My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 48 The King of Wei's Compromise

The first batch of bamboo paper was produced, and it was just as Li Chengqian expected, very brittle and broke into pieces if squeezed.

This is due to the characteristics of bamboo itself.

Without a complete process, it is obviously impossible to make it in one go.

It doesn't matter much. Techniques are gradually improved through continuous attempts. You can't achieve everything in one go. The next step is to work on softening the bamboo.

It’s just a matter of putting more effort into steaming, boiling and soaking.

Maybe the bamboo paper will be much better next time.

The craftsmen of the Eastern Palace were similar to slaves and were completely owned by the Eastern Palace. Bamboo was ready-made, and apart from spending some time, there was basically no cost.

In addition to papermaking, woodblock printing was also gradually being prepared.

Woodblock printing was already very mature in the early Tang Dynasty and was mostly used by the people to print Buddhist scriptures or classics.

Li Chengqian prepared more than ten commonly used books, ranging from enlightenment to imperial examination textbooks.

Each page is made into a carved block and can be used as soon as bamboo paper is produced.

The reason why movable type printing was not adopted was that the complexity of movable type printing was not something that ordinary people could master.

Every time, it is necessary to constantly look for the corresponding text from the copper movable type, which in itself is a huge project.

Although copper movable type can be used repeatedly, its cost is quite high.

Copper is money itself.

This also involves the improvement of ink, and ordinary ink is obviously difficult to meet the standards.

In fact, ink had already existed in the Han and Tang dynasties, but it was expensive and complicated to produce, comparable to gold.

In comparison, woodblock printing is cheaper, simpler and faster.

You just need to carve the corresponding numbers at the bottom of the carving plate, and even people with little literacy can follow the instructions in order.

"Your Highness, General Su is here."

"The main hall summoned me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The first time Li Chengqian saw Su Dingfang, he felt that he looked very good.

He is of sturdy build and has a resolute look on his face.

Of course, there are very few brave generals in the army who are not strong and sturdy, and most of them are over 1.8 meters tall.

Only with this kind of physique can one have strength and an advantage on the battlefield.

People in later generations felt that the descriptions of fierce generals in history books were often exaggerated, such as one man chasing and hacking at a hundred people.

However, it is actually very normal. Such a warrior eats well for a long time, has a strong body, and practices martial arts diligently, similar to the boxing champions of later generations.

His enemies, however, were skinny and mostly a head shorter than him.

The brave generals are wearing armor and are difficult to be hurt by swords and knives. When they fight, they are like a tiger among a flock of sheep.

"I have requested His Majesty to promote you to the rank of General of the Jinwu Guard."

Li Chengqian spoke in a calm tone, as if such a promotion was just a matter of a word for him.

Su Dingfang was obviously also shocked.

In fact, in terms of official position, Su Dingfang's position was not low.

Above the rank of General of the Central Army is the fourth rank, and above that is the third rank General of the Sixteen Guards.

From the third grade and above, there are only two grades, with no distinction between upper and lower.

Su Dingfang was indeed shocked.

He didn't expect that the prince would value him so much and treat him so well after he had just come to join him.

"I swear to be loyal to Your Highness until death."

Years of injustice and resentment disappeared at this moment.

A scholar dies for a confidant.

Since ancient times, the four major military achievements are: being the first to reach the top, beheading the general, breaking through the enemy lines, and capturing the flag.

Su Dingfang had two great achievements, namely, being the first to attack the enemy line and breaking into the enemy line, but he was given the rank of Left Wuhou Zhonglang Jiang, which was only the fourth rank, so he did feel a little wronged.

As for the mistake of allowing soldiers to plunder, it is actually almost impossible to avoid it for generals fighting outside.

It is problematic in itself that scholars demand military men to meet the standards of saints.

In the final analysis, it was because Su Dingfang had no one in the court, and the credit was too great to be taken away, so the only way was to find another way to suppress him.

