Chapter 256

Chapter 256

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 8: Chang’an Discusses Wine, Autumn Brings Change Chapter 256: Four Types of Paper

If it weren’t for the fact that no one in Chang’an would understand this joke, and it would be somewhat inappropriate to say it, Qiao Yan might have even wanted to say that this was a small step for her, but a giant leap for history.

Although the local method of cement had already been applied in many places in Bingzhou, this was the first time it appeared in the form of a road.

Moreover, the various slag and gypsum powder were pressed to an extremely fine state during the production process, combined with the compliance during laying, making the hardness of this road sufficient to reach the standard of a cement road.

The results brought by the troublesome processing would not disappoint them.

When she stepped on it, the road obviously did not leave any traces.

The carriages and horses following her also followed suit.

From carriages to chariots to heavily armored soldiers, none were left out.

These people initially walked somewhat timidly, but when they realized that the road was indeed different from the strength of the dirt road and was no longer in the state where it could be easily scratched, they all walked with their heads held high.

Even though they knew this was just an acceptance test for the road, and the onlookers around were all their own people, it did not hinder them from showing such an attitude.

The Son of Heaven has not yet walked on this road!

They must be the first!

These chariots, carriages, and war horses with horseshoes accompanied her to the end of the road.

When Qiao Yan looked back, she saw that in addition to these neat queues, the two rows of torches extending behind were also in an orderly manner, almost bringing the southern gate of Chang’an into daylight under the light of the fire.

Her eyes also reflected the long dragon of fire, clearly illuminating the sense of achievement inside.

Even though she did not praise it, just let the soldiers return to their respective teams, it did not affect her subordinates who were also here from seeing her current mood—

The city is named Chang’an, and the road is also named Chang’an. This is the opening ceremony of her wine discussion meeting.

It is also the surprise she wants to bring to the world!

Or rather, this is the beginning of Chang’an showing its strong scene.

This beginning does not have to wait until the end of May.

Because she still wants it to ferment further under public opinion, she set the first display on—

Tomorrow.

Yuan Yao had just stepped into the east gate of Chang’an, intending to visit the Grand Marshal, as his father had said, to ask the Grand Marshal to lend them the famous physician Hua Tuo to treat his father’s leg problems, when he heard a sudden burst of drum music.

Because the drum music did not stop immediately after it sounded, Yuan Yao immediately recognized that this was the welcoming sound of the band belonging to the Grand Herald.

There are very few people who need such drum music to welcome them.

Even if the current Grand General Liu Yan came to Chang’an, it seems that such a commotion is not needed.

When was the last time such a sound was heard?

It seems to be when Emperor Xiaoling selected the General of Crossing Liao at the Western Suburb Camp and held a military parade.

If we go further back, it was all in other people’s rumors.

It is said that when the envoys of the Roman Empire came to pay homage to Emperor Huan of Han, they also made such a scene.

Although Yuan Yao came here for the purpose of seeking medical treatment for his father, when he heard such a commotion, he instinctively ran towards the direction of the sound.

After all, if he happened to encounter something special in Chang’an, he had to see it with his own eyes to report to his father after returning to Runan.

Fortunately, his reaction was fast enough. When he arrived at the south of the city, the people attracted by the commotion had not yet turned the place where the sound came from into a state of three layers inside and three layers outside.

And because this road starting from the south gate runs through the north and south of Chang’an, he could even find a position in the first row.

When he stood here, he saw the ceremonial team that was still playing the drum music.

Extending from the team of grandly dressed drummers towards his direction was a road that was different from anything he had seen before.

Yuan Yao had not seen what this road looked like when it was first laid, so what he saw was the completely finished state of this cement road.

The road, which had already solidified to a hard and compact state, looked like a huge stone that had been moved to this position. Although there was a horizontal groove every certain distance, Yuan Yao could easily see from the side that the two sides of the groove were essentially still part of a whole.

This is really a magical scene.

Who has ever seen such a road? At least he hasn’t before.

