Six miles outside the west city of Shu County.
The terrain here is open and flat, with access to rivers. Both water sources and transportation are quite convenient.
In this area, there is a large and vast house.
The big house has high walls and no villages around it, so it looks lonely.
In the house, in the study.
A middle-aged man who is nearly forty years old, wearing fine clothes, tall but thin, with a short beard under his chin and sharp eyebrows, is writing at his desk.
This man is Uncle Zuo.
He is the manufacturer of Zuo Bo paper.
Zuo Bo is a native of Donglai County, Qingzhou. He is good at calligraphy, especially the eight-point script in official script. Moreover, he was best at papermaking. Based on Cai Lun paper, he improved the raw materials and used a large amount of mulberry bark to create Zuobo paper.
When Uncle Zuo was in his hometown of Donglai County, he was a big local landowner. His family had land and money, and he also had some connections in Donglai County. Although he is not prominent, living in Donglai County does not mean he has to worry about food and clothing.
Unfortunately, the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou were raging, and Donglai County was also affected.
Uncle Zuo could no longer live and eventually left Donglai County. At first, he went to stay at the home of an old friend in Qingzhou. As Qingzhou was affected, he followed him south to Xuzhou, wandering south step by step, and finally arrived in Yangzhou.
When Zuo Bo arrived in Yangzhou, it was not a bad start. After all, even if he was robbed by bandits, he still had some money left.
However, he fell in love with Feixianjiu.
Feixian wine is expensive, and Uncle Zuo doesn't know how to make money. He also wants to eat and drink well, so his money will be used up quickly. He went to Shuxiangzhai to cause trouble. In fact, he wanted to have a talk with the other party's shopkeeper.
He knows how to make paper and can make paper.
But the shopkeeper of Shuxiangzhai saw that he was drunk and that Uncle Zuo didn't look like a man of work, so he simply asked him to be kicked out. In anger, Uncle Zuo cursed the other party for being blind and ignorant, and a conflict broke out. He was beaten by someone arranged by the other party, thanks to his encounter with Mi Huan.
Since then, Uncle Zuo has settled down.
Uncle Zuo likes calligraphy and papermaking, and because of Mi Huan's accidental suggestion, Uncle Zuo studied hard and came up with the new paper we have now.
Uncle Zuo wrote on the new paper, admiring his calligraphy, and a smile appeared on his face.
He is very satisfied with his current life, which is stable, comfortable, and safe without any worries. Moreover, he has a concubine in his house, and his life is very comfortable. But there was still a hint of regret in Uncle Zuo's heart.
Failed to become an official!
A man is a virtuous man, but before he became an official, he always felt a little bit inferior.
Uncle Zuo himself did not know how to govern the country and had no ability in this area. He only knew some papermaking and some calligraphy. Unless he taught calligraphy, he would have no use at all.
While Uncle Zuo was writing, the door was pushed open with a creak. An attendant came in and reported: "Sir, Mr. Lu and Mrs. Mi are here."
After Uncle Zuo heard this, the hand holding the pen shook, and a drop of ink splashed on the paper, destroying the structure of the calligraphy.
Uncle Zuo didn't care at all.
Mr. Lu!
This is the prefect of Yangzhou. He also controls Xuzhou, kills Lu Bu, and destroys Yuan Shu. He is invincible in all aspects.
Such a person actually came.
Uncle Zuo threw away the brush in his hand, stood up, his face flushed, and strode out, ready to greet him. But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, carefully arranged his hair and clothes, and then strode to the hall.
Uncle Zuo came to the hall and saw the tall and tall man standing with his hands behind his back. He was so majestic that he couldn't look directly at him. His breathing was a little quick and his pace quickened.
Uncle Zuo came to Lu Xuan and saluted respectfully: "Uncle Zuo, pay your respects to Mr. Lu."
"I've met Mrs. Mi."
Uncle Zuo saluted Mi Huan again.
Mi Huan nodded slightly, but did not speak.
Lu Xuan sat down, motioned for Uncle Zuo to sit down as well, and said pleasantly: "I heard from Huan'er that Mr. Zuo made new paper, and after seeing it it was indeed as smooth as jade. The texture of this kind of paper is very good. If you want to use it on a large scale, Can mass production be achieved?"
Uncle Zuo still couldn't hide his excitement when he heard Lu Xuan's inquiry. It is rare to meet an official who actually cares about papermaking.
