When he heard that Bi Sheng had not only developed clay movable type, tin movable type, but also lead movable type, Zhang Junping had to sigh that the big guy is the big guy.

It really happened that he became a dragon when he encountered the storm and soared. He just gave some examples when he was inspiring. As a result, this big man not only studied the clay movable type that belonged to him in history, but also studied the tin movable type and lead movable type.

It’s fine to use tin movable type, but facts have long proved that tin movable type is not practical because tin is not hydrophilic and difficult to put in ink. Therefore, although tin movable type appeared in the Southern Song Dynasty, it was not used many times.

On the contrary, lead movable type is the movable type printing technology that Zhang Junping wants most.

"In addition, we also tried to produce wooden movable type and copper movable type. After some comparison, the old man found that clay movable type is more practical, simple to make, not easy to break or deform, and easy to preserve!" Bi Sheng still praised his clay movable type.

There was also a reason why Bi Sheng invented clay movable type in history. When studying movable type printing technology, Bi Sheng tried many materials, such as wooden movable type, tin movable type, lead movable type, and copper movable type.

Wooden movable type is easy to break, tin movable type is not easy to ink, lead movable type is easy to deform, copper movable type is expensive, and in the end, mud movable type is the most economical and practical.

Zhang Junping picked up the copper movable type again, looked at it carefully, and asked, "What are the difficulties in making lead movable type and copper movable type?"

"The main reason is that the price is relatively expensive!"

As the official currency discovered by the government, copper is the main material for ritual vessels, so it is naturally expensive.

"Haha! It doesn't matter if it's more expensive. As long as it's durable and reduces damage, it will be less expensive if it's spread over time!" Zhang Junping laughed.

Although that's the case, Zhang Junping still reminded: "Actually, I think you can consider adjusting the ratio of lead, copper and tin, and the price should drop. For example, the copper movable type you are using now is processed directly with copper coins, right?

You can consider adding more lead to make the lead account for a larger proportion, which can not only ensure that the movable type is not easily deformed, but also reduce the price!"

Although Zhang Junping has never made movable type and has never smelted alloys, he can still talk after reading books in the library for five years.

The copper coins used in ancient times were not pure copper, but a copper alloy with lead and tin added.

The lead movable type invented by the Germans is actually not pure lead, but lead alloy.

Pure lead is soft, and it will easily oxidize and turn black after being stored for a long time, and is not suitable for making movable type directly.

"What Zhang Guanren means is to use lead as the main material, and copper and tin are added as auxiliary materials?"

"Yes, you can also consider adding some tin. In short, what materials do you need? Tell Butler Lu and ask him to provide you with it!

It doesn’t matter how much it costs. In short, you need to develop a movable type that is easy to preserve and can be used for a long time!”

Tin is not tin, but another metal material, called antimony, which is a widely used alloy additive material.

It was used earlier in China, and some copper coins even added antimony.

"Thank you for your advice from Zhang. The old man turned around and started to develop lead movable types that add copper, tin and tin!

Zhang Guanren’s understanding of movable type printing is beyond the reach of his little one!”

"Haha, I'm just thinking about it. How to do it depends on Bi Dajiang to achieve it!" Zhang Junping laughed.

"Then this clay movable type?" Bi Sheng still couldn't let go of his clay movable type.

"You can use movable type first, and print books with movable type first. Wait until you find a better movable type, and then replace it!" Zhang Junping naturally would not deny movable type directly.

Not to mention mud movable type, Bi Sheng will accept it even if he chooses mud movable type.

Because no matter which type of movable type is, it is simpler and more economical than the current woodblock printing.

In stories, it is a very glorious thing to be able to write books and write biography. If a book is published in a bookstore, it is really no worse than the top scorer in the exam.

It’s not like later generations, you can publish a book with just a little money.

They are not rich or truly respected great scholars, and no one prints a book for them.

Bookstores also need to make money. The cost of printing books is very high. If no one buys them, the bookstore will lose money, so naturally they will not print books easily.

If it is barely printed, it will also be because of the high price that most scholars cannot afford.

The ancient books were often not printed, but copied. In many cases, copying books was cheaper than buying books.

Therefore, there is a word called copying.

"As for orders! The old man arranged for his brothers to print books in movable type.

Please also ask Official Zhang to inform you of which books you need to print?”

"What books are printed? The classics, history, and literature collections of these sages are naturally indispensable!

In addition, I am a collection of policy and articles by the prime ministers of this dynasty!

I will ask the gentlemen of the academy to sort out this out and print it into a book in a unified manner!

In addition, there are some manuscripts on my side, which are just a book written when I have nothing to do, so I can also print them together!" Zhang Junping had already considered printing books, and had been waiting for Bi Sheng's movable type printing technique for several months.

"As for the order, the old man will tell them to start typing and print the classics of the ancestors first!" Bi Sheng bowed slightly and simply agreed.

In fact, Zhang Junping was anxious, Bi Sheng was even more anxious. In the past two months, he, his brothers and apprentices have been studying movable type printing technology every day, but he has not produced any results.

Although the commission is not a cent per month, many of the fellows are already a little impatient when waiting, feeling that they are not working, and they are not at ease with white-collar workers' money.

"Yes, you can print the classics of the ancestors first. When I look back, I will ask someone to take the book I wrote and print it together!"

After receiving Zhang Junping's order, Bi Sheng and his brothers cheered without urging them, and they all started to get busy one by one. A batch of mud movable type had been made, enough for printing books.

Bi Sheng and several apprentices continued to study lead alloy movable type, while others began to type according to the method they developed.

First apply wax on the tray, and then start to arrange the movable type on the tray in order.

The books of the sages have ready-made templates, and they have also carved out the pieces several times. Now, they are naturally familiar with the typesettings of the books of the sages.

Zhang Junping stayed in the bookstore for a while, then discussed with Bi Sheng about the method of making lead alloy before leaving the bookstore.

Zhang Junping was in a good mood. Today, he was really happy. He passed the academy exam and passed the 28 tribute exams. The movable type printing technology in the bookstore has also made breakthrough progress and can start movable type printing.
Chapter completed!