Chapter 131: The Confrontation
Zhang Liang's death was unknown, far less sensational than the destruction of the Xiang clan. Even the princes of the Qin Dynasty did not know that such a person had entered the Qin Palace.
The situation in the world will not change just because of the death of Zhang Liang.
After arriving at the court today, the Dukes of the Qin Dynasty found that every table was covered with pens and ink, as well as a kind of yellow... cloth that they had never seen before. The cloth was held down by an inkstone tile.
What kind of cloth is this? Your Majesty wants them to write on this cloth?
Some ministers have begun to frown.
Although cloth can be used for writing, it is too extravagant and wasteful. There are still many people in the world who have no clothes, but they use cloth to write records. If it is not extravagant and wasteful, what is it?
And, if cloth is used, how much cloth does Da Qin use in a day?
One of the reasons why bamboo slips are used is that the material source of bamboo slips is simple and can be produced in large quantities.
Ying Zhengdao: "My lords, please sit down!"
After the ministers expressed their gratitude and sat down, Ying Zheng said: "I think all the ministers have seen what is on the table. Maybe some of you think it is a certain kind of cloth, but this thing is not cloth."
The ministers looked carefully. Looking at the things on the table, I found that there seemed to be something different with the cloth. At the same time, Ying Zheng said again: "The name of this thing is 'paper', which was also made by Li Nian."
It's that Li Nian again. In recent days, this name has appeared too frequently, so It was difficult for the ministers not to remember it, as everything seemed to be related to Li Nian.
Seeing that all the ministers were very curious about paper, Ying Zheng said: "You can hold it in your hands and observe it without damaging it. Although this object is made of simple materials, it is not difficult to make. However, there is no such thing in the Qin Dynasty today. How many."
With Yingzheng's permission, some ministers have already picked up the paper and started to observe it. This paper is indeed not cloth, and the feel is different from silk and other fabrics. It is a bit rough, but very soft. .
It is lighter than silk and linen, but not as tough as silk and linen. It seems that it can be torn with just a light tear.
"The greatest effect of this thing is that it can be written on, replacing bamboo slips. You may wish to give it a try."
Some ministers reacted that if this thing can be written, then because of its thinness, With the same thickness and weight, the content that can be recorded is definitely far better than bamboo slips.
Immediately, a minister put a pen on the paper and tried to write. He could really leave words, but he had to master the strength and speed. If the pen stayed on it for too long, the ink would spread on it.
But this small disadvantage is not worth mentioning compared to the huge advantages it brings.
They now handle government affairs or want to write something through bamboo slips. If there are too many words, the bamboo slips may weigh dozens of kilograms. Not only are they heavy, but they also take up a lot of space.
Therefore, someone often has to help them carry the bamboo slips, which are too many and heavy. But if they can be replaced with this paper, it will make a big difference.
This piece of paper can record the contents of several bamboo slips. The original dozens of kilograms of bamboo slips only use a few pages, and with the weight of this paper, even a one-year-old child can hold it. .
And this paper seems to be foldable, which would be even better. You can carry it with you when the time comes. Why do you need someone to hold it?
The same is true when consulting certain classics or files. Bamboo slips are used to record files. Some things cannot be recorded in one bamboo slip, so several volumes or even dozens of volumes are needed. This is not only inconvenient for the person recording, but also inconvenient to store. It is also inconvenient for them to check.
However, after using this paper, things that originally had to be recorded in multiple bamboo slips can now be recorded on one or a few pieces of paper, which is more convenient to store and refer to. There is no need to rummage through a large pile of bamboo slips.
From the convenience of paper compared to bamboo slips, some of the ministers also thought of a problem: there are very few people who read and write in the world today, and one of the reasons is that there are fewer books.
The books are all made of bamboo slips, which are inconvenient to carry. Naturally, they are not easy to spread widely, but the paper is easy to carry. After they are released, they will be used by hundreds of schools in the world to spread the classics and meanings of their own schools, thus making the world The number of people who are reading and literate is increasing day by day.
But the number of people who are reading and literate in the world is increasing. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Seeing that all the ministers had stopped writing, Ying Zheng asked: "What do you think of this paper?"
After Ying Zheng finished speaking, Chunyu Yue happily stood up and congratulated: "I congratulate the king. Da Qin has this thing, education can flourish, and the world can be settled."
Chun Yuyue is really happy, if this paper is passed down In the world, Confucianism will definitely benefit.
At that time, their Confucian classics will be spread to thousands of families, and everyone in the world will know Confucianism. Isn’t it a matter of education?
But if everyone knows Confucianism and observes etiquette, can’t the world be settled?
However, there are still some problems that need to be solved in this process. Confucianism will benefit, and other schools of thought will also benefit, such as Taoism and Mohism. They need to find ways to prevent these schools from spreading their doctrines.
At this time, a minister stood up worriedly: "Dr. Chunyu is making a big mistake. This is not a congratulation, but a disaster. Please ban this paper and prevent it from being circulated in the world!"
Chunyu Yue looked at this The minister asked in return: "This paper is good for the king, for us, and for the world. How can it be a disaster?"
Ying Zheng also said to the minister: "Please tell me why the paper is banned?"
The minister stated his reasons seriously: "Paper is easy to write on, easy to carry, and easier to spread than bamboo slips. However, because of this, it is harmful."
"One disaster is a disaster. It can be used by people with ulterior motives. I am afraid that someone will use paper to spread unfavorable news to the Qin Dynasty. Paper is easy to carry and will spread rumors throughout the world more easily than bamboo slips."
"The second misfortune is that there will be more people who are literate and literate in the world..."
Li Si nodded repeatedly after hearing the minister's words: Yes, that's it. If there are more people who are literate and knowledgeable in the world, what else can we do? Good governance?
Only when the people are stupid can we govern them. The more stupid and ignorant the better, the better. Only in this way will they only know how to obey the government and will not have other thoughts.
After Chunyu Yue listened to what this minister said, he said to Ying Zheng: "Your Majesty, what this man says is all nonsense, and you must not believe it!"
"The disaster he said is all unpredictable. They can use paper to spread rumors in the world, but if there is no paper, they will not spread rumors? If they can use paper to spread rumors, we can also use paper to refute rumors!"
"The second misfortune is that if the number of people who are educated and literate increases in the world, people's minds will change and it will become more difficult to govern. However, I think that just because there are more people who are educated, literate and sensible, the world will be better governed."
"I would like to ask. , is it easier for a person who knows etiquette and abides by the law to break the law, or is it easier for an ignorant person to break the law?"
"As I see it, , the function of paper is far better than that of bamboo slips, how can it be useless because of some shortcomings? If so, we should not wear clothes and shoes today, just like in ancient times, we should not cover our bodies. ”
Ying Zheng found it interesting on the throne that in Li Nian's words, Confucianism, which hindered China's progress, would promote more advanced and better paper in the court.
At this moment, Li Si said something indifferently: "What Dr. Chunyu said is based on the fact that those who are educated, literate and sensible in the world are your Confucian disciples, right? But today, you are not the only Confucian disciple. , there are hundreds of other schools, Dr. Chunyu wants the king to abolish all schools and only respect Confucianism?”
Although he and Li Si were good friends, facing the sinister connotation in Li Si's words, Chun Yuyue asked: "Did Wei Ting not have the intention to let the king only respect Legalism?"
Everyone thought so. , don’t talk about the second brother, it’s like only we Confucians think this way.
(End of this chapter)