CH 42

Since Xia Zuoyi told the priests “to start training”. Their time has been fully arranged and the heavy learning tasks began.

Grove Joe felt like he was in dire straits now.

Working as a priest in the church of Keys, it’s not so tiring to spread theology to the world every day…

Xia Zuoyi’s mission for them was to gather the laws of all countries, including the two empires, for collection.

Not only should they check and fill in the vacancies and improve the laws in the Desinian Territory, but they are also required to read and recite them. Later, there will be an inspection and spot check of the relevant laws.

They have seven days to organize the legal regulations.

Before this.

Xia Zuoyi handed the newly made paper to Grove and the other priests, “You need to put the collected laws on this water-grained paper. Remember to finish them within the specified time.”

Grove took the paper with a puzzled look, “Water-grained paper?” 

He only saw the paper in the hands of the lord showing a beautiful moist whiteness.

After receiving it, he took a closer look and discovered that this paper is different from parchment and papyrus in terms of touch and feel of the fingertips, texture, and toughness.

The paper in his hand seems to be a new and unprecedented type.

“Lord, this, this is…” Grove asked in a daze.

Xia Zuoyi, “This is a newly researched paper, named water-grained paper. It’s cheaper than parchment and has a simpler production process.”

“It’s more flexible than papyrus and won’t break easily when turning…”

“In the future, this paper will be fully promoted within the territory and sold to other countries through the Thorns Chamber of Commerce.”

“Water-grained paper” is the name of ancient paper, and it’s also known in ancient China as “calendar paper”.

This kind of paper is covered with a cloth or wooden mold to strongly squeeze moisture. Finally, it gets its name because of obvious lines or patterns on the finished product.

What Xia Zuoyi chooses to make paper is the method of scooping out the pulp with a wooden mold, pressing it with a wooden board, and placing heavy stones on top.

As a result, a rougher texture will be formed on the paper and it’ll have a rusty texture to the touch. It’s not too smooth and delicate.

After all, it’s his first time studying papermaking, and his experience isn’t that rich. There will definitely be more room for improvement in the future.

Grove suddenly remembered the boiler that had been burning in the castle courtyard during this period. It turned out to be…

He immediately thought of how much profit this new type of paper would bring to Lord Desinia once it was promoted and sold.

This new type of paper, called water-grained paper, will undoubtedly be more popular than parchment and papyrus.

Seeing the priests standing on the spot in a daze, staring at the paper, Xia Zuoyi couldn’t help knocking on the tabletop. The dull sound made them come back to their senses.

Xia Zuoyi, “Are there any more questions?”

Grove and the other priests immediately shook their heads, “No, no more.”

Xia Zuoyi, “In that case, go back and prepare.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Grove and other priests began to get busy.

After they finally handed over the compiled laws and regulations to the lord, they were immediately asked to recite them.

Xia Zuoyi only gave them three days to memorize, after which they’ll be tested and spot-checked by the Butler Udit.

Moreover, those who fail to recite will be punished.

Therefore, Grove and the others almost took a more solemn attitude than praying to the God of Creation. Even when they’re sleeping, their dreams are full of laws and regulations.

They had a nervous, anxious, and uneasy mood in these three days…

Some of them even feel a little tired even though they don’t do any heavy work. The closer the check is, the more they can’t remember the content.

Three days later, Udit began to test the priests one by one.

Xia Zuoyi was watching inside the room.

He watched as a priest sweat profusely, then his hands trembled, his eyes losing focus, and couldn’t speak. Then, his eyes rolled and he fainted to the ground.

Xia Zuoyi, “…” 

Pre-examination syndrome?

The mental quality of this priest is not very good…

Udit was obviously a little surprised by the sudden situation in front of him. He turned around and asked, “My lord… What should we do?”

Xia Zuoyi, “…Take the man out first, and let Adai take a look at him.”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, there was only one such case. After that, almost all of them passed the test.

The priest who fainted awoke and cried, waiting for the lord’s punishment in fear.

He must be finished… After all, he didn’t even say a complete sentence.

Grove, with a complex expression, brought him the “punishment” of the lord.

The priest was crying and desperate, “Grove, just tell me. I can stand it.”

Grove, “Cough… The lord asked you to do one hundred squats and one hundred push-ups. If you don’t finish them, you can’t eat.”

“Then after you’re done, you’ll continue to recite and do the spot check.” 

The priest, whose face was still covered with snot and tears, incredulously raised his head, “Just, just this…?”

