Chapter 142: Don’t Forget Your Original Intention

Wu Zhao finished writing the last character, then put down the brush in her hand and handed the silk filled with characters to Yuan Xi.

She explained, "These are the books that I have collected these days that I think can be used for enlightenment."

"In the mansion in Beixin City, there are also some classics of Father's, but now that they are not with me, I can only write some from memory."

Yuan Xi looked at the handwriting on the silk and sighed, "Thank you for your hard work. I will find someone to collect these books in the next few days and copy a few more copies."

Wu Zhao worried, "Gongzi's idea is good, but literacy and classics are in the hands of a few scholars. It is by no means something that can be accomplished in a few years to start enlightenment education and spread it to the common people."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "I know, unless the means and ways of communication can have a breakthrough change."

Wu Zhao asked curiously, "What does Gongzi mean?"

Yuan Xi raised the silk, "One is the material for writing."

"Bamboo slips are bulky, and silk is expensive. We need to find cheap things to replace them, such as paper."

Wu Zhao nodded and said, "Cai Hou paper is light and convenient, but it is quite troublesome to make, requiring more than a dozen processes and consuming more labor."

"Now the world is in chaos, and many people can't afford to eat and starve to death. Many craftsmen have been forced to change their professions and make a living by farming, so the paper on the market has become less in recent years."

"Moreover, paper is easily damaged, and important texts are still written on bamboo and silk, so the gentry also resist paper."

Yuan Xi nodded, knowing that what Wu Zhao said was indeed the truth. Paper also has many inconveniences. It was not until Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty invented the moth-proof and moisture-proof yellow hemp paper that paper was truly accepted by the gentry.

The process from invention to practical use is a process of accumulation of many related technologies, one link after another. If one place drops the chain, the entire link will stop moving forward.

Just like papermaking, although it already appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty, it was not until the economic recovery in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties after the wars in the late Han Dynasty and the struggle between the Three Kingdoms that paper was mass-produced and began to face the common people.

Affected by this, calligraphy and painting in the Wei and Jin Dynasties began to flourish, and a large number of calligraphers and painters emerged.

If you want to ensure technological progress, you must ensure the progress of productivity in the territory. If you want to ensure productivity, you must ensure the stability of the situation in the territory.

The premise of ensuring these is to have the power to protect yourself.

The more advanced the various technologies are, the stronger the power to protect oneself will be, forming a perfect closed loop.

Therefore, there are too many things that need to be coordinated in governing a place, which is by no means something that Yuan Xi alone can accomplish.

Talent, or talent.

Yuan Xi deeply understood why talent is productivity and why governing the world cannot be separated from the gentry with knowledge.

How can he solve the problems of thousands of years alone? He can only do his best.

He said, "Although paper is not easy to preserve, it is enough for enlightenment."

"Youzhou is not short of resources, it depends on how many talents can be recruited in the future."

"I will find ways to poach people from Qingzhou and Jizhou, and use money, food, and official positions to recruit craftsmen and widely recruit apprentices."

"As long as the apprentices know hundreds of characters, they can play a greater role in their learned expertise."

"The paper books that record technology are a key factor. The more books there are, the more people can learn at the same time."

"I will let the Zhen family buy a large amount of papermaking materials to improve papermaking technology."

Wu Zhao worried, "But it is also very troublesome to find someone to copy it."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Don't worry, there is also a way."

He briefly talked about block printing and movable type printing, and smiled, "Block printing is enough for enlightenment books. As long as there is paper, it is not a problem to print hundreds of sheets a day. In this way, a large number of books can be produced."

Wu Zhao's eyes lit up when she heard this, "Gongzi's idea is really amazing!"

"If this method of printing books becomes popular, it is not a distant thing for everyone to have books to read!"

"Did Gongzi come up with this?"

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "This was thought of by a craftsman."

"You see, even though most of the books are in the hands of the gentry, there are still many lower-level craftsmen who have discovered better and more advanced things in their labor."

"But many craftsmen are limited in the possibility of continuing to improve technology because they are illiterate."

"Heaven is unfair, but it is also fair, giving everyone the opportunity to acquire knowledge, so as to change this world."

"Everyone should have the right to learn."

Wu Zhao's eyes lit up even more when she heard this, and she nodded gently, "I really want to see this day come with Gongzi."

The two talked for a while, and Yuan Xi asked, "I went to Xuzhou, and I have almost finished talking with the Mi family. I am just waiting for the Zhen family to send someone to make contact, and then I can open up the business route."

"I just don't know how the Zhen family is preparing."

Wu Zhao smiled and said, "Why doesn't Gongzi go and ask the Zhen family's girl in person?"

Yuan Xi said helplessly, "Although it was intentional last time, the rumors are more powerful than I expected. I am afraid that I will not be able to control the situation and let people launch it in advance, and I will not be able to deal with it here."

Wu Zhao laughed, "You wooden head, don't you still have an older sister to take the lead?"

"Speaking of which, you didn't go to see her when you came back. I'm afraid she will blame you again."

Yuan Xi sweated profusely. He had been busy with a lot of things since he came back, and he really left Yuan Xing behind!

He quickly jumped off the couch and said, "You reminded me, I'll go see her first!"

He found Zhao Yun and said, "Brother Zilong, come with me to the Yuan Mansion."

Zhao Yun didn't know why, and followed him into the carriage.

When they arrived at the Yuan Mansion, Yuan Xi asked the guard to inform him, and a maid came in to greet the two of them.

The two of them followed him to the rear residence, where Yuan Xing greeted them. Upon seeing Yuan Xi, she immediately complained, "You still remember me!"

"After you moved out, how long did it take you to visit me even once?"

