"Lord Jue, the Tang Dynasty Dictionary has been completed today. I invited you here today to take a look at it!"
In the side hall next to the editorial department of Datang Daily.
Ma Zhou took out a thick stack of manuscripts and handed them to Li Zexuan.
"Oh? So fast? "
Li Zexuan was surprised. He didn't expect Ma Zhou to call him here today for this matter. He also didn't expect the progress of the dictionary to be so fast.
"Hehe, this is all thanks to Old Mister Li's help. Old Mister Li is well-versed in ancient and modern history and is full of wisdom. This Ma is not as good as you. The scholars sent by King Wei and Crown Prince are also not as good as you. Since Old Mister Li came, our compilation speed has increased by more than ten percent. This has shortened the time by a lot. "
Ma Zhou respectfully saluted Li Gang and praised him.
"Haha, Steward Ma is too modest. After a few more years of accumulation and polishing, your knowledge will not be inferior to mine in the future!"
Li Gang nodded to Ma Zhou with a smile, then looked at Li Zexuan and said, "I really didn't expect that such a small workshop would have such an amazing talent like Steward Ma. Li Siye is really capable!"
Gold would shine no matter where it was. Ma Zhou's talent and learning could be discovered even in the workshop. In the past month, not only did he use his talent and learning to conquer the scholars sent by Li Chengqian and Li Tai, even Li Gang, a veteran Confucian scholar who had joined in the middle, began to praise him.
As the one who discovered Ma Zhou, a "fine steed", Li Zexuan's face was full of light at this moment.
He smiled and said, "Haha, it's my honor to be able to invite Brother Ma and the workshop. Of course, I'm also very grateful that Mr. Li is here to help. I'll have someone prepare a generous gift later as thanks!"
"Haha, this is what you should do! When the time comes, remember to send this old man a few jars of good wine. En, this Gentle Home is not bad. It's soft and mellow, with a lingering aftertaste! When the time comes, give this old man two jars! "
Li Gang obviously knew that Li Zexuan was rich and overbearing. Hearing this, he chuckled and did not refuse.
"Haha! Since Old Mister Li likes it, then I'll definitely get someone to send you two more jars! "
"Hmm ~ You're a pretty good student. Here, why don't you take a look at this newly compiled dictionary first, and then we'll talk after you've read it!"
Li Gang pointed at the dictionary in Li Zexuan's hand and laughed.
"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!"
Li Zexuan had been itching for a long time. Now that he heard Li Gang's words, he didn't stand on ceremony and started to read the Dictionary of Tang Dynasty.
This Dictionary of Tang Dynasty was obviously a newly completed manuscript. The fragrance of ink could be smelled from afar, and it didn't even have a cover. Li Zexuan didn't care about this and started to read the content directly.
The paper used for the dictionary was new paper produced by the workshop. The size of the paper was based on the current book size. For Li Zexuan who had used the modern Xinhua Dictionary, this kind of paper was a bit big. However, for people of the Tang Dynasty, it was just right. He had discussed this issue with Ma Zhou before, and Li Zexuan finally decided to adapt to the times.
The first few pages, as expected, were part of the table of contents. First, it was arranged according to the order of the phonetic alphabet, and the page number of each pronunciation was marked one by one. Then, there were a few pages of table of contents to search for words through the radicals.
Looking at the Dictionary of Tang Dynasty in front of him, Li Zexuan couldn't help but miss the shabby Xinhua Dictionary that he used when he was in elementary school in his previous life. Stroking the glossy paper of the dictionary, he had an idea and wanted to search for a word in the Dictionary of Tang Dynasty.
"Let's search for 'Ze'!"
Although he hadn't used the dictionary since he graduated from elementary school, he still remembered how to search for a word in the dictionary. After a while, he found the page where 'Ze' was located and saw the words written on it: "Ze is pronounced as zé, which refers to the place where water gathers. It also means grace and benevolence. The detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Deep lakes and swamps or lakes and swamps with aquatic plants.
There is water below, and it is called Ze. — — Shuming
2. Grace, favor.
Ze reaches all ages, but not benevolence. — — Zhuangzi, Great Grandmaster
Ximen Bao was named Ye Ling, and his name was known throughout the world. — — Historical Records, Ximen Bao's Biography
3. Benevolent action.
King Yin also dared not to lose the emperor, and was not worthy of Heaven's grace. — — Shu, Toshi
4. Underwear, underwear.
Qiyue has no clothes, and he and his son share the same grace. — — Poem, Qin Feng, no clothes.
5. Title of nobility, legacy.
The grace of a gentleman is cut off for five generations. — — Mencius
.....”
"Tsk, tsk. Not bad, not bad. If I didn't check the dictionary today, I wouldn't know that 'Ze' has so many meanings!"
Li Zexuan sighed in his heart.
About half an hour later, Li Zexuan checked a few more Chinese characters. The results were very smooth, and the page numbers were all correct. He closed the dictionary and said with a smile,
"Not bad, not bad at all. Brother Ma, you can go to the printing department later to start the printing. We will print a thousand copies of the first batch!"
"A thousand copies?"
Ma Zhou's hands trembled and he exclaimed, "Lord Jue, isn't a thousand copies a bit too much?"
"Not at all! Not at all! "
Before Li Zexuan could say anything, Li Gang spoke first. His face was flushed, and he stroked his beard and laughed excitedly, "Such a wonderful work should be prepared for every family. Then, in less than three years, there will be thousands of literate people in Tang Dynasty. That kind of glorious era, even in the era of Emperor Qin and Han Wu, did not appear!"
"Sir, you are right. Our 'Tang Dynasty Dictionary' will become a necessary reference book for children and even young people in the imperial examinations. What is a mere thousand copies? In the future, our 'Tang Dynasty Dictionary' will sell hundreds of thousands, or even millions of copies! Brother Ma, don't worry about it and let people print it! "
Li Zexuan said.
Thinking about the cumulative sales of 'Xinhua Dictionary' in his previous life — 560 to 700 million copies, he only printed a thousand copies. What was there to be afraid of?
Hearing their words, Ma Zhou couldn't help but think about how the "Tang Dynasty Dictionary" would become a sacred book that was comparable to the Four Books and Five Classics among all the scholars. He couldn't help but feel excited. Wasn't this one of the dreams that he wanted to realize when he followed Li Zexuan?
"Yes, I will arrange the printing of the 'Tang Dynasty Dictionary' later. At the same time, I will advertise it in tomorrow's newspaper!"
Ma Zhou nodded.
"Well, that's a good idea. Brother Ma, why don't you go now? Print a copy for me first. I have to send it to the palace for His Majesty to have a look! "
Li Zexuan did not expect Ma Zhou to know how to apply what he learned. He even knew to advertise the 'Tang Dynasty Dictionary' in the newspaper in advance. Suddenly, he remembered that Li Zexuan had told him before that once the 'Tang Dynasty Dictionary' was printed, he had to send it to the palace for His Majesty to have a look.
"Good! I will arrange it right away! "
Ma Zhou stood up and saluted Li Zexuan and Li Gang before he went out.
.....
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