In the court hall, the atmosphere became quiet after Jiang Li's salutation.
Most of the people's eyes were focused on him, while many others were looking at the low table carried in by the four eunuchs.
Soon, everyone's gaze shifted to the low table.
Earlier, Empress Dowager Ji had said that Jiang Li would offer three wondrous items as a ladder to promotion.
Thinking about it this way, the so-called three strange objects happened to be the three objects placed on the table.
At this moment, Feng Quji looked at Jiang Li and broke the silence. He shouted,""From what the Empress Dowager said, Mister Li has three strange items that he is willing to offer to the Qin country. May I ask if Mister Li's gift is the item placed on the table?”
The show was about to begin.
Jiang Li pulled himself together and walked to the low table. He picked up a square piece of Xuan paper and raised his arm high."" This item is called paper, and I've named it Xuan paper. I'm sure you've heard of Xuan paper before, and I don't need to explain its function. Jiang Li is willing to offer the raw materials and production process of Xuan paper to the State of Qin, so that paper can be popularized and replaced with thick bamboo slips and expensive brocade cloth.”
"What is it? Offer the Xuan paper to the Qin country…"
All the officials and marquises were shocked.
They were not fools. They understood how useful the paper Jiang Li had invented was, and it also represented rich wealth and benefits.
Once the white and light paper was mass-produced and popularized, all the bamboo slips in the seven countries would be replaced.
If they monopolized the production and sales of paper, they would be as rich as a country, starting at millions of gold.
It could be predicted that due to the birth and promotion of paper, the seven countries would no longer use clay, stone, wood, pottery, metal, and other materials to record words or pictures. A large amount of information would be better protected, and all kinds of books would be more conducive to transmission.
In layman's terms, the significance of Jiang Li's invention of paper was no less significant than that of making fire by drilling wood in ancient times, burning pottery and making pots in medieval times, and refining ores into copper in modern times.
Seeing the officials and ministers in the hall in a daze, Jiang Li put down the Xuan paper, picked up the printed version, and continued,""This item is called the Print Plate, and I call it the Print Technique. The Three Character Classic, Thousand Character Script, Hundred Family Surnames, and Ancient and Modern Virtuous Script that circulated in Xianyang City a few days ago were not written by me, but were repeatedly printed by the Print Plate.”
"Wasn't the Four Books handwritten and copied by Jiang Li?”The ministers were surprised once again, and they suddenly realized something.
When they received the Four Books previously, they were already puzzled. Putting aside the exquisite and luxurious paper, just the number of words written on the paper, and the vigorous and powerful handwriting that was like the dancing of dragons and phoenixes, was completely the handwriting of a master.
Such a book was actually only sold for ten coins per copy. Could it be that there was no need to pay for someone to write a copy for you, and someone would write a copy for you for free?
Now, everyone understood that all the books were not written by hand, but were printed with tools.
…
In the middle of the hall.
Jiang Li was afraid that the officials in the imperial court would not understand what he meant. He raised his hand and pressed the printing plate on the Xuan paper, repeating this action. He smiled and explained,"" This object is carved out of wood. There are words carved on the surface of the plate. As long as you dip it in black ink and press it gently on the white paper, the words carved on the plate will appear on the paper. Even if it is printed ten thousand times, all the words will be the same. There will be no changes. At most, the depth of the ink will be different.”
Suddenly, the eyes of many high-ranking officials who thought they were knowledgeable lit up.
With paper and printing, writing books seemed to have become simple.
Moreover, it was more convenient to circulate books printed in batches. They could also complete dreams that they had never dared to imagine. They could write books and leave their names in history for future generations to learn from.
At the thought of this, some of the high-ranking officials immediately had a favorable impression of Jiang Li. Mr. Li was truly a peerless expert. He was indeed worthy of being the role model for scholars like us. He should be called Master Li.
"Paper making and printing techniques are amazing inventions!”
Lu Buwei's eyes sparkled as he spoke in a loud voice,""Mr. Li's merits are immeasurable. All the scholars in the world will have a good impression of Mr. Li and admire him.”
" Prime Minister Lyu, you're very kind. Jiang Li was just struck by a strange feeling and came up with the idea of making paper and printing.”Jiang Li responded with a smile. His attitude was extremely humble, and he looked like a gentleman.
" Dog, I love you so much…" Concubine Zhao shouted in her heart while sitting on the Phoenix Throne. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Jiang Li.
She really wanted to run all the way down, throw herself into the dog's arms, and let the dog bully her at will.
After introducing the paper and the printing plates, Jiang Li picked up the compass and walked toward Marquis Wucheng, Wang Jian. He handed it to him and said,""Marquis Wucheng, please take a look. This object is called a compass. Its main component is a magnetic needle mounted on a shaft. The magnetic needle will rotate freely under the influence of the magnetic field of heaven and earth, and will forever maintain the magnetic needle pointing south.”
"With this item, no matter if you are in a vast desert, a boundless grassland, or a deep mountain forest that does not see the sun, you can distinguish the four directions and avoid getting lost.”
Wang Jiandang was surprised to hear that. He quickly took the compass from Jiang Li and looked down at it for a while. Then, he strode forward and wandered around the court hall.
After changing over ten positions, Wang Jian returned to his original position and laughed out loud." Compass, as its name suggests, is truly magical. No matter how one changes their direction, the needle on the plate will always point to the south. With this, the Qin army will be able to distinguish north, south, east, and west no matter where they go. Mr. Li is truly a wonder of the world.”
"Marquis Wucheng, you're too kind.”
Jiang Li acted humbly and quickly flattered him.""Marquis Wucheng is one of the four famous generals. After Lord Wu 'an passed away, Marquis Wucheng has become the anchor of the Qin army. If it wasn't for Marquis Wucheng's formation, Lord Wu' an Li Mu and Lord Xinping Lianpo of Zhao would not have dared to attack Qin.”
