Chapter 9: Zhang Ji’s return

In early summer in 208 BC, Fusu Zheng discussed matters with Fan Tianshi, Xiao He, Zhang Liang, Mo Ban and others in Nanshu.

"Your Majesty, the new version of "Theory of Morality" has been compiled according to Your Majesty's intentions. I wonder if it is feasible after being sent to Your Majesty for review yesterday?" The enlightened former Confucian master of the Ministry of Education asked Fusu solemnly.

Fusu looked at the thick "Theory of Morality" printed on high-quality new paper in his hand, nodded and said, "After reading it in detail overnight yesterday, I found that these six books, 72 articles and more than 400 theories are basically feasible, and they have removed many dregs from the original Confucianism and Taoism, which can be used as a model of national thought. However, there are still some minor shortcomings that need to be modified. I have already reviewed it with a red pen. As long as you revise it according to this, you can make the publishing department finalize the draft and prepare to publish it nationwide!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Over the past year, the compilation team of "Theory of Morality" has handed the final draft for Fusu for review seven times, but it was rejected by Fusu seven times. Each time it listed a lot of correction opinions. Many of them were shocking, but their arms could not twist their thighs, so Zheng Chong and others had to bite the bullet and rework repeatedly. Fortunately, they finally passed the eighth time, which made the hair fall a lot and made Zheng Chong secretly relieved!

Mo Ban continued: "Your Majesty, the day before yesterday, Your Majesty officially approved the qualified edict of high and low-grade new paper and movable type printing machine, and the ministers and others have ordered the newly established industrial manufacturing in Xianyang to produce movable type printing machine with all their strength. At the same time, the new papermaking workshop has also begun to officially operate. In about a month, the first batch of movable type printing machines and new paper can be provided for the printing workshop under the Publishing Department of the Ministry of Education!"

Fusu said happily: "It's great. The people of my Qin Dynasty can finally use cheap paper books! Mo Qing, we need to speed up production. I and the court are waiting to replace the bulky bamboo slips with light new paper! In the past two years, the country has repeatedly innovated, so there are many tedious things. Each county and department sends hundreds of kilograms of memorials to be approved every day, which makes me tired and painful!" Fusu patted the pile of bamboo slips in front of him, feeling relieved!

Mo Ban smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will let Your Majesty escape from the sea of ​​suffering!" Everyone laughed.

Fusu said again: "By the way, Mo Qing, I plan to place movable type printing machines in two places. In addition to the Zhengdu Xianyang, I want to establish a separate production process, the eastern capital Luoyang also needs to establish a production process. These processes, like other Daqin military manufacturing, are jointly managed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Taiwei Mansion.

Moreover, I have also considered that in addition to the state, the printing press workshops managed by the Publishing Department must also be established by private individuals. In this way, competition can lead to the cost of the book. I believe that the printing of the book is a great thing for generations and benefits the descendants. The country cannot take monopoly measures to make profits from it, otherwise it will be punished by God!

However, there are still some differences between national and private book printing workshops. For example, the formal textbooks of national Imperial Colleges in various places must be printed by national and private book printing workshops, and private book printing workshops must not be involved; but other miscellaneous books can be printed, such as astronomy, geography, and ghosts!

In this regard, Zheng Qing, the publishing department under the Ministry of Education must do a good job in the review and quickly establish branches in each county. In the future, no matter where the state is established, private printing workshops must be approved by the publishing department, and they must also purchase movable type printing machines from the state designated laboratories. If there are private printing workshops, all those who build private printing presses will be killed. Of course, all those who make private printing presses will be killed! Also, publishing departments in various places must pay attention to: any paper books printed in the printing workshop must be approved through the review, otherwise all those who participate in private printing in the printing workshop will be killed. Xiao Qing and Fan Qing, you must step up the formulation of this relevant legislation and strive to implement this new law nationwide before the official implementation of paper books nationwide. This new law is called the "Daqin Publishing Law"!" This publishing industry is the mouthpiece of the country and should be strictly controlled, so Fusu dare not be careless!

