What are the recommended foundational texts for progressively studying Shafi'i jurisprudence for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students?

Seeking knowledge is a great act of worship, and among the noblest of sciences is the jurisprudence (fiqh) of Islamic rulings. It is best for a student to specialize in one of the four Sunni schools of thought, as this is easier and more beneficial, and helps in mastering the knowledge. The student should begin with the concise texts (mukhtasarat) of the madhhab and study them under a proficient shaykh, then gradually progress to higher levels, while also studying usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) and al-qawa'id al-fiqhiyyah (juristic maxims). The student should choose the madhhab prevalent in their country to facilitate study and dissemination, and adhere to the books recommended by their shaykh, focusing on mastering what they study.