Daqin: My weak and virtuous minister

Today, Xianyang City is particularly lively.

It’s because the paper produced by Daisho-zo started to be sold.

The scholars from all families in Xianyang and the three dukes and nine ministers in the court all wanted to trample down the thresholds of the shops.

The common people stood together at a distance to watch the excitement. It wasn't that they didn't want to see the paper that was said to be a holy object, but they simply couldn't squeeze through.

"Here's the paper for writing."

Inside the shop, the shopkeeper was so happy looking at the crowds of people coming in that he couldn't stop smiling.

"Buy toilet paper here."

"What! For the toilet!"

Such a sacred object is actually used in the toilet!

The scholars were all unhappy.

Some of the more daring ones spoke up on the spot, "Such a sacred object, and you actually let people use it in the toilet? It's really, really a disgrace!"

The waiter quickly explained, "Sir, this toilet paper is different from writing paper. The toilet paper is soft and very comfortable to use, much better than bamboo slips. You will understand its wonderful use at a glance."

Wow, this is the first time I've talked about going to the toilet in public with everyone. The guy sighed and then busied himself with getting paper for the people who came to buy it.

“It’s really soft.”

Some people were curious and took a look. Although it was not as white as writing paper, it was extremely soft and would not be torn if torn.

"Give me some."

"Okay. Take it, sir."

"Give me some, too."

"And I."

"Don't worry, we have enough stock and everyone has something."

"Oh, I also want to see what the paper looks like. I heard that it has been improved and is better than the previous one."

The shop was bustling with people, and the people outside were also having heated discussions.

"I also heard that they've also introduced toilet paper. It's very soft, almost as good as silk."

"Really? You use toilet paper too?"

"Even this noble man's butt is so precious!"

"Who says it isn't?"

"No, I heard toilet paper is very cheap and most people can afford it. I heard the price is set by the government."

"Is it the great improvement that improves the soil and allows us to grow four shi of grain per mu?"

"Yes, that's him."

"Is this a deity descending to earth? How can his brain be so sharp?"

"What do you know, a crude fellow like you? This is a genius of all time."

"Oh, that's great, Lao Lu. When did you become so cultured?"

"Ah, I just heard that. Those nobles were talking about it. I just passed by and overheard it."

"General Meng Wu, has the salt been delivered?"

At the newly established salt factory, Zhang Yuanqing watched Qin Huali busy directing his disciples to prepare a series of tools, and nodded with satisfaction.

Hope is motivation, and it is worthwhile to paint a rosy picture for him.

Roll up, everyone roll up.

"Some were delivered yesterday, but today's supply will not arrive until the afternoon."

"Thank you for your hard work these days, General. When we make salt, I will commend you to the king."

"Thank you very much, Grand Master."

Meng Wu admired Zhang Yuanqing very much, and was very happy to be sent by the king to assist Zhang Yuanqing in making salt.

"You're welcome, General. I'll leave this place to you. I'll go check out the paper mill."

Zhang Yuanqing has been thinking about printing these days. He doesn't know how Xiang Liqin and others are doing with their research, so he still has to go and take a look.

But you can't brag about everything and then fail to invent something after all your hard work. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face?

Paper mill

Li Si came here after the court session. He was also very curious about printing.

The Mo family members were carving words on the wood one by one. This was a delicate job and could not be done carelessly, especially since the words had to be carved upside down.

Ever since Zhang Yuanqing told them about printing, Xiang Liqin and Fu? had handed over the papermaking task to their disciples. The two of them, along with a dozen or so disciples, studied it day and night, almost stopping eating and drinking.

As soon as Li Si came in, he saw a group of disheveled people.

This Mohist is really crazy when it comes to researching things.

Li Si has sighed countless times these days.

Zhang Yuanqing was also shocked when he arrived.

If you don’t know, you might think that Liske and the Mo family ate and drank.

"How is it? Any progress?"

"Sir, we have been studying this printing technique for a few days and have come up with a preliminary idea. It's about gluing this paper onto the typesetting and then removing it. We haven't decided what to use it for yet."

……

Zhang Yuanqing didn't know this either. He had no choice but to try slowly. "Do you know of any adhesive liquid? Perhaps I could try using that."

"We are already collecting them and will try them out once the molds are ready."

"Brother Zhang, come and see our new paper products."

Li Si happily came over with a piece of paper, not caring at all that there was a little dust on his robe.

"You actually printed patterns on paper?"

Wow, the ancients were really smart. Incredible.

Seeing Zhang Yuanqing so surprised, Li Si grinned with a sense of accomplishment, but still couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Not only does it have patterns, but the Mo family is now trying to find a way to make the paper fragrant. If it were ever made, it would be a huge hit."

Those great scholars and literati from aristocratic families love elegant things the most. If they are accompanied by fragrance, they will definitely be their favorite.

"Really? Then we'll have to raise the price. We can make up different stories based on the different smells, and we'll definitely make a lot of money."

Money, this is all money.

"Oh? How do you say it?"

"Look, plum blossoms bloom in winter, braving the cold and standing tall, symbolizing the gentleman's perseverance, fearlessness of the cold, and unyielding noble spirit. Orchids, growing in similarly secluded valleys, have a delicate and unassuming fragrance, symbolizing the gentleman's indifference to fame and fortune, his pure and unworldly aspirations. Bamboo, evergreen, humble and unyielding, fearless of wind and rain, symbolizes the gentleman's integrity, humility, fortitude, tenacity, and positive spirit. Chrysanthemums bloom in late autumn and early winter, mostly without dazzling displays, with a delicate fragrance, symbolizing the gentleman's indifference to fame and fortune, his tranquil and far-sighted aspirations. Don't you think that with this kind of propaganda, those scholars wouldn't be forced to give in?"

"Colorful, colorful, colorful."

Li Si laughed a few times and looked at Zhang Yuanqing as if he was looking at a walking treasure.

Merchants in this era were still profiting by simply taking the difference between prices. Such marketing tactics were naturally unheard of, especially for a scholar like Li Si who had no business sense. If Lü Buwei were here, perhaps the two of them could sit down and have a chat.

"Old Li, you're too polite. These are just minor details and don't deserve praise."

Zhang Yuanqing waved his hands, not caring at all. In later generations, these were all tricks that had been played out by others and were not worth mentioning.

"Let's go and see how these patterns are printed."

Zhang Yuanqing is still quite curious about this.

"Finally, I saw something that you, Zhang Yuanqing, didn't know."