After Zhao Teng made his inference, the more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. No wonder Huaiguzi was willing to set the price of each book at one hundred yuan so cheaply. It turned out that after he sold it, he would steal it back and sell it several times.
In this way, you can earn both money and fame. As for how Huaiguzi stole the book and why he put so much effort into doing such a thing, Zhao Teng didn't bother to think about it. In his opinion, Huaiguzi was crazy and acted unnaturally. If he wanted to know the truth, Just call him over and ask.
Zhao Teng felt itchy all over at the thought of interrogating Huaiguzi and exposing his ruse on the spot. For several days, he always dreamed of examining locust trees and millet. Often I'm still laughing when I wake up from the dream.
So, Zhao Teng was very excited and sent two soldiers to capture Huaiguzi in Shangjun Courtyard.
The two soldiers responded and hurried out. The two of them are not fools. They know that the so-called capture is just a way of talking about Master Zhao. When I arrived at Shangjun Courtyard, I probably wanted to invite people over politely.
While waiting for the arrival of Huaiguzi, a government servant reported to Zhao Teng in a low voice that Lord Chunyu Yue was here.
Chunyu Yue is an important minister in the court and must not be neglected, so Zhao Teng hurriedly went to greet him, and when he saw him, he realized that Ying Zheng had also arrived.
Ying Zheng waved his hand towards him, and Zhao Teng understood. Instead of saluting in a big way, he politely invited them to the side and placed seats and cakes.
Ying Zheng noticed that it was like watching a show.
The news that Zhao Teng wanted to interrogate Huaiguzi spread like wind throughout Xianyang City. Soon, more and more courtiers came to watch the excitement, and Zhao Teng's Internal Affairs Bureau turned out to be a bit crowded.
Chunyu Yue stroked his beard and said with some satisfaction: "Huaigu is in trouble, and people from all directions are watching. It shows what the people want."
After saying this, he realized that he had spoken what was in his heart. Turning his head, he found Ying Zheng next to him staring at him with a strange look on his face.
Chunyu Yue quickly apologized: "Old minister, I made a mistake."
Ying Zheng smiled slightly and said nothing.
Finally, Huaiguzi arrived in a big way.
According to his original intention, sending a calf over would be enough to resolve the matter. But a craftsman told him that he heard that the emperor had also arrived at Neishi Mansion. Now that Ying Zheng is here, he has to go there. He can't be too disrespectful, so Li Shui goes there in person.
After arriving at the Neishi Mansion, Zhao Teng sat behind several cases with a malicious smile on his face: "Exiled Immortal, how do you explain the matter of stealing books?"
On the way here, Li Shui had already heard the whole story of the case. He said helplessly to Zhao Teng: "Mr. Zhao, two books are similar, but they are not necessarily the same. Do I have to hire some habitual thieves to steal books and sell them? If I have that time, I might as well find more people and do more Publish some books.”
Zhao Teng chuckled and said: "It takes at least three or four hours to copy a book. And to steal a book, if you are quick, you can complete it in a few breaths. You should know this truth when banishing immortals know how to make money. "
Li Shui waved his hand: "I'm too lazy to argue with you. I also have a book here. You will know after reading it."
Li Shui took out a common sense textbook from his arms and threw it to Zhao Teng.
Zhao Teng opened it and read it for a while, then suddenly let out a sigh and said, "These two books are indeed very similar."
He raised his head and said to Li Jue, who was waiting tremblingly below: "The book you lost has been found. Your book and Wang Gu's book are like twin brothers, it is extremely difficult to tell them apart."
Later, the yamen officer gave the two books to Li Jue and Wang Gu. After reading them, these two people were amazed. Even the two of them couldn't tell which one was theirs and which one was the other's.
Just because the fonts, notes, and ink colors in this book are all exactly the same.
Ying Zheng said calmly: "It turned out to be a misunderstanding."
Chunyu Yue watched Li Shui resolve the matter lightly, and felt a little unwillingly. He smiled slightly and said, "I'm a little surprised, how come the other book is in Master Huai's hands?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was slightly startled, and then looked at Li Shui's eyes, which became even more meaningful.
Catch thieves and stolen goods. This time we caught them successfully. Huaiguzi, didn't you really take someone else's book?
Zhao Teng's eyes shone with excitement and he asked: "Master Huai, why is Li Jue's book in your arms? Did you steal it or pick it up?"
