New teachers (1/2)

The next day, Rafael went to inspect the place where they would be making paper. It was a large wooden structure nestled close to the city walls. As Eruin had said, it wasn't near a river, so Rafael's plan of building a waterwheel to speed up and automate parts of the process wouldn't be possible.

Inside, five people were already at work.

"They're all our people, right? They came with us from Calistoga?" Rafael asked, scanning the workers.

"Most of them. Don't worry, I made sure to find only trustworthy people," Eruin reassured him. They stood watching the workers before turning to the large sheets of paper drying in a pile nearby.

"As time goes on and they get more proficient, production will increase, I'm sure of that," Eruin added, glancing around the room. All the windows were closed, shielding the workers from the cold outside.

"But why aren't they all people we know? Why take someone from the capital?" Rafael asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Because there's no one else to call. We even lost contact with some of our own. They've chosen to settle permanently here in the capital. So even if we reclaim Calistoga, they won't follow us back." Eruin's voice carried disappointment, his eyes narrowing slightly at the thought of being abandoned by his people.

"We were only able to maintain our noble title because of our deal with the King."

"Now that you mention him, when are we going to see him?" Rafael asked, sensing that it was time to move things forward.

"I sent a letter asking for a meeting. We'll have to wait and see when he's free."

"Alright. In the meantime, how about we start another project?"

"You mean those pieces of clothing you told me about yesterday? I don't think we'll be able to start production anytime soon. I still need to find—"

"No, no, not that. I'm talking about soap. Do you know how to make it?" Rafael's voice took on a spark of excitement, like he was onto something.

"Soap? Yes, some of our people probably know how to make it. You want to sell soap?" Eruin raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding the sudden interest in something so mundane. Soap was known, but not widely popular due to its expense.

"Yes. Soap is excellent for cleaning, and everyone should have some to wash their hands, their bodies, and everything else," Rafael explained earnestly.

Why is he so fixated on soap? Eruin thought, a little baffled by the focus on something that seemed so insignificant. Still, if it's his idea, I'd better give it some thought. He agreed with a nod and promised to find workers for the task.

"I also want to ask you something related to that," Rafael continued. "Could you make it mandatory that everything from the kitchen be washed with soap? Just rinsing pots, plates, and cutlery with water isn't enough."

Eruin's lips tightened into a frown. "I think you're mistaken. Soap is for heavy stains on clothes or really dirty hands or feet, not everyday cleaning."

"Trust me on this, Eruin. Soap should be used to clean everything, just like it's used for clothes. It should be part of everyday life."

Eruin was silent for a moment, clearly skeptical. "... I'll think about it," he said with a shrug. Rafael could've explained germs and bacteria, but he doubted anyone would believe him without proof. Not until microscopes were invented, and that was far down the line.

As they observed the workers boiling wood fibers and hammering them into pulp, Rafael's mind raced with ideas. If only we were near a river. A waterwheel would be so much more efficient.

Suddenly, Rafael had an idea. "Hey, Eruin, what if we used animals to help grind the wood instead of doing it all by hand? It'd be faster and free up workers for other parts of the process."

Eruin looked at him, curious but cautious. "How exactly would animals do that?"

"We can have an ox or another animal power two grinding stones. We just need to design a way for the animal to rotate the stones."

Eruin nodded slowly, starting to see the potential. "But where will we find the stones you need?"

That's the tricky part. Rafael thought hard. "We can use wood for now, though it won't last long. Maybe metal later on."

"Let's use wood for now then," Rafael decided. "I'll handle the design. I'm confident our production will increase."

"Fine by me," Eruin said, grateful once again for Rafael's resourcefulness. "If you need anything, just let me know."

"Actually, I do need something," Rafael said, remembering another idea. "There were three old men who left Calistoga with us. Mathematicians. Do you know where they are?"

Eruin's face brightened. "I think I know who you mean. They're staying near our house. I'll take you to them."

They climbed into a carriage, and the horses began their journey back toward the estate.

"So, we just have to wait for the King to call us?" Rafael asked, breaking the silence as the carriage rumbled along the uneven streets.

"Yes. I expect they'll respond to my request in a few days." Though if I had mentioned that you were coming with me, we'd probably be meeting him today, Eruin mused to himself, knowing the King was eager to meet Rafael.

The carriage bounced over another rough patch, shaking them uncomfortably. Rafael grimaced. "God, I can't stand this."

"What?" Eruin looked over, surprised.

"Sorry... I just... these streets should be better made, and this carriage could really use some way to stop shaking like this."

Eruin's eyes widened in astonishment. "Don't tell me you have ideas for that too?"

Rafael gave a small smile. "Not yet... but I'll think of something." He decided to hold back on yet another barrage of ideas.

If he said he had a solution for that, I might've fainted, Eruin thought, shaking his head in disbelief.

"By the way, who in the family knows how to read and write?" Rafael asked suddenly.

"Only me. Mother taught me after we arrived here."

She hasn't told him she learned too? Rafael noted with interest.

"We should change that. We should teach more people—"

"I don't think so," Eruin interrupted. "Reading and writing are privileges reserved for nobles. Peasants have no use for such things."

Rafael blinked in surprise. Why are people so stubborn, so blind to the benefits of progress? He thought in frustration.

"Eruin, trust me on this. Everyone should know how to read and write. It only brings benefits."

"That's nonsense. Commoners won't use it. They can't even afford books. Why bother teaching them?"

Rafael sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Listen. We're producing paper now, right? The cost of books will drop in the future. If more people start buying books, we'll sell more paper."

"And when they learn to write, they'll need paper for letters, stories—whatever. Demand will increase, and so will our profits."

Eruin looked torn, his traditional values clashing with the logic of Rafael's argument. Maybe there's something to this... but can I really allow peasants to learn such things? He thought, still uncertain.

"There's also the risk that no one else will accept it. The other nobles... even the King might disapprove of this idea," Eruin warned.

Rafael smiled. "We'll see about that."