Chapter 39 Preparing for Papermaking

39

Lin Baige thought that Lord Zhang was going to make things difficult for him, but the questions were actually quite normal. He had only studied on his own for a few months, and many of the books were very difficult to understand. He had not studied any related subjects in college, so he still found it quite difficult to learn.

The answer is mixed with a lot of colloquialisms, but the overall idea is correct.

Lord Zhang showed him the test paper on the spot and didn't let him leave. He asked him to sit next to him and wait. Lin Baige's palms were sweating with nervousness. Was this a public execution?

He stared at Lord Zhang nervously, feeling insecure. For the first time, he wanted Fu Jiangyu to stay with him.

After a while, he actually saw Master Zhang nodding. Was he satisfied with his essay? Did he pass the exam?

Who knew that Master Zhang would start by saying, "Although you are unlearned and unskillful, you are not completely useless. If I teach you with all my heart, I can still straighten out this crooked tree of yours."

Lin Baige: “???” Who’s grown crooked?

Mr. Zhang: "Don't even think about becoming an official yet. I will teach you personally. You can take the exam again in a few years."

Lin Baige was confused. He thought that if he passed the exam, he would become an official, and if he failed, he would go back to study for another year. Fu Jiangyu said that he would be his teacher and teach him personally. He thought that maybe in another year, he would pass the exam.

He had never thought that Master Zhang would accept him as his apprentice: "Don't you despise me the most? Why are you willing to accept me as your apprentice? You are not deliberately trying to get revenge on me, are you? Using the name of your master, you deliberately beat me with a stick, smashing my palm or my face, and making His Majesty dislike me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw that Lord Zhang's face had turned black with anger.

He thought to himself that he had originally wanted to ask, "Do you want to beat my butt so that I can't sleep with His Majesty?"

Fortunately, he didn't say it. If he had said it, Lord Zhang would have been so angry that his nose would have been crooked.

Of course, what he said just now also made Lord Zhang very angry.

"Thinking about seducing His Majesty all day long, how can you do that?" Lord Zhang actually didn't want to accept him as his apprentice, but Lin Baige wanted to be an official so much, Lord Zhang didn't know how many more years he could live at his age. While he was alive, he could still stop him. If he died one day, Lin Baige would have unimpeded access to the court and control the government.

In fact, even if Lin Baige did not enter the court to be an official, it was possible for her to use her status as an imperial concubine to interfere in politics. It would be better to keep Lin Baige under her own supervision and personally correct Lin Baige's evil thoughts.

If Lin Baige could be taught well, it would be a great good deed to save the world.

Seeing his hesitation, Master Zhang said angrily, "Normally, there are many people who want to be my disciples, but they don't even have the chance."

"You're so old, it's better to be less angry." Lin Baige thought about it. Being his disciple also has its advantages. In the past, everyone mentioned him as the Demon Concubine. If he became Master Zhang's apprentice, he could restore some of his reputation. "But I want to do one thing. If Master Zhang can support me, I agree to be your apprentice."

"You are still mentioning conditions to me. Tell me, I want to hear what you ask for." Lord Zhang never thought that he could say anything good.

However, Lin Baige said, "Those who came to take the exam today are either fallen nobles or children from poor families. None of the children from ordinary families came to take the exam."

"Who are the ordinary people you are referring to?" Lord Zhang asked him.

"For farmers, shop owners, and laborers, education is expensive. Books, paper, and pens are all very expensive. They can't afford it, so I want to set up free education centers everywhere. Of course, we also need to open more paper mills and print more books. Opening mills will increase employment and lower the price of paper, making it affordable for everyone." Lin Baige knew that his words were a bit idealistic, but he just had to come up with ideas and then gradually improve them. Besides, the money confiscated from the last house raid was so huge. If he didn't spend it quickly and effectively, Fu Jiangyu would use it to expand the army. Their army was already full, so there was no need to expand further.

Moreover, he also wants to research some hot weapons, guns and cannons in the future. Then, attacking Jiang State will be like a piece of cake.

"I never thought you had such a great love, but the papermaking technology is controlled by the richest man Li Wan. Do you want to use your power to force him to hand over the production method?" Lord Zhang asked him.

"What? This technology is in the hands of an individual?" Lin Baige couldn't believe it.

"He is rich enough to rival a country, loves to do good deeds, and has countless friends. Whether in the court or among all kinds of people, he has friends who are willing to go through fire and water for him. His father and the late emperor were good friends, and Li Wan and the Marquis of Nan'an have also been friends for many years. If this gets out of hand, it will not look good." Lord Zhang said.

Lin Baige twitched his lips and thought to himself that if he were the emperor, he would have found an opportunity to punish the man long ago. How could he allow someone who was more famous than the emperor to exist?

What is the real purpose behind this wealthy man's good deeds? Is he planning a rebellion?

After this evil thought turned around in his head for a while, he quickly stopped: "I can also make paper, and my papermaking technology is better than his. Let's just bypass him and open a paper factory."