514 Noble Conferment (2)
Only then did the emperor come back to his senses. He forced a smile and called out politely.
Everyone kowtowed again to thank him.
Next, the birthday banquet officially began in an orderly manner under the guidance of the officials of the Ministry of Rites.
First, the palace maids carried all kinds of dishes to the table in front of each guest. At the same time, the musicians who had been arranged beforehand began to play music, and graceful dancers flowed in.
After a few entertainment programs, the palace maids removed the banquet and placed the wine and food on the table again.
Starting from the princes, the ministers presented birthday gifts to the emperor one after another.
There were all kinds of birthday gifts, but they could not escape the words “treasures”. Shen Yijia was dazzled at first, but later on, she became numb.
She could receive so many things on her birthday. No wonder everyone wanted to be emperor.
It took more than two hours for it to be their turn. Song Jingchen held Shen Yijia’s hand and walked out of the seat.
They were the first to present gifts together, and they instantly attracted everyone’s attention.
Shen Yijia lowered her head and knelt down with Song Jingchen.
“I wish Your Majesty good health.”
Everyone thought that with Song Jingchen’s talent, he would definitely be able to say beautiful birthday wishes. Unexpectedly, they waited for a few seconds but didn’t hear anything else.
When the eunuch read Song Jingchen’s gift, everyone was even more dumbfounded.
What did he mean by the first volume of the Analects of Confucius? Was Song Jingchen so poor that he couldn’t even afford to give her a complete Analects of Confucius?
Also, why did he give the emperor the Analects of Confucius? Was he secretly mocking him for not being a benevolent ruler? Did he want the emperor to learn more from the ancients?
The smile on the emperor’s lips froze. Towards the end, he could barely maintain it.
The thin booklet was brought to him on a tray. The emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at it for a long time. After confirming that it was really just an ordinary book and that the workmanship was extremely simple, he believed that he had not heard wrongly.
He was the emperor, so he had seen all kinds of treasures. Those rare treasures were nothing to him, but the gifts people gave showed the respect they had for him.
He sized up the couple kneeling in the middle with a dark gaze and said in a low voice, “Is there a special meaning to this gift?”
Song Jingchen knew that he would ask, so he responded, “This booklet wasn’t copied, but printed.”
“Printed?”
Everyone present, including the emperor, was stunned.
Song Jingchen nodded and slowly explained the printing technique.
As he explained, everyone was in an uproar. Once this method was used, the price of books would definitely decrease in the future. Many students who could not afford books because they were expensive would have books to read.
This would change the fate of many students.
However, after the emperor recovered from his surprise, his face completely darkened. This innovation could indeed bring about many benefits.
However.
He looked at the foreign envoy who was discussing intensely, his breath stuck in his throat.
Why did he ask just now? Couldn’t he have asked later? Song Jingchen clearly didn’t say anything at first!
No, why didn’t Song Jingchen tell him in private?
If he told him privately, he could use this printing technique to make a deal with the other two countries in exchange for other benefits.
There was no need to think about anything now. It wouldn’t be long before this printing technique spread throughout the country.
The more the emperor thought about it, the angrier he became. He wished he could burn two holes in Song Jingchen’s body with his eyes.
“Great Xia is indeed filled with talents. His Majesty is blessed.” Xuanyuan Ce, who had been silent, said with a faint smile.
The emperor took a deep breath and said with a smile, “Lord Jing’an is right. He deserves to be rewarded.”
His gaze lingered on the couple. He thought of something and asked, “Which of you came up with this method?”
Song Jingchen cupped his fists and said, “It’s…”
“My husband thought of it. I’m in charge of making it.” Shen Yijia suddenly interrupted Song Jingchen.
She only thought of carving words on the wooden board. Song Jingchen was indeed the one who thought of the printing technique. She wasn’t lying to the emperor.
Song Jingchen had previously said that he wanted to publicize the printing technique at the birthday banquet. When the time came, Shen Yijia, who had thought of this method, would definitely be pursued by thousands of students.
Water could carry a boat, but it could also overturn it. Even if something happened to the Song family, the emperor would not dare to attack Shen Yijia easily.
This was the guarantee he was talking about.
However, Shen Yijia didn’t need it. If nothing happened to Song Jingchen, it would be the greatest guarantee for her.
Song Jingchen was speechless.
The emperor was speechless.