After listening to Jiajing's explanation, Lu Fang seemed to have a clear understanding, her eyes shone with a strange light, and she said excitedly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for clarifying my doubts. I already know what to do!"
When Jiajing heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little relieved on his face, and he immediately ordered.
"When the time comes, you go to the city to find a few painters with fairly good skills. After they pass the assessment, let them officially draw the pictures!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she frowned slightly and quickly asked respectfully.
"May I ask Your Majesty, what are the assessment criteria?"
Jiajing obviously did not expect Lu Fang to ask this question, and after being stunned for a moment, he gave the answer.
"The assessment criterion is that as long as you can draw pictures that make people laugh!"
"A funny picture?"
After listening to the assessment standards proposed by Jiajing, Lu Fang couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Seeing this situation, Jiajing couldn't help but sigh, and immediately spoke.
"If it doesn't work out, I can reluctantly sacrifice myself for the sake of newspaper sales!"
"At that time, the first article of Daming Daily can also use me as a gimmick. For example, write a little about my hobbies or what I like to eat in the article. Anyway, as long as it is related to me, you can write it!"
"In addition, you can also leave a special space in the newspaper. Those merchants in the capital who are willing to pay can write their names. While promoting them, you can recover the cost."
When Lu Fang heard this, her face turned pale with fright, and she immediately knelt on the ground and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, no, you are the king and father of hundreds of millions of people in our two capitals and thirteen provinces in the Ming Dynasty!"
Jiajing took in the expression on Lu Fang's face and spoke immediately.
"If the sales volume of the newspapers facing the common people is really not good, this is the only way to do it."
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately clenched her fists, her eyes full of fighting spirit, and said in a deep voice.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will never let this happen!"
…
On the cabinet side, after Yan Song and others left the Yangxin Hall, they worked non-stop to announce that the Imperial College was about to add new subjects and that the imperial court was about to publish a newspaper.
Unsurprisingly, the fact that the imperial court was about to add new subjects to the Imperial College did not cause any waves, but the fact that the imperial court was about to publish a newspaper spread a lot in the court, and aroused a very enthusiastic response from all officials, both civil and military. discuss.
At this moment, several officials had gathered in front of the bulletin board where the cabinet usually posted announcements, and they were chattering away.
"Hey, look, there is a new announcement posted at the cabinet. It seems that the court is going to issue a newspaper?"
“What is a newspaper and why have I never heard of it?”
"Do you know what a newspaper is?"
"I don't know, you know what?"
"I don't know, maybe it's the same thing as Di Bao?"
While these officials were still arguing about what a newspaper was, Zhao Zhenji happened to be passing by. Seeing this, he couldn't help but become interested. He walked over and stopped to watch for a long time before taking his time. said.
"In my opinion, the newspaper that the imperial court will publish should be similar to Di Bao!"
After hearing this, the officials who were arguing suddenly turned around. When they saw Zhao Zhenji in front of them, a flattering look suddenly appeared on their faces, and they said respectfully: "I have met Mr. Zhao!"
"Um."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhenji nodded slightly and left the scene without stopping.
After Zhao Zhenji left, one of the officials who didn't know what was going on looked at Zhao Zhenji's leaving figure and asked his colleagues on the side.
"Who is this Mr. Zhao? Why have I never seen him before?"
When the colleagues on the side heard this, panic appeared on their faces. After checking around and making sure that no one was paying attention, they breathed a sigh of relief and then explained.
"Shh, keep your voice down. You have just joined the officialdom, so it's normal that you don't know Mr. Zhao."
"You just need to know that he is the supervisory censor. Anyway, if you meet him, you can basically go see the Lord of Hell!"
…
Capital City, Yan Mansion.
After getting off duty, Yan Shifan returned to his room without stopping. He wanted to continue the unfinished work before and perfect the steam engine drawings according to his own wishes.
While Yan Shifan was still racking his brains to think about where there were other flaws, a knock on the door came from outside, interrupting his train of thought.
