Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 142 Change
There is a row of bookstores in Xiaoqujian, west of Caomen in Dongshi, one of which is called "Chengxin Bookstore", which sells not only books but also paper.

The carriage stopped in front of the shop, Xue Bai and Du Yu walked into the bookstore.

Books in scrolls are placed in the shelf, and various papers are placed in the cabinet on the other side. The deeper the paper is, the better and whiter it is.

There was no waiter in the shop, only an old man was writing something at his desk, with a worried expression on his brows, he raised his head when he heard the movement, and said, "Does the guest want to buy books?"

His Sichuan-Shu accent is very strong, and when he speaks, his hands are clasped in his sleeves, which makes him seem a little stiff.

Xue Bai asked: "Dare to ask if the master is here?"

"My humble Jiang Cheng is the boss here."

"Do you have bamboo paper?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback for a moment, secretly thought that they were so luxurious that they only bought bamboo paper, led them to the container, and said, "Yes, sir, please take a look."

Xue Bai picked up a piece of bamboo paper and touched it. It was indeed not as good as the white rattan paper he usually used. The paper surface was light yellow, poor in flexibility, and the paper was fragile and fragile.

"Is there any bamboo paper that is more suitable for writing?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head, smiled a little embarrassedly, and said, "I am from Jiajiang, Sichuan. To put it bluntly, there is no one in Chang'an who knows how to make bamboo paper better than me. The bamboo paper in my shop can still be used. For writing, the characters should not be dense, but the bamboo paper elsewhere can only be used as paper money.”

Xue Bai asked, "Can you show us your workshop conveniently?"

Jiang Cheng now understood that they were planning to take over his shop.But he sighed, raised his hand, and asked them to go to the backyard.

Going around the screen wall, there are several tables and cases in the middle hall, on which are placed pens, inks, papers and inkstones, which should be used for copying books... Seeing Xue Bai, he thought that engraving and printing were not used here.

He knew the craft existed today, it just wasn't popular yet.

The paper-making workshop in the backyard is much larger than imagined, and there are a lot of raw materials in the veranda, including mulberry hemp, Chupi, and bamboo.

Xue Bai was only interested in bamboo paper, but after looking at various papermaking materials, he found that he was a layman at all. It is indeed too exaggerated to say "pointing out the path of technological progress" that Du Yan said.

But he knows that bamboo paper is the trend, because bamboo is the fastest growing raw material.

Then, at least you can avoid detours in papermaking.

Leaning over, picking up some semi-finished products and rubbing them in his hands, he even had a guess that the craftsmanship of bamboo paper today may be poor in how to remove the bamboo tendons first.

"Why does Mr. Jiang want to sell this shop?"

Jiang Cheng sighed, pointed to a vacant shed on the side, and said, "There used to be rattan bark over there, but now the rattan material is scarce and hard to find. Besides, I offended someone and lost the supply of white rattan to the imperial court." With the qualifications of paper, this business may not be able to continue."

Xue Bai nodded and asked, "Why don't you see the paper-making craftsman?"

"Most of the artisans have been hired by the nearby workshops. Only three fellow villagers who make bamboo paper are planning to follow me back to Jiajiang."

"Does Jiajiang have any relatives or friends?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head with a wry smile, and murmured, "It's been nearly 13 years since I arrived in Chang'an at the age of 40. How can there be relatives and friends in my hometown? They are similar, but Chang'an can't stay any longer."

Xue Bai asked, "Who did you offend?"

Jiang Cheng raised his head and glanced at Xue Bai, with a look of embarrassment on his face, fearing that speaking out would scare the young man and delay the sale of the shop.

Knowing that he had concerns, Xue Bai said, "I've bought your shop, and I'll ask those bamboo paper craftsmen if they would like to stay and work for me?"

Jiang Cheng was very surprised, and said, "But Mr. Lang hasn't finished watching it yet..."

Xue Bai's mind was not on these businesses, he just spent money on improving the papermaking technology, so he raised his hand and said, "Let's go to the East Municipal Office to sign a contract."

……

The dry and rough palms were raised, ready to press on the contract.

Jiang Cheng suddenly felt a little lost.

When he was ten years old, his grandfather was still alive.At that time, he was very ambitious, fond of reading, but suffered from lack of paper to practice calligraphy, so he imitated the artificial bamboo paper in his hometown, using fresh bamboo, and carefully peeled off the green bamboo, so the paper quality was better than that of other bamboo papers. , his nickname is Hong Er, and this paper is called "Hong Er Paper" by the villagers.

