For a moment, all the painters furrowed their brows as they examined the paper.

In their hearts, they had already marked this thing with a big "X."

In other words, in their eyes, this thing was worthless.

After all, although it appeared spotless and pristine, the effect of painting on it would indeed be much improved.

However, the fatal flaw was its lack of toughness.

Thus, if one were to truly paint on it, it was very likely to be ruined right after completion.

This way, wouldn’t one’s painstaking efforts be wasted?

Isn’t it likely that despite one’s best efforts, the next moment it would be gone?

This is something no painter is willing to do.

After all, each painting they create is the culmination of their effort, and in their eyes, painting is their livelihood, their spiritual pillar.

However, at this moment, Lin Yi’s voice once again spoke:

"Of course, although this thing has its drawbacks and is quite fragile, it does not obscure its advantages, which is that if used for painting, it is more convenient to draw on and easier to store.

Compared to those precious silk scrolls, this item is cheaper to produce, and compared to the cumbersome bamboo slips, it’s much lighter in weight. Also, the lines that can be drawn on this paper are very beautiful, which rolls of cloth or bamboo slips cannot replace."

"Everyone may try it first to see how it works.

As for whether it can be preserved for a long time or if it can be torn, this is not something you need to consider, because if treated carefully, it won’t break.

Moreover, if you hang the painted portrait on the wall, and no one bothers it, why would it break?"

As these words were spoken, everyone immediately started to ponder again.

They also found the words reasonable, just as with a painting, who would tear it up for no reason?

Or who would puncture it for no reason?

Especially when Lin Yi mentioned that this thing was cheaper than silk scrolls, the painters began to be stirred.

After all, they had to paint many paintings daily, and it’s not that they could idle when not painting portraits for someone, because they had to continually practice their skills using various materials.

Thus, for the expensive materials like bamboo slips, their demand was hard to meet, especially since the Royal Family would not supply unlimited materials.

Now, looking at the paper in their hands, they all started to be intrigued.

Some were already eager to try it, and if this thing indeed worked as claimed, they would love it, so someone among them immediately spoke up:

"Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try first."

Seeing someone step out and speak first, all eyes turned to him, and then to Lin Yi.

Seeing this, Lin Yi nodded with satisfaction, then gestured with his hand and said:

"Go ahead and try. Fetch a wooden board as well, and use it underneath; the painting effect will be even better."

In a short time, someone brought a specialized wooden board, used by the painters to secure silk or fur when painting.

Now, with the white paper placed on top, the feeling was immediately different.

All the painters’ eyes lit up, imagining that painting on such pristine paper would yield excellent effects.

Sure enough, when the painter picked up the brush to paint the first stroke of a minister, the effect was immediate.

The black ink perfectly displayed on it, especially with the black and white contrast making the ink’s color even more vivid.

In this way, it immediately caught all the painters’ eyes, and each of them felt an itch in their hands.

Especially after observing the initial strokes, everyone couldn’t hold back anymore and asked Lin Yi to let them start painting right away.

Lin Yi naturally agreed to this wholeheartedly.

Thus, shortly after, a peculiar scene emerged within the entire Imperial Council Hall.

More than a dozen painters were making portraits of the eight important officials.

Meanwhile, the others looked on enviously.

Watching the eight people in the center, everyone wondered why it wasn’t them sitting there, noticing how those old fellows were already beaming with smugness.

In these old chaps’ minds, this was the new king’s sugar-coated appeal to them.

It was a tactic to show them how much he cared for and valued them—a stick followed by a sweet carrot, excellently calculated.

Unexpectedly, this new ruler seemed well-versed in kingship, with such stratagems, leaving these old folks not only pleased but also a bit unsettled; after all, it showed this figure wasn’t simple.

However, regardless of his complexity, since he has given them a sweet deal, it implies he plans to rely on them.

That was enough.

At the very least, their authority wouldn’t be diminished in the slightest.

Thus, with continued efforts, wouldn’t they further solidify their power over the years?

Someday, given the right opportunity, could they not boot him out, and wouldn’t their ascendancy mean reaching new heights?

In such an atmosphere, nearly an hour passed.

Just as Lin Yi took a short nap, the first painter gently set down his brush and gazed at the newly finished portrait with a satisfied nod, his eyes alight with joy.

Little did he expect, the result was even more perfect than imagined.

Moreover, looking at the portrait now.

[To be continued....]