Chapter 23 023 I like them all.
Xie Lanzhao listened to the "jade voice" with a blank expression.
What could she possibly regret?
However, Zhao Jialing's incessant chatter didn't last long this time, and Xie Lanzhao didn't need to interrupt her at all.
"There's no use for me keeping the 'Essentials of Woodblock Printing' to myself. I'll hand it over to the Ministry of Works, the Directorate of Imperial Works, and the Imperial Household Department for study. With the reform of the imperial examination system, scholars are not allowed to carry rhyme books; they must be distributed by the court. If we were to rely on hand-copying, it would be a huge undertaking, very time-consuming, and prone to errors. This 'Essentials of Woodblock Printing' has come at just the right time; the first book to be printed is a rhyme book," Zhao Jialing said.
Xie Lanzhao inquired carefully, "We need to hire craftsmen to carve the characters. As for the printing plate, what are Your Majesty's plans?" She already had an idea, but since His Majesty was willing to take charge, she would let her think about it herself. The craftsmen would try to overcome the technical difficulties, but the characters could not be taken lightly. At the very least, the printing surface had to be clear, the handwriting could not be sloppy, and most importantly, the errors had to be minimized.
"Among the students of the Imperial Academy, those with beautiful handwriting were selected and made to write in neat regular script. As for the base text, it was based on a secret rhyme book," Zhao Jialing said.
Whether she liked it or not, as a princess, her studies couldn't be so bad as to be completely neglected; she knew certain things. Handwritten copies, for example, were most prone to change during circulation. The copies in the Imperial Library were meticulously proofread by the scribes of the Secretariat. By standardizing the text, only one version would be recognized in the future, avoiding any embarrassing situations.
"Officially printed books..." Xie Lanzhao pondered for a moment, then continued, "Should they be under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy?"
"No." Zhao Jialing refused without even thinking.
Xie Lanzhao frowned slightly. She closed "The Essentials of Woodblock Printing," gazed intently at Zhao Jialing, and said, "The Imperial Academy is an official school that teaches the classics. Since His Majesty has students of the Imperial Academy copying these texts, why not directly establish a printing workshop within the Imperial Academy?"
Zhao Jialing was silent for a while, then sighed and said, "It's not that I'm unwilling to use the Imperial Academy... The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy is your relative, you should know what kind of person he is, right?"
Xie Lanzhao's eyelids twitched.
The current Imperial Academy Chancellor is Zheng Shiyan, her mother's cousin.
He was among the court officials who vehemently opposed the establishment of the Temple of Martial Arts and the Supervisory Bureau of Martial Arts.
Zhao Jialing met Xie Lanzhao's gaze and said frankly, "I am only worried that if the printing houses are controlled by the Imperial Academy, the books printed in the future will all be Confucian classics. As for military books, I'm afraid there will be no chance in the short term. I can issue an edict to have them print them, but the time-consuming task of proofreading and printing can be postponed indefinitely."
No one understands the importance of delaying things better than Zhao Jialing.
Xie Lanzhao simply felt that the Imperial Academy was in charge of academic affairs, and it was most appropriate to place the seal-making workshop under it. But after hearing Zhao Jialing's explanation, he felt that it made sense.
Was it His Majesty's own idea, or was it taught by the system?
A strange feeling welled up in her heart. She lowered her eyes to avoid Zhao Jialing's gaze and asked, "What should we do about the seal shop?"
Zhao Jialing said, "The funds will be allocated from the Imperial Household Department. You will take the lead in coordinating the work of the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Workshop, and get them done as soon as possible." She happily passed the task on, "There's no need to keep this 'Essentials of Woodblock Printing' a secret. If anyone in the community wants to learn it, the craftsmen can teach them."
If just one exceptionally clever person among a group of people could improve this woodblock printing technique and make it multi-colored, then there would be no need to do the tasks of the Wise Ruler System anymore, Zhao Jialing thought happily.
