The Imperial College was the highest educational institution in the Tang dynasty. The annual examination at the end of the year had always been the focus of Chang 'an City. Especially this year's annual examination, Mo Jiazi, was taking part in it.
Meton's talent was recognized by Chang 'an City. Every time, Mo Jiazi's poems were peerless.
Everyone clearly remembered that Mo Jiazi had forced his way into the Imperial College with three frontier poems. This time, Mo Jiazi was going to graduate from the Imperial College. If there were no accidents, Mo Jiazi would definitely come up with a good poem to draw a perfect end to his career in the Imperial College.
Therefore, the Imperial College's annual examination could be said to be the focus of everyone's attention. Just after the afternoon, the news of the first annual examination of calligraphy had already spread.
"Fountain pen!"
"Using iron as the bone, and fountain pen!"
"One stroke of ink is enough to write for four hours."
When everyone heard that Mo Jiazi was using a pen made of iron to write, they could not help but be stunned. However, no one doubted the authenticity of the fountain pen.
Iron was now the foundation of the Mo Family Village. Almost all of the village's products were built on iron. It was not strange that the Mo Family used fountain pens.
Everyone understood that this fountain pen was definitely an upgraded version of the goose feather pen. Just based on its durability, it could be said that all the shortcomings of the goose feather pen were solved. Not only was it superior to the goose feather pen, but compared to the writing brush, the fountain pen had a considerable advantage.
"Fountain pen, writing brush!"
Following the heated discussion of the fountain pen, the conflict between Meton and the calligraphy doctor Liu Yinian also spread in Chang 'an City. The dispute between the fountain pen and the writing brush spread more and more in Chang' an City.
At the same time, Xu Jie took advantage of the situation to launch the commemorative fountain pen of the Hundred Schools of Philosophers. Apart from giving a small portion to the Hundred Schools of Philosophers, most of it was left in the Mo Family Boutique for the people of Chang 'an City to try.
All of a sudden, there was a sea of people outside the Mo's Boutique. Many literati in Chang 'an came to test the new fountain pen. They all wanted to experience how convenient it was to use a fountain pen that could last them four hours.
Inside the Mo Family Boutique!
One by one, the scribes held a fountain pen and wrote crooked words on the rice paper. Although the writing was extremely ugly, no one showed the slightest disappointment. This was because many of the scribes had already filled the rice paper with words, and the ink in the fountain pen in their hands was still not dry. This way, the writing speed was much faster.
"Just as the rumors say!" Everyone nodded.
Regardless of calligraphy or writing format, a fountain pen was indeed extremely convenient. Many people were instantly tempted. If they could use a fountain pen to write, saving paper and ink would be a small matter. In the Imperial Examinations, directly saving half of the time would be a huge advantage.
However, their joy didn't last long. Soon, a piece of news came that immediately dispelled their thoughts.
"In order to prevent fraud and ensure the fairness of the examinations, the Tang dynasty's official examinations and Imperial Examinations will all use a fountain pen in the future." When the crowd heard this news, there was an uproar.
Although this decision by the Imperial College seemed reasonable on the surface, everyone understood that the Imperial College was standing on the side of the fountain pen.
Many people sighed in their hearts. The Imperial College's news could be said to hit the nail on the head. Since the fountain pen couldn't be used in the official examinations, everyone's interest in it was greatly reduced.
In an instant, many young scribes stood up and left. Since the fountain pen couldn't be used in the Imperial Examinations, they naturally didn't need to waste time on it.
However, a middle-aged man dressed in green suddenly stood up and said, "Shopkeeper Xu, how much is this fountain pen? I would like to buy one."
"Shopkeeper Pan?" Xu Jie shouted in surprise. He didn't expect that the first person to support the fountain pen would be his acquaintance, Shopkeeper Pan of the Pan Family Restaurant.
Shopkeeper Pan laughed and said, "The Old Man didn't have the opportunity to participate in the Imperial Examinations. However, the Old Man feels that compared to a fountain pen, this fountain pen is much more convenient for bookkeeping."