Forty years have passed in a blink of an eye, and he finally became a bookseller in Chang'an City, but he wants to throw everything away at the age of fifty?
"This gentleman." Jiang Cheng didn't press his fingerprints, but asked suddenly: "Do you know who I offended?"

"Who?"

"Cao, son-in-law of Jingzhao Mansion, and son-in-law of Youxiang Mansion, Yuan Mao. He bullies others and exploits me all the year round. If Mr. Lang buys this bookstore, he may also be persecuted by him. Please think again."

Speaking of this, Jiang Cheng's long beard trembled a little, and he couldn't help but glance at the box of coins on the side.If he didn't say this much, he might have left Chang'an City, a place of right and wrong, with it in his hands.

"I've never heard of Ge Nu having such a son-in-law." Xue Bai stamped the deed and pushed the box of money over, "He has no right to touch my property, can you let your bamboo paper The craftsman stayed to work for me? The wages are negotiable."

Jiang Cheng was surprised for a long time, he had many questions in his mind, but in the end, he asked, "Your Majesty wants to make bamboo paper?"

"Mr. Jiang is also interested?"

Before Jiang Cheng could answer, Xue Bai felt Du Yan gently tugging behind him, and the two went aside and whispered.

Du Yu whispered: "It's about craftsmanship. If you want to employ people, you should buy them as domestic servants. How about I talk about it?"

She usually looks gentle, but she is considerate in her actions.

As for buying as a domestic servant, it is probably equivalent to signing a non-disclosure contract in this world.

Xue Bai said: "It will be arranged by Du Dadong's family."

"Don't call Du Dadong's family, it's so ugly."

It's rare for Du Mi to act like a baby, which shows that she still prefers Xue Bai to call her "Niang Niang" in her heart.

~~
"Your Majesty seems to have the smell of a maiden."

The next day, when Xue Bai woke up, he heard Qing Lan say something like this by the bedside.

She also leaned closer and sniffed.

"Yes." Xue Bai replied calmly, "I studied paper making with her yesterday."

He was going to visit Yan's house today, so he got up quite early.

When he was about to go out, he took a rosin ink stick and smelled it, and hung it on his body.Use the fragrance of ink to cover the fragrance of powder on the body, so as not to be smelled by the teacher.

Crossing the street and entering Yan's house, I happened to meet Yan Yan who was doing Tai Chi in the courtyard, and when she saw him, she snorted and stopped her movements.

"Why don't you practice anymore? Did it bother you?"

"Brother only taught me these few tricks, and I disappeared." Yan Yan said, "I only know how to cut in half."

"Okay, I'll teach you how to do it."

As Xue Bai said, he planned to find a place to put down the few scrolls in his hand.

Instead, Yan Yan laughed first, spread her hands, and said, "I want to see the monkeys first."

"Then you take it."

Suddenly, Yan Zhenqing's voice came over.

"Know monkeys all the time."

Yan Yan was startled, she turned around and fled holding the scroll.

Xue Bai went into the hall to meet the teacher.

……

"Mid-Autumn Royal Banquet, you have made a big mess again." Yan Zhenqing looked Xue Bai up and down a few times, his tone was a little different from the past, "Since you and Mrs. Guo Guo are innocent, why didn't you explain it in the past?"

This question is quite difficult to answer, Xue Bai thought for a while, and replied: "There is nothing to explain."

Yan Zhenqing took a sip from the teacup and said calmly, "Have you caused any trouble recently?"

"I've always been safe and sound, and if there's any trouble, I'll talk to my teacher."

"Fang Gong looked for me before he was released." Yan Zhenqing said, "At that time he wanted to see you."

Sure enough, Xue Bai failed to completely hide Yan Zhenqing.

Fang Guan's demotion was indeed related to him, and Yan Zhenqing did not arrange for them to meet, obviously out of a protective heart.Otherwise, I'm afraid more people would guess that he was jumping up and down again.

"The student did ask a few friends to help Dr. Zheng. Fang Gong's demotion may have something to do with it."

"Don't get involved in the big case now."

"Yes, the students have recently been tired of the intrigue and power struggle, and have been studying the art of papermaking."

Hearing these words, Yan Zhenqing was speechless, so he stroked his beard and said: "Follow the old man to pay a visit to elder brother."

"Yes." Xue Bai also wanted to see Yan Gaoqing for a long time.

