Chapter 42

Ever since Xia Zuoyi told the priests that they would begin training, their schedules had been packed full, and their arduous studies began.

Grove Qiao felt as though he was currently drowning in misery.

Being a priest at Kaies's church and spreading theology to the masses every day had never been this exhausting...

Xia Zuoyi's assignment was that the priests first had to gather and compile the laws of every nation, including the two great empires.

Not only did they need to identify omissions and improve the laws within the Desinia Territory, but they were also required to read and memorize them thoroughly. There would be tests and spot checks afterward.

Time limit for organizing the legal provisions: seven days.

Before that.

Xia Zuoyi handed the newly made paper to Grove and the other priests. "You need to write the compiled laws on Watermarked Paper. Remember to finish within the allotted time."

Grove accepted the paper with a puzzled expression. "Watermarked Paper?"

He had only noticed that the paper in the lord's hand was a beautiful creamy white.

Only after taking it and examining it closely did he realize that both its texture beneath his fingertips and its grain and toughness differed from parchment and papyrus.

The paper in his hand seemed to be an entirely new, unprecedented kind.

"My lord, this, this is..." Grove asked in slight astonishment.

Xia Zuoyi said, "This is a newly developed type of paper called Watermarked Paper. It costs less to produce than parchment, and its manufacturing process is relatively simple."

"Watermarked Paper is more flexible than papyrus and will not easily snap or become damaged when turned..."

"In the future, Watermarked Paper will be widely promoted throughout the territory and sold to other countries through the Thorn Merchant Guild."

Watermarked Paper was an ancient name for paper, also known as Embossed Paper in ancient China.

This paper was made by pressing out moisture with great force using a screen or wooden mold. It received its name because the finished product bore distinct lines or patterns.

Xia Zuoyi used wooden molds to scoop up the pulp, then pressed it tightly with wooden boards and placed heavy stones on top.

As a result, the paper developed relatively rough textures that felt faintly sandy to the touch rather than especially smooth or delicate.

After all, this was his first time researching papermaking, and he was not yet very experienced. There would certainly be much room for improvement in the future.

Grove immediately thought of the boilers that had been burning nonstop in the castle courtyard during this time. So that was what they had been for...

He then immediately realized how enormous the profits for the Lord of Desinia would be once this new kind of paper was promoted and sold.

This new paper called Watermarked Paper would undoubtedly be more popular and well received than parchment or papyrus.

Seeing the priests standing there blankly and staring fixedly at the Watermarked Paper, Xia Zuoyi tapped the tabletop. The dull sound brought them back to their senses.

Xia Zuoyi asked, "Any other questions?"

Grove and the other priests immediately shook their heads. "No, none."

Xia Zuoyi said, "Then go back and prepare."

"Yes, my lord."

Grove and the other priests became busy.

After finally handing the compiled legal provisions to the lord, they were immediately ordered to begin memorizing them.

Xia Zuoyi gave them only three days. Afterward, Butler Judith would test and conduct spot checks on them.

Moreover, anyone who failed the memorization test would be punished.

Therefore, Grove and the other priests approached this with even greater solemnity than they did when praying devoutly to the Creator God. Even in their sleep, their dreams were filled with legal provisions.

For those three days, they were tense and apprehensive, yet also restless and uneasy...

Some of them had clearly done no strenuous physical labor, yet still felt somewhat exhausted. The closer the spot check came, the harder it became to remember anything.

Three days later, Judith began testing the priests one by one.

Xia Zuoyi observed from inside the room.

He watched helplessly as one priest first broke out in a cold sweat, then began trembling with both hands, his gaze unfocused. He stammered and could not speak, then rolled his eyes back and fainted to the floor.

Xia Zuoyi said, "..."

Pre-exam syndrome?

This priest's psychological resilience was probably not very good...

Yudi was clearly somewhat startled by the sudden situation before him. He turned and asked, "My lord... what should we do?"

Xia Zuoyi said, "...Carry him out first. Have Yadai take a look at him."

"Yes."

Fortunately, there was only one such case. After that, nearly everyone passed.

When the fainted priest woke up, he cried and anxiously awaited the lord's punishment.

He was definitely finished... After all, he had not even managed to say one complete sentence.

With a complicated expression, Grove brought him the lord's "punishment."

The priest wore a mournful expression as he said despairingly, "Grove, just tell me. I can take it."

Grove said, "Ahem... The lord wants you to do one hundred squats and one hundred push-ups. No food until you finish them."

"Afterward, you still have to continue memorizing. I will be the one to test you."

Snot and tears still hung on the priest's face. Hearing this, he raised his head in disbelief. "Th-that's all...?"

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"Mm."

