Chapter 17: You Can Make Paper?

Zhangsun Wuji was unwilling to believe it.

"Are you trying to trick me?"

Wen He chuckled, shook his head, and gestured to himself. "I am an orphan. In your era, I might not even have enough to eat, but in our time—well, I can't say for everyone, but at least many people rely on government subsidies to complete their education."

Many in later generations have criticized basic education. However, as a beneficiary, Wen He knew very well that it had changed his destiny.

Zhangsun Wuji’s disbelief was not his fault; it was a limitation of his era. In the Great Tang, ordinary people struggled to even access basic writing materials, let alone the classic texts passed down through generations. Since the end of the Jin Dynasty, various clans had kept their books under lock and key, refusing to lend them to anyone outside their own kin or those who had pledged allegiance to them. Even borrowing the most elementary texts required a fortune, making it impossible for the average person to afford an education.

When the Sui Dynasty held the imperial examinations, they had intended to open the palace libraries to the public, but even Emperor Yang of Sui was deterred by the exorbitant cost of transcription. Paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones were more valuable than silk or gold in this age.

"If what you say is true, then paper and writing supplies in later generations must be very cheap?" Zhangsun Wuji’s eyes seemed to glow as he hurried to verify this with Wen He.

Wen He nodded. To make it more vivid, he pondered for a moment and said, "In our time, we even use paper for the toilet—for answering the call of nature."

Since arriving in the Great Tang, the thing he had found most unbearable was using the toilet. He had originally wanted to produce cheap paper, but he lacked the capital. He had tried to earn some money with soap, only to have it snatched away by Li Yuanji’s steward.

Zhangsun Wuji took a sharp breath.

"Using paper for the toilet? That is far too extravagant!" Li Chengqian, who had been listening silently on the side, couldn't help but exclaim.

"Why not use silk? Paper is unpleasant to use," the little chubby boy added with a dismissive scoff. "I only ever use silk."

"Do not speak such nonsense!" Zhangsun Wuji glared at him.

Li Tai shrank his neck in fear. The fact that the nobility used silk was no secret, but if it leaked, it would certainly become a weapon for those intent on attacking the Prince of Qin. The little chubby boy pursed his lips and hurried behind his older brother, bowing his head timidly.

"Can you manufacture paper?"

"I can try." Wen He did not speak with absolute certainty. If he failed, it would be difficult to explain. He had only watched videos of the process online; doing it by hand would require significant effort.

"I will report this to His Highness immediately upon his return." Zhangsun Wuji beamed with joy. He knew exactly how much benefit this would bring the Prince of Qin. If cheap paper were available, scholars across the realm would support the Prince unconditionally.

What fratricide, what patricide like Emperor Yang... wait, no, no—the Prince of Qin would never do something so rebellious.

"What is this thing called? It’s so delicately made; you must have made it, you clever little girl." The prospect of Wen He manufacturing paper put Zhangsun Wuji in such a good mood that he even became amiable toward Wen Rou.

Wen Rou hid timidly in Wen He’s embrace, blinking her eyes. She nodded, looked up at her brother, and pointed at him. "Older brother taught Xiao Rou how to make it."

"I see. Hehe, everything Young Master Wen does surely has its reasons. Looking at these three young princes, this game must be for strengthening the body, correct?"

Since he had already said both the good and the bad, what else could Wen He say?

"Then, Uncle, you aren't angry with us anymore?" Li Chengqian asked cautiously.

"Of course not." Zhangsun Wuji ruffled his hair with the air of an elder.

This was not a good sign. The future monarch was appearing far too weak in front of a future regent. Even if they were uncle and nephew, they were still sovereign and subject. No wonder that after Li Zhi ascended the throne, Zhangsun Wuji dared to take full control of the government; it seemed he had never truly held these nephews in high regard since they were children.

Look at Li Tai, who was now keeping his head down, not daring to speak. Li Ke was still staring at the sky beyond the wall, looking as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

...

By the time Li Shimin returned from the palace, it was nearly dusk.

Wen He was in the side courtyard, accompanying the future Crown Prince, the Prince of Wei, and the Prince of Wu in their studies. After playing with Li Lizhi, Wen Rou had grown sleepy, and the two little girls were now leaning against his thighs, fast asleep. He only learned of Li Shimin’s return when someone was sent from the front courtyard to inform him.

Upon hearing he was leaving, the three young ones nearly cried with gratitude. The teacher was too cruel—a lash of the whip for every failure to recite, leaving their palms red. When Wen He departed, the three brothers shared a rare moment of connection and cheered. Li Tai had never liked Li Ke, but at that moment, he actually hugged him.

"Stop being so noisy! You’re so loud, I want to sleep!"

Before they could enjoy themselves for long, they were interrupted by a soft, sharp voice. Wen Rou was rubbing her eyes, pouting at them. The three boys immediately fell silent. They hadn't forgotten how fierce this little village girl had been during their game of dodgeball earlier. When Li Tai had teased her and made her angry, she had tackled him and sat on him to give him a beating. The bruise on Li Tai’s eye was from her.

"Humph, I won’t lower myself to the level of a village girl!" Li Tai grunted indignantly, though he only dared to think it, not say it aloud. Li Chengqian and Li Ke had already sat back down obediently, quietly reciting their lessons.

They knew that if Master Wen returned and they still couldn't recite the texts, they would be punished again.

Wen He hadn't expected corporal punishment to be so effective. In less than a day, he had brought the three little ones to heel. Even though they were just children, he couldn't help but feel proud; his steps felt light as he walked. The ancients weren't so formidable after all. They had been easily tamed by someone from the future like him.

"Damn!"

As he walked, he collided head-on with a "mountain" of a man. He felt dizzy, seeing stars.

"Who is it? Not watching where you’re going—" He drew out the last word, only to see a burly man with a leopard-like head and round eyes glaring at him fiercely. He felt his body stiffen, and he couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you."

Is this even human? He looks like a bear.

"When did the servants of the Prince of Qin’s mansion become so careless? I shall certainly complain to the Princess later!"

"Jingde, do not cause trouble. It was just an accident; he wasn't looking," another tall, sturdy man said, walking over from the other side. This man had an heroic appearance and didn't look as fierce as the black bear.

"You charcoal-face, why are you bickering with a servant? Always looking for trouble—if you’re so capable, go find the Crown Prince. Why are you venting your anger here?" Another man approached from the right, his voice flippant, showing clear disdain for the bear-like man.

Wait, Jingde?

"Are you Yuchi Jingde?" Looking at the black-faced man, an image of a fierce general flashed through Wen He’s mind, slowly overlapping with the person in front of him.

Li Shimin’s number-one fierce general! It was a pity he didn't have a camera, or he would definitely have taken a photo.

"Who are you?" Yuchi Jingde scrutinized Wen He with suspicion. He had never seen this person in the front courtyard of the Prince of Qin’s mansion before. Although the mansion had many servants, very few could access this area, and he didn't remember this youth.

Could he be a spy?

He widened his eyes, looking like a beast ready to devour someone.