~~
The Yan family moved to Chang'an in the early Tang Dynasty, and their ancestral home was in Dunhuafang, Wannian County.

The carriage drove past the gate, Yan Yan lifted the curtain and took a look outside, said: "Grandfather's house is right there."

She has lived here since she was a child and is very familiar with this area.

"Thirteen Lang is back." The old servant of Youyan's family opened the door with a smile.

Even Yan Zhenqing can only be called Thirteenth Lang when he returns to his house, and he sounds like a junior.

"Is brother here?"

"It's really rare to be at home today. Since I returned to Chang'an, I have been busy before the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I have social engagements every day."

Two young men rushed to greet Yan Zhenqing, and called out to Yan Zhenqing, "Uncle Thirteen is here, please come in quickly... Third Sister is here, Aniang misses you every day."

It can be seen that Yan Yan is quite favored by the Yan family, and people waved and called her when they saw her along the way.

Before entering the hospital on the second day, Yan Gaoqing and his wife Cui also came out to welcome her.

"San Niang!" Cui hurried forward and hugged Yan Yan, looked at the little daughter carefully, and murmured: "It's good to be healthy, A Niang is always worried about you."

"Mother, I'm fine. My brother has found a famous doctor to see me."

"Good good."

Cui looked at Xue Bai with a face full of relief, and immediately asked his family to come to see him...

Yan Gaoqing was 55 years old at the time, and his temperament was quite similar to that of Yan Zhenqing, except that his skin was darker and rougher, and his figure was stronger. He must have lived in the north for many years and had the temperament of a general.

Counting Yan Yan, he has three daughters and three sons, the second son died young, the eldest son Yan Quanming, and the third son Yan Jiming.Including son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandson, grandson, and concubines, there are more than [-] people in the family.

After seeing the ceremony, the women and children were taken to the backyard, and only Yan Zhenqing's teacher and apprentice were left in the hall to talk with Yan Gaoqing and his son.

"Since I came back to Chang'an City, I've often heard people mention Xue Lang. When I saw him today, he really looks like a talent."

"Uncle is too famous." Xue Bai said, "I have also admired my uncle's name for a long time."

Yan Gaoqing waved his hands, and said with a friendly smile: "It's just a judge in Hebei, what's his name?"

When he looked at Xue Bai, he always looked at him appreciatively, with an inexplicable kindness in his expression, and asked, "My thirteenth younger brother has always been proud, how can I accept you as my apprentice?"

From this sentence, it can be seen that he is more enthusiastic and straightforward than Yan Zhenqing.

Xue Bai responded with a smile: "Because I'm so stubborn, the teacher has no choice but to pinch his nose and admit it."

"Haha."

Yan Jiming, who was standing behind Yan Gaoqing, couldn't help laughing.

Yan Jiming was in his early twenties, and was called "Yan Twelve Lang" according to his ranking in the clan. Xu Shi often followed his father to manage the Hebei camp. His face was tanned, but his teeth were very white, and he smiled innocently.

Seeing Xue Bai, he nodded his head, thinking that he and this young man could become good friends.

Instead, Yan Jiming seemed to be watching him, turned his head and said to Yan Quanming in a low voice, "It's interesting to be a human being."

Everyone chatted and laughed, and so far it was still an atmosphere of greetings between relatives and friends.

Xue Bai suddenly asked, "What do you think of the two recent cases in Chang'an City, Uncle?"

Yan Gaoqing was a little surprised.

Yan Zhenqing said with a bit of a sigh: "My student has a lot of contacts in the court, and my brother can discuss important matters with him."

"Young and promising." Yan Gaoqing asked back: "What does Xue Lang think?"

Xue Bai was already prepared, he glanced around at everyone in the hall, and gave a frank answer, saying: "In my opinion, An Lushan does have wolfish ambitions."

Everyone in the Yan family was not surprised.

In recent years, the imperial court has punished many traitors, and "wolf ambition" has long been a crime that can be charged at will, and some people have commented on Anlu Mountain in this way.

Yan Zhenqing just glanced at Yan Gaoqing and asked, "Brother has been under the command of An Lushan all these years, how do you view this matter?"

Yan Gaoqing was pondering, and said slowly: "Anlu Mountain has quite a way to govern Hebei."

What Xue Bai never expected to hear would be such an answer, saying: "I would like to hear more about it."

