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Jian Mo looked at the pounded bark and pinched a handful. "That should do it. The main thing is to soak it to remove the rotten parts and leave the fluff? I'm not too sure, but I heard it's quite simple."

Jian Mo said optimistically, "If it really doesn't work, we can try again next time. It's not difficult to make anyway, and we'll be able to make it after a few more tries."

Wu Jiong agreed, "That makes sense."

Jian Mo: "Let's go, let's carry it to the animal hide pit."

The animal skin pit in the tribe was specially equipped with running water, and rattan "gates" were placed on both sides to block the flow of water. The water could pass through, but the things in the pit would not be washed away, which was very scientific.

Jian Mo estimated that soaking the bark for ten or eight days should be enough; if not, soaking it for half a month or a month would eventually remove the rotten parts inside.

When the time comes, we can just use a paper scraper to copy the paper, and we should be able to make it.

They didn't have any ready-made landing nets; they would have to make them separately.

This is also simple. Use wooden strips as the frame and animal hair rope as the warp and weft threads, and weave it tightly.

This task was quite tedious. Jian Mo used his spare time to weave it, and it took him and Wu Jiong several days to weave a fine net.

The net isn't big, just a square about one meter long and wide, which should be enough for scooping up paper.

Perhaps it was because they chose good tree bark, or perhaps it was because the large pit used for soaking animal hides had running water, making soaking the tree bark seem exceptionally simple.

Their nets were ready, and the bark floss in the pit was soaked.

The soaked bark fluff looks just like when Jian Mo was still on Earth, throwing clothes into the washing machine but forgetting to take out the tissues, and the resulting paper scraps getting scattered by the washing machine.

Jian Mo hardly needed to use a second method to judge; one glance was enough to determine that the bark floss was properly soaked.

This is experience gained through hard-won lessons; it shouldn't go wrong.

For the Riverside Tribe, paper was a very advanced technology.

No one had ever heard of it, nor did they know how to use it.

When Jian Mo used the copy net to copy paper, everyone rushed over to watch.

The pit where the tree bark was soaking became even more lively than during the Lunar New Year. Jian Mo was worried that if it failed, everyone would be very disappointed.

Jian Mo turned to look at the densely packed heads behind her, took a deep breath, and composed herself before saying, "I'm going to start copying."

Everyone nodded in unison.

Jian Mo gestured to Ban Ming and the others to use wooden sticks to stir up the bark and fluff in the pit.

After the off-white bark fluff floated up, he used a net to scoop it into the water, then shook it back and forth a couple of times to distribute the fluff more evenly. That was it for making the paper.

Everyone found it hard to believe that paper could be made so simply; there was absolutely no sense of amusement or disbelief.

"Is that all?"

"I think I can do it too."

"I can do it too!"

Jian Mo: "It wasn't that difficult to begin with."

Jian Mo held the wooden frame up, and after it had drained, she tried to lay it on the prepared wooden board to dry.

After the paper was laid on the wooden board, it was pasted together neatly and looked to be of good quality.

Jian Mo took a step back, looked around a few times, and was quite satisfied with herself.

Wu Jiong also brought over a frame of paper, carefully laid it on the wooden board, and succeeded in doing so as well.

Jian Mo and he exchanged a glance, both of them smiling.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong tried several times and succeeded each time.

This is not difficult at all; it's probably as technically demanding as an elementary school craft class.

Qing Kuo watched for a while, then eagerly said, "Here I come! Let me try!"

Jian Mo handed him the frame. "Just smooth out the pulp inside."

Qing Kuo nodded seriously. "I've learned it."

Qing Kuo quickly copied a frame of paper and pasted it neatly onto the prepared wooden board.

With Qing Kuo's successful experience, everyone wanted to try it, so they took turns scooping up the paper and quickly finished.

Even as darkness fell, everyone was still reluctant to leave.

Jian Mo the rattan doors on both sides of the large pool, letting the water flow in and washing away the lint at the bottom. "Let's stop here for today, we'll do it again next time."

Ban Ming, still wanting more, asked, "When's the next time? I'll help you peel the bark."

Jian Mo gestured with her chin towards the papers on the wooden board. "Let's at least wait until these papers are dried before making any decisions."

If the paper doesn't turn out well this time, they'll have to adjust the formula.

Ban Ming: "Then you can call us when the time comes."

Jian Mo led a large group of people down the mountain, saying they would see what happened tomorrow.

To his surprise, the next morning, before he even got out of bed, Ban Ming and the others ran over to report, "Jian Mo, your paper seems to be finished. It's like dried flower petals, big and flat, and it peels off easily with a gentle touch."

Jian Mo, her hair a mess, got up. "You've already gone to see it?"

Ban Ming: "I've seen it!"

Jian Mo: "Then let's go take a look too, you guys wait for me."

Jian Mo was about to brush her teeth and wash her face, Wu Jiong handed her a tub of warm water and dental floss sticks from the side.

How thoughtful! Jian Mo smiled at Wu Jiong and went to the eaves to brush her teeth with charcoal powder.

After brushing their teeth, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went to look at the papers, surrounded by people.

The paper that was laid down last night had indeed dried, and because they had laid it very smoothly on the wooden board, the paper looked to be of good quality.

Jian Mo peeled off a piece of paper and examined it closely. The paper was generally smooth and felt very soft, not much different from paper on Earth.

Although there are relatively large wood fibers deposited in the paper, forming small lumps, there are not many raised lumps, and overall it is still commendable.

He gently folded it again. The paper was quite soft, not as smooth and stiff as industrial paper from Earth, but it was definitely enough for writing.

Jian Mo looked at the paper, her heart filled with emotion.