Chapter 51: Proclamation of Law, Granting of Authority, and the Establishment of the Eastern Depot

Gazing at the assembled civil and military officials whose eyes brimmed with anticipation, Liu Tan declared, "As for the solution, allow me to keep it a mystery for now!"

The matter of movable type printing was not something that could be explained in a moment. Moreover, maintaining an air of mystery was itself a virtue of imperial rule.

Still, to win the ministers’ support, he must provide some tangible evidence, something that would truly move them.

Liu Tan continued, "You have all read in detail my so-called law for the protection of intellectual property. Now, let me explain its purpose to you more thoroughly, using myself as an example. Paper, for instance, had not been improved before now. I devised improvements and produced it; thus, I can apply to the court for a patent. Once granted, only I or those authorized by me may produce and sell it for profit throughout Shu.

To produce paper, one must obtain my authorization, and that comes at a cost. In this way, I will profit! Furthermore, once I have applied for a patent, it means the court will protect it. Everyone who profits from papermaking must pay a portion to the court as a fee for patent protection.

This profit is not subject to the heavy taxes of trade.

Just consider: how much could the court gain? Every new patent application in Shu brings another stream of income. All your stipends come from the court; as the court prospers and grows wealthy, so too will your stipends increase!

Moreover, our soldiers will receive more generous military pay, and should a soldier give his life for the nation, his family will receive a richer pension.

Most importantly, note that this additional income is not a tax; it is the rightful reward for the court’s patent protection. Thus, no one will resist!"

Hearing the emperor’s persuasive words, the court was nearly in uproar. Indeed, only when the court was wealthy could their stipends rise and their estates flourish.

Everyone began to ponder the feasibility of the emperor’s proposals.

Not only the civil and military officials, but even Zhuge Liang was deep in thought. Years of campaigns had taught him, as the Prime Minister of Shu Han and the supreme commander of the army, the importance of money and supplies. If the court truly became wealthy, he could fight with greater confidence!

Who could then accuse his northern expeditions of reckless warfare that merely sapped Shu Han’s strength?

At this moment, Liu Tan narrowed his eyes and spoke solemnly, "If you place your trust in me, by this time next year, your stipends and the soldiers’ pay will increase by half. This is my promise to you!"

"What? Increase by half?"

Some whispered, "Impossible!"

"Indeed! How could that be so easy?"

Though the voices were faint, Liu Tan heard them clearly. He did not respond immediately, preferring to listen further.

"I think it’s not impossible. His Majesty is divinely inspired; perhaps he will create a miracle," someone remarked.

Liu Tan glanced over and nearly laughed aloud—it was none other than the masterful strategist Li Shan. No wonder he was known for seizing every opportunity to lend support.

At that moment, Li Shan looked back, and Liu Tan smiled and winked in thanks.

Li Shan’s words quickly brought the officials’ thoughts back to the matter at hand. Yes, the emperor was divinely inspired; if he dared make such a claim, perhaps he could truly fulfill it.

Li Yan, whose standing in the court was second only to Zhuge Liang, knew his talents could not match the Prime Minister’s, but he was keenly aware of his own strengths. Unlike Zhuge Liang, who pursued fame in history through northern campaigns, Li Yan’s greatest virtue was his lack of ambition and steadfast loyalty to the emperor. He immediately pledged, "If this comes to pass, we will fully support Your Majesty and cooperate with you!"

His declaration instantly gained the approval of several officials.

Of course, some refrained from voicing their support—including Zhuge Liang.

They furrowed their brows in contemplation.

Liu Tan waved his hand, saying, "Not so. The urgent matter now is the northern expedition! You must all support the Prime Minister’s campaign wholeheartedly. I have no talent for military affairs and cannot aid the expedition directly, but I can support it indirectly through improvements to the people’s livelihood. This task I will undertake myself—it will not drain military funds, trouble you, or burden the people. Rest assured: you need only await your increased stipends!"

Upon these words, Liu Tan noticed the brows of those previously troubled officials had eased.

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and fanned himself, saying, "Then I thank Your Majesty on behalf of the soldiers!"

With Zhuge Liang leading the way, the other hesitant officials and officers quickly expressed their support.

Seeing this, Liu Tan said, "Court Attendant Wang, present the authorization document and patent seal!"

To reinforce its authority, this authorization had been written on an imperial edict.

When Wang Li brought it forth, the officials all knelt.

"Ah, no need! Rise, my esteemed ministers. This edict is merely an authorization letter, not a decree requiring obeisance," Liu Tan said helplessly.

Once the officials had stood, Liu Tan instructed, "Let the ministers circulate it among themselves!"

Thus, Wang Li first handed the edict and seal to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.

It was an authorization document, granting legal effect to the seal and empowering it with the right of further authorization, stamped with the imperial jade seal.

Just like authorization documents of the modern era, the imperial seal served as the official stamp; for other seals to be valid, they must be accompanied by such an authorized document.

After Zhuge Liang had read it, it was passed to Minister of State Li Yan.

When all had finished reviewing it, the edict was returned to Liu Tan, who announced, "Let the Imperial Justice incorporate this law into the legal code and spread it throughout the realm! Should anyone violate it, I will personally lead the imperial guard to punish them without mercy!"

The Imperial Justice, one of the Nine Ministers, was responsible for the judicial administration of the entire nation.

Take papermaking for example: once he established a paper mill and mass-produced paper for sale, the law stipulated that only those authorized could do so. Yet inevitably, some would attempt it in secret.

But information in this era was extremely limited; detecting such violations promptly would be difficult. Thus, only severe punishment could deter imitation.

Clearly, he intended to keep the inventions he introduced to this era tightly within his grasp.

And as for others’ inventions, once patented, they too would be bound to his system.

As soon as the imperial order was given, someone stepped forward to accept the command. It was Luo Youwei, Imperial Justice of Shu Han.

Liu Tan continued, "Where is Chief Scribe Ye Hua?"

"Present, Your Majesty!" came a voice from the corner. Liu Tan looked over and saw before the man a small desk, covered with several rolls of silk, densely written upon, with many more yet to be inscribed.

"Draft a proclamation. I will personally establish a department named the Eastern Bureau, which will oversee the manufacture and inspection of patent violations throughout the land! As for its size, let it be set at two hundred personnel for now. When finished, submit it to..." He glanced around the court and finished, "Submit it to Li Shan."

After Ye Hua accepted the command, Liu Tan turned his gaze to Li Shan and said, "Li Shan, tomorrow, I will visit your residence in person."