"Master Su, how can we control this public opinion?"
After the meal was over, when he returned home, Zhu Biao couldn't wait to ask questions.
He is now aware of the role of public opinion.
Then controlling public opinion has become extremely important, especially for the Ming royal family.
Su Jing said calmly: "Niu Yi, if you want to know how to control public opinion, you must first understand how public opinion is spread, that is, how information is spread."
"Let me ask you, how did your feat of lifting the alchemy furnace spread?"
How is the information disseminated?
Zhu Biao thought for a while and replied: "First someone saw the student lifting the alchemy furnace, and then it was passed down by word of mouth."
Su Jing nodded and said: "Very good, then let me ask you again, where do you think the information about you lifting the alchemy furnace started to be distorted, or in other words, wrong information appeared?"
This made Zhu Biao silent.
Judging from the news they heard at the Jinling Hotel, things have become more and more exaggerated after human-to-human transmission.
But when did it become exaggerated, Zhu Biao really didn't think about it for a while.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Biao said: "Is this distorted information coming from the mouths of those who watched it?"
Su Jing shook her head and said: "No, Niu Yi, it's earlier than you think. From the time they looked at it, distorted information has already appeared."
From the moment you watch it!
This really surprised Zhu Biao.
He immediately asked Su Jing: "Master Su, this is unlikely. Can what they saw be false?"
In Zhu Biao's perception, what the eyes see is real.
Su Jing smiled, picked up a book at hand and said, "Niu Yi, tell me how much this book weighs."
this.
Zhu Biao's expression changed, and he instantly understood what Su Jing meant.
"Master Su, you are saying that the people watching have no idea how heavy an alchemy furnace is. They will not look up the information or weigh it themselves, but just tell the weight based on their feelings, right?"
Zhu Biao looked at Su Jing, waiting for his answer.
Su Jing nodded and said: "Yes, they understood quickly. For them, the matter of you lifting the alchemy furnace is just a casual conversation after dinner. Everyone has different perceptions of weight. Watching By the time, the information has actually been distorted in the process of transmission.”
“If you want to ensure the accuracy of information, you have to express it accurately from the beginning.”
"This kind of accuracy cannot be achieved by eyes or mouth, but by accurate written description."
"Just imagine, if the fact that you lifted the alchemy furnace was accurately recorded, down to the weight of the alchemy furnace, the equipment you used, the height of the lift, the method of use, etc., and then it would be recorded If these records are disseminated, the accuracy of the information will be greatly improved."
Zhu Biao thought for a while and nodded: "That's true, and such a record will be more convincing than word of mouth."
Su Jing smiled and said: "This involves an important factor in the authenticity of the information. Details."
“The more ambiguous the information, the easier it is for the communicator to add fuel to the fire during the transmission process, and it can even become two completely unrelated things.”
"The more detailed the information, the less likely it is to encounter this kind of problem."
"At the same time, any information, as long as it is passed down by word of mouth between people, is no longer first-hand information, and there will inevitably be deviations and changes."
The authenticity of the information.
Detailed and vague.
Zhu Biao listened to Su Jing's teachings and found them quite interesting and reasonable.
"Master Su, students understand, if you want to control public opinion, you must first master the dissemination of information, right?"
Zhu Biao said to Su Jing.
As a prince, he is still very savvy in this regard.
Su Jing looked at Zhu Biao with great satisfaction and said: "You understand it right. In the final analysis, public opinion depends on who controls the channels for information dissemination."
"It's no use just having something happen. You have to let it spread, and you have to let it spread the way you want."
"Sima Qian's "Historical Records" has been read by many scholars in later generations. This is a powerful way of disseminating information."
"His record has now become a standard, and it will be difficult for future generations to shake it."
"Even if something is wrong, it becomes right."
Listening to Su Jing's words, Zhu Biao also had a different view on these historical classics.
"Master Su, are you saying that there are also mistakes in "Historical Records"?"
Zhu Biao asked Su Jing, this was different from what he had learned.
Su Jing smiled and said: "That's natural. History books have always been written by the victors. Naturally, there will be biases, errors and omissions in what is recorded, and even deliberate mistakes. These are all very normal things."
