Chapter 348 It's Changsun Wuji again.
newspaper?
What is that?
The courtiers did not understand.
But seeing that Li Shimin had been looking at it for so long, he was quite curious.
"Um……"
Li Shimin nodded: "Then tell me the purpose of this newspaper."
"Your Majesty, have you looked at the third section?" Wei Shuyu asked.
Li Shimin nodded.
"The main point above is to remind people to be vigilant against cults. If you encounter a cult bewitching people, please report it to the authorities immediately!" Wei Shuyu said.
“Isn’t this the same as a notice?” Li Shimin asked again.
"There are still differences."
Wei Shuyu thought for a moment and replied, "The first difference is that the notices are concise and to the point, rarely discussing details."
"And this newspaper can detail things."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Changsun Wuji jumped out...
"Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate."
Changsun Wuji retorted, "Why go through the trouble of publishing a newspaper when a simple notice can solve the problem?"
As Changsun Wuji recounted his story, the assembled officials nodded in agreement.
This newspaper is utterly useless.
"Who said this newspaper only reports government orders?"
"The second difference between a newspaper and a notice is..."
"The proclamation only announces matters issued by the imperial court and government!"
"This newspaper can not only publish political news, but also record some miscellaneous anecdotes."
"for example……"
Wei Shuyu glanced at Changsun Wuji: "How many concubines does the current Minister of Works have at home? How many children does he have? Does he keep mistresses hidden away?"
Damn it.
Changsun Wuji's eye twitched.
With this thing out, how can Changsun Wuji still have any face to show for himself?
"That's utter nonsense!"
Changsun Wuji shouted angrily, "Slandering officials of the imperial court in this way is no different from treason!"
Wei Shuyu immediately retorted, "Who said it was slander?"
"The most important thing about newspapers is to record facts..."
"For example, His Majesty's great talent and strategic vision, as well as the advice and strategies offered by his ministers, can all be included..."
Li Shimin nodded repeatedly.
He loved hearing that.
As an emperor who valued his reputation.
He absolutely approves of showing off.
"Your Majesty, I still believe this is inappropriate!"
Changsun Wuji still objected: "This newspaper has too much influence. If it is used by someone with ulterior motives to smear the court, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Li Shimin pondered.
This is indeed a big problem.
Controlling public opinion is tantamount to controlling the world.
This risk is too great!
"Changsun Wuji, things have two sides."
"You only saw the bad side, not the good side."
"As the saying goes, controlling public opinion is equivalent to controlling the world!"
Why are cults able to so easily bewitch people?
"Because they control public opinion!"
"When the people around them do and say those things, they will follow suit!"
"But with newspapers, while it may not completely eliminate the problem, it at least lets them know the court's attitude, preventing them from being so easily misled!"
The courtiers began to whisper among themselves.
Analyzing Wei Shuyu's words...
To my shock, it turned out that this was indeed the case.
"and……"
"The imperial court is responsible for reviewing the content published in the newspapers!"
"Does the imperial court intend to smear itself?"
The courtiers were taken aback.
That makes perfect sense.
What's written in the newspapers is entirely up to the imperial court.
"What about the money?"
Changsun Wuji retorted again, "Even if what you say makes sense, the cost of paper is not low!"
"If we accept money, we might be condemned by the people."
"If we don't collect the money, the imperial court will be overwhelmed!"
The courtiers were also deep in thought.
However, Wei Shuyu simply smiled at this...
"Have you all forgotten which department I belong to?"
"His Majesty!"
Wei Shuyu bowed and said, "The significance of the Ministry of Commerce is not only to govern merchants, but also to generate revenue for the imperial court!"
"I can guarantee that the sale of this newspaper will generate a considerable income."
It can also generate revenue?
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes lit up even more.
It can make money and gain fame at the same time...
Where can you find something this good?
"You bastard!"
Changsun Wuji suddenly shouted: "Is it not enough for you to open the Wenyun Pavilion and amass wealth yourself? Do you want the imperial court to engage in commerce as well?"
"His Majesty!"
