Chapter 45: Tang Dynasty Bookstore, Building a Library

As Li Er finished speaking, Su Liang gave a dismissive, light chuckle.

He had already handled the affairs in Sumpi, and only now did Li Er learn the specific situation; it had to be said that Xue Rengui still respected him as his big brother.

"Hehe... Your Majesty, how do you have the time to come to my place today? Shouldn't you be busy with the bookstore right now?"

Just two days ago, the Ministry of Works had successfully produced paper based on Su Liang's Mao Bamboo Papermaking Method. It was indeed as Su Liang had said; the paper produced was not only white and clean but also better for writing.

At the time, Su Liang was busy manufacturing the car and had no time to think about these things.

However, Su Liang now had new ideas. When he previously gave Li Er the Mao Bamboo Papermaking Method, he did not have the encyclopedia search engine.

Now it was different; he could already improve the Mao Bamboo Papermaking Method. Although he couldn't yet achieve what later generations could—producing paper in just five minutes—

shortening the original six-month papermaking time to about two months was still not a problem.

"Haha... I have already handed the matter of opening the bookstore to Ma Zhou and Wang Gui to handle, and the Ministry of Works is also busy making paper." At this moment, Li Er had a look of pride on his face.

"Sigh..."

Upon hearing this, Su Liang sighed lightly, then looked at Li Er with a look of disdain.

In Li Er's eyes, one only needed to properly organize the existing Four Books and Five Classics and then print them in large quantities.

But Su Liang did not think so. The current Su Liang was no longer the same as in the past; he could bring out any kind of book, and even setting up a library was not a problem. He had to properly improve the cultural level of the Great Tang citizens.

The current Su Liang was no longer satisfied with just having every Great Tang citizen be able to read; not only must they have books to read, but they must read good books!

A few days ago, when Taoyuan Academy opened.

Su Liang had only brought out some relatively basic books, such as elementary mathematics and some simple knowledge of physics, chemistry, geography, and so on.

Su Liang did not dare to bring out too many things, at least not now.

Take chemistry knowledge, for example; if he taught it too comprehensively, wouldn't the manufacturing technology for gunpowder leak out? This was a major matter.

As for harmless principles like ice-making with niter, Su Liang brought them out generously; after all, it would be summer before long, and the common people might as well enjoy some comfort.

Seeing Su Liang sigh slightly, Li Er couldn't help but ask: "Hehe... Why is my virtuous son-in-law sighing? Don't worry, I absolutely will not urge you to have a grandchild today."

"Uh... it's nothing, I just improved the papermaking technique a little during this time," Su Liang said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Li Er immediately became interested: "Could it be that my virtuous son-in-law can shorten the papermaking time even further?"

As the words fell, Zhangsun Wuji also looked at Su Liang with anticipation.

"That is indeed the case," Su Liang immediately admitted.

"Then... then how long does it take for the papermaking technique my virtuous son-in-law has improved to produce paper?" Although Li Er was happy that paper was produced using the Mao Bamboo Papermaking Method, he couldn't help but worry about the paper situation at this moment.

Currently, the paper produced by the Ministry of Works using the Mao Bamboo Papermaking Method was only enough for the bookstore in Changancheng for one month. To promote it to the Capital Region, and even the entire Great Tang, more was needed.

Seeing the two of them looking at him with anticipation, Su Liang slowly held up two fingers.

"This... this..." Li Er and Zhangsun Wuji were both too surprised to speak at this moment.

"To be precise, it is less than two months," Su Liang said indifferently.

"Can my virtuous son-in-law be more specific? My little heart can't take it," Li Er said, immediately grabbing Su Liang's arm.

"Hmm..."

"This... about 55 days."

Seeing the two of them so excited, Su Liang finally gave a relatively accurate number.

Afterward, he slowly explained the improved papermaking technique to the two of them. It took nearly a full hour for Su Liang to finish explaining the 72 production processes, including soaking bamboo, boiling bamboo hemp, making pulp, scooping paper, pressing paper, peeling paper, and drying paper.

At the same time, Li Er's personal eunuch, Wang De, also carefully recorded all of Su Liang's improved papermaking methods.

"Hahaha... With my virtuous son-in-law in the Great Tang, it is truly the fortune of the Great Tang," Li Er couldn't help but exclaim.

Zhangsun Wuji, who was to the side, also nodded frequently.

"In this way, it can be considered as solving the matter that has been troubling me regarding paper."

