Chapter 11
Haoranzhai is the largest study in Ganzhou City, which contains everything from great Confucian classics, literary poems, military strategies, urban gossip and even the tender love stories of ladies in the boudoir. No one knew where the owner came from, but he ran a study with a complete collection of books in this bustling and lively place, and his business was very prosperous.
Lin Shuge entered the study and saw neatly arranged bamboo slips, various books classified into different categories, and even books bound with paper. People wearing various scholar robes came and went in the shop, some holding bamboo slips and reading them intently, while others had frowned and were pondering the meaning of the texts.
He walked a few steps inside, and the people inside didn't even raise their heads, looking unaffected at all.
Lin Shuge had known about this place before. Although it was located in a remote area, it had a great literary style and had produced several generations of great scholars. Now he saw that it was indeed worthy of its reputation.
"Sir, what kind of book do you need?" the waiter asked in a low voice.
"Are there any books for children who have just started school? My brother and sister are both twelve years old."
However, in this era, twelve years old was no longer considered a child. Eight to fifteen years old were considered adults. The imperial court stipulated that elementary school students should read "The Book of Filial Piety" and "The Analects of Confucius", and then enter the Imperial College to read the Five Classics. Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan are now in school, and they should continue to study "The Book of Filial Piety" and "The Analects of Confucius". The Lin family was a family that passed down poetry and literature. There are still scrolls left in the house. The two of them have been reading "The Analects of Confucius" since they were young.
So you just need to buy "The Book of Filial Piety" first.
Sure enough, the waiter gestured, "Sir, you can come over here. This is the "Book of Filial Piety" annotated by the great scholar Zheng Jing. Zheng Jing was a famous scholar in our dynasty at that time, a doctor of the Five Classics. His annotations were almost a must-read for scholars in our dynasty."
"This is the annotated version written by Wang Xuan, a great scholar from Dingyuan County. Compared with the previous one, it is easier to understand and more suitable for children. I wonder which one you would like to choose?" The waiter spoke eloquently, as if he had read books and was familiar with the annotations of various famous scholars.
Famous scholars will definitely quote from classics when writing annotations, which are difficult for children to understand. Although Lin Qingyuan and Lin Xuan have a basic foundation, it will not work if they take too big a step. They have to take it step by step.
"Let's take the second category first..."
"Brother, take Zheng Jing's notes." Xie Chen, who hadn't spoken a word yet, suddenly took the lead and spoke.
"Why?"
Xie Chen glanced at the waiter, who immediately said, "Sir, please take a look first. Call me if you have any questions."
"Brother, Lord Zheng is one of the five classics doctors appointed by the imperial court. His annotations are read by scholars of our dynasty and must be in line with the emperor's wishes. Private annotations will be mixed with personal annotations, which is not suitable for Ayuan and Axuan."
"If you're worried that they're hard to understand, I can help you decipher them."
Lin Shuge was slightly stunned. Didn’t he say that he was abducted by the Qiang people? When did he learn all this?
As if knowing what Lin Shuge was thinking, Xie Chen lowered his eyebrows and said with a hint of nostalgia, "When I was young, my eldest father taught me to read the Book of Filial Piety. Later..."
His expression changed slightly and his eyes showed sadness.
When Lin Shuge saw his expression, he hurriedly said, "Is Zhongxuan a child prodigy? He is so young but has already mastered the classics of great Confucian scholars."
Xie Chen opened his mouth to say something, but his mind wandered again and he said, "I'm not a child prodigy, I just started learning earlier."
The ancients were indeed so terrifying. He was worthy of the fact that he had been studying classics and history since he was a child. As a master of ancient literature, he can only be considered a latecomer and cannot compare to the ancients in their familiarity with the classics.
"Don't be so modest. I'll listen to you and buy the Zheng Jing annotated version."
"good."
Lin Shuge took the book and went to the clerk. "We have chosen. We want this one. We want two copies."