Yan Shifan frowned slightly, with a stern look on his face. After a long while, he spoke.
"Come in!"
After the words fell, the butler carefully revealed his figure and said softly.
"Mr. Xiao Ge, Mr. Yan Ge asked you to come over. He said he had something to discuss with you!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, the resentment in his heart about being disturbed also dissipated a lot. After putting away the steam engine drawings copied by his subordinates, he responded.
"Well, I understand, I'll go over right now!"
Seeing that his mission had been completed, the housekeeper couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and immediately turned around and left.
After a while, Yan Shifan came to the study and gently knocked on the door.
"come in!"
A rather dull voice came from the study. After hearing this, Yan Shifan no longer hesitated and immediately opened the door and entered.
In the study room, Yan Song was sitting in front of the desk, holding a book in his hand and looking at it with relish. When he saw Yan Shifan coming in, he reluctantly moved his eyes away from the book and immediately gave instructions.
"Open the door!"
"Yes, father!"
After Yan Shifan responded, he immediately came to Yan Song and asked respectfully.
"Father, what do you want from me?"
After hearing this, Yan Song put the book aside, sighed, and said slowly.
"I'm here to find you. There is indeed something I need you to do."
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and then continued.
"When the time comes, when the imperial newspaper is officially released, go and tell them to buy as many as they have!"
Hearing this, Yan Shifan had a puzzled expression on his face: "Father, you are trying to please His Majesty..."
Before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song: "You idiot, can you think about it again?"
Although Yan Song was very angry when he said this, he still patiently explained to Yan Shifan.
"Think about it, why is His Majesty so concerned about this trivial matter, and he even didn't hesitate to call everyone in the cabinet to discuss it?"
Yan Shifan also felt a little baffled by this sudden reprimand. In his opinion, his father's behavior was clearly a disguised show of goodwill to the emperor.
Seeing that Yan Shifan still didn't understand what he meant, Yan Song's face showed an expression of hatred for steel, and he continued immediately.
"Do you still remember the first thing His Majesty came to discuss with us?"
As soon as Yan Song finished speaking, Yan Shifan responded without thinking.
"The first thing His Majesty came to discuss with us was to establish more disciplines in the Imperial College!"
After Yan Song heard this, the anger in his heart weakened a little, and he continued immediately.
"This matter is just a cover to make us relax our vigilance. What His Majesty really wants to do his best to implement is the second matter, that is, the imperial court will officially issue a newspaper.
"For a long time, in my country, the Ming Dynasty, the voices of the gentry have always occupied the mainstream. Not only that, their influence is also very powerful!"
"And this situation is something your Majesty does not want to see."
"It is a lie that the imperial court publishes newspapers. It is true that Your Majesty wants to take this opportunity to expand his influence!"
"Think about it, after the newspaper is officially released, His Majesty will be able to use the newspaper to directly promote the court's policies to the people. In this process, no gentry officials are required to participate."
"Your Majesty can also take this opportunity to expand his influence. You may not see any effect in one or two days, but what about one or two years, ten or twenty years?"
After listening to Yan Song's analysis, Yan Shifan suddenly reacted and broke into a cold sweat.
Yan Song was not surprised by Yan Shifan's reaction. He immediately looked at the ground casually and said slowly.
"Your Majesty's plans are far-reaching and cannot be achieved overnight. How courageous this is!"
Immediately afterwards, Yan Shifan suppressed the panic in his heart and immediately asked Yan Song about how to deal with it.
"Then father, what should we do next is to talk to those gentry..."
Before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song.
"Idiot, how can we achieve anything by following those corrupt people? What we need to do is to follow His Majesty's steps closely!"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and then gave instructions.
"When the time comes, go and ask Eunuch Lu to see if there is any use for us!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately looked stern and said respectfully.
"Yes, father, let's do it now!"
After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave the study, but unexpectedly, Yan Song's instructions came from behind.
