Chapter 812: Paper Making Benefits

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Those who came from the prefecture felt nervous coming to Su Teng Village, but they knew Prince Ruozhu and Princess Binglan would not mislead them.

They only realized how advanced the village was after staying there for a few days.

Since they had nothing much to do when they first arrived, they familiarized themselves with the village and its people. The more they learned about the village, the more shocked they became.

Those from the prefecture had also asked about the medical school and learned that not just anyone could enter as they wished. Medicine was not something people could learn just because they wanted to.

Their children could attend medical school for free because their family members were soldiers who had contributed to Dingzhou.

Old Master Cao even remembered his neighbors wanting to sign up for the army before he left the prefecture. His neighbors knew Prince Ruozhu would treat them well if they joined the army and contributed to Dingzhou.

Old Master Cao said, “I heard that, too. I noticed most of the students are girls and that everyone respects them.”

He was not old-fashioned and did not think girls should not study. His son had left Cao Shan and Cao Kang behind, and as their grandfather, Old Master Cao hoped they would be of use to society and gain their respect.

“That’s right, Old Master Cao,” a man said, “l heard they saved many people during last year’s earthquake, too. I want my daughter to study hard here and help many people.”

While the parents chatted, the guard began to review everyone’s admission invitations. He only let them in after confirming the invitations were legit.

As the teachers received the new students, they gave everyone a tour of the building. “This is where the classes take place. Beside it is the laboratory, and those are the dorms. Over there is the cafeteria.’

The new students felt like they were walking in a grand hall. They had never seen a place so advanced and beautifully designed. Although they had seen private schools, none were like the medical school.

It was bright and spacious, and each classroom had good-looking tables and chairs. Each dorm room could accommodate up to four students, and it had all the daily necessities and school supplies that the school provided.

Every student had a table, chair, and cabinet to study within the dormitory during the weekends. There was also a warden in charge of the dorms. The

rooms would remain closed at all times to ensure the students’ safety.

The male and female dorms were in separate buildings, and the management here was stringent. The parents felt even more relieved as they listened to the teachers during the tour.

Not only was the medical school safe, but the students could also eat and sleep there. The parents had nothing to worry about.

Old Master Cao was in disbelief, even after leaving the school. He was thankful that his granddaughter could attend such an excellent school. He knew Cao Shan would be an excellent doctor someday.

After dropping his granddaughter off, he noticed the paper mill doors open. He quickly approached the place as Su Binglan would officially start operations that day.

Shen Qiuhua looked at Old Master Cao and his wife worriedly before asking,

“Binglan, can they start work today?”

Su Binglan said, “They’ll feel bad if we don’t let them do anything but still get paid. I plan for the paper mill and printing factory to be welfare factories. I won’t let the workers overexert themselves. I have easier jobs for people like Old Master Cao and his wife.’

The elderly workers would only have to stack and arrange papers. It was not much of a physically tiring job since they would be sitting most of the time. They would also receive plenty of salary and bonuses monthly, which were more than enough for them to live on.

Su Binglan knew hard workers like Old Master Cao and Old Madam Cao did not like sitting idly by. Thus, she considered making the printing factory and paper mill a welfare factory. She would also provide subsidies to everyone.

Shen Qiuhua sighed in relief after hearing her daughter’s explanation. Indeed, the older couple was just like Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao, who could not sit at home and do nothing.

On the contrary, working would make the older couple feel more at ease.

Thus, Shen Qiuhua agreed with her daughter’s arrangements. Moreover, Su Binglan had already written her arrangements for everyone’s positions last night.

She explained, “We will officially start making paper today. I’ve assigned everyone to different positions, so each person will be responsible for separate things. I will read you the rules of the paper mill.

“l hope you can all abide by them and help each other. 1 only have one rule: to fire those with bad habits immediately. When I call your name, please come and collect your badges stating your position. Immediately after, you can go to your corresponding sections to work.”

The employees quickly understood that they had to abide by Su Binglan’s orders and keep the paper mill’s methods a secret. Otherwise, she would fire them.

Everyone became serious when they heard the rule. Soon after, Su Binglan read each person’s name, and they went to collect their badges. Then, everyone went to work in different sections.

Su Binglan then visited each section to teach the employees what to do.

“There’s a loading bay here where people will deliver the raw materials. Some of you are responsible for collecting them and placing them neatly in the warehouse.’

Since the paper mill needed raw materials from the mountain, Su Binglan hired a team to gather and deliver the raw materials. She used tree bark, hemp, rags, and old fishing nets to make paper.

Places with abundant trees and water were suitable for papermaking. Fortunately, Su Teng Village had the natural conditions to gather these raw materials.

She hired a team to gather them so that the paper mill employees would not have to do it themselves. The clear division of labor was also to ensure the mill’s confidentiality.

The employees in the second workshop did not stay inside. Instead, Su Binglan planned to bring them to a pond. There were walls around it, so outsiders could not see what occurred inside,

Su Binglan then taught them how to soak and wash the raw materials. Afterward, she arranged for someone to steam and mash the material. Then, the employees would place the mashed material on a bamboo curtain to set and dry.

That was the papermaking process, but the paper would need further processing to look perfect. Su Binglan only taught a handful of people to do this.

The employees in this section also signed confidentiality agreements, and no one could discuss what they did in the paper mill. Su Binglan had also made a drying ground for the paper..