Sui Shouren shrugged helplessly.

"Your Majesty... we can't buy it!"

"Can't buy it?"

Emperor An was startled, and the other ministers were equally curious. Sui Shouren then recounted the commotion that had occurred outside Wenxiangju. The ministers listened with astonishment.

At this moment, the area outside Wenxiangju was packed with people, mostly diners who had eaten there the previous night and scholars from Wuxianyuan. Of course, if it was just them, it was far from being a sea of ​​people.

After returning home last night, these people boasted to their close friends about what they had seen and heard. So, the story spread like wildfire, and soon others gathered outside the Wenxiangju gate early this morning. It also attracted many passersby who came to watch the spectacle, completely surrounding the entrance to the Wenxiangju gate.

Fortunately, there were many staff members from Wenxiangju and newspaper employees who maintained order outside and organized everyone to queue up. Although there were many people on the outside, it did not cause a riot.

However, because there were so many people in line, Sui Shouren tried to force his way in by virtue of his status, but he underestimated the people's desire for newspapers and they dragged him out.

So when Wenxiangju opened its doors at 1:15 AM, all 500 newspapers were sold out immediately. Sui Shouren was astonished.

"I never imagined the newspaper would be so popular!"

"This only proves that President Jing has done a very successful job!"

"Yes, at least it has won people's hearts!"

"It's a pity I couldn't buy a newspaper. I'm really curious about the first issue!"

"..."

A group of ministers discussed amongst themselves, their words revealing both longing and regret for the newspaper. Only Bai Qingyuan was somewhat dazed: Sold...sold out? Was it really that popular?

At this moment, Jing Zhe asked, "General Sui, since the newspaper wasn't bought, what about Grand Tutor Bai's ten taels of silver?"

"Forehead…"

Sui Shouren was surprised that Jing Zhe was still concerned about such a trivial matter at a time like this. He paused for a moment, then took it out of his clothes.

"Here it is."

Jing Zhe nodded and took it.

"Since you didn't get it, General Sui can't take this silver."

As he spoke, he tucked it into his clothes.

Sui Shouren: ...

Bai Qingyuan: ...

Ministers: ...

Seeing everyone staring at him, Jing Zhe remained calm and asked, "What's wrong? What are you all looking at?"

Sui Shouren pointed to Jing Zhe's clothes and whispered a reminder, "President Jing... it seems you've hidden away Grand Tutor Bai's silver..."

Upon hearing this, Jing Zhe laughed and said, "So that's what General Sui was talking about! Didn't Grand Tutor Bai say that he would invite all of you to read every issue of the newspaper from now on? And who gets the money for buying the newspaper? It will definitely be mine!"

"..."

Sui Shouren thought about it and realized that there was nothing wrong with what he said. After all, the newspaper belonged to Jing Zhe, and the money for buying the newspapers naturally belonged to him as well. But why did he feel that something was not right?

At this moment, Bai Qingyuan, panting heavily, finally couldn't help but step forward, a cold smile on his face: "President Jing, this money was indeed meant for me to buy newspapers for the ministers, but now that the newspapers haven't been bought, why are you keeping the money?"

"..."

Sui Shouren then realized what was wrong. He then saw Jing Zhe calmly explaining with a smile, showing no intention of taking out any money. "Actually, I anticipated that the newspapers would be sold out today, and that even if you gentlemen had the money, you probably wouldn't be able to buy one. So, I had our editor-in-chief, Chen Jiannan, prepare a copy for each of you in advance. He is waiting outside the palace gates right now!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor An was overjoyed. He hadn't expected the newspaper to be so popular. He immediately instructed Sui Shouren, "Go quickly to the palace gate and bring the newspaper in!"

After Sui Shouren left, Jing Zhe continued, "I originally intended to give this silver to you gentlemen for free, but I didn't expect Grand Tutor Bai to be so generous. So I'll keep this silver. From now on, I'll go to the Grand Tutor's residence before each newspaper is published, which will save Grand Tutor Bai from personally delivering the silver to me!"

Jing Zhe spoke casually, but Bai Qingyuan was so angry that he vomited blood.

Is ten taels of silver a lot?

That's not much for him at all!

But I can't swallow this insult!

But Jing Zhe's words were absolutely correct. He had made those boasts in front of Emperor An, and he couldn't change them even if he wanted to!

They could only grit their teeth and swallow their pride.

...

Chen Jiannan successfully completed Jing Zhe's task, arriving early in the morning with a newspaper to stake out the palace gates.

A short while later, Sui Shouren returned carrying a newspaper.

Jing Zhe took the papers and began distributing them, first to Emperor An, then to the Crown Prince and Prince Xiang, and then to Zhu Tong, Yu Sheng and Hao Junguang according to their official ranks, but he deliberately missed Bai Qingyuan.

Bai Qingyuan pursed his lips, wanting to open his mouth, but in the end he kept it closed, reminding himself to be more generous, otherwise he would be laughed at, and he didn't believe that Jing Zhe would dare not give it to him in the end!

To his surprise, Jing Zhe really didn't give it to him!

Jing Zhefa handed the document to Wu Xianyong very solemnly before returning to his own position.

Bai Qingyuan was stunned for a moment, then became furious.

Forget about manners anymore, he demanded, "President Jing, where is my newspaper?"

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Grand Tutor Bai, we didn't prepare one copy. There's none for you! How about we have our servants buy one when our newspaper prints it later? It's only a hundred coins anyway. If you don't have the money, just ask me!"

"..."

After hearing this, Bai Qingyuan was too embarrassed to open his mouth.

Wu Xianyong looked down at the newspaper in his hand and suddenly felt very happy...

This guy surnamed Jing, although he doesn't talk like a good person, was actually quite decent this time...

At this moment, Bai Qingyuan suddenly noticed that Jing Zhe was still holding a newspaper. He frowned and said coldly, "President Jing, this newspaper was printed and distributed under your supervision, wasn't it?"

"Of course, as the president of Da'an Daily, this is my duty!"

Jing Zhe patted his chest and raised his head, saying.

"In that case, President Jing must be well aware of what each section of this newspaper contains, right?"

Jing Zhe nodded again, looking at him as if he were an idiot.

Bai Qingyuan didn't care and went straight to the point.

"President Jing, I see you have a newspaper in your hand. Since you don't need it yourself, you can give it to me!"

I paid for it all myself, why shouldn't I take it?

"no."

To his surprise, Jing Zhe didn't give him any face and refused on the spot.

Bai Qingyuan's face turned pale.

Why not?

"because…"

Jing Zhe glanced at him and said quietly, "This newspaper is for His Highness Mo Chen! What, is Grand Tutor Bai planning to steal His Highness Mo Chen's things? If so, then I'll give it to you. Just let His Highness Mo Chen know when the time comes!"

"..."

————