I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 121 Papermaking Class

Liu Shan rubbed his temples, his brows furrowed.

Even if fragments of memory about papermaking are recalled, Yizhou lacks skilled craftsmen who can make "Caihou Paper," so they cannot be of any use.

"Your Excellency just mentioned Cai Lun's old method of making paper from rags, fishing nets, and tree bark. Is there any trace of this?" Liu Shan's tone still carried a hint of urgency.

If the paper issue cannot be resolved, the Imperial Academy will be unable to continue operating, and any future efforts to establish schools in other prefectures will be nothing but castles in the air.

For now, we can only place our hopes on the all-powerful Zhuge Liang.

This extraordinary person, who could create the Zhuge Repeating Crossbow and the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, shouldn't have trouble getting some paper.

Just as Zhuge Liang was about to bow and reply, Qiao Zhou interrupted him.

"Your Majesty, this 'Cai Hou Paper' is exclusively supplied to the Luoyang court. This old minister has never seen it in all my years in Yizhou. Forgive my bluntness, but Prime Minister Zhuge Liang was farming in Nanyang when he was young, so naturally he wouldn't have had access to such a precious item, would he?"

Qiao Zhou's words were harsh, but they were not without reason.

"Caihou Paper" was popular in the Central Plains region and became a premium paper that the upper class competed to use. Even low-ranking officials could not buy it, let alone ordinary people.

Zhuge Liang showed no anger upon hearing this; instead, he laughed.

Qiao Zhou thought he was feigning composure and chuckled, "Prime Minister Zhuge, why are you laughing? Could it be that what I said is wrong?"

"That's certainly not right. Does the Grand Master Qiao know Zuo Bo?"

"I have heard of Zuo Bo; he was a great calligrapher of his time."

Zhuge Liang smiled and nodded, saying, "People only know that Zuo Bo was a great calligrapher, but they don't know that he was also a skilled papermaker."

"So what?"

Zhuge Liang turned to face the court officials and said with a smile, "Zuo Bo once improved the 'Cai Hou Paper,' making the paper white, delicate, soft, and even. It was not only bright in color but also of excellent quality, hence the name 'Zuo Bo Paper.'"

Qiao Zhou's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

He has been in Yizhou for a long time, and he only knows about "Cai Hou paper" but not "Zuo Bo paper". Doesn't this prove that he is ignorant and uninformed?

"Could it be that Zuo Bo taught the art of papermaking to Prime Minister Zhuge?" Qiao Zhou said coldly, trying to save face.

"I have never met Zuo Bo, nor do I know about the papermaking technique," Zhuge Liang admitted.

The courtiers murmured in unison, as if to say, "I don't know why you brought up Zuo Bo."

The hope that had just ignited in Liu Shan's eyes instantly turned into despair.

Zhuge Liang smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "Although I am not skilled in craftsmanship, I know that there are still a few old craftsmen in Chengdu whose ancestors once worked in the imperial workshops in Luoyang. They know a little about how to make paper. However, due to the chaos of war, their techniques have been lost, and the paper is easily perishable and susceptible to insects, so they have remained hidden in the city and have not dared to offer their skills."

"In that case, Your Excellency, please send someone to search for them immediately!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I have already ordered my wife to secretly investigate. Within three days, we will surely be able to invite these craftsmen to the Imperial Workshop to try out the ancient methods."

Upon hearing this, Liu Shan slammed his hand on the table and stood up, saying, "Excellent! If this 'Zuo Bo Paper' can be made, it will be a great achievement. I will reward the students of the world handsomely."

"Your Majesty, please wait."

Situ Xu Jing stepped forward and bowed to Liu Shan and Zhuge Liang respectively.

"Prime Minister Zhuge, as far as this old minister knows, the production process of 'Zuo Bo Paper' is a secret technique of the imperial court. The process is complex, with a clear division of labor. Each step is handled by different craftsmen who are unaware of each other's secrets. Can such a method truly produce paper?"

The words of this veteran official from the previous dynasty carried great authority.

Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "What Minister Xu said is very true. But even if there are countless difficulties, we must try."

