allonlinenovel Chapter 178 The New Method of Papermaking
Chapter 178 The New Method of Papermaking
Ever since Qin Yizhen proposed movable type printing and papermaking, Empress Dowager Cheng and the Ministry of Works tried movable type printing and found it to be feasible. They then had many ideas for improving papermaking.
So the next day, Fang Shixin was summoned to the Imperial Study for an audience, and Emperor Jing'an was also brought over at the same time.
When Fang Shixin was led into the Imperial Study by the eunuch, he was still somewhat uneasy, as if he was being suffocated by this supreme power. He felt fear and submission, as if he would kneel down to show his submission at any moment.
She took a deep breath and silently recited a spell:
Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law...
She silently recited the 24 core socialist values twice, and the panic and fear in her heart gradually dissipated, and she even straightened her back.
"Greetings, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager. The Fang family girl has been brought here."
Empress Dowager Cheng was reviewing the memorials with her pen, but she didn't say anything. Emperor Jing'an was sitting to the side, flipping through the memorials. Hearing this, he glanced at them but didn't say anything either.
After relieving the pressure from earlier, Fang Shixin felt much more relaxed. At this moment, he even started looking around, nodding as he looked, as if he was evaluating the furnishings of the study in his mind, and seemed quite satisfied.
Emperor Jing'an frowned, wondering what was going on with this Fang family girl. Did the Fang family not teach her that she should bow to the monarch and empress dowager?
Just as Emperor Jing'an was about to reprimand her, Empress Dowager Cheng casually said, "Go down."
The eunuch accepted the order and left, leaving Fang Shixin behind.
When Fang Shixin saw that the only person who had stayed by her side had left, her expression changed slightly, and she became somewhat flustered.
It was at this moment that she finally remembered that she should perform the proper rites.
So she placed her hands on her waist, slightly curtsied, and said, "Fang Shixin greets the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."
However, in principle, when meeting the monarch, one should perform the grand ceremony. Even Princess Qin Yizhen and Princess Huizhen had to kneel when meeting Empress Dowager Cheng, but not when meeting Emperor Jing'an. Although Emperor Jing'an was the monarch, the two were sisters, so they performed the bow ceremony.
However, Empress Dowager Cheng did not seem to mind and nodded lightly, "No need for formalities, please rise."
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
Empress Dowager Cheng had no interest in playing games with her, so she said directly, "Miss Fang is knowledgeable and talented. The method of treating smallpox with cowpox that you presented earlier was indeed useful. The fact that the people were able to escape this epidemic is also thanks to you."
Fang Shixin was delighted upon hearing this, her face full of confidence and pride: "That is all I should do. If I can make a contribution to the common people, that is also what I should do."
"It's best that you think this way," Empress Dowager Cheng nodded. "However, I've been having some troubles lately and haven't known how to resolve them. I thought you were knowledgeable and experienced, so I summoned you to ask for your advice."
“Nowadays, it is difficult to educate the common people, and books are hard to spread. Ordinary people simply cannot afford them. Therefore, I have the idea of finding a new method to make paper. I wonder if you have any suggestions?”
Speaking of this, Fang Shixin was no longer sleepy.
Fang Shixin is a time-travel enthusiast. She has read countless time-travel novels and knows what things are the simplest and easiest to make in ancient times.
Treating smallpox with cowpox is the same as improving papermaking and movable type printing.
However, none of these are too important. She still has her biggest weapon—explosives and firearms.
The last two are truly heaven-defying artifacts; if they were to be used, the entire world's situation would be altered because of them.
As for improving papermaking techniques, that's simple.
The high price of books today is largely due to the scarcity of paper. They are made from fibrous materials such as tree bark, hemp fibers, rags, and old fishing nets (Cai Lun's papermaking method). Although paper has become more widely available and is no longer something only nobles can use, ordinary people still find it difficult to obtain books.
But she has a way to increase production so that even ordinary people can afford it.
"I do have a method for papermaking, and there are even better ways to copy books. However, if you want this method, Your Majesty, you must grant me one request."
"Oh, tell me." Empress Dowager Cheng smiled inwardly. In fact, Fang Shixin was a very complicated person, both righteous and wicked. Sometimes she acted recklessly and irrationally, and was quite crazy. But she could also come up with many things that ordinary people did not know.
For example, those well-known poems and lyrics, and the wonderful methods unknown to these people.
Empress Dowager Cheng was not afraid that she would not make any demands; what she feared was that she would not make any demands. If she made demands and her desires were fulfilled, it would be considered that she had bought her ingenious method, and the credit would not be hers. However, if she did not make any demands, her merit would be great, and she would not know how to deal with her.
"So much time has passed since the burning of Fanghua Pavilion. The Dali Temple has been saying it is investigating, but even my father doesn't know the inside story. I can give the Empress Dowager the new papermaking method, but I demand that this case be investigated immediately and that the law be enforced impartially, without mistreating any victim or forgiving any evildoer."
Empress Dowager Cheng paused, surprised that Fang Shixin's request was actually about this matter.
The arson case at Fanghua Pavilion has been delayed for no other reason than that it involves Liang Xize, a foreign hostage.
When they were investigating Liang Xize, the Dali Temple discovered some things. They found that he had planted many spies in Dongqin under the guise of seeking pleasure. They have been investigating these people recently, intending to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
Even if Fang Shixin hadn't brought this up, the case would have been closed by now.
"Are you sure?" Empress Dowager Cheng asked her.
“I’m sure.” Fang Shixin gritted his teeth. “But I need the Empress Dowager to promise me that no matter who is involved, this matter must be handled impartially, including Princess Yizhen and Princess Huizhen.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing'an frowned immediately.
"Of course, if that's your request, I will naturally grant it," Empress Dowager Cheng agreed. "Arson is a serious crime. Even if the two princesses are my daughters, they cannot be let off lightly for committing such a grave mistake. But you must guarantee that your method will work."
"My method is certainly useful, but I hope that the Empress Dowager will keep her word and not bend the law for personal gain."
"Of course, His Majesty is right here. I agree to your request, and His Majesty agrees to your request as well. So it is a promise that is as good as gold."
Upon hearing this, Fang Shixin felt somewhat relieved. She was quite straightforward and immediately explained her method: "I know that most paper is made from tree bark, but there is only so much tree bark, so the amount of paper produced is naturally limited. However, I know that some bamboo can also be used to make paper."
"bamboo?"
"That's right, but mature bamboo is definitely not suitable, it's too hard and won't produce pulp. You need to use tender bamboo. Many types of bamboo can be used, but because different types of bamboo produce different kinds of bamboo paper, you can choose the best one after trying them out."
"Moreover, bamboo only needs to grow for one year or six months before it can be used, and there is more usable material than tree bark. It is much better than tree bark."