"Once the new paper-making technology is implented, the price of paper should drop significantly. That would solve the first problem we discussed: the dium for knowledge."
"If it really works as Mr. Xia says, it would be a great boon for Liyue if people could freely buy books."
"Miss Ningguang, it's not that simple. There's a second problem to solve: the source of knowledge. Today, I asked everyone in the shop and found that only Zhu Zi and Diona attended school, but the teachers there only taught them so basic literacy and nothing else."
"But that's what schools are for…"
"That's why I'm not planning to establish a traditional academy, but a school—a place where students can learn more."
"A school?"
Ningguang looked slightly puzzled.
She had heard Xia Zhi ntion a school earlier, and though it wasn't the sa term as an academy, she had assud it was similar and hadn't thought much of it.
"The reason teachers in academies only teach literacy and nothing else isn't because they don't want to, but because they can't. First, they lack the knowledge themselves, and second, there's no complete system of knowledge."
"Mr. Xia, what do you an?"
"So, we also need to create textbooks."
"Textbooks?"
"Books specifically designed for children to learn from. The knowledge in them should be simple yet interesting, so children are willing to learn, can understand, and know how to apply it."
"Does Mr. Xia have any ideas?"
"Yes, I've thought about it today and have so preliminary ideas. First, for basic literacy, the traditional thod is for the teacher to teach one character at a ti, which is too rigid. Instead, we should introduce auxiliary sounds."
"What are auxiliary sounds?"
"That's hard to explain now. Once my cousin develops it, I'll have her show it to you."
"Oh!"
"Additionally, I plan to ask Mr. Zhongli to write a textbook on Liyue's history. History is the heritage of a nation and should not be forgotten."
"Indeed, Mr. Zhongli is well-versed in Liyue's history and is perfect for this task."
"I also plan to ask Dr. Baizhu to write a textbook on basic dical knowledge, for disease prevention and treating minor injuries. Right now, Liyue's hygiene standards are quite low, and the quality of pharmacists varies greatly. Many people, especially children, are physically weak, can't afford dical treatnt, or don't receive proper care, often letting illnesses worsen until they beco serious. If we can provide basic dical knowledge and prevent various diseases, Liyue's disease and mortality rates will decrease."
"Mr. Xia is absolutely right!"
"I also plan to ask Miss Ningguang to write a mathematics textbook."
"Huh?"
"Miss Ningguang is the idol of everyone in Liyue. If you write a book, people will treat it as gospel. It doesn't need to contain advanced knowledge—just so interesting business stories will do. The goal is to make children sensitive to numbers from a young age and learn the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through stories. For Miss Ningguang, this should be quite simple, right?"
"I understand. I'll make ti to write it."
"My initial idea is to establish a school—Miss Ningguang can think of it as a large academy that can accommodate many students. As long as the children are willing, they can enroll for free, receive free textbooks, and learn useful knowledge for free."
"Mr. Xia's idea is excellent. As for the funding, don't worry. If there's a shortfall, I'll cover it."
"Alright, then consider it the reward for providing the paper-making technology."
"Let's keep things separate. Since Mr. Xia is providing the new paper-making technology, I'll naturally give you the corresponding patent royalties according to Liyue's laws, just like with Mahjong. As for the school construction funds, that's my personal contribution."
"Fine. When I have the money later, I'll repay Miss Ningguang."
"Mr. Xia, why be so formal? Aren't we friends?"
"I just don't want Miss Ningguang to lose out."
"I'm not losing out. As the Tianquan Star of Liyue, it's my duty to work for Liyue. If anything, Mr. Xia is the one losing out. Moreover, education is a complex issue. If my funds are involved in the new school, it'll save us a lot of trouble."
"True. Then we'll have Miss Ningguang serve as the vice principal."
"Sure."
"Alright, turn over."
"Mm~"
After finishing their discussion and the massage, Xia Zhi also gave Baixiao a quick massage.
Like Baiwen, this little secretary was also on her second visit, and her shy, fidgety deanor was quite endearing.
After dinner, Ningguang and Baixiao left.
Everyone went out for a walk, and Qiqi also prepared to return to Bubu Pharmacy to gather herbs in the mountains tonight.
Xia Zhi stopped Qiqi and said, "Qiqi, when you get back, please tell Dr. Baizhu to co to the shop for lunch tomorrow. I have sothing to ask of him."
Qiqi nodded obediently. "Okay, boss."
Xia Zhi then turned to Chi Yu and said, "Miss Chi Yu, when you return to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tonight, please also tell Mr. Zhongli to co to the shop for lunch tomorrow. I have sothing to discuss with him."
Miss Chi Yu smiled and nodded. "Understood, boss!"
In the evening, Xia Zhi returned to his room and sat at his desk.
He spent 1 point in the [Shop] to purchase an item he had searched for when he first arrived in Liyue.
[Modern Paper-Making Process Detailed Explanation]
Quality: Common.
Type: Book.
Trait: None.
Effect: None.
Hidden Effect: None.
Price: 1 point.
Back then, when he was buying books at Wanwen Bookhouse, he had considered making his own paper to earn money because he found the price of books too high.
But in the end, since he was new to Liyue and lacked connections, he decided against it.
Now, things were different. With the richest woman in Liyue on his side, he had nothing to fear.
Xia Zhi flipped through the book in his hands while translating it into Liyue's language.
Once the school was built, Miss Ningguang would be one vice principal, and Mr. Zhongli would be the other.
After all, Liyue was his territory, so it was only right to invite him to join.
This way, the school would also be his, and as a Geo Archon, it was only natural for him to lend a hand, right?
Hmm, that'll save a lot of money.
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