The books were heavy, so the clerk packed them one by one in a book bag and carefully put labels on them. He also wrote today's time on the wooden slips, indicating that he had bought two copies of "The Book of Filial Piety".
Lin Shuge found this interesting and thought it seemed like the method he should use to teach Magistrate Li.
"This is the way the county government stores books and documents. My master learned it from me," the waiter said proudly.
Lin Shuge chuckled and said, "It's quite innovative, but wooden tablets are difficult to preserve, so using paper would be better."
"Who says it's not? But paper is expensive and hard to use. We are just ordinary people, so we might as well use bamboo slips and wooden tablets."
Once Magistrate Li gets the method to improve papermaking, he will definitely find someone to try making paper. "It should be soon..."
"What's coming soon?" the guy asked puzzledly.
Lin Shuge smiled and said, "No big deal, buddy, how much for two copies?"
"Five hundred dollars in total."
In ancient times, buying books was really expensive. Children from poor families had problems getting enough food, so where would they get the spare money to send their children to school? Just buying books could use up several months’ food rations for a family of several people.
After buying the books, the two thousand coins that Magistrate Li had given him as a reward were mostly spent.
It is really worrying to support a family, but there is enough food at home, and I have a salary. If there is no need to spend a lot of money at home, it should be enough.
"Zhongxuan, let's go home. What do you want to eat tonight?"
"I like everything my brother does."
"There's some mushroom soup left over from last night. How about heating it up, adding some noodles to the soup, and mixing it with some vegetables?"
"Well, it must be delicious."
…
On the outskirts of Ganzhou, there is a row of abandoned houses with only broken walls and dry grass outside the courtyard, but inside the courtyard is bustling with activity: people are coming and going, drying, hammering, washing, and pulping, each one busy with his or her own work.
This is paper making.
A man who looked like a manager asked the craftsman next to him, "Is it almost done? I remember that the first batch can be produced today?"
The craftsman replied: Okay, I'll take you to see it.
The two came to the last drying area, where workers were peeling off the dried paper, stacking it up layer by layer, and cutting it into papers of equal size with a paper cutter.
"It's really done. Bring me some pen and ink."
The craftsman next to him quickly handed the manager a brush and ink. The manager excitedly picked up the brush and wrote a stroke. The ink was clear and not blurred at all. He clapped his hands happily and said, "I'll take it to the county magistrate to have a look. Everyone will get a reward."
All the craftsmen were smiling happily. They had been working non-stop for a long time and finally finished the work.
In the dim morning light, County Magistrate Li was reading files. The sunlight shining on the Ganzhou County Government Office was a little dazzling, so he moved his seat and continued to look at the files.
"Sir, sir, it's done, it's really done." The officer was so excited that his face turned red.
"What a fuss! What's the point of that? What's the point?"
"Sir, the paper has been made, and people are waiting outside."
Magistrate Li was startled, then overjoyed, "Quick, let him in."
The steward came in with a box in his hand and was about to pay his respects to Magistrate Li.
"No need to be so polite. Where's the paper?"
"Your Excellency, it's inside." The steward opened the box and saw a stack of neatly cut paper inside, the color of which was like white silk. County Magistrate Li picked it up and touched it. It felt delicate and had no rough texture.
He picked up the pen and ink on the table and wrote two big words. The handwriting was still clear, with no smudges or signs of penetration on the edges.
"Good, good, good." He said three good words excitedly.
"Go and invite Lin Lingshi."
The officer let out an "Ah" and ran out quickly.
Magistrate Li paced back and forth excitedly. This was truly a great achievement. This year's assessment had the effect of warming the kang, and with this spotless white paper, wouldn't it be a real step forward? How should he present it to the county magistrate? Need to think about it again.
Lin Shuge, take Lin Shuge with you. This boy is indeed extraordinary. It seems he deserves a generous reward. By the way, those craftsmen should also be rewarded.
"Sir, Lin Lingshi is here."
Magistrate Li took a look at Lin Shuge who was following behind the runners. He became more and more satisfied. It was the same official uniform, but how come Lin Lingshi looked so good in it? He was really handsome and elegant, unlike Cui Yan. It was a pity that he should die.
