Paper Bears Its Resonance, Writing Stirs the Earth's Veins

"Beautiful calligraphy! Truly beautiful calligraphy!"

On the other side, after Qiu Yan left, the students, scholars, and many others who had listened to the lecture in the separate courtyard did not leave immediately, but instead stayed behind.

Some people were hunched over their desks, writing furiously down everything they had heard during the lectures, while others remained silent or muttered to themselves, also trying to recall the content of the lectures.

However, most people gathered around Qiu Yan's desk, carefully examining the calligraphy he had left behind.

The words are left here so that people can see them, but what this article describes is not some classic text or classic, but rather a method of printing improvement, which is similar to a prescription or method, making it somewhat incomprehensible to the Confucian scholars.

It's important to understand that people in this era don't have the convenient methods of obtaining information that Qiu Yan had in his previous life. People in his previous life could know the ins and outs of many industries without leaving their homes, and they knew the terms and concepts. But the Confucian scholars of Great Rui naturally couldn't experience that. In this world, it's like being separated by mountains between different industries. The secrets of many industries are only passed down by word of mouth and don't reach the ears of a third party.

In this way, they might understand the methods of casting, engraving, and printing by simply hearing about them, but how could they possibly grasp them by actually seeing and thinking about them?

However, even if one does not understand the meaning of the text, one can still appreciate the calligraphy simply. Moreover, Qiu Yan's mind is now permeated with Order. If any character is taken out alone, just by looking at the strokes and the shape of the character, one can feel a spirit and a principle from it, as if one is watching two armies clashing and the world at large.

For a time, everyone was captivated by the calligraphy, but they also knew their place and no one dared to approach and pick it up. They simply stood there admiring it. This situation only changed when Meng Bufan arrived.

The young master of the Meng Clan readily sat down at the table. His gaze swept across the paper, and he first praised the calligraphy. Then, while reading the text on the paper, he listened to Meng Wei and Meng Ting recount Qiu Yan's lecture.

The Meng Clan members also participated in this lecture, not only those born out of wedlock but also the younger generation of the legitimate children. However, Meng Bufan was entangled in trivial matters and left after appearing at the beginning. He only came over to make further arrangements after hearing that the lecture had ended.

However, as he looked and listened, his expression gradually became serious, his brows furrowed, and finally he looked at Meng Wei and Meng Ting with a solemn expression, saying, "Is what you're saying true? Did Mr. Qiu really leave behind a method for improving Printing Technique that can reduce the consumption of woodblocks?"

"Absolutely true. Although the Movable-Type Method's was only revealed by the master because Hua She asked about it, it is clear that the master already had a method in mind. It was just that today's opportunity presented itself that allowed him to reveal it." Meng Ting answered with a hint of excitement on his face, clearly pleased with the outcome from his perspective.

"The Movable-Type Method?" Upon hearing this, Meng Bufan showed a slightly surprised expression, then nodded. "That's right. Isn't this kind of technique what brings the characters to life? Is that why you named it, sir?"

"This name was given by Hua She," Meng Wei replied. Looking at Meng Bufan's expression, he had already guessed something. As the young steward of the Meng Residence, responsible for the family's affairs and finances, he saw things more clearly than the servant Meng Ting. "After the teacher wrote this article, he showed signs of fatigue and ended the lecture. I then had someone take the teacher to rest, and that's when Hua She came up with this name."

"So it was Hua She. I remember you recommended him to help in the accounting department before. It was Hua She. Later, he was fired by Manager Wang," Meng Bufan said, lost in thought. The information revealed in his simple words was actually a power struggle between two managers, with one suppressing a dissident. Because it involved two managers, Meng Bufan did not get involved at the time. Moreover, Hua She was just an insignificant figure to him back then.

However, things change, and Fortune with each person. The insignificant person of yesteryear is about to undergo a transformation.

Lost in thought, Meng Bufan stood up and Human Path in front of him, "Is Hua She still here? Tell him to come over; I have something to say to him."

Meng Wei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Hua She left in a hurry just now, he must have gone back to the Book-Printing Hall. He still has to work there, so his time is quite tight, and he can only squeeze in time to listen to the lectures."

"Is that so? He's still working as a helper at the Book-Printing Hall? No wonder it attracted the attention of the compiler, who mentioned the Movable-Type Method. It's all a matter of timing and fate," Meng Bufan narrowed his eyes. "By the way, did Compiler Qiu say who this calligraphy was intended for?"

Meng Wei replied, "What you mean, sir, is that this calligraphy isn't for any particular person, but rather written as a keepsake."

"I see," Meng Bufan nodded, then instructed, "In that case, have someone summon Hua She to the Meng Residence to wait." After saying this, he glanced at the calligraphy on the table, a thought struck him, and he clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd, saying, "Gentlemen..."

The moment the voice rang out, it immediately drew the attention of the surrounding scholars. After all, Meng Bufan was sitting at the table and had a certain status, so his every move was closely watched.