Just such a “huge stone” was enough to make him feel that he had never seen it before, but at this time, he also heard the onlookers who came after hearing the news say that this huge stone was still soft more than a month ago, and even allowed Qiao Yan, the initiator of this project, to leave the words “Chang’an” at the beginning of the road.

“Speaking of which, before this road was officially opened, the guards guarding both sides received a very high salary,” someone whispered to the person next to him.

As if afraid that someone would think he was lying, he quickly pointed to one of the guards maintaining order and said, “Look, that’s my cousin. He was selected to join the army after the Grand Marshal entered Guanzhong.”

“Why can you get a high monthly salary just by guarding a road?” someone immediately asked.

The man replied, “I heard that it’s because this road can become as hard as a rock after it is completely cured, but it can easily leave traces before that, so there was a law issued before. But can laws prevent people, or can they stop birds falling from the sky or wild dogs running on the ground?”

“These guards have been keeping an eye on everything running on the ground and flying in the sky during this period, for fear that something would fall from somewhere and make their previous efforts in vain.”

“My cousin said, now it’s good, there’s no need to guard against these things, he will go tomorrow and catch that dog that always wanders nearby…”

“Stew it?” someone interjected.

“How could that be!” he replied, “It’s to grab its paws and pat them on this road a few more times.”

Yuan Yao couldn’t help but laugh.

But he keenly heard that among the surrounding laughter, there was a voice mixed in the laughter of the onlookers, more like a mocking laugh.

He turned around and saw a tall and strong man standing not far from him, with a clearly disdainful expression on his face.

What confirmed this even more was that after he finished laughing, he coldly said, “A road that even needs to guard against dogs running over, how solid can it be? I think this road is just a superficial effort. Brother, I’m afraid you are going to lose.”

The old man next to him looked at him somewhat helplessly and replied, “Shuwei, isn’t your patience enough to let you see the end?”

Yuan Yao did not know Zhang Chang and Zhang Meng, but he intuitively felt that the identities of these two people were not ordinary.

He originally wanted to step forward and talk to them, but at this time, he heard a gong strike, attracting everyone’s attention to the direction of the city gate, including him.

Before the lingering sound of the gong dissipated in the air, two teenagers pulled a long scroll and ran towards the north.

What they stepped on was this new road.

The words “Chang’an” on the long scroll fluttering in the wind were clearly reflected in everyone’s eyes.

Although they knew that since they dared to walk on this road, it could naturally bear their weight, at the moment they saw this scene, everyone subconsciously held their breath, fearing that this modified imperial road would be pressed with two lines of footprints, just like Qiao Yan could write words on the road with an iron rod.

But when these two teenagers in cotton single clothes brought the long scroll from one end of the cement road to the other, the onlookers clearly saw that this road, which once needed strict guarding, was no longer in a state where it could easily leave traces, but still maintained the scene they had seen before.

What they should pay attention to was not only the feet of these two teenagers, but also the paper scroll in their hands.

That paper…

Anyone who has come into contact with mulberry bark paper and the hemp paper promoted in recent years can easily see that although this paper does not look as tough as bark paper, it is much smoother than hemp paper, and it seems to be another type of paper.

The ink effect on the paper, in the eyes of Zhang Chang, a famous calligrapher, is really not bad.

He intuitively felt that the appearance of this special paper at this time was not an ordinary signal.

When these two people just disappeared from their sight, another two people ran past, with the words “Jian’an” written on the paper scroll in their hands.

This time, the paper in their hands was mulberry bark paper.

The third round of paper almost made Zhang Chang step forward, just wanting to see it more clearly, but unfortunately, he was intercepted by the guards along the road.

Fortunately, the two people who appeared this time did not hold the long scroll at the same time, but each held a paper scroll, displaying it to both sides in an unfolded state, and the speed of movement was much slower than the previous two batches.

When these two people walked in front of Zhang Chang, he saw that this was clearly another type of paper.

