"Neither you nor I can write an article exposing the Imperial College. We need to find someone who is familiar with the past and present of the Imperial College to write it."
When Huang Qubing heard this, he suddenly felt a headache.
Gu Jiu urged him again, "If you want to do a special topic, if you want to write about the shameless depravity of the Imperial College, if you want to give the Imperial College a good slap in the face, you have to do this. Otherwise, you will be bitten to pieces by the Imperial College."
"You must strike the snake at its most vulnerable part. You must strike the Imperial College so hard that it cannot recover. Then your project will be a success. Not only will you win fame, but you will also earn a lot of money."
Huang Qubing's mouth twitched. "Madam, as a mother of four children, I thought you would be more gentle on this matter and would persuade me to stop. But what you just said clearly shows that you only want to cause chaos in the world. You are going to create a mortal enemy with the Imperial College!"
Gu Jiu laughed heartily. "I'm thinking about the future of 'Da Zhou Life Show' and pointing out a path for the world. If there are conflicts, we don't have to engage in verbal battles; we can also resort to writing."
"Madam, you never thought that if you made such a big deal from the beginning, you might be targeted by the imperial court."
"It's to make the court take notice."
Huang Qubing looked confused.
Gu Jiu said, "The Great Zhou Life Show has clearly inspired many people. This is a viable way to run a newspaper. I'm sure that within six months, there will be a second, third, or even a fourth publicly published newspaper in the capital. Jiangnan won't be far behind."
What happens when everyone expresses their opinions in newspapers? There's a lack of control and moderation over what can and cannot be written. When people criticize court officials and His Majesty in newspapers, the court will inevitably crack down on the newspaper industry with thunderous force.
Rather than waiting until the entire industry is destroyed, it is better to guide the court to establish qualifications and standards for newspaper practitioners from the beginning, and formalize and legalize this industry.
The most important point is to reassure those above us, to make them feel that everything is under control. That way, if we encounter articles that seek to kill us in the future, we will be able to deal with them and avoid ruining the entire industry."
Huang Qubing was secretly shocked. "Those scholars, when they go crazy, even I'm afraid of them. They dare to point at your Majesty's nose and curse him in the court, and write articles that violate the law and publish them in the newspapers, let alone that. We really need to take precautions in advance, so as not to ruin everyone. But who should we ask to write the article exposing the Imperial College? How about asking Sanyuan Gong?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "Mr. Sanyuan is not suitable. Moreover, Mr. Sanyuan has never studied at the Imperial College, nor has he taught there. If he comes to expose the truth, it will not be convincing and it will easily cause trouble. I have two candidates here. It depends on whether you can convince them."
Huang Qubing asked curiously, "Which two people?"
Gu Jiu didn't keep the secret and spit out two names, "Cai Zhongshan, Xu Chengye!"
"puff!"
Huang Qubing sprayed directly.
"Madam, are you kidding?"
"Do you think this lady is joking?"
Huang Qubing was stunned.
"Has Madam forgotten the occasion with these two?"
"Of course I haven't forgotten. Cai Zhongshan, the one who was stealing from the wall, and Xu Chengye, the drunken one yesterday. Horizontal banner: A true man! This lady still remembers this incident vividly."
Huang Qubing's expression kept changing, and he was completely unable to understand Gu Jiu's train of thought.
"These two, one was the Imperial College's chief academic officer, the other the director. Because of this couplet, they were both dismissed from office. They already hated the Madam, the High Prince, and the Shanhe Academy. How could they possibly come out to help us deal with the Imperial College?"
Huang Qubing shook his head repeatedly, thinking that Gu Jiu was simply daydreaming.
Gu Jiu said, "Compared to hating us, I guess they hate the Imperial College more. They were both dismissed from office and chose to stay in the capital to seek a way out, rather than returning to their ancestral home to retire. Do you know how they have been doing these years?"
"It must have been tough."
Officials who have been dismissed from office are not big shots, so they usually have a hard time.
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup and took a sip. "Then, do you know that in recent years, the Imperial College has been treating these two people badly? If you ask around, you'll understand why. If you offer them a high salary to come back and write a special report exposing the Imperial College, if you're sincere enough, you might be able to impress them. I think no one is more suitable for this report than these two."
Huang Qubing was surprised, "Really?"
Gu Jiu nodded.
Huang Qubing scratched his head, still a little confused.
"Cai Zhongshan and Xu Chengye helped us to strip the Imperial College. Isn't that a betrayal of our teachers and ancestors? Would they agree to that?"
"You can try to get in touch with them first and test their attitudes. The Imperial College is slow to act, and it will take at least ten days or half a month for your article to be published. This is enough time for you to convince them and ask them to come out and help you. Objectively speaking, although their personalities may not be very good, they are both top-notch figures in terms of knowledge and literary talent."
To be able to become the Imperial College's chief academic officer or vice-chairman, one must have real talent.
Huang Qubing was unsure, "Then I'll try to get in touch?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "Go for it boldly. I'm 60% sure it will succeed. You have to know that living in the capital is not easy. After being dismissed from office, these two refused to return to their ancestral home to retire, and stayed in the capital, refusing to leave. They are obviously people who are keen on fame and fortune. However, after staying for many years, their assets have been shrinking again and again, and their children and grandchildren are quite resentful.
