The paper needed in the palace is all produced by the Paper Making Institute under the Shengfang Order.
The Paper Making Institute is very large, aside from a few craftsmen, all others are eunuchs from the palace.
Seeing the Fourth Prince and the Tenth Prince coming to the Paper Making Institute, the eunuchs were shocked, as nobility, let alone princes, had never visited here before.
Eunuch Han called a young eunuch named Ding Luo over. He is the eunuch in charge at the Paper Making Institute and also the most skilled papermaking craftsman there. Eunuch Han had him introduce the papermaking process to the Fourth and Tenth Princes.
Seeing the Fourth Prince and the Tenth Prince interested in papermaking, Ding Luo naturally introduced their daily papermaking process to them with great enthusiasm and detail.
The Fourth Prince and the Tenth Prince listened very attentively.
Zhao Yao asked Ding Luo for clarification whenever he heard something he didn’t understand or was curious about.
According to Ding Luo’s introduction, the current paper is made from tree bark, hemp heads, rags, and old fishing nets. These materials are clearly cheap, but the paper made from them is not cheap, because the papermaking technology at this time is not very advanced or perfected.
Papermaking did not appear very long ago, but was developed just over twenty years ago, which is why the paper is expensive.
Currently, paper quality is more or less the same everywhere, without differentiation between high-grade or low-grade paper. That means the paper the emperor uses daily is the same as the paper used by the common people. However, many noble families and wealthy individuals still write on silk to show off their status.
Zhao Yao stood aside, carefully observing how the eunuchs made paper.
Seeing Zhao Yao furrowing his brows, the Fourth Prince asked with concern, "What’s wrong?"
"Fourth Brother, don’t you find the paper we use now is yellow and very coarse?" In the world of Zhao Yao’s dreams, the paper was very fine. Oh right, they had a type of paper called "Xuan paper," which was particularly excellent and practical.
"It has always been , what’s wrong with it?"
"I have a method that could improve it."
Upon hearing Zhao Yao say that, Ding Luo’s eyes lit up with curiosity and he asked, "Tenth Highness, what is this method you speak of?"
The Fourth Prince also asked curiously, "What method?"
"The materials we currently use for papermaking are too simple. Have you ever thought of adding other things, such as straw, bamboo, mulberry bark, and rattan bark?" Zhao Yao said, "Paper made from these materials would be better than the paper we make now. If you don’t believe it, you can try."
Ding Luo humbly asked, "Tenth Highness, why do you say so?"
"A lot of our clothes are also made from these materials. I think you could try using these materials for papermaking," Zhao Yao said seriously, "You could also add other things. I think you could try them one by one; perhaps you can produce delicate, white paper."
"Yes, paper as white as snow," Zhao Yao recalled the Xuan paper from the world of his dreams and said, "This paper would have beautiful textures, and writing on it wouldn’t seep through to the back side."
The type of paper Zhao Yao mentioned was exactly the kind Ding Luo wanted to make, but he had never figured out how. Hearing Zhao Yao’s words, he felt as if his mind had been suddenly opened.
"Paper made from mulberry bark, bamboo, and straw would surely be very strong. I strongly suggest you try it."
Ding Luo quickly bowed and said, "I will definitely try everything you said, Tenth Highness."
Zhao Yao said with full confidence, "Believe me, the paper made from these things will definitely be excellent."
The Fourth Prince said to Eunuch Han and Ding Luo, "Since my Tenth Brother has said so, you should try them all."
"Yes, Fourth Highness."
Zhao Yao stayed in the Paper Making Institute for a while longer, before following the Fourth Prince out.
Just as the Fourth Prince was about to speak, Zhao Yao asked Eunuch Han, "Does the Shengfang Order have glue clay?"
Eunuch Han responded respectfully, "Yes, Tenth Highness, do you need it?"
"I want it to make something." Zhao Yao then asked, "Are there craftsmen skilled in carving characters in the Shengfang Order?"
"Choose one with good skills to come find me tomorrow at noon," Zhao Yao instructed again, "It’s best if it’s a eunuch." If it’s a regular craftsman, they have to leave the palace by the end of the afternoon. If it’s a eunuch, he can call for him at any time.
"I will definitely select a eunuch with excellent carving skills for you."
Zhao Yao nodded and said nothing more.
Eunuch Han asked respectfully, "Tenth Highness, do you have any other instructions?"