In the…








The paper sketched the scenery of Chang’an City, with the words “Guanzhong Dingding” written in the blank spaces.

What attracted Zhang Chang was not the content of the calligraphy and painting above, but this newly appeared paper, which was slightly whiter than the previous two types, as if its color was its most insignificant advantage.

Proficient in calligraphy and painting, he naturally could not fail to notice that this paper absorbed ink far better than the previous two, almost as if it were born for calligraphy and painting.

If it weren’t for the inappropriate situation, Zhang Chang would have wanted to snatch the paper and ask about its origin.

For masters of calligraphy and painting like them, this was truly a blessing.

Who could resist such temptation? At least he couldn’t.

When the two people in the fourth round appeared, Zhang Chang couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

This paper was not only white but also had a peculiar glossy sheen, much smoother than the previous three.

The ink marks left on it were no less impressive than the former, and it even had a more fluid ink flow.

The four characters “Changle Chang’an” written on the paper were from the hand of his elder brother, Zhang Zhi!

But Zhang Chang had never heard his brother mention such paper in the letters he sent.

It was highly likely that this paper had only recently appeared.

Indeed, such paper would surely gain widespread fame once it was introduced.

Zhang Chang, almost entranced, watched the pristine white paper being taken away, feeling a bit regretful that those people did not introduce these papers, and there was no one in the crowd to discuss this with him.

Meanwhile, in a pavilion not far from this place, Ren Hong watched this scene and asked Cai Zhaoji, who was also there, “The Marquis said these four rounds of paper are bamboo paper, mulberry bark paper, blue sandalwood paper, and mulberry paper. If you had to choose, which one would you prefer?”

If Ren Hong had to choose, she would definitely prefer mulberry paper.

The fact that Qiao Yan placed it last to anchor the event was enough to prove its aesthetic status.

A special substance on the mulberry bark would enter the paper during the paper-making process, making the operation complex but undoubtedly retaining its tough and smooth qualities. According to Qiao Yan, it could also greatly extend the preservation time.

The saying “paper lasts a thousand years” has an extraordinary appeal for the Lingtai, which records celestial phenomena, climate, and history.

It’s just a pity that the cost is indeed high.

However, what Ren Hong didn’t expect was that Cai Zhaoji’s answer was, “Bamboo paper.”

Seeing Ren Hong’s surprise, Cai Zhaoji explained, “The quality of the first batch of bamboo paper is still rough. As the Marquis said, even with further technical improvements, it would be hard to compete with blue sandalwood paper or mulberry paper. In terms of quality, among these four types of paper, it indeed ranks last, so it was placed first in the display. But what does that matter?”

“Although only one batch has been produced, the production process already shows its low cost. This is a paper more likely to achieve mass production than mulberry bark paper.”

Cai Zhaoji had not forgotten the discouraging signal from Qiao Yan when she previously thought of printing from coin casting.

The road needs to be taken step by step, and meals need to be eaten bite by bite. Is the current reduction in paper cost one of those signals?

At least this could allow students of Leping Academy to have more paper and further increase the quantity of Leping Monthly Report.

These are tangible benefits at present.

Just this point alone is enough for Cai Zhaoji to make her choice.

“I heard that the Marquis intends to reduce the use of mulberry trees and switch to bamboo paper. As for the high-end paper pursued by noble families and calligraphy masters, blue sandalwood paper and mulberry paper will be used as substitutes. Two categories are enough.”

Cai Zhaoji looked at the four types of paper posted at the end of the cement road, smiling slightly, “Historians’ writings need to last long, but I just want more people to know what we are recording.”

Fortunately, they now have another aid.

Looking at the crowd below, the appearance of bamboo paper is even more precious.

Zhang Chang felt that no one could discuss the ink retention effects of these papers with him, but Cai Zhaoji felt that not many in the crowd recognized the four appearances of the text.

Because of this, when another round of gong sounds signaled the next segment, the crowd, eager for excitement, turned their attention back to the south gate.