Xie Lanzhao concealed the strange look in his eyes and said respectfully, "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree."
She could try to advocate for the Imperial Academy, but since His Majesty had clearly refused, there was no need for her to argue about who was right or wrong.
Zhao Jialing was intently observing Xie Lanzhao, noticing a slight change in her expression. He muttered to himself, "What kind of look was that just now?"
The Wise Ruler System's Ramblings: [A look of approval.]
Even if a monarch trusts his ministers completely, the ministers cannot truly relax completely.
Being cautious and trembling, as if walking on thin ice, is a true reflection of prime ministers throughout history.
Zhao Jialing gave a soft chuckle.
I knew it.
[Xie Lanzhao, are you also captivated by me?]
Xie Lanzhao: "..."
She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
When His Majesty mentioned the word "relatives," the first thing that came to her mind was an old story.
Political enemies impeached her for appointing relatives and friends.
Xie Lanzhao could not deny this. She would not randomly put her relatives and friends into unsuitable positions, but if there was a suitable one, she would definitely let her confidants do it.
By then, His Majesty had grown distant from her and was always critical of her over trivial matters.
She thought His Majesty would use this as an excuse to make a fuss, but His Majesty didn't.
His Majesty said, "When selecting people, the prime minister should not avoid recommending relatives or friends, nor should he avoid recommending people he has offended. Since they are people he has known for his life, he can better assess their talents and employ them."
It seems His Majesty has his own judgment. But it must be said, those little things are a bit annoying.
Now even the annoying little things are gone, but she was caught off guard and confronted His Majesty's true feelings.
For a moment, I didn't know which was more torturous.
"You always seem to drift off when you're talking to me. Were you like this when you were following my elder sister?" Zhao Jialing said, her tone sarcastic.
"I was just thinking—" A fleeting look of emotion crossed Xie Lanzhao's face, but she quickly regained her usual composure. However, she stopped mid-sentence.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhao Jialing got up and walked towards Xie Lanzhao. She actually wanted to pat Xie Lanzhao's shoulder, but she was worried that she would resist. So she lowered her hand and placed her fingertips on the closed "Essentials of Woodblock Printing".
"Since Your Majesty trusts your ministers so much, I—"
“I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse—” Zhao Jialing interrupted Xie Lanzhao, drawing out her words and frowning to show her annoyance with the tired old cliché of loyalty. Her hand had already moved from the book and unconsciously landed on the armrest of the chair. She leaned slightly closer to Xie Lanzhao.
The ruler standing while the ministers sit is contrary to proper etiquette.
But if he were to get up, he would crash directly into His Majesty.
Xie Lanzhao could have straightened her face and sternly rebuked His Majesty for his unruly behavior.
But when she met those clear eyes, she felt a slight stirring in her heart, and let her continue to approach her.
Was she influenced by His Majesty's words? Even though she knew His Majesty was talking nonsense, she couldn't focus all her attention on state affairs.
“Xie Qing, you are somewhat different from a few months ago.” Zhao Jialing took a step back.
"Third Sister, do you think she's possessed? Lately, she's been treating me with kindness and gentleness, like a spring breeze, and hasn't objected to my policies at all."
[This indicates that the host has made significant progress and achieved remarkable results.]
Xie Lanzhao: "..."
She felt a strange urge to laugh.
Didn't you say you were infatuated with her not long ago? How come you're bewitched now?
Has His Majesty truly gone mad?
Xie Lanzhao's lips twitched, and she lowered her eyes and said meekly, "Your subject does not know."
Zhao Jialing raised an eyebrow and smiled, "It's alright, I like Xie Qing no matter what he looks like."
[Besides mentioning his elder sister, besides pleading for Chen Xiyuan, besides glaring at me coldly, besides abandoning me again, besides...]
The Wise Ruler System couldn't help but interrupt Zhao Jialing: [So love is conditional, right?]
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