Other officials don't care about this at all.
Those who are officials only care about making money and political achievements.
Who cares about making paper?
Uncle Zuo's happiness threshold was very low. After being asked by Lu Xuan, he suddenly felt respected in his heart.
Even though he was sitting, he leaned forward slightly, with his waist straight and his hands firmly placed on his knees. He quickly explained: "Reporting to Mr. Lu, for large-scale mass production, there is still quite a lot of work. Great difficulty.”
Lu Xuan asked: "Why?"
Uncle Zuo replied firmly: "Because it takes a lot of effort to teach an apprentice. Now I am the only one who can really master the art of papermaking. If I want to make paper now, I must take care of everything. Others can't do it at all." "
"I train apprentices, and I can only train a few at a time. Otherwise, if there are too many people, I won't be able to take care of them, and I won't be able to teach them clearly. After a year, it would be great to have more than ten fully proficient apprentices."
"It takes time to train apprentices."
"For large-scale mass production, we need to train enough apprentices. As there are more and more people, time will become faster and faster, and it will be different."
Uncle Zuo looked confident and said: "Master Lu, I am good at making paper and know how to train apprentices. Please rest assured that I will be able to train enough apprentices in as little as one year or as long as three years."
Mi Huan was worried that Lu Xuan wouldn't believe it, so he took the initiative and said: "Husband, Mr. Zuo's papermaking skills are very exquisite and he is proficient in every link. Today's new paper was improved little by little by him. Only with him can we make paper." Come out with new paper. No one understands this except Mr. Zuo. If he says it can be done, it must be OK."
Uncle Zuo immediately looked at Mi Huan with a grateful look.
Uncle Zuo also had thoughts in his heart.
If Lu Xuan falls in love with him and gives him an official position, he will reach the pinnacle of his life.
Lu Xuan thought for a moment and said, "I believe that Mr. Zuo is good at making paper. Otherwise, he would not be able to make such fine white paper."
Uncle Zuo hurriedly said: "Thanks to Mr. Lu for the award. I am also grateful for Mrs. Mi's guidance. Without Mrs. Mi's help, I would have been living in a foreign country long ago, and perhaps I would not know where I died. Without Mrs. Mi's flash of inspiration, I don’t know if it’s better to use straw.”
Lu Xuan did not beat around the bush and asked directly: "I wonder if Mr. Zuo is willing to work for me?"
"I do!"
Uncle Zuo stood up immediately.
He was extremely excited and said loudly: "Uncle Zuo, swear to be loyal to the Lord Lu to the death, no, swear to be loyal to the Lord."
He is also somewhat famous in Donglai County.
However, Uncle Zuo had no background and no prominent officials in his family, so he could not serve as an official at all, so he devoted his life to calligraphy and simply went to papermaking to engage in such frivolous things.
In his heart, he wanted to be an official.
Now there is an opportunity.
Lu Xuan looked at Uncle Zuo who looked very excited and his face was a little red, and smiled and said: "Sit down and talk."
Uncle Zuo sat down again obediently.
He was still sitting upright.
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "I have a department called Gongcao under my command, which is responsible for water conservancy projects, construction and other matters. Li Qian is the Minister of Gongcao. There is currently no Gongcao doctor. You went to Gongcao and took up the position of Gongcao doctor, specializing in Responsible for papermaking."
"I humble my duty and obey my orders."
Uncle Zuo answered immediately.
Although he had doubts in his heart, he didn't know how big an official Gong Cao Langzhong was, and he didn't ask. It would be good to become an official first.
Lu Xuan looked at Uncle Zuo who was curious but did not ask questions, and explained: "Let me give you an analogy. Huan'er's second brother Mi Fang works in Hucao as a doctor in Hucao. Because Hucao Shangshu Kuai Liang was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou, and he is now in charge of Hucao's affairs as Hucao's doctor."
hiss! !
Uncle Zuo took a breath.
He thought he got it.
Good guy, Hucao Shangshu directly served as the governor of Xuzhou, which is equivalent to saying that the level of Hucao Shangshu and the state governor is about the same. The subordinate of Hucao Shangshu is Hucao Langzhong. According to this level, it is not the official position of Hucao Langzhong, which is analogous to the local governor.
As a Gongcao Langzhong, he is also equivalent to the local governor.
