Chen Zi's eyes burned with brightness as she hurriedly asked, "What is movable type printing?"
She had a feeling that she was about to participate in something extraordinary.
Jiang Jin explained to her in detail, "It means first creating individual reverse-relief character molds, then selecting the characters according to the manuscript and arranging them in a type tray..."
The more Chen Zi listened, the brighter her eyes became. If it was truly as her Lord said, it would absolutely be a great technological revolution.
The two talked for four hours before Chen Zi left, her face full of excitement and fighting spirit upon her departure.
Aside from movable type printing, Jiang Jin also entrusted her with an important task: establishing a printing workshop and bookstore.
It would be primarily responsible for the technical research of movable type printing, as well as the editing and printing of various simplified character books, especially textbooks. It was a heavy responsibility.
This meant that all future textbooks and various books would come from her.
Entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, Chen Zi was both excited and moved. She never expected Jiang Jin to trust her so much. To her, the weight of the printing workshop was even heavier than making her an academy director.
At this moment, she wished she could lay down her life for Jiang Jin, secretly resolving to go all out and complete the tasks her Lord had assigned.
The first thing was to select personnel. Her Lord had said she could pick anyone she wanted.
Meanwhile, as soon as He Li returned home, he went to find his father-in-law, Guan Bailing.
Guan Bailing frowned, "Did the Lord seek you out regarding the matter of salt?"
He Li nodded, "Yes, but the quantity is too large. I didn't dare make the decision on my own, so I came back to ask you."
Guan Bailing lowered his head in thought. After a moment, he said, "This might not be a bad thing. By helping Gefeng this time, we can establish a firm foothold here."
He Li looked at him with burning eyes, "Can you get that much salt at once, father-in-law?"
Guan Bailing smiled and sighed, "It's possible, it just requires calling in some favors. It shouldn't be a big problem."
At noon the next day, Gefeng welcomed someone Jiang Jin had not expected.
An envoy from Quzhao.
This time, the other party was very polite and officially presented a document, expressing their desire to meet the person in charge of Gefeng.
Jiang Jin frowned, wondering what trick Quzhao was playing now.
She sat in the seat of honor in the council hall, with Dong Si and Zhou Sui happening to be present.
Dong Si expressed his dissatisfaction, "We're giving him too much face. He thinks he can just demand a meeting? If you ask me, we should just execute the envoy."
Their Lord was a princess of noble status, and now the person in charge of Gefeng. How could those barbarians see her just because they wanted to?
Zhou Sui also furrowed his brows, "I wonder what Quzhao's intentions are in coming here this time?"
Jiang Jin stood up, "We'll know what Quzhao wants to do once we go take a look."
Naturally, they wouldn't let the Quzhao people enter the city. She decided to go straight to the city gates to meet this so-called envoy.
Jiang Jin rode out of the city on horseback, followed by Zhou Sui, Dong Si, and dozens of Dragon Shadow Guards.
The Quzhao envoy had arrived in a carriage, with dozens of cavalrymen guarding both sides.
The envoy was a pale-faced man around forty years old. He had ordinary looks, an ordinary build, and an ordinary height. In short, other than being pale, there was nothing outstanding about him.
Seeing Jiang Jin lead her people out of Gefeng City, the envoy slowly stepped out of the carriage. The Quzhao cavalry also dismounted to guard him.
Jiang Jin approached the envoy, not bothering to dismount, and looked down at him from her horse, "The envoy of Quzhao? For what purpose have you come to my Gefeng?"
The envoy's expression turned to one of astonishment. "You... you are the person in charge of Gefeng?"
He had found it a bit strange to see a woman leading the group, but he never imagined that the leader of Gefeng would actually be a woman, and one who looked like she hadn't even reached the age of adulthood.
Dong Si sneered coldly, "Did you not hear our Lord asking you a question? You people from Quzhao truly live up to your reputation as barbarians, lacking any manners."
A commanding guard standing behind the envoy flew into a rage and pointed at Dong Si, "What kind of thing are you? You Han thieves dare speak to Quzhao like this?"
Barely had his voice faded when his head was sent flying high into the air.
Thud, thud.
The head and the corpse fell to the ground one after the other.
Zhou Sui flicked the beads of blood off his Modao sword. "Just a defeated foe, yet speaking so vulgarly and offensively. You deserved to die!"
The envoy felt a chill shoot straight from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. With trembling hands, he wiped away the blood splattered on his face. His expression shifted unpredictably, and his lips quivered, rendering him speechless for a moment.
The Quzhao soldiers were both shocked and furious. Looking at their commander's corpse, they shouted angrily, "How dare you!"
As they spoke, they raised their blades at Zhou Sui.
The Dragon Shadow Guards instantly raised their Dragon Feather Crossbows, aiming the pitch-black, icy muzzles at the Quzhao soldiers.
The atmosphere instantly became tense, and a battle was on the verge of breaking out.
The envoy finally snapped back to his senses and hurriedly intervened, "Don't be impulsive! Everyone, don't be impulsive!"
The Quzhao soldiers were boiling with rage, glaring at Zhou Sui. "You Han people are pushing us too far."
Killing their commander over a single disagreement!
This was a humiliation, a naked humiliation and contempt toward Quzhao, completely disregarding them.
Zhou Sui raised his cold blade and pointed it at the Quzhao soldiers. "Not convinced? If you're not convinced, then let's fight, life or death!"
"You!" The Quzhao soldiers gritted their teeth in anger, but they didn't dare make a move.
They had seen this man's strength clearly. Even their commander couldn't withstand a single move from him; if they went up, they would just be throwing their lives away.
Besides, this was Gefeng, and behind him were the Jinyang troops armed with repeating crossbows.
The envoy's heart pounded with fear; Gefeng's tough stance was completely beyond his expectations.
He reached out and gently pushed down the blades of his own soldiers, flashing a warning look. "We came today to discuss important matters with Gefeng. Put down your weapons."
The Quzhao soldiers took the opportunity to back down, letting out a cold snort and retreating two steps.
Only then did the envoy look at Jiang Jin, his face showing suppressed anger. "When two countries are at war, envoys are not to be executed. You Han people call yourselves a state of ceremonies and etiquette; is this your way of treating guests?"
The corners of Jiang Jin's mouth curled up slightly. "When did I execute the envoy? Aren't you, the envoy, standing right here speaking perfectly fine?"
"You..." The veins on the envoy's neck bulged with anger. He held it in and said, "I have come on the orders of my Great Chanyu to negotiate peace with Gefeng."
"Quzhao acknowledges that Gefeng County belongs to you. From now on, our two sides will coexist peacefully and not interfere with each other."
Dong Si was furious. "Gefeng has been ours since ancient times. Why do we need your acknowledgment? Where do you get the nerve?"
The envoy sneered. "Since when was Gefeng yours? It was merely taken by you because of our momentary carelessness."
Dong Si's face was full of sarcasm. "You are just filthy thieves. You stole our city and actually thought it belonged to you?"
"Today I will tell you, Gefeng has been Han territory since ancient times. We do not need your recognition."
The envoy didn't want to get entangled in this issue. Delivering the message meant his task was complete. "The message has been delivered. I hope we can both abide by the agreement, refrain from attacking each other, and live in peace."
Jiang Jin said in a casual tone, "Do you mean that the entire Gefeng County belongs to me? Including Gefeng's jurisdictions and the official roads?"
