I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 258 Liu Yu said: Deran, I am only suitable for governing the people
When he was investigating and inspecting various places with Liu Yu, he also specially led Liu Jian to visit the second largest industry he is currently preparing for in Huang County... papermaking!

Compared with Qingzhou Salt, which has matured for thousands of years, papermaking can be said to be the most emerging industry in the entire Han Dynasty, or the entire earth.

Qingzhou already had a foundation for papermaking, especially after Zuo Bo, a native of Donglai, invented "Zuobo paper", which finally brought the manufacturing level of Dahan paper to a new level.

Liu Yu and Liu Jian met in Jizhou at the beginning, and the two had an in-depth discussion on the paper industry and woodblock printing industry in the Han Dynasty.

Both of them knew well that once the emerging industrial chain formed by the paper industry and woodblock printing industry was fixed, it would have an immeasurable impact on the current decadent situation of the Han Dynasty.

Not only will the Han Dynasty prosper again, but the structure of the entire society and the quality of all Han people will rise to a new level.

At that meeting, after an in-depth discussion, Liu Jian and Liu Yu realized that the time was not yet ripe. To promote papermaking and printing on a large scale, there were several aspects that needed to be dealt with. .

After that meeting, Liu Yu decided to come to Qingzhou to take up the post of governor.

Zuo Bo Paper originated in Qingzhou, and only Qingzhou and Yizhou are the prefectures and counties where a large number of mulberry trees are cultivated. If you want to vigorously develop paper industry innovation, only Qingzhou is the most suitable place.

And this time Liu Yu took Liu Jian to visit the papermaking in Dongnae County so confidently this time, he must have made a breakthrough.

……

Liu Yu set up a workshop specializing in paper making in Huang County, and the people he invited to hold important positions in the paper making workshop were all Qingzhou local scholars who were good at calligraphy and were also interested in the paper making industry. figure.

And the leader who leads these people is the creator of Zuo Bo paper—Zuo Bo, styled Ziyi, is a well-known celebrity in Donglai County, and is also a famous local calligrapher.

Uncle Zuo is very old, half of his hair has turned to silver, and his beard is also black and white, but he still speaks with energy, and his body is quite strong.

Zuo Bo created Zuo Bo paper when he was very young. Although the manufacturing process of Zuo Bo paper is not suitable for the current situation, it is enough to make it famous.

It can be said that Uncle Zuo has reached a bottleneck in his life to support and care for him, which is enough for him.

When Liu Yu first arrived in Qingzhou, he wanted to ask Uncle Zuo to help him continue to improve the technology and craft of papermaking, but Uncle Zuo refused.

Because this matter does not have much real benefit to him.

Whether Zuo Bo paper is modified or not is created by him, no matter how optimized the paper is, it doesn't matter to him personally.

The paper-making technology is related to the luck of the Han family, and it also undertakes the huge transformation task of the current social and cultural transformation. Liu Yu is not willing to give up inviting him because of Zuo Bo's refusal once.

Therefore, Liu Yu, who is a shepherd of a state, let go of his figure and went to the famous scholar Zuo Bo in person to ask him to come out to help.

Liu Yu's behavior really moved Uncle Zuo very much.

Being able to do this shows that Liu Yu is a pragmatic and hard-working person who knows people well.

But Uncle Zuo didn't understand why Liu Yu was so interested in making paper. Paper is just a carrier that can carry words. It doesn't matter whether you use bamboo slips, silk, or paper these days, what's the difference?You can see it, and you can use it!
Why are you so persistent?
Liu Yu gave Uncle Zuo the answer.

When he went to visit Uncle Zuo, he brought a copy of simple wooden characters printed in woodblocks.

In front of Zuo Bo, Liu Yu used Zuo Bo's paper and Caihou paper to carry out printing experiments, which made Zuo Bo see the shortcomings of paper.

This was the experiment he and Liu Jian had done in Jizhou back then, but it was just carried out again in front of Uncle Zuo for another experiment.

At the same time, he put those simple engraved fonts in front of Uncle Zuo, and introduced the functions of these things to him.

The principle of engraving printing is very simple. For Zuo Bo, who has the ability to invent Zuo Bo paper, it is easy to understand this set of processes.

Naturally, he can also see the huge social value of papermaking and printing as an integrated industry!
If this can really be done, his Zuo Bo's reputation may not be as simple as a person who simply invented Zuo Bo's paper.

He will last forever and be praised by all ages!

It is not an exaggeration at all. Isn't it enough for a person who has changed the development process of world culture to be praised by the world?
That is, from that day on, Zuo Bo joined Liu Yu's team to develop the paper industry.

With Uncle Zuo's joining, Liu Yu's research team on the paper industry has become stronger than ever.

As the inventor of Zuobo paper, Zuobo's experience in papermaking and understanding of papermaking technology are definitely among the best in this era.

With the dedicated research of Liu Yu's papermaking team, the improvement of Zuobo paper has achieved breakthrough results.

Liu Yu introduced Zuo Bo to Liu Jian and Liu Bei, and then Zuo Bo led Liu Jian to visit the papermaking workshop in Huang County.

This workshop is still relatively secret in the whole Qingzhou territory, and the things researched and operated in it have not been spread out for the time being.

