Chapter 67: Chapter 63: The Deal
"For now, this is the price."
Luo De calculated the production; the four pulp hammers could produce around one to one and a half thousand sheets of paper a day.
The price might be reduced in the future.
However, Luo De did not mention this.
The current paper is still thick; if it were thinner, more could be produced.
Production is not high, and raw materials are scarce, so the price cannot drop at all.
Getting a definitive answer, Lusen was full of shock and asked, "Can I have a pen to try it out?"
"Of course."
Just as Luo De finished speaking, Lawrence, beside him, dipped the quill in ink and handed it to Lusen with a face full of pride.
He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Lusen took the pen and quickly began to write and draw on it.
The ink flowed smoothly on the new paper, with no hindrance whatsoever.
The ink marks were clear without any smearing.
For now, Luo De didn’t have alum, using animal glue for sizing, making the paper still thick. The writing experience was excellent, no worse than parchment.
"Although it’s not sturdy, this price is completely acceptable!"
Lusen scrutinized the paper in his hand, happiness written all over his face.
The key is the low cost of writing.
Lusen calculated in his heart.
The spellcasters often write and draw, consuming a large amount of paper.
The price of parchment is more than two hundred copper coins; even wealthy people can’t squander it at will.
This forced everyone to use wooden boards, writing and erasing, erasing and writing, which was very inconvenient.
But if it were sixty copper coins a sheet of paper, people would worry much less about using it.
Ordinarily, letting ideas flow freely on this cheap new paper, and once the information is entirely determined, transcribe it onto parchment for preservation.
It’s convenient and economical, a win-win situation, truly a blessing for everyone.
It’s convenient and economical, a win-win situation.
"I want one thousand, no, two thousand sheets!"
Lusen waved his hand generously, and in his excitement, he suddenly reacted, asking expectantly, "Is it available?"
Luo De nodded, "It can be, but you’ll need to wait a few days."
"No problem, I can wait!"
Lusen responded decisively.
This way, two thousand sheets of paper only required twelve gold coins; cut to the size of ordinary books, that’s eight thousand sheets, enough for the Dawn Society to use for a while.
"This is really something to love, and if everyone uses it well, I will order more!"
Lusen’s funds were limited, and twelve gold coins were already a bit over the limit.
"How is this made? Why is the price so cheap?"
In his excitement, Lusen couldn’t help but ask.
There was a brief silence.
Luo De didn’t speak, just smiled and watched Lusen.
"Ah, sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that."
Lusen quickly reacted.
Such a valuable new paper-making method certainly couldn’t be casually disclosed.
Luo De did not stand on ceremony, directly saying, "Lusen, I am selling the new paper to you because I trust the Dawn Society.
You will be the first batch to use this new paper, so don’t betray my trust."
"Understood, rest assured, esteemed Lord Baron, I will definitely convey this trust and kindness to the wise."
Lusen said seriously, "I believe the wise will also be very grateful for your trust."
Lusen wasn’t a fool; this new paper would surely be very popular, especially among the nobles, who needed to write and record frequently.
In daily life, not all written materials need long-term preservation, such as unimportant correspondence, where cheap new paper is more suitable.
"Alright, let’s go see my goods then."
Having said that, Luo De, along with Lusen and Lawrence, headed to the inn.
Lusen did not lie; the twenty new chain armor shirts and skirt armors he brought were brand new without a single scratch.
Luo De would prioritize these new pieces of equipment for the guards and veterans, and the equipment they replace would be given to the new recruits in order.
There was no other way, as the guards were the earliest loyal followers of Luo De, so naturally, they deserved better treatment.
Besides these pieces of equipment, Lusen also prepared an additional ten chain armor shirts and skirt armors, which Luo De gladly accepted and planned to pay with salt.
"Salt?"
Lusen smiled wryly as he pulled back the oilcloth on the cart to reveal six wooden barrels underneath,
"I thought you didn’t have salt here, so I specially brought it for you."
Lusen was well-intentioned.
Otherwise, when passing through other big cities, he would have already sold all this salt.
After all, in this season, as the temperature warms, many foods need to be preserved through pickling, and the demand for salt surges.
Luo De also realized.
Not long ago, Lusen mentioned the Western Isles, indicating that the Dawn Society should not lack salt.
"If that’s the case, I won’t settle with salt for you."
"It’s fine, salt is good; I’ll take the trade team and see deeper into the Desert."
Lusen said with a smile, "But the price needs to be lowered a bit, as the trade team also has to earn something."
"Hmm, the price can be lowered, but you shouldn’t go deep into the Desert; it’s a bit chaotic recently."
Luo De advised.
The distant trade team was coming to the Desert for the first time, and the alien races might not be friendly to them.
The trade team had only fifteen guards, which did not seem too strong.
Unless Lusen was highly skilled, if they encountered an alien race, the trade team might end up as prisoners.
"Then we won’t go."
Lusen decided very decisively, also meaning he listened to advice.
"Even if we don’t go, these salts can be sold on the way back."
On the inland trade routes, salt was relatively scarce and never lacked a market.
"Then I’ll trade salt with you."
The salt mine in the territory was richly stocked, with stable production, bringing back one and a half to two thousand pounds of salt weekly.
Luo De gave Lusen three thousand pounds of salt, plus two bear skins, in exchange for those ten chain armor shirts and skirt armors.
To make room in Lusen’s cart, Luo De also took the two thousand pounds of wheat, exchanging them for a hundred rabbit skins, twenty deer skins, and three wolf skins.
The remaining transactions were relatively miscellaneous, trading herbs, jerky, and dried mushrooms for daily necessities like candles and ink, as well as honey.
The place where the Dawn Society was located should have been blooming in spring, with bees becoming active, so all ten jars of honey Lusen brought were kept by Luo De.
Having handled all these, Luo De asked Lawrence to entertain Lusen well.
Then Luo De himself returned to the manor to feed Frost and Thunder.
These little guys ate a lot, needing to eat a pound of jerky every day.
Three pounds of fresh meat usually only made one pound of jerky, which meant each young dragon actually consumed a pound and a half of meat.
Once they’ve eaten, they fall into a slumber, barely waking up except to eat.
However, they grow at an astonishing pace.
In less than a week, they had already grown to be larger than a medium-sized dog.
Of course, they weren’t as plump as a medium-sized dog, looking somewhat skinny, but their frames were rapidly elongating.
Once Frost and Thunder were full and back asleep, Luo De walked out from the house as the sky was dim.
The once splendid sunset was now completely obscured by clouds.
[Construction of the poultry and livestock pen is complete, with five types of poultry and livestock raised (at least 50 of each), unlocking the entry: Stable Affinity]
"Fortunately, the progress wasn’t delayed, and it was finished before dark."
Luo De received the notification of the complete entry, indicating the townspeople had finished building the livestock pen.
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