Only a few had not yet recovered from the four papers.

But this new scene indeed fit the definition of “excitement” better.

Just like last night’s test of the cement road’s pressure resistance, what now drove onto the road were chariots.

For ordinary people, they almost never see such things, and if they do, they would worry if a disaster was imminent.

But this time was different.

These chariots existed only as a ceremonial guard.

To show the heavy load on the chariots, the soldiers standing on them held long spears and wore heavy armor.

Only one person was an exception, Dian Wei, standing at the front holding the commander’s banner.

Of course, on such an occasion, the banner would not bear the character “Qiao” but “Han.”

But when the chariots led by Dian Wei passed this new road in Chang’an, no one would forget that this was a team belonging to the Marquis of Leping.

Heavy armor, heavy banners, heavy chariots, even the people on the chariots were heavy. The sound of horseshoes hitting the ground was especially loud.

Even so, when this line of chariots disappeared from one end of the road to the other, no trace was left on the road surface.

Everyone’s gaze followed this scene to the ground, fearing they had missed something due to not looking carefully enough.

But there was nothing.

The cement road showed no signs of being unable to withstand such conditions.

While paying attention to the ground, both Yuan Yao, who had just arrived in Chang’an, and Yuan Xi, waiting to meet with Tian Feng, also noticed the special device on the horses’ hooves.

They suddenly realized that this was also not a simple existence.

The geographical barriers of Qiao Yan’s controlled territories and the impressive performance of heavy crossbows like the repeating crossbow had made many overlook her cavalry equipment.

But in fact, horseshoes, like the cement road, have their epoch-making significance.

However, with Qiao Yan controlling Liangzhou and Bingzhou, greatly limiting the source of warhorses from other regions, rather than worrying about opponents learning this and causing trouble, her opponents probably need to worry more.

Worrying that when her iron-clad cavalry marches east or south, it might become their nightmare!

At this moment, Yuan Xi thought exactly that.

They seemed to be lagging behind not only in terms of acreage yield and weapons like crossbows!

What shocked Yuan Xi even more was the heavy-armored soldiers who then walked onto the cement road.

Their steps were in unison, creating an illusion that the earth was trembling even more than when the chariots passed.

Following the heavy-armored infantry were the cavalry, the team of Ferghana horses recalled from Bingzhou.

Even though Yuan Xi did not know that in two years, the offspring of these Ferghana horses and Bingzhou and Liangzhou horses could be used in battle, even covering the generals guarding remote areas, he clearly realized at this moment—

Here, Chang’an and Jian’an might not just be a hope.

But also a declaration of war against all enemies!

Including his father!

He thought he must quickly send these messages, along with his judgment of Tian Feng’s allegiance, back to Ye City to inform his father. Otherwise, a disaster might truly be imminent…

Just as he was thinking this, the people walking onto the cement road changed again.

But this time, it wasn’t a uniform army, but just one person.

A person holding a knife.

With Yuan Xi’s eyesight, it was not difficult to judge that the knife in the other’s hand was a fine blade that could cut through iron like mud, with no issues except for a slightly thin edge, which might even be a hallmark of a famous knife.

In the silence caused by the crowd’s confusion, the person loudly asked, “Is there anyone willing to step forward and take this knife to hack at this road?”

Hack the road with a knife?

The crowd, still recovering from the spectacle of the soldiers passing, looked at each other, not understanding the purpose.

Although they all knew this might be a good opportunity to appear in public. But this new road made of special materials was once an imperial road. What if they caused damage?

Perhaps it was Zhang Meng’s illusion, but he felt that amidst the hesitation of the crowd, the person holding the long knife seemed to glance at his face intentionally or unintentionally, even showing a hint of provocation.

Thinking of the bet he made with his brother earlier, his previous mockery of this road, and his foolish stare at the road surface just now—

Zhang Meng suddenly jumped out of the crowd and shouted, “Let me give it a try!”

If he could leave a mark on this road with the knife, he would at least have a reason to save face!