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xiao He and Fan Tianshi quickly took the order!

"Also, high and low-quality new paper cannot be made only in Xianyang. I want to set up a papermaking workshop in each county to avoid the surge in paper prices due to the long journey!" Fusu said again.

Mo Ban thought for a while and said, "But, Your Majesty, what method should be used to manage papermaking in various places? Is it private or state-owned?"

Fusu considered it and said, "This paper is different from a book, and it will not cause any harm to the people, so there is no need to control it too strictly. In this way, except for the printing workshop established in Xianyang, which is a state-owned and affiliated with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the other papermaking workshops adopt a private method, with the state providing technology, private funds, and joint ventures established. The normal production order is managed by the private individuals themselves, and the Ministry of Science and Technology is only responsible for providing technical support. Is the annual profit? The state and the private individuals share the profits! This can drive the people to become rich, and the other can reduce the price of paper as much as possible. What do you think?"

Fan Tianshi thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, the technology of this paper is also very precious. If production is managed by a private person, will the technology be leaked to foreign countries know?" Fusu thought for a while and smiled and said, "I don't think it needs to be considered too much. First, to combine technology with foreign countries, wouldn't it add competitors to yourself? So those private papermaking workshops should pay attention to it; second, because the technology of papermaking workshops is mainly supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the main formulas and technologies must be mastered in the hands of state officials, as long as they are strictly

In terms of management, no officials dare to disclose it; thirdly, it is leaked. For example, in China, there is only one paper mill in each county, and those who have obtained the technology are unlikely to dare to make paper privately. If there are private players, they can be punished with heavy punishment of losing their property and exiling the three tribes to the frontier. If it is leaked to a foreign country, there is nothing we can do. Just think that our Qin Dynasty has done a good thing for the people of all countries in the world! But with the technical level of those barbarian countries, even if they give them the best formula, the paper they make will not be good!”

Everyone laughed when they heard this, Xiao He nodded and said, "I understand. After I go back, I will work with the Ministry of Science and Technology to do relevant legislative work!"

Fusu nodded and said, "Is there anything else?" Xiao He said, "It is the situation after Kanto implemented the tax reform. After General Han Xin took charge and suppressed a group of stubborn elements in a decisive manner, all parts of Kanto have basically calmed down now, and agricultural production and industrial and commercial order in various places have not been greatly affected. It is estimated that this year will be a bumper year. With the large amount of taxes added after the tax reform, it is estimated that the national finance will be greatly improved this year!"

Fusu was overjoyed when he heard this, "It's good to have money, I'm afraid I'm not rich now! When I thought of the scene of spending money like flowing water when I started a war, I had a headache. Now I'm fine, I can rest assured every night!" Everyone laughed, "The country is strong, that's a good thing, and everyone can't be happy!"

At this moment, suddenly Fu shouted outside the door, "Your Majesty, your Majesty, if you have any urgent matters, can you come in?"

Fusu said anxiously: "Come in, what urgent matters are you going to panic like this?" Fu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are so happy, so happy!"

Fusu Daqi: "Why are you happy?" Fu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, who has been looking forward to for a long time, finally returned from the Dayuezhi. The front team is about to arrive in Xianyang, so the servants come to report the good news to the emperor!"

Fusu said happily: "I'm back!? It's great, how about it? Is this trip going smooth?" Fu smiled and said: "I heard from the messenger who came first that this trip went very smoothly and had a lot of rewards, but I don't know the specific situation!"

Fusu said happily: "Okay, good, good, quickly summon all officials to gather in the Qinian Palace Conference Hall, and prepare for a welcome celebration. I want to welcome Zhang Ji! Wait, I'll go and welcome him in person. Let's go and wait for him outside the west gate!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" Xiao He and others were also very happy and nodded with a smile!

At this moment, a group of people hurriedly left the palace and rushed to the west gate to welcome the hero who returned triumphantly - Zhang Ji!

...

Outside the towering Xicheng Gate of Xianyang, countless Tiger Ben troops lined up into a huge corridor of people. Under the flags, everyone was energetic and extremely mighty.

