Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 190: Sending the author a knife!

After the princess finished speaking, she looked at Zhou Wei, who immediately took some things out of the box she had brought.

Looking at the pile of movable type on the table, and two other objects that she couldn't understand, Ning He was pleasantly surprised.

He picked up the movable type first and examined it carefully.

"Is this the movable type printing that Aunt Zhou was talking about?"

Ning He's plans to publish a women's newspaper were delayed by a sudden blizzard, but she never forgot about it.

Zhou Wei once said that she had a method called movable type printing, which could greatly improve the efficiency of Ninghe newspaper publishing!

Seeing these living characters with her own eyes, Ning He immediately had some images in her mind.

She was quick-witted and understood how to use the word "活" in a short time.

Ning He picked and chose from a pile of movable type, forming a complete sentence before falling into deep thought.

After a long pause, she said, "Aunt Zhou, although the word 'living' is good, I have discovered some problems."

Zhou Wei was not angry. Although movable type printing was innovative, it did have its drawbacks compared to woodblock printing.

This is also why, even after the advent of movable type printing, woodblock printing remained the mainstream method in the ancient market.

"Miss Ning, are you trying to say that although movable type doesn't require woodblock printing, there are many commonly used characters, making selection somewhat troublesome?"

Ning He nodded; she had noticed this while she was picking out the typefaces herself.

If the time spent on woodblock printing is in the carving, then the time spent on movable type is in selecting the characters!

"Actually, it's not just that. If Aunt Zhou's movable type is to be used flexibly, it must be chosen by someone who can read, otherwise it will take much longer than woodblock printing."

Contrary to popular belief, woodblock engravers can actually carve even if they are illiterate.

In their eyes, words are actually pictures and symbols.

Zhou Wei said, "It's impossible to completely solve this problem under the current conditions, but it's not difficult to alleviate it. Miss Ning, take a look at this roulette wheel."

Zhou Wei pointed to a wheel-shaped disc with equally divided grids.

Above each square is engraved some symbols.

As Ning He carefully examined the disc, Zhou Wei reached out and flicked it, causing the disc to immediately begin to spin.

“Miss Ning, look, each of these squares is engraved with a radical. The method of looking up characters by radical is something that every scholar in the Great Zhou Dynasty must learn when they are starting out.”

"With this rotating disc, the time spent selecting movable type can be saved!"

Ning He nodded as she read: "That's truly a brilliant idea!"

Zhou Wei took out another item and turned to Jiang Zao, saying, "Xiao Zao, go get some printing ink."

Before long, Jiang returned with the things.

Zhou Wei neatly placed the words that Ning He had just picked out into the mold she had brought.

Then, she covered it with paper and brushed on ink. Under Ning He's expectant gaze, Zhou Wei pushed the wooden handle.

Swah——

The black text immediately appeared on the paper.

Ning He's eyes lit up. She held the paper and looked at it for a long time, then looked at the tools in Zhou Wei's hands.

"This thing is really good! It not only makes the movable type align neatly, but also the ink coloring is so even, even better than the precision engraving plates on the market!"

Ning He was overjoyed at the three things Zhou Wei had contributed.

"I previously thought that, due to the heavy snow, it would be a long time before this women's newspaper could be launched."

"Now that we have all the things Aunt Zhou provided, we can try to start a newspaper."

Jiang Zao also held the paper and looked at it curiously, and even imitated Zhou Wei's actions by pushing the wooden handle herself.

When Jiang Zao looked at Zhou Wei again, her eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

Aunt Zhou is truly amazing; she's skilled in both literature and martial arts!

She came up with such a great idea.

The eldest princess touched the piece of paper and said to Ning He, "With these things, Sister Ning can be of great help to me."

Ning He immediately understood what the princess wanted to do.

"The literate women and children I have here will surely come in handy!"

Zhou Wei smiled and said, "Miss Ning, it's not just them, there's also...Young Master Xie."

Xie Yuan?

Ning He was surprised. What use was Xie Yuan?

"Young Master Xie is a man of exceptional literary talent, well-versed in all the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections. Naturally, the content of this newspaper needs to be crafted by Young Master Xie."

Ning He hesitated for a moment, "But the content of our newspaper this time is written for the common people. Is Xie Yuan's writing too difficult to understand?"

"Hahahaha," Zhou Wei laughed upon hearing this, and pulled a book out of her bag. "Miss Ning has been too busy these days, so Mr. Xie's flirtatious glances have been misplaced."

Ning He was taken aback when she saw the book in Zhou Wei's hand. She remembered that Xi Tong had brought it with her when she gave him money last time.

He said it was a gift from his son to cheer him up.

However, Ning He was too busy to look through it, so Zhou Wei borrowed it for a few days.

What is this book about?

Zhou Wei flipped through the book with a rustling sound: "This book tells the story of a fox spirit who is born to seduce a scholar and fights a goddess!"

"Miss Ning, you're really missing out if you haven't read it! Young Master Xie described the story so vividly that it's so captivating that it makes you want to keep reading and even urge for more chapters."

Urging for more updates?

Everyone was somewhat confused. What did "urging for an update" mean?

Zhou Wei laughed and said, "It's because we're urging him to write the next one. He hasn't finished this story yet! He only wrote up to the appearance of the goddess and then it ended. Isn't that infuriating?"

Ning He understood now, and felt a surge of joy.

"I really didn't expect Xie Yuan to be so good at writing these stories. In that case, let Xie Yuan write the content for this newspaper."

"With his literary talent, he would surely be able to write about the beast tide in a dramatic and thrilling way."

The eldest princess and Ning He exchanged a smile, looking forward to the next few days.

Zhou Wei then reminded him, "Miss Ning, don't forget to remind Young Master Xie that it's not just about the plot, but also the emotions. Emotions are very important!"

The three people present were somewhat puzzled. What was emotion?

Are emotions really that important?

"Well, emotions are what make people who read this story see it as more than just a story."

"We want them to feel frustrated and angry when they see the story, to feel a sense of powerlessness that prevents them from slapping the prince across the face through the newspaper!"

"Only when emotions are stirred will people have a deep impression and be unable to forget anger for a long time."

"If that slap doesn't land on the Crown Prince's face soon, they won't be able to eat or sleep, and they'll curse Xie Yuan, the author, and send him razor blades!"

"Only when this level is reached can this story be considered a success for the Princess's important cause!"