Shortly after Chen Fan, Hu Guang, Cai Yong and others left, Liu Hong sent people again to summon Guo Tai, Fan Pang, Zong Ci, Yin Xun and others into the palace.
These individuals were known as the "Eight Worthies" among the Shilin Party members. The word "worthies" refers to those whose moral character and conduct were worthy of being teachers.
Therefore, these individuals enjoyed considerable prestige among the Shilin Party members. Moreover, Guo Tai and Fan Pang were both pragmatic individuals whose ideals coincided with Liu Hong's.
After exchanging greetings, Liu Hong humbly asked them some questions about classical studies, and they patiently and thoroughly answered his questions.
They were full of admiration for the emperor's willingness to learn and his respect for classical studies. This wise and heroic young emperor received their unanimous praise.
"You are all great scholars of the Han Dynasty, your knowledge is enough to educate all people. It is a great pity that the students of the world have heard of your names, but cannot receive your guidance. It is truly a great pity!"
After chatting for a while, Liu Hong looked at everyone with a regretful expression and sighed.
"Your Majesty is right. Although we have spent our lives lecturing and taking on students, unfortunately, our energy is limited, and we cannot fulfill the purpose of education..."
Guo Tai and the others also looked troubled and couldn't help but sigh.
Liu Hong said solemnly, "Why don't you all write down your knowledge and spread it throughout the world?"
In that way, students throughout the land could receive your teachings at any time, and you would be remembered by future generations—a win-win situation indeed…?
"Your Majesty is unaware that writing a book is not difficult; the difficulty lies in its mass reproduction. A single book requires dozens of kilograms of bamboo slips for recording, and a person can hardly reproduce more than a few copies in their lifetime. How then can it be spread far and wide?"
Guo Tai shook his head and sighed. Didn't they also yearn to write books and establish their reputations for posterity?
In ancient times, there was a saying that a book was worth a fortune. A book could be passed down through generations, so you can imagine how precious it was. Apart from powerful and wealthy families, ordinary people really couldn't afford it.
Even if they were able to write books, it would only enrich the knowledge of wealthy and powerful families, offering no benefit to ordinary students.
"Everyone, there's no need to worry!!"
Liu Hong smiled and then waved to Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side.
"Go, bring those papers up here!!"
"promise!"
Zhang Rang bowed and left, and soon returned to the crowd with a stack of clean white papers.
"This is.....?"
Everyone stared in shock at the paper in Zhang Rang's hand.
"This paper is called 'Ink Paper.' It was made by Marquis Moyang and his craftsmen over several months with painstaking effort. It is perfectly fine for writing on. You are all welcome to try it!"
Liu Hong smiled and explained the origin of the paper to everyone, emphasizing the name Mo Shang.
Liu Hong then had someone bring pen and ink so that Guo Tai and others could conduct the experiment.
Upon hearing the emperor's words, everyone eagerly picked up their brushes and ink and began to write.
"Excellent... excellent! This paper is indeed a rare and precious object. Just one page is worth ten pounds of bamboo slips!"
A moment later, everyone looked at the densely packed small characters on the papers in their hands, which were exceptionally clear and without any ink smudging, and they couldn't help but admire them.
"Hehe~, I invited you all here today to help you with your book writing..."
The engineering school is currently researching the replication of printing technology. Once it is successful, all of your knowledge will be able to spread throughout the world and educate countless people!
Liu Hong then recounted the writing and printing process to Guo Tai and the others in detail.
Guo Tai asked hesitantly, "May I ask Your Majesty, what is the price of this paper?"
"Fifty coins per page!!"
"this....."
Everyone couldn't help but start calculating in their minds. A book would require at least dozens or even hundreds of pages to complete. Including the cost of writing materials and printing, the cost of a book would be at least five thousand coins!
"Your Majesty, although this paper is much cheaper than before, the cost of making books is still not low, and most students still cannot afford it!" Guo Tai looked at Liu Hong with a bitter expression.
Five thousand coins is not much for aristocratic and wealthy families; they could afford even a book costing fifty thousand coins. However, it was beyond the reach of impoverished students.
"Hehe~ The initial price may be a bit high, but once the costs are recovered, I will order the price of the books to be controlled at around five hundred to one thousand coins!!"
Liu Hong smiled and continued, "After all, it's about spreading knowledge and benefiting students all over the world. It's nothing for the court to lose some money!"
"Your Majesty's concern for the students of the world truly makes you a benevolent and wise ruler!"
Liu Hong's selflessness and emphasis on classical studies deeply moved Guo Tai and others.
"You flatter me. You are meant to educate the world, so that everyone can read books, and everyone can know etiquette and shame."
This is what I have been pursuing all my life. I hope that you all can assist me in writing books and educating the people.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, we will dedicate all our knowledge and skills to assist you in accomplishing this monumental task!"
Guo Tai and the others were even more excited as they held the papers in their hands. Thinking to the end, a tear slid down their cheek.
After seeing the expressions of the people in front of him, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction.
"I believe that you will all be able to produce masterpieces, but the purpose of writing is to educate, and you must never mix political opinions into them! I hope you will all keep this in mind!"
Liu Hong also knew that a book could teach people manners, but it could also influence a person's thinking. Scholarship is scholarship, and politics is politics; they should never be mixed together.
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