12 Waves
It's been two months since paper entered the market. The production rate of paper is around 250,000 to 300,000 sheets per month.
At first, Riz supplied the paper to his father. His father first ordered 10 bales (1 bale is 5000 sheets) of paper. When receiving the paper, Richard immediately ordered Edward to arrange for personnel to transfer the documents to the paper form. He also ordered the town hall and merchant guild to do the same.
He decided that from now the usage of parchment will be reduced and increase the usage of paper.
The emergence of paper has caused a storm in the market. Its cheapness and convenience have gained popularity among people, especially among merchants.
They are the group that used a lot of parchment to record business transactions.
As for the parchment industry in Bideford, they have been crippled before they even have time to think of making any retaliation.
Of course, there are some people who voice their dissatisfaction, but they have been shut up by the lord. However, that's not the case in other places. Parchment makers in other places have united to ban the paper.
But it doesn't stop people from using paper.
First, the inventor of paper is the lord's youngest son.
Second, parchment makers have been monopolising the writing industry for a long time. These people have been controlling the price of parchment and making it as expensive as possible. One of them is Count of Gyalcakes.
Since Bideford is located on the trade route, the influence of paper has spread to the neighbouring Gyalcakes County and Royal territory. By now, many people in the noble society know Riz's identity. He has attracted more attention than he initially thought.
....
In the garden located at the back of the mansion, Josephine sat gracefully with her daughter, Reina, savoring their afternoon tea.
"Have you perchance been made aware of the paper that kid made, Reina?" inquired Josephine, her voice laced with elegance.
"No, Mother," Reina replied.
"Are you absolutely certain he didn't disclose it to you? Given your close bond, I assumed he would confide in you about everything if you simply inquired," Josephine remarked.
"I already ask him where he's disappearing every day but he didn't tell me." Reina shared with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Now I understand why he has been seldom seen at home over the past few months. I never anticipated that he would venture into entrepreneurship and create such a significant impact," says Reina.
"So that kid now has started learning to hide things", Josephine murmured in a soft, low voice.
There is a reason for Josephine to ask this. Yesterday, the letter from her father, Baron Csorvar arrived. He wants Josephine to acquire information on paper making process from Riz. Josephine is considering whether to help her father or not.
Clearly, the paper has disturbed the parchment industry in Csorvar. Unlike Bideford, Csorvar is located further south in Gyalcakes County, away from trade east and west trade routes. They depend heavily on parchment to obtain income.
"I can't help but wonder how that woman is faring," Josephine mused, her thoughts drifting to a certain woman. "She must have been exerting great efforts to secure a noble title for her son. And now, the youngest one has demonstrated remarkable potential."
The woman Josephine refers to is, of course, Maria.
....
The room exudes opulence, its exquisite furnishings crafted from the finest materials by skilled artisans. Every element of the decor bears testament to the sophisticated and refined nature of its owner, Maria Gyalcakes, the lady of the house.
Clutching the letter from her father tightly in her hand, Maria's face contorts with anger. The elegant surroundings seem to tremble, as her simmering fury permeates the air. The missive from her father urged her to take action against the half-commoner brat who caused waves in the kingdom.
Maria is really worried about the threat that Riz poses to her son. Now, that brat is making a name for himself, not only nobles but also commoners are praising him. In contrast, her son is stuck at the kingdom's border.
The cheap paper reduces the resource burden for poor noble and rich merchants to provide education to their children.
Who will not be grateful to someone who will help their children study?
She also knows just how deeply Richard loves this son of his. He will not hesitate to make Riz his successor once Robert makes a mistake. In fact, Maria also suspected that Richard played a role behind the scene to send Robert to the border.
There are no nobles with sane minds who will send their successor to the border.
"That commoner brat should just live quietly." Maria seethed with anger, her voice tinged with disdain. "Why did he suddenly create that accursed paper?" Her frustration and indignation echoed through the room.
Looking at the letter in her hand. She knows that she needs to do something about that brat.
....
Napuna, capital city of Bagyarosia Kingdom
Seated upon the resplendent throne, a man is listening to his ministers' report as the discussion had persevered for over three arduous hours.
The man exuded an air of majestic authority and commanding presence. He is King Nicholas Napuna Bagyarosia, also known as Nicholas I, the current ruler of the Bagyarosia Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, The Principality of Barlia in the north have shown some movement. They have been gathering troops near our border. Not only that, they seem to reach a cooperation with the United Republic of Blandge. If we don't do anything, The second North-South War might occur." said Prime Minister Wendell.
"Did the envoy from the Republic of Cerdeauxia has arrived?", ask Nicholas I
"The envoy arrived yesterday, he is waiting to seek an audience with your majesty."
"Let him in."
Soon, the envoy arrived in the throne hall.
"Your majesty, thank you for being willing to meet with me. I come on behalf of the republic to offer an alliance between our two nations against the threat on the north"
"Hmm", Nicholas I closed his eyes and starts thinking. The war that happen more than a hundred years ago was told to him by his late father. The war made the kingdom lose half of its territory and put the capital in danger. 'If not because of Ryntum....we might lose the territory forever and Barlia might be able to establish a firm foothold in the south.'
A few moments later, he opens his eyes and looks at the envoy, "I agree to form an alliance with your nation, as for the specific, you can discuss it with the prime minister"
"Thank you, your majesty. Our republic will remember your wise act". The envoy felt relieved. Cerdeauxia is far smaller in terms of size and population, there is no way they are able to fend off the enemies alone.
"Is there anything else?", Nicholas I is looking at the prime minister.
"There is no more important agenda, your majesty. However, please take a look at this", the prime minister handed the paper to Nicholas I.
"What's this?"
"Apparently it is called paper. It is a new medium of writing. It was invented by Ryntum's youngest son. The parchment industry has been turbulent in the past few months because of this", Wendell explained.
"Hoohh..?! I never know House of Ryntum has this kind of talent." He was amazed by this paper. Now, he knows why parchment makers were shaken. "Are we also started using paper?" He continues to ask.
"Yes, your majesty. We have started the transition from parchment to paper. Paper only cost 1 Ros, far cheaper than parchment. We can save a lot of expenses."
....
While others are discussing the emergence of paper, Riz is in his workshop making sure the production encounters no problem and solving the supply of wood. The demand for wood will continue to increase over time, solely relying on Givry Forest alone is not enough.
Riz is writing steps to increase the harvest. The current three field systems are not efficient and fully utilize the available land. Three field systems divided the field into three parts, wheat or rye; oat or beans; fallow. The four-field system however didn't have fields that were left fallow. Four different crops are grown, wheat, turnips, barley, and clover.
He also designed some equipment that can help improve efficiency. Some of them are the horse-powered reaper machine and cotton gin. Riz aim to liberate as much manpower as possible, especially the children.
With the existence of paper, the cost of education decreased by a large margin. Riz want to educate the young generation as soon as possible. He will definitely need them in the future.
