Fang Xuanling was stunned.
Du Ruhui walked over to Fang Er, reached out, and took the newspaper.
He opened it and instantly his expression turned awkward, handing it over to Fang Xuanling.
But before Fang Xuanling could reach for it, Du Ruhui, with a look of curiosity, took the newspaper back.
Old Fang only caught a few words.
In broad daylight, to be doing such a thing!
Well, that sparked his curiosity as well, and he moved closer to Du Ruhui to look at the contents.
Seeing their actions, Li Xiaogong also walked over in confusion to hold the newspaper.
Only Wei Zheng stood aside, looking quite awkward, wanting to approach but feeling too embarrassed.
Fang Er shrugged at Li Shimin, his eyes signaling Li Shimin to look at Fang Xuanling and the other two.
Their expressions were utterly smug.
The implication was clear: see, those who had seen it couldn't resist reading it closely!
The shameless clickbait behavior of later generations was absolutely number one in drawing traffic!
Li Shimin was dumbfounded. What was going on? You are all important imperial officials, and you're captivated by such vulgar words?
Thinking of this, his temper flared up again. He picked up the paperweight and, like a storyteller striking his gavel, slammed it onto the imperial desk with a bang.
The white jade paperweight was instantly destroyed.
Duke Fang! Duke Du! And Old Ninth! Look at yourselves now!
Fang Xuanling innocently raised his head and pointed to an article on the newspaper, saying,
Your Majesty, I believe what this newspaper says is not wrong!
It clearly explains how men should maintain their bodies and how women should stay beautiful, with sound reasoning.
And this article here, about the pig farmer who was driving his pigs to the West Market for sale, only to be run over and killed by a wealthy young master's carriage.
You did personally say that morals were declining and ordered the Chang'an County to investigate thoroughly.
What's wrong with that?
Li Shimin's anger was like being doused with a basin of cold water, instantly extinguished.
What? Is this newspaper about these things?
Not that scandalous stuff?
He said to Du Ruhui, who was engrossed in reading the newspaper, with a conflicted expression.
Bring it here, let朕 see it again.
Du Ruhui, without looking up, simply threw back,
That, please let this humble servant finish reading first.
Li Shimin: ………..
What to do now? Snatch it directly? Impossible!
To scold Du Ruhui for this? That would be making too much of a fuss.
After a full cup of tea's worth of time, Li Shimin could no longer bear it.
He picked up the broken half of the paperweight and slammed it on the desk again.
Well, alright, this half was once again broken into n pieces…
Duke Du, I told you to present the newspaper to me!
Du Ruhui: Don't rush! There's only the last sentence left.
Ten breaths later.
Du Ruhui, still wanting more, handed the newspaper to Li Shimin.
After receiving the newspaper, Li Shimin stared at Du Ruhui for a long time with a killing gaze.
He stared until Du Ruhui's entire body felt prickly.
Damn! What did I do to make His Majesty wait for so long?
Then he moved closer to Fang Er.
Marquis of Liaodong, this newspaper isn't enough to satisfy me. Is there a next edition?
Li Xiaogong also leaned in.
Brother, I've read this newspaper, it will definitely sell well!
Big brother plans to set up shops in the prefectures around Chang'an! Just print as much as you can! However much you print, big brother will sell!
Fang Er nodded towards Li Shimin.
Before His Majesty approves, you dare to sell it?
Fine, Li Xiaogong had no choice but to gaze at Li Shimin expectantly.
Wei Zheng felt an unbearable itch in his heart!
I want to read it too!
The four of them stood in the hall, waiting for Li Shimin to finish reading the newspaper.
After a long while.
Li Shimin closed the newspaper and said to Fang Er,
Young man, the content of your newspaper is indeed excellent, and I agree with the benefits you mentioned earlier.
Therefore, I agree to let you and the Prince of Hejian undertake the matter of the newspaper, but can the title be changed?
You have placed朕 in such a prominent position, is that not too disrespectful?
Fang Er did not speak.
Li Xiaogong spoke up.
Your Majesty, this humble servant has read it carefully just now.
This humble servant's view is that this newspaper is a new thing after all, only one sheet of paper.
Even if the content printed on it is practical, if others just glance at it, they won't see much, right?
Brother Fang's title is written very well, it can arouse the urge to explore.
Therefore, for the sake of this newspaper becoming a hit, I implore Your Majesty not to quibble over these details.
Wei Zheng finally couldn't hold back.
Your Majesty, could you let this humble servant see this newspaper?
Li Shimin folded the newspaper and then pressed it down with the paperweight that had been shattered into pieces.
朕 has not finished reading it yet. Come back and ask me for it tomorrow.
Wei Zheng………
So, you let me come here just to make me envious, right?
Refusing Wei Zheng's request, Li Shimin thought for a moment, then nodded. That's fine.
So be it, but every issue of the newspaper must be delivered to朕.
Only after 朕 approves can it be sold!
This is the tongue and throat of the nation. If you dare to write anything on it, 朕 will not spare you lightly!
Fang Er nodded repeatedly and patted his chest to guarantee.
Your Majesty, please rest assured, we will definitely not write anything carelessly. If Your Majesty feels it is inappropriate, I will stake the lives of all seven dogs in my household for you!
Li Shimin's mouth twitched.
Do I seem like someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong? Keep the lives of your dogs for yourself for now!
Xiaogong! This matter must be handled carefully. Don't rush to spread it out all at once, take it slow.
As for the reason, there's no need for 朕 to elaborate.
Alright, you can all go.
Everyone bowed and took their leave.
The two Dukes, Fang and Du, returned to their respective workplaces.
Standing in the square between Chengtian Gate and Liangji Hall, Wei Zheng looked dejected!
Damn it! Don't I have any rights as a minister?
Fang Er was slung over Li Xiaogong's neck as they walked out of Chengtian Gate.
Sitting into the pickup truck.
Li Xiaogong began to ask Fang Er for the newspaper sales plan.
It was finally decided to establish newspaper bureaus in Chang'an city and the surrounding prefectures of Yongzhou, Shangzhou, Qizhou, Fengzhou, and Jingzhou.
After the newspapers are printed in large quantities, they will be sent to various places by house guards for sale.
Once initial results are seen, it will be expanded nationwide.
As for the price, Fang Er had only roughly calculated it.
The cost for his side was about one copper coin to print five copies.
There was no help for it, the prices were simply this cheap, and Fang Family Village had an integrated production line.
Although his cost was low, this was, after all, a cultural industry. They had to consider copyright issues.
Therefore, the price he gave to Li Xiaogong was one copper coin per copy, and he would sell them to the public for two copper coins per copy.
With these settled, Li Xiaogong went back to prepare for the shop matters.
Fang Er himself drove back to the workshop to continue with the design and production of equipment for the sand dredging ship.