Although he helped this time, Shen Xia didn't say a word afterwards. When they met occasionally, Fang Xin expressed his gratitude, but he just waved his hand lightly and let it go.

  In that case, Fang Xin also didn't socialize with him anymore.

  Shen Tongzhi indeed sent some clerks, and each of them copied books. Since they all belonged to Fang Xin's management, Fang Xin naturally took the lead and brought out a paper charter.

  First of all, the selection of texts is a very important matter. It should be known that ancient books were mostly handwritten and rarely printed with carved blocks, so there are often different versions. In this regard, Fang Xin has carefully reviewed the past, adopting the method of excerpting, which is to adopt the most popular version, indicating the source, and putting the disputed passages in the notes of each chapter, also explaining the source, letting the reader judge for themselves.

  Secondly, there is the copying of books. The copying of books follows a general outline, with one-to-one correspondence. There are 20 copyists in total, and a quota for copying is specified: each person copies 2,000 characters per day, requiring clear and neat handwriting, no miswritten characters, no ink dots, and three people check every day. If it does not meet the requirements, there are errors or omissions, and it will be returned for rewriting.

  Finally, there is proofreading, 12,000 volumes, divided into three groups for mutual checking, this is the last crucial step.

  The governor knew of this matter and decreed: "Good, those who are wrong will be punished, those who are good will be rewarded. Three thousand strings of cash will be awarded, all to be decided by this son."

  I have a new understanding of the other party's organizational ability, after all, at this time, young readers often don't understand practical work, but they don't know that this is a very normal process in later generations.

  One hundred and twenty thousand volumes. In fact, the number of words in each volume is not large, with a minimum of one thousand characters and a maximum of around ten thousand characters. Fang Xin had calculated that there were enough to fill three million characters. With 20 people copying every day, they could copy 40,000 characters per day. However, at this rate, it would still take two years. When Fang Xin thought about this, he couldn't help but feel tongue-tied and think to himself that he had really taken on a troublesome task.

  Luckily, Shen Xia knew about it afterwards and reported to his father. He also said something to him. What he said was unknown to anyone, but Fang Xin guessed that this matter would be very beneficial to Shen Xia as well, because the unified edition of books would be easier to remember and bring back.

  After hearing this, Tongzhi Daren checked the procedure again and felt that this matter was indeed a big deal. If it could be compiled, it would be the Shen family's small library of books, which future generations could read according to this. Therefore, he specially took out many rare books from within the clan, with a total collection of 16,000 volumes and 40 million characters. He also let those in the clan who knew how to write come to help, suddenly gathering 150 people. They were specifically responsible for copying, with 2,500 characters copied every day, and some Confucian scholars from within the clan were appointed to review and preside over it.

  Such a big thing, of course, cannot be let Fang Xin preside over, so nominally. It is said that Shen Xia, the son, will preside over the compilation of the Shen family's small collection of books. Fang Xin was also promoted again, and his treatment has now been upgraded to 30 yuan per month. This is a rather frightening number.

  Even so, it will take three months from May to early August, just before the August trial.

  Time flies quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it's already late July. The Shen family's small library has entered its final stage. On this day, Fang Xin is copying the last batch of articles.

  It is said that after reading a book thousands of times, one can understand its meaning on their own. After copying for three months, Fang Xin's learning has made rapid progress, and the scriptures he memorized have begun to be thoroughly understood. With the guidance of those Confucian scholars, his progress is even more remarkable. Of course, the fastest progress is in his brushwork. Now, Fang Xin's writing has a divine quality, with smooth turns and a deep meaning. He is confident that he has returned to reality, and his brushwork has also reached the third level of achievement.

  As usual, Fang Xin was the first to finish writing 2500 words. The reason is simple: Fang Xin's fourth-level control power, without any mistakes or typos, meticulous from top to bottom, from left to right, and it's hard to find any errors throughout the article. This point is very impressive, and people can't help but say: "With this kind of writing skill, passing the imperial examination is not a problem."

  He didn't have to write it after all, since he was the one who started this matter. However, he knew he was an outsider and decided to be honest and practical instead. Since Xia came to preside over the case, he no longer interfered and just followed orders. This earned him the appreciation of his colleagues, who thought he was "mature beyond his years and knew how to draw boundaries".

  This comment from Tongzhi is quite impressive, and the manuscript is a big deal. With many people involved, once the news got out, everyone was optimistic, and before they knew it, Fang Xin had already gained some influence.

  Fang Xin finished writing, looked around at the crowd still intently writing, then looked up at the sky which was still early, smiled and shook his head, continuing to grind ink and prepare paper. He didn't need to look at books, he just lowered his head and started writing stroke by stroke.

  Concentrating my spirit, I let all the words in my memory flow out, and after an unknown amount of time, just as I finished writing a piece called "Questioning the Hook", when I put down my pen, I heard a voice from beside me saying: "Not bad, your writing has made great progress, with a strict yet elegant style, showing spirit in the subtle details, you're not far from greatness!"

