Chapter 767: Papermaking and Printing
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Su family had also signed a cooperation with Ye Feiran. She had also transported some of the Su family’s goods to sell in the south. Then, she used her name to buy a few shops to sell the Su family’s goods.
The profit belonged solely to her and had nothing to do with the Ye family. Therefore, her family could not restrain her.
Su Wenwu also bought many shops there to open more hotpot restaurants. Previously, Su Binglan sent him a letter, and it was about time for him to reply.
Now that Su Yi and the other Sacrificials had completed their preliminary training, Su Binglan began giving them tasks. Her twelve subordinates were highly capable, and she felt at ease with them handling business.
After dinner and helping her parents clean up, Su Binglan saw a shadow from the corner of her eyes. Her ears perked up, knowing it was the Sacrificials. When she finished cleaning, she motioned to return to her room.
However, Su Wenxiu thought of something and quietly approached his sister, saying, “Um, I thought a few doctors could write a few basic books for the exchange meetings. Then, the students could use those books to learn.
“It’s just that the cost will be high if we have a lot of students who need books. After all, paper is too expensive, not to mention the labor it involves to copy each book.”
These things required silver, and Su Wenxiu did not charge his patients for consultations. Moreover, he sold his herbs at low prices. He also did not have time to run businesses to earn more money.
Although Su Binglan had allocated a shop for Su Wenxiu, he wanted to use it as an herbal medicine shop. Still, he had no time to handle that now. Therefore, he did not have much money.
Still, he thought his sister would sponsor him because he had made his intentions clear. Su Wenxiu blinked at Su Binglan pitifully.
Of course, she was not stingy and would help him. She asked, “The cost of paper is high, but we can reduce it.”
“Huh?” Su Wenxiu was puzzled, wondering why she sounded so confident and how they could do such a thing. He racked his brain but could not think of anything. He also realized the business world might not suit him. “There’s a paper-making technique I know,” Su Binglan said.
Su Wenxiu was shocked, asking, “What’s that?”
The others perked up when Su Binglan said that. They quickly turned to her in unison, forgetting what they were doing.
Back then, Su Fengmao and Shen Qiuhua wanted to send their children to school but could not afford it. Hence, the Su brothers and Su Binglan never studied in school.
The yearly school fees were somewhat affordable, but books, ink, brushes, inkstones, and paper were costly especially books. Naturally, Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin related to that more than the others because of Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai.
The little ones could only attend Blue Mountain Academy because of Su Binglan. Otherwise, Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin could not have sent their boys to school because it was expensive.
Fortunately, the two boys knew how to save money. They would use the front and the back of their paper. Therefore, Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin became excited when Su Binglan mentioned a paper-making technique.
They wondered if she knew how to make paper. They never expected her to know such a thing. Since they had witnessed her various talents, they could not help but believe her. The family instinctively thought Su Binglan was omnipotent.
Su Binglan turned and looked at her family, saying, “We can use cheap materials to make paper and save our costs. In that case, everyone else in the village can afford paper.”
Su Wenxiu excitedly grabbed his sister’s hand and said, “Really? Can you make paper?”
His eyes widened in disbelief, thinking he had misheard Su Binglan.
Shen Qiuhua was shocked. After returning to her senses, she said, “Binglan, it would help a lot of people if we can make paper at low costs. Most can’t afford to attend school because of paper. Surprisingly, people spend more on school equipment than school fees.”
If the paper were cheaper, most villagers would be willing to pay for school fees. They still wanted their children to attend school because they would have better jobs when they grew up.
Instead of being farmers, their children could be store managers or stewards. Then, they could earn more without working too hard. That was what most villagers thought in that era. If a village could produce a scholar, it would make the village famous.
Su Binglan understood her mother’s concerns. Previously, Su Binglan was always busy with her businesses and never had time to consider such things.
After some thought, she said, “I told Xueye to build a few factories on the commercial street. Although they’re for commercial use, I’ll use two of them. One will be for paper-making, and the other will be for printing. That way, we can offer cheaper paper with printing, making books much more affordable.”
These two aspects were unlike her businesses, which required investments in the early stages. If the family had done this from the beginning, they might not have sufficient funds.
However, the family now had the funds to hire people to make paper and do printing.
Liu Yinyin became excited, knowing it could provide more work for people and help them send their children to school. She looked at Su Binglan and thought the latter’s entire body was glowing.
She was Droud to have a sister-in-law like Su Binglan.
The family was excited, while Su Binglan was calm. After all, she knew how to make paper.
Su Fengmao knew it could benefit many families. He asked, “Binglan, do you need to hire people to work in those two factories? I can do that.”
“I want to help, too, Binglan.” Shen Qiuhua patted her husband’s arm as she spoke.
The family wanted to witness this historical moment. They knew they would be famous with this idea.
Su Binglan looked at her parents, and the corners of her mouth twitched. “You don’t have to be so anxious. The factory will belong to us, so you can go and help whenever you want. Still, I won’t hire the villagers to work this time.” Shen Qiuhua asked doubtfully, “But don’t you need people to make the paper?”
Su Binglan smiled. “I do, but I want to hire retired soldiers and their family members who had gotten injured on the battlefield. I want to give them this job so they can earn a good living..”