Volume One: From Peasant to Official Chapter 64: This Is Simply Unbelievable

“Reduce the cost?” Su Laibao was taken aback. Chuxiu calmly replied, “Uncle Su, you have seals, don’t you? If each character were carved into a mold resembling a seal, arranged as needed, and inked for printing, the cost would drop dramatically.”

“And after printing, the molds could be reused, simply rearranged to form new words. This completely overcomes the high cost of woodblock carving. Uncle Su, this is moveable type printing…”

The principle behind moveable type printing is similar to that of seals. Chuxiu used the analogy deliberately, making it easier for Su Laibao to understand.

Chuxiu explained the basics, and Su Laibao’s mind immediately became agile, his heart aflame with excitement.

If this idea worked, printing books would be incredibly simple.

A book in the market cost several taels of silver; but using moveable type printing, he could sell them at half the price and become wealthy.

“This is excellent, excellent!” Su Laibao exclaimed. “Scholar, with moveable type printing, why bother with newspapers? Let’s print books and get rich!”

“Uncle Su, we mustn’t rush. Moveable type printing has many flaws and must be perfected through practice. When it’s mature, we can make plans.” Chuxiu dampened his enthusiasm. “For example, the molds can’t be made of wood—it warps easily; copper molds also wear down. Typesetters need to recognize the characters, and the printed appearance is rather rough… The specific shortcomings will appear during operation, but for printing newspapers, it’s still feasible…”

Shortcomings? Su Laibao’s excitement waned.

But since Chuxiu had spoken, money could surely be made.

He trusted Chuxiu’s judgment.

Chuxiu continued, “I’ll write some materials on moveable type printing. In three days, I’ll come to congratulate Su Biao and bring them to you. But Uncle Su, keep this quiet. Don’t let it spread, or it’ll stir up trouble like the sugar incident…”

The sugar incident was still fresh in Su Laibao’s mind.

He nodded repeatedly.

After more conversation, Su Laibao took his leave.

Chuxiu, drawing upon experiences from his previous life, wrote out the principles, process, advantages, and far-reaching significance of moveable type printing.

He also sketched a layout for a newspaper.

Three days later, he delivered them to the Su family, instructing Su Laibao to secretly experiment with skilled craftsmen from among his household.

This was not a project for just the two of them; they needed partners.

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Every day, invitations arrived, asking Chuxiu to attend banquets, but he refused almost all of them.

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Chuxiu had no intention of being flawless, but at ten years old, he did not want to immerse himself prematurely in the adult world.

Now that he wielded influence beyond his age, he felt he should give back to the land that raised him.

Chuxiu called for a school to be built in Qingshi Village, so that knowledge could take root and flourish there, giving more children a chance to change their destinies.

He went to the city to express his gratitude to the county magistrate, and voiced his wish to build a village school.

Chen Liangbin immediately agreed, generously granting Qingshi Village five acres of official land for the school site, and even sent his secretary to ensure the project was carried out.

Chuxiu was deeply grateful and wrote an essay praising the magistrate’s commitment to education and noble character.

This essay became widely celebrated in Xuanyi County, inspiring countless children from farming families to yearn for learning.

The villagers of Qingshi, led by their headman, worked tirelessly to build the school.

They too hoped their children could study and bring honor to their families.

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Early August, Chuxiu and Su Biao traveled together to the state academy, stopping in the county town to bid farewell.

They first took leave of the county magistrate, then went to the county academy to bid farewell to Zhou Mo, Wen Lancang, and others, before heading to the state academy.

Wen Lancang was not saddened by the departure of these promising students.

This year, the four master and disciples had all passed the xiucai exam. In three years, they would meet again for the provincial examination, hoping for further success.

At the state academy gate, they handed in their admission papers.

The gatekeeper was warm and directed them to registration.

At the registration desk, a middle-aged scholar received them.

Seeing that it was Xie Shuxian and Su Biao, he quickly processed their paperwork and personally led them to their dormitory.

Their room was specially arranged by the head of the academy, housing only Chuxiu and Su Biao.

Chuxiu was very satisfied with the accommodation.

After the examination, they had visited the state academy before; it was close to Yuexi’s family residence.

It seemed that Yuexi’s father had spoken on their behalf.

He hadn’t asked much about Yuexi’s family, but their noble status was clear.

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“They’re here, they’re here!”

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Hearing the knock at the door, Yuexi spun around and ran toward the gate.

By her calculations, Chuxiu should be arriving today.

She opened the gate and indeed saw the two young men, and her delight was boundless.

“Just arrived? Hungry? I’ll have the cook prepare a meal…”

Her happiness spilled over; she couldn’t stop talking, tugging at Chuxiu’s arm. “Let me tell you some good news—my mother is pregnant. Once she gives me a little brother, she’ll focus on him and stop worrying about me…”

“You wild child, what are you saying?” Xiao Wanqing came out, a bit embarrassed.

She had not expected her daughter to say such things and was momentarily lost for words.

The two boys hurriedly saluted. “Greetings, Aunt Xiao.”

Although Xiao Wanqing taught them martial arts, she had not taken them as disciples, permitting only the title of “Aunt.”

Soon, Chu Zhaonan emerged. After the boys greeted him, he said, “Now that you’re here, I’ll take you to meet someone.”

Without asking further, they followed Chu Zhaonan out, turning toward the corner of the state academy.

The place was tranquil, the main road paved with flagstones, flanked by lush greenery.

Arriving at a thatched hut, before they could knock, a steward came out and saluted, “Master Zhao, please come in. The head of the academy is waiting for you.”

Chu Zhaonan was a prince of the region. Since leaving the capital, he had concealed his identity, using Zhao as his surname and being addressed as Zhao Nan.

The head of the academy?

Chuxiu was astonished.

The head of the state academy lived in a thatched hut?

If this were modern times, at worst it would be Qingzhou University.

The university president living in a simple house—how absurd.