This time, there were many people summoned, and Yinzhen did not hold the audience in his study. Since Yinzhen was the only master living in the Qianqing Palace, there was naturally enough space. Yinzhen specially had two rooms renovated and connected, and soundproofing was specially done, so it could be considered a council chamber.
The crowd bowed and paid their respects to Yinzhen, who then had them all invited to sit down and served newly presented tribute tea, showing them exceptional hospitality.
Qi Yu wasn't exactly unsophisticated. Aside from his early lack of success in his official career, he lived a pretty good life. His wife was also a capable homemaker, and Qi Yu was quite well-off materially.
Qi Yu took a sip of tea, savoring it carefully. Seeing his apprentice chugging it down, he felt a pang of heartache. Giving such good tea to an apprentice who didn't understand tea was a waste.
The entire council room was arranged like a boardroom in a modern drama. Yinzhen sat in the chairman's seat, taking in everyone's expressions. He naturally noticed the expressions of Qi Yu and his apprentice Qi Huan, and found them quite interesting.
Yinzhen remained a very serious man on the surface and said, "I have called all my ministers here today because I have something I need you to discuss. Take a look at De Bao's memorial first. Liang Jiugong, bring up De Bao's memorial."
Everyone turned their attention to Propaganda Minister Debao.
Liang Jiugong quickly presented a stack of memorials. The memorials written by Debao himself were naturally kept sealed for record-keeping, while these were copied down by Yinzhen's men.
Yinzhen: "Take a look, and then tell me what you think of Debao's suggestion?"
Everyone picked up the memorials in their hands and read them carefully. Apart from the people from the Ministry of Personnel, everyone present had some understanding of this matter. If this matter were to be accomplished, their industry would benefit, so naturally they would have no objections. As for the opinions of the people from the Ministry of Personnel, those could be reserved.
Yinzhen: "Have you finished reading them?"
Yinzhen received an affirmative answer.
Yinzhen: "In that case, let's start with Lord Debao. You should explain what you proposed to all my ministers."
De Bao: "This servant obeys the decree."
Debao: "There are three newspapers in the capital now. According to our investigation, the monthly sales of the 'Government Gazette' and the weekly sales of the 'Morning Glow' are not much different. The 'Capital Gazette' is published every three days. The 'Capital Gazette' has a larger readership of women in the inner quarters, so its sales in this area may be much better than the 'Government Gazette' and the 'Morning Glow'. After the promotion of the News Academy by the three newspapers, many merchants have started to come to us wanting to publish their product introductions in the newspapers. I think this is a mutually beneficial matter and worth a try."
Yinzhen: "Next, continue."
...
Qi Huan: "This servant thinks this is very feasible. Many merchants need such opportunities, and newspapers have such capabilities. It would be a great pity to waste the capabilities of newspapers."
...
Yinzhen listened to many people, and they all agreed. Suddenly, Yinzhen remembered that the first person to think of using this method was Qi Yu.
Yinzhen asked with some curiosity, "Mr. Qi, I am very curious to know how you came up with the idea of ​​promoting the News Academy by advertising it in the newspapers?"
Qi Yu: "To be honest, this was not my idea."
Yinzhen: "Oh? Tell me, sir, who is this person who possesses such talent and wisdom?"
Qi Yu: "Your Majesty, it is my wife."
Yinzhen really didn't expect this, and neither did anyone else.
Yinzhen remarked with great emotion, "Your wife is truly talented."
Qi Yu: "My wife is unworthy; she only acted out of quick thinking when she saw that I was worried about the academy. She is not worthy of the Emperor's praise."
Yinzhen smiled and said, "If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it. You shouldn't be modest, sir. You and your wife have a very deep affection for each other. It is said that one should cultivate oneself, manage one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. You and your wife are truly a model of this."
Yinzhen continued, "Liang Jiugong, convey my decree: Lady Qi is intelligent, virtuous, kind, and understanding; she is a model wife. She is hereby awarded a thousand taels of silver, a villa in Xiaotangshan, and ten bolts of silk..."
The Emperor's reward came rather suddenly. To be honest, Qi Yu was a little confused. Not only Qi Yu, but everyone else was also confused. Qi Yu's wife received the reward just like that, and even Qi Yu himself was praised. Is it so easy to get the Emperor's reward? How come they didn't know?
Although Qi Yu was confused, she still managed to express her gratitude and wasn't completely bewildered.
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