Changsun Wuji bowed to Li Shimin and said, "The matter of the newspaper is absolutely unacceptable. If we do it, we might be infamous for eternity!"
Li Shimin's expression suddenly turned ugly.
I want both money and face!
I don't want to be infamous forever...
Unconsciously, Li Shimin turned his gaze to Wei Shuyu.
My money and reputation all depend on you!
"presumptuous!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Shuyu suddenly shouted, "Changsun Wuji, please take back what you just said!"
"Otherwise, the Ministry of Commerce will consider this a provocation against merchants worldwide!"
Um?
Everyone was stunned.
They were talking fine, and then Xiao Wei suddenly started throwing a tantrum again.
"Take it back?"
Changsun Wuji felt as if he had heard the funniest joke in history...
"Who do you think you are, daring to order me around?"
"Remember who you are!"
"You're just a doctor, and a sixth-rank one at that!"
It's started again.
well.
Li Shimin sighed.
Then he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Go ahead and spray me; it'll give me a good rest.
"In what capacity?"
Wei Shuyu took a step forward with a thud: "I am the head of Chongshang, and I represent merchants all over the world!"
"You insult commerce in front of me, and you insult all merchants in the world!"
"If you don't take back what you said today, even if it means your blood is spilled in the court, I will not let you go!"
snort.
Changsun Wuji scoffed, "What did I insult?"
"May I ask why you are infamous for eternity?"
Wei Shuyu rebuked in a deep voice: "I admit that merchants were once despised largely because they bought low and sold high, profiting from the price difference!"
"But the imperial court publishes newspapers, which doesn't fall under the category of merchants!"
"We didn't steal or rob!"
"To add some fun for the people, to talk about current events, and to share interesting anecdotes."
"What is clearly a matter of benefiting the people has become something that will bring eternal infamy in your mouth?"
Changsun Wuji frowned.
He habitually said that phrase...
Throughout history, after being ridiculed so much, people have subconsciously categorized merchants.
In reality, the most disgusting merchants are those who buy low and sell high, and are selfish and self-serving.
In comparison...
Merchants who opened shops were still very popular in the Tang Dynasty.
"You're saying that the imperial court publishing a newspaper is a matter that will bring eternal infamy?"
Thump.
Wei Shuyu stepped forward and shouted, "Then I'd like to ask..."
"What kind of behavior is it for the imperial court to sell iron and salt?"
"Changsun Wuji, are you mocking the imperial court?"
Swish.
Changsun Wuji's expression suddenly changed.
However, she quickly regained her composure...
"You bastard!"
Changsun Wuji angrily rebuked, "Stop distorting the facts..."
"The imperial court sells salt to stabilize prices and prevent unscrupulous merchants from profiting from the difference!"
"The imperial court sells iron in order to better control ironware!"
"All of this is for the greater good!"
The ministers nodded.
Although the imperial court also made some money, it is undeniable that its starting point was for the sake of the country and its people.
You're the bastard!
Wei Shuyu stepped forward and looked directly at the other person: "Didn't my Ministry of Commerce invent newspapers for the sake of the greater good?"
"Enough!"
Li Shimin finally spoke up: "Fuji, Shuyu's starting point is for the Tang Dynasty, so you should say less."
"promise."
When Li Shimin spoke, Changsun Wuji dared not disobey.
Changsun Wuji's silence was tantamount to admitting that he had said something wrong.
After all, he was a first-rank official.
It's impossible for someone to actually retract what they said in public.
Otherwise, where are the court officials?
"What do you all think of Shuyu's words?" Li Shimin asked, seizing the opportunity.
"We have no objections," the ministers responded in unison.
From the current perspective, newspapers have little influence on them.
"If that's the case..."
Li Shimin nodded: "This matter will be handled by the Ministry of Commerce!"
"promise!"
Wei Shuyu bowed and accepted the order.
"Oh, right."
Li Shimin suddenly seemed to remember something: "Since Wei Shuyu has made a meritorious contribution by offering his advice, do you all think he can atone for his sins by doing so?"
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