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Isn't this because I came to see my older sister as soon as I returned?"

Yuan Xing sighed, "It's good that you're back. I heard you went to Dongwuyang and then to Xuzhou. What matter is so important that you had to personally run around for it?"

She then turned to Zhao Yun, lowered her head slightly, and bowed, saying, "My second brother has been a lot of trouble for the General. I thank you here."

Zhao Yun quickly returned the bow, "It is my duty, Zlong is apprehensive."

Yuan Xi, seeing this, said, "Have you two met before?"

Zlong's expression remained unchanged, "When the Young Master left Ye City, the Lady came to the Young Master's residence a few times."

Yuan Xi could tell from the way Zhao Yun and Yuan Xing spoke to each other that they were already quite familiar.

He was somewhat disgruntled, thinking he had gone to great lengths to create an opportunity for them, but he didn't expect they had already hooked up!

He took advantage of Zhao Yun going outside to guard and pulled Yuan Xing into the room, quietly laughing, "What does my dear sister think of Brother Zlong?"

"Wasn't he the handsome and talented man I told you about before? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Yuan Xing glared at him, "He is good, but neither you nor I can make the decision. What's the use of just talking about it?"

"Moreover, although he is currently a Commandant, he is still far from meeting the Yuan family's requirements. I don't mind, but Father and Mother will definitely not allow it."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Don't worry, once he defeats Gongsun Zan and achieves merit, he will be promoted."

Yuan Xing shook her head, "You're thinking too simply. Even if he becomes a Lieutenant General, even if Father nods, Mother won't be happy."

"I heard from Mother recently that she wants me to have a marriage alliance with a powerful clan."

Yuan Xi pondered, "What if Father were to change his primary wife..."

Yuan Xing was shocked and quickly covered Yuan Xi's mouth, whispering, "How can you say such things?"

Yuan Xi shook his head, realizing that doing such a thing was indeed too risky.

It wasn't that he didn't have assassins. The assassins trained by Qu Yi under his command would all eagerly rush to their deaths if he gave the order.

But in doing so, the consequences would be difficult to predict. The worst-case scenario would be Yuan Xi losing everything, and all his previous efforts would be in vain.

There is no wall that doesn't leak wind. If you want to eliminate future troubles, one way is to kill them all, but they are still family members, how can you kill them all?

The second way is to have the power that even if the other party knows, they dare not retaliate.

Yuan Xi's current position was given to him by the Yuan family and could be taken back at any time. Only when he becomes a regional warlord will he make others dare not act rashly.

Thinking of this, he smiled at Yuan Xing and said, "Sister, don't worry, I was just saying it casually."

"I have another matter I want to ask of you. The New Year is coming in a few days. You and Zhen Rong are close, why not invite him over for a chat? I will accompany you then."

Yuan Xing immediately understood and smiled, shaking her head, "Second brother, you have become much more cunning, learning so many roundabout ways."

"I will go invite Zhen Rong tomorrow. You wait for my news."

Yuan Xi and Zhao Yun left the residence and got into the carriage. Yuan Xi was in a good mood, but he saw a look of disappointment on Zhao Yun's face.

He was surprised to see this and asked, "Brother Zlong, could it be that you don't like my older sister?"

"If that's really the case, I'll find you another good match."

Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "The Young Master has misunderstood, Yun doesn't mean that."

"Your sister's family background, character, and appearance are all beyond Yun's reach, but what Yun is disappointed in is not these matters of love and affection."

"Yun is somewhat disappointed in the Young Master, and even more disappointed in himself."

Yuan Xi was shocked to hear this and hurriedly said, "What did I do to wrong you?"

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth and saying, "Ye City is very good, the food is good, the accommodation is also good, much more comfortable than Beixin City. I see that the Young Master is also enjoying it."

"But does the Young Master still remember the promise he made to the people of the city when he left?"

"At that time, Yun took over from the Young Master to manage Beixin City, and then Qu Xiong temporarily took care of it during the Battle of Qingzhou to attack Tian Kai."

"The city lord has been changed back and forth, but no explanation has been given to the people of Beixin City. Now that the New Year is coming, I wonder if the people of Beixin City feel that the Young Master has deceived them?"

"I know that the Young Master has many important things to do, but if the Young Master doesn't give them a good explanation, how will he be able to gain the trust of the world in the future?"

Yuan Xi, upon hearing this, was drenched in sweat and bowed in the carriage, saying, "Brother Zlong's words awaken me from a dream. It is indeed my negligence."

"I will go to Beixin City with you tomorrow."

Zhao Yun shook his head and said, "No, the Young Master has already done well enough, and Ye City needs the Young Master to be in charge."

"Now that Ziyi is protecting the Young Master, Yun can also rest assured. Please allow Yun to return first."

"When I see the people of Beixin City, Yun will bring the Young Master's words."

Yuan Xi sighed, "With Brother Zlong's help, what worries do I have that great things cannot be accomplished!"

"Please ask Brother to inform the people in the city that I will return as soon as possible after the New Year. At that time, I will bring not only food to Beixin City, but also peace to the Northern Lands!"

Zhao Yun's eyes showed appreciation upon hearing this, "Yun has remembered it, and will set off immediately to convey it to the people on behalf of the Young Master!"

The carriage arrived at the residence. Zhao Yun went into the house to pack up, taking dry food, clothing, and two fast horses, bidding farewell to everyone, and left the city.

Yuan Xi saw Zhao Yun disappear into the distance at the city gate, and thought to himself that Zhao Yun's martial prowess and leadership might not be the best, but he had the extremely rare and valuable quality of speaking frankly and offering advice.

Worthy of being Changshan Zhao Zlong.