"The situation in Hebei is complicated. There are hopeful families, heavy taxes, border affairs, and Huhua. It is really difficult for ordinary people to guard and govern. Let's just talk about Huhua. Since the end of the Han Dynasty, some Xiongnu and Xianbei have gradually settled in the Central Plains; the Tang Dynasty destroyed the East. Turks, a large number of Turkic people were settled in Hebei; in addition, Khitan, Sogdian, Xi people and other tribes were attached. For hundreds of years, Hebei has been a place where Hu and Han lived together. Hu people migrated as tribes, with land, population, soldiers and horses , if it is not for officials who are familiar with nonsense, they will not be able to govern at all..."

Yan Gaoqing was a person who knew the situation in Hebei personally, so it was rare for him to say something that the courtiers didn't understand.

"Compared with previous Jiedu envoys, An Lushan has at least three advantages. He understands Hu customs better and can appease the Hu people in Hebei; Create a big victory..."

An Lushan did fight in the style of a barbarian. He liked to plunder the weak tribes on the border, and offered captives to the imperial court. This year, he donated another [-] men and women to the Guanfeng Tower.

He also likes trapping and killing. He often invites tribal leaders to dinners. He digs a hole first, puts medicine in the wine, and when the leaders are unconscious, they behead and bury them.It is said that they have done this several times before and after, trapping and killing thousands of Khitan people.

Xue Bai didn't understand whether it was because the Khitan tribal chiefs were too easy to be fooled, or An Lushan was too cunning, but he already understood that this Jiedu envoy who could satisfy both saints and the people of Hebei did have something unique.

Although he can't solve the fundamental problem, he is a person who can play tricks for the people of Hebei to deal with the bullying of the court.

"So, if An Lushan had no wolf ambitions, he would be a very good local military and political officer?"

"Hebei has heavy taxes and is not peaceful, and people's livelihood is difficult. It may not be good to change Anlu Mountain. Ordinary people can't control the situation, and it may be worse." Yan Gaoqing sighed, "There are always people in the court who doubt him, but many people in Hebei The officials have not yet seen that he has any ulterior motives."

It's only been Tianbao's six years now, and Xue Bai can't insist that An Lushan will rebel, it's too early.

In today's meeting, the important thing is no longer that he reminded Yan Gaoqing to be on guard, but that he should learn more about the problem from this Hebei official.

The entire east of Xiaoshan Mountain is being forced to provide blood transfusions for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, but now it is Anlushan Mountain that is easing the situation.

"..."

"Uncle will probably stay in Chang'an for a month or two? Can I come here often for advice?"

"It would be best for Xue Lang to come here more often. My two sons are mediocre, so we should have more contact with you."

In the evening, Xue Bai left with Yan Zhenqing, but his heart was a little heavy.

He has always understood that to stop the Anshi Rebellion, it is not enough to get rid of Anlu Mountain.But today's long talk made him realize that it would take decades to solve the fundamental problem.

Side affairs, reducing taxes, promoting culture and education, and promoting integration all need to be done very patiently and carefully little by little.

Li Longji has such an arrogant and complacent attitude.

In other words, even if he could kill An Lushan with some trickery and intrigue, it would not have much effect. I am afraid that the conflict will be intensified, and he is not ready yet.

~~
After this day, Xue Bai seems to have really stayed away from the intrigues of the court. Apart from settling himself, what he often does is to study the craftsmanship of bamboo paper with Jiang Cheng in the paper mill.

After many failed attempts, he still decided to make bamboo paper, and tried to add materials to the bamboo during the retting process, so as to soften the bamboo and make it more resilient.

After trying salt, sugar, flour, and even urine, Jiang Cheng added lime, and finally the texture of the bamboo paper was significantly improved.

This small change made Xue Bai feel more at ease about the future.

Even if it was just to comfort himself, he saw a little hope that he could guide public opinion in the future, Sinicize the barbarian, and change the situation of the children of poor families and ordinary people.

Although he has not yet entered an official position, he does not necessarily need to be an official to do useful things.

"Wow."

When a new piece of bamboo paper was spread out, Qing Lan sighed in admiration, turned her head to look at Xue Bai's expression, and couldn't help asking: "Mr. Lang, you have been obsessed with making paper recently."

"What's wrong?"

"Lang Jun doesn't seem to be motivated before?"

"No." Xue Bai said: "I am more motivated..."

　Sorry, I’m sorry, I posted it later today, because the transitional chapter needs to be conceived, and it also involves craftsmanship, so I have to check the information~~ There are more than 9 words today~~ Ask for a monthly ticket, ask for a monthly ticket~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)