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The priest cried again, this time from joy.

Thank you, my lord!

However, the priest had celebrated too early.

Memorizing legal provisions was only the first step of the training. Next came the heavy homework and studies awaiting them.

Grove and the other priests: This was the feeling of having their intelligence extinguished. They could no longer even maintain their smiles.

Their hairlines gradually receded.jpg.

The scope of their training and studies was so broad, and the knowledge it covered so comprehensive, that it was enough to give anyone nightmares.

Thus, two months later, when the news and requirements for the examination to select mayors spread far and wide, Grove and the other priests finally understood what the lord intended for them to do.

First, compile examination textbooks.

Second, organize an examination question bank.

They would serve as proctors supervising the examinations and assigning the final scores.

On the Western Continent, books were all copied by hand or printed from carved woodblocks and copper plates. The cost was extremely high, and even nobles who owned books in their estates were considered wealthy.

In order to improve the efficiency of compiling textbooks and print them later for people to read, Xia Zuoyi summoned Reinog to research how woodblock and copperplate printing could be improved.

The difference between engraving techniques and Movable-Type Printing lay in whether the type could be removed, moved, or changed.

The improvement was an opportunity.

Grove and the other priests had gone from initial surprise to endless admiration.

They had actually been fortunate enough to witness the transformation of paper and printing here.

They also had no doubt that the emergence of these two things would bring earthshaking, unimaginable development to the Desinia Territory.

But the most important and troublesome matter at present was—how were they supposed to come up with an exam paper that would make people weep?

The priests rubbed their nearly bald heads and lowered them toward the still blank sheets of paper, revealing "deranged" smiles.

It was probably time to let the examinees experience the terror of going bald too.

After all, they had nearly been "tortured" straight into the devil's embrace by the little lord.

Since Nat had made up his mind to remain by the lord's side.

When his father, Marco Case, returned to Kaies, he did not leave with him. Instead, he bought a residence in Visas and settled there.

Naturally, the place Nat bought was nowhere near as good as his original home in Kaies.

At first, he truly could not adapt and nearly could not bear it, almost regretting his decision and leaving. But then he thought of the little lord and what he had declared to Ferdinand, and gritted his teeth to persist.

Desinia Territory.

The news of selecting mayors and other officials had been promoted in every city through the Thorn Merchant Guild half a month ago.

Not only that, but the guild had also begun selling two relatively inexpensive books.

One specifically explained the detailed arrangements and precautions for the examinations.

The book also included the areas of study required for the mayoral selection examination, as well as the corresponding material for officials applying for different positions.

For example, the examinations were unexpectedly divided into public subjects and specialized subjects.

There were not only written tests but also interviews. The final examiner deciding the mayoral and official candidates would be the lord himself.

The areas of study included newly issued laws and regulations within the territory, verbal comprehension and expression, mathematical calculations, logical analysis, and more.

After reading it, many people could not help developing the urge to retreat.

—No, I won't pass. Forget it.

But even more people bought the book.

The second book was rather thick. On the first page, written at the very top, were the words—"Detailed Guide to Official Selection Topics."

Below that was another note—"Must be read thoroughly and fully understood."

This was the question bank Xia Zuoyi had ordered the priests to prepare for the examinations.

There was not much time, and it was too late to make more arrangements, so for the time being, all the subjects were compiled into one book.

The priests would create questions based on its contents or add some more difficult questions.

Nat bought both books.

Whenever there was something he did not understand, he shamelessly went to Ferdinand or Walker to ask until he understood it clearly.

After a while, even Xia Zuoyi learned of this matter.

Yudi said, "It seems that Young Master Nat truly wishes to remain at your side. Otherwise, he would not be working so hard."

Leaning against Snowball and propping up his face, Xia Zuoyi said, "Did he say what he wants to take the exam for? Does he want to be a mayor or hold another official position?"

Yudi could not help smiling. "Young Master Nat said he would participate in every examination and see which one he could pass."

"But he clearly said he does not want to be a mayor. He only wants to remain in Visas."

After thinking for a moment, Xia Zuoyi recalled Nat's sharp tongue that could leave people speechless. "I can give him a suggestion."

"Nat is better suited for the position of diplomat, but he still has many deficiencies in terms of knowledge."

"Tell Nat to focus on learning languages that are not commonly encountered on the Western Continent. For instance, the accent in the small kingdom of Helgoda differs from ours."

"Also, have him learn and familiarize himself as much as possible with the customs and habits, geography, city names, and so on of other countries."

Yudi nodded. "I will send someone to inform Young Master Nat."

Xia Zuoyi's eyes curved with a smile. "I hope I do not scare him back to Kaies."