Uncle Zuo was even more excited when he thought of this.
Ambassador Lu is too generous.
Giving too much.
Seeing Uncle Zuo's excitement, Lu Xuan smiled in his heart. He did not explain further. They were both doctors. There was a huge difference between the Hucao doctor and the Gongcao doctor. It was up to Uncle Zuo to adapt to these things.
Lu Xuan said in a deep voice: "Uncle Zuo, you are responsible for making paper. I need to make a large amount of new paper. Now, we cannot train apprentices one by one."
Uncle Zuo frowned, looked doubtful, and said: "My lord, it is difficult to mass-produce new paper immediately because there are too few craftsmen who are familiar with papermaking skills. However, please rest assured, my lord, I will increase the intensity of training. Now There are already more than fifteen apprentices learning papermaking from me. Once they all learn it, things will become easier."
"No, you don't understand me."
Lu Xuan shook his head and said: "Your current model of training apprentices is that each apprentice must fully learn it and master it before it is considered a church. This kind of training is okay, but it is too slow for us."
Uncle Zuo said: "Lord, this is how apprentices are trained. Otherwise, how can we teach them?"
In ancient times, it was very important for apprentices to learn skills from their masters.
Master, he is like a teacher and a father.
Therefore, after becoming a disciple, the teacher will give you a little bit of instruction, which is an all-round training.
Lu Xuan said in a deep voice: "Our top priority is to expand the scale as soon as possible. Therefore, your training cannot cultivate all-round talents, but must train talents in different parts. For example, apprentices who choose raw materials will only learn this part for the time being, and not other things. Soon You’ll be able to master it.”
"For example, the steps of bleaching and drying are all separated, and a separate apprentice is responsible for it. He is only responsible for one step and does not learn the others."
"In this way, papermaking can be streamlined."
"You teach one by one, it's too slow. If you want comprehensive training, you can adjust the position and train slowly. At this stage, it is enough to train apprentices who are proficient in one link. You only need to train a few people in each link, and you can Spread rapidly."
Lu Xuan said in a deep voice: "Do you understand?"
Uncle Zuo was stunned when he heard this.
There was a look of surprise in his eyes, and he said in shock: "My lord's fantastic idea is really amazing. Why didn't you think of this, humble job? If you adopt your lord's method, I can make paper on a large scale in just one month. And all All the links can be built.”
Lu Xuan asked: "Are you sure it can be completed?"
"It can be done!"
Uncle Zuo answered firmly.
Lu Xuan nodded and said: "Since you agree, let's make this arrangement. We will use the residence here as the foundation to expand the place. I will arrange for you to connect with the necessary materials and money to ensure that everything goes smoothly."
"I humble my duty and obey my orders."
Uncle Zuo answered again.
At this moment, Uncle Zuo was even more excited. Not only did he become an official, he also continued to do what he liked, and he was naturally extremely happy.
Lu Xuandao: "Do your job well."
Uncle Zuo said loudly: "Please rest assured, my lord, I will definitely make good paper in my humble position."
Lu Xuan nodded, took Mi Huan away, and returned to the Prefecture Mufu in the city. He looked at Mi Huan and smiled: "Huan'er, thank you."
Mi Huan was filled with joy and said, "My husband is serious. It is my honor to be able to help you."
Lu Xuan said: "The emergence of new paper will inevitably bring huge profits. And this matter must be promoted specifically. I am going to arrange for someone to be responsible for it alone. As for you, I'm afraid I won't be able to take over."
Mi Huan looked relaxed and chuckled: "I am not making paper to make much money, but to find something to do and make some money on the way. This time Uncle Zuo helped my husband by making paper, and I am already very good at making paper." I'm satisfied. I don't think about anything else."
Lu Xuan nodded and ordered: "Lu Meng, go and notify Mi Zhu."
"Here!"
Lu Meng turned around to make arrangements.
Mi Huan asked, "Is your husband's plan to make the eldest brother responsible?"
Lu Xuan said: "New paper is a powerful weapon for the country, so naturally it needs a loyal person, and the eldest brother is the most suitable."
Mi Huan nodded, stood up and left.
Lu Xuan waited.
After a short time, Mi Zhu strode into the study with a humble expression. After he stood still, he bowed and said: "Mi Zhu, I am of humble rank, and I pay my respects to my lord."