"This is what you deserve. I am just saying something to help you."

Li Chengqian said it lightly, but Su Dingfang was not a complete political idiot, and naturally knew that it was not that simple. The Sixteen Guards were directly under the Emperor, and it was a taboo for the Crown Prince to intervene in their transfer.

But the prince did just that.

"Your Highness, I have many brothers with me. I wonder if I can take them with me."

Su Dingfang hesitated for a moment and expressed his thoughts.

These are not just a few people, but more than two hundred people.

Those who had been through life and death with him, and those who had followed him over the years.

"how many people?"

"About two hundred."

Su Dingfang felt a little embarrassed. In theory, such behavior was not allowed.

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment and said, "It's a bit troublesome, but it's not impossible."

"Wait for news tomorrow. I will go and help you deal with it."

In fact, it is not a big deal. It is just to arrange for the Jinwu Guard and Zuo Wuhou to be transferred side by side.

But it's also a favor.

For Su Dingfang, this favor was indeed a great favor.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Su Dingfang was a military man and would not say flattering words, and his true feelings were often just a few words.

Li Chengqian also told Su Dingfang about some rumors that might arise in Chang'an City in the future, and asked him to consider what to do when the time came, and then let him leave.

Su Dingfang was also a smart man. Since the prince had said so, he would do as the prince wished.

He has been labeled as the prince, so this is the only way forward.
-
The news of the quarrel between the Crown Prince and His Majesty reached the Prince of Wei's palace.

Li Taiben has always been concerned about these things.

After hearing the news, my appetite increased and I couldn't help but eat an extra bowl of rice.

"Is there any news about the East Palace's ice-making method?"

Li Tai was still very envious of the prince's ice making business, as the income from the ice shop was too high.

Even though it is autumn and winter now and the weather is getting cooler, there is still a constant stream of people going to buy Sushan.

The six ice cream shops never closed on time. The Sushan would be sold out before noon at most.

"Our people can't be reached at all."

"The prince is very strict. He has surrounded the ice-making area with a high wall and has guards patrolling day and night."

"People inside are not allowed to come out, and people outside are not allowed to come in. The guards can only move ice in the courtyard and cannot go inside."

Chai Lingwu's answer made Li Tai a little unhappy. Watching the prince make money was more painful than losing money himself.

"What about the Taoist priests in the mansion? Do you have any clues?"

"I heard that the prince's method of making ice was contributed by a Taoist priest's apprentice."

Li Tai asked unwillingly.

Chai Lingwu shook his head slightly: "I have no clue yet. Qin Ying and Wei Lingfu are already very famous. Otherwise, they would not be valued by the prince."

"This is their exclusive method, and it is difficult for outsiders to know."

"The Taoists are trying to use the materials purchased by the East Palace, but the prince obviously guessed that this would happen. Every time the East Palace purchases, it buys almost all the materials for alchemy."

Li Tai felt a little aggrieved. The East Palace was in the Forbidden City and was heavily guarded, so most of the tactics he used were completely useless.

Chai Lingwu thought for a moment and said, "Why doesn't the King of Wei find them and come up with some solutions?"

Li Tai knew who Chai Lingwu was talking about; they were the people from the Five Surnames and Seven Families.

In fact, Li Tai was also clear about His Majesty's attitude towards the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats. In recent years, His Majesty has been committed to reducing the power of the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocrats.

So even though the Five Surnames and Seven Families supported him, Li Tai also maintained a certain limit.

Chai Lingwu advised: "Bing Si makes too much money, this will greatly increase the power of the prince."

"If the King of Wei does not take some measures now, even with the love of Your Majesty, it will be difficult for him to fight against the Crown Prince, let alone."

Thinking of the possible failure, Li Tai gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, then let them do a credit to me."

"There are quite a few of their people in the East Palace."

"No matter what means you use, you must find a way to make ice for me."

"If they can't even accomplish this, how can I trust them completely?"

(End of this chapter)