chuan had come to see him because of the Institute of Physics, and hurriedly ordered someone to summon Lin Chuan.

During this period, the Gewu Research Institute has produced a lot of good things, including a giant crossbow that can be cocked by one person and a hand crossbow whose power has more than doubled.

After receiving Li San's report, Li Shi even considered handing over the Directorate of Works directly to Lin Chuan.

Upon arriving at Xiande Hall, Lin Chuan bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

No need for formalities.

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Please take a seat!"

The eunuch brought over a brocade stool, and Lin Chuan, without any hesitation, plopped down on it.

When dealing with close confidants, Li Shimin never beat around the bush, saying directly, "Speak, what do you need from me?"

"Your Majesty, I wish to improve the papermaking technique, but I cannot find a craftsman who knows how to make paper!" Lin Chuan said.

The papermaking technology and craftsmen were all in the hands of powerful families. Lin Chuan didn't even know where to look for them, let alone find them.

Li Shimin looked at Lin Chuan suspiciously and asked in a deep voice, "What do you want to do with papermaking?"

"Your Majesty, the Gewu Academy will be completed soon. I plan to recruit the first batch of students in the spring. However, we still don't have textbooks and need a lot of paper. The paper in the East Market is too expensive for me to afford. I can only try to improve the papermaking technology!" Lin Chuan bowed and replied.

He didn't mention printing technology, but since it was meant to thank Yan Xiangshi, Yan Xiangshi couldn't be left out when it came to claim credit.