Chapter 171 We are family.
(Thanks to Fat Tiger 10 for casting 2 monthly tickets.)
Li Wangming was surprised that his paper mill produced paper so quickly.
He stepped forward and took a small stack of paper from the wooden box. He touched it, looked at it, and felt the thickness and texture of the paper. Then, with a smile, he said to Li Shiyue, "It's already quite impressive that you can produce such paper in just a few days!"
This paper seems suitable for writing on; if I opened a shop and sold it cheaply, it should be feasible.
Li Shiyue stepped forward and took out a roll of paper that she had prepared in advance, which felt soft to the touch, from the wooden box.
"Second Uncle, take another look. How much is this kind of paper, which is both soft and resilient, worth? Could it fetch a good price?"
The papermaking guide that Li Shiyue bought from the system certainly contained more than one papermaking formula; those 66 points were well worth it.
There are at least a dozen different papermaking recipes, both large and small.
Currently, Li Shiyue and Li Wangshui have only managed to produce two types of paper: one is the lowest grade of cardboard used by Li Wangming to practice calligraphy.
This paper is made from dried wild hemp found along the riverbank, using the cheapest and most readily available raw materials.
The next grade up was the medium-grade paper that Li Shiyue took out from the wooden box. This paper was divided into two boxes, one box was given to Liu Tan and the other box was given to Yan Jiuniang.
This medium-sized paper is more suitable for people with a certain level of writing skill, as it is flexible, thin, absorbent, and does not bleed ink.
However, they failed to produce high-quality paper in just two or three days, or rather, the papermaking process failed. Li Shiyue also went to find the reason, which was that there was a problem with the composting pool.
Because she was in a hurry to come to the prefectural city, she told Li Wangshui and the others that once she returned from the prefectural city, they would try together to see how to improve the paper so that they could make this superior paper.
In short, what Li Shiyue was thinking was that she looked at Li Wangming and said, "Now we need to sell paper in large quantities and at a price that is 10% or 20% lower than the market price so that we can open up the market and let people from all the businesses know about our Li's Paper Mill."
The real money was made from this medium-grade paper; the lower-grade paper was sold alongside it to support the paper mills.
As for high-quality paper, we'll go down the premium route from now on, supplying only to certain regions. Through General Da Jiang or Jiu Niang, we'll definitely have no trouble selling it;
After patting the wooden box, Li Shiyue asked Li Wangming, "Second Uncle, how is it?"
Seeing that Li Shiyue was well-informed and had a clear plan, Li Wangming smiled and nodded in agreement: "Okay!"
If you have a clear understanding of the situation, then this business deal will definitely succeed.
Even if it's just about volume, selling more of this inferior paper, it should still be enough to earn a meager living, so the business wouldn't be considered a loss.
If you can produce more good paper in the future, you'll be able to make even more money!
By October, the entire village will be set for life! This is a family business to be passed down through generations!
Li Shiyue hadn't thought that far ahead. She waved her hand at Li Wangming: "Second Uncle, I haven't thought that far ahead. I just want to find some income for the family. Also, I was thinking that when the border market opens, we'll have something to sell."
Although the barbarians don't use much paper, it would be helpful if merchants brought back a few boxes of paper on their way back, which could help us find out where our uncle is.
Also, my second uncle is studying in the prefectural city, which is quite far from home. I was thinking of opening a paper shop in the prefectural city in the future, so that we would have a place to stay.
From now on, whether we let Mother or Sister look after the shop, or hire someone to look after it, Second Uncle will have a place to go in the prefectural city, won't he?
It will be cheaper for us to contact each other in the future.
Otherwise, even at such a long distance, Mother would still be worried about Second Uncle, wondering if he was eating well, sleeping well, and if there were any obstacles in his studies.
Li Wangming hadn't expected what Li Shiyue said. He truly didn't think as much as Li Shiyue, and he certainly didn't expect that Li Shiyue's desire to open a paper shop in the prefectural city was partly for his sake.
"October? I..."
"Second Uncle, we are family, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. The family hopes that you can pass the county-level exam, then the provincial-level exam, and even the imperial exam, so that you can have a bright future and bring honor to the family. We can also benefit from your success, right?"
That tax-free zone alone has many advantages;
However, if my second uncle doesn't want to study anymore, that's fine too;
It's not bad for you to come home and help me manage the paper mill and paper shop. In this world, being able to eat and stay warm is a good thing; there's no need to ask for too much.
Hearing what Li Shiyue said, Li Wangming never expected that Li Shiyue would even think of this for him.
He wanted to say something, but looking into Li Shiyue's eyes, he didn't know what to say.
Does he think he'll definitely pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?
Or is it that he's not confident or something?
At this moment, Li's mother chimed in, "Wangming, studying is a good thing. When I was alive, I always hoped that you would pass the exam!"
Just focus on your studies and exams. We'll take care of things at home. Once the business takes off, we'll have money. Just study hard and don't worry about money.
Once everything goes smoothly again, my sister-in-law will marry a girl from a good family. Then, oh, those will be wonderful days!
The family chatted and laughed so much that they missed lunchtime. In the late afternoon, after eating some zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) that Li Wangming had bought, Li Shiyue suggested that they go out to find a restaurant for dinner.
"It's a holiday, so we should go out and have a good meal!"
Mother, Aunt, how are you?
Seeing that Li's mother and Zheng Meiniang nodded, Li Shiyue looked at Li Wangming and asked, "Second Uncle, do you know which restaurants are famous in this prefecture city?"
"Is it still possible for us to make a reservation now?"
Little did anyone know that Li Wangming would take out a small wooden strip with words carved on it from his pouch at his waist. After showing the wooden strip to everyone, he said to Li Shiyue and the others with a look of surprise, "My classmate told me a long time ago that there are opera performances in restaurants all over the city during the New Year. So I booked a private room on the second floor of Yuelai Restaurant in advance!"
"We should go before 5 PM, that's when the show starts!"
"Oh dear! I've never seen a proper opera in the city before!"
Li Xiatian shouted excitedly, and even the somewhat bewildered Shi Tou chimed in, "Watch the show! Watch the show!"
"Second Uncle, you're really amazing!"
Li Shiyue gave Li Wangming a thumbs-up, and Li Wangming now understood that this gesture meant something impressive and excellent.
He couldn't suppress his smile and said happily, "Haha, I'm glad you like it! Our whole family should have some fun too."
Because they had to go to the restaurant to watch a play that evening, Li's mother specially forced Li Shiyue to style her hair into a double bun, taking down the bun that Li Shiyue had originally styled on top of her head, and carefully styling her hair into a bun that only a young and beautiful mother would style.
Moreover, she even tore her own cloth in half on the spot and used the needle and thread she brought to make two hairbands for Li Shiyue.
Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Li Shiyue felt that her hairstyle and her rather sleek robes were really not a good match.
"Mother, why don't we comb it back?"
This hairstyle doesn't match my clothes at all! If I go out with this updo, people will laugh at me!
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