The invention of paper
In ancient times, people used bamboo slips and wooden slips to record words. However, these materials are inconvenient and not convenient enough. It was not until A.D. 105 that Cai Lun, the eunuch of the Han Dynasty, invented paper to solve this problem. The appearance of paper has greatly changed people's way of life and work.
The Rise of Paper Expensive in Luoyang
With the invention of paper, Luoyang became the production and trade center of paper. Paper mills in Luoyang have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, and the production technology of paper is becoming more and more perfect. The paper industry in Luoyang began to appear.
The rise of expensive paper in Luoyang was inseparable from the prosperity and cultural atmosphere of Luoyang at that time. The Tang Dynasty is one of the most glorious times in China's history, with many literati and poets and popular poems and songs. These scholars need a lot of paper to write and spread their works. At the same time, the government, businessmen, scholars and so on have a growing demand for paper.
Papermaking process
The manufacturing process of Luoyang Paper Guis is very complicated. First of all, we should choose high-quality plant fibers as raw materials, such as mulberry bark, grass, hemp and so on. Then, these raw materials are soaked in water, washed and bleached for many times, and the fibers are separated and purified.
Next, stir the fiber evenly, and then add a proper amount of water and adhesive, such as starch and fish glue. Then, pour the mixture into the paper mold and shake it gently by hand to make the fibers evenly distributed on the paper mold. Then, the paper mold is dried, and after the paper is completely dried, the paper mold can be removed to obtain a complete paper.
The commercial legend of Luoyang paper expensive
The commercial legend that Luoyang paper is expensive stems from the shortage of paper. Because the production process of paper is complex and requires a lot of manpower and material resources, the price of paper remains high. Coupled with the strong cultural atmosphere in Luoyang, many scholars are willing to pay a high price for a good piece of paper.
The prosperity of the paper industry has also promoted the economic development of Luoyang. The rise of expensive papermaking industry has promoted the production and trade of papermaking raw materials and the development of related industries. The demand for paper also drives the commercial activities of the paper industry, such as paper sales, book publishing and stationery production.
The decline of Luoyang paper price
However, the glory of Luoyang paper did not last long. With the passage of time, the production technology of paper gradually spread to other areas, and the production cost of paper gradually decreased. At the same time, other cities have also begun to develop paper-based industries, and the competition is becoming increasingly fierce.
In addition, with the progress of science and technology and the invention and popularization of printing, the demand for paper has greatly increased. Therefore, the production of paper is no longer confined to specific areas, and the advantages of the paper industry are gradually disappearing.