Thoughts on Publication!

Everything that needed to be said has already been said before; it wouldn’t be fitting to get sentimental in the middle of the night. So, let’s keep this brief.

First, thank you all for your support during the month of the new book’s launch. Despite having relatively few recommendations, we managed to stay at the top of the new book rankings, and even had a taste of being number one. I am truly content with that. Thank you, everyone!

Second, what’s even more important is the first month after the book goes live. I’ve been through countless launches, the most recent one was even earlier this year (covers face), but this time, it feels like the most crucial one yet. This is the time to rebuild our home after the storm!

Now is an era where only results matter—if a book doesn’t perform well, it’s as if half of its life is gone right away... If this book fails too, I’m afraid this humble monk will have to fade away...

So I earnestly ask everyone, please, please subscribe and support!

As I’ve said many times before: “No artist can survive without patrons.” Dear readers, whether you are like fathers or mothers to me, whether by blood or by fate, for the sake of the immense dedication and effort I’ve poured into this work, please give this brother a helping hand!

Third, here’s the plan for the book. The goal is five million words. In the early stages, the story follows the protagonist’s journey through the imperial examinations, depicting the rise of a family rooted in this system. In the middle and later stages, it will naturally shift to the enigmatic and turbulent events of the Zhengde era, those hidden beneath the surface of the historical record.

Trust me, these are the parts I excel at the most. There’s absolutely no chance of the story collapsing, faltering, or becoming drawn out—none at all. The only risk is the book’s performance; if it falls flat again, writing five million words would leave me begging on the streets...

So, my dear patrons, please do subscribe and support!

Finally, let’s talk about the updates, which is what everyone cares about most. You all hope for ten chapters a day, and so do I. But first, each chapter is three thousand words—originally, ten chapters made twenty thousand words, but now five chapters are already fifteen thousand. Second, this book is especially demanding. I’m over forty now, my eyes tire easily, and I can’t maintain high concentration the way I used to—not just compared to the younger generation, but even compared to my younger self.

Of course, without the experience that comes with age, I couldn’t have written this “Top Scholar” in the first place...

Nonetheless, since the book is just launching, I have to go all out—otherwise, how could I be worthy of your support? After thinking it over all afternoon, here’s what I propose: two chapters of six thousand words is the minimum, anything extra counts as a bonus. I still owe eight chapters from before, and with four chapters released today, that leaves six chapters owed.

As before, for every five hundred subscriptions, I’ll add another chapter! And, of course, the top supporters will also get bonus chapters!

This puts a lot of pressure on me, but don’t worry about wearing me out—your subscriptions will turn that pressure into motivation, and I’ll write with all my might!

Please subscribe and support as much as you can! The more support you give, the more I’ll write!