novelaction Chapter 417 The Library is Completed
Chapter 417 The Library is Completed
Half a month later, a thin, middle-aged sorcerer was brought into the princess's room. He knelt on the ground, holding a palm-sized, transparent sheet in his hands, the edges of which were tinged with a bluish-green hue.
"Your Highness, this is glass made from a mixture of quartz sand and wood ash," the sorcerer said, his voice trembling. "Please, Your Highness, do you think it needs any improvements?"
Ying Wuyou took the thin piece of glass and examined it closely against the sunlight. Although somewhat cloudy, it was translucent. A smile finally appeared in her eyes: "I need three hundred pieces of this glass within a month, all of the same size. Can you do that?"
The alchemist kowtowed: "I will do my utmost!"
Ying Wuyou nodded in satisfaction and dismissed the sorcerer.
Over the next month, Xu Fu did not disappoint Ying Wuyou. Pieces of glass were transported to the library's construction site, and the library's basic structure gradually took shape. The glass was cleverly inlaid in the windows, allowing sunlight to stream into the room, bright yet soft. Ying Wuyou stood in the center of the library, watching all this, his heart filled with anticipation.
However, trouble soon followed. Some conservative ministers, upon hearing of this, rushed to the palace to offer their advice. "Princess," an old minister said, frowning, "this glasswork is a strange and ingenious craft; it should not be used in such a solemn place."
Ying Wuyou frowned slightly and retorted, "This glass can make the room bright, which is beneficial for the preservation and reading of books. How can it be considered a strange and ingenious trick?"
The ministers remained unconvinced, and the court was abuzz with discussion. Ying Wuyou fell into deep thought, knowing that getting people to accept new things was no easy task. Suddenly, an idea struck her: she decided to hold an open day for the library, inviting the ministers and their families to visit. She wanted the facts to speak for themselves, to let everyone see firsthand the convenience and benefits of glass, thereby dispelling their concerns and facilitating the successful completion of the library.
As time flew by, this magnificent library was finally completed amidst people's anticipation! It stands there quietly, like a temple of knowledge, waiting for people to explore its mysteries.
The next and most challenging task was to arrange the mountain of books neatly on the appropriate shelves in the library. This was no easy task and required a significant investment of time and effort.
First, the staff carefully moved boxes of books out of the warehouse and then sorted them according to different categories: literature, science, history, art... each book had its own place.
Next, they pushed a trolley full of books through the library's various shelves. At each shelf, they carefully checked the labels to make sure the books were placed in the correct location.
During the process of arranging the books, the staff will also repair and organize some damaged books so that they can be presented to readers in the best possible condition.
After several days of effort, the library's bookshelves were finally filled. The neatly arranged books resembled an ocean of knowledge, waiting for readers to explore.
Several days later, a magnificent building rose from the ground in the southeast of Xianyang.
With black tiles and red eaves, flying pavilions and painted red walls, the stone tablet in front of the gate is inscribed with eight large characters written by the King of Qin himself: "Literature carries the way, and the torch is passed on."
On the day the library opened, countless scholars flocked to it. Their hands trembled as they touched those once unattainable classics, and some even had tears in their eyes.
The King of Qin arrived here in a grand procession with his entire court of civil and military officials. When they stepped through the library's doors, the sight before them left them speechless with astonishment.
The library walls were made of massive stones, each weighing over a thousand pounds, and the walls were an astonishing three feet thick! Such sturdy walls made one marvel at the sheer scale of the project and the exquisite craftsmanship.
Looking closer at the door hinges, they were all cast in bronze, gleaming brightly and dazzlingly. Bronze is incredibly hard and will not decay even after the passage of time, undoubtedly providing the best protection for the library.
However, what truly amazed everyone were the transparent glass panels embedded in every wall. Bathed in sunlight, these panels resembled giant mirrors, reflecting dazzling light. Their transparency was so high that the bookshelves and books inside the library could be clearly seen through them, as if the glass panels themselves didn't exist.
The ministers gathered around, carefully examining the glass. They touched it, feeling its smooth, silky surface, their hearts filled with curiosity and admiration for this magical material.
The officials and scholars who came to visit looked up at the glass, and some couldn't resist reaching out to touch it, murmuring, "Truly a miracle..."
At this moment, a bold young scholar suddenly raised his voice: "Your Highness, although this glass is magical, is it worth the manpower and resources required?"
Ying Wuyou smiled slightly and calmly replied, "This library and glass, though seemingly extravagant, are actually for cultivating talent and passing on knowledge for our Great Qin. The wealth of knowledge far surpasses that of gold and silver. With this library, students of Great Qin can read extensively and will surely be able to serve Great Qin in the future."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The King of Qin also looked at Ying Wuyou with satisfaction and praised, "My daughter has such foresight; it is truly a blessing for the Great Qin."
Next, Ying Wuyou personally led everyone on a tour of the various book collection areas, providing detailed introductions to the different types of books. Immersed in the atmosphere of knowledge, everyone gained a deeper understanding of the library's function. After the tour, the ministers no longer had any objections; instead, they all expressed their support for the library's development.
After seeing off the King of Qin and his entourage, Ying Wuyou stood alone on the second floor, her fingertips lightly tracing the carved wooden railing. The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the glass windows, casting a long, slender shadow of her. The crowd below remained bustling, students holding bamboo slips and discussing in hushed tones, the rustling of pages turning filling the air. She smiled slightly, a profound sense of satisfaction welling up within her.
However, the benefits brought by glass still aroused the covetousness of many ministers in the court. The next morning at court, someone suggested: "Your Majesty, since glass can bring such convenience, if the court monopolizes its production method, it will surely add a lot of wealth to the Qin Dynasty."
These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the court. Ying Wuyou's heart tightened; she knew that if the court monopolized glassmaking techniques, the hard work of the artisans would be wasted, and it would hinder the promotion of glassmaking. She was about to retort when she saw that the King of Qin did not immediately respond, but instead scanned the crowd with a sharp gaze. At this moment, another minister stepped forward and said, "Her Highness has devoted herself to building the library, and the glass is also for the library's use. If we rashly monopolize it, we fear it will discourage the Princess and the artisans."
The court was divided into two factions, arguing endlessly. Ying Wuyou remained calm and stepped forward, saying, "Father, while glass can bring profits, its greater value lies in its ability to promote the spread of knowledge. If the court guides artisans in its production in a reasonable manner, it can both guarantee the court's tax revenue and allow glass to benefit more people—wouldn't that be a win-win situation?" King Qin nodded slightly upon hearing this and ultimately made a decision that balanced the interests of all parties.