Riding the wind of rebirth

"The idea is sound, but what about the approach?" Old Gu asked. "Are you confident that you can get that... Ah, Xiao Zhi, to learn to think like a human?"

"This is a rather complex training process," Zhou Zhi said. "However, we have already achieved some success."

"When we were building the metadata search engine, we tracked the content entered by users and extracted a set of grammatical logic judgment rules, which allowed us to know the true meaning of the user's question."

"This is the basic starting point for grammatical logic judgment. This starting point is actually somewhat similar to the application of high-level languages ​​in computers, but it is much more complex in the application of nonlinear mathematics."

"High-level computer languages ​​are essentially the most basic functions of a computer, fixed in terms of human-understandable language instructions. For example, the process of performing specific logical operations on two fixed binary values ​​in memory to obtain another binary output value can be defined as a function and named 'add'. As long as I input 'add' in a specific environment, the addition operation can be performed. This is a process of enabling machines to learn human instructions."

“When you accumulate this process, you get a set of tools that can be used to complete a series of relatively complex tasks,” Zhou Zhi said.

"After all, no matter how complicated this series of actions is, it all comes down to precisely receiving two results—success or failure."

"If this tool is applied to the computing power system that Xiao Miao is researching, it will no longer be the same. Instead, it will be replaced with a probabilistic result."

"This multi-neuron-like network computing model is similar to the thinking process of the human brain, especially in non-linear operations, and it is also more accurate in linear logic operations."

"The next step that will develop on this basis is the machine's autonomy and deep learning capabilities. We will no longer need to precisely tell the computer system how to execute a program, but instead let it analyze and understand a rough instruction, refine it into an execution plan, and finally obtain the results."

"Then what's the point of having people?" Old Gu sighed.

“Humans need to teach machines how to learn,” Zhou Zhi said with a smile. “It’s like when we teach Xiao Zhi to play chess. Although we don’t write the specific move logic code, the way it establishes logic, learns to read game records, analyzes probabilities, and so on is all done by humans. All of this is thanks to Xiao Miao and her team.”

“That’s good too,” Professor Gu nodded. “This way, Xiao Miao and you can work and do research together. Not bad at all.”

The older people and children are more likely to be close to Mai Xiaomiao. The older people's thoughts are not on academics, but on the idea that this project can bind Mai Xiaomiao and Zhouzhi together more firmly, which is not a bad thing.

“If you agree, then let’s do it,” Zhou Zhi said with a smile.

“Sure, you already have a job and the project isn’t short of money, so there’s no need to rush to get your degree.” Professor Gu laughed. “A good drum doesn’t need a heavy hammer. I won’t tell you how much effort you need to put into your academic work.”

"We're moving soon, why don't you come to Suihuaxuan for a few days to relax?"

“No need. The house you brought is quite empty. I’ll move there soon. Your mansion is too luxurious. It’s not suitable for an old man like me who has spent his whole life teaching.”

“Grandpa, we live upstairs, and the space at the elbow restaurant is still quite simple,” Mai Xiaomiao said.

"Hehehe... that's because you, Xiao Miao, have no concept of calligraphy, painting, and antiques." Old Gu laughed, "Even the big vat in his study where he keeps the scrolls is quite something. The old man doesn't feel comfortable living in it."

“Actually, the environment at the lumber mill is quite good now,” Zhou Zhi said. “Half of it has already been developed; it’s large and quiet.”

“Your senior brother’s house is big and quiet.” Old Gu continued waving his hand, “You two don’t need to worry about me. By the way, you have to come with me to the provincial library in the next few days to meet the descendants of the Yan family.” “Which descendants of the Yan family? Do I know them?” Zhou Zhi asked.

"You don't know her, but she knows you," Old Gu said. "Have you heard of the Yan family, who are said to be 'respectful without rank, noble without office; with a room full of rare books, their wealth surpasses all others'?"

