In the imperial court, you could hear a pin drop.
Bai Qingyuan's words seemed to have a hidden meaning, or perhaps they were a way of preemptively pouring cold water on the ministers' enthusiasm.
The ministers who were just moments ago happily anticipating an exclusive interview and publicity campaign from Jing Zhe are now somewhat fearful.
Jing Zhe sneered and said, "Judging from how decisively Grand Tutor Bai speaks, it doesn't seem like he's just spouting nonsense. He must have found some evidence, right? In front of His Majesty and all the officials, Grand Tutor Bai, why don't you say it?"
Bai Qingyuan wore a calm expression. "President Jing's initial intention in establishing the newspaper was good, and I actually think highly of it. However, you are still too young, and you have been tempted by external factors, doing some things you shouldn't have done. I can understand that."
As for what it is, you naturally know in your heart. Just cut ties with certain people as soon as possible and learn to act fairly! Considering this is your first time and your first offense, I won't go into details!
As he spoke, Bai Qingyuan nodded slightly and glanced at Jing Zhe, as if to say: Young man, take care of yourself.
Jing Zhe was unwilling at that time.
You've dumped this shit on my head, and then you tell me not to ask anymore?
What a wonderful thing!
"Please don't! Grand Tutor Bai, you'd better tell me. If you don't, I really won't know. When I get back, I'll think that Grand Tutor Bai is deliberately slandering me. He might even write all those examples of old Bai and old Wang in the 'Life' section!"
Jing Zhe narrowed his eyes, a wicked smile on his face.
"..."
Bai Qingyuan was furious. He thought to himself, "Young man, you're courting death. Don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!"
"Yesterday I heard someone say that President Jing was invited back by certain people and stayed for half a day. And what they talked about was not anything else, but the first issue of the newspaper. There was a power and money transaction involved!"
"Heh, I've been thinking, is it that President Jing isn't writing about the facts, but rather about the preferences of certain people and the benefits they've received?"
Bai Qingyuan launched his attack, presenting his arguments logically and with an imposing manner, seemingly aiming to defeat Jing Zhe right from the start.
But he clearly chose the wrong opponent.
Jing Zhe was not intimidated at all: "Since Grand Tutor Bai has said that I, as an official who runs a newspaper, should uphold the truth, right?"
"That's natural."
"But if others, like Grand Tutor Bai, don't believe me, then even if what I write is the truth, everyone will treat it as false. What can I do?"
"hehe."
Bai Qingyuan sneered, "Then President Jing needs to keep himself clean and not collude with certain people! Moreover, I think His Majesty should establish a rule."
"Please speak, Grand Tutor Bai."
"That is, the newspaper is directly under His Majesty's control, and it is equivalent to His Majesty's mouthpiece. As long as the newspaper is published, other people will always think that it has been reviewed by His Majesty and is His Majesty's will. They will not doubt it at all and will naturally take it as true."
But President Jing is so young, can he really always be truthful? I don't think so. Therefore, Your Majesty should have President Jing sign a guarantee that everything written in the newspaper is true, and that he is willing to accept punishment if any falsehoods are found. If President Jing dares to sign, then no matter what the newspaper says, everyone will be willing to believe it!
Jing Zhe was initially furious at being questioned by Bai Qingyuan.
But after listening to him, I suddenly felt enlightened.
Hey, I was just wondering how to deal with Su Xinping!
Bai Qingyuan's suggestion is excellent!
He immediately pleaded with Emperor An, saying, "Your Majesty, what Grand Tutor Bai said is absolutely right. Although I serve Your Majesty and dare not falsify anything, there is always a chance that some incompetent and idle people who only know how to find fault with others will have doubts. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to allow me to sign such a guarantee!"
"..."
Bai Qingyuan: Why does it feel like the idiot is talking about me?
Emperor An glanced at Jing Zhe, intending to say something, but then decided against it and nodded, saying, "Since both Grand Tutor Bai and President Jing have said so—bring me pen and ink!"
The guarantee was signed in no time.
At this moment, Jing Zhe raised his head, looked at Bai Qingyuan, and prepared to launch an attack.
"Grand Tutor Bai, the same requirements I have for you apply to me as well, don't they?"
"What?"
"Speak with facts and truth!"
"That's natural."
Bai Qingyuan tilted his head slightly, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Alright, since that's the case, then Grand Tutor Bai, tell me, who told you that I was making money and power deals with others?"
Bai Qingyuan thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"This, I cannot say."
"Can't I say? Then can I confess that Grand Tutor Bai is spreading rumors and maliciously slandering me?"
"How could I, a dignified Grand Tutor, do such a despicable thing? I did hear it from someone, but it's not convenient for me to reveal it."
If I told you, wouldn't my chess piece be rendered useless?
"Heh, according to Grand Tutor Bai's logic, then it would be okay for me to say that I heard from others that Grand Tutor Bai is Old Bai, right? Anyway, it's not convenient for me to reveal that."
Jing Zhe shrugged, his expression seemingly telling Bai Qingyuan, "If you don't tell me, I'll tell you right away!"
Bai Qingyuan was scared because he felt that Jing Zhe really dared to do that!
After thinking it over and over, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "The one who told me about this was Wu Pin from your newspaper's security department! He's on duty at the newspaper's entrance every day, and he knows everyone who comes in and out of the newspaper very well. His words can't be false!"
"..."
Upon hearing Wu Pin's name, Jing Zhe's eyes narrowed.
Wu Xianyong felt pain in his groin again.
He had cursed Wu Pin countless times in his heart: This is a battle of gods, why did you, an idiot, get involved?
"In His Majesty's presence, I can say with a clear conscience that His Highness the Crown Prince, as well as the Duke of Yu and Grand Tutor Hao, did indeed invite me to their residences yesterday. I approached this with the intention of conducting interviews, and accompanied by Chen Jiannan, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Zhao Wei, the head of the interview department, and Xiong Qiang, the head of the living department, I visited the Eastern Palace and the Duke of Huguo's residence. Our discussions were all about current affairs, and there was no involvement of any power or money transactions, as Grand Tutor Bai has claimed. If Grand Tutor Bai does not believe me, he can ask His Highness the Crown Prince, the Duke of Yu, and Grand Tutor Hao directly!"
"..."
Upon hearing that Su Moyan was also involved, Bai Qingyuan was stunned.
Because he was also afraid of Su Moyan, Wu Pin deliberately omitted Su Moyan when he informed Bai Qingyuan, only mentioning Yu Sheng and Hao Junguang. In his opinion, mentioning these two was enough, as Grand Tutor Bai was at odds with them, and their official positions were comparable.
However, this caused Bai Qingyuan great harm.
If he had known that the Crown Prince was among them, he would never have dared to say those things just now, even if he were beaten to death!
Wouldn't that imply that the Crown Prince was secretly plotting something?
Even if there were some underhanded tactics, he couldn't say them in front of so many people!
Therefore, Bai Qingyuan was in a very awkward position at this moment, and his face looked extremely ugly.
In my heart, I had already cursed Wu Pin's ancestors for eighteen generations...
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