Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 58 Are you satisfied with this gift?
Cao Yan has already seen through the nature of this group of people. They are just using morality, etiquette, etc. to cover up their own interests.

Since he had anticipated today's situation, Cao Yan had naturally made considerable preparations.

"Pa pa!" Cao Yan clapped his hands lightly, and in a flash, more than 20 servants carried a dozen half-person-high wooden boxes and entered the hall one after another.

"What does he want to do?" someone couldn't help but whisper.

"Tsk~~Are you trying to bribe us?"

"It looks quite heavy. Could it be some dirty stuff like gold or silver?"

"How tacky... but I can accept it..."

Amidst the discussions of the crowd, the wooden boxes were neatly placed in the center of the hall.

Cao Yan did not ask anyone to open the wooden box immediately. Instead, he walked to the box one by one and gently stroked the surface of the box, whetting everyone's appetite.

Cao Cao naturally knew what was in the box, and he also knew that the workshop was working day and night, claiming to be making farm tools such as curved plows, but in fact they were tinkering with other confidential items.

For example: snow-white and soft new paper, and movable type printing that can print books in batches!

Lao Cao raised the corners of his mouth slightly, waiting to see the group of people drop their jaws in shock.

There was no expression on Xun Yu's face, but his right hand, trembling slightly behind his back, revealed his inner nervousness.

Guo Jia crossed his legs, leaned forward, and looked like he was watching a joke, with no intention of hiding it at all.

Newcomers such as Cheng Yu, Mao Jie, and Man Chong did not know the inside story and were full of curiosity at the moment.

Cao Yan counted the wooden boxes and checked the labels. After confirming that they were correct, he said to the servants, "Open the boxes."

"Yes!" The servants responded in unison and opened the wooden box almost at the same time.

The silver and golden scene that everyone expected did not appear. Instead, a strong scent of ink instantly filled the air.

Everyone stretched their necks curiously and looked into the wooden box, but they only saw pieces of white, soft things glowing faintly in the lobby.

"What is this?"

"It looks like...cloth?"

"silk?"

"There are words on it. Could it be calligraphy, famous paintings, or other treasures?"

Only a few people, such as Bian Rang, noticed some clues.

Bian Rang, who had been leaning against a vermilion pillar with a leisurely look, couldn't help but stand up straight at this moment, his eyes a little dull.

Cao Yanxin picked up a book from the box, with a smile as bright as the spring breeze in March on his face, and said:

"Gentlemen, these are the gifts that Big Brother prepared for you—books printed on Cao's new paper!"

As Cao Yan spoke, he reached out and turned the pages of the book to show everyone the contents.

"!!!"

“It’s actually a book?!!”

"What the hell is Cao's new paper?"

"..."

Cao Yan ignored everyone's questions and waved to Wei Zhen who was sitting in the corner.

"Gong Zhen (Wei Zhen's courtesy name is Gong Zhen), come here."

Everyone knew that Wei Zhen's family had a close relationship with Cao Cao, so they had been quite cold and excluded him before.

At this moment, Cao Yan took the initiative to call out Wei Zhen, obviously sending a signal that he wanted to make use of Wei Zhen.

It would be a lie to say that I'm not envious. Look at that old guy Li Qian, his nose is almost pointing to the sky.

Although Wei Zhen is young, he is very calm.

He walked forward, took the book from Cao Yan's hand, stroked it gently, and gradually became excited.

"This... is this really paper? So soft and so smooth!" Wei Zhen said excitedly.

Bian Rang finally came back to his senses from his daze.

He rushed forward, leaning over the crate, reaching out several times, wanting to touch it but not daring to. It was both amusing and heartbreaking. "Is it really paper? As white as frost, as soft as a catkin?" After a moment, Bian Rang stood up and asked Cao Yan, "How much did it cost?"

Cao Yan picked up a copy of "Xunzi" from the wooden box beside him and handed it to Bian Rang.

Bian Rang wiped his hands vigorously on his body before taking the book and starting to read it.

Judging from his attitude towards books, he is at least a scholar who respects knowledge, which makes Cao Yan's impression of him slightly improved.

Cao Yan replied, "For example, a primer like the Thousand Character Classic, which has only a thousand characters, costs only ten coins a copy!