"The Yan family of Benyuan Library?!" Zhou Zhi was immediately filled with awe.

In May of the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, a family of salt merchants moved from central Shaanxi to Luogongci Street in Chengdu. This family had a seven-year-old child named Yan Ao, courtesy name Yanfeng.

This child loved reading from a young age, and gradually developed a love for collecting books during his teenage years.

By the time he grew from a boy into a young man, at the age of twenty-four, his collection of books had reached 5 volumes.

After failing the imperial examination, Yan Yanfeng turned his attention to book collecting, dedicating his life to the goal of "preserving 50,000 volumes of books, which would fulfill his lifelong wish."

At that time, Wang Kaiyun, the headmaster of Zunjing Academy, the predecessor of Shuda University, appreciated his ambition and made an exception to accept him as a disciple.

Through his daily interactions with classmates such as Song Yuren, Liao Ping, Wu Zhiying, and Zhang Senkai, Yan Yanfeng's scholarship and book collection grew rapidly, earning him the reputation of being "extraordinarily wealthy and the most renowned collector in Sichuan." Every book collector takes pride in their collection of rare and valuable editions. His collection, totaling 300,000 volumes, surpassed that of some established libraries at the time.

A brief list of the Yan family's collection is enough to astound anyone: a rare Song Dynasty edition of *Huainanzi*, *Chunhua Pavilion Double-Hook Calligraphy Copybook*, and *Yanzi Chunqiu*; manuscripts of correspondence between Hu Linyi, Yan Shusen, and Zeng Guofan, as well as maps of mountains and rivers used in military campaigns; Gu Yanwu's manuscript of *Zhaoyu Zhi*; and the thirty-volume Ma Yuantiao edition of *Mengxi Bitan*, a dream come true for book collectors.
With the collection of books piling up like mountains, special management was needed, so Yan Yanfeng had an idea—to build a library dedicated to his collection.

So he transported the books to Daci Temple and Longzang Temple for safekeeping, and at the same time expanded the Jingxun Building he had bought, naming it "Benyuan Library".

In the autumn of 1918, Yan Yanfeng passed away suddenly, unable to witness the completion of the certificate repository.

But it is gratifying that someone has carried on his legacy. This person is none other than Yan Gusheng, the second owner of the Benyuan Library.

Yan Yanfeng had no sons of his own, so he adopted the son of a relative from his hometown in Shaanxi, naming him Yan Gusheng, and named his study "Shiguo Xue Zhai" (Time-Passing Study). This reflected his earnest hope that his stepson would study diligently and without ceasing.

In 1924, the Benyuan Library was completed. Chengdu scholar Tao Liangsheng once described it as follows: "The library was built in the garden. It was a tall and spacious structure made of nanmu wood, with stone walls on the outside and windows and doors. It was like a stone library. Ginkgo and bamboo were planted around it. It was warm in winter and cool in summer, and it was fresh and elegant."

Yan Gusheng devoted himself wholeheartedly to the preservation and management of his book collection. Compiling the family's heirloom book catalog alone took him two full years. The design of the bookstore was also meticulously crafted.

The entire library is divided into three floors, with ventilation holes in the four walls to allow air to circulate inside; a layer of sheet metal is added to the wooden walls to prevent moisture; the bookshelves and cabinets are all made of nanmu and camphor wood, and particularly precious books are placed in specially made nanmu boxes.

Legend has it that every spring and summer, the Yan family would specially hire someone to turn the pages of their books to prevent insects and decay. The person hired had to be illiterate, so that they would not show favoritism.

The list of renowned scholars who frequented Benyuan Library could be quite long: Yu Youren, Xie Wuliang, Gu Jiegang, Chen Yinque, Lin Sijin, Pang Shizhou, Meng Wentong, Shen Yinmo, Ye Qianyu, Gong Xiangnong, Xiang Chu… At that time, Benyuan Library was a place many scholars longed to visit. (End of Chapter)