"By the way, people in Zhejiang must also pay more attention. Changing rice to mulberry will not cause any trouble!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Shifan paused suddenly as he was about to leave the study, and immediately responded.
"Father, the child knows what to do."
…
Henan, Kaifeng Prefecture.
After traveling around the clock for more than ten days, Hu Zhili, the new governor of Henan, finally arrived at Kaifeng Mansion in Henan, where he met the imperial envoy Hai Rui.
Before Hu Zhili officially took office, Hai Ruilai was in charge of all government affairs in Henan.
In the government office, Hai Rui and Hu Zhili hit it off immediately, and the topics they talked about were quite speculative.
For a moment, Hu Zhili felt as if he had met a close friend.
Hai Rui led Hu Zhili to the study room, then pointed at the pile of files on the desk and said softly.
"Brother Ru Li, here is what I have compiled in recent days. The customs and customs in Henan must be of some help to you in your next administration!"
When Hu Zhili heard this, he followed Hai Rui's gaze. When he saw the tall pile of files on the desk, he knew that Hai Rui had definitely put his heart into it.
Immediately, a look of gratitude appeared on Hu Zhili's face, and he bowed to Hai Rui.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy. I will never forget Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy's kindness!"
Upon seeing this, Hai Rui quickly leaned over and helped Hu Zhili up, sighing.
"I only hope that you can be kind to the people in Henan. Their lives are really hard!"
"A harsh government is as fierce as a tiger. It's usually fine and we can barely survive. But if there is some natural disaster, the people will end up selling their sons and daughters!"
"Do you understand what I said to you?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Zhili immediately looked directly into Hai Rui's eyes and made his promise.
"Don't worry, Imperial Envoy. I will definitely live up to your trust and govern the people of Henan well!"
When Hai Rui heard this, he felt a little relieved and then corrected him.
"We are all working for His Majesty. You can let me down, but you can never let Him down!"
When Hu Zhili heard this, he immediately put on a learned posture and said in a deep voice.
"I would like to thank the imperial envoy for your teaching!"
Hearing this, Hai Rui nodded slightly and immediately spoke.
"Now that you have officially taken office, I should also officially return to the court and report my duties to His Majesty!"
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he turned around and left. Seeing this, Hu Zhili quickly stepped forward, followed Hai Rui's footsteps, and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, do you need me to go to the dock to see you off?"
When Hai Rui heard this, he stopped, turned around, and said.
"No need, Henan has just experienced turmoil right now, and we urgently need you, the governor of Henan, to calm people's hearts. There are many places where you can be used in the future, so there is no need to waste your time on me!"
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he left without waiting for Hu Zhili's reply.
Hu Zhili looked at Hai Rui's leaving figure, and everything he wanted to say was stuck in his throat.
However, Hu Zhili not only showed no trace of annoyance on his face, but also felt a deep admiration for Hai Rui in his heart.
Immediately, Hu Zhili looked back as if he had made up his mind, his face full of determination.
Hu Zhili returned to his study and began to read carefully from beginning to end the records that Hai Rui left for him about the various customs and customs in Henan.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day when Hai Rui officially left Henan and returned to the capital to report on his duties. Before that, he did not notify anyone. He just asked the accompanying guards to pack their luggage and headed for the dock while it was still dark.
When Hai Rui and his party arrived at the pier, they suddenly discovered that the place was already filled with people who came to see him off.
Seeing Hai Rui's arrival, all the people knelt on the ground and shouted in unison.
"Master Qingtian!"
Not only Hai Rui, but also the group of guards responsible for escorting Hai Rui were quite moved by this.
"Everyone, please get up quickly. I just did what I should do!"
After that, Hai Rui personally helped the people at the scene up one by one. After calming their emotions, he reluctantly boarded the ship back to the capital.
The mighty fleet set off immediately, and the water surface shone with a different kind of light under the early morning sunlight.
(End of chapter)
