Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

As he entered, his gaze fell directly on the book in Li Lizhi's hands.

"What book is the princess reading?"

Shen Chang'an asked casually and sat down in the chair opposite her.

Li Lizhi turned the book over to show him the cover and replied softly, "The Book of Han."

She paused, then added, "My father told me to read more history books, saying that by learning from history, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties."

Shen Chang'an nodded, his gaze falling on the paper book. The paper was yellowed and the edges were worn, but the writing was clear and the binding was neat.

"Princess, I have something to ask you." Shen Chang'an suddenly remembered something and said seriously.

Li Lizhi put down her book and sat up straight: "Mr. Shen, please speak."

"How are books from the Tang Dynasty primarily reproduced and circulated today?"

Li Lizhi was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to ask this.

She thought for a moment and replied, "Most of them are copied by hand. The Imperial Academy and the Hongwen Academy have professional scribes, and aristocratic families also have their own copyists."

"For example, copying a book like the Book of Han would take several months, which is very time-consuming and laborious, hence the book is extremely expensive."

"What about the paper? How much does it cost?"

"It's not cheap either."

Li Lizhi sighed, "A ream of top-quality Xuan paper costs several hundred coins, which is unaffordable for ordinary people. Even in the palace, paper is used sparingly."

"Who holds the power of education?" Shen Chang'an asked again.

Li Lizhi glanced at him; this question was more sensitive than the previous two.

She pondered for a moment and said, "Since the Sui Dynasty established the imperial examination system, people from poor families have also had the opportunity to enter officialdom."

"But... ultimately, only a minority of families can afford to read books and buy paper and pens."

"The number of books in each family varies. Aristocratic families have accumulated tens of thousands of volumes over generations, while poor students can't even see books, let alone take the exams."

She didn't say directly that "the power of education is in the hands of aristocratic families," but the meaning was already quite clear.

Shen Chang'an nodded slightly. He had heard about these things before, but hearing the princess confirm them made him even more certain of his judgment.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Princess, I have some methods that can greatly increase the speed of book copying."

"I also have some ideas for improving papermaking," he paused, looking at Li Lizhi, "I wonder if the princess would like to know?"

Li Lizhi suddenly stood up, and the Book of Han in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.

"Mr. Shen, what did you say?"

Cuizhu was also startled and peeked out from under the eaves.

Shen Chang'an did not repeat himself, but simply smiled as he looked at her.

Li Lizhi took a deep breath, bent down to pick up the book, and sat down again.

Her heart was pounding, and her hands were trembling slightly.

She wasn't some palace woman who was ignorant of politics; she knew all too well what those two things meant.

If books could be mass-produced and paper costs reduced, children from poor families would be able to afford to study and buy paper, thus truly breaking the monopoly of aristocratic families in the imperial examination system and allowing talented people from all over the country to flock to the court.

If this succeeds, it will be a tremendous achievement for the Tang Dynasty, for the Emperor, and for all the people.

"Mr. Shen," Li Lizhi's voice was a little tense, "what you said... is it true?"

"When have I ever lied to the princess?"

Li Lizhi stared at him for a long time, making sure he wasn't joking, and finally nodded.

Just as she was about to ask another question, three light knocks came from outside the courtyard gate.

Cuizhu glanced at Li Lizhi, received a signal, and quickly walked to the courtyard gate.

She didn't open the door, but instead leaned closer to the crack and asked, "Who is it?"

A shrill voice came from outside the door: "This servant is a palace attendant by His Majesty's side. I have been ordered by His Majesty to deliver a message to Her Highness the Princess."

Cuizhu turned to look at Li Lizhi, who nodded slightly. Only then did Cuizhu pull the latch and open the door a crack.

Standing outside the door was indeed a young eunuch from Li Shimin's side, dressed in the palace's standard blue robe, with beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having run there.

"His Majesty sent me to inform the princess," the eunuch said in a low voice, speaking quickly, "that the Japanese envoy to Tang China has submitted his resignation, which His Majesty has accepted. They will depart from Chang'an today. His Majesty has sent someone to follow them. Please ask Princess Chang Le to tell Mr. Shen that if Mr. Shen tries to do anything, His Majesty will pretend he didn't see it."

Cui Zhu's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm on the surface and whispered, "This servant has remembered."

