Chapter 4: Movable Type Printing and the Imperial Court’s Bestowal of Honors

Chapter 4: Movable Type Printing and Imperial Reward

"Your Majesty! This is salt!" The ministers in court turned to look at the Inner Historian Teng, then at the large jar upon the table filled with white granules, fine as sand, white as snow.

They all rubbed their eyes hard, scarcely daring to believe what they saw.

Impossible. That was the thought in every mind.

One man reached out at once, scooped up a handful, and his expression froze.

It was truly salt, and such exceptionally fine salt at that.

Salt was no trivial matter.

Since ancient times, salt and iron had always been under the state’s control.

Salt was indispensable to the human body. In general, salt refers to sodium chloride. Sodium affects intestinal absorption, cellular potential, kidney excretion, osmotic balance, and more. If a person lacked salt for too long, it would not only sap strength and harm the nerves, but also disrupt osmotic balance, impair digestion, and even affect fertility.

Salt concerned the livelihood of the people.

After Qin unified the Six States, the common people numbered more than twenty million, yet the price of salt remained exorbitant, and the production methods were poor: the grains were coarse, the color bluish, tinged with yellow.

Many commoners could only afford relatively cheap coarse sea salt. At present, salt in Qin cost about one hundred and fifty half-pennies, while a measure of rice cost only three half-pennies.

And even that was for inferior sea salt, somewhat yellowed—not this fine salt white as snow.

"Your Majesty, how is this salt made?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

"Do not be impatient, lords. Look at this final item—what do you make of it?"

Each of them held a booklet. On the cover were the words "The Laws of Great Qin." When they opened it, a faint fragrance of ink drifted out. The book was not thick, but the writing on the pages was crystal clear, every stroke and column neat and uniform. It was also most convenient to read. Most important of all, after they exchanged and compared the volumes, they discovered that every single copy was identical.

Such books, together with all they had seen before, left them at a loss for words. Each was a mighty instrument of state, benefiting both realm and people.

They all bowed and said, "We congratulate Your Majesty on obtaining such divine marvels! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! May Great Qin endure ten thousand years!"

"I wonder whether Your Majesty might explain to this subject in detail: what are the costs of these divine marvels? And what is their output?"

"Let the expert explain it," said the emperor. "Summon Yang Zimo."

Soon afterward, a young man entered the grand hall under the guidance of an attendant.

"I, Yang Zimo, a common man, pay respects to Your Majesty, and greetings to all the lords!"

"Rise. Immortal Master, explain all this properly to me and to the ministers."

"Yes."

"To answer Your Majesty, the cost of making this paper is not high. It can be produced from bamboo, wood, grasses, and other plants, and the cost is extremely low. A thousand sheets cost only five half-pennies. And as long as there are enough hands, one can make as much as one wishes."

"So cheap!" Qin Shihuang said in astonishment, looking at the paper in his hand.

"Your Majesty, it can in fact be made even cheaper. Time is too short, and I am still researching it. I can further reduce the cost, while also producing papers of different uses and higher quality."

"Immortal Master truly lives up to the name of a disciple of the immortals. Such ingenious ideas can turn decay into marvel."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty. This paper is but a minor craft. With it, Your Majesty can hasten the integration of the former Six States' people into Great Qin, so that all under heaven may be put to use for Great Qin."

"Oh? Speak more fully."

Seeing that Qin Shihuang intended to discuss important matters with the ministers, Zhao Gao led the others away, closed the palace doors, and doubled the guards three zhang beyond the hall.

"Your Majesty, what I mean to speak of is the 'Laws of Great Qin' in the hands of the ministers. Have you not all noticed that every book is identical?"

"Indeed. That is precisely my question as well," said the old man.

"Your Majesty, ministers, please look." Yang Zimo crouched on the floor and wrote and drew with a brush. "Your Majesty, each of these small blocks represents one character, while this larger frame contains hundreds of such blocks. By arranging and combining them, one can form an entire article. With only a layer of ink, the article can be printed onto paper."

Pointing to one block, Yang Zimo continued, "Each time, one only needs to change the arrangement of the blocks to compose different text. If a block is damaged, it need only be removed and replaced. As long as Your Majesty requires it, endless articles can be produced without cease.

"Moreover, with movable type printing, Your Majesty can establish a publishing house and create a newspaper devoted to reporting affairs under heaven. It may be divided into sections:

"First, to publish the court's policies, major events in the realm, and the details of Great Qin's military campaigns abroad.

"Second, to publish reports concerning the people's livelihood and keep abreast of the world’s common people.

"Third, to allow the various schools of thought and the common people to express their views and essays.

"In this way, the voice of all under heaven will be held in Your Majesty’s hands. If Your Majesty prints countless newspapers and circulates them throughout the realm at regular times, would the nobles of the former Six States not be at Your Majesty's mercy?"

Hiss.

A chill ran from head to toe through the assembly. How ruthless this youth was—to strike at the very root of the former Six States' nobility!

"Excellent!"

Qin Shihuang was greatly stirred. After Great Qin unified the world, currents still surged beneath the surface, and many were unwilling to submit, poised to act. The appearance of this paper was like a strong tonic.

"As for this salt, it is merely the purification of salt ore."

"Impossible. I have lived for decades, and salt from ore cannot be made like this!"

After patient explanation and on-site demonstration, everyone finally believed the truth. One by one, they looked at Yang Zimo as though gazing upon a peerless treasure.

"Zhao Gao! Issue the proclamation!" Qin Shi Huang suddenly called out.

"Yes!"

"Hereby decreed: Yang Zimo, a disciple of the immortals, brings the immortal arts of papermaking, movable type printing, and salt extraction, and presents them to Great Qin. He has rendered merit to Great Qin and brought benefit to the people. Grant him one hundred gold, one residence in Xianyang, ten maids, fifty servants, and one hundred mu of fertile land. Upon his return to Xianyang, there shall be further reward!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"We, your ministers, congratulate Your Majesty on happily obtaining an Immortal Master!"

As for Yang Zimo's reward, Qin Shihuang had considered it at length. Bestowing upon him the formal status of an Immortal Master was itself a sign of Great Qin's esteem. Moreover, the Immortal Master had already left offspring in Great Qin. After returning to Xianyang, he could discuss with Liqiu the marriage of the little princess Jingyang, Ying Qianyue.

"Meng Yi! Inner Historian Teng!"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"Dispatch men to prepare a publishing house—call it the Great Qin Royal Publishing House. Increase the workforce for papermaking and expand production. You shall handle this personally; if anything is unclear, ask the Immortal Master for guidance."

"Inner Historian Teng, have men prepare a printing workshop, and compile the books in Great Qin's libraries. Select those suitable for wide circulation throughout the realm. After I have reviewed them, print them into bound volumes. For the first batch, print ten thousand copies."

"Yes!"

"Immortal Master, remain. The rest of you, withdraw for now."

"We take our leave!"

After the others left, Qin Shihuang slowly approached Yang Zimo and looked into his eyes. "Immortal Master, do you know what became of Great Qin afterward?"

Having said this, he stared fixedly at Yang Zimo, his eyes filled with a faint thread of anticipation.

Meeting Qin Shihuang's sincere gaze and seeing the wrinkles already upon his face, Yang Zimo, who had prepared his answer long ago, found himself unable to say it.

At last he sighed. "Your Majesty, I do not wish to deceive you. Great Qin lasted only two generations before it perished."

The End of Chapter 4