"I think our Ming Dynasty's "Yuan History" should be almost completed now. After it is released, you can take a look and you will understand naturally."
Su Jing's casual words once again shocked Zhu Biao's heart.
When he thought about it, this historical recording seemed quite normal.
But how did Su Jing know that the "History of the Yuan Dynasty" had been revised?
Even Zhu Biao himself only found out after he had just received a letter from his father, Zhu Yuanzhang, mentioning him in the letter.
"History of the Yuan Dynasty" has just been compiled.
Su Jing was like a prophet who predicted the unknown, and she said it right casually.
Although every dynasty has to revise the history books of the previous dynasty, is this coincidence too coincidental?
Zhu Biao looked at Su Jing, feeling more and more that Su Jing knew everything.
There were several things that Su Jing seemed to know about in advance.
He was with Su Jing all day long, and Su Jing didn't sneak around to find out any news!
Information like the one compiled in "History of the Yuan Dynasty" cannot be obtained by just asking.
"What's wrong, Niu Yi, is there something you can't figure out?"
Su Jing looked at Zhu Biao who was in a daze and said, "The historical records we can see are all the records of our predecessors."
"No one can always maintain a fair and objective position. Words are written by people. This is inevitable."
Even in later generations, more advanced and objective recording methods appeared, but Li Chan could still not be guaranteed to be fair and objective.
Su Jing didn't encounter too many things like this in her previous life.
Spring and Autumn brushwork, malicious editing, these have nothing to do with the way of recording, but to do with the people.
As for Zhu Biao's real thoughts, Su Jing really didn't know.
Because he didn't know much about "History of the Yuan Dynasty", he only knew that it was completed in the early years of Hongwu. As for the specific year of Hongwu, he really couldn't remember.
That's just a casual comment.
"Um."
Zhu Biao nodded and said: "Students understand, then how can Ming Dynasty ensure the accuracy of information dissemination?"
How the Ming Dynasty should ensure it is actually how the Zhu family should ensure it.
After all, Zhu Biao was the future prince, so he naturally thought of his own family.
Su Jing said calmly: "As I said just now, the dissemination of information must be accurate and detailed, but detail is only one aspect. The other aspect is actually very simple."
"Think about it, the news that you raised the alchemy furnace, what is said by the person who saw it, or what is said after hearing what was said, which one is closer to the truth."
After listening to Su Jing's words, Zhu Biao immediately replied: "Of course, the truth is told by those who have seen it. Master Su, is there any need to think about it?"
It was obvious that Zhu Biao didn't know what to say.
Su Jing smiled and said: "Yes, this is the truth that you don't have to think about. To ensure the authenticity of information dissemination, the fewer paths it takes, the better."
"For example, the government orders of the Ming Dynasty are best communicated directly to the grassroots, so that the emperor's orders can be completely known to the people below."
Zhu Biao looked at Su Jing and said, "Master Su, isn't that what the emperor's edict does?"
If Zhu Yuanzhang had any new decrees, the people below would not dare to make any changes.
As soon as the imperial edict came out, the words were passed down unchanged.
"Indeed, the decree is like this, but for many things, the decree alone is not enough."
Su Jing said calmly: "For example, the situation of the Ming Dynasty, the progress of certain cases, etc. These cannot all be conveyed through the emperor's edict."
"Furthermore, the emperor's edicts are conveyed to officials, not directly to the people, but are passed on to the people by the officials."
Hearing this, Zhu Biao couldn't help being stunned.
indeed so.
The emperor's edict was not issued casually.
It will only be used for extremely important matters, and it will mainly target officials of the Ming Dynasty.
For the common people, they still need officials to communicate.
"Then what should we do?"
Zhu Biao asked Su Jing.
Su Jing smiled and said: "It's actually very simple, and it has already been done in the previous dynasties, Di Bao."
Di Bao?
Zhu Biao was stunned, he really knew this.
However, he still wondered: "Master Su, isn't this newspaper used to deliver official documents? What's the point?"
Dibao first emerged in the Han Dynasty. At that time, the Western Han Dynasty implemented the county system. The country was divided into several counties, and the counties were further divided into several counties.
