Chapter 70

"Master, has the book *Hengqu Duilu* been revised yet?"

Wang Ju had returned in the first month and organized a manuscript of over 30,000 characters. Later, he organized another manuscript of nearly 20,000 characters. However, after Zhang Zai's repeated revisions, most of it was deleted, leaving only about 20,000 characters.

Not bad, now with large print and butterfly binding, it could be a small book of about 100 pages.

But in this era, writing books was too important, so Zhang Zai repeatedly revised it. Cao Xueqin wrote *Dream of the Red Chamber* and revised it eight times, while Zhang Zai had almost revised it twenty times.

Wang Ju was startled by the revisions. If the future divine book *From Zero to One* were given to Zhang Zai for revision, how many years would it take? It would be a disaster.

"Almost done."

Zhang Zai might still be unsatisfied.

Wang Ju was speechless and took out the object.

"Abacus?"

"Have you seen it, Master?"

"I have seen it in the capital, but it is not as convenient as bamboo rods."

The abacus not as convenient as bamboo rods? Wang Ju found it amusing. He then took out several sheets of paper, densely written with the abacus mnemonic. There were quite a few words, not as comprehensive as the future abacus mnemonic, but the annotations were clear.

After carefully examining it for a long time, Zhang Zai took the abacus, tapped it, and pondered. After a while, he said, "This is a good thing."

Mathematics was a minor field in the Song Dynasty, which left Wang Ju speechless. Mathematics is the mother of science, but it had become a minor field. At this time, science might even be considered a strange skill, which was even more frustrating.

But Zhang Zai was different from the Cheng brothers; he was not a stubborn person. For the peace of future generations, he did not mention Guan Zhong's saying that when granaries are full, people know propriety, and when they have enough to eat and wear, they know honor and shame. Confucius also said, "What a multitude!" Ran You said, "Now that there is a multitude, what more can be added?" He said, "Enrich them." He said, "Now that they are enriched, what more can be added?" He said, "Educate them."

Only with talent can there be wealth, and the more people there are, the richer they become. Labor is the fundamental source of wealth.

Only with wealth can there be education. Think about it, how many people can maintain their morals and education when they are starving?

To become wealthy, one must learn to manage finances, and to manage finances, one must learn arithmetic.

"Wang Ju, what do you plan to do with it?"

"I want to include it in this small book."

Poetry was a minor field, but in Su Dongpo's hands, it added a touch of elegance.

Calligraphy was also a minor field, but in Cai Jing's hands, it led to his path as a powerful minister and the downfall of the Northern Song Dynasty.

The frugality of the Song Dynasty's literati was not a concern, but it made Wang Anshi famous and was used by Sima Guang to torment him to death.

But it could not be applied to himself; first, it could not be explained, and second, it might become perverted.

So he attributed the credit to his teacher again. The teacher had a reputation, and he could continue to coast behind him.

Zhang Zai did not pay attention to Wang Ju's petty thoughts. He could see that this disciple was not as terrifying as Cheng Kan described, but he had a narrow mind and many thoughts.

"If you want to include it in the book, the text is a bit messy."

"Master, please revise it quickly. Zhu Yuanwai has already hired a carver and is waiting for this book." Wang Ju was anxious. If it were revised again, how long would it take?

"You... Cheng Gong wrote in a letter that you are cunning, and Zhu Yuanwai said you are decisive. Actually, it doesn't matter. It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to educate a person. Even Zhou Chu, who was once a troublemaker, or Yao Chong in his youth, later became famous prime ministers and generals. You should study hard and learn to be a good person and a good official. If you focus on governing and saving the people, you will save many more people."

"Rest assured, Master."

"Speaking of the state, it is not as good as the Kaiyuan and Wenjing eras."

During the Kaiyuan and Wenjing eras, even with their prosperity, tragic events still occurred due to backward productivity. Unless the order of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was reversed to prioritize artisans, farmers, and merchants, and science was vigorously developed.

But Wang Ju did not dare to say this, as even Zhang Zai might not accept such a concept.

However, many problems in the Song Dynasty were becoming increasingly severe, which made Zhang Zai sigh.

"You talk about Confucianism, but in reality, Confucianism does not need to expound many grand principles. Managing the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world, making the people prosperous, and achieving eternal peace..."

Wang Ju was stunned. The four sentences of Hengqu were almost formed.

"So, even though I do not like your eagerness for quick success, I do not oppose it. But remember my words: 'People are my fellow beings, and all things are my companions.'"

"People are my fellow beings, and all things are my companions." Wang Ju murmured.

Thinking about the future four sentences of Hengqu and this phrase, Wang Ju, facing such a broad-minded attitude, could only feel admiration.