In the past, the Pan Family Restaurant used a lot of ink, paper, and inkstone for bookkeeping. It was easy to mess up when using a pencil. When Shopkeeper Pan tried the fountain pen just now, he immediately realized how convenient it was for bookkeeping. He immediately wanted to order a fountain pen.
Xu Jie nodded when he heard this. Now that he also used a goose feather pen for bookkeeping, he naturally knew how convenient it was. If a goose feather pen was already so fast, a fountain pen would probably be even faster.
"These fountain pens are for the people of Chang 'an to use. They're not for sale at the moment! If Shopkeeper Pan wants to buy one, you can make a reservation in advance. Once the fountain pen of the Mo Family Village is on sale, Shopkeeper Pan will have priority. As for the price, it's only 50 copper coins for one, "Xu Jie said with a smile.
50 copper coins for one fountain pen was not cheap at all! A slightly better weasel hair pen on the market could be sold for around 100 copper coins. Shopkeeper Pan paid a deposit of 10 copper coins and made a reservation for one fountain pen.
Shopkeeper Pan was not an exception. Not long after, many shopkeepers and accountants generously made a reservation for many fountain pens. After all, as businessmen, they had already lost the opportunity to participate in the imperial examinations. Naturally, they would save money and do whatever was convenient for them.
In the side hall of the Imperial Palace!
Li Shimin held a fountain pen in his hand and bent over the table, writing fine regular script on a piece of paper. There were 10 fountain pens on the table.
Meton had given one fountain pen to each of the other scholars, but he had given a whole set to Li Shimin.
"Minister Chu, you're a calligraphy master of the Tang dynasty. What do you think of this fountain pen?" Li Shimin stood up and looked at the small regular script he had written neatly. He smiled at a minister who was about 40 years old and in the prime of his life.
This person was the calligraphy master of the Tang dynasty, Chu Suiliang. The Lingyan Pavilion was being built in the palace, and Meton had replaced Yan Liben to paint. However, the wheel of history was inertia. Li Shimin still let Chu Suiliang inscribe the words for the Lingyan Pavilion.
Chu Suiliang slightly cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, in terms of calligraphy, the brush is naturally the best. It's suitable for running script, regular script, and cursive script. However, in the opinion of the Minister, this fountain pen is more suitable for regular script. However, its extremely convenient advantage is enough to make people overlook its other shortcomings. "
Li Shimin nodded. Chu Suiliang's comments could be said to be extremely pertinent and impartial.
"Then what do you think of the memorial of the Imperial College?" Li Shimin said casually.
Chu Suiliang's heart sank. He slightly lowered his head and said, "The sudden appearance of a new kind of brush will inevitably cause some unnecessary chaos. Chancellor Kong's move is also a wise move."
Li Shimin looked at Chu Suiliang meaningfully and said casually, "I heard that Doctor of Calligraphy Liu's family is the largest brush-making family in the Tang dynasty?"
The Four Treasures of the Study: Brush, Ink, Paper, and Inkstone. Liu Yinian started by making brushes. The quill pen and pencil launched by Village Mo were still okay, so they didn't have much impact on the brush. However, this fountain pen could be said to crush the brush. No wonder Liu Yinian was so against Meton.
Chu Suiliang's heart was in a mess. As a calligraphy master, Liu Yinian had given him a lot of top-grade weasel brush. At this moment, Chu Suiliang naturally couldn't care about anything. He hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Liu Yinian is indeed a brush-making family. However, no one can interfere with what kind of brush people choose to use."
Li Shimin nodded.
Suddenly, Pande took small steps to Li Shimin's side and reported, "Your Majesty, the Imperial College sent news that Mo Jiazi's essay made four professors faint from anger."
"Really?" Li Shimin was shocked and angry.
It should be known that in this era, the idea of heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers was deeply rooted. If one couldn't learn, it would be because of the laziness of teachers. The idea of a teacher for a day, a father for life was very popular.
If Meton really bullied his superiors, deceived his teachers, and offended four professors, perhaps even Li Shimin wouldn't be able to protect Meton.
Pande nodded affirmatively and bowed to present an essay.
Li Shimin took it and read it. Immediately, two words came into view.
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