Each county has an office in the capital city of Chang'an. This residence is called "di" and has permanent representatives. Their task is to liaise between the emperor and the heads of the counties.
The emperor's edicts, edicts, ministers' memorials and other official documents, as well as relevant political information such as palace events, were regularly written on bamboo slips or silk, and then sent to various places by messengers riding fast horses through the post roads established by the Qin Dynasty. Sheriff.
In Zhu Biao's opinion, isn't this still an official communication?
Su Jing shook her head and said: "Niu Yi, you are a bit too limited. This newspaper only talks about official matters. What if there is a people's newspaper that specializes in conveying private matters?"
"Some state affairs that do not need to be kept secret are conveyed to various places through civilian newspapers, and then printed and distributed by official bookstores. One or two issues per month are sold. This can not only make money, but also truly communicate some things. into the ears of the people.”
What Su Jing said was actually the newspaper.
Although it is called a people's newspaper, it is actually published by the government.
Zhu Biao listened to Su Jing's description and carefully considered the feasibility in his mind.
People's Daily.
It is the Dibao published by the government and specially sold.
Important national events that need to be known to the people can be written on it.
After just a brief thought, Zhu Biao immediately realized that Su Jing's people's newspaper was a genius idea.
As the prince, Zhu Biao knew very well that many of the officials below him were acting in secret.
As the imperial decrees were conveyed, some officials would not implement them and would find various excuses.
But with the people's newspaper, the people can also have channels to know the emperor's accurate orders. In this way, it will inevitably form a deterrent to these officials.
Ming's reporting and supervision system is now more complete than before.
At the same time, the imperial court also had first-hand communication channels for the dissemination of some things.
Even if there are some bad public opinion incidents, Ming Dynasty can use the people's newspapers to directly clarify them.
Accurate dissemination of information is the best way to control public opinion.
People's newspapers are such a channel for accurately disseminating information.
At the same time, selling people's newspapers can still make a profit, so why not do it.
For the rich, one share is enough for each person, while for the common people, one share for several people is enough.
"Thank you Master Su for clarifying my doubts."
Zhu Biao bowed towards Su Jing.
He found a way to completely control public opinion in the Ming Dynasty. As long as there is a people's newspaper, no Xiaoxiao anywhere can even think of deceiving the people.
This is simply a genius idea.
"Don't worry."
Su Jing waved her hand and said: "Niu Yi, it's not that easy to use this people's newspaper well."
Um?
Zhu Biao was stunned and immediately asked Su Jing: "Master Su, is there anything else that the Minbao needs to pay attention to?"
Su Jing said calmly: "Let me ask you, if you heard something from someone's mouth, how can you tell whether it is true or false if there is no other evidence to support it."
Zhu Biao thought for a while and replied: "Of course it depends on whether this person is a nonsense person. If he has always been an honest person, I will believe it. If he has a history of deceiving others, then I will not believe it."
"very good!"
Su Jing nodded and said: "People's newspapers play a great role, but if you want people to always believe it, you need to be truthful. At the very least, it must be believed to be true."
"Real? Master Su, isn't this what it should be? The meaning of the existence of the People's Daily is to put the truth of the matter in front of the people!"
Zhu Biao looked at Su Jing with confusion in his eyes.
Su Jing looked at Zhu Biao's sincere eyes and wanted to laugh but felt it was not good.
"Niu Yi, I just said that history books are written by the victors. Why do you think this people's newspaper is true?"
Su Jing asked rhetorically.
Newspapers are actually the carrier of news, and the news industry has always been known for its true reporting.
But in fact, it is too difficult to be completely truthful.
The news itself is real, but the reporters are people and institutions, and they do not simply exist.
Su Jing's words fell into Zhu Biao's ears, leaving him stunned.
Zhu Biao was not stupid and quickly understood what Su Jing meant.
The people's newspaper is only used to provide the people with the information they want them to know.
Zhu Biao looked at Su Jing and said slowly: "Master Su, selective dissemination of news is also a way to control public opinion, right?"
Su Jing nodded, he knew that Zhu Biao had realized it!
(End of chapter)