"Your Excellency, I wonder what you want me to do?"
Lin Shuge was busy doing the final assessment of grassroots officials before the New Year when he was suddenly summoned by an excited officer, who said that the county magistrate wanted to see him about something urgent. After he arrived, County Magistrate Li looked so excited. Could it be?
"Lin Lingshi, look at what this is?"
Lin Shuge followed Magistrate Li's gaze and looked. Paper? Is it really made?
"Lin Lingshi is really my lucky star. Since your arrival, the entire Ganzhou County and even Dingyuan County have undergone earth-shaking changes. This is really a great achievement. No, several great achievements."
Lin Shuge frowned. County Magistrate Li was usually very serious, but seeing the scene today, it was obvious that he was very excited.
"Your Excellency is too kind. It is because you trust me and care about the people. It is a blessing for the people of Ganzhou County to have you here."
County Magistrate Li stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction. This was a good subordinate who was both capable and good at speaking. He must be promoted and given a raise.
"Shuge, County Magistrate Liu has retired due to old age. There is no suitable candidate, and the position of County Magistrate has been vacant. You should take the position of County Magistrate temporarily."
Lin Shuge declined, "Sir, I don't have enough experience compared to other seniors. Please choose another candidate."
County Magistrate Li smiled and said, "You are knowledgeable and talented. You recently discovered the spy and saved Ganzhou County from war. The method you proposed to improve paper is a great achievement. The position of county magistrate belongs to you."
"As for the qualifications you mentioned, Cui Zhubu has enough qualifications, but he listened to one side and trusted his relatives, and what happened to him?"
Lin Shuge looked puzzled. Could it be that the spy incident was also related to Cui Zhubu?
Seeing his expression, Magistrate Li explained, "Cui Yan secretly released the pass and has been sentenced to immediate execution. Chief Clerk Cui is confused and has no way of repenting, so he has been sent to serve in the army. The most hateful thing is that the spy is also a small character and has not revealed anything."
It seems that Cui Yan was the only one who pleaded guilty, but it is unknown whether Cui Zhubu was involved or not.
However, since such a thing as Guanchuan was released privately, then being sentenced to labor at the border is just the right thing to do, and it would be a good opportunity to live the life of a border soldier. Military service is very hard, and Cui Zhubu, who has lived a life of luxury, probably has it hard.
"So, do you want to take the position of county magistrate or not?"
Lin Shuge said solemnly: "Thank you very much for your promotion."
"That's right." County Magistrate Li said with relief.
He folded the paper carefully and put it back into the box. "Tomorrow you will come with me to the prefectural governor's mansion to meet with Envoy Wei. You need to explain clearly to the Envoy in person what you said about lowering the price and collecting it for official use to promote it throughout the county."
"As you command."
"Okay, you can go down. It's a good time to let Zhou Lingshi come to see me."
After Lin Shuge left, the officer beside him asked, "Sir, do you also want to promote Zhou Lingshi?"
County Magistrate Li was looking out the window. He was not from the northwest. He was exiled to the bitter cold land of the northwest because of his lack of outstanding political achievements and lack of connections in the court. He thought he would stay there for the rest of his life, but he did not expect that there would be a sudden turn of events and a ray of hope.
"The spy work was done by the two of them. We can't reward only one person. He has a long career and, except for his impatient temper, he is qualified to be a chief clerk."
"As for Lin Shuge, his achievements are far more than that of a small county magistrate." Although he is young and promising, he is neither arrogant nor impatient. He has a calm personality and is kind and loves the people. With him around, I can rest assured about my transfer. After all, I can't stay in Ganzhou forever.
"Your Excellency is wise."
"By the way, does Lin Shuge have a pair of younger brothers and sisters to support? I guess the salary is not enough. Let the clerk write a note saying that Lin Shuge has made great contributions in catching spies and will be rewarded with 5,000 coins."
"Yes, sir."
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