It was the strongest cry of the Song Dynasty's literati.

But it was also the last cry.

However, Zhang Zai's character was not suitable for being an official; his ambition was too weak. Wang Ju had previously said, "Learn from Su Dongpo and Ouyang Xiu. At least these people are 'gentlemen.' What should you learn? You can submit various memorials to the court, and since the speaker is not punished, the emperor and the high officials will remember you. Then, when there is a vacancy, you will be promoted first."

If you are lucky, the emperor will personally examine you and bring you back to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations, such as the examination for virtuous and upright officials, or if you are even luckier, the examination for virtuous and upright officials like Su Dongpo. If that doesn't work, you can take the examination for outstanding talent like Zhang Fangping and Fu Bi. With Zhang Zai's talent and virtue, he could achieve great success.

Zhang Zai said, "Wicked disciple, asking for a beating."

He did not hit him but added, "A gentleman establishes virtue and seeks the Way. How can one use crooked methods to seek wealth and honor? To live is to follow the Way, and to die is to rest in peace."

This strong sense of a gentleman made Wang Ju feel ashamed. But such a humble and virtuous character was not suitable for the political arena.

"You are too eager for success, which I do not like. But remember, at least your heart must be upright. Cheng Gong said you would be like Ding Wei; do not become like Ding Wei."

"Your disciple will remember."

This time, Zhang Zai did not delay. The next day, Zhu Huan received the manuscript.

Now, Zhu Huan increasingly valued Wang Ju, not only for the financial benefits but also for the political path. Zhu Jun went to the capital for the imperial examinations, and including him, several Yanzhou candidates failed unexpectedly.

But in this era, having money without power was not enough, especially outside Yanzhou. This time, the fine salt made everyone realize this clearly.

Wang Ju's path to high office was still far off, so he decided to first build a reputation for him.

Almost regardless of cost, the book was rushed to be printed. On the ninth day of the seventh month, he received the manuscript, and by the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month, just fifty days later, the sample book was ready.

"Ah," Zhang Zai was surprised as he looked at the sample book.

"This binding is excellent." Zhang Zai quickly recognized its value.

It was a line-bound book, which could be printed on both sides, saving half the paper compared to the original butterfly binding. The cost of the book would be 20% cheaper, and with cheaper books, more people could afford to buy them.

Wang Ju scratched his head, thinking, "This is just the beginning. Once bamboo paper is perfected, the price of books will drop by half, or even more."

But this technology could not be explained, so Wang Ju instructed Zhu Huan not to reveal it to anyone, including Zhang Zai.

Zhang Zai was flipping through the sample book, somewhat pleased.

Wang Ju found it amusing.

In the Song Dynasty, it was common to catch a son-in-law after the imperial examinations. Wang Ju suspected that Zhang Zai was also caught. There was no other reason; Zhang Zai was born in Shaanxi and was active there before passing the imperial examinations. However, his wife, Guo, was from Chenzhou, and they married shortly after he passed the examinations.

Moreover, Guo's jewelry and clothing did not seem like those of an ordinary family. Even if Zhang Zai were a county magistrate, a clean official, and a grassroots official, how much money could he have?

Sometimes Wang Ju wanted to ask, but he did not know how Zhang Zai viewed it, so he did not ask. However, Zhang Zai was proud and did not benefit from the Guo family. He was also a clean official and indifferent to power.

But as a scholar, he did not love money or power, but he loved fame.

This book had an unexpected benefit.

The book was published, and Zhang Zai benefited from Wang Ju, including the publication costs and some subtle inspirations from Wang Ju. At least in this book, Zhang Zai's Confucian views began to mature. Wang Ju also benefited from Zhang Zai, and without Zhang Zai, there might not have been so many scholars who tacitly accepted it.

But Wang Ju came from Yanzhou, a cultural desert in the Song Dynasty, and was the pride of Yanzhou's literati.

Therefore, they printed 1,000 copies, not many, but with the cheaper binding, they were quickly sold out. The Zhu brothers, the Zhao brothers, You Tao, and Yang each bought 50 copies. Wang Xiaolang, my good friend, can I use it to give as gifts?

The young men's antics awakened the twenty or so salt merchants in Yanzhou who were involved in fine salt. Yes, this could also be a way to show goodwill.

So, even before the book was released, 90% of the copies were pre-ordered.

Yanzhou had never produced a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, so when one finally emerged, the scholars praised him. Qin was a bit nervous, and with the Double Ninth Festival approaching, which was more important than the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Song Dynasty, she sent Li Wan yuan with Li Fei er to Yunyan to take a look.

The brother and sister came, bringing a fee for the manuscript...

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