She closed the door, jogged back to the main room, and whispered in Li Lizhi's ear, repeating the little eunuch's words verbatim.

After listening, Li Lizhi's expression remained unchanged. She simply picked up her teacup, took a sip, and turned to look at Shen Chang'an.

Shen Chang'an sat opposite him, holding a bowl of tea in his hand, his expression calm and composed.

Although he didn't seem to be looking at the courtyard gate, his divine sense had already clearly heard the conversation outside.

"Mr. Shen," Li Lizhi put down her teacup, "you heard everything, didn't you?"

Shen Chang'an did not deny it, and nodded slightly.

Li Lizhi looked at him, her mind racing with conflicting emotions.

The Emperor's meaning was clear—he would not interfere in or inquire about the matter of the Japanese envoy; it was up to Shen Chang'an to do whatever he wanted.

By having a eunuch deliver a message instead of telling Shen Chang'an directly, he clearly intended to push her closer to Shen Chang'an and create a stronger connection between them.

"Father, what is this...?"

Li Lizhi's ears turned slightly red, and she didn't continue speaking.

Shen Chang'an glanced at her and suddenly smiled.

He didn't pick up on that topic, but instead steered the conversation back to the main issue they had just discussed.

"The princess just asked me if what I said was true, and I said it was true. As for the specifics of how to do it, I need some time to prepare."

Shen Chang'an replied calmly, "Once I have made all the necessary preparations, I will present them to Your Majesty."

Li Lizhi gave him a deep look and nodded: "Okay."

She knew Shen Chang'an wasn't just making excuses for her; the man in front of her never went back on his word.

Outside the window, the sky had completely darkened.

Cui Zhu lit the lamp, and the orange light shone on the faces of the three people, casting their shadows on the wall.

Li Lizhi did not rush back to the palace. She asked Cuizhu to brew a pot of fresh tea, and she and Shen Chang'an sat facing each other and drank tea without either of them speaking.

The night breeze blew in from outside the courtyard, carrying the fragrance of locust blossoms.

Shen Chang'an held his teacup, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall and turning eastward.

It was pitch black there; you couldn't see anything.

But he knew that a caravan was hurrying eastward through the night.

Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.

Since we've already made our move, we won't leave any loose ends.

But that's not something that can be done now. After all, it will take those Japanese more than just a day or two to leave.

Now, he has more important things to do: movable type printing and papermaking improvement. If these two things are accomplished, the fate of the Tang Dynasty will be completely different.

This is also a meritorious act.

Moreover, it is a great act of merit.

I'm currently reading Chapter 59 of the novel "Cola Novel," which tells the story of how the Four Great Inventions brought glory to China. I'm completely engrossed in it and can't tear myself away.

"Father, what is this...?"

Li Lizhi's ears turned slightly red, and she didn't continue speaking.

Shen Chang'an glanced at her and suddenly smiled.

He didn't pick up on that topic, but instead steered the conversation back to the main issue they had just discussed.

"The princess just asked me if what I said was true, and I said it was true. As for the specifics of how to do it, I need some time to prepare."

Shen Chang'an replied calmly, "Once I have made all the necessary preparations, I will present them to Your Majesty."

Li Lizhi gave him a deep look and nodded: "Okay."

She knew Shen Chang'an wasn't just making excuses for her; the man in front of her never went back on his word.

Outside the window, the sky had completely darkened.

Cui Zhu lit the lamp, and the orange light shone on the faces of the three people, casting their shadows on the wall.

Li Lizhi did not rush back to the palace. She asked Cuizhu to brew a pot of fresh tea, and she and Shen Chang'an sat facing each other and drank tea without either of them speaking.

The night breeze blew in from outside the courtyard, carrying the fragrance of locust blossoms.

Shen Chang'an held his teacup, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall and turning eastward.

It was pitch black there; you couldn't see anything.

But he knew that a caravan was hurrying eastward through the night.

Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.

Since we've already made our move, we won't leave any loose ends.

But that's not something that can be done now. After all, it will take those Japanese more than just a day or two to leave.

Now, he has more important things to do: movable type printing and papermaking improvement. If these two things are accomplished, the fate of the Tang Dynasty will be completely different.

This is also a meritorious act.

Moreover, it is a great act of merit.