"Li Mu and Lian Po…"
Wang Jian gently stroked his beard and thought of these two old rivals. He said with empathy,"During the Battle of Changping, Lord Wu 'an, Baiqi, broke the backbone of the Zhao Kingdom. Until today, Lianpo has been ostracized by others and is not trusted by the King of Zhao. He has been expelled from the royal court. Li Mu can't handle this alone. He has to defend against the Xiongnu in the north and the Great Qin in the west.”
"The Zhao Country is famous for its cavalry. Li Mu's Northern Wolf Cavalry and Lianpo's Lianyun Flying Cavalry are famous cavalry legions in the seven countries. However, the Qin Country's crossbows are the nemesis of the light armored cavalry. If Marquis Wucheng didn't strongly recommend the Gongshu family, how could the Qin Country's crossbows kill the two cavalry legions of the Zhao Country and make it difficult for them to play their role?”
Jiang Li continued to flatter him. He still needed Wang Jian's help to speak up for him later, so he had to lower himself.
Moreover, Wang Jian's granddaughter, Wang Xi, was also Mr. Li's fan girl. The relationship between the two parties had undoubtedly advanced to another level. They might even become relatives in the future.
Around them, many high-ranking officials and marquises stared at Jiang Li and Wang Jian, who were chatting fervently. They were secretly criticizing Mr. Li. He was not immune to the ways of the world.
They understood Jiang Li's purpose. They wanted to build a good relationship with Marquis Wu Cheng first so that Wang Jian could speak up for him when he was promoted later.
When Jiang Li and Wang Jian were done boasting, Lady Zhao cleared her throat and said loudly,""Paper, printing plates, and compasses. The three wondrous items that Mr. Li presented to us all have a wide range of uses, especially paper and printing plates.”
"Duke Xiao's order to seek talents is the reason why Qin is gradually becoming stronger. If any guests or ministers can come up with a strange plan to strengthen Qin, Qin will respect them and divide the land with them. In everyone's opinion, should the State of Qin treat Mr. Li's contribution as a statesman?”
In an instant, the hall fell silent. No one spoke. They knew in their hearts that after all this time, it was nothing more than giving a high official to a high noble.
"Paper making, printing, and direction guidance. These three great techniques can benefit the people and the army.”
Right Prime Minister Kui spoke slowly as he looked around at all his colleagues in the hall and continued loudly,"" Mr. Li's great contribution is needless to say. I suggest that Mr. Li should be conferred the title of Marquis. Why not make Mr. Li the Marquis of Changxin and make him a High Official? This will show the six countries that the Qin country is thirsty for talents. If Mr. Li is not conferred the title of Marquis, once the news of today's court meeting spreads, I'm afraid many celebrities from various countries who are staying in Zhaoxian Palace will be disappointed.”
Immediately after, Feng Quji, the internal historian of the millet, continued," Lord Kui is right. Mr. Li is famous in the seven countries. He is a great talent and has the ability to rule the country. Even without the three wondrous items, Mr. Li can be conferred the title of marquis or minister in any country. The Qin country has always been thirsty for talents. With Mr. Li's contribution, reputation, and knowledge, let alone being conferred the title of marquis or minister, there is nothing wrong with being conferred the title of monarch or minister.”
" These two are on the same side. Sister Ji has arranged everything very well. My husband loves you very much…" Jiang Li smiled in his heart. If someone had mentioned it first, it would have been easier for Lady Zhao to take advantage of the situation.
After waiting for a while, she realized that no one refuted her. Zhao Ji was shocked. She seemed to have underestimated the reputation of this dog among the scholars and important officials, as well as the contribution of the three great techniques.
At this moment, Lu Buwei, who had been silent for a long time, looked at Jiang Li and asked,""Mr. Li's contributions are obvious to all. However, to govern the country and pacify the people, to expand the territory, not only does it require knowledge, but it also requires the outstanding ability to plan strategies and to benefit from the harm. What changes can Mr. Li bring to the Qin State after he is made a marquis?”
" Change…" Jiang Li frowned and pondered, trying to think of an answer.
Lu Buwei's words were very simple. He was asking what flaws existed in the State of Qin and how they needed to be changed.
After a long consideration, Jiang Li's eyes suddenly lit up.
He raised his sleeves and bowed to Ying Zheng and Lady Zhao. Then, he raised his head and straightened his back. He said passionately,"More than 800 years ago, King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, led an alliance of various vassals to attack King Shang, Di Xin, and destroyed Shang Jianzhou.”
"Today, the Great Zhou has dominated the world for 800 years. Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Warring States Period was divided into the Seven Heroes. The world has been divided and united for hundreds of years. The vassals of various countries have been fighting non-stop, and the world is in flames of war and suffering.”
" No matter which dynasty or which country rises or falls, the people who suffer will always be the common people. Today, the State of Qin is as strong as a tiger, while the six countries are as weak as rabbits. Jiang Li is willing to use everything he has learned in his life to forge a sword of unification for the State of Qin with the six countries as the vanguard, the mountains and seas as the edge, the five elements as the control, Yin and Yang as the opening, spring and summer as the holding, and autumn and winter as the moving.”
At this point, Jiang Li paused for half a second. He took a deep breath and said in a booming voice,"" When we entered Qin from Handan, Jiang Li wrote down the heroic words about who would write history for the next ten thousand years and who would be conferred the title of marquis three thousand miles away.”
" However, Jiang Li doesn't care about whether I'm a marquis or a minister. I only have one greatest wish in my life, and that is to establish my heart for the world, to establish the lives of the people, to inherit the ultimate arts of the past saints, and to create peace for all generations!”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]