allonlinenovel Chapter 179 Your humble servant wishes to become the wife of the Marquis of Pingxi
Chapter 179 Your humble servant wishes to become the wife of the Marquis of Pingxi
Fang Shixin explained the method of papermaking and also mentioned movable type printing.
The papermaking method is similar to the existing one, except that the material is replaced with tender bamboo. There's not much to say about it. However, the movable type printing technique, with its ingenious method of 'printing characters,' is truly amazing.
All you need to do is carve the characters, arrange the blocks, brush ink onto them, and then print the paper on top. The characters will then appear. If the carving technique is excellent, each character can be as small as a little finger, or even smaller, and a single sheet of paper can hold countless characters.
It eliminates the pain of copying and saves a lot of paper and ink, making it one of the most ingenious inventions from ancient times to the present.
Although Empress Dowager Cheng had heard Qin Yizhen mention movable type printing once before, she was still amazed when she heard it again. She didn't even need to think deeply to understand the wonder of this method.
"I have memorized this method."
"Then please ask the Empress Dowager to investigate the Fanghua Pavilion case as soon as possible, so that I, the aggrieved party, can receive justice soon."
Empress Dowager Cheng stared at her for a few moments, and finally nodded: "Since this is what you ask for, I will naturally grant your request. The Court of Judicial Review will hold a hearing the day after tomorrow."
For a moment, Empress Dowager Cheng wanted to ask Fang Shixin if she really intended to use this matter as a bargaining chip. After all, the arson case at Fanghua Pavilion wouldn't be long before it was closed.
But upon closer reflection, she realized that Fang Shixin was foolish, and she also felt that Fang Shixin's intentions were not very upright, and that she acted erratically and recklessly. Giving her too good a reputation might not be a good thing.
So, if she wants to use it as a bargaining chip, let her have it.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Fang Shixin was finally satisfied upon hearing this. No matter how noble Princess Qin Yizhen was, she couldn't prevent herself from having the ability. She would seek justice herself.
Thinking of this, Fang Shixin felt somewhat smug, as if he could foresee the fate of Qin Yizhen and Princess Huizhen.
"Your Majesty, I have some other things here. This method is different from the method of treating smallpox with cowpox, and it is also different from the livelihood-related technology of papermaking and printing. If Eastern Qin has this treasure, it will not be long before it can help Eastern Qin achieve hegemony, unify the world, and make Eastern Qin no longer called Eastern Qin, but Great Qin. What does Your Majesty think?"
"As for my request, it is not high. I want Princess Yizhen to divorce Marquis Pingxi, and I want to be Marquis Pingxi's wife."
Fang Shixin opened and closed her mouth, her face full of confidence. Today, when Empress Dowager Cheng asked her about papermaking and printing techniques, it reminded her that some things could be exchanged.
Although it would be difficult for Qin Yizhen to divorce Cheng Yan, it would be even more difficult for her to marry Cheng Yan. However, if she had enough leverage, it might not be impossible.
"What did you say?" Before Empress Dowager Cheng could speak, Emperor Jing'an's expression changed, and for a moment he even doubted that he had misheard.
"And you say there is a treasure that can help Eastern Qin unify the world, I do not believe it."
"The world is vast and full of wonders. How do you know it doesn't exist if you haven't seen it?"
"How can I believe you have it if you don't produce it? What if you can't produce it?"
“You…” Fang Shixin was slightly annoyed. “I never lie. What I know can kill people.”
"If you throw something the size of a pear out of the air, it can explode and kill several people. The thing that can kill people is a bit like a crossbow, but it's made of iron. If you aim well, it can kill a person in one shot."
"What a joke! If you're good at archery, you can kill someone in one shot. Why don't you try my archery skills and see if you can kill someone?"
Emperor Jing'an found the idea of something similar to a bow and arrow that could kill people uninteresting, but he was quite curious about something that could blow people up.
Empress Dowager Cheng said, "If you can really come up with something good to help Dong Qin unify the world, I can agree to make you a Noble Consort or even an Empress. However, it is absolutely unacceptable to make Yi Zhen and A Yan divorce so that you can marry into the family."
"Why not? Doesn't the Empress Dowager want to unify the world?"
"This world belongs to His Majesty. Even if he has to make concessions on marriage, that is what His Majesty should do. As for his subjects, all of you have served the monarch with your lives. Civil officials govern the world, and military officials pacify the world. You have already paid enough for this. There is no reason to take away their marriages as well."
For the sake of the world, an emperor might marry a woman he doesn't like as his empress, and that's fine, because it's his own world, and he's protecting his empire.
However, it would be very unkind to separate a minister and his wife for the sake of the country, forcing him to marry another woman.
Why do you think a subject is loyal to you, his ruler? Is it just for a sincere heart, willing to sacrifice his life for his country?
It's true that one is willing to sacrifice for the country, but it's equally true that one wants to make life better for oneself and one's family first. It's truly unreasonable for a ruler to demand loyalty from others and then tear apart their homes, causing loving couples to be separated.
"Does the Empress Dowager truly refuse?" Fang Shixin asked, somewhat taken aback, her brows furrowing. "This is a method that could allow Eastern Qin to unify the world. Could it be that she really doesn't care?"
She refused to believe that Empress Dowager Cheng and Emperor Jing'an would abandon this method of unifying the world in order to protect Qin Yizhen and Cheng Yan.
"Of course I care." Empress Dowager Cheng frowned, somewhat displeased. Although she liked Fang Shixin's foolishness, she did not like anyone threatening her.
"However, this matter is no small thing. I need to think about it carefully. Moreover, what the Empress Dowager said makes sense. You have described your things in a very flowery way, but that is only your side of the story. If you have the ability, then take out the things. When that time comes, I will make a plan."
Fang Shixin didn't expect Empress Dowager Cheng to agree so readily. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "Then Empress Dowager and I will just wait and see. It will surely surprise you both greatly."
Empress Dowager Cheng nodded: "In that case, go back and prepare."
"it is good."
A palace attendant stepped forward to ask Fang Shixin to leave. After the attendant left, Emperor Jing'an couldn't help but ask, "Does Mother really intend to agree to her request?"
Empress Dowager Cheng glanced at him: "Your Majesty, aren't you tempted by the opportunity to help Eastern Qin unify the world?"
Emperor Jing'an smiled, revealing a few teeth: "Your subject is naturally tempted. Although I am not old, my ambition is not small. To unify the world and change the name of Eastern Qin to Great Qin is a great achievement."
Since they are mother and son, there's no need to say anything too fake.
"If she wants to be empress, as long as she can actually produce the necessary qualities, I can grant her request immediately. If my brother-in-law is not yet married, I can also agree to her request."
"But my uncle is already married. He's both my brother-in-law and my brother-in-law. They're a loving couple, and they might even have a child soon. I'm really in a dilemma!"
Emperor Jing'an shook his head helplessly, his face showing an expression that said, "I'm really worried sick about this couple."