Just as Li Er's words fell, he couldn't help but sigh, paused, and continued: "Sigh... speaking of which, it was still the trouble caused by you, my virtuous son-in-law. Ever since you drank wine and wrote a hundred poems in Pingkang Fang, the price of paper in Changancheng has remained high."

"At the end of last year, the price of paper finally dropped, and you, my virtuous son-in-law, came up with spring couplets again."

"Otherwise, I could have opened the Great Tang Bookstore early just by relying on movable type printing."

Su Liang felt extremely depressed upon hearing this; he didn't want to do that, but in the end, he still had to take the blame for the system.

Now, as long as Su Liang left Furong Garden, a large number of little fanboys and little fangirls would immediately flock to him.

Fortunately, he was relatively laid-back and did not like to show his face.

"Virtuous son-in-law, do you have any good suggestions for the bookstore I opened?" Li Er couldn't help but set his sights on Su Liang.

"Hehe..." Su Liang gave a light smile at this.

"Your Majesty is setting your sights on me again, aren't you? Are you eyeing the books at Taoyuan Academy?"

Su Liang was too lazy to talk nonsense and went straight to the point.

"Hehe... Virtuous son-in-law, you are mistaken about that," Li Er said with a smile.

"Isn't that so?" Su Liang asked in return.

"Uh... Virtuous son-in-law, you were able to pass down the ice-making method; I don't believe you don't have other good things in your hands." Li Er revealed the truth at this moment. It was better not to beat around the bush with Su Liang, otherwise, he would get rolled eyes again.

"Is Your Majesty... wanting me to contribute some more books?" Su Liang asked.

"That is indeed the case. Although the Hongwen Library currently has over 200,000 books, they are not as practical as your books. If you contribute them, in time, our Great Tang will surely produce many talented people," Li Er said happily.

"I can, but I can only bring out some basic ones. After all, some knowledge is not suitable to be brought out now," Su Liang said, giving Li Er a meaningful look.

As the words fell, Li Er already understood the meaning behind Su Liang's words.

A few days ago, Li Er had already received news from the Bad People that Goguryeo and Wa Country had already invented hot air balloons, it was just that they couldn't fly for long periods.

There was also knowledge like gunpowder, which must be strictly controlled.

Just as Li Er was thinking to himself, Su Liang continued: "However... I can build a library in Wuben Fang, and I hope Your Majesty can move some things aside."

"Wuben Fang... Virtuous son-in-law, do you want the land around the Imperial Academy?"

Li Er asked immediately.

"Your Majesty, my virtuous son-in-law doesn't just want to build a library next to the Imperial Academy," Zhangsun Wuji said, following the sound.

As the words fell, Li Er suddenly realized.

What kind of place was Wuben Fang? The Imperial Academy was in Wuben Fang, and it was only a wall away from the Imperial City.

Not only that, the east side of Wuben Fang was Pingkang Fang.

Pingkang Fang was not only a gathering place for brothels that aristocratic students loved to visit, but also a gathering place for candidates, officials selected for office, officials stationed in the capital from other provinces, and people from all over who came to the capital.

"Hahaha... Good, good, good! This is excellent!" Li Er, having figured it out, immediately laughed loudly. "I don't know how much space my virtuous son-in-law needs? So I can make arrangements."

"Just 400 mu of space will do," Su Liang said calmly.

Su Liang gave a hard condition; 400 mu of space was not big, but it wasn't small either.

At this time, one mu of land in the Tang Dynasty was about 530 square meters, so 200 mu was about 100,000 square meters, slightly larger than the 70,000-plus square meters of the National Library of later generations.

Su Liang didn't want to be too troublesome in the future and planned to do it all in one go.

This... this...

As Su Liang's words fell, Li Er and Zhangsun Wuji were both speechless and unable to speak for a long time.

The current area of Wuben Fang was only 700 mu, and Su Liang needed such a large space all at once.

"Virtuous son-in-law, can't you have less space? You are making things difficult for His Majesty," Zhangsun Wuji said, seeing Li Er looking distressed.

Li Er was also frowning at this moment, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Oh? What is difficult about this?" Su Liang asked, feigning ignorance.

"Sigh... Half of the west side of Wuben Fang is the Imperial Academy's place, and the east side is the Court of Transmission and the residences of many officials. You must know this, virtuous son-in-law," Zhangsun Wuji said with a long sigh.

Just at this moment, Li Er seemed to have realized something, and then stared at Su Liang with deep eyes and said: "If my virtuous son-in-law has anything to say, just say it directly. As long as it is beneficial to the Great Tang and good for the people, I will absolutely cooperate with you without hesitation."