Writing for "Da Zhou Life Show" is a win-win for both fame and fortune. For these two, this is a rare opportunity. If you miss this opportunity, you'll miss it. If you patiently discuss the pros and cons with them, they'll surely be tempted. If the partnership goes well, you can commission them to write for you on a long-term basis. You can rest assured of the quality of their work."
Huang Qubing was persuaded by Gu Jiu, "Should I really go and contact them?"
"That's definitely no problem. If you have any questions, come to me."
Gu Jiu encouraged Huang Qubing, and Huang Qubing immediately became full of fighting spirit. He picked up the manuscript and went down the mountain to get busy.
Gu Jiu lay leisurely on the recliner.
Capturing Huang Qubing as a soldier was the wisest decision she made at that time.
No one is more suitable to run Wenqing Bookstore than Huang Qubing.
A strong background, a flexible mindset, and numerous connections...
Gu Jiu smiled secretly, feeling a little proud.
Without Huang Qubing's help in running Wenqing Bookstore, she would probably be busy to death.
She really had a sharp eye and she immediately picked out Huang Qubing, this shining gem, among thousands of people.
…
In the blink of an eye, it was time to release the second episode of "Da Zhou Life Show".
With the foundation of the first phase, Huang Qubing became a little bolder.
A total of 13,000 copies were printed.
The servant Sanshun secretly complained to Yan Ci about Huang Qubing, "The older you get, the less courageous you become. Even if you print 30,000 copies at once, it'll only cost you a few more taels of silver. A mere 13,000 copies wouldn't sound good at all."
Yan Ci said, "Printing 30,000 copies at once and having them pile up in the warehouse without selling them would be really embarrassing. 13,000 copies can basically be sold out in one day, which at least saves face."
"Mr. Yan is indeed insightful." Samsoon grinned, "When will Mr. Yan treat us after receiving his writing fee?"
Yan Ci said, "Tonight at Zuifeng Tower, I won't leave until I'm drunk."
"That would be great! Invite the talented scholar Yang Ji as well. I love listening to him discuss history and present-day topics; it really inspires me."
"I've already made an appointment with the talented Yang, he will definitely come."
"Mr. Yan is just a man of honor."
With the bumper grain harvest this year, the prohibition on alcohol is now in name only.
All major food stores and restaurants openly sold alcohol, and everyone from the imperial court to local officials turned a blind eye.
The people of the Great Zhou love wine. Whether they are rich or poor, they cannot do without wine.
Prohibition took a lot of fun out of people's lives.
Court officials also complained privately.
Is it really a banquet without fine wine?
Before the autumn harvest, merchants in the capital could only sell wine secretly.
After the autumn harvest, all the major wine shops will openly sell wine.
For a time, the business of major restaurants and bars increased by 30% to 40%, and various banquets were held continuously.
Yan Ci received his first real writing fee from the novel he wrote, and everyone clamored for him to treat them.
Yan Ci did not refuse. He booked a place in advance and invited everyone to drink together in the evening.
…
With the foundation and experience laid by the first episode of "Da Zhou Life Show", everyone in Wenqing Bookstore was very calm.
The newsboys were all excited and ready to do something big.
At daybreak, when the city gates had just opened, newsboys carrying piles of newspapers entered the capital in an orderly manner, dispersed and started selling their newspapers everywhere.
Wenqing Bookstore opens its doors for business.
"Da Zhou Life Show" is still placed in the most conspicuous position at the door.
The brothel topic attracted the attention of passers-by.
"A life show!"
"Two cents, take it!"
As soon as the door opened, customers came in.
And more than one.
Judging from their attire, they were servants from nearby shops, servants from wealthy families, maids, passing merchants, and waiters running errands at the inn...
Yan Ci hid behind the counter as usual, watching intently, very surprised.
“Why are there so many people buying newspapers so early in the morning?”
The shopkeeper understood this well. "Books are expensive, but newspapers are more economical. Life Show has six pages, and if you read slowly, a whole day will pass. It's perfect for daily entertainment. If this trend continues, we can publish an issue every two days."
Yan Ci shook his head. "How can there be so many manuscripts? The boss is worried about the manuscripts all day long. I don't even know what to write in the next issue."
The shopkeeper chuckled, "Just write about the trivialities of Xinmin County. I guarantee that most people will enjoy watching it. Life shows are just entertainment, a cheap thing. People don't have high expectations for the content; freshness is enough."
For example, you could consider writing about the refugees. Many people in Beijing are curious about the refugees living in Phase 1. You could write about seven or eight issues just on the refugees.
You can also write about the big locust tree in the Big Locust Tree Square. You can also write about the second-hand cotton clothing shop in the back. And those beef shops are so delicious, you can also promote them and let more people know about them.”
"Boss, you're very insightful!" Samsoon clapped his thigh, his face full of excitement. "Why didn't I think of that? Boss, next time you have a good idea, be sure to tell me. I'll tell the young master, and I'll give you a fee for writing it."
The shopkeeper said cheerfully, "That's great! Just give me some money and I'll help you come up with the content."
"Then it's settled."
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