GBP Chapter 785 Bamboo Paper
Chapter 785 Bamboo Paper
Lin Ping's idea was simple: to shorten the boiling time, thus saving a lot of firewood.
This step is actually easy to understand; it simply involves using alkaline solutions such as lime water to degumm the bamboo, allowing the plant fibers to separate naturally.
Because lime water is not very alkaline, its degumming effect is limited, so heating is used as an auxiliary method.
If Lin Ping can produce a stronger alkali solution, the heating process can be shortened or even eliminated.
Several days earlier, he had already prepared a caustic soda solution using soda ash and lime.
"Open them all!" Lin Ping said excitedly, pointing at the several large vats.
These bamboos, after being processed, have been soaking in the vat for seven days and seven nights. If all goes well, the degumming process should be complete.
Several servants quickly removed the seal from the water vat, and a foul stench wafted out. Even from dozens of meters away, Lin Ping could still feel the pungent smell.
The foul odor indicates that the fermentation process is complete.
Lin Ping pinched his nose and took a few steps forward, then retreated because of the irritation to his eyes.
After a long time, the stench gradually dissipated. Lin Ping excitedly stuck his head into the vat and discovered that thin plant fibers were floating in the caustic soda solution.
"It's done! It's done!" Lin Ping shouted excitedly.
He hurriedly ordered people to wash the fibers with a soda ash solution, then pound them into a paste in a mortar, and finally pour them into a papermaking vat. Sheets of white bamboo paper were thus created, resembling a woman's skin.
Lin Ping rubbed it a few times with great enjoyment, making a series of strange noises.
"Get your filthy hands off the bamboo paper. If you're so thirsty, why didn't you keep Miss Meng here last night?" Ping Xiujie glanced at Lin Ping with disdain and said with a meaningful look.
"You woke up last night, kid?" Lin Ping glared angrily at Ping Xiujie.
He had been wondering why such a loud commotion last night hadn't woken Ping Xiujie up.
It wasn't that he wasn't awake, but that he dared not make a sound, in case he was killed by bad guys.
When his scheme was exposed, Ping Xiujie gave an awkward laugh and said, "I only woke up after you left."
"Getting back to the point, how's that street I showed you going? Are you able to take it down smoothly?" Lin Ping became serious, not intending to pursue Ping Xiujie's unjust actions.
“That’s Xiaoyongfang, the center of wealth in the world. You can’t even dream of taking it without a few hundred thousand taels of silver.” Ping Xiujie deliberately raised his voice.
Lin Ping knew that this matter was somewhat rushed, after all, he didn't have much cash on hand.
We could have waited, but now it's a matter of urgency, and we must complete the plan as soon as possible.
"Let me think of something else. I guess those bosses won't last more than a few days," Ping Xiujie said, seeing Lin Ping's helplessness.
After lunch, Lin Ping continued his inventions, while Ping Xiujie went to Xiaoshi Yongfang again to inquire about the situation.
As evening approached, Ping Xiujie ran back, panting heavily.
"What's the matter?" Lin Ping stopped what he was doing and asked patiently.
Ping Xiujie, his hands on his knees, was panting heavily: "Something terrible has happened, something terrible has happened in Shuntian Prefecture."
"Is the sky falling down?" Lin Ping glanced at him and said.
This is the Daye Dynasty. Even if the sky falls, it will be the people of the Daye Dynasty who will hold it up. It has little to do with outsiders like us.
“Many people have come to Kyoto, and the streets are packed with people,” Hirai Shujie replied.
"If there aren't many people, how can it be called Kyoto? You're exaggerating." Lin Ping said with little interest.
Ping Xiujie shook his head and said, "No, that's not it. The princes and nobles of various countries have all come to the capital, and it is said that people from our Wu Kingdom are on their way as well."
Lin Ping's hand, which was about to continue its work, froze in mid-air. He frowned. "It seems the news has already spread."
Although he did not know the purpose of Chiyang Pavilion's announcement of the list of extraordinary people, he knew that it would cause a great deal of bloodshed.
In everyone's eyes, Chiyang Pavilion is a prestigious and righteous sect, the referee of the entire martial arts world, and only Lin Ping remains skeptical.
"Let them come. All we can do is raise the prices at Qingfenglou Restaurant tenfold," Lin Ping said after a pause.
Ping Xiujie was stunned, and involuntarily gave a thumbs up, "You're ruthless!"
In these times of bloodshed and turmoil, the people of Kyoto are filled with fear and unease. Only Lin Ping is thinking about making money, and he is doing so by taking money from high-ranking officials and nobles.
So what if vegetable prices increase tenfold? Will those nobles and royalty who have traveled from afar still not eat?
They're ripping off the powerful and wealthy!
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the capital city became increasingly bustling. The emperor had no choice but to send the Imperial Guards to secretly maintain order.
Lin Ping acted as if nothing was wrong, keeping busy with his hands.
"Has Da Ri not returned yet?" Lin Ping asked anxiously.
The shipment that Su Boming was in charge of escorting was of paramount importance and could not afford any mistakes. Lin Ping was really worried that the young man would not be able to handle the job well.
"If all goes well, we should arrive tonight," Ping Xiujie replied.
As evening approached, the entire Shuntian Prefecture came to a complete boil, just like boiling water.
As the venue for announcing the list of extraordinary individuals, Qingfeng Tower was packed with people, and the entire street was overflowing with people.
To restrict unauthorized personnel from entering, several burly gatekeepers stood at the entrance of Qingfeng Tower, openly collecting entrance fees.
Apart from the invited parties, all other individuals were required to pay fifty taels of silver.
This sum of silver is an astronomical figure for ordinary people, but it is just a drop in the ocean for some wealthy merchants.
They were willing to pay money in order to witness this grand occasion firsthand.
However, this income alone amounted to ten thousand taels, not to mention the cost of meals and drinks.
Even before the list of extraordinary individuals has been released, Lin Ping has already become a big winner.
"Miss, I heard that dignitaries from all over the world are gathered at Qingfeng Tower. Perhaps that young master from Wu Kingdom is among them. Why don't we go and take a look?" Yun'er asked excitedly.
Meng Qingge was engrossed in doing accounts, a state she had often been in since Lin Ping left.
"I have severed ties with that young master, and please do not mention him again." Meng Qingge said somewhat angrily, without even raising her head.
“Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should think about the old master. In all the world, I’m afraid only that young master from Wu Kingdom can cure the old master’s illness,” Yun’er retorted.
“Grandpa…” Meng Qingge felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
The reason she took the initiative to write to that young master was to ask for treatment for the old master's illness.
If she weren't so busy, she would have even gone to the Wu Kingdom to pay a visit.
The other party is likely currently in Kyoto, so we absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.
"If Young Master Chen finds out, he'll definitely be angry again," Rou'er tried to stop her.
"If he can't even see through the young lady's thoughts, what right does he have to be angry?" Yun'er retorted angrily.
What she said made sense; Meng Qingge deliberately approached the Prince of Wu in order to cure the old master's illness.
Lin Pingruo got angry because of this and didn't even give Meng Qingge a chance to explain. She really doesn't deserve to have love.