"To be honest, I'm disappointed to hear you complain so much." Fang Zhengyi's tone was filled with endless disappointment. "Back then, the first generation of newspaper people had a much harder life than you. Now that conditions have improved, everyone is becoming increasingly dissatisfied."
"Of course I don't mean to blame you, this is all my negligence!"
"I would like to ask you, what is the purpose of our newspaper?"
"Establish a mission for the people, establish a mind for heaven and earth, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity!" someone answered.
Fang Zheng nodded: "Yes, you are living for the people. Although you are no longer in the officialdom at the newspaper office, you are already doing official business. But seeing this scene today, I am very sad!"
"Why are you so sad? I am sad that you are not doing your job. Many of you did not come here to be journalists, but to work in the library or to be officials!"
"That's nothing, but what about now? You haven't even become an official yet, but you've become tainted with the smell of money!"
Just as someone was about to speak up to refute, Fang Zheng raised his hand to stop him.
"I know what you are thinking. I have been rich, but I have also been poor! But no matter whether I am rich or poor, I will always choose to plead for the people!"
"Is it true that having no money can't solve the problem? Throughout the dynasties, it is common for the treasury to be empty. Can the officials just conjure up silver out of thin air? Of course not! But without money, why are there so many capable ministers who stand out in history?"
"What do they rely on? It's wisdom and a sincere heart for the country and the people!" Fang Zheng pointed to his head, "Solving problems that require money without money, isn't this a kind of training for being an official?"
Fang Zheng paused, and the people below began to murmur.
Reflect! They began to reflect!
After a moment, Fang Zhengyi continued, "Do you know how the old officials in the court evaluate the next generation of scholars?"
There was impatience in the eyes of the reporters. They had to know what they were being evaluated on!
“They say that each generation of young people today is inferior to the previous one!”
The light in everyone's eyes disappeared, replaced by resentment.
Fang Zhengyi said leisurely, "But in my opinion, that's not entirely true. The newspaper was founded by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and me. We appreciate every bit of effort the reporters put in!"
“Those who keep saying that each generation is inferior to the previous one should look at you like me.”
"I see you, although you are poor, you still walk the streets to speak for the people. Although you are in white, you are not afraid of darkness and do not bow to evil forces! I have great respect for you and your professional attitude. You are turning darkness into light and poverty into abundance."
"Because your great landscape will be stronger, and the people will be more vibrant, because the most beautiful scenery of a country is the journalists who work tirelessly in the newspaper office!"
The old reporter's eyes began to sparkle. Mr. Fang hadn't taught a class for a long time.
The long-lost feeling of being moved suddenly came back, and the young reporter felt a trace of shame on his face.
Fang Zheng glanced around and continued, "But seeing the new reporter, my thoughts have changed a little."
"I see that many of you should be a new generation of officials with ideals and vigor, but you have lost your original intentions in order to seek official positions and make money. Let me ask you, if you are a commoner now and cannot empathize with the people, will you be able to speak for the people when you enter the court in the future?"
"You are younger and more able to endure hardships than those people in the court who are just sitting there doing nothing. Your minds can also accommodate more new ideas and aesthetics! It shouldn't be me or those in high positions who should teach you how to do things. Instead, you should inspire us to better serve the people!"
"Your work is breaking down barriers between people, connecting you to thousands of people with just a pen, but now you're complaining about just a little overtime!"
"Isn't it good to work overtime? You sweat and work hard every day until midnight, because there are thousands and thousands of poor people standing behind you! Only the weak are used to complaining and denying, while the strong are never stingy with dedication and praise!"
"Think about it further. When you return home late at night and bring the food you bought from the cafeteria to your wife and son, you can proudly tell your son that it was earned by working overtime! How can the next generation not work hard when they receive such an encouragement?"
"Let me ask you, can you imagine a world without overtime? People are suffering, and every report you write could change the lives of countless poor people. But when you are about to pick up your pen, someone stops you from working overtime. How sad is that?"
“Working overtime is hard, but the right to choose is in your hands. The fate of countless people is in your hands! You now have the right that countless people dream of, the right to choose!”
Fang Zheng stopped talking here, and Xie Xian in the audience seized the opportunity to start clapping loudly!
At this moment, countless scholars were moved by Mr. Fang’s lofty ideals and noble character, and the office area turned into a sea of applause.
The more emotional people had already wet their eyes, some lowered their heads in shame, and some even shouted: "Master Fang, we were wrong..."
Fang Zhengyi shouted loudly: "No, you are right! Which young person has never made mistakes? Life is not an easy road. A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold. You are the rising sun, you are hope!"
"We don't deny that the newspaper has many problems now! But before you raise any questions, please don't ask what the newspaper has done for you, but ask yourself what you have done for the newspaper first!"
"The dormitories are not big enough, so let's squeeze in together! The library doesn't have enough books, so you can bring books from home or copy books to share with everyone."
"As long as everyone gives a little love, the world will become a better tomorrow!"
All kinds of intense emotions began to flow like a flood, and more and more people were triggered to feel regret.
Fang Zhengyi's expression became more serious: "Seeing your performance today, I think you still have a future!"
"Tell me loudly what you are going to do next!"
"We want to work overtime!" "Overtime!" "Overtime!" The thunderous calls for overtime began to sound.
Fang Zhengyi nodded in satisfaction, shook his arms and shouted loudly: "Who says that each generation is inferior to the previous one! I think each wave is stronger than the previous one! Sooner or later, you will all become pillars of the court!"
“Work overtime! Houlang!!”
After saying that, Fang Zheng jumped off the table, looked at the excited reporters, wiped his sweat, and smiled triumphantly.
What's so hard about this small situation that can't be settled?
Not far away, Shen Yizheng walked to Fang Zhengyi with tears in his eyes and said in a trembling voice: “Master Fang, you said it very well.”
"Okay, stop crying. Come out with me and tell me about your situation. I'll leave the rest to Xie Xian."
.....
There are two more chapters, later
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