At this moment, seeing that the emperor had made the final decision, Xu Jie had no choice but to give up even though he was unwilling to do so.
Xu Jie's original idea was to use the opportunity of holding the court meeting to make the whole thing a big deal, preferably to the point where everyone knew about it!
In this way, not only can we select suitable candidates who are like-minded and willing to join Qingliu to fight against the strict party, but we can also take this opportunity to greatly improve our reputation and prepare for the future.
But now, with Jiajing adopting Yan Song's proposal, all this will come to nothing.
Therefore, although the expression on Xu Jie's face did not change much, he already hated Yan Song in his heart and wished he could get rid of him on the spot.
"Hmph, Yan Song, just wait for me!"
"I am younger than you and in better health than you. You are already eighty-one now. You will not be able to survive me after all!"
"When I become the chief minister of the cabinet, I will completely liquidate the Yan Party, and you will not be able to escape either!"
Seeing that the first thing had been discussed, after a short break, the eunuch with the loud voice came back to the stage and spoke loudly.
"The first matter has been discussed, and now we begin to discuss the second matter, which is the newspaper that will be published by the imperial court!"
After the eunuch finished speaking, Jiajing coughed twice and immediately added.
"My dear friends, before this happens, you must have seen the notice posted by the cabinet. The imperial court will officially issue newspapers soon!"
"I will name the newspaper that will be published by the imperial court Daming Daily."
"My dear friends, if you have any suggestions or doubts, you can put them forward."
After Jiajing finished speaking, he looked away from the many ministers present and said no more.
After Jiajing finished speaking, Gao Gong came out of the queue, slightly raised the wat board in his hand, and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, I have my own personal report!"
When Jiajing saw this, he waved his hand and immediately gave instructions.
"allow!"
After Gao Gong organized the words in his mind, he spoke.
"Your Majesty, I feel that although the original intention of the newspapers published by the imperial court was to let officials and the people know about the recent events in the Ming Dynasty, most of the people are illiterate, so the effect may not be good. Too ideal…”
After hearing what Gao Gong said, Jiajing first affirmed and then explained.
"Well, yes, Gao Aiqing's words pointed out the shortcomings of newspapers to the point."
"But before that, I have already thought of corresponding countermeasures. I plan to divide the newspapers into two types, one for officials, gentry and other literate people, and the other for ordinary people."
“The newspapers that officials and gentry read were mainly written in text, while the newspapers that ordinary people read were mainly based on pictures.”
"Of course, the newspapers read by officials and gentry will definitely be different from the newspapers read by ordinary people. Of course, the difference between the two is not only reflected in the material. The content of newspapers read by officials and gentry will also be more detailed. The land is rich!”
Jiajing's words undoubtedly made everyone present look forward to the newspaper that was about to be published by the imperial court.
In the eyes of these officials, the newspaper that the court is about to publish not only has the function of getting information, but more importantly, it is a symbol of status!
After all, only officials and gentry who could read and write could understand the contents of newspapers.
But ordinary people can only read newspapers with lower quality and sparse content, which greatly satisfies the vanity of these officials. What is the purpose of studying hard for so many years? Isn't it just to be superior to others?
In the future, if you want to get to know a person in the shortest possible time, it will be even simpler. You only need to look at the newspaper that person reads to see what kind of newspaper it is.
After listening to Jiajing's explanation, Gao Gong was quite convinced and immediately returned to the queue and said respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
After Gao Gong returned to the queue, Zhang Juzheng stood up again, holding a wat board, and asked Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, I have my own personal report!"
Jiajing took his eyes away from Zhang Juzheng and immediately gave instructions.
"allow!"
Then, Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly, and then asked his question.
"Your Majesty, the newspaper that the imperial court is about to publish is for the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty, right?"
When Jiajing heard this, he nodded slightly and immediately responded.
"Yeah, that's right."
After Zhang Juzheng received Jiajing's exact answer, he continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, once the newspaper is printed, how should it be transported to other provinces?"
"The time required in this process can be as little as ten days and a half, or as much as a year and a half. By then, the content recorded in the newspaper will no longer be used as a reference due to the passage of time!"
