Shopkeeper Ma and Meng Ji had a great conversation, and Meng Ji even took the initiative to take out some gold to give to Shopkeeper Ma.
Shopkeeper Ma sternly refused and said to Meng Ji: "Sir, let us declare in advance that our newspaper is a sole proprietorship and does not accept shares."
Meng Ji laughed: "Don't worry, don't worry. This money is specially rewarded to you."
Shopkeeper Ma smiled and said, "That villain is disrespectful."
Then, shopkeeper Ma took the money with a smile.
Meng Ji looked at him with some disdain and thought, "Aren't you even polite?"
Of course Meng Ji really wanted to reward Shopkeeper Ma with this money.
But he also hoped that shopkeeper Ma would give in and show enough etiquette before accepting the money.
Unexpectedly, Shopkeeper Ma actually accepted it on the spot.
"Merchant, he is indeed a merchant." Meng Ji shook his head slightly in his heart, despising Shopkeeper Ma even more.
But he despises it, and he agrees with the method proposed by Shopkeeper Ma.
Use newspapers to counter general tabloids.
Well, be creative. This guy is a bit crooked.
…………
Shopkeeper Ma arrived outside Meng Ji's house with gold in his pocket and a smile on his face.
Then, he walked to a corner, bowed his hand to one of them, and said, "Please report back to your lord, everything has been settled. Meng Ji agreed. There will definitely be an endless supply of this material in the future."
"The rest of the arrangements can be implemented by adults."
The man nodded and said: "Well done. Let's act according to the plan. We can't meet often in the future, so as not to arouse suspicion."
Shopkeeper Ma said: "I understand that if something happens in the future, I will send a stranger to the adult's house."
The man nodded and left in a hurry.
In fact, this person is Li Xin's steward, Li Jia.
And the person behind Shopkeeper Ma is Li Xin.
The Jiangjun tabloid was founded by Li Xin. The Confucian newspaper was also exclusively invested by Li Xin.
It's just that this investment was made secretly, and no one knew about it.
After Li Jia left, Shopkeeper Ma waited for a while, and then walked out of the alley with a confident look on his face.
As a result, as soon as he came out, he was grabbed by someone.
He looked up and was startled.
This man is Meng Jia, the steward of Meng Ji's house.
Shopkeeper Ma was a little scared and said tremblingly: "Sir, you are... a villain, but you are not..."
Shopkeeper Ma didn't know if the housekeeper had seen what happened just now, and he didn't know if the housekeeper heard what he said just now. So very uneasy.
As a result, the butler was very pleasant and said to Shopkeeper Ma with a smile: "My master has invited me."
Shopkeeper Ma looked at the housekeeper in surprise: "But just now...didn't I just meet the Lord just now?"
The housekeeper said with a smile: "Now my master misses you again."
Shopkeeper Ma said oh and could only follow the housekeeper in.
After the two of them arrived at Meng Ji's house, Meng Ji smiled slightly and said, "After thinking about it, I think your plan is very reasonable and has great potential."
Shopkeeper Ma smiled dryly and said, "Yes, yes."
And he was thinking: Isn’t this nonsense? Isn’t that what we just said?
Meng Ji added: "It's just... I thought about it. I'm afraid it's not enough for me to provide you with information alone. So I plan to invite Confucian scholars from Qi and Lu. You can meet them and we can all come together." Let’s talk and talk freely.”
Shopkeeper Ma nodded excitedly.
Soon, the Confucian scholars had arrived.
These Confucian scholars arrived very quickly, with excited expressions on their faces.
After being driven out by Chun Yuyue last time, they had been in despair, but now they suddenly had hope again.
Mountain darkly, vista.
This kind of mood is the same for both Qin people and Song people.
After meeting Shopkeeper Ma, these people had very complicated emotions.
The other party was a businessman, and they looked down upon him a little. But the other party may be able to restore their reputation, and they are somewhat grateful.
These emotions were intertwined with each other, making the Confucian scholars present feel that they were becoming more sophisticated.
Meng Ji smiled and said to the Confucian scholars: "Everyone, please sit down. Let's talk freely and have a good chat."
The Confucian scholars nodded, but no one spoke.
They want to be reserved.
Reservedness is the preserve of superior people.
Shopkeeper Ma coughed dryly and took the initiative to say to the Confucian scholar: "How about I tell you my idea first?"