Just as Fusu, Xiao He and others were standing on the top of the city and waiting, a fast horse suddenly came and shouted, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang and his party have arrived!"

"Oh!" Fusu quickly built a pergola and looked into the distance. Sure enough, in the distance, a huge convoy was running towards Xianyang City quickly!

Fusu was overjoyed and said anxiously: "Go down quickly and welcome the hero's return!" Zhu Wenwu was also overjoyed and rushed down the city with Fusu, standing at the gate of the city, waiting anxiously!

Soon, a huge mission returned to their hometown that they had been dreaming of for more than half a year with a heavy dust, exhaustion and joy of success. When many people saw the Xianyang city, they burst into tears from afar.

Fusu also had tears in his eyes: "Here you back! Here you back!"

Soon, the huge mission vanguard pointed at Dasimen. From a distance, Zhang Ji, who was exhausted from the horse, took a few steps, bowed to Fusu, and shouted: "Your Majesty, Zhang Ji was ordered by the saint to go on the envoy to the Dayuezhi. He returned victoriously today, and I will pay the order to Your Majesty!"

Fusu was overjoyed and hurriedly helped Zhang Ji up and said repeatedly: "No need to be polite, just come back, just come back!" Looking at Zhang Ji's face, which was thinner but more energetic, Fusu sighed and said: "Zhang Qing has been there for more than half a year, and it's really hard for me to be in trouble!"

Zhang Ji said with tears in his eyes: "For the sake of the prosperity of our Great Qin, I am happy to do whatever I do! By the way, Your Majesty, I not only brought back the letter of the Great Yuezhi King who was willing to establish good diplomatic relations with our country, but also the documentary of the two countries establishing formal commercial relations. What's more, the Great Yuezhi King also agreed to join forces with our country to deal with the Huns, and sent a national envoy to formally negotiate with Your Majesty on this matter!"

"Okay, okay!" Fusu was so moved that she burst into tears. She just said yes, but she didn't know what to say for a while!

Xiao He smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang is really working hard and making great contributions. He sets the precedent for formal diplomatic relations between the Great Qin and the Western Regions countries. This historical book must be recorded very much!"

Zhang Ji said a little, "Xiao Xiang is too good, Zhang Ji is just doing his duty as a minister!" But Fusu said, "No, you have done a great job and have almost accomplished everything I hope you can accomplish. This is better than the friendship and mutual business relationship established by Lord Li Shiqi on an envoy to Donghu!"

Zhang Ji was very moved and said, "All this is thanks to Your Majesty's wise move. If Your Majesty had not clearly seen the idea of ​​Wanli, there would not have been any success in the Western Regions! By the way, Your Majesty, this time I went to the Western Regions, not only brought back the friendship of the people of the Great Yuezhi, but also brought back 30,000 strong war horses to Your Majesty. However, in addition, I also brought back some Western Region grapes, pomegranates and other fruits, as well as a variety of precious medicinal materials, and spent no money left for the money that Your Majesty brought to the Yuezhi!"

Fusu smiled and said, "If you spend it well, the money will die, and people will live. Is it worth it to spend it? These 30,000 war horses are equivalent to 30,000 elite cavalry. If you cultivate them through various horse farms, you may be 300,000 in the future! Hey, I think this is coming. Is the goods I asked you to take to the Great Yuezhi worth so much?" Fusu felt a little strange.

Zhang Ji smiled and said, "Your Majesty doesn't know the benefits of foreign businessmen. A piece of silk is worth one thousand yuan in our country, but once you reach the Great Yuezhi, the price will be as high as ten thousand yuan, and there is a shortage of supply. There are many scrambles, which can be said to be a ten-price! It is several times cheaper than simply buying or smuggling horses with money, so you can exchange for so many excellent horses and other things!"

Fusu was overjoyed and thought to himself: "I made money, I made money. It seems that I will trade more with foreign countries in the future. If I don't make money, I won't make money in vain!" Just as he was about to reconcile, Zhang Liang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. The civil servants are waiting in the Qinian Palace Courtyard!"