Because Liu Yu knew very well that this matter was of great importance, he was very strict in keeping it secret.

Zuo Bo took three senior officials surnamed Liu to participate in the workshop, and explained to them while visiting.

The reason why the previously produced Zuobo paper and Caihou paper did not reach the ideal state is mainly because the material selection and process were too random.

Especially Zuobo paper, although it is made of mulberry bark and can be tough enough, but in the processing of raw materials, there is still a lack of corresponding technology, whether it is the process or checks, it is not strict.

In fact, this is also understandable.

After all, whether it is Zuo Bo or Cai Lun, the purpose of making paper in the past was just to "make it out".

But as for how to use it well after it is made, or how to use it to maximize the effect of the paper industry, they didn't think much about it.

However, Liu Yu proposed a goal!
That is to make the paper produced can be used for woodblock printing!
A very clear goal, everyone in the workshop understands which direction they should work towards.

After continuous experiments and attempts, Zuo Bo's team is getting closer and closer to success.

Now, Zuo Bo paper is still called Zuo Bo paper, but the finished product is quite different from the Zuo Bo paper that Liu Jian saw at the beginning.

While visiting the workshop, Zuo Bo introduced to Liu Jian and Liu Bei the manufacturing steps and techniques of the latest stage of finished products.

The production of high-quality Zuobo paper at this stage generally requires processes such as skin picking, skin soaking, skin retting, skin selection, card matching, skin cutting, crunching, paper scooping, paper pressing, paper peeling, and paper drying.

And these process procedures are also divided into subtle small steps. After continuous experiments, the small steps are also being gradually improved. Although it cannot be said to be perfect, it is definitely developing towards a better and better direction.

Liu Jian took the newly finished Zuo Bo paper and looked it back and forth.

These new papers have a natural original white color, with obvious fiber structure... In the paper, horizontal threads and straight threads are criss-crossed, fine and dense, soft and tough to the touch.

Then Liu Jian conducted targeted experiments and found that compared with the original Zuobo paper, the new paper has a soft feel, long and thin fibers, and good water absorption.

But there are still shortcomings. This new paper seems to be fragile to the touch, and it does not fade after coloring, but I don't know if it will last well.

After all, being able to print a book is only one aspect, and being able to preserve it for a long time is also very important for books.

Afterwards, Liu Jian communicated with Uncle Zuo, Liu Yu and others about the problems he saw.

Uncle Zuo was quite moved by Liu Jian's discovery. He could see that Liu Jian really thought about the paper he made.

Zuo Bo said that the problems identified by Liu Jian will become the main work topics that they need to improve in the next step.

In addition, Liu Jian followed them to visit the raw material storage place of the workshop.

Compared with later generations, papermaking in this era has one advantage, that is, the raw materials are better, especially the water quality.

In the manufacture of new paper, foaming and retting are two very critical steps, and the success of these two steps depends on the water quality. Good water is easily degraded by nature, which is beneficial to the decomposition of mulberry. Qingzhou local The water quality is very good, very suitable for papermaking.

It seems that the paper industry of the Han Dynasty is really going to develop in this place.

……

After coming out of the papermaking workshop, Liu Yu invited Liu Jian and Liu Bei to rest in a gazebo.

"Deran, how do you see the paper making method in Qingzhou today, after Zuoziyi's improvement?"

Liu Jian nodded appreciatively, and said: "In my opinion, as long as the current paper is slightly improved, it can be used in mass production, and then it is not a problem to use it for engraving printing, but as for the cost, temporarily I'm afraid it's uncontrollable... But even so, it's amazing. The ability to shorten the paper manufacturing process so quickly is all thanks to the efforts of Da Sima and Zuo Gong. The world of the Han Dynasty can be said to be saved by The hand of the Great Sima!"

Liu Yu waved his hand.

"It's not my fault! It's not my fault! In fact, I would not have thought of coming to Qingzhou to do these things if I didn't have your advice at the beginning... Now you know why when Qingzhou's moth thieves became powerful, no matter what I did Are you going to stick to Huang County?"

Liu Jian nodded: "The paper industry is here in Huang County. It has carried too much hard work of Da Sima! It has also carried too much hope of the Han Dynasty. Wherever there is disaster, this place cannot be damaged!"

Liu Yu sighed with emotion, and said: "That's exactly the case, that's why I want to hand over Qingzhou to you. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou, I understand one thing... like urging papermaking, coordinating Salt affairs, governing the government and the people are my specialties."

"But using troops to protect one side and appease the people is my shortcoming. This world is becoming more and more chaotic. No matter how much I can achieve in governing for the people, once I encounter a war of war, all achievements will be reduced to nothing. ..."

Liu Jian didn't answer, but he could hear Liu Yuzhi's words were very sincere, the kind of sincerity that really came from the heart.

"Although I have the position of chief minister, this position is not suitable for me. Deran, I now know what I am suitable for. To say something self-deprecating, with my ability, I am suitable as a Situ in the court. The place is suitable for a history, but it is really not suitable for a shepherd... We are all clan members, and what we do is to revive the Han Dynasty, I hope you will not disappoint my sincerity."

(End of this chapter)