In other words, no matter whether the population of Bianliang is one million or three million, the newspaper audience has not actually increased much, and the market has not changed much.
But over the past decade, public and private newspapers in Bianliang have grown explosively like mushrooms after a rain.
If the Song Daily had not been the first Bianliang weekly newspaper, which published every ten days and occupied the market first, and quickly expanded to the surrounding counties, its sales would have plummeted long ago.
After all, the official nature of the Da Song Daily led to an overly solemn political atmosphere, so the topics were naturally overly serious, and most of the reports were in official tones.
But it is different for private newspapers. In order to grab the headlines, all kinds of gossip emerge one after another.
There are even tabloid reporters who climb over the walls of high-ranking officials. Some time ago, the Minister of Personnel Chen Zhizhong was reported to have whipped his maid Ying'er, which caused an uproar.
Chen Zhizhong was furious and wanted to use his power to suppress the matter and punish the tabloid newspaper.
However, the Censorate and the Censorate immediately pursued him and launched an investigation.
As a result, the Censorate confirmed that the maid Ying'er was indeed beaten by Chen Zhizhong, and impeached her to the Council of Political Affairs, who ordered her to be dismissed from her post.
This incident made those tabloids famous overnight.
Especially in an era like the Song Dynasty when folk entertainment was more popular, gossip about dignitaries was most popular among the people, which led to a continuous decline in the market share of the Song Dynasty Daily.
This new policy can be regarded as a great comeback for the Song Daily. The people of Bianliang all want to know what new changes the court has made.
"The spring breeze of reform cannot stop. Only by constantly changing can the Song Dynasty maintain its health, vitality and development."
"The prefect is setting the tone. It seems the reforms this time are truly significant."
After receiving the newspaper, several tea drinkers who bought the newspaper first saw the first page of the front page, which was the article written by Zhao Jun.
In the past, Zhao Jun often used the Song Daily as a high ground for public opinion propaganda. He wrote articles to explain Fan Zhongyan's several new policies and even when Xia Song went to Jiangnan to massacre landlords.
The content is to tell everyone why the court did this, what benefits it would bring to the court and the people, etc.
Through such a simple and easy-to-understand path, we tell everyone clearly in exchange for the support of the people and victory in the public opinion field, thereby standing up for and endorsing the reformers.
"Increasing the term of office for officials? These officials will be comfortable. They used to only serve for three years, but now they can serve for five years, or even an extra term."
"Oh, if I had known earlier, I would have studied and taken the imperial examination. Why would I bother doing business? It would have been better to be an official."
"Haha, don't think I don't know. Didn't Bo Kao whip you to read in the past, but you just couldn't read it."
"We've been friends for decades, don't expose my shortcomings."
Several old tea drinkers in their fifties joked with each other that now in Bianliang, only people like them who were rich and had enough free time would care about current affairs tomorrow.
"Isn't this good news for us? Allowing local governments to exercise policy autonomy and granting certain tax incentives can help attract foreign investment and strengthen local economic integration."
"Oh, that's great news. The imperial court has opened up access to minerals everywhere. If a mineral is discovered somewhere, the local government can hold a sale, and the highest bidder will receive a portion of the proceeds as shares."
"Doesn't that mean that businessmen like us can also purchase mines and open mines ourselves? This is a good business, and we can make a lot of money now."
"Also, we're changing the conscription system from forced conscription to a volunteer system. Criminals, ruffians, and ex-offenders will no longer be allowed into the army. We're also planning to open military academies, increase military ranks, and promote literacy education for the grassroots."
"Conscription system? Good men don't join the army, and good iron doesn't make nails. Who will join the army in the future?"
"I think the court is going to change the army again. This is a bad move. What kind of place is the army? It's a dangerous place. Who wants to go there, especially those who have served in the army before..."
"Forget it, let's look at the next one."
Many people, after reading about the military changes in the newspapers, shook their heads and felt that the imperial court had made a bad move.
The people of the Song Dynasty discriminated against soldiers to their core. The people might not understand the idea of the Constitutional Council to improve the status of soldiers and strengthen the quality education of the military, but even if they did, they would not think it was a good idea.
The aftermath of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was so severe that people did not want to serve in the army at all, for fear of being despised as "thieves in the army", so most people thought it was just nonsense.
Only a few people noticed key words such as "military academy" and "military rank", and considered that the military might be an important channel for advancement in the future besides studying.
"Here's some good stuff."
"What?"
"Old Li, didn't you just say you regretted not passing the imperial examination? Your son doesn't have that ability, but I think your grandson can do it."
"What do you mean?"
"Look here, the newspaper says the court is going to open many more universities. Once you graduate, you can choose to apply for the exam. The court will even select the best candidates and grant you the title of Tong Jinshi. If you excel and pass the special examination, you can directly be awarded the title of Third Class Jinshi."
"Awarded the status of a Jinshi? Is that true? Are you sure you read that right? Not granted the status of a Jinshi?"
"Really, see for yourself."
"God, this is a Jinshi, not the old special class of virtuous and upright people, outspoken and remonstrant, knowledgeable in education, wise in constitution, well-versed in administrative affairs, insightful in military strategy, and capable of far-reaching military plans."
Everyone was shocked by the changes in the court.
This means that the Jinshi degree will no longer be the only way to become a Jinshi, and there will be other ways to become a Jinshi.
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