After Li Ming ascended the throne, he did not target Dongning much.
However, news from the capital often came in.
Within two months of ascending the throne, Li Ming appointed several new officials, and replaced all the important departments of the court with his own trusted subordinates.
Even the provinces and military units near the capital were replaced with trusted confidants.
Li Xin was not surprised by this appointment.
After all, a new emperor brings a new court.
When a new emperor ascends the throne, he still needs some trusted confidants.
Li Xin was not idle during this period either.
Besides frequently inspecting the reorganization of the Prince's Guard, he also urged the Dongning Manufacturing Bureau to accelerate the production of Dongning flintlock muskets, cannons, and other equipment.
Might makes right!
Only the strongest fist can save their life!
In addition to the military, merchants who purchase food and supplies in various regions have also increased their purchasing efforts.
Li Xin knew that this might be his last chance.
If the two sides completely break off relations, it will be extremely difficult to procure supplies from places like Jiangnan.
In addition to these essential matters, Li Xin secretly ordered the establishment of a newspaper office in Jiangnan.
Newspapers were naturally established with reference to later periods.
This newspaper published a daily newspaper called "Jiangnan Daily". In addition to publishing news from the imperial court and news from Jiangnan, it also set up a separate section to publish poems and songs.
Li Xin, who came from later generations, already knew a great deal about this era.
There are no famous poets like the Poet Immortal or the Poet Sage in this era.
Therefore, Li Xin directly borrowed Li Bai's poems and published them in the Jiangnan Daily.
Poems such as "Drinking Alone Under the Moon," "The Road to Shu is Hard," and "Dreaming of Mount Tianmu" as well as famous lines from other poets are published in the poetry and prose section.
The moment "Bring in the Wine" appeared, the sales of the "Jiangnan Daily" increased dramatically.
Jiangnan is a literary paradise!
People from Jiangnan are generally well-off, and both children and women in the family can recognize some characters.
Even the farmers in the fields were literate and had attended private schools.
The flourishing literary culture of Jiangnan is evident here.
Therefore, the poem "Bring in the Wine" spread throughout the literary circles of Jiangnan and the streets and alleys in just a few days.
The sales of copies of the Jiangnan Daily sold on the streets are also increasing day by day.
To this end, the Jiangnan Newspaper Office added five or six sets of printing equipment to reprint the Jiangnan Daily. They also recruited staff to sell the Jiangnan Daily in Jiangnan, Qiantang, Huaibei, and Huguang.
For a time, the entire Jiangnan region was abuzz with discussion about the Jiangnan Daily.
"Have you read the Jiangnan Daily? The poems there are absolutely amazing!"
"How could I not have seen it! It was a major event in the literary world of Jiangnan!"
"It's not just amazing, it's like a celestial being descended from heaven!"
"I just don't know who these Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, and Bai Juyi are. Why were they previously unknown and never heard of?"
"Yes, yes, I wonder where all these people are from?"
...
Some people discuss the exquisite beauty of poetry, while others discuss the life lessons it contains.
Some people are still asking and searching for the origins of these poets.
Even more down-on-his-luck scholars held the "Jiangnan Daily" and wept bitterly.
"Everyone has their own unique talents, and though I may spend all my money, it will come back again! How heroic! How heroic!"
A scholar looked up to the sky and let out a long howl, his eyes filled with tears.
Early summer had passed, and it was right after the results of the Jiangnan provincial examinations were announced. Such verses brought a strange warmth to the hearts of the many scholars who had failed the exams.
"I think this poem is even more wonderful!"
On the gold medal list, it missed the top spot by chance.
I'd rather forgo fleeting fame and enjoy quiet contemplation and gentle singing!
Wild and unrestrained!
Free-spirited and unrestrained!
This is the kind of life we want to live!
So what if I failed the exam?
We'll go and bask in the company of beauties, indulging in the most carefree and romantic pursuits of our lives..."
"Huh,"
Another scholar beside him quipped, "You talk as if you have someone you're looking for, right?"
"Wu Shuping, don't push your luck!"
Seeing the scholar's face change drastically, Wu Shuping laughed heartily and recited: "Laughing loudly, I go out the door; how can I, a man of such talent, be a mere commoner!"
He ignored the scholar who was furious behind him.
The scholar opened his mouth, his face somewhat gloomy.
"Chen Ce, let's go, ignore him! Let's go to the brothels..."
Looking dejected, Chen Ce let his friend pull him toward the red-light district.
In the bustling streets and alleys, everyone held a copy of the Jiangnan Daily.
Inside the museum, poems by Liu Yong were being recited.
As soon as Chen Ce entered the room, he heard a melodious tune—
"A single meeting of golden wind and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world..."
The music was so melodious that Chen Ce was momentarily captivated.
"Did you know? Someone went to the Jiangnan newspaper office to inquire about it..."
At this moment, the discussions among the scholars reached Chen Ce's ears.
"What did you find out?"
"But do you know where Li Bai, Du Fu, Wang Wei, Bai Juyi, Liu Yong, and others came from?"
"No, that's not true. The people at the Jiangnan newspaper only said that these poems were sent to them by others, and they were only responsible for printing them."
"Others? Who are they? Where do they come from?"
"I don't know. But the people in the newspaper office speak with a Dongning accent."
"Dongning?"
Instantly, all the scholars in the brothel and entertainment district widened their eyes.
"Could it be that all these famous poets came from Dongning?"
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