Zhao Zhen took out a thread-bound book, threw it to Bi Sheng, and said: "This is a book that can be printed by any bookstore in Bianjing, in other words, the books printed by each bookstore, except for the different papers and fonts, there is no difference in other aspects, what do you think is the biggest problem with today's printing technology?" ”

Bi Sheng knew that Zhao Zhen was comparing himself, so he thought seriously for a while, and said: "Back to Your Highness, the grass people think that the biggest problem with today's printing technology is that the process is cumbersome and too time-consuming......

Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction.

He is worthy of being the inventor of movable type printing, and pointed out the problem with a sharp point.

Zhao Zhen groaned: "You are right, yes, this palace wants to improve the current printing technology, and the preliminary idea of this palace is whether it is possible to make a bunch of words in advance and combine these words according to the needs of printing......

Bi Sheng has many years of printing experience, and couldn't help asking: "What His Highness said, but movable type?" ”

Well?

Zhao Zhen was surprised: "Do you know movable type? ”

Bi Sheng said: "I used to work as a printer in a bookstore, and a master spent his whole life studying movable type, but unfortunately, he had no clue until he died. ”

Zhao Zhen thought to himself, sure enough, the achievements of geniuses are all standing on the shoulders of giants.

Bi Sheng's invention of movable type printing was not an imagination, but a full reference to the achievements of his predecessors.

Zhao Zhen then said: "Bi Sheng, from today on, you will stay in Pingshan and devote yourself to the study of new printing, which will be tentatively designated as movable type printing." When you have results, it will be the time when the bookstore in the East Palace will open! ”

Bi Sheng said excitedly: "The grass people must live up to His Highness's expectations!" ”

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and asked Chen Lin to come over, "Chen Banban, find a clean courtyard for Bi Sheng, let him study it well, and meet him no matter what he asks." ”

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Then, Zhao Zhen looked at Bi Sheng and said with a smile: "Any great scientific invention is inseparable from a catalyst, in order to make you succeed as soon as possible, this palace has also prepared a catalyst for you." ”

In fact, the technical content of movable type printing is not high, and Zhao Zhen can get it out himself.

But he was a prince, not a craftsman.

He wants to develop people who can be used, rather than doing everything himself.

For example, now, Kou Zhun is in charge of the court, Li Di personally handles corn planting, and the affairs of the East Palace are managed by the Wang Bureau, and the future bookstore can be handed over to Bi Sheng to take care of...... Isn't it fragrant for this prince to be a shopkeeper?

……

In the afternoon of the same day, Bi Sheng was taken to a secluded courtyard in the Pingshan Annex.

Bi Sheng is full of confidence in the study of movable type printing.

It's just that he is confused about the catalyst for scientific invention in Zhao Zhen's mouth.

……

At dusk, he was ready to go out of the small courtyard to relax, this courtyard was too secluded for no one to communicate with, and it was not suitable for long-term living.

As soon as he reached the door, he was stopped by two guards.

The guard said: "Bi Sheng, Your Highness has an order, you are not allowed to leave the courtyard half a step before the study of movable type printing, and someone will bring food every day, if you need anything, just tell us." ”

Bi Sheng suddenly realized!

This is the catalyst that His Highness said!

Your Highness wants to use such an extreme method to force me to study movable type printing?

Bi Sheng returned to the courtyard depressed.

The first two days were fine, recalling the previous printing experience, and looking at the book again, Bi Sheng felt that it was okay.

After a few more days, Bi Sheng was like crazy, he was uncomfortable, he had to yell outside every day, and the two guards at the door couldn't stand it, so they blocked their ears with mud.

After that, Bi Sheng was quiet.

Ten days later.

Bang.

The gate of the courtyard was suddenly kicked to the ground.

At the door, the two guards turned around, stunned.

I saw an unkempt and shirtless man, striding out, and roared hoarsely: "Quick, take me to see His Highness......"

It was Bi Sheng who devoted himself to the study of movable type printing.

……

In the main hall.

Li Di took a sip of tea and said: "I heard that His Royal Highness has arrested a folk craftsman and locked him up to study what printing techniques. ”

Zhao Zhen laughed: "Sir's words are right, Daigo empowerment, in fact, it is a matter of an instant, but movable type printing is different, the most critical thing, Bengong has already told Bi Sheng, what he has to do is to keep experimenting and constantly improving the details, this is not a work of inspiration, but a mechanical repetition of experience, and locking him up alone, the most effective ......"

Li Di smacked his lips, although he didn't agree in his heart, he didn't dare to refute.

At this moment, a rough voice suddenly came to mind at the door: "Your Highness, where is Your Highness?" ”

A topless guy barged in like crazy.

Li Di was shocked and shouted: "Come on, protect Your Highness!" ”

But seeing that guy rushed to Zhao Zhen, he fell to his knees with a puff, and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Highness, the grass people have succeeded, the grass people have succeeded, hahahaha......"

This person is Bi Sheng!

Zhao Zhen hurriedly stepped forward, helped him up, and asked, "Quick, quickly tell me what you did and come to the palace to listen." ”

Bi Sheng immediately briefly recounted the experience of more than ten days.

Syllable.

Bi Sheng took out a booklet and said: "Your Highness, the grass people have read countless books, carefully summarized, and compiled this set of movable type albums, a total of more than 3,000 words, of which, there are 100 words that need to be made into movable type, 50 words, 50 words that need to be made into movable type, and there are ......."

He then goes on to elaborate on the materials used to make movable type, the textures between movable types, and the thirteen fastest ways to arrange movable type.

After more than ten days of hard work, Bi Sheng finally perfected movable type printing!

Li Di was on the side, dumbfounded.

That's fine, too!

Sure enough, the simpler the method, the more effective it is!

He thought of something, and then thought about it.

Zhao Zhen called Wang Office over and instructed: "Guest Wang, you start to prepare and establish the Pingshan Publishing House, and the Pingshan Publishing House will be handed over to Bi Sheng to take care of for the time being." ”

Wang Wei persuaded him: "Your Highness wants to print a book? It can be handed over to the general as a prison or a national eunuch, why should the East Palace open a bookstore again. ”

Zhao Zhen waved his hand: "The goal of Pingshan Book Society is not to print books for the East Palace, but to print books for the entire Great Song Dynasty!" ”

Movable type printing brings not only fast printing speed, but also low cost, uniform fonts, and so on.

As long as the Pingshan Publishing House opens, it is guaranteed that most of the bookstores in the entire Bianjing City will close down.

I heard that more than half of the bookstores in Bianjing City were opened in the mansion of the Third Envoy Linte, and by that time, the old guy would definitely be very painful!

……