“Yeah. “

The priest cried again, this time with joy.

Thank you, my lord!

However, the priest was happy too early.

Reciting the laws and regulations is only the first step of the training. Next, the heavy homework and learning tasks are waiting for them.

…

Grove and the other priests: It’s the feeling of wisdom extinction. They can’t even smile anymore.

The hairline on the top of the head gradually moves back.jpg

They need to train and learn in a wide range and comprehensive knowledge coverage, to the point that they can make people have nightmares.

As a result, two months later, when the news and conditions for the selection of the mayors to participate in the examination came out and spread widely, the priests such as Grove finally understood what the lord wanted them to do.

One is to compile the textbook for examination.

The second is to organize the test question bank.

They are the invigilators who will supervise the exam and give the final result.

On the Western Continent, books are manually copied or engraved on wood or copper plates so the cost is very high. The nobles who can own books in their manor also represent wealth.

In order to improve the efficiency of compiling teaching materials, and then print them for circulation, Xia Zuoyi called Renault to study how to improve the woodblock and copperplate printing.

The difference between engraving technology and movable type printing is whether it can be disassembled, moved, or changed.

There’s an opportunity for improvement.

Grove and the other priests have gone from surprise to admiration now.

They were fortunate enough to witness the revolution of paper and printing.

They also have no doubt that the emergence and advent of these two things will lusher in earth-shaking and unbelievable development in the Desinian Territory.

But the most important and most troublesome thing right now is—how do they come up with a tear-jerking test paper?

The priests touched their nearly bald heads and looked down at the blank paper with a “crazy” smile.

It’s time for those test-takers to feel the horror of baldness.

After all, they were “tortured” by the little lord and almost reached the devil’s arms directly.

Since Nate was determined to stay with the lord.

He did not leave with his father, Marco Case, when he returned to Keys. Instead, he bought a place to live in Wissas.

Naturally, the place Nate bought was no better than his original home in Keys.

At first, he didn’t really adapt and almost had to go back. Later, after thinking about the little lord and what he said to Fernandi, he gritted his teeth and persisted.

Territory of Desinia.

The news of the mayoral selection and other officials has been publicized in various cities through the Thorns Chamber of Commerce half a month ago.

Not only that, but they also began to sell two cheaper books.

One book is devoted to the specific arrangements and precautions of the examination.

The book also contains the scope of study required for the examination for the mayor selection and a cross-reference for officials for different positions.

For example, the exam is actually divided into common and professional subjects.

There are not only written examinations but also interviews. The examiner who ultimately decides the candidates for mayors and officials is the lord.

The scope of the study includes new laws and regulations in the territory, language understanding and expression, mathematical calculations, logical analysis, etc.

Many people couldn’t help but retreat after reading this.

—No, if you can’t pass the exam, just give up.

But more people also bought the book.

The second book is relatively thick. When you turn to the first page, it says at the top—”Elaborate and concise knowledge points for official selection.”

There is also a note below—”Needs to be read and understood thoroughly”.

This is the question bank that Xia Zuoyi asked the priests to prepare.

The time is relatively short. There’s no time to make more arrangements, so put all the topics in a book for the time being.

The priests will ask questions according to the contents or add some more difficult ones.

Nate bought both books back.

If he doesn’t understand something, he’ll cheekily ask Fernandi or Walker to explain.

In the long run, even Xia Zuoyi knew about this.

Udit, “It seems that Young Master Nate really wants to stay with you, otherwise he wouldn’t work so hard.”

Xia Zuoyi leaned against Snowball. Hiding his face, he said, “Did he say what he’s aiming for? Did he say he wants to be a mayor or some other official position?”

Udit couldn’t help laughing, “Young Master Nate said he would take every exam to see which one he could pass.”

“But he clearly said he didn’t want to be a mayor, he just wanted to stay in Wissas.”

Xia Zuoyi thought for a while, and couldn’t help recalling Nate’s dumbfounding eloquence, and said, “I can give him a suggestion.”

“Nate is more suitable for the position of the diplomat. But there are still many deficiencies in his knowledge.”

“You ask Nate to mainly learn languages that are uncommon in the Western Continent. For example, in the small kingdom of Helgeda. Their accent is not the same as ours.”

“In addition, let him learn as much as possible and be familiar with the customs and habits, geographical features, city names, etc. of some other countries.”

Udit nodded and said, “I’ll send someone to tell Young Master Nate.”

Xia Zuoyi’s eyebrows curved, “I hope he won’t be scared back to Keys by me.”