The Confucian scholars nodded implicitly.
So shopkeeper Ma said it again.
After hearing this, the Confucian scholars felt that this idea was unreasonable and unbelievable, but they knew that this method was really feasible.
A Confucian scholar nodded and said: "The most common method used by generals and tabloids is to be shameless. If we use gentleman methods, we will not be able to deal with them. Only by using villain methods can we win in one fell swoop."
Shopkeeper Ma thought to himself: What does this mean? Am I a villain? Damn it, can these people talk?
However, Shopkeeper Ma thought so in his heart, but did not show it on his face, which was still full of apologetic smile.
He said: "The villain has already told me the solution. The rest requires the efforts of the adults. First of all, I need you to provide some stories. Without stories, our Confucian newspaper is just a tree without roots and a source. I can’t handle the water.”
The Confucian scholars nodded, and then said: "This is simple, let me provide you with a story first."
Later, a Confucian scholar stood up and expressed his understanding of the scriptures.
The other Confucian scholars listened with great interest and nodded repeatedly.
Shopkeeper Ma laughed dryly and said: "This... what this gentleman said is certainly good, but I'm afraid the people don't like to see it. The people don't like to see it, and only our few die-hard supporters can control it." Can newspaper sales increase?"
The Confucian scholars all stared and asked, "Then what do you think we should do?"
Shopkeeper Ma said: "Why don't I tell you a story and you guys can comment on it."
Everyone nodded.
Shopkeeper Ma bowed his hand to Meng Ji: "Then let's take Mr. Meng as an example."
"By the way, although Mr. Meng comes from a wealthy family, he is still a concubine, so..."
Meng Ji slammed the table and said loudly: "This is unreasonable. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Shopkeeper Ma coughed dryly: "I'd like to teach you that this is called suppressing your desire before it grows. Only by making your life experience miserable can your current achievements be highlighted."
Meng Ji was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "That's all, you can continue talking."
Shopkeeper Ma added: "Because my mother was born in a humble family, Master Meng has never been taken seriously at home."
"I have been ignored by my father since I was a child, and I have been bullied by my direct brothers and sisters since I was a child. Even the servants at home are very neglectful and often sneer at Master Meng."
Meng Ji gritted his teeth and tried not to have an attack.
Shopkeeper Ma changed the subject: "However, Master Meng's mother is a very knowledgeable person. Although she is illiterate, she knows the benefits of literacy."
"So Master Meng has been encouraged to study since he was a child. Master Meng didn't have books, so he would go to the school to steal. Sometimes he would be caught, hung from a tree and beaten..."
Meng Ji: "..."
Shopkeeper Ma laughed dryly and said to Meng Ji: "Sir, I have offended you. In fact, stealing books is not considered stealing. Scholars love reading. This is a rare thing. How can it be considered stealing?"
Meng Ji said patiently: "Go on."
Shopkeeper Ma added: "Sometimes Mr. Meng cannot afford lamp oil at night, so he has to study by moonlight."
Meng Ji waved his hand: "Wait, wait. You are wrong. Can you read the words clearly under the moonlight?"
Shopkeeper Ma said: "It was originally difficult to see clearly, but Master Meng's studious spirit moved God, so the moonlight in the sky became brighter, like daylight, allowing you to see clearly."
Meng Ji: "..."
What the hell is this?
But...it seems that it can be explained.
He said nothing.
Shopkeeper Ma continued: "After more than ten years of studying diligently, Mr. Meng's father encountered the same problem by chance."
"None of the sons in the family could answer the question. But Mr. Meng Ji, who was serving tea and pouring water, wiping the table and wiping the stools, spoke in perfect order and solved Mr. Meng's problem very smoothly."
"From then on, Master Meng Ji rose to prominence in his family. Then his status skyrocketed, and finally, with years of hard work, he finally became a great scholar."
After Shopkeeper Ma finished speaking, he looked at the Confucian scholars around him and said, "Everyone, what do you think?"
The Confucian scholars coughed dryly: "Isn't this... too fake?"
Someone else said: "Everyone knows Master Meng Ji's origin. Who can you deceive?"
Shopkeeper Ma smiled slightly and said, "Who knows where Shopkeeper Ma is from?"
Confucian scholars, you look at me and I look at you and say, "It's just us."