"Alright... I suggest that Your Majesty re-plan Wuben Fang, leaving only the Imperial Academy and the library."

"After the library is built, anyone can read and browse the books in the library. As for some books that cannot be made public yet, they should still be placed in Your Majesty's Hongwen Library."

As the words fell, Li Er couldn't help but think of Taoyuan Academy in Taoyuan City. Taoyuan Academy occupied four wards of Taoyuan City, with an area of nearly 20,000 mu.

Compared to the 350 mu of the Imperial Academy in Changancheng, it was obvious that the Imperial Academy seemed too small.

Taoyuan Academy was also designed by Su Liang according to the universities of later generations. After all, universities in later generations were often thousands of mu in size, not to mention that Taoyuan Academy had four major colleges.

Su Liang was just that kind of person; either he didn't do it, or if he did, he would do it the best, of course, within his capabilities!

"Is my virtuous son-in-law determined to make me drive those ministers out of Wuben Fang?" Li Er asked.

"That is indeed the case!" Su Liang immediately admitted.

"Then my virtuous son-in-law doesn't need to use 200 mu of land, how many books are you going to store?" Li Er asked suspiciously. As long as Su Liang gave him a reasonable explanation, he would absolutely cooperate with Su Liang.

"Doesn't Your Majesty feel that the subjects in the Imperial Academy are too few now?" Su Liang asked in return.

As the words fell, Li Er began to ponder. The current Imperial Academy led the six schools: National School, Grand School, Four Gates School, Law School, Book School, and Arithmetic School.

Although it was barely enough, it did not have Su Liang's knowledge.

Just as Li Er was pondering, Su Liang continued to ask: "Besides, I can bring out tens of millions of books here. How much space does Your Majesty think is needed?"

This... this... Li Er and Zhangsun Wuji were completely stunned upon hearing this.

Tens of millions... tens of millions...

They were muttering to themselves at this moment, it was truly unbelievable, but they couldn't help but believe it.

Su Liang had never failed to keep his word.

The number Su Liang said was still relatively conservative; now, it was not a difficult task for him to bring out hundreds of millions of books.

As long as Su Liang was given a certain amount of time!

Seeing the two of them silent for a long time, Su Liang feigned a sigh and said: "Sigh... Or I should just build the library in Taoyuan Academy. I really don't want to make things difficult for Your Majesty."

Just as Su Liang's words fell, Li Er suddenly grabbed Su Liang's arm and said: "Hehe... Virtuous son-in-law, you are joking. This matter is on me; I will give you full authority over Wuben Fang."

"Do whatever you want, I will give you one year, take your time to renovate it."

"What about the students of the Imperial Academy?" Su Liang asked in return.

"Go to Taoyuan Academy to study first!" Li Er replied.

"What about the residences of the many ministers?" Su Liang asked in return.

"Hehe... Haven't you already built many high-end residences in the suburbs of Changan County and Wannian County..." Li Er set his sights on Su Liang again.

"Sigh... Alright." Su Liang sighed helplessly.

It was just a few buildings; Su Liang was not that stingy. Besides, in this way, it would be easier for Li Er to explain to the ministers living in Wuben Fang.

It wouldn't do for his father-in-law to buy a house from him, and he was the ruler of a country, after all.

Li Er, seeing that Su Liang had agreed, immediately laughed loudly: "Hahaha... Good, good, good, I will also move the Court of Transmission to another place, giving you plenty of room to play."

The Court of Transmission, the local administrative agency's office in the capital, generally only provincial-level units had the qualifications to set up offices in the capital.

When the Han Dynasty was first established, it was called a residence, and during the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was called the Court of Transmission.

The Court of Transmission was the residence for officials from various prefectures and towns when they came to the capital to pay homage to the emperor or handle other affairs, and it was also a contact point for officials from their respective towns who came to the capital.

The Court of Transmission had officials who reported the situation of their respective towns to the imperial court, presented memorials from their towns, reported the situation of the imperial court and other towns to their respective towns in a timely manner, conveyed imperial edicts and documents, handled the payment of taxes from their towns to the imperial court, and requested the imperial court's decision on major matters that their towns could not decide on their own.

Because of this reason, the Court of Transmission also became a social occasion for local officials, capital officials, and famous scholars in the capital during the Tang and Song Dynasties.

In addition, the emperor's activities, edicts, the appointment and removal of officials, memorials from ministers, and other important military and political information were all handled here. It can be understood as a primitive medium for news dissemination, the earliest medium for dissemination with confirmed evidence in China, and also the prototype of the earliest newspaper to appear in the world. ===== CHAPTER 46 =====