Elara thought back to the three piles of paper she had seen in the paper mill. The mill manager had told her the rough number of sheets and the daily production speed. Elara had compared it herself and found that the thickness of the paper was similar to modern A4 sheets, with about one hundred sheets being one centimeter thick.
Each of those three piles in the paper mill was around three meters tall. Each sheet was one meter long and half a meter wide. After cutting, each could make around three sheets the size of A4 paper.
She did a simple calculation and took away the amount that Marigold City itself would need. Elara estimated how many sheets could be sold. "After cutting, there should still be over a hundred thousand sheets left," she said, showing them a sample of A4 paper in her hand.
"If we don't cut them, each original sheet is about the size of three A4 sheets. There should still be over thirty thousand sheets like that. The price for each original sheet would be around one tael of silver."
After she finished speaking, she added, "If that's still not enough, I can keep producing more paper. Mr. Yu and Leif, if you want more, just stay in Marigold City for a few more days. I can produce several thousand or even tens of thousands more sheets of raw paper."
That was the efficiency of the papermaking technique provided by System 92. With the process simplified, each sheet could be made in three days, and a single factory could produce over five thousand sheets in that time, which meant more than a thousand sheets a day.
Although this couldn't compare to the modern world where even a small factory could make millions of sheets in one day, in this era where everything was still primitive and underdeveloped, that speed was already considered miraculous.
And if just one factory could produce so much, then if Elara built a few more factories and recruited more skilled workers, the profits would naturally multiply.
Leif and Mr. Yu looked at each other again after hearing that, both showing clear surprise and understanding in their eyes.
To think such a valuable item could be produced this fast, no wonder three sheets were sold for just one or two silver coins, and right from the start she offered a hundred thousand sheets.
Leif picked up one of the books on the table and asked, "Does this kind of paper get damp over time? Does it need to be aired out once in a while?"
Asking this now showed just how much of an impact the paper had made on them. They were clearly impressed.
Actions speak louder than words. Elara smiled, "Don't worry, Young Master. As long as it's kept in a dry, ventilated place without direct sun or rain, this kind of paper will stay in perfect condition for years. Well, unless it gets eaten by bugs."
Leif frowned slightly. "This paper attracts bugs?" Some bamboo slips did that too, and they were a pain to deal with.
Elara shook her head. "It doesn't attract bugs, unless you put it right next to a nest. In that case, they might chew through it. If you two don't believe me, you can take some back to test before making more orders."
Her words completely removed their last bit of hesitation. Paper was the kind of thing you could judge by touching it and writing on it. As for long-term storage, that would be clear only after buying it and trying.
So as soon as Elara finished, Leif said, "No need. I trust you."
Elara raised her brows and saw Leif lower his eyes and think for a moment. Then he gave a large order without even pausing to breathe.
"No need to cut them. I'll buy raw sheets. I want to buy all thirty thousand sheets Her Highness already has, and I'll also order another one hundred thousand sheets. As for the deposit, how about I pay half first?"
No wonder he was the owner of the Zhaiyun Workshop. He really knew how to spend big.
The deposit alone for a hundred thousand raw sheets was fifty thousand taels. Adding the thirty thousand already in Elara's hands, Leif had already filled over half the amount she needed for the fourth mission, which was over a hundred thousand taels.
Elara curled her lips slightly, pushing down her excitement at closing the deal. She was about to have someone bring a pen and make a simple purchase agreement when Mr. Yu laughed and cut in.
"Oh! When it comes to business, Leif, you really don't hold back. You bought all thirty thousand sheets Her Highness had in stock without leaving me a single one. I thought we'd split them half and half and wait for more to be made later..."
Leif looked at Mr. Yu and said with a bit of helplessness, "Business is business, Mr. Yu."
Mr. Yu sighed, "True, can't argue with that. I was just too slow to speak up," he said, then turned to Elara with a smile, "Then I'll also order two hundred thousand sheets, uncut. I'll pay half the deposit first too, alright?"
Elara's first big paper deal was completed just like that.
The deposits from the two of them together far exceeded the one hundred forty thousand taels she lacked. As soon as the silver arrived, she would have completed the fourth mission and be able to receive the Ancient Cold Weapons and Armor Crafting Compendium. The forge would immediately start production. At the same time, she could use the money to buy grain, completing the fifth mission and preparing for the upcoming war.
To make sure the orders could be completed quickly, Elara signed the basic contracts with Leif and Mr. Yu, then sent Uno to notify the construction department. She told them to pause the city renovation in Marigold City and focus on building more papermaking and smelting factories, to prepare for the mass production of paper and weapons.
After giving Uno the instructions, she saw Mr. Yu and Leif get up from their chairs, getting ready to return and prepare the deposits of over a hundred thousand taels.
Elara watched them leave and called out to Mr. Yu.
When both turned their heads to look back, she looked directly at Mr. Yu and said,
"There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you, Mr. Yu. Could you stay a little longer?"
Mr. Yu blinked and looked at Leif, then turned back to Elara. "Are you sure it's me you want to talk to, not Leif?"