With the successful production of three types of paper, a new challenge now faced young Cyrus: a suitable pen for writing. He knew that paper, revolutionary as it was, could not unleash its full potential without an efficient writing tool. The common tools of that time, like metal or wooden styluses used on clay tablets, or reed pens suitable for papyrus and parchment, were not ideal for the soft and delicate surface of Cyrus's newly emerged paper. He needed something that would both facilitate writing and allow for uniform ink distribution.
Cyrus's mind quickly recalled the various types of pens in the modern world: from fountain pens to ballpoint pens. But he had to adapt these ideas to the materials and technology available in that era. He thought of new rooms in his clay workshop; spaces that could be transformed into specialized sections for producing writing instruments. This expansion demonstrated his ambitious vision, as he contemplated creating a complete writing system rather than just producing a single material.
His initial focus was on crafting a reed pen, but with specific optimizations. Existing reed pens were often thick and did not hold ink well. Cyrus assigned the nurses and slaves in the new section to collect thinner and more durable reeds from along the rivers and swamps around Anshan. Then, using his knowledge of precise cuts, he taught them how to cut the pen nib at a suitable angle and with a precise slit, so that it would absorb ink well and draw a fine, uniform line on the soft paper. These small optimizations made a big difference in writing quality.
Alongside the pen, suitable ink was also vitally important. The common inks of that time were often made of soot and water, which spread easily and lacked stable color. Cyrus remembered the basic formulas of modern plant-based and mineral inks. He encouraged his nurses to experiment with various natural materials in a new section of the workshop: from the extracts of colored plants and berries to iron-containing minerals. His goal was to create an ink that would have a dark, lasting color and would dry quickly without spreading on the paper.
After numerous experiments, they achieved a combination of soot (from burning specific woods or oil), tree gum (for adhesion and preventing spreading), and water (as a solvent). This ink had greater stability and created clearer lines on paper. Cyrus even considered adding natural acidic substances (like diluted vinegar) to create a chemical reaction with the gum and make the ink more permanent, although these experiments were in very early stages.
Cyrus's clay workshop had now become a place for numerous creative innovations. Every corner of it was dedicated to a part of a complex production line; from paper pulping basins to tables for cutting pens and small containers for mixing ink. The nurses and slaves, although unaware of the overall project, diligently and faithfully carried out little Cyrus's instructions, unaware that they were building tools that would, in the future, transform the destiny of literacy and knowledge within the empire.
Cyrus, watching the first delicate lines being inscribed on his own paper with the optimized reed pen and new ink, smiled contentedly. This pen and ink were tools that could transfer his ideas from mind to reality, easily record knowledge, and bring it to ordinary people. This was a vital step on the path to building a thousand-year empire founded on knowledge and enlightenment.