Qiao Zhou seized the opportunity to mock, "Prime Minister Zhuge, let's not even discuss whether this lost papermaking technique can be recreated. Even if it were, the paper would be easily rotten and susceptible to insects, ultimately rendering it unusable. Why bother with all this trouble?"

"Your Majesty, this old minister still believes that using bamboo slips instead of paper, or levying a fee for paper, is the best solution to the current difficulties."

The ministers all nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Zhuge Liang did not refute this at this time, after all, he was not sure that these craftsmen could make "Cai Hou Paper", so he could only leave the decision to Liu Shan.

Liu Shan pinched his chin with his hand, lost in thought, and murmured Zhuge Liang's words.

"Starting from the root... papermaking can be done using wood, tree bark, fishing nets, and also..."

Following this line of thought, a modern memory suddenly flashed through Liu Shan's mind.

I think I saw a craftsman making paper in a documentary, but I was chatting with my girlfriend at the time and don't remember the specific details, only a few words.

Yes, these are the words, but what do they mean?!

Liu Shan desperately grasped at this fleeting fragment of memory, which then became increasingly clear.

Cutting bamboo, soaking, blanching, steaming with lime, pounding and pulping...

Suddenly, Liu Shan slammed his hand on the table and stood up, as if he had made a decision, his eyes resolute.

Upon seeing this, the courtiers all bowed.

"By imperial decree, summon all papermaking artisans in Chengdu to the Imperial Academy."

Imperial Academy?

The assembled officials were all taken aback upon hearing this.

What does papermaking have to do with the Imperial Academy?

"I will establish a new class in the Imperial Academy called the 'Papermaking Class,' which will gather the expertise of craftsmen from across the country to create an inexpensive and practical type of paper."

Papermaking class?

Is this yet another one of His Majesty's impulsive creations?

"Your Majesty, no one in the Imperial Academy knows this lost papermaking technique. How can we start?" Xu Jing's eyes flashed with a hint of anticipation. "Could it be that Your Majesty actually knows this technique?"

Since the establishment of the Imperial Academy, Liu Shan personally taught all the classes offered.

Sometimes, the courtiers thought Liu Shan was too miraculous, as if he were a god descended from heaven who could do everything.

"I...won't!"

Liu Shan shook his head, pouring cold water on Xu Jing's enthusiasm.

"Prime Minister, have you heard anything about those craftsmen you mentioned in three days?"

Liu Shan ignored him and turned to ask Zhuge Liang instead.

"Sure!"

"Very well, as long as these craftsmen come, along with the papermakers in Chengdu, I believe they can produce excellent paper. There's one more thing..."

Liu Shan then remembered something else and instructed, "Prime Minister, please find a few Taoist priests who know alchemy; I have a great need for them."

Alchemy?

This time, it was Zhuge Liang's turn to be confused.

We weren't talking about papermaking, so why did we get onto the topic of alchemy?

Could it be that the concubines in the harem have been unable to conceive for a long time and are seeking elixirs from the Taoist priest?

"Your Majesty, this..."

Zhuge Liang wanted to ask for details, but Liu Shan stopped him, saying, "Prime Minister, there's no need to ask. Just bring them here. Have them join the papermaking class along with the papermaking artisans. I will personally train them."

Although Liu Shan did not understand the craft, he knew the general process of papermaking.

If these skills are handed over to the craftsmen, who will be responsible for overcoming the technological barriers, then this simple papermaking technique will be a piece of cake.

"Your Majesty, I still don't understand. I hope you can enlighten me," Zhuge Liang asked, bowing.

Not only Zhuge Liang, but all the civil and military officials in the court had four words written in their eyes: I don't understand.

Liu Shan could only offer a brief explanation, since he didn't know much more than that.

"My dear ministers, since papermaking can be done using wood, tree bark, fishing nets, and even hemp cloth, there is another thing that would also be an excellent material for papermaking, and it is abundant throughout Yizhou."

They're everywhere?

The ministers looked at each other, racking their brains but still unable to figure out what Liu Shan was talking about.

"I will now reveal the truth to you all."

"This thing is bamboo."

"I intend to use bamboo to make paper!"