"Gentlemen," Meng Bufan said with a smile, noticing the crowd's attention, "It is a great honor for Mr. Qiu to give you all this lecture. Since this calligraphy he left behind is a gift to you all, it should not be taken lightly. My Meng Residence will fund its mounting and display it here in this separate courtyard, so that everyone can see it. What do you all think?"

"Good idea." (Pingnan) "That's a good idea."

"Thank you for your expense, Brother Meng."

Whether genuine or feigned, Meng Bufan's proposal was met with approval from most people. At present, his idea seemed to be the most feasible solution, benefiting everyone.

However, some people noticed that in Meng Bufan's few words, he had silently transferred ownership of the calligraphy to the Meng Clan.

But how could they possibly object? If it fell into the hands of those present, some would inevitably feel resentment, leading to a struggle. Even if they did get it, how could such an openly known matter be kept secret? And who had the power to protect the safety of this calligraphy?

Only the top Aristocratic Clan of Dai Prefecture, and even the Three Jin, have this qualification. Even if some people have objections, they have no suitable reason to raise them.

On the other side, Meng Ting was quite excited upon hearing this, planning that after the calligraphy was framed, he would lead his servants to guard it, taking advantage of his proximity.

Regardless of their individual thoughts, Meng Bufan immediately took action after speaking, instructing two servants to solemnly go over and remove the words from the table.

As the hands of the two servants landed on the corner of the calligraphy, several observant individuals in the group of Confucian scholars quietly took two steps forward and approached the low table.

Judging from their clothing, these people were dressed in fine clothes, indicating that they came from wealthy families. Because of this, they were also well-informed and knew about Qiu Yan's anecdotes about writing at the Literary Pavilion in Eastern Capital.

"In the Literary Pavilion, Qiu Xiuzhuan wrote a piece of calligraphy with such force that it penetrated the paper. Not only were there words on the paper, but the table was also stained with many characters. Meng Bufan only mentioned keeping the calligraphy for mounting, but didn't mention what to do with the table. If we just bring it up at the right time, forcing him into a position where he can't back down, wouldn't we get the calligraphy on the table?"

There were quite a few people who thought this way, so immediately several pairs of shrewd eyes in the crowd stared intently at the table, waiting for the moment the paper would be picked up.

However, when the calligraphy was lifted off the table, their eyes showed disappointment, for the table was spotless, without a trace of ink.

"What's going on? The characters are so expressive and profound, even in ancient books, that it's not uncommon. It shows that the person has achieved a high level of skill in calligraphy. How come Qiu Xiuzhuan could achieve that back then, but now he can't seem to grasp it anymore? Has his calligraphy skill declined?"

Just as the scholars were filled with doubt and uncertainty, the back of the paper picked up by the two servants also came into contact with the air, and a little bit of Spiritual Qi was drawn and gathered towards it.

Then, the calligraphy suddenly trembled, the characters became clearer, and a luster appeared, as if there was a sense of Yin-Yang flowing within them!

"This is..."

In an instant, everyone present was completely dazed. In their hazy state, they seemed to see a giant Yin-Yang- yang symbol, which stirred their minds and gave them a sense of enlightenment. But the next moment, they returned to normal, as if it were just an illusion.

"What's going on?" It's one thing if one person is hallucinating, but it's unusual that everyone is feeling it. They looked at each other, completely bewildered, but vaguely guessed that this strange phenomenon might be related to Qiu Yan's calligraphy.

Only a select few understand what happened before.

"Words convey the Way? Qiu Yan's calligraphy skills have reached this level? This is comparable to that of the Sage of the Right Army, Wang Xizhi!" Looking at the clean tabletop, Meng Bufan's expression was uncertain.

He knew that when one's calligraphy skills reached a certain level, a single stroke of the hand could penetrate to the very core of the stone. Even if one wrote with a brush on a rock, the ink would remain on it, turning into a stele. This was because the spirit of the calligraphy was so strong that the Zhang Cheng it and an external object was needed to support it.

But compared to those who can penetrate deeply into the wood, those who can capture the essence of ink at will and completely concentrate it on the paper are even more remarkable. This demonstrates that such a person has the ability to alter the properties of external objects through the spirit within their heart.

How thin and brittle is paper? It can be torn with the slightest force. Yet, it can hold ink and convey the essence of ink perfectly on paper, which shows its ability.

This involves infusing one's own insights and thoughts into the characters without revealing a single detail, showcasing not only the beauty of the characters' forms but also their profound meaning.

Realizing this, Meng Bufan took a deep breath, went to Meng Wei's side, and whispered in his ear, "Quickly send this calligraphy to my father for his review. There can be no negligence. You and Ting Erge will come with me to pay our respects to Mr. Qiu."

"The master has just finished writing..." Upon hearing this, Meng Wei wanted to slow things down, fearing that his young master might make a mistake due to his haste. But just then, the ground of the courtyard suddenly shook, and Meng Bufan's face turned deathly pale in an instant!

ps:

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