Zhang Juzheng's words undoubtedly brought out the thoughts of most of the officials present: "Yes, how can we avoid this?"
Jiajing seemed to have expected this, and after thinking for a moment, he immediately responded.
"Before this, I have already considered this issue. I plan to set up a branch of the Information Agency in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of the Ming Dynasty."
"At that time, when it is necessary to print newspapers, the Information Office in the capital will distribute the time and content of printing newspapers to other agencies. In this way, there will be no problem of changing times!"
After listening to Jiajing's explanation, Zhang Juzheng immediately fell into deep thought, seeming to be thinking about the feasibility of it. After a while, Zhang Juzheng came back to his senses and looked at Jiajing with eyes full of admiration and energy. responded.
"Your Majesty is wise, I think this strategy will definitely work!"
After that, several officials successively put forward some suggestions, and this court meeting gradually came to an end.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Jiajing looked around and immediately gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Okay, let's stop the court meeting here for now, I still have things to deal with next!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he stood up from the dragon chair. Under the leadership of Yan Song, the chief minister of the cabinet, many officials in the audience knelt on the ground and said in unison.
"I will respectfully send you off to Your Majesty!"
Jiajing had already turned a blind eye to this, and immediately called Lu Fang, took the dragon chariot, and left the Gate of Supreme Harmony.
On the way back to Yangxin Palace in the dragon chariot, Jiajing turned his eyes to Lu Fang, chuckled lightly, and then warned.
"Lu Fang, when the time comes, raise the price of the newspaper!"
After Jiajing finished speaking, he seemed to have noticed something wrong, and then explained.
"Of course, I am referring to that part of the newspaper that is specifically targeted at officials and gentry!"
When Lu Fang heard this, a look of doubt appeared on her face, and she immediately spoke.
"Your Majesty, I don't understand why you want to..."
Jiajing seemed to understand what Lu Fang was thinking and explained.
"In the eyes of those officials and gentry, they are higher than those ordinary people!"
"And I want to take advantage of their vanity to get enough profits from them, and then subsidize this part of the profits to newspapers specifically for the people."
"In this way, the government treasury does not have to bear too much pressure, and it can also promote the promotion of newspapers."
"By the time they truly realize my intentions, it will be too late. By then, the right to speak will be firmly in my hands!"
…
The development of the matter did not exceed Jiajing's expectations. After the court meeting, Yan Shifan personally found Lu Fang on the grounds that there were merchants in the capital who were willing to contribute money to sponsor the newspaper that the court was about to publish.
"Eunuch Lu, Boss Zhao from Liuxinju in the capital, is willing to pay 50,000 taels of silver to sponsor the newspaper that will be published by the imperial court!"
In the room, Yan Shifan looked extremely respectful and said to Lu Fang who was standing aside.
"Six Hearts Residence?"
After Lu Fang heard the name of the merchant mentioned by Yan Shifan, she was stunned for a moment, then realized it and responded with a smile.
"Liuxinju, I know, their pickles seem to be particularly famous in the capital!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he responded repeatedly.
"Yes, that's right, their pickles are very famous. Even my father loves their pickles!"
"How about I ask them to send some over another day for you to try?"
When Lu Fang heard this, she nodded and immediately spoke.
"Well, just in time, our family also wants to try their pickles. Let them send some over then!"
Seeing that Lu Fang agreed to his proposal, Yan Shifan's face was full of excitement and he immediately spoke.
"Thank you Eunuch Lu for your favor. I will definitely ask them to send you the best pickles!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she nodded slightly and then said something.
"Mr. Xiao Ge, don't delay the business!"
Yan Shifan naturally understood the meaning of Lu Fang's words and responded quickly.
"Don't worry, Eunuch Lu, you won't delay the business."
After receiving Yan Shifan's assurance, Lu Fang felt relieved, picked up the teacup on the side and took a sip.
Yan Shifan on the side saw this situation and quickly stood up from his seat, his face full of respect: "Eunuch Lu, I have some things to deal with later, so I won't disturb you!"
When Lu Fang heard this, a smile appeared on her face and she immediately spoke.
"Well, Mr. Xiaoge, go and do your work!"
