Chapter 319: Chapter 208: False Superiority_2
The Family Head of the previous dynasty is forever a pain in the hearts of the Kong Family and a disgrace to them. Whenever this Family Head is mentioned, the Kong Family cannot lift their heads.
Zhao Yao noticed that when his fourth brother mentioned the Kong Family, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes.
"Ah, the Imperial College is the highest educational institution in the Great Zhou, and many people cannot get in. Why does the Kong Family look down on the Imperial College?" Zhao Yao said with a pout, "If they have the ability, let the Kong Family enter the Imperial College."
"The Kong Family disdains taking the Imperial College exam."
"I don’t think so," Zhao Yao said, "The Kong Family surely wants to enter the Imperial College, but the Imperial College doesn’t want them."
"The Kong Family is proud; they look down on the Imperial College."
"Feigned arrogance, I think the Kong Family definitely wants to become officials." Zhao Yao said with a slight disdain, "Which scholar doesn’t want to become an official, and then bring glory to the family? Those who say they are not interested in being officials are just faking because they simply can’t become officials."
The Fourth Prince was somewhat surprised; he didn’t expect his tenth brother to understand such matters.
"How do you know the Kong Family wants to be officials?"
"Fourth Brother, who in the world doesn’t want to be an official?" Zhao Yao felt underestimated and glared at the Fourth Prince, "Even the ancestors of the Kong Family wanted to be officials, otherwise why would they lobby everywhere? If the Kong Family didn’t want to be officials, they should just stay in their hometown to teach."
The Fourth Prince laughed and said, "It seems you’ve been seriously studying with Mr. Xiao during this time."
"Indeed." Zhao Yao said proudly, "By the way, these people are called hypocrites. Fourth Brother, am I right?"
"Yes, you are very right." The Fourth Prince praised Zhao Yao, "The term ’hypocrite’ is used perfectly. The Kong Family indeed has many who are hypocrites. You’ve made great progress in your studies recently; keep studying well with Mr. Xiao."
"Fourth Brother, I can’t study well every day, but I’ll study well every few days." Zhao Yao said with a grin, "I can’t stand studying well every day. But, studying well every few days, I can manage that."
"You, you can’t negotiate how you study."
"Anyway, I don’t like studying every day." Zhao Yao said with puffed cheeks, "Besides, I’m not smart with studying. Studying well every day, I’d be exhausted."
Hearing Zhao Yao’s self-aware words, the Fourth Prince smiled indulgently and helplessly at Zhao Yao, "Then study well every few days."
"Fourth Brother, it’s getting late, I’m going back now." Zhao Yao stood up and said to the Fourth Prince, "Fourth Brother, I’ll come to see you tomorrow, to continue learning the Li Family script."
"Alright."
"Learning the Li Family script is really fun." Zhao Yao waved to the Fourth Prince and then left Xingde Palace with Tong Xi.
He originally wanted to greet the Eighth Prince, but seeing it was getting late, he decided against it. Anyway, he could see his Eighth Brother the next morning.
Zhao Yao hummed a tune from the world of Zhao Yao in his dreams, skipping back to Kunde Hall.
Liang Zhaoyi, seeing her son finally return, hurriedly asked what he did at the Office of the Minister in the afternoon after school.
"I went to improve paper." Zhao Yao said, "I suggested they add materials like bamboo, mulberry bark, and rattan bark during papermaking. The paper made from these materials will be excellent."
"Is that so?" Liang Zhaoyi said expectantly, "Then I await the result."
"You’ll be surprised when it’s done, Mother Consort."
Liang Zhaoyi remembered something and hurriedly said, "By the way, Eunuch Han from the Office of the Minister personally delivered some clay. What do you need clay for?"
"It’s for a treasure." Zhao Yao said mysteriously, "Mother Consort, I have things to do, I’m heading to the study first." After speaking, he dashed off to the study.
Liang Zhaoyi asked Tong Xi, "What exactly is he making?"
Tong Xi shook his head and said, "The Prince didn’t tell me."
"So secretive."
"Madam, whatever the Prince makes is certainly extraordinary, you’ll see." Tong Xi thought of the two iron rings the Prince made previously. At that time, he disdained the rings as useless, but they turned out to be immensely useful. Since then, he dared not underestimate anything the Prince made.
"Alright, I’ll wait." Liang Zhaoyi said with a gentle smile, "I won’t disturb him then."
As soon as Zhao Yao returned to the study, he began writing down all that he remembered about movable type printing.
To create movable type printing, he needed to get the "type" made first. First, make a uniform-sized mold out of clay, then carve characters on it, and finally, fire it hard. When printing, simply apply ink.
Zhao Yao sketched the clay molds using a quill pen, muttering, "It’ll need a lot of characters carved, and who knows how many characters there are now."
"Never mind, I’ll first have the Office of the Minister carve out all frequently used characters; this will make printing much easier."
Before long, Tong Xi came in with a bowl of ginseng soup.
"Your Highness, it’s getting late; you should bathe and rest. But first, you must drink this ginseng soup."
"I’m already fine, why should I drink ginseng soup?"
"It’s a tonic; your body still needs nourishment." Tong Xi coaxed, "This is the ginseng that the Fourth Prince specially prepared for you. If you don’t drink it, you’ll be letting down the Fourth Prince’s feelings."
"True, hundreds of years old ginseng." Zhao Yao said, taking the ginseng soup and drinking it in large gulps.
Tong Xi glanced at the drawing on the table and curiously asked, "Your Highness, what is this you’ve drawn, characters?"
"It’s a secret. You’ll know once the Office of the Minister makes what I’ve drawn." Zhao Yao said after finishing the ginseng soup, then went to the side hall to bathe.
The next day, after school in the afternoon, Zhao Yao didn’t go to Lanyuan Pavilion but returned to Kunde Hall instead.
Eunuch Han had sent a eunuch skilled in carving to Kunde Hall, named Xiao Fengzi.
Before noon, Xiao Fengzi was already waiting at the entrance of Wende Hall.
Zhao Yao brought Xiao Fengzi back to Kunde Hall, then immediately handed him the drawings he had made the previous day and informed him of his requests.
"Tenth Prince, rest assured, this servant will definitely make all these characters as per your requirements."
"Make a few characters first and bring them to me to see." Zhao Yao instructed seriously once more, "Remember, you must ensure all these characters are of the exact same size, otherwise even if they are made, they’re useless."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Then I’ll trouble you."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fengzi looked utterly flustered and said, "Your Highness, you’re too kind."
"You may go back first; once you’ve made them, come find me." Zhao Yao said to Xiao Fengzi with a smile, "If you do it well, I have a reward for you."
Hearing this, Xiao Fengzi appeared very excited. "Your Highness, this servant will surely do well!"