Shopkeeper Ma added: "My lords, what will you do after knowing the truth? Will you give up buying the General's tabloid?"
The Confucian scholars said: "Of course we won't do this. We still have to report to the general... what is that called?"
Shopkeeper Ma said: "Boost sales."
The Confucian scholars nodded repeatedly: "Yes, we want to increase sales."
Shopkeeper Ma smiled and said: "This is interesting. People who know the truth will not mind the villain's random fabrications. People who don't know the truth like to read such stories very much. Will the sales of Confucian newspapers increase? ?”
The Confucian scholars asked curiously: "Do uninformed people really like to watch it?"
Shopkeeper Ma said: "That's natural. Think about it, are there more rich people in the world? Or are there more poor people?"
The Confucian scholars thought for a while and said, "Of course there are many poor and humble people."
Shopkeeper Ma smiled: "That's right. Are those poor and humble people willing to remain poor and humble? Of course they are unwilling to do so, but can they change it? It seems they are unable to change."
"What can they do at this time? They can only read my newspaper and read the story of Master Meng Ji who rose from poverty to wealth, and lived a happy life."
"It's like a hungry person swallowing saliva when he sees food drawn on paper."
"It's like a thirsty person who gets excited when someone talks about wine."
"It's like a man who can't afford a wife, but when he sees a beautiful woman on the street..."
The Confucian scholars coughed dryly and said, "Don't say anything inappropriate."
Shopkeeper Ma quickly stopped talking and said with a smile on his face: "I am a rude person. I am not as well-educated and sensible as you adults. Don't blame me, adults."
The Confucian scholars nodded with satisfaction. At least Shopkeeper Ma's attitude was acceptable.
Later, Shopkeeper Ma asked cautiously: "So, is the villain's story okay?"
Meng Ji hummed: "Yes, yes, but...well, it's a bit too embarrassing."
Shopkeeper Ma shook his head: "No shame, no shame. From now on, Mr. Meng will become a role model for thousands of people."
Shopkeeper Ma's words made Meng Ji a little tempted.
Anyway... Anyway, this story was written by Shopkeeper Ma, so I would just say I didn't know it.
Seeing that Meng Ji agreed, shopkeeper Ma laughed dryly and said, "If someone asks me about it later, I don't expect the adults to admit it, as long as I don't object in public."
Meng Ji hummed: "This is not difficult."
Then, Shopkeeper Ma cupped his hands to the other Confucian scholars and said with a dry smile: "If I want to help you make up stories in the future, I hope you will not object in public. Just avoid this question and be non-committal."
The Confucian scholars also agreed.
Then, Shopkeeper Ma left with a smile.
…………
The next day, the first issue of Confucian Daily was published.
On the front page of the newspaper, it was written in extremely eye-catching fonts: Challenge the General Tabloid. Within ten days, it will overwhelm the General Tabloid in sales.
The title is catchy enough.
Nowadays, among the Confucian scholars in Qi and Lu, who doesn’t like to read the general tabloid?
The gossip in the Confucian scholar's family is really interesting to read.
Now, someone actually dares to call Banjun a tabloid? The people immediately became interested.
There is a saying that if you want to know who a person is, you have to look at his opponent.
This Confucianist newspaper actually uses the General tabloid as its opponent, so he himself is not much different, right?
So some people bought Confucian Daily with the idea of giving it a try.
After looking at it for a while... I got addicted.
It's so cool. It turns out that a poor and humble person can turn into a noble person?
Some people took the newspaper and read it over and over again, only hating that Meng Ji's story was not long enough.
Some people watch it so much that they forget about food and sleep, and don’t even want to eat.
Their blood boils.
The farmer hoed two more acres of land, and the blacksmith hammered two more pounds of iron.
Because the Confucian Daily News conveyed a message to them: As long as you work hard, you will gain something, and as long as you work hard, you will succeed.
Of course, this kind of chicken blood injection usually lasts only three minutes.
But... Confucian scholars are rewarded every day. There is plenty of chicken blood.
This... is an era of national struggle.
…………
Li Xin sat on the roof of his house, looking at the crowds of people on the street buying the Confucian newspaper, and felt happy: Hey, everyone in Qilu and Lu has bought my newspaper. Whether they like the general tabloid or the Confucian broadsheet. No one can escape.
Hey hey hey.
