latelenovela Chapter 113 Secret Music
Chapter 113 Secret Music
Although he was shocked, Bai Jin did not forget the important matter. He asked in detail about the usage of the rain talisman.
Shen Li thought to herself: I made up the rain-inducing formula, but she doesn't know the secret behind it yet.
So she told Bai Jindao: Recite devoutly: "It is a drought and there is no rain. I urgently hope for rain. I pray for rain to save our people's lives." This mantra will be successful when the words on the talisman disappear.
Bai Jin frowned, took 50 rain talismans from Shen Li, and left in a hurry.
After returning to the government office, Bai Jin pondered for a long time and wrote a secret decree, which read:
密奏
Your Majesty,
Today I went to visit my fellow countryman Shen Li. What I encountered there impressed me deeply with its extraordinary nature. I dare not conceal anything, so I present this secret report.
When I first arrived at Shen Li's residence, it was drizzling, and I learned that the rain was Shen Li's doing. Shen Li had stumbled upon a rare and inexperienced rain talisman, but it was incredibly rare. Shen Li, incredibly intelligent, had developed a method for imprinting the talisman herself, crafting a stencil from a special material to create a rain talisman, thus summoning a downpour. I personally witnessed the talisman's imprinting, where she used several homemade tools. The talisman she produced was identical to the authentic one I had seen before, with only the paper slightly different, the inscriptions remaining the same. I pondered, while this was unusual, Shen Li, a local lord, cared deeply about the villagers' suffering from drought and flood. Perhaps he had received divine intervention and inspiration, enabling him to accomplish this remarkable feat to alleviate their suffering. It was truly Your Majesty's great blessing that had nurtured so many talented individuals, all dedicated to Your Majesty's rule.
Shen Li then mentioned the bookstore. I remarked that I lacked a sound method for printing books. Shen Li then introduced me to a method of movable type printing. This method uses clay to form individual characters, which are then arranged in frames according to the manuscript. These frames can be detached, replaced, and reused, saving manpower and resources compared to woodblock printing, making printing much more efficient. Your Majesty, if this method is adopted, it will facilitate the dissemination of classics, enlighten the people, and contribute greatly to the flourishing of national culture. I consider Shen Li's sincere and unselfish desire to help Your Majesty maintain a stable state and promote cultural prosperity. This is truly the act of a loyal and righteous minister.
I observe that Shen Li possesses a kind and upright character, and all his actions benefit the nation and its people. However, his ability to create rain and invent movable type printing techniques may raise eyebrows. I boldly request Your Majesty to issue an edict commending Shen Li's achievements and allowing him to continue his studies of the art in the countryside, thereby alleviating Your Majesty's worries and benefiting the people. I also request that trusted individuals secretly protect him to prevent treacherous individuals from coveting and harming him. This will not only ensure Shen Li's safety, but also allow this art, which benefits the people, to spread far and wide. Your Majesty's reputation for benevolence and prestige will spread far and wide, bringing the people together.
Your humble servant Bai Jin is deeply honored and respectfully presents this memorial, and I look forward to your wise decision.
Bai Jin then placed the letter, the 50 rain-falling talismans, and the formula into an envelope, sealed it with red clay, and called Yan Feng over, saying, "This secret report is of great importance. You must immediately conceal your whereabouts and deliver it to the capital as quickly as possible. Make sure it reaches the wrong hands along the way! Make sure it reaches the Emperor's personal eunuch, remember!"
Yan Feng immediately took the envelope, bowed and said, "Yes, sir! I will set off immediately!"
Yan Feng turned around and left as quickly as a gust of wind. He was well aware of the importance and urgency of this mission and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.
After leaving the government office, he led the horse that had been prepared long ago, jumped on it, tightened the reins, and the horse neighed loudly, raised its four hooves, and galloped towards the capital.
Along the way, we traveled day and night in the scorching wind and had to sleep in the open air.
He avoided the crowded official roads and chose secluded paths to ensure the safety of his secret report. At each post station, he only stopped briefly, changed horses, and set off again immediately.
In the imperial palace in the capital, the emperor was reviewing memorials in the imperial study, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about many national affairs.
He was always concerned about the drought in the country, and was also full of curiosity and suspicion about Shen Li's affairs.
At the same time, Shen Li still lived a peaceful life in Qingshan Village.
She stayed with her family every day, reading and learning to read with Shen Xuan, and in her spare time she continued to study the new things that the system might bring out.
She didn't know that Bai Jin had reported her affairs to the emperor in detail, nor did she anticipate the kind of disturbances this would bring to her life.
Bai Jin waited patiently for news from the capital in the government office. He was feeling uneasy, hoping that the emperor would approve his report and give Shen Li the due reward and protection, but he was also worried that there would be other unexpected events.
He often paced in the courtyard, looking towards the capital from time to time, silently praying in his heart that everything would go well.
After riding non-stop for many days, Yan Feng finally saw the outline of the capital.
He did not dare to relax at all, and urged his horse on, rushing straight to the palace.
He knew very well that once this secret report was presented to the emperor, it might change the fate of many people. He was just a small messenger in this historical torrent, but he shouldered an extremely heavy responsibility.