Seeing that Shao Xi had already said this, Bai Dinggong didn't say anything more. He also understood that this child felt sorry for them. Firstly, he felt sorry that they were old and should not work so hard. Secondly, he saw that they had spent all their life savings on this matter, which made it look like they, the younger generation, had nothing to do.
After thinking about this, Bai Dinggong suddenly became enlightened and said to Shao Xi with a smile: "Okay! Since you are determined to take this matter on your shoulders, we won't say anything else. However, if there is a shortage of money in the future, we must not If you embarrass yourself, just open your mouth to the two of us, and we will definitely support you with all our strength."
Shao Xi quickly bowed and replied: "If the students are in need, they will definitely ask for help from these two gentlemen. If the gentlemen can be of any use to the students, they can just ask them and the students will not dare not to obey."
Bai Dinggong nodded with satisfaction. He really admired Shao Xi as his disciple. He had outstanding literary talent and was said to be highly skilled in martial arts! High-spirited, yet humble, courteous, respectful of teachers, and resourceful.
In his eyes, this student who had only started for half a month had given him too many surprises, and now he could be said to be his greatest pride. He had always believed that this student's achievements would far exceed his own in the future.
"Shao Xi, there is one more thing I didn't have time to tell you just now. I have already written down your idea of pioneering the art of movable type printing, bamboo paper manufacturing and opening a bookstore, and asked your senior brother to present it to the Holy Spirit. Maybe The Holy One will summon you to the palace tomorrow to ask about this matter, so you'd better be prepared."
"The students know that if this matter can get the support of the Holy One, it will become smoother in the future. In that case, the lifelong ideals of the two gentlemen will be realized. Tomorrow the students will explain the importance of this matter to the Holy One."
Liu Xingzhai saw that everyone was standing here talking for a long time, which affected him from continuing to work, so he impatiently said to Shao Xi and others: "Okay, okay, you all go back and rest! There is still school tomorrow! Shao Xi is going to the palace to meet the saint tomorrow, so don’t join in the fun here."
Seeing what Old Master Liu had said, they quickly saluted and left. Bai Jinqing and others stayed in the academy, while Shao Xi returned to Shuangxue Tower alone.
Shao Xi has been extremely busy this day, and now he really misses the comfortable life in the grassland.
The next morning.
Early in the morning, Shao Xi was meditating in his room to practice his mental skills, when he received an oral instruction from the Holy One from Eunuch Cao, telling him to enter the palace to meet the Holy One. Shao Xi had already been mentally prepared for this, so he simply washed up and went to the palace with Eunuch Cao.
Since the whole city stayed up all night to celebrate the Lantern Festival the night before, the streets seemed a little deserted at this time. It may be that many people were still resting at this time.
Sitting in the carriage, Eunuch Cao said to Shao Xi with a happy face: "Last night, the Holy Master received the book from Master Bai and learned that Mr. Shao has created a new printing and papermaking technology, which not only enables everyone in the world to read Writing the letter also solved the problem of the imperial court's documents. The Holy Sage was very happy and asked the old slave to invite Lord Shao into the palace early in the morning. The old slave was really right at the beginning. Lord Shao really liked the Holy Sage. What he did Everything is in harmony with the Holy Spirit.”
"Eunuch Cao is overly praised. As a minister, I should share the worries of His Majesty. I just came up with a small idea. Whether this matter can be accomplished or not depends on His Majesty's will. After all, this matter still involves a lot of things."
Eunuch Cao pursed his lips and smiled, "Don't worry! The Holy Master was very happy when the old slave left the palace."
The carriage entered the palace all the way. After getting off the carriage, Shao Xi followed Eunuch Cao towards the royal study.
Shao Xi has never gone to court since he was appointed an official by the Holy Sage. The Holy Sage granted him permission not to go to court, which is exactly what he wanted. Watching those old guys in the court speaking insincerely, he would feel sick for them.
As soon as they arrived outside the imperial study, they saw Xiao Yuzhi, the Prince of the Mausoleum, walking out of the imperial study and met with Shao Xi and Eunuch Cao.
Shao Xi hurriedly stepped forward to greet him. When Xiao Yuzhi saw it was Shao Xi, he immediately smiled.
"Congratulations to Mr. Shao, congratulations to Mr. Shao! I just met my father, and he spoke highly of you. I heard that you pioneered new printing and papermaking technologies. This is very beneficial to the country and the people of our Jingyuan Dynasty. For this important matter, Lord Shao is indeed a pillar of talent, and my father said that if this matter is successfully carried out, Lord Shao will be rewarded heavily."
"His Royal Highness, Prince Ling, has greatly commended me. I am just doing my duty as a minister and using what I have learned to benefit the people. I really don't dare to pretend to be a pillar. This is all the wisdom of the saints and the blessings of the people. I am just acting on behalf of the saints." It’s just an act.”
Xiao Yuzhi laughed, "Master Shao is too modest. I have admired Master Shao for a long time, but Master Shao is too busy and it is rare to see him! Today, I happened to meet Master Shao here by chance, and I want to ask Master Shao something. , I wonder if Mr. Shao can return to the mansion with me after meeting my father, because I really want to make you a friend."
Shao Xi was very unhappy in his heart and said in his heart: "You family is really troublesome. It doesn't matter if I answer you correctly, I still have to answer you correctly. I don't want to have anything to do with you princes and grandsons. It won't work." It’s a good idea to make yourself a mess one day.”
