Crowned the New Han Dynasty

Chapter 651: Governing a country is like practicing cultivation, attacking externally to control the cycle of chaos, thinking internally for a long time.

The words Tang Zi asked were actually the root of the problem.

Sometimes, the reason why a technology has not been developed is not because people do not have enough ideas, but because of the limitations of objective conditions. This is just like in the era of steam engines, no matter how intelligent the person is, he cannot think of a computer when looking at the steam engine. , at most, it is a fantasy to travel to the differential machine.

The same is true for printing. Papermaking technology and ink-making technology are both the bottlenecks of printing. When you notice that using an engraved template, you can only print out a blur of handwriting, almost everyone will I think this idea is wrong.

"The main problem at the moment is that the rubbing is blurry, but I already have a solution in this regard." Chen Zhi faced the questioning looks of the two people and said with a smile: "Daijun paper means leather paper. , thin and smooth to accept ink, and the "Essential Art of Qi Min" records many methods of making ink. After these two points are solved, the finished product can be produced. "

"Qi Min Yao Shu"?
Tang Dian and Tang Zi were no strangers to this name. They knew it was a set of agricultural books circulated from Chen Zhi's mansion.

Although this set of agricultural books borrowed its original historical title, it was impossible for Chen Zhi to completely copy the content of that book because the situation he was in was completely different, so there were many things in it that were actually copied from Chen Zhi’s memory. Various agricultural books were synthesized and combined with the experience of later generations, and then published under the name of Qi Min Yao Shu.

The content of this book has had an impact on many farmers in Dai County since it was spread from the Chen family. It has been confirmed a lot and gradually became respected. However, it is a farming book, and ordinary people from aristocratic families do not like to read it. For such a work, Tang Dian and the two of them didn't know that there was any ink-making technique in it.

However, although Chen Zhi said it clearly, Tang Dian and Tang Zi still couldn't make up their minds after their eyes met. Of course, the bigger reason was that this so-called sealing method had not appeared in the past.

It is really difficult to predict the market prospects of something that has never appeared before. Even if it is paired with Daijun paper that has proven its value, it still makes people feel excited.

On the other hand, just because he had seen the existence of large wooden seals in the past, he did not like this opportunistic method. He felt that writing by hand was the only behavior that reflected attitude, which made people more magnanimous and tempered. Calligraphy cultivates sentiment.

In fact, Tang Dian still felt something was wrong in his heart, but he couldn't tell where the problem came from. It was just that no matter what, he was more inclined to reject this option. He just couldn't make up his mind about his family, so he didn't reject it immediately.

Chen Zhi saw the two people's thoughts and said with a smile: "Okay, it's hard for you to make a decision right now. That's normal. Why don't you go back and discuss it with your family? Just give me a reply in the next two days. When the time comes, We will discuss the specific matters and where the Tang family will be responsible."

Tang Dian nodded, and then asked with some embarrassment: "If we finally decide on the method of firing ceramics, when can we see the finished product? And will it be left to the Tang family for firing?"

"The firing method cannot be revealed, and you understand the truth behind it." Chen Zhi smiled, knowing that Tang Dian asked this, but he already had a preference and choice in his heart. "As for the finished product, in the past two days, I will let you see it, I have already made arrangements."

After receiving the answer, Tang Dian felt relieved but also disappointed, but he still handed him goodbye and led his nephew away.

As soon as the others left, Chen Zhi sat behind the table and began to think deeply.

"The Tang family's choice is already very clear. Regarding printing, it seems difficult to rely on the family's help. At least for now, I can only promote it myself first and then act according to opportunities."

He knew very well that issues related to printing seemed to be technical considerations, but once they were popularized, they would become a social issue.

"In the past, books were transcribed and copied by hand. Whether it was dissemination, inheritance, or collection, they were greatly restricted. It was difficult for ordinary civilians to access them. Of course, in addition to these human factors, there were also limitations on the cost of paper, because The difficulty of making paper and the existence of slips have limited the spread of knowledge, but as long as these two problems are solved, the spread of knowledge will no longer be restricted."

Thinking about it, he stood up, came to the window, and looked outside.

From this angle, you can see a large area of ​​houses, most of which are the residences of wealthy families.

"People in ancient times fought for hegemony and their territories could expand very far, but the world could only last for a few hundred years at most. Except for the Zhou Dynasty, which was divided among the princes, it was the Han Dynasty in the previous life. Adding up the Eastern and Western Han Dynasties, it took 400 years. , even if we count the present life, including the New Han Dynasty, the virtue of the imperial court is obviously on the decline. The entire Han Dynasty is 500 years old, and even counting the New Han Dynasty alone, it may only be 200 years. The fate of being less than [-] years old has to exclude the influence of surrounding tribes."

In fact, the matter of China's severance has been bothering Chen Zhi. He is also thinking about the meaning of inheriting the unique knowledge, and recently he has gained a little bit of experience.