  Fang Xin was startled, but then realized it was the Magistrate, and immediately rose to pay his respects. However, he was stopped: "Never mind, we're at home, no need for such formalities."

  Fang Xin still deeply bowed his hands in courtesy, then said: "This is still thanks to the adults and young masters giving students opportunities, allowing me to see many famous calligraphic works and thus making progress."

  "Hey, if you can make such progress just by looking at the title, wouldn't everyone in our clan be exceptionally talented? Or is it that you have a natural talent and are diligent and hardworking, which is why you were able to do this. Just based on this one character, I can say that among all the students in our county, there are very few who can match up to you. You should definitely pass as a Xiucai this time."

  The Magistrate waved his hand, took out the paper and read it word by word, then took out the original and read it again. Only then did he ask: "I saw that your brushstrokes were like magic, continuous and uninterrupted, written in one breath without looking at any books. Can you write thousands of characters with ease? Have you already memorized everything?"

  "The student's learning is shallow, how can it be like this? It's only possible to memorize strongly. Recite three times in a row, and you can recite it today, but if you don't repeat the memory, you'll forget most of it tomorrow." Fang Xin's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he had been neglecting himself. Usually, he just wrote like this, fortunately, he still read every day, which was to appreciate the subtle meaning in it. Now, it seemed that there was still a reason to convince Zhi Daoren. This kind of short-term memorization was occasionally heard among those with exceptional talent, but truly being able to remember everything after reading it once, reading ten thousand volumes and remembering ten thousand volumes, was really too frightening, almost like a monster. At this point, he casually pulled out a volume and said: "You come read it and recite it for me to hear."

  "Yes!" Fang Xin took it over and read it. Although in fact every word was memorized in his heart, he still read it silently.

  Read it once, read it again, and then read it once more, before putting down the book and closing your eyes for a moment.

  "How?"

  "Please instruct me further." After finishing speaking, Fang Xin recited it backwards, truly having read and memorized it thoroughly. The entire text of two thousand characters flowed out instantly, each character clear and not a single one incorrect.

  "Excellent, you have such talent. With more study and mastery of the subtle grand meaning of the sages, you can truly ascend to the Jade Forest Banquet." The Magistrate, having seen many people, said with a smile: "It seems that this year, my virtuous nephew will surely pass the Imperial Examination and become a Xiucai and even a Juren!"

  At this, Fang Xin was indeed moved in his heart and immediately knelt down: "Student Li Rui has read very few books. In the past three months, he has been able to browse through the books stored in the mansion and received guidance from a great Confucian scholar, thus making some progress. If there is any achievement in the future, it will be due to today's efforts. Teacher's great kindness, student Li Rui wishes to pay respects at your door and perform menial tasks."

  This move instantly made everyone focus on him, secretly resenting that he immediately climbed up the wall, but not knowing that what Fang Xin said was all in Li Rui's name, and his life was not worth it.

  Tong Zhi was also startled, twirling his mustache, but seeing him kneeling on the ground, he still had a calm and composed demeanor, not like someone from the vulgar world. He thought to himself that he was only 15 years old, and in another ten years, he would be even more impressive. So, with a swift decision, he said: "Haha, I didn't expect that after so long without taking on an apprentice, today I've taken you as my disciple."

  "Student Li Rui pays respects to his master!" Fang Xin at this time, was making a standard ceremonial bow.

  "Alright, you are my disciple today. Normally, a grand feast would be required, but now there are only ten days left before the imperial examination, and considering some relationships, you don't need to make a big fuss or copy books either. Your master rewards you with 100 taels of silver as compensation for your hard work. You can go home now, read books carefully, and after passing the imperial examination and getting on the list, come back again, it won't be too late."

  That is to say, only after passing the imperial examination as a licentiate will he be formally recognized as a disciple. Fang Xin understood the meaning and indeed, the autumn examination was supervised by the Ministry of Rites, and candidates with close relationships with local officials would have some gossip. Of course, this is only for outsiders, but if it's really one's own people, then this relationship still matters.

  But now it's all right, Fang Xin bowed his head in gratitude to the teacher and then came out.

  Received a hundred taels of reward, left the Shen Mansion, Fang Xin looked back, in this mansion, spent only three short months, but for this young man's identity, has already changed dramatically. In the past three months, the total income was two hundred taels, which can make a family live a comfortable life for five years, and also gained many reputations.

  As he walked down the long street, no one looked down on him anymore. Everyone was calling out to him loudly and Fang Xin smiled as he exchanged pleasantries with these people. When he returned home, he saw his mother, He Shi, from afar.

  At this time, He's complexion had obviously improved a lot, and some sunlight shone on her body. Fang Xin couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart, and some emotions quietly arose.

  He liked this feeling, especially when his mother's wrinkles gradually faded away, her fatigue gradually disappeared, leaving only joy. This joy made Fang Xin feel more fulfilled, making him think that the sunshine was warm and pleasant now. He thought of the past three months, his body had already condensed some sacred power, and his trained muscles and physical strength could already perform fourth-level swordsmanship. A faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his lips.

  It's time now, all conditions are ready, and it should be the time for me to take some actions.