After Yan Shifan left, Lu Fang slowly stood up from his seat and walked towards the Yangxin Hall at a leisurely pace. He wanted to tell Yu Jiajing the news face to face.
Along the way, no matter how heavy the work at hand was, the eunuchs and maids would consciously stop what they were doing, salute Lu Fang respectfully, and then call Eunuch Lu.
On the one hand, it was out of respect for Lu Fang, the powerful eunuch and eunuch, and on the other hand, it was because Lu Fang always had a spring breeze-like smile on her face at all times.
And he was very patient when dealing with those eunuchs and maids who made mistakes, unlike the other stewards who would always hit or scold them.
Therefore, all the eunuchs in the Forbidden City respected Lu Fang, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony.
Lu Fang looked at the Cultivation Heart Hall in front of her, gathered her thoughts, and stepped onto the steps.
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Jiajing was sitting on the futon with his eyes closed to relax. When he noticed Lu Fang coming in, he quietly opened his eyes.
"Lu Fang, what do you want from me?"
Seeing this, Lu Fang immediately came to Jiajing's side and reported to Jiajing unreservedly what had happened before when Yan Shifan came to see him and promised to send him pickles.
After listening to Lu Fang's narration, Jiajing was not surprised at all. He immediately turned his eyes to Lu Fang and said.
"What did I say earlier? Aren't there merchants willing to sponsor it?"
"Hmph, Six Hearts Residence!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she flattered Jiajing.
"Your Majesty is indeed a master of predicting events. I admire you!"
Then, Jiajing stood up from the futon and spoke again.
"If those merchants want to sponsor again in the future, it won't be at the price of 50,000 taels!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she quickly reacted and spoke immediately.
"Right now, in our country, Ming Dynasty, there is only one kind of newspaper, and that is the Ming Dynasty Daily published by the imperial court!"
"After those businesses see the promotion effect of Liuxinju, they will rush to sponsor newspapers to promote their products."
"And the imperial court can take this opportunity to let them bid, and the one with the highest price will win!"
After listening to Lu Fang's analysis, Jiajing nodded and immediately responded.
"Well, that's right, that's what I mean!"
When Jiajing said this, he turned his gaze to Lu Fang, changed the topic and gave instructions.
"Next, regarding the newspaper, Lu Fang, you have to speed up the progress. The layout of the newspaper should be done as I told you before!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she immediately looked stern and responded in a deep voice.
"As ordered, Your Majesty, I will do it now!"
Just as Lu Fang was about to leave the Yangxin Hall, Jiajing's voice sounded behind him.
"By the way, when the time comes, bring me a portion of the Liuxinju pickles that Yan Shifan brought to you!"
When Lu Fang heard this, she was stunned for a moment, then she quickly realized what she was saying, with a smile that couldn't be concealed on her face, and she responded respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
…
Zhejiang, Zhejiang Governor's Mansion.
At this moment, before setting off, Hu Zongxian specially called Zheng Michang to the Governor's Mansion and told him what needed to be paid attention to in the next period of time.
I saw Hu Zongxian sitting at the top, turning his eyes to Zheng Michang aside, and asked.
"By the way, have you and the officials from the Maritime Trade Department sent by the imperial court completed the handover?"
When Zheng Michang heard this, he became very angry and immediately poured bitter water on Hu Zongxian.
"My Lord Governor, you don't know that the officers of the Maritime Trade Department who were sent by the imperial court earlier are considered to be flattering to describe them as arrogant and domineering. Aren't they sent from the capital? What do they look like?"
"Xiaguan is not under their control. During the handover, they actually asked Xiaguan to sort out all the records of Ningbo Port in recent years before handing it over to them!"
"It's been so long, where can I find those records?"
After hearing Zheng Michang's bitter experience, Hu Zongxian couldn't help but become interested, and immediately asked.
"Oh, did you give them the records?"
As soon as Hu Zongxian finished speaking, Zheng Michang responded without thinking.
"Your Majesty the Governor, I was so angry that I rejected their request."
"In the end, they still had to do it themselves to sort out the records. The official also heard that they had not rested for a week in a row."
When Zheng Michang said this, his face was full of gloating.
(End of chapter)
