radicalducati Chapter 208 Everyone's Reactions
Chapter 208 Everyone's Reactions
Wangchun Tower
Today is the first day of the tenth lunar month, the day the new issue of the Beijing Daily is released. On the central high platform in the first-floor hall of Wangchunlou, the storyteller is already sitting behind the table. He slams the gavel and announces loudly, "The latest issue of the Beijing Daily has been purchased. Today, I will explain the contents of the new issue to everyone."
Since the Beijing Daily became popular, this has become a regular feature at Wangchunlou and many other teahouses and restaurants—having a storyteller explain the Beijing Daily.
After all, although the capital city was under the emperor's nose, not everyone was literate, and even if they were literate, they might not be able to understand the contents of the Beijing Gazette.
In this way, it would be very thoughtful to have a storyteller to help explain things.
Teahouses and restaurants can also use this to attract business, so it's a win-win situation.
The tables near the railing on the second floor were all full of people.
Several young people in fine clothes sat together, listening to the storyteller below explaining the Beijing Gazette.
"As expected of the most famous storyteller, the Beijing newspaper was filled with dense text that I couldn't read, but now I'm listening with great interest."
"What are you saying! This is Wangchunlou, so naturally we've invited the best storytellers. If Wangchunlou dared to deceive people, the guests wouldn't let them off the hook."
After saying that, the group looked at the handsome man in the dark blue robe in front of them: "Second Brother Zheng, we heard you're planning to travel and study abroad?"
Zheng Shaohui took a sip of tea: "It's not decided yet. I didn't pass the imperial examination last year. My parents were planning to find another tutor for me, but we know our own situation. I failed the imperial examination because I didn't have enough knowledge, which can't be solved by finding a tutor. I do plan to travel and study to broaden my experience and knowledge, but if there are other ways to hone my skills, I don't want to leave the capital."
He came from a merchant family. Three generations back, the Zheng family had only produced one scholar, Zheng Shaohui, who had passed the imperial examination. In the Zheng family, Zheng Shaohui was of extraordinary importance.
After failing the imperial examination last year, Zheng Shaohui's parents kept trying to find a way to help him, but learning is something that cannot be forced.
Zheng Shaohui had been studying for more than ten years and was actually a little tired of it. He felt that perhaps it would be better to put down the pressure of the civil service exam and relax for a while before studying again.
Therefore, he has not yet made up his mind to study abroad.
"Today's Beijing Gazette also includes content in the margins... From today onwards, the imperial court allows private individuals to open newspapers and publish civilian newspapers. As long as they pass the review of the Beijing Gazette Bureau, they can publish civilian newspapers..."
Upon hearing this news, there was a moment of silence inside Wangchun Tower, followed by a violent uproar.
"Minbao? What does that mean? Does it mean we can also publish a newspaper?"
"Both the *Beijing Gazette* and the *Dibao* were official gazettes, so the *Minbao*, as the name suggests, must have been a newspaper run by ordinary people, right?"
"Really? We can publish a newspaper too?"
Zheng Shaohui and his group on the second floor were also stunned: "What is the Beijing News Bureau planning to do?"
They were all from merchant families, and in order to make their businesses go smoothly, they had all dealt with the government offices to some extent. They also understood that the influence of the Beijing Gazette was not only among the common people, but also in the imperial court.
Knowing full well that the Beijing Gazette is a powerful tool for manipulating public opinion, the fact that the court is still willing to grant the right to publish private newspapers is truly baffling.
Zheng Shaohui listened carefully to the requirements for running the People's Daily and said, "Don't be too happy yet. The review process is very strict, and you also need someone from the Beijing Gazette Bureau to vouch for you. If something goes wrong, you will be held jointly liable. I estimate that not many people will be able to pass the review."
"What, Brother Zheng, you want to start some kind of newspaper?"
Zheng Shaohui shook his head: "I don't have that kind of energy."
Even if he takes a break for a while, he still needs to continue preparing for the civil service exam and won't have time to mess around with the newspaper.
……
The news that the imperial court had allowed private individuals to publish newspapers spread like wildfire throughout the capital, like a drop of ink falling into clear water.
Having experienced the influence of the Beijing Daily, everyone who felt capable of running a private newspaper was tempted when they learned that private individuals could publish their own.
After all, the feeling that a single word can change a person's fate is simply too tempting.
Even if the People's Daily can't reach the status of the Beijing Daily, as long as it can make a name for itself, it can accomplish a lot.
Upon receiving the news, everyone carefully read the review requirements, which were indeed very strict, but the most important thing was obviously to find someone from the Beijing News Agency to act as a guarantor.
As a result, the people from the Beijing Gazette Bureau became highly sought after. In the following days, they were frequently invited to meals and drinks, and countless people came to their door with gifts.
If Yao Maofang hadn't told them beforehand that as long as they were careful, they could accept the gifts, they probably would have been terrified by what they saw.
After all, they were just minor officials, among the least influential people in the officialdom.
Even though the Imperial Gazette Office is now the most watched government office in the capital, everyone knows that Wen Zongji controls it, and these minor officials have little power.
Now that the People's Daily has issued its censorship requirements, they have come to the attention of the public.
Wen Zongji ignored the madness of certain people in the capital. That evening at dinner, she asked, "When will you go to the Beijing Gazette Bureau to go through the review process for the People's Gazette?"
Pei Rujing turned to look at Granny Feng.
Granny Feng said, "The contract has been signed."
Wen Zongji asked, "What contract?"
Pei Rujing said, "I had the nanny buy the shop next to Ruijintang so that Mao Zheng can take care of the newspaper office when I'm not around."
Wen Zongji was surprised that he had even bought a shop. He said helplessly, "I originally planned to recruit someone else to help my wife manage the newspaper. No matter how capable Mao Zheng is, he can't possibly manage both Ruijintang and the newspaper at the same time."
The problem is that it's hard to find capable people, so Mao Zheng is temporarily handling it, but it certainly can't continue like this forever.
Pei Rujing casually said, "Anyway, I've already bought it, and the location is pretty good."
Wen Zongji laughed and said, "The newspaper's job is to review and finalize the manuscripts and distribute the newspaper. It is not responsible for selling the newspaper, so the location doesn't matter."
Pei Rujing was taken aback: "Where can I buy the Minbao newspaper?"
"Naturally, just like the Beijing Gazette Bureau, we cooperated with those bookstores to sell the People's Daily."
That's why he thought Pei Rujing didn't need to buy a shop specifically.
Pei Rujing had no intention of being taken advantage of. The county magistrate was far too wealthy; this amount of silver was nothing to her and wouldn't cause her any distress.
Not to mention Pei Rujing, even Wen Zongji, thanks to Ruijintang these past few months, is no longer short of money. However, he usually goes between the Jingbaosi and the Houfu, so he doesn't have much opportunity to spend money and doesn't have a clear idea of how much money he has.
"Now that the shop has been purchased, I will go to the Beijing Gazette Bureau tomorrow to review and approve the publication of the People's Gazette."
Wen Zongji asked, "My lady, you should know the specific requirements, right?"
"Know."
"Alright, make sure you bring enough of what you need tomorrow, so you don't make a wasted trip."
Pei Rujing raised an eyebrow: "With you here, would you think I'd make a wasted trip?"
Wen Zongji said, "We can't just openly show favoritism, can we? That would damage my authority in the Capital Gazette Office."
Pei Rujing smiled: "Did you hear that, Granny? Prepare the things tonight so that my husband can see them in advance, lest we damage his dignity tomorrow."
Granny Feng replied, "Yes, Your Highness."