If possible, Bai Qingyuan would like to go back to the morning court session a few days ago. He would never have stood up and asked someone to read the newspaper.
If it were someone else, they would definitely just take it as a joke.
But Jing Zhe is shameless and doesn't know how to do things properly. You've already swindled my money, so at least give me a newspaper.
Not only did he refuse to give it to me, he also acted disgustingly!
Bai Qingyuan was so angry that he trembled all over.
"Grand Tutor Bai, do you still want it?"
"..."
Seeing that Bai Qingyuan did not respond, Jing Zhe reached out again: "Grand Tutor Bai, hurry up and settle the money, so many people are waiting!"
"..."
Emperor An also spoke up, "Grand Tutor Bai, do you not have enough silver on you? How about I lend you some?"
Before Jing Zhe appeared, Bai Qingyuan would find fault with Emperor An in court every few days, arguing about everything. It was rare to see him get the short end of the stick, so Emperor An naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to tease him.
"Uh... thank you, Your Majesty. It's just ten taels of silver; I can afford it!"
"Being able to produce it is one thing, but wanting to produce it is another! President Jing is right, Grand Tutor Bai probably really doesn't want His Majesty and His Highness to read the newspaper! Otherwise, I'll pay for it!"
Yu Sheng was in a good mood and patted his chest as he spoke, but he had no intention of spending any money. He was just as good as Jing Zhe, a master of empty talk.
The other ministers also looked at Bai Qingyuan, making him furious and red-faced: "No need! I'll pay!"
As he spoke, he pulled out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket. Before he could say anything, Jing Zhe snatched it away and watched helplessly as he stuffed it into his pocket, and then did nothing more.
Bai Qingyuan was furious.
"President Jing, have you forgotten something?"
"What?"
"give change!"
Bai Qingyuan roared.
"Oh, this one!"
Jing Zhe glanced at him: "Grand Tutor Bai is a man of honor, why are you so petty? Who am I to ever lose your money?"
"..."
Bai Qingyuan looked at him coldly, thinking to himself, "If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't be afraid!"
But Jing Zhe still had no intention of repaying the money. He then said, "Since Grand Tutor Bai will be buying every issue of the newspaper for you gentlemen from now on, just keep the rest of the money with me. It will save me from having to ask Grand Tutor Bai for it again like today, which would be too embarrassing!"
You're still embarrassed?
Bai Qingyuan was speechless, but still insisted on getting the money.
Just like Jing Zhe before, he stretched out his hand: "Give me the money!"
However, Jing Zhe was not as easy to talk to as him. He laughed and said, "Grand Tutor Bai, there's no need to be so polite. Are you afraid that I'll be embarrassed to ask you for more money when I run out? Don't worry, I'll ask you for more money when there's only enough left to buy one newspaper! Besides, I have to leave for Jinxi the day after tomorrow. If I take this money with me, Grand Tutor Bai will feel at ease, won't he?"
After saying that, Jing Zhe ignored him and went straight back.
"..."
Bai Qingyuan opened his mouth, but ultimately felt too embarrassed to speak again.
From that moment on, he made up his mind that he would never bring money to court again, no matter what Jing Zhe said, he would not give it to him!
Ha, anyone who still cares about their reputation is a bastard!
...
Having witnessed the entire scene, Emperor An suddenly felt a pang of pity for Bai Qingyuan.
Is it okay to bully a comrade in his sixties?
So he laughed and said, "Alright, Grand Tutor Bai, please read my newspaper first. I'm not in a hurry!"
How could Bai Qingyuan dare to do that?
He kept shaking his head, "Your Majesty, I don't really want to see it either."
"Alright, then I'll take a look!"
So, in the imperial court, everyone except Bai Qingyuan carefully opened the newspapers and began to read them.
Yu Sheng's voice could be heard from time to time.
"How's the military sector?"
"Hey, this is pretty objective, isn't it?"
"Hehe, I've studied this strategy for a long time!"
"..."
Although he didn't have a newspaper in his hand, Bai Qingyuan managed to understand the gist of it after listening to everyone—this issue's military section featured an interview with Yu Sheng!
Strategy?
How many words do you even know, and you think you can figure out strategy?
Bai Qingyuan felt utterly contemptuous, then glanced at Jing Zhe and cursed the two of them for their treacherous collusion!
However, the most captivating story in the second issue of the newspaper was the monkey's tale. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the monkey finally emerge from under the Five Elements Mountain, but then, seeing him set off with the monk, a sense of inexplicable loss lingered in their hearts.
After all, the monkey was once a fierce monkey who could single-handedly disrupt the Heavenly Court. How did he end up as a little follower of a monk who had no skills?
However, they only thought about it and dared not say more.
Because they vaguely felt that Jing Zhe was using this story to metaphorically represent the current court. Although Emperor An seemed mediocre, everyone still had to serve him, and if anyone dared to disobey, they might suffer the same fate as the monkey…
Only then did they understand why Emperor An had so strongly supported newspaper distribution. They had initially thought it was just the current affairs section, but it turned out that even the entertainment section had incorporated educational philosophies…
And Emperor An was in a good mood.
Of course, his focus wasn't on the entertainment section, but on the current affairs section, which was what he cared about most.
Compared to the first issue, this issue's current affairs section is much tedious and boring. However, this is exactly what Emperor An wanted. After all, politics is always tedious. Although the effects are not immediately apparent, over time, the common people will become familiar with what he wants to express by reading newspapers or listening to storytellers in the Xiangju (a type of traditional Chinese entertainment venue) read them.
Seeing that everyone was reading attentively, Emperor An clapped his hands and laughed, "Let's end the morning court session here! All of you ministers, go back and read today's newspapers carefully! The Crown Prince and President Jing, please stay behind!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, the other ministers hurried back to prepare to carefully study the other sections—not because they were incompetent, but because entertainment options were so scarce in this era.
Before leaving, Prince Xiang, Su Mowu, glanced at Su Moyan, a cold glint in his eyes.
...
Only Crown Prince Su Moyan, Jing Zhe, and Emperor An remained in the main hall. Emperor An spoke first, asking, "We're leaving in two days. Are you both ready?"
Su Moyan replied, "Father, I have already handed over all the matters concerning the Eastern Palace, and my luggage is ready."
Emperor An nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Jing Zhe: "And you?"
"Your Majesty... is not prepared yet."
Jing Zhe honestly said, still thinking to himself, "There are still two days left, is it necessary to pack my luggage now?"
"I wasn't asking you to pack your luggage..."
As she spoke, she glanced at Su Moyan indifferently, "After all, you're not as free as the Crown Prince, who only needs to prepare luggage. You have a lot more to prepare!"
Su Moyan: "..."
Jing Zhe: "..."
A giant pot fell from the sky and suddenly hit Su Moyan, making it hard for her to breathe. Looking at Jing Zhe, she felt a mix of emotions.
————
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