Datang: I am the prince of salted fish, I impeach Li Er at the beginning

Chapter 171 It's Cheaper, But Not Much Cheaper

The temperament cultivated since childhood is difficult to conceal in front of discerning people.

Dongshi is a place frequented by noble people. What kind of customers has the boss not seen?
Just looking at Li Zhi's aura, one can tell at a glance that he is either rich or expensive.

His temperament, at first glance, is not something that ordinary people can cultivate.

So even if Li Zhi complained to his face that the price was too high, the shopkeeper didn't dare to show any disrespect.

Seeing Li Zhi's eyes wandering around, as if looking for the location of the bamboo paper, the shopkeeper came out from behind the counter and pulled out a large bundle of rolled paper from a huge porcelain vase.

Then, he handed the bundle of papers towards Li Zhi.

"This is the new bamboo paper from the capital."

Li Zhi took it in his hand and observed it carefully.

On the side, the shopkeeper introduced it to him very insightfully.

"In the past, the papermaking institutes in Beijing also produced bamboo paper, but it was much more expensive than now, and the production was not uniform enough."

"I don't know what process has been improved recently in papermaking. The quality of paper is much better than in the past, and the price has dropped."

"Bamboo paper that used to sell for five hundred cents a ream now sells for three hundred cents a ream."

"If you think rice paper is too expensive, you can also buy bamboo paper. The quality is actually not much different."

Compared with the pure white rice paper, bamboo paper looks yellowish overall.

If you touch the surface carefully, you can also see the difference between the two.

The surface of rice paper is very smooth and feels smooth to the touch.

As for bamboo paper, it is a bit jerky and feels very rough to the touch.

But the price is there.

It is only natural that there is such a big difference in the price and quality of the two different papers.

Li Zhi unwrapped the bundled papers, took out a sheet, and tugged it back and forth.

Feel the toughness of bamboo paper with the strength of your hands.

After trying it a few times, I unexpectedly found that the toughness of the paper was okay.

In addition, the cut was very flat and the color was not too dark, which made his perception of bamboo paper much better.

"Three hundred cash per order? In other words, ten pieces of six cash?"

Li Zhi turned to look at the shopkeeper and confirmed the price of the paper again.

When the shopkeeper heard it, he couldn't figure it out for a while. He pinched his fingers and calculated for a long time before nodding hesitantly.

"Twenty knives per order, you should be right, my lord."

"Oh, like this."

Li Zhi was thoughtful, tapped his fingers on the paper, and began to think.

Overall, the price of bamboo paper is still very expensive.

Ten sheets cost six cents, which means that the price of a piece of paper is about two and a half yuan.

If it is said that it is to be compiled into a book, it will be counted as four pages per sheet.

Not counting pen and ink costs and labor costs.

A 31-page book will cost about [-] articles in total, and the cost will be nearly two hundred.

Damn, the price is just as bad as hell.

If all other costs are added up, the price of a book may be as high as five hundred.

This is acceptable to the gentry class.

But for ordinary people, it's a lot of money.

It is so difficult to popularize books.

Li Zhi thought for a while and had to give up some naive ideas and cut off those redundant inspirations.

Go back to the roots and only consider the most realistic parts.

He thought for a while and asked the shopkeeper: "When did Hsinchu paper start to be supplied, and how long did it take for the price to come down?"

"It's been about half a month. If I remember correctly, it should have been supplied by the papermaking factory half a month ago." The shopkeeper thought about it and answered hesitantly.

Hearing this, Li Zhi asked again: "What is your purchase price? I am talking about the price that the paper manufacturer supplies to you."

The king?

The shopkeeper's pupils shrank suddenly and he replied in a deep voice: "Two hundred coins, the price given by the paper maker is two hundred coins per ream."

Hearing this answer, Li Zhi shook his head again and again.

"It's too expensive, it's still too expensive. This price reduction can only be said to be a drop in the bucket."

The paper provided by papermaking to the folk is basically the cost price, and it cannot be lower than this.

So, isn't the time ripe yet?
Or, is my mentality too impetuous, too anxious?
It seems to be true.

The 40.00% price reduction in half a month is already exaggerated.

If we continue to improve the paper machine, can the price be lowered?
If you want to promote books, the price of a book has to be reduced to twenty cents, right?
In other words, even if movable type printing is promoted, the price of paper must be suppressed to about one-third.

Oh shit!

This is a bit difficult, and there seems to be no hope for the time being.

Gee!
Let's wait for a while, wait for the price of paper to drop a bit, and then think about popularizing books.

Li Zhi was deep in thought, and the boss couldn't help but feel a little anxious when he saw that he had no intention of coming back to his senses.

New guests came in outside, and they were two young ladies.

But he didn't dare to leave easily, he didn't know what to do for a while.

Fortunately, at this time, Li Zhi came back to his senses and opened his mouth.

Otherwise, he really doesn't know what to do.

"Pick me a ream of bamboo paper and send it to the house in the southwest of Yongxingfang. If you pay, you will pay when you deliver it. There should be no problem, right?"

One ream is [-] sheets of paper, so much paper is too heavy for Li Zhi to carry it back.

In addition, he didn't have much money on him, so he simply asked the shopkeeper to help him deliver it.

For high-ranking households, this is the most normal transaction method, and the shopkeeper will naturally have no objection.

He quickly agreed, and called the waiter to do what Li Zhi asked.

While the shopkeeper was busy, Li Zhi looked at other products.

At this time, a pleasant voice came from his ears.

"Myolie, third brother is going to take the imperial examination soon. It's time to study hard. Do you think it will disturb him if I buy him a pen at this time and wish him a gold medal?"

There was a hint of anxiety and worry in the clear voice.

It's like a little girl who is not deeply involved in the world, worrying about a little thing, it sounds a little funny.

The maid on the side seemed to think so too, and replied rather helplessly: "Miss, you have asked me all the time! The third young master loves you so much. If you give him a gift, it will be too late for him to be happy. How can I blame you?"

Listening to the question and answer between the two, Li Zhi felt that the former's voice was very pleasant, so he couldn't help turning his head to take a look.

He just did it out of pure curiosity, subconsciously.

But when he turned his head and saw the girl behind him, he couldn't take his eyes off.

How can I describe it better?
Is it like seeing a pure and innocent spirit walking in the world?
The girl's overall first impression on him was two words: clean.

(End of this chapter)