"Not to mention the New Han Dynasty, even the several dynasties in later generations only had a 300-year cycle of chaos. At the beginning of the founding of the country, due to wars, the population decreased, and there was a lot of unowned land that could be distributed among everyone. So after reproduction, It will usher in a prosperous age, but after development and serious land annexation, it will eventually lead to destruction. No matter how perfect the establishment was when the country was founded, it cannot be avoided. After all, a person can only live for a hundred years if he can survive. How can he control what happens next? "

"If we start from the military, unify the whole world, and establish a dynasty on earth, it will only last 300 years for the world. Not to mention that due to the spread of technology and the innovation of iron smelting, the surrounding nomadic tribes have risen one after another. I am afraid that this will also be the end of China. The big hidden danger, in contrast, is another kind of inheritance, which is the inheritance of culture and ideas!"

"Most of the countries in later generations are nation-states, but there are also civilized countries. This is the huge power of ideas, culture, and customs. For example, if you regard swords and iron blood as physical and superficial conquests, the dynasties established are like this. A direct manifestation of conquest;" "Then customs such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, weddings and funerals, etc., represent spiritual and inner changes. As long as they are deeply rooted, they can be passed down regardless of race and bloodline, and can be seen thousands of years later. The style of the past is longer and longer than the 300-year cycle of chaos, but the influence of administrative methods cannot be ignored. But in general, it is more permanent than the dynasty of 300 years. This should also be the essence of continuation of learning, but both But they are not opposites, they should complement each other.”

"This is somewhat similar to spiritual practice, but it is the practice of a region, a country, and a civilization. Conquests and attacks are external exercises, refining bones and blood externally, using flesh and blood as a boat to cross the long river of history, but without introspection, it will eventually decay. ; And learning and Taoism are internal cultivation, shaping the soul of a nation and civilization, condensing the essence, and passing it on to future generations. However, if there is no external support at all, it is inevitable to get lost and sink. Can I master this cultivation based on the country and the dynasty? "

Thinking this way, he naturally attaches great importance to the current spread of printing technology, because knowledge is an important factor in spreading and shaping other people's thoughts.

"Don't think too far ahead. In the current situation, I will start this printing technology myself first, and I will not rush to spread it to Luoyang and further south. I will first conduct experiments on the land under my control, and when the time is ripe, I will further promote it. It is just right We can use the Daijun family to observe the attitude of the gentry toward the transfer of knowledge from top to bottom after the spread of printing."

Originally, knowledge was monopolized by aristocratic families. Even if a descendant of a poor family rose up, the source was still a noble family, so it did not cause much turmoil. After all, the children of a poor family were, strictly speaking, classified as nobles.

But books and printing are different. They can greatly reduce the cost for the common people to obtain knowledge, and spread it on a large scale. When the number of people increases to a certain level, relevant demands will inevitably be stimulated. This is in line with the fundamental interests of the gentry. In the event of a conflict, those knowledgeable people among the noble clans would definitely be able to discover the problem from the very beginning.

"Now, after several battles, using both kindness and power, and then trying to win over them, this generation of county aristocratic families have been completely tamed by me. However, it is still risky to directly experiment among the people under their command, and there is no mass base and alliance. Among my confidants, I am afraid that Chen Zi will be slightly opposed to it, that is, Su Liao and Zhou Ao may become allies, so these first batch of targets should..."

Thinking about it, he got busy again.

This work lasted until late at night, but it still did not end. When he put down his pen, there was a knock on the door.

"come in."

Soon, Chen Ju pushed the door open and came in with a few letters in his hands. As he walked, he said, "Prefect, news just came from the front line."

Chen Zhi nodded and took a few glances at the letter.

This letter actually came from two places, one was the station where troops were stationed in Daibei, and the other was from the Tuoba tribe.

Dai Bei only had one letter, which told the general situation.

"Very good. Not only did we capture Wang Quan, we also defeated half of Duan Wenyang's remaining troops, dispersed nearly 5000 people, captured [-], and many tribes were willing to surrender..."

Thinking about it, he closed his eyes slightly, and when he opened them again, he said to Chen Ju: "Go and call Su Liao and Chen Zi."

"promise!"

Chen Ju nodded in agreement, but did not act immediately. Instead, he hesitated for a moment and then said to Chen Zhi: "It's time, you should also rest."

Chen Zhi was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Well, after we finish dealing with this matter, we will go and rest."

Chen Ju then turned around and left without saying much.

Chen Zhi picked up the remaining three letters. These three letters were all from the Tuoba tribe. They were from Tuoba Shanyu, Tuoba Yulu, Shujiao and Zhang Kang respectively.

After opening the letter and reading it briefly, Chen Zhi laughed.

"These thousands of people have come at the right time, wouldn't they be an ideal choice? However, given the temperament of the Xianbei people, they will not send too many children, so we might as well take this opportunity to put pressure on him."

With this in mind, Chen Zhiyan picked up his pen and wrote a reply on the spot.

(End of this chapter)