Fusu Daxiong said, "Yes, yes, my officials are still waiting for the heroes who are returning! Let's go, Zhang Qing and I take the same car with me today, and the other officials followed, and all the horses were asked to rush to Xixiao Horse Farm!" As he said that, Fusu grabbed Zhang Ji's hand and was about to board the imperial carriage!

Zhang Ji was frightened and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I will die, I will die, please let Your Majesty go first, I will ride a horse!"

Fusu refused to obey and insisted: "Why are Zhang Qing polite? You have made such a contribution to the country, and you should enjoy this honor. Come, come, come!" As he said that, he forced Zhang Ji to the imperial guards!

Zhang Ji had no choice but to bite the bullet and owed his butt and sat on Fusu's lower head. The feeling was really indescribable: he had both the great sense of honor to win such an honor, and the panic and uneasiness that was as painful as needles!

Under the escort of a large number of Hu Ben Army and civil and military officials, the imperial guard turned to Xianyang, and at the same time, the Pang ambassador who returned from a distance also followed the imperial guard to enter the capital Xianyang!

As soon as they entered Xianyang City, Fusu and Zhang Ji were shocked. They saw that the road was densely packed with countless people from the Qin Dynasty. They were all excited to see Tianyan and the hero Zhang Ji who traveled thousands of miles to win glory for the country!

As soon as they saw Fusu and a man coming on the imperial carriage, the people immediately guessed who this person was. So the crowd suddenly became noisy. While the people shouted loudly, many people also applauded and cheered for Zhang Ji's heroic incident!

For a moment, the atmosphere was extremely warm. If it weren't for the Qin soldiers who stood up and tried hard to maintain order, the enthusiastic people could really block the road!

Seeing that the people were so loving, Zhang Ji couldn't help but burst into tears and was moved. Fusu smiled and patted Zhang Ji's shoulder and said, "Zhang Qing, have you seen it? The people's eyes are bright. They know who is the real hero and who has made outstanding contributions to the country. You deserve this cheer! Work hard, maybe with you one day, you can also be ranked among the civil officials in the Great Qin Heroes Palace. I will never treat any minister who has made contributions to the country unfairly!"

Zhang Ji was filled with mixed feelings when he heard this, and hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am really lucky to meet a saint like you!" Fusu hurriedly helped Zhang Ji up and said, "Zhang Qing, don't have to be too polite, please get up quickly!" As he said, he sighed, "Zhang Qing, you say I am a saint, and many people also say I am, but there are also many people who don't think so! For example, I have killed many gentry and Confucian scholars in the past two years, so many people among the people say I am a tyrant, and his cruelty is the leading figure among the emperors of the Qin Dynasty. Even those historians left me such a saying in the history books, "I am a dictator, and if I don't follow, I will die."

Zhang Ji was furious when he heard this, "Your Majesty, this is the case!? What kind of government affairs that Your Majesty has promoted in the past two years is not for the prosperity of the country and the nation, and those who are killed are all damn people. How can those people judge Your Majesty like this? Especially those historians, how can Your Majesty let them write like this? Wouldn't this let Your Majesty also blame future generations in a thousand years? "

Fusu shook his head sadly and said, "Forget it, guarding against the people is more important than defending against Sichuan. Some people like to say it, so let them say it. As long as they don't pull my back and are not caught by the official history, I will pretend that I didn't hear it! Historians just remember it. I have indeed become a little dictator in the past two years, but there is no way. The country is about to fight again. If you don't rely on dictatorship to solve most of the cancers, the situation of Qin State is worrying!"

Zhang Ji was moved to hear this and said, "Your Majesty's heart will be admired by future generations in a hundred years! Those slanderous words will dissipate with time, but the achievements Your Majesty has made to our Great Qin and the Chinese nation will last forever!"

