He no longer cared about copying the ancient text; instead, he pulled Jiang Chan aside and started talking about the movable type printing.
Jiang Chan racked her brains, recalling the information about movable type printing from her language textbooks. “I think we can use clay to make the movable type. Carve the desired characters onto the clay molds, then heat them. Once they’re done, arrange them on a type tray, and it should work.”
Jiang Sen thought more and more that it was feasible. He walked back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, wishing he could see the completed type mold right now. Seeing Jiang Sen so anxious, Lin Shi gave him a suggestion.
“Isn’t there a pottery kiln in town? You could ask if they can make such molds. It’s not too late to plan the next steps afterward.”
Jiang Sen, feeling reassured, took Uncle Zhong and headed straight for the kiln in the east of the town. It was rare to see Jiang Sen so focused on something other than food, which surprised Jiang Chan.
Lin Shi glanced at Jiang Chan. “Your father is just excited. Once he successfully makes these things according to what you said, the novelty will wear off.”
Jiang Chan remained silent.
Ever since Jiang Chan casually mentioned movable type printing, Jiang Sen had been obsessed with it, spending all his free time at the kiln in the east of the town, even skipping gatherings with friends.
Jiang Sen’s friends also became concerned about this. That afternoon, after class, Jiang Sen was about to leave the academy when he was intercepted by his friends, including Li Ruisi.
Despite the cold weather, Li Ruisi still carried a fan, his fox-like eyes watching Jiang Sen with a playful smile. “Jinzhi, you’ve been acting strange lately. What are you up to?”
“Yeah, and being all secretive about it. What are you working on?”
“I’ve seen you heading to the east of the town often. Besides the kiln, what’s so interesting over there?”
“Maybe there’s a stunning beauty hidden in that kiln?”
Jiang Sen frowned, “Go away, can you say things like this so casually? You want to know, huh? I’ll take you to see for yourselves.”
This was also Jiang Sen’s thought from the beginning: good things should be shared with friends.
As soon as he spoke, his friends knew there must be something interesting and followed him to the kiln in the east of the town.
The kiln owner beamed upon seeing Jiang Sen. Jiang Sen had been a great customer recently, bringing him a lot of business, especially with the clay type, which had been quite profitable.
“Master Jiang, I’ve prepared all the clay types you requested. Would you like to take them now?”
Although he didn’t understand why Jiang Sen needed these clay types, the customer was always right. Jiang Sen looked at his puzzled friends and unceremoniously stuffed the clay types into their arms.
He was just worried about not having anyone to help transport things back to the Jiang residence today, and now, isn’t there a ready-made candidate coming up? Jiang Sen’s lips curled up slightly. Is his excitement really that appealing?
This thing, after all, is made of clay and is quite heavy. A few friends all changed their expressions. The group of six carried six large boxes and returned to the Jiang family, panting heavily.
Scholars are like this; they are generally somewhat physically weak. When they arrived at the Jiang family’s home, it took several bowls of tea before Li Rui and the others began to recover.
Li Ruisi wiped his sweat. “I’m telling you, if this isn’t something amazing, I’m leaving immediately.”
“That’s right, dragging us here to do labor, Jinzhi, you are really not being fair.”
Jiang Sen waved his hand. “Calm down, calm down! Jiang Zhong! Jiang Zhong!”
Jiang Zhong, naturally, was Uncle Zhong. Hearing Jiang Sen’s call, he brought in two square iron trays and several paper packages. Wang Ma followed, carrying two iron plates, leaving everyone in the hall confused.
Jiang Chan slowly walked in, supporting Lin Shi. Upon seeing the wooden boxes, Lin Shi’s eyes lit up. “Are the type molds ready?”
“Isn’t that right? A few friends helped me move it back.”
Jiang Sen is not the type to destroy bridges after crossing the river. He pointed to his five friends who were exhausted and slumped in the armchairs, indicating that Jiang Chan should pay her respects. After receiving her salute, the friends quickly straightened up.
“Xiao Chan, shall we start?”
Jiang Chan naturally nodded, agreeing. She took out an ancient book that Jiang Sen had borrowed from Li Ruisi a few days ago and flipped to the first page. There were a considerable amount of text, perfect for starting.
Uncle Zhong, being perceptive, brought over the framed iron trays. Jiang Chan opened the paper packages, revealing a kind of grayish powder inside.
Wang Ma and Uncle Zhong evenly spread the powder on the bottom of the iron trays while Jiang Sen, referring to the ancient book, selected the corresponding type molds and arranged them in the tray according to the layout of the book.
Finally, everyone understood. Li Ruisi gasped, grabbed a type mold, and examined it closely. He realized that all the type molds were the same size, with characters carved in reverse on top. If you flip them over and ink them, won’t they be the correct characters?
Jiang Sen was soon surrounded by his five friends. In no time, they had set up a whole page of type. Jiang Chan pursed her lips and instructed Uncle Zhong to heat the bottom of the tray, slightly melting the powder.
Then they used the iron plates Wang Ma had brought to press the type flat, creating a proper printing plate. It was time to ink the plate. This time, Li Ruisi insisted on taking over from Jiang Sen, holding the inkstone himself and applying the ink to the character mold.
A very talkative friend has now fallen silent. With quick eyes and deft hands, they swiftly placed a piece of paper over the inked type, pressed it lightly, and then carefully lifted the paper off.
Jiang Sen has already sat back down, shaking his head and watching them work. When Li Ruisi checked the printed sheet, he found the characters clear and crisp, much faster than copying by hand.
His fox-like eyes narrowed as he glanced at the leisurely Jiang Sen. “Jinzhi, I never knew you had such a talent.”
Jiang Sen blew on the tea leaves in his tea bowl, “This is our little…”
Lin Shi, quick as ever, pinched Jiang Sen’s arm, making his fingers twitch as he corrected himself. “This idea came to me after much thought. How could you figure it out so easily?”
Li Ruisi noticed Lin Shi’s quick move and narrowed his eyes. Since Lin Shi didn’t want it mentioned, he assumed she had her reasons. Besides, Jiang Sen had already taken credit, so further questioning was pointless.
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