Chapter 29: Cursing the imperial court in the newspaper shocked the students of the Imperial College!

"Is this what you want to print?"

Emperor Qing frowned, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.

He was very clear about the role of newspapers. It was a powerful tool that could be used to manipulate public opinion once it was mastered.

Moreover, Li Chengde did explain the interests involved to him that day. He knew that this newspaper was the key to making the scholars of Qing Kingdom understand the new policy.

But the part criticizing the "cabinet system" is really too harsh!
There was no reservation at all, he was just pointing at my nose and cursing!
Although the cabinet system was proposed by Li Chengde, the actual promoter was His Majesty the Emperor!
This is no different from directly scolding Emperor Qing!
"...Isn't it a bit too extreme?" Emperor Qing looked at Li Chengde, not hiding his dissatisfaction with the newspaper at all.

Li Chengde shook his head slightly and said calmly: "Extreme? I think it's far from enough."

"..."

As soon as these words came out, Emperor Qing fell silent.

how?

Isn't it extreme enough to point fingers at others and scold them?
what are you planning to do?
"Your Majesty, I intend to use this newspaper to bring out all the dissatisfaction in the hearts of the students." Li Chengde explained.

"Only if it's extreme enough can it attract their attention and make them dependent on the newspaper."

"If this continues, no matter what new policies the court announces in the future, their first reaction will be to read the newspaper first."

"And if the views are not extreme enough, at best they will just feel like they agree with it."

"But it won't make them feel any more emotional, after all, they have already thought about those things."

Emperor Qing had to admit that he was convinced.

"That's all, it's up to you."

It’s actually nothing to be scolded by others.

It has no influence on his decision.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will have someone write an article to criticize him in the next issue."

Li Chengde's words made Emperor Qing feel much better.

Emperor Qing was finally relieved, and then he started reading another newspaper, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

"To establish a mind for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to carry on the lost knowledge of the past sages, and to bring peace to the world for all eternity?"

These four sentences are printed in the most conspicuous position so that people can see them at a glance.

"Is this what you thought of?" Emperor Qing looked at Li Chengde with amazement in his eyes.

Although he knew that all Tianmai people possessed extremely magical abilities without exception, these four sentences were daunting, and a sense of mission suddenly arose in him.

He was sure that the person who said such magnificent words must be a rare literary master in the world!

Li Chengde grew up in the palace. Even if he was born with a natural talent, how could he write such a shocking statement without decades of study? !

But then he thought of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" written by Li Chengde some time ago under the name of "Luo Guanzhong", and Emperor Qing felt that it was not so difficult to accept.

"This is Zhang Zai's famous saying, not my original idea." Li Chengde's answer was very sincere.

But this made Emperor Qing even more certain that these four sentences were thought up by Li Chengde himself.

"So be it." Emperor Qing showed an understanding smile, "If those old pedants saw what you said, the status of this newspaper would be immeasurable." As long as one publishes one's articles in this publication, one is considering the interests of the people and sages of the world!
No scholar can resist this temptation!
Originally, he thought that even if Li Chengde set up a publication dedicated to publishing articles, it would take a long time to seize the right to speak in the literary world from Northern Qi.

But now it seems that it may not take that long at all, and there may even be famous scholars from the Northern Qi Dynasty submitting articles to the next issue!
This is undoubtedly a great thing for Qing Kingdom!
The Northern Qi Dynasty succeeded the Northern Wei Dynasty and always believed that it was the orthodox one, while the Qing Dynasty was just an uncivilized southern barbarian.

But this newspaper will make Northern Qi realize that Qing Kingdom is the orthodox one in this world!
Emperor Qing took another look at a few articles in the newspaper, and there was more and more surprise in his eyes.

Since the literary style of Qing was not popular and the status of famous scholars in Qing was far lower than that of Northern Qi, the articles selected by Li Chengde were all written by people whose names had never been heard of.

Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, Zhu Xi, Lu Jiuyuan, Wang Yangming... The two sides have different viewpoints, but the content of their articles is very insightful and has the style of great masters.

Emperor Qing even felt that Zhuang Mohan from Northern Qi was not even qualified to be the disciple of these people!
This newspaper is really important!

Emperor Qing could imagine how history books would record this day in the spring of the fourth year of the Qingli period!
Taking a deep breath, he looked at Li Chengde, "These two newspapers are very important. Have you thought of a name?"

The samples of the two newspapers submitted by Li Chengde only contained the main text but no names.

"Your Majesty, please give me a name."

Emperor Qing laughed immediately. This was what he had been waiting for. He pondered and said, "Since the first newspaper was used for scholars to vent their dissatisfaction, it should be called "rumors"!"

Censors have the power to report on matters as they hear them, and the function of this newspaper is similar to theirs, so there is nothing wrong with using a word that makes people easily think of censors.

"As for the second newspaper..." Emperor Qing fell into deep thought, thinking carefully. As long as this newspaper was sold, it would immediately cause a great earthquake among the literati.

Therefore, you need to be very careful in naming it.

"What do you think of the word 'seeking truth'?" Emperor Qing thought of a word.

The articles above are all about studying the books of sages and the truth between heaven and earth. This word is just the right one to describe them.

Li Chengde accepted the order on the spot, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the name."

Emperor Qing shook his sleeves and laughed, "Okay, okay, you can do this little thing by yourself.
But you still brought it to me on purpose, isn't it just to give me a chance to leave my name in history?"

"Don't be so clever next time. You and I, father and son, don't need this kind of empty courtesy."

Li Chengde responded, "Rituals cannot be abolished."

Emperor Qing did not comment on this. He asked another question, "You also proposed two newspapers at that time. Why didn't I see their samples?"

Li Chengde thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, isn't that something that the inner treasury is responsible for?"

Emperor Qing hesitated for a moment, "From now on, I'll leave it to you. Bring me the new sample as soon as possible."

Li Chengde received the order again, "I will have the first issue of the Royal Entertainment News and the Current Affairs News printed when I get back."

Emperor Qing doesn't care about these two types of newspapers, so it doesn't matter who named them.

"That's it. Go down."

Li Chengde left the imperial study, then got on a carriage and headed straight for the No. 1 Bookstore in the World, and told Fan Ruoruo the news that the first issues of both publications had passed review.

Then, the bookstore quickly printed out a large number of newspapers to ensure that every reader in Kyoto could get a copy.

And the price is extremely low, just one penny, which is basically equivalent to giving it away for free!
When the students of the Imperial College saw the contents of the newspaper, they were shocked.
"How dare someone curse the imperial court like this? How daring! This is going to be a disaster!"

(End of this chapter)