Li Si and Wang Wan also gloated and said, "Master Huai, if you have made a mistake, just admit it honestly. It's just stealing a book, it's not a big crime."
The surrounding courtiers looked on happily. In their opinion, this time it was a sure thing, Huaiguzi was going to be in trouble.
Now the courtiers no longer expect to kill Li Shui. As long as he can bring bad luck to everyone and make everyone happy, they will get what they want.
Li Shui chuckled and clapped his hands.
Then, a craftsman from Shangjun Courtyard came in. This craftsman carries a basket on his back, which is full of common sense textbooks.
Li Shui took out the book and gave it to everyone present, everyone had a copy.
Everyone was puzzled and opened it to take a look. Suddenly, someone exclaimed: "What...what's going on?"
The book in his hand has a blank space on the fifth page, and the ink on the tenth page is heavier... All the characteristics are exactly the same as what Li Jue and Wang Gu described.
Immediately afterwards, everyone discovered the problem. They compared the books with each other, and suddenly found that every book looked exactly the same.
Soon, a timid government official threw the book away and said in horror: "This is a ghost, it's a ghost."
Li Shui was a little helpless: How could a book scare these ignorant people like this?
Some government officials looked at Li Shui in awe and whispered to each other: "Is this magic? One life is two, two is three, and three is endless?"
As for the courtiers, they were shocked and confused. They were smart people and felt that this book had little to do with demons or gods, but they couldn't understand how Li Shui could make hundreds of books exactly the same.
Among the people present, Ying Zheng was relatively calm. He asked: "Huai Guzi, are all the books on common sense you sell exactly the same?"
Li Shui bowed and replied: "Except for the first few dozen copies, which are handwritten copies, the rest are all exactly the same."
Ying Zheng noticed Li Shui's wording very keenly: "These books were not copied by hand?"
Li Shui smiled slightly and said, "Are these books printed?"
Those present heard another new word. Recently, there are so many new words in Xianyang City. If you don’t go out on the streets for a few days, you will feel like you are not keeping up with the times.
They repeated doubtfully: "Printing?"
Li Shui said to the calf behind him: "Come on, please explain to the adults."
The courtiers were all a little angry. They couldn't explain it well, and asked an ignorant craftsman to explain it. Wouldn't this be an insult to everyone?
Ying Zheng found it interesting. He had been to Shangjun's courtyard several times and recognized Niu Calf as the gatekeeper.
Niu Da was also unambiguous and saluted everyone and said: "The so-called printing technique. As the name suggests, it is to first carve out a seal, then apply it with ink, cover it with paper, and then brush it from top to bottom. The paper There are words on it.”
The people present were all very smart people, and they thought of it in an instant: "You mean... like engraving, engrave the contents of the book on it?"
Niu Calf bowed and said, "Exactly. It's just that the seal needs to be larger and there are more words on it."
After the courtiers figured this out, many of them beat their chests. Such a simple truth, why didn't I think of it before?
Ying Zheng flipped through the book in his hand and said with emotion: "No wonder thousands of Huaiguzi's books were produced so quickly. It turns out it was not because of cutting corners, but because of the use of printing technology."
When he said this, Ying Zheng glanced at Chunyu Yue.
Chunyu Yue's face turned red, he could only laugh dryly, and praised helplessly: "The ability to banish immortals is unpredictable."
This sentence resonated with many people around him, and they all nodded.
Zhao Teng, on the other hand, fell into memories: Printing? This name sounds so familiar. It seems that a few days ago, someone from Shangjun Courtyard came to apply for a patent, and they mentioned this name.
Zhao Teng was a little annoyed. At that time, a petty official was responsible for the acceptance of patents. If I had taken a look at it then, I probably wouldn't have made such a big mistake today.
Ying Zheng asked Li Shui: "Is this also an immortal technique?"
Li Shui bowed and said: "All the things I use in the fairy world are printed books. I have also heard a little bit about the principles of printing. I tried it recently and luckily succeeded."
Ying Zheng nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, very good. I have seen all kinds of magical things appear in our Daqin, and I think it is not far away from being able to build a fairyland on earth."
Li Shui smiled and said, "It's just around the corner."
Ying Zheng looked at Li Shui with approval: "I was still suspicious of you just now. But after the truth came out, I realized that I was too worried. Seeing that you are becoming more stable, I am afraid that I will entrust you with more important responsibilities in the future. .”
