Moma Liangshan

Chapter 182 Yanping Enters the Curtain, 7 Simplified Chinese

The construction of Yanping Road would not only benefit the local people but also shock the entire court, sparking heated discussions among officials. However, given Wang Hao's style, he certainly wouldn't expect the court to allocate any funds. Therefore, in the end, the discussions among officials would remain just that—discussions. Feng Gu often felt that Wang Hao was too ambitious, even somewhat foolish and wasteful, spending millions of strings of cash at will. Li Tong was indeed learned and renowned throughout the land, but at the age of thirty, he was still a commoner, neither particularly shrewd nor successful. Wang Hao's initial treatment of him as an honored guest was merely a formality; however, promising a massive project amidst casual conversation demonstrated his immense sincerity. Feng Gu once had the opportunity to become someone like Li Tong, but the simple life of coarse tea and plain food, and reading ancient books by lamplight, is not something everyone can endure. In the end, Feng Gu chose to go to the capital to take the imperial examination and became a disciple of Cai Jing, hoping that one day he could hold great power and live a life of luxury.

Seniority-based promotion is a common rule in officialdom. Feng Gu, after years of hard work, finally got the opportunity to be transferred to a post outside the capital, becoming the registrar of Laoshan County. Laoshan County was newly established by Emperor Huizong because of Wang Hao, so it naturally became Wang Hao's personal fiefdom, at least in Feng Gu's eyes. Feng Gu reflected that despite all his scheming, he was only a disliked scribe under Wang Hao. Li Tong, on the other hand, had enjoyed a life of ease for many years. Upon arriving in Jiaozhou, he was treated with great favor by Wang Hao. Perhaps soon, Wang Hao would speak highly of him to the emperor, securing him a position. At that time, with Li Tong's accumulated reputation and connections, even figures like Cai Jing and Tong Guan would likely go along with it, adding fuel to the fire!

After discussing the "Yanping Road" matter, Wang Hao feigned admiration and said, "Brother Mingcheng, it's truly enviable to have you as a strategist!" Feng Gu, hearing this, thought to himself, "Finally, it's my turn!" He immediately replied, "Reporting to you, young master, Mr. Yanping has traveled the world for ten years, searching for a place to study!" Wang Hao, in his excitement, had forgotten that Li Tong had been brought here by Feng Gu, and asked, "Are you and Mr. Yanping old friends, Chief Clerk Feng?" Feng Gu replied, "To be honest, young master, Mr. Yanping and I were classmates, having studied under Master Cheng Yi of Luoyang together!" Wang Hao couldn't help but look at Feng Gu with new respect, not expecting him to come from such a prestigious family. He said, "Since you and Mr. Yanping are from the same school, why not invite Mr. Yanping to stay in Jiaozhou for a while longer, preferably..." "Give me a hand!" Seeing that Wang Hao had already gone this far, Li Tong was quite frank and said, "I've heard that you are building the largest library in the world. Is that true?" Li Tong knew the answer to this question, so Wang Hao replied, "The Jiaozhou Library is indeed under construction, but I dare not claim it to be the largest in the world!" Then, looking at Li Tong, he deliberately said, "However, after the library is completed, there is one thing that will greatly trouble me!" Li Tong said "Oh," and asked, "What is it?" Wang Hao replied, "I'm troubled by the lack of a suitable candidate for the position of librarian!" Feng Gu thought to himself, "Finally, it's my turn!" However, just as Feng Gu was about to speak, Li Tong stopped him and said, "Does Your Excellency think I am capable of serving as the librarian of the Jiaozhou Library?"

Wang Hao was very pleased with Li Tong's easygoing and straightforward nature, saying, "If you, sir, would be so kind as to accept this offer, I would be more than happy to oblige!" Li Tong replied, "Young master, with your vast wealth, building a grand library might be no problem, but knowledge is priceless. Collecting classic texts and historical records is not something that can be done simply with money, nor can it be accomplished overnight!" Wang Hao wholeheartedly agreed, asking, "If you were the librarian, how would you manage the library?" Li Tong countered, "That first requires asking why you want to build the library in the first place." Wang Hao answered, "To inherit the wisdom of the ancients, to develop contemporary knowledge, and to benefit all the people!" Li Tong was incredibly surprised, saying, "Young master, what a grand idea!" "I want to!" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "I have received great favor from the Emperor and have governed a region at a young age. If I cannot make the country prosperous and the people strong, how can I stand on my own two feet in this world?" Li Tong nodded repeatedly and said, "I am willing to donate all two thousand books in my collection to the Jiaozhou Library!" Two thousand books were almost all of Li Tong's possessions. Wang Hao asked, "In your opinion, is it better for one person to enjoy a classic masterpiece alone, or for it to be circulated among thousands?" Li Tong replied without hesitation, "Of course, it is better for it to be circulated among thousands!" Wang Hao nodded and said, "But over the centuries, how many classics have become rare copies, how many have become legends? Why? Because they are too few in number and their dissemination too narrow."

Li Tong didn't deny Wang Hao's words, but he couldn't agree either, saying, "Whether it's printing or copying books, it requires enormous financial resources, but that's only one reason why classics are lost; the second reason is that among the hundreds of millions of people in the world, less than one in ten can read and write. If a person can't even read, even the best books are just toilet paper in their hands!" Wang Hao said, "The characters of the current dynasty, though profound, are too complicated in their strokes. Promoting them among ordinary people rashly is probably unrealistic!" Li Tong looked at Wang Hao with a strange expression and said, "Does the young master perhaps intend to emulate Cangjie in creating characters?" Wang Hao countered, "Why not?" Li Tong said, "It's possible, but the difficulty is too great!" Wang Hao said, "You can..." "Why is the Eight Immortals Wine called Eight Immortals Wine?" Li Tong replied, "I heard that you received guidance from eight immortals in a dream, which led to the creation of this fine wine, hence the Emperor bestowed the name Eight Immortals Wine!" Wang Hao said, "The immortals taught me not only the method of brewing wine, but also simplified Chinese characters!" Li Tong immediately became serious and said, "Please don't joke, sir!" Wang Hao took a stack of white paper from the bookshelf, placed it in Li Tong's hand, and said, "This is the Thousand Character Classic I wrote in simplified Chinese characters. Please take a look, Mr. Yanping!" Li Tong hurriedly took the paper, examined it carefully, and after a long while, said with great admiration, "In this world, only you, sir, are truly a wise and capable person!" Wang Hao quickly shook his head and said, "Sir, you flatter me. I am merely spreading the wisdom of the immortals to the mortal world!"

Li Tong suddenly realized something and said, "While I was checking, I noticed that some characters in this Thousand Character Classic were not simplified?" Wang Hao explained, "The simplified characters were made so that ordinary people could learn to read and write more easily. In real life, there are only about six or seven hundred commonly used characters!" Li Tong suddenly understood and said, "Your words are truly insightful!"