Chapter 126: A New Approach to Problem-Solving
In the middle of the night, hunger gnawed at me. I wanted barbecue, but I couldn't eat enough to meet the minimum delivery order (here, it's 40). It was truly vexing, so I suppose I'll add an extra chapter to vent my frustration.
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Just as dawn broke, `Li Daoxuan` awoke to find a new line of text emblazoned across the diorama box: "Wangjia Village."
Strange. When had that appeared? Was it after last night's revelry?
Yesterday, `Gao Family Village` had erupted in a joyous, festival-like celebration. Villagers, fueled by drink and good cheer, danced with abandon. Even after night fell, they were reluctant to sleep, having lit a huge bonfire outside the village where the tiny figures continued their boisterous, if somewhat awkward, revelry.
Even `Li Daoxuan`, usually a teetotaler, found himself pouring a few beers, caught up in the communal joy. After that, a curiosity about Wuliangye's taste led him to try it, and one sip too many sent him spiraling. The rest of the night was a blur.
Only now, dragging himself out of bed, did he notice that the `Salvation Index` on the diorama box had ticked up slightly, and the name "Wangjia Village" was shining clearly.
It seemed the `Field of View Expansion` had occurred sometime last night, bringing `Wangjia Village` into his purview. Who had he saved? He wasn't entirely sure, nor did he much care. As long as he ignored the `Salvation Index`, no one could pressure him to overwork.
`Li Daoxuan` reached out and tapped the words "Wangjia Village," and his perspective immediately shifted. What met his gaze was a settlement twice the size of `Gao Family Village`, yet its thatched huts lay largely in ruins, the entire place a desolate wasteland.
With a long sigh, `Li Daoxuan` retrieved a medical nebulizer and began to spray a fine mist over `Wangjia Village`.
He then ordered some savory *youtiao* (fried dough sticks), washed his face, and brushed his teeth. After completing all his usual morning rituals, the *youtiao* arrived. He cradled the paper bowl and settled beside the `diorama box`.
After half an hour of misting, the parched soil of `Wangjia Village` was visibly rehydrated, no longer a dismal expanse of cracked, yellow earth.
He retracted the nebulizer, then switched his perspective back to `Gao Family Village`.
This morning, `Gao Family Village` was notably quieter than usual. It seemed many were still battling hangovers; the day after a wild celebration often brought languor.
The `School Well`, however, was operating precisely as it always did.
The children had already completed their morning exercises and finished their goat milk. Now, seated in neat rows, they began to read aloud.
Even `Young Master Bai` had joined them. While he had long mastered the foundational texts, `Pinyin` remained a fresh challenge for him, requiring Teacher Wang to provide dedicated lessons.
`Li Daoxuan` unlocked his phone, gazing at the collection of seminal, ideologically guiding `Heavenly Books` he had prepped. He sighed. "It's still too soon for these children," he mused. "We'll have to wait. No rushing true progress."
Just as this thought crossed his mind, an artisan hurried into the `School Well`, a pile of small wooden blocks clutched in his hand. He called out excitedly to Teacher Wang, "Sir, I've finished carving the `Pinyin` characters! I'd be honored if you'd examine them."
Teacher Wang beamed. "Bring them over! Let's see."
As it happened, the artisan was the same woodblock carver who had impressed them before. The objects in his hand were indeed the small wooden blocks for printing.
Movable type printing had been in use since the early Ming Dynasty, with common Chinese characters carved onto small wooden blocks. When needed, these blocks would be arranged within a small wooden frame, then pressed onto paper to print a page.
The artisan had now successfully carved the `Pinyin` letters. He dipped a block in ink, then pressed it firmly onto a sheet of paper. *Pop!* Like a seal, a perfect `Pinyin` 'a' appeared on the page.
Teacher Wang exclaimed, thrilled, "Splendid! This is 'a.' Now the others? Print them all; I'll inspect each one."