Fusu smiled and rushed to the unhappy things, saying, "Forget it, today we are back from a long journey. It's a great joy. Let's not talk about unhappy things! Come on, stand up with me and accept the cheers of the people!" As he said that, Fusu pulled Zhang Ji and stood up, waved to the enthusiastic people!

Listening to the heart-warming cheers of the people, Fusu was a little confused for a moment: "Forget it, as long as the people can live a happy life and the country can be strong and powerful, what can I personally get a little insulted!"

In this way, the huge imperial guards and missions passed through the wide Xicheng while the people were welcoming each other, and entered the huge imperial palace standing majestic in the center of Xianyang!

"Your Majesty is here!" The eunuch on duty suddenly called a sharp cry from the eunuch who was on duty and ordered all the officials in the meeting hall to bow and lie down, and long live the mountain!

Fusu took Zhang Ji's hand into the hall of convention and shouted excitedly: "Dear officials, Zhang Ji has returned from the Great Yuezhi. He not only brought back the achievements of friendly trade between the two countries, but also brought 30,000 strong war horses and great news for the alliance between the two countries! This is a feat that is pioneering. Let us welcome the hero's return!"

The civil and military officials were also overjoyed and hurriedly walked up to congratulate Zhang Ji. Although Zhang Ji was full of dust, he also cheered up his spirits and greeted him one by one. The atmosphere in the court was a bit lively and a little hot!

Fusu walked up to the imperial throne with a smile on his face, and looked at the lively court. After a while, he saw that everyone had basically finished the day, so he waved his hand and signaled everyone to return to their original seats.

Suddenly, Fusu shouted: "Zhang Ji went to the Dayuezhi this time and traveled all over the mountains and rivers of the Dayuezhi. He traveled for more than ten thousand miles and achieved extremely outstanding results. Such great contributions are indispensable! Zhang Ji was granted a title! I will add you to the Marquis of Tuoxi, with an annual salary of 2,000 stones. I hope that I can continue to make new contributions to the country and the people in the future!"

Zhang Ji was overjoyed and bowed to him and said, "Your Majesty is so kind that I will go through fire and water and swear to repay you to death! In addition, the special envoy of the King of the Great Yuezhi came with the delegation. I wonder when Your Majesty will meet you?" Fusu smiled and said, "Everyone is exhausted today, so I will not see him, Li Qing!" Li Shiqing hurriedly stepped out: "I am here!"

Fusu said seriously: "The Yuezhi envoy is my Qin State's honorary guest. This is the responsibility of your guest reception. You must arrange it properly and not neglect others. Otherwise, I will only ask you!" Li Shiqi smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely make him feel at home!"

Fusu nodded and said, "Since that's the case, let's go! Zhang Ji, stay, I will hold a private banquet tonight and have a few drinks with you! Xiao Xiang, Fan Xiang, Zifang, Li Xin, you four are also staying to drink together!" "Yes, Your Majesty!" The civil and military officials responded, and they dispersed in a moment, leaving only Xiao He and others behind!

Immediately, everyone turned back to the Nanshu Room and held a banquet to gather. It was not until late at night that the guests and hosts all had fun and returned home!

...

Three days later, Fusu ordered the Grand Historian to choose a good day, and formally met the envoy of the Great Yuezhi in the Qinian Palace Conference Hall. Zhang Ji was the translator, and formally signed the matter of establishing a military alliance between the two countries and various diplomatic treaties, and exchanged the letters of the country!

Therefore, Qin officially established a diplomatic relationship of friendship, mutual assistance and mutual business with the Great Yuezhi, and the gates of the Western Regions were opened by Qin!

At the end of the year, Qin State set up a large inn along Longxi to the Dayuezhi border, with 36 military stations, one for every dozen miles. One was to convey messages to the two countries, the other was to provide water and grain supplies to the caravans, and the third was to protect the business roads from invasion by bandits and others!

At the same time, 30,000 excellent war horses of the Dayuezhi were scattered to the seven major horse farms in the world and began to cultivate local war horses of the Daqin as precious horse breeds. This is the hope for the Daqin to build powerful cavalry in the future and roam all over the world!
Chapter completed!