Seeing that the matter had settled, Jiajing withdrew his gaze, pretended to be nonchalant, and turned to speak.
"I plan to set up a new department specifically responsible for publishing newspapers!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he immediately explained to everyone as if he was belatedly thinking about it.
"The so-called newspaper is similar to the Di Bao, which has the function of publicizing government affairs, publishing interesting stories, etc. Compared with the Di Bao, the newspaper only has one piece of paper. Correspondingly, the price of the newspaper is much cheaper."
"With only a little cost control, we can reach the point where the people of Ming Dynasty can afford it!"
After Jiajing's explanation, everyone present understood what the emperor wanted to express.
"The newspaper your Majesty just mentioned is just a simplified version of the Di newspaper!"
However, everyone still couldn't understand the emperor's intention. Logically speaking, the emperor didn't need to worry about such trivial matters at all!
Immediately afterwards, Yan Song stood up and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I think you don't have to worry about such a trivial matter personally!"
When Jiajing heard this, the expression on his face did not change, and he said with a half-smile.
"Oh, Mr. Yan Ge said this, does he agree with my proposal?"
Yan Song had no doubt that he was there, and immediately nodded firmly and said respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I thought..."
However, before Yan Song finished speaking, he was interrupted excitedly by Jiajing.
"It just so happens that before you guys came, I had already thought of the name of this department to be established. Let's call it the Information Agency!"
After hearing the name Jiajing gave to the new department, Yan Song's eyes shone and he couldn't help but praise it.
"News, news, fresh and interesting news, Your Majesty, what a good name!"
At this moment, Xu Jie stepped forward and asked Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for talking too much, but what name do you plan to give to the newspaper you are about to establish?"
As soon as Xu Jie finished speaking, the eyes of everyone present could not help but focus on the emperor, waiting for the answer quietly.
When Jiajing heard this, after thinking about it for a long time, he seemed to have thought of something, and immediately made a decisive decision.
"Yes, I plan to name this upcoming newspaper Daming Daily!"
"What do you guys think of this name?"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he looked around, waiting for everyone's comments.
Gao Gong on the side couldn't help but frowned when he heard this, and then he mustered up the courage to advise Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, I think this move is inappropriate!"
Seeing the emperor's eyes falling on him, Gao Gong suppressed the panic in his heart, and after sorting out his words, he calmly spoke out his thoughts.
"Your Majesty, I personally believe that this upcoming newspaper cannot bear the title of Ming Dynasty!"
Gao Gong's words were approved by most members of the cabinet.
Immediately, Zhang Juzheng and Xu Jie were seen on the side, and they followed closely.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this is just a small newspaper. How can it deserve the title of Ming Dynasty?"
When Jiajing heard this, he looked back and pondered for a moment before speaking.
"My idea is to name the newspaper after the Ming Dynasty. This way, the people can intuitively know that this is a newspaper issued by the imperial court, which is authoritative and highly credible!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he added another sentence.
"Do you have any other thoughts on this?"
Seeing that the emperor had already planned everything before everyone arrived, everyone could only nod in agreement.
At this moment, Yan Shifan, who had been silent, asked an extremely critical question.
"Your Majesty, who do you plan to manage this newly established Information Agency?"
As soon as Yan Shifan finished speaking, the eyes of everyone present became enthusiastic.
In any case, the establishment of a new department in the imperial court means that there are more vacancies. If you can firmly control this newly established Information Agency, it will undoubtedly greatly expand the power in your hands!
Jiajing seemed to have seen what everyone was thinking. After lightly laughing, he immediately turned his eyes to Lu Fang and gave instructions.
"I plan to hand over the newly established Information Agency to Lu Fang!"
When Lu Fang heard this, her face was full of disbelief. She froze on the spot and hesitated.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, this, this..."
It was not only Lu Fang who was surprised by this, Yan Song and others were also in a daze at this moment.
Not long ago, they were still thinking that if the emperor handed over the newly established department to himself, they would arrange for all his people to be assigned to the Information Agency.
And the emperor's move to pull the plug will undoubtedly make everyone's plans come to nothing!
Jiajing faced everyone's puzzled looks and announced the new regulations unhurriedly.
"From now on, the head of the Information Department will always be the eunuch in charge of the ceremony!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, Lu Fang fell to his knees on the ground with a plop, and said in a deep voice with a look of gratitude on his face.
"This slave must live up to His Majesty's great trust and handle this job well!"
Jiajing took in the expression on Lu Fang's face, nodded imperceptibly, and immediately gave instructions.
"Well, get up!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After getting Jiajing's permission, Lu Fang slowly stood up from the ground, and immediately waited beside Jiajing as usual, motionless, with no expression on his face, like a stone.
Seeing that the matter had been settled, Jiajing turned his gaze to Yan Song and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Yan Song, later on your cabinet will officially announce that the Imperial College will add new subjects and that the imperial court will publish a newspaper!"
When Yan Song heard this, his expression turned serious and he responded respectfully.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Then, Jiajing was seen looking at the ground casually, waving his hands, and immediately giving instructions.
"Okay, I still have things to deal with next, you can leave!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, please leave!"
Immediately afterwards, Yan Song and others left the Yangxin Hall one after another after bowing respectfully to Jiajing.
Soon, Jiajing and Lu Fang were the only two people left in the huge Yangxin Hall.
Just when Jiajing was about to take out the formation secret book to study, he accidentally caught a glimpse of Lu Fang's face that was hesitant to speak. Jiajing had no choice but to put the book aside and immediately spoke.
"Lu Fang, do you have anything to say to me?"
Seeing that the emperor had seen through her thoughts, Lu Fang breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time she couldn't help but start to worry.
Finally, after thinking for a long time, Lu Fang seemed to have made up his mind and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I have never been involved in this matter before. I am afraid that I will harm Your Majesty..."
Before Lu Fang could finish her words, she was decisively interrupted by Jiajing.
"Don't worry, I have already thought of corresponding countermeasures!"
"I plan to divide the upcoming Daming Daily into two versions."
When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment and then continued.
"One version is specially for officials and gentry. This version of Daming Daily contains mostly text, and the paper used is better and more expensive!"
"The other version is for ordinary people. It mainly features pictures. The paper used in the newspaper should be as cheap as possible. In this way, we can save costs and sell more newspapers!"
(End of chapter)