The artisan picked up the remaining blocks, and with a rapid succession of *tap-tap-tap*, all the `Pinyin` letters were imprinted on the paper.
Teacher Wang meticulously scrutinized each letter, his joy boundless. "Remarkable! Not a single error. You are indeed as skilled as you claimed, and your work is wonderfully precise."
Flushed with praise, the artisan's face lit up with satisfaction.
Teacher Wang asked, "Then we can finally print this `Heavenly Book`, the *`Pinyin`* primer?"
A surge of excitement ran through him. This was the celestial language personally taught by `Dao Xuan Tian Zun`! Once printed into a volume, it would be like holding a `Heavenly Book`. To teach it to other children would be to "carry on the lost teachings of past sages"—a lifelong aspiration for any true scholar.
The woodblock carver shook his head, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. "My apologies, but with only these letters, we still can't print books. I still need to carve all the common characters."
Those words jolted Teacher Wang into a sudden realization!
In a city, the artisan would only need to carve the `Pinyin` letters, complementing them with existing woodblocks for common Chinese characters, and books could be printed instantly. But `Gao Family Village` was starting from scratch in the printing industry; not only did the `Pinyin` letters require carving, but every single common character would also need to be carved anew.
There was simply no way to accelerate such a laborious process.
"Alas!" Teacher Wang buried his face in his hands, a touch of melancholy in his voice. "With just one woodblock carver, it will take countless days to prepare all the common characters."
The carver looked awkward. "There are so few people in my trade," he admitted, "and I haven't been able to find anyone to assist. I truly apologize, but I'll need more time."
Just as they were discussing this, `Young Master Bai`, who had been eavesdropping nearby, suddenly shot to his feet. "This is a trivial matter!" he announced.
Both men stared, startled, turning to face `Young Master Bai`.
`Young Master Bai` chuckled. "Just send someone to `Chengcheng County` to buy out their bookstore, couldn't we? Then we could simply transfer all their pre-carved common character woodblocks to `Gao Family Village`. Combine those with the `Pinyin` blocks this master has crafted, and we could start printing immediately!"
Good heavens, it was a profound insight, like a single word shaking them awake from a dream.
Teacher Wang and the woodblock carver simultaneously froze, realizing such an approach was entirely feasible.
`Li Daoxuan` couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle. *Right!* Why had no one considered this path before? *Ah, now I understand!* Most of the talented individuals in `Gao Family Village` hailed from humble backgrounds. `San Shier`, Teacher Wang, `Clerk Tan`—these few educated men had all clawed their way out of poverty.
One's life experiences inevitably shaped their problem-solving approaches. Their default was always "toiling relentlessly" rather than "simply throwing money at the issue."
But with `Young Master Bai` now among them, a new avenue for problem-solving had opened up.
Teacher Wang beamed. "`Young Master Bai`, this task is uniquely suited to you!"
"Me? Oh, no, I couldn't." `Young Master Bai` spread his hands, a touch of regret in his voice. "I'm only a thirteen-year-old boy. If I went to buy a bookstore, they'd likely just send me packing with a dismissive slap."
Everyone inwardly thought: *You're the young master of `Bai Family Fortress`; besides your mother, who would dare lay a hand on you?*
Still, a half-grown boy attempting to purchase a bookstore would certainly raise eyebrows. Even if the current owner wouldn't dare slap him, they certainly wouldn't take such a business proposition seriously.
Ultimately, this matter still required an adult's touch.
`Young Master Bai` bowed respectfully to Teacher Wang. "Sir," he said, "you are a scholar. You must have frequented the `Chengcheng County` bookstore in the past, and its owner should surely recognize you. If you were to simply concoct a tale of having recently struck it rich, and then arrive with a substantial sum to purchase the establishment, it would be a perfectly plausible scenario. This deal would be easiest for *you* to close."
Teacher Wang blinked. "Hmm? You make an excellent point!"
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