But can you say this? You definitely can't say it, unless your head doesn't want it anymore.
"Thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Ling for being considerate of this official. Since His Highness has asked this official to accompany you, please wait for a while and wait for your official to be honored before returning to the palace with Your Highness."
"Meeting my father is naturally the most important thing. I am here to wait for Master Shao. Master Shao, hurry in! My father is waiting for you."
Shao Xi saluted Xiao Yuzhi, then turned and entered the imperial study.
At this time, Xiao Changyi was reading the folder that Bai Dinggong handed over through Bai Jingnian last night. He was very interested in Shao Xi's innovative movable type printing and bamboo paper manufacturing techniques. These innovations are solving the biggest problems in book printing and document entry in various places. , if it can be widely implemented to save costs, the second most important thing is to improve the efficiency in all aspects.
Seeing Shao Xi walking in, Xiao Changyi put the fold in his hand on the case, stood up and faced Shao Xi and asked directly: "Shao Xi, tell me the truth, are the movable type printing and bamboo paper manufacturing techniques you created real? Is it feasible? If it is really feasible, how difficult will it be to fully implement it in Jingyuan? How should problems be solved if it encounters difficulties?"
After greeting Xiao Changyi, Shao Xi did not pay much courtesy and replied directly: "Your Majesty, there is no need to doubt the feasibility of this movable type printing and bamboo paper manufacturing, but the printing of this movable type requires the production of a large amount of copper movable type, and the demand for copper materials is very high. In addition, the equipment and places used in printing and papermaking need to be unified and standardized. As for the problems that may arise, there may be a large number of private printings among the private sector, and the quality of the published books may have many errors, omissions or even tampering. This The imperial court needs to regulate and control the publication of books. The manufacturing of paper can be liberalized, allowing private manufacturing and sales, but printing should be designated by the imperial court, and privately printed books must be reviewed and approved by the government. Although bookstores Private establishments are allowed, but the books sold also need to be reviewed and approved by the court and the government, and taxes must be paid regularly in proportion to the quantity sold. This will not only benefit the people, but also increase some of the tax revenue related to the court."
After hearing this, Xiao Changyi lowered his head and thought in silence for a long time. He felt that all the suggestions made by Shao Xi were feasible, so he nodded with satisfaction and said: "You have done a great thing for this dynasty! In the future, the records reported from various places will be more detailed. The common people also have books to read, and this will surely open up the people's wisdom, which is a great achievement of yours."
Shao Xi struck while the iron was hot and expressed his thoughts directly to Xiao Changyi.
"Your Majesty, this supervision and verification is naturally done by the imperial court, but can you leave the production of equipment, paper, printing and sales of books to me? Firstly, I know more about this matter, and secondly I can also be considered an official of the imperial court. Although I am privately owned in form, in fact, Your Majesty can control these things in his own hands through this method. The wide distribution of books and articles will naturally drive public opinion. If this public opinion can be controlled in In the hands of His Majesty, it will be beneficial to the stability of the entire Jingyuan Dynasty."
Xiao Changyi glanced at Shao Xi knowingly and said jokingly: "You say it so righteously, but in fact you just want to make a lot of money, right? After all, the country's paper manufacturing, book printing and sales, and even the production of appliances are all If you have a monopoly, the wealth you earn every year will be enough to keep up with my annual domestic income. You are so calculating!"
Shao Xi saw that his little plan was exposed by Xiao Changyi in front of his face, so he had to smile shamelessly.
"Your Majesty, since we can't completely avoid the private printing and selling of private seals among the people, it's better to leave it to someone you trust. At least I can guarantee that I won't embezzle the annual tax. Besides, this idea was mine. Your Majesty, you always Should I be rewarded with something? Why not give me the manufacturing, printing and sales rights as a reward?"
Xiao Changyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he saw Shao Xi's sneaky look, so he nodded and agreed.
"Since this matter is left to you, no money from the treasury can be used. I can allocate some money to you from the internal funds. I don't care what you end up doing. Remember to pay me back when the time comes."
When Shao Xi heard that there was such a good thing that the emperor provided money for him to do business, he secretly rejoiced in his heart. He quickly bowed to thank him and promised that if the matter was successful, he would not only return Xiao Changyi's internal funds in full, but also receive a generous bonus. Interest.
Naturally, Xiao Changyi was happy to have peace of mind. Shao Xi was the one to take care of things, and it would be good for him to make money. Of course he was willing to do the good thing of lending money and earning interest. After all, there was a certain limit on the amount of internal money each year, and the money from the treasury was royal. It's not for personal use, so now it's like making extra money for yourself.
"No matter how much money you need, just ask. As long as you can get it from the internal funds, I will fully support you in this matter. But if you make money in the future, shouldn't you also have a share from me?"
Shao Xi smiled secretly in his heart: "I didn't expect that this old boy, the emperor, was also plucking his feathers. He wanted to make some private money for his royal family from me."
"How about this, 20% of the annual net profit is transferred to His Majesty's internal funds?"
Xiao Changyi felt happy, that 20% was not a small amount of money! In this way, the royal treasury will be filled up, and the repairs of various palaces and royal expenses during the holidays will not be so stressful.
"In this case, I will approve you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The deal between the monarch and his ministers was finally concluded.
