The paper used in the newspaper was called "Zhuxiazhi" (takeshita paper), also known as bamboo paper, and it was indeed quite expensive. However, the newspaper's target audience was not dock laborers, but those who had the leisure to drink tea in teahouses.
These people were commonly known as the "well-off families" of the Song Dynasty. They were not particularly wealthy, but their annual family income was over 100 guan. They were the only ones who could read, read poetry, read the news, and chat with others in the market.
The emergence of newspapers will obviously enrich their daily lives, and this group of people has the most dealings with the grassroots. They are the majority group in the entire Bianliang. They often receive new knowledge and it is easy for them to spread it to the grassroots people, thereby guiding public opinion, politics, and military affairs.
The main reason why newspapers didn't appear in ancient times was that their audience was limited and their costs were high. Zhao Jun's initial investment was nearly ten thousand strings of cash. If the newspaper didn't become a hit and spread widely in Bianliang, with a cost of nearly ten coins per copy, he would have lost a lot of money.
As the two of them were talking, they had already reached the backyard.
The backyard is bustling with activity.
Typesetting is currently underway, with workers arranging movable type of different sizes, intending to print a large-character poster in quarto format, approximately two feet (63cm) wide and three feet (95cm) long.
Zhao Jun came over and took a look. He designed the first version of the newspaper himself.
The cover is naturally the biggest news in Bianliang recently - Kaifeng Prefecture and the Imperial City Bureau launched a heavy blow against evil forces.
Yesterday he sent someone to send over the article he wrote, and it has been typeset today. In addition to information about Wuyou Cave and Guifan Tower, it also contains news about other underworld groups that the government has recently cracked down on.
The content introduces how these people harm the people, with many real-life examples, and then encourages people to report.
The back is divided into four sections, including poetry, gossip, advertising and content. However, the advertising and content sections are currently blank, with words like "sincerely recruiting advertisers" and "welcome submissions."
Newspapers themselves need to be timely, but how many news items can there be every day?
Therefore, Zhao Jun planned to publish one issue first to see the market effect, and then invite some people like Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan to write articles in the newspaper. The plan was to publish one issue every seven days, and use the other six days to collect news and publicize it.
"Well, well done."
Zhao Jun saw that the typesetting effect was quite good and nodded with satisfaction. He said, "Wait until the first version is printed and send it to me for review. Once I confirm that there are no places that need to be revised, I will officially publish it."
Meng Chengqi smiled and said, "Although this printing house is no longer mine, I promise to do a great job for Master Zhao, just for the sake of this poem."
"I trust the boss to do things."
Zhao Jun also laughed.
Meng Chengqi joked, "I'm not the boss anymore, you are. By the way, where does you live? I estimate the first edition will be printed tomorrow, and I'll send it to you then."
"Just send it to the Imperial City Division."
Zhao Jun said casually.
"Imperial City Division?"
Meng Chengqi thought he had misheard and asked in surprise, "Is it the Imperial City Division of Donghua Gate?"
Now the Imperial City Division has opened two branches in the north and south of the city, one is the North Pacification Division and the other is the South Pacification Division, so he asked this question.
Zhao Jun nodded and said, "Yes."
"Forehead"
Meng Chengqi panicked and trembled, "Donghua Gate is the main gate of the imperial palace. How can a commoner like me get in?"
"It's okay, just say I sent it over when the time comes."
Zhao Jun smiled and said, "By the way, Mr. Meng, how have you considered what I told you last time? I met with Prime Minister Li today. He's not feeling well, so I told him to go home and recuperate for a while. You can go directly to Prime Minister Li's residence and talk to him. Just tell him it was me who said that."
Meng Chengqi panicked even more, unconsciously lowering his head. He asked tentatively, "I wonder what exactly does Mr. Zhao do?"
"oh."
Zhao Jun thought for a moment and said, "Last time I only told you that my name is Zhao Hanlong, but I forgot to tell you that my name is Zhao Jun, with the courtesy name Hanlong. I am currently the Director of the Constitutional Council and the Director of the Imperial City Department."
Meng Chengqi: “.”
"alright."
Seeing that the printing house was doing well, Zhao Jun patted Meng Chengqi on the shoulder and said, "I have something else to do this afternoon, so I'll leave the printing house matters to you."
Meng Chengqi forced a smile, his attitude clearly respectful, lowering his eyebrows and saying, "Yes, yes."
"Then I'll be leaving first."
Zhao Jun turned around and left, leaving Meng Chengqi standing in the yard.
This big boss.
I really didn't lie to him.
If you say you plan to reform the food system, then you must reform it.
I had something to do in the afternoon and came back after 8 o'clock.
(End of this chapter)
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