Rebirth of Wu Ba Spring and Autumn

The invention of the brush and ink enabled scholars not only to read but also to write.

There is no need for an engraver to wait at any time like in the era of knife and pen, and it is more convenient to record one's own thoughts.

Thanks to the vigorous promotion of Qingji, writing brushes and paper became popular in Wu State, and even the Huaxia countries, setting off a trend.

However, there are still big problems in the circulation of books.

At this time, not to mention movable type printing, even woodblock printing did not appear!
All books are basically hand-copied.

Qingji vaguely remembered the process of printing with movable type, so he started tinkering in the palace the next day.

"Clay characters, each character is a seal, hardened with fire to make it pottery..."

"Use two iron plates, one for printing and one for typesetting. After one is printed, the other must be lined up, so that they can be used alternately..."

Qingji directed the eunuchs and maids to get busy.

This kind of movable type printing is not difficult to say, but it is not easy to say easy.

However, Qingji has benefited a lot from working so hard.

The promotion of papermaking and printing will undoubtedly further improve the cultural level of the Wu people, and even the Chinese people, so that many scholars will be added to the world, and some illiterates will be reduced...

This time Qingji invented movable type printing, but also had to do it.

You know, the popularization of paper is related to printing.

Historically, it was not until the Sui and Tang Dynasties that paper was really popularized. At that time, printing was quite mature. During the Three Kingdoms period, only a few places used paper, and most of them used bamboo slips.

From the Han Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms period, paper at that time was as expensive as silk, and there was no way to popularize it.

Luoyang paper expensive?

No.

Paper is made from plant materials such as bark, hemp, cloth, and fishnets, through processes such as crushing, pounding, copying, and baking.

How expensive can it be?

How cumbersome can the process be?
The paper of this era has already been produced in large quantities by the state of Wu and promoted.

However, the paper was not as heavy as the bamboo slips, so it was rejected by famous scholars such as Ji Zha, Confucius, and Wen Zhong.

In a word -

Not good enough!

And Qing Ji must change this situation.

Papermaking and printing are complementary!
After printing was invented, Qingji issued an edict.

All government documents must be written on "hard paper", and bamboo slips are not allowed...

Everything that Qingji does is to promote the paper further.

Anyway, for Wu Guo, it is of great benefit.

All the paper in the world basically comes from the state of Wu.

There are some poorly made papers on the market that imitate Wu's paper, but the quality is far inferior.

After printing was invented, the first printed book was "Illustrations of the Western Regions" written by Zhu Di.

Qingji hopes that through this method, all countries in the world will arouse a strong interest in the West.

Scholars in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period advocated traveling around the world like Confucius.

In the past, they didn't know how big the world was, they only thought that there was nothing bigger than this.

Presumably, the sale of this "Illustrated Record of the Western Regions" will definitely set off an upsurge of scholars traveling westward.

……

The time enters the twelfth year of Wu Wang Qingji, that is, 502 BC, October of the lunar calendar.

A westbound caravan of [-] people from the State of Wu is preparing to go outside Jinling City.

The huge Jinling City is basically empty for thousands of people.

The local Li Shu, whether they were high-ranking officials or dignitaries, or traffickers and pawns, all came out to bid farewell to this pioneering caravan.

Many people don't understand why Qingji sent such a huge caravan to the west for business.

However, Qingji believes that within a few years, people in the world will definitely know his good intentions.

In this caravan, headed by Qingji's concubine Zhu Di, there are merchants, scholars, elite soldiers and strong generals, but basically they are all energetic young people.

They are aggressive and dare to fight.

Cart after cart of goods has been laid across the official road.

A caravan of [-] people formed a huge phalanx, waiting for their king to review.

"Wannian King! Wannian Wu Guo!"

"Wannian King! Wannian Wu Guo!"

When Qingji took the king's chariot, left the gate of the city and entered the official road, tens of thousands of subjects roared like a tsunami.

Everyone's face was flushed and their eyebrows were dancing, hoping that their king and country could live forever.

Banners cover the sky, spears and spears are like forests.

In order to avoid emergencies or stampede incidents, thousands of soldiers from the state of Wu have long stood on both sides of the official road to maintain order.

The official road that Qingji drives through has been cleaned long ago, and it is as bright as new, as if spotless.

Of course, the rammed earth and solidified official roads are impossible without dust.

Basically, as rich as Wu, it is impossible to build concrete roads one after another as official roads.

It is not that there is no financial resources, it is not that there is no manpower, but that there is no material resources!

"Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years for the king! Ten thousand years for the Wu Kingdom!"

Amidst the bursts of shouts, Qingji came galloping in the king's chariot.

All the subjects of the state of Wu who were present couldn't help looking forward to seeing the king's demeanor.

They stood on tiptoe with extremely excited expressions on their faces.

It was as if he was paying homage to the gods he worshiped.

For Qing Ji, the subjects of Wu State were indeed grateful and worshiped Qing Ji from the bottom of their hearts.

When celebrating Jiji, there is no rule that they must kneel down.

However, a large group of subjects couldn't help but knelt down, knelt down in unison, and shouted "My King, Wannian".

Such a sound wave soared into the sky, penetrated the clouds, and made the dome tremble!
Qingji's status in the hearts of all Wu people is self-evident.

"No gift, flat!"

"Thank you king!"

Qingji's king chariot came to the forefront of the caravan formation.

He stood on the king's chariot, gave a little support, then left the king's chariot again, and came to the front of the caravan to express condolences to everyone.

First of all, the blonde and blue-eyed concubine Judy.

She is the leader of this caravan and has great responsibilities.

"Judy, this trip is far away, so we must pay attention to safety."

"Your Majesty, my concubine knows about it."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "The concubine will definitely live up to her mission and bring great wealth to our country of Wu."

"it is good."

Qingji patted Judy on the shoulder.

Zhu Di couldn't help weeping, her eyes were red, like a rabbit, she hugged Qing Ji.

It is estimated that only a woman with the character of Judy can do such a bold act.

After all, Qingji is now under the spotlight of everyone.

But Judy doesn't care about such things at all.

The journey here is not far away, and there are many dangers. When Judy will come back, and if she will be able to come back, it is still hard to say...