Li Shui immediately said: "I am willing to share your worries for Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng left with satisfaction, but Chunyu Yue felt unhappy.
Since becoming the king, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the position of prince in the future will belong to either Fusu or Fuyao. But as time goes by, Fusu's advantage is disappearing little by little, and he may be overtaken by Fu Yao within a few years.
Thinking of this, Chunyu Yue suddenly became worried.
After the courtiers gradually dispersed, Chunyu Yue took a deep breath and felt that everything should look on the bright side.
Whether Huaiguzi develops printing technology, at least it can use it to print some Analects of Confucius and spread Confucianism widely. In addition, I edited a subject of literature myself, and my subordinates were dizzy copying books, so they happened to use this printing technology to make a print.
Thinking of this, Chun Yuyue went to arrange the matter excitedly.
Who knew that Li Shui saw through his thoughts and said with a smile: "Master Chunyu, stay here."
Chunyu Yue frowned and asked, "What's the matter?"
Li Shui said with a smile: "I have applied for a patent for my printing technology. If you want to use this technology within one year, you need to pay a patent fee to our Shangjun Courtyard. Otherwise, it is stealing."
Chunyu Yue's face turned livid with anger: "Exiled Immortal, you are already so rich that you can rival the country, why do you care about such petty profits?"
Li Shui looked helpless: "I might as well tell you frankly. I don't love money, and I don't bother to ask for this money. But if I don't want it, I can't form a custom. In the future, some poor people will spend their whole lives and finally invent something. But if they can’t receive patent fees, if things go on like this, who will be willing to put all their efforts into applying for a patent?”
"So, it's not that I love money. In fact, I have to be like this. I am also in a lot of pain."
Chunyu Yue was speechless. This was the first time he had seen someone talk about greed for money in such a fresh and refined way.
He gritted his teeth and asked, "How much does it cost to banish an immortal?"
Li Shui thought for a while and said, "One hundred dollars."
Chunyu Yue breathed a sigh of relief, he could still accept one hundred dollars.
Who knew that Li Shui said again: "It's one hundred yuan for each book."
Chunyu Yue almost cursed.
But Li Shui had already smiled and ran away with the people.
Chunyu Yue was determined to continue copying by hand, but Ying Zheng already knew about printing and pressed him hard. Chunyu Yue could only bite the bullet, pay the patent fee, rush to work day and night, and order people to print.
The next day, literature textbooks were already on sale, priced at 130 yuan each.
In addition to the patent fee of 100 yuan, the remaining 30 yuan is the money for fairy paper, ink, labor costs...
Throughout the ages, every official who handled any imperial project made a lot of money, but Chunyu Yue didn't make any money, not even a penny.
Not only did he make no money, but on the day of the sale, he was also scolded. Countless people bought the book while scolding Chun Yuyue: "A book in Shangjun Courtyard only sells for a hundred yuan, but here it sells for a hundred and thirty yuan." What’s the point?”
"Has Dr. Chunyu, who is well-read in poetry and books, also been attracted by money?"
"In the past, I thought that Banished Immortal was a bit greedy for money, but compared with Dr. Chunyu, Banished Immortal is simply a breath of fresh air."
Chunyu Yue hid in his mansion and never showed up. I'm too embarrassed to see anyone.
The few eunuchs in charge of selling books have been explaining earnestly: "This book has patent fees included, so it is a bit more expensive. What's more, the subject of literature is jointly compiled by all the adults. Dr. Chunyu just takes charge of it." "
People who buy books don't listen to this at all. They only know that they bought expensive books and need someone to vent to, and Chun Yuyue is the best punching bag.
However, at this moment, a young eunuch came to the palace. The young eunuch said: "Young Master Fu Yao and Princess Wei Yang. I heard that the price of literature is too high and the scholars cannot afford it. Therefore, we used a hundred yi of gold to subsidize everyone."
"From now on, scholars only need to pay a hundred yuan to purchase a literature book. The remaining thirty yuan will be paid by Master Fuyao and Princess Weiyang to Dr. Chunyu."
As soon as this news came out, the praise for Fu Yao and Wei Yang was overwhelming.
After Chunyu Yue heard about it in his house, he burst into tears: Shameless man, is there anything more shameless than this? You guys are basically in the same group, don’t you know that? Huaiguzi, wouldn't it be great if you just reduced the patent fee to seventy cents? This is obviously playing tricks on me.
I was a magician in the Qin Dynasty
I was a magician in the Qin Dynasty
