The next day, Zhangtai Palace.
Chu Yuening looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar pencil, her eyes full of surprise.
Don't underestimate a small pencil, it is very common in modern times.
But in ancient times when technology was backward, there was no assistance from industrial machines and people could only rely on handicrafts, which was extremely difficult.
What's more, graphite is brittle and soft, and it is not easy to make it into a thin pen refill.
Unexpectedly, it was developed in just two days.
She picked up one and tried it on a piece of white paper. The writing was smooth and the ink was clear, almost the same as that of modern industrially produced pencils.
"good."
Chu Yuening was satisfied, then handed the pencil to the man opposite and spoke with a smile.
"A Zheng, you should try it too."
"Um."
Ying Zheng nodded and took it. His slender fingers gripped the pen and he wrote the two words "Da Qin" in a flamboyant manner.
After experiencing its wonderful effects firsthand, he raised his sword-like eyebrows slightly, his phoenix eyes shone with excitement, and he couldn't help but praise it loudly.
"This pencil is truly magical. It's easier to write with than a brush, and doesn't require an inkstone."
“Most importantly, it’s low cost.”
"Not only children, but also students from poor families and even ordinary people in the world can be used."
Hearing these words, Chu Yuening was shocked and suddenly realized that she had fallen into a misunderstanding.
In ancient times, "hanmen" did not refer to poor families, but rather to families with lower social status, also known as commoners.
Most of them had a wealthy family and could afford books, writing brushes, paper and inkstones. They were able to read and write and pass the imperial examinations.
"Men" means foundation. Only a family with a certain foundation and wealth can be called a "men".
The truly poor people were called common people, Qianshou, and Luzuo.
They have no wealth or power and can barely make ends meet. Where can they get the money to buy expensive pens, ink, paper and inkstone?
They are not from a poor family at all.
As the saying goes, no one cares about your hard work for ten years, but you will be known by the whole world if you become famous overnight.
But the cruel reality is that poor people are not even qualified to study hard, let alone meet the threshold of the imperial examination.
Perhaps the pencil meant more than she thought.
Not just for children.
Chu Yuening's expression changed, her starry eyes flashed, and she asked the chief female official below.
"Who invented the pencil?"
"My Lady, it's Lu Qi, a student from the Engineering College."
"This person is extremely talented. He mastered all the Mohist schools in just one month. His talent is astonishing."
Yaojia reported everything in detail.
Chu Yuening's interest was immediately piqued, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her lips, but a hint of inquiry flashed in her eyes.
"Oh? There's such a genius?"
"I wonder if he can develop a pencil with a replaceable refill..."
"My Lady, I will send someone to inquire about this right away."
Yaojia responded with great tact, his expression remaining calm.
As a qualified subordinate, understanding the boss's intentions is one of the basic abilities.
After the female official left, Ying Zheng pointed at the five ink marks of varying shades on the white paper, with a hint of appreciation in his tone.
"Look, Yue Ning, the colors of the five pens range from light to dark."
"This man does have some intelligence."
Chu Yuening looked at it curiously and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"I didn't ask for it, but I didn't expect him to figure it out on his own."
"It seems Yue Ning has unearthed another gem."
"Establishing the academy was a wise move."
Ying Zheng looked at the woman with her red lips slightly parted, tenderness flowing in his clear phoenix eyes.
After the establishment of the Self-Study Palace, it attracted countless talented and ambitious people who shined in various fields and brought vigorous vitality to Daqin.
Perhaps this force is still relatively small now, but as it accumulates from generation to generation, it will eventually burst forth and lead the empire to a prosperous era.
And all this is thanks to Yue Ning.
The man's voice was low and pleasant, with a smile at the end and a sense of pride.
Chu Yuening blinked her eyelashes, her pretty face gradually turned pink, and sweet ripples appeared in her heart.
A Zheng is really good at it.
Why do you praise her every time you get the chance?
It seems like a boastful monster.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile with her hands covering her lips, her eyebrows curved into crescent shapes, like a cunning little fox.
Ying Zheng looked puzzled, then reached out and pinched her chin, asking in a low voice.
"Why is Yue Ning laughing?"
"Nothing, I just remembered something happy."
Chu Yuening suppressed her smile, held the warm big hand in both hands, and talked nonsense seriously.
After playing around for a while, she held her chin, looked into the man's deep eyes, and earnestly asked for his advice.
"A Zheng, what do you think about letting Lu Qi teach Jue'er?"
"Jue'er is as talented as Zhao Zhao, but compared to literature, history, and law, he prefers arithmetic and Mohism."
"We can't delay him."
Ying Zheng frowned slightly, his mind in turmoil.
Although Lu Qi has shown some talent, his specific abilities are still unknown.
Besides, there are so many talented and ambitious people in the world.
As Jue'er is a prince of the empire and his beloved child, he naturally deserves the best.
He rubbed the top of the woman's head and comforted her in a gentle voice.
"Don't worry, Yuening. Jue'er is still young. Let's observe her for a while."
"Yeah, that's right. Then I'll see how Lu Qi performs next."
Chu Yuening suppressed the impatience in her heart and nodded in agreement.
But to her surprise, Luqi's talent far exceeded her imagination.
Just one day later, a delicate mechanical pencil was delivered to her.
It still looks like a plain wooden stick, but it actually has a lot going for it.
This time there is an extra pen cap on the pen tip, and a section of the pen core will come out when you press it.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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