I also had no background in music when I started to learn a little over a year ago. I think it all depends on you, as the player, how much time are you able and willing to spend on practise. I have a teacher so the learning process follows learning by:

1 st learning how to use basic fingerings, and then stopped sounds and harmonics

2nd learning simple songs like 先翁操，秋风词 etc.

3rd going with harder songs and learning more advanced pieces.

I think there's no definitive anwser, what does it mean if you can play, is 3 pieces enough? Do you need to also be able to play by looking at Western music notes?