"Xunzi" has about 30,000 characters, and a copy costs about 240 coins. It only takes two days to produce, and only a few people are needed to mass-produce it!"

Bian Rang's hand holding the book shook violently and he almost dropped the book on the ground.

You should know that the lowest quality copy of "Xunzi" made of bamboo slips would cost at least thousands of coins and take at least a month to make!

And this paper book, which is so light, easy to write on and store, costs less than a quarter of the original price and only takes two days to make?!
If the real thing wasn't right in front of him, Bian Rang would definitely have called him "crazy" and "daydreaming" on the spot.

The other scholars present couldn't help but gasp.

Bamboo slips were heavy and silk was expensive, so ordinary people didn't even have the opportunity to write.

Such snow-white and soft paper has such a low cost. Doesn’t it mean that ordinary people can afford it?
Sure enough, Cao Yan continued, "New paper is lighter and cheaper than bamboo slips, and ordinary people can afford it.

From now on, all counties and prefectures under the jurisdiction of our Dongjun will establish primary schools, elementary schools and county schools.

Regardless of class or background, you can enroll and study by paying a low tuition fee!"

Bian Rang's pupils suddenly shrank.

He realized that if these books made of new paper were really popularized, it would mean that children from poor families would no longer have to rely on the gentry to go to school, and even ordinary people would be able to read.

The classics, knowledge, and ways of governing a country that are monopolized by their aristocratic families will spread to every corner like weed seeds!
He suddenly thought of the handwritten copy of "Zuo Zhuan" in his study. Every page was soaked with his hard work, but at this moment, it seemed so ridiculous.

"This is a gift for you all." Cao Yan pointed to the wooden box. "Inside it are Xunzi, The Book of Filial Piety, The Great Learning, The Analects of Confucius, The Book of Songs, The Book of History, etc..."

Seeing the crowd getting a bit agitated, Cao Yan quickly raised his hand to stop them, saying, "Everyone, please don't move. I'll have my attendants bring a portion to each of you!"

After seeing the gesture, Dian Wei immediately walked in. This was the signal agreed upon with Cao Yan before.

Seeing such a humanoid weapon walk in, the whole lobby suddenly became quiet.

The servants began to pick up the books, put them into a set so that each one was unique, and delivered them to everyone.

Li Qian couldn't wait any longer, so he ran forward and took two books each.

Although he himself doesn't like reading, he can take it home and brag about it to his grandchildren.

Some people treasured the books made of new paper, but some stood up in fear and overturned the teacups on the table with their sleeves without realizing it.

He pointed at Cao Yan and shouted angrily, "You are breaking the rules of scholars!"

His voice was filled with unprecedented panic. "What do those peasants know about the teachings of sages? Why should they read the books of sages?!!!"

Cao Yan smiled, his smile relaxed and carefree: "The way of sages has never been hidden in deep mansions, nor is it the privilege or patent of you arrogant guys!
The common people who work hard and sweat in the fields are the foundation of the way of sages!

Ensuring they have enough food to eat and warm clothes to wear is better than reading ten thousand sentences of 'Restrain Yourself and Return to Propriety.'"

The atmosphere in the hall became solemn.

At this time, Cao Cao suddenly stood up and walked to Cao Yan.

The two brothers stood side by side.

"Zi'an is absolutely right." Lao Cao's voice was very low.

He looked around at everyone, his eyes sharp as a knife. "I accepted the surrender of the Yellow Turbans and measured the land to let the people of Yanzhou and the world know that there is still a place in the Han Dynasty where they can have food to eat, clothes to wear, fields to farm, and a way to make a living!!!"

He suddenly drew the sword from his waist, the light of which dimmed the sunlight. "As for those who only want to suck the blood of the common people and the strong men, the sword in my hand cannot recognize any famous scholars or upright people!"

The man's Adam's apple rolled and he took half a step back.

Bian Rang suddenly realized that the sage knowledge that he was proud of seemed so pale and powerless in front of these real papers and movable type.

Those people who were once regarded as untouchables by him will soon use these things to understand the principles that originally belonged only to them.

The generations of the aristocracy have monopolized knowledge.
Just like the jade pendant that Cao Yan dropped on the ground at this moment,
It's breaking apart!!
(End of this chapter)