Chapter XI
After another four hours, about 300 Han Li characters were carved and inlaid on a stone slab. Then, they began to print.
About ten breaths for a piece of paper, in the time it took to boil a cup of tea, dozens of printed poems were handed to the civil and military officials present.
"This item is exquisite and can help my Jing Xiang Wenchang prosper.”Liu Bei stroked his beard." Jichang, the four counties of Jingnan are vast and sparsely populated. It is not as good as the north. If this item is presented to Xuchang and the emperor, it is only natural. But now the emperor is under Cao Cao's control. If Cao Cao gets this item, he can tamper with the ancestral system of the Han Dynasty and confuse the people of the world. In this way, wouldn't all the people of the world become his subjects after one or two generations?”
Ma Liang's expression turned serious as he knelt down.
" My Lord, you have always put benevolence and righteousness first. Now, the Young General is presenting this item to give the Young Mistress the title of Marquis. If the Young Mistress succeeds in being conferred the title of Marquis, and our army takes South County from the Wu army, even if it is the Young Mistress 'dowry, the Wu army will not be able to say anything about it. It is a righteous thing.”
"Moreover, once this item is spread out, which scholar in the world would not think of the lord's good words? Why would they want to join that Cao thief who usurped the Han Dynasty and became independent?”
Liu Bei let out a long sigh." Ma Liang, oh Ma Liang, how could I not want to be selfless? How could I not want to let the children of the poor families in the world have books to read?”
"But now that Cao Cao has already gained the power of the world, if we give him another generous gift, won't he gain a lot of capable officials?”
"In ten or twenty years, even my Sun Liu Alliance won't be his match.”
"Bei, since when have you ever thought of being selfish?"
Hearing this, the officials and generals fell silent.
" Military Advisor, look…" Ma Liang looked at Zhuge Liang for help.
Zhuge Liang pressed down on the feather fan in his hand." Ji Chang, don't be impatient. Since it was Young General who suggested it, then Young General must have a solution."”
Liu Bei's eyes lit up." Feng 'er, do you have any countermeasures?”
Liu Feng put down the Book of Songs he had printed and stood up." Father, I heard that every time Sun Qian and Jian Yong went to Xuchang to pay tribute to the Emperor, they would pay a visit to Cao Cao first. I wonder why?”
"The Cao thief usurped the Han Dynasty and made himself emperor. He held the emperor hostage to order the vassals. If he doesn't inspect it and the envoy doesn't meet him, even if I, Liu Bei, send an envoy, I won't be able to present it to the emperor.”Liu Bei's tone was filled with hatred and disappointment.
Liu Feng pointed at Sun Qian." Father, please send Mister Sun Qian to the north with the printing slate and improved ink.”
"Tell Cao Cao that as long as he agrees to our three requests, this item will be presented to the emperor and can also belong to Cao Mengde.”
"Which three requests?" Liu Bei narrowed his eyes and asked.
"Firstly, I will confer the title of Jiangling Marquis to my wife Sun Shangxiang.”
"Cao Mengde will sit back and watch the alliance between Sun and Liu break down while he reaps the fruits of his labor. He can't wait to see this. With the credit of printing this divine item, he will definitely allow it.”Sun Qian, who had been on diplomatic missions for many years, replied with a smile.
"Secondly, please release Mister Yuanzhi.”
"Hmm?"
In an instant, the Liu brothers, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Zhao Yun were all shocked.
Xu Shu!
Their combination had fought from the south to the north, and they had lost countless battles. Only after Xu Shu appeared did they win two battles in a row, and they were both defeated by intelligence and strength.
This gave Liu Bei's camp a taste of sweetness.
Later, his mother was kidnapped by Cao Cao and tricked into Cao Cao's camp. Xu Shu's mother directly hanged herself.
With such deep hatred, even when Cao Cao treated Xu Shu politely, Xu Shu did not say a word or offer a plan.
"If it's for Mister Yuanzhi, I'm willing to give up this printing technique.”Liu Bei's expression was solemn as he exchanged glances with Zhuge Liang and nodded heavily.
According to Longzhong Dui, he would definitely take Yizhou and divide it into three parts. Zhuge Liang would stay in Jingzhou, so who would go with him to Shu?
Xu Shu, who was good at breaking formations, was the best choice.
"Thirdly, let Cao Cao announce this printing technique to the world in the name of the Great Han Emperor. Let everyone in the world, regardless of the poor or noble families, have books to read and learn.”
Liu Bei directly ignored the third condition and asked Zhuge Liang," Advisor, do you think Cao Cao can release Mister Gui Yuanzhi?”
Before Xu Shu left, he recommended Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei. Liu Bei also missed him.
"Thirty percent." Zhuge Liang said after a moment of silence.
"Marquis Father, I have another plan that will make this matter 90% certain.”Liu Feng saw that it was about time and cupped his hands again.
"Oh?" Liu Bei's eyes lit up." What else?”
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