Zhao Kuo was not surprised by everyone's reaction. Everyone had the same reaction when they saw a paper book for the first time, and the more talented people, the more intense the reaction.
Zhao Kuo heard that after the paper book was bound, Xunzi and Yu Xin stayed up all night holding the book. The next day when they worked with a pair of panda eyes, they had the book in their arms and took it out from time to time to look at it.
Books of this era were very, very, very, very precious. Except for the royal families of various countries and a very small number of nobles, it would be very good for most noble officials and gentry to have one or two books passed down to their families.
Many people hold on to a book and chew on it for a lifetime, eventually becoming an authority in a certain field. Ancient books mention that a certain person specializes in studying a certain book. This is basically the case.
In this era, anyone who can read a book of ten thousand words is more than enough to be at least the governor of a county.
You must know that "The Art of War" is only 6,000 words.
"Can this book be produced?" Wei Wuji flipped through the "Guanzi" in his hand tremblingly, fearing that it would be damaged accidentally.
"Yes." Zhao Kuo nodded.
Paper has been invented, printing has become even simpler, and seals have been used for nearly a thousand years. Now they just change the place to seal.
"With this thing, we can bring peace to the world." Wei Wuji murmured.
He understands the importance of this thing very well. With this thing, in ten years, the literate scholars in the Zhao State will account for half of the world, and in twenty years, 90% of the scholars in the world will be in the Zhao State.
What can other countries use to fight Zhao?
When Han Fei heard Wei Wuji's words, he trembled all over and felt a pain in his heart.
He suddenly felt that his dream of revitalizing South Korea was far away from him.
"Your Majesty, I would like to enter the Kingdom of Zhao, but I only ask for a letter." Suddenly, a man knelt on the ground and bowed down, saying loudly.
"Boom!" One person took the lead and a large group fell to their knees.
"We are also willing to join Zhao."
"Everyone, please get up quickly. Don't be anxious. Everyone knows the importance of books. No one will give books away easily."
When everyone heard this, their faces were full of disappointment, but they couldn't say anything. Zhao Kuo was right, no one would give away the book easily.
"However, I will build a library in Handan City. At that time, all those who have registered residence in our country of Zhao can come in and borrow books."
Zhao Kuo said loudly.
After hearing Zhao Kuo's words, everyone suddenly became excited.
As long as you register in Zhao State, you can borrow books. What else is there to say? Join!
"Although the Library Pavilion has not been built yet, I can promise you that when it is completed, you will be the first batch of people to enter the Library Pavilion."
Zhao Kuo's purpose was to use these people to light a fire in the world and attract those talents who were unwilling to come to Zhao even if he issued a recruitment order.
Don't underestimate the appeal of reading. Zhao Kuo is sure that as long as this news spreads, scholars from all over the world will definitely flock into the Zhao Kingdom and there will be no way to stop them.
…
Qi State, Linzi.
Lu Zhonglian looked at the news that had just arrived in his hand and sighed deeply.
When Zhao Kuo's troops surrounded Linzi, he had no intention of following Zhao Kuo.
Because there are too many talents in Zhao State, even if he joins Zhao State, he will not be able to achieve the position he wants. He might as well stay in Linzi.
When Zhao Kuo issued the order to recruit talents, he was moved. He knew that Zhao Kuo must aspire to the world. If he joined the Zhao Kingdom at this time, he would at least be a minister of the Dragon in the future.
He will definitely leave his name in the history books of the future.
But in the end he endured it.
A scholar dies for his confidant, and the Empress Dowager Qi treats him very kindly, and he cannot bear to betray the Empress Dowager Qi.
Now, when the news about the library came out, he couldn't bear it anymore.
No scholar in the world can withstand the temptation of books.
"Queen Mother, I'm afraid I'm going to be a villain for once."
…
Shu County, County Sheriff's Mansion.
Li Bing held in his hand the recruitment order that had just been torn off in the city and the news about the library from Nanjun. He said to himself in disbelief: "Now the Central Plains has developed to such an extent!"
He couldn't believe it. Even though the Central Plains had been the center of the world since ancient times and was far more prosperous than Bashu, it shouldn't be so much more prosperous.
"This is the library!" Li Bing murmured, saying that he was not moved would be a lie.
But after a moment, Li Bing still shook his head and threw aside the news about the recruitment order and the library.
If the flood problem in Shu was completely solved, he would not hesitate to step down from the post of county governor and go to Zhao Kingdom.
But now that Dujiangyan has just been built and the flood problem in Shu has not been completely resolved, it is impossible for him to abandon the people here.
…
Xianyang.
"Bang! First the recruitment order, and then the library. Zhao will make some noise in two days." Qin Wangji kicked the eucalyptus over angrily, his eyes blazing.
"Father, calm down." The prince said quickly.
"Calm down your anger? Now there are news from Hexi, Hangu Pass, Nanyang, and Nanjun. Every day, a large number of scholars leave Qin, and some officials even leave with their seals. Tell me, how to calm down your anger?" Qin Wangji roared.
Everyone shrank their necks and remained silent.
"You said it all, why didn't you say anything?" Qin Wangji said loudly.
"Just kill him." Bai Qi said in a deep voice, and a murderous aura suddenly filled the hall.
"No, if we massacre the scholars, no one in the world will enter our Qin Kingdom." Fan Ju quickly stopped him.
"Haha, Marquis Ying thinks that if we don't kill him, some scholars will join our Qin Kingdom?" Bai Qi sneered, as long as the library is open, all the scholars in the world will always surround Handan.
"..." Fan Ju was stunned and speechless. He didn't expect that one day he would be refuted by Bai Qi.
"Zhao Guo chose the time to release the news very well." Wei Ran sighed.
At any time, the Zhao State would have become a lost cause. Countries would inevitably join forces to suppress the Zhao State and ask the Zhao State to hand over its technology. It would be normal for another five or even six countries to attack Zhao.
But now that the war has just ended, all countries are licking their wounds. Even Qin is still suppressing Yiqu's rebellion, and can only watch Zhao attracting the world's scholars.
"Your Majesty, I suggest that our Qin State also build a library." Lu Buwei stood up and walked to the center, leaned over and said solemnly.
"But... our Qin country has no paper." Qin Wangji was a little confused.
"Your Majesty, what the library needs is not paper, but books. As long as there are books, although some scholars will still go to the State of Zhao, most of them will stay in the State of Qin. Because the scholars want more than just books.
What's more important is an opportunity. If Zhao has more scholars, they will have fewer opportunities."
"If the other five countries do not build library pavilions, the number of scholars in our Qin country will not only not decrease, but will increase. This matter is not necessarily a bad thing for our Qin country." Lu Buwei said.
No matter how good the paper is, it has just been made, and its popularity is far less than that of bamboo slips. Most people have never even seen it, so you think it is easy to use?
As long as there is a book to read, most people don't care whether it is paper or bamboo slips.
Although bamboo slips cannot be mass-produced, as long as scholars are mobilized, it is more than enough to support a library.
But if this happens, it will inevitably affect the interests of the nobles.
But now it's obvious that he doesn't care about that much anymore.
Besides, the Qin State is not the Chu State. It is just a noble country and cannot make any waves.
"That's right. What the library wants is not paper, but books!" King Qin's eyes lit up, and he held Lu Buwei's hands excitedly, "Sir, you are a great talent!"
Fan Ju glanced at Lu Buwei solemnly. He had a hunch that Lu Buwei would become his biggest opponent in the future...