novelraw Chapter 68: Notice Board
Chapter 68: Notice Board
Chapter 68: Notice Board
The next day, I went to my aunt's place to pay my respects. Tietou thought we were going home.
"Don't rush," Wengu said. "Let's get one more meal out of it."
We had someone inquire about Cousin Zhao's availability in advance. It just so happened to be lunchtime, so we decided to discuss matters over a meal.
Cousin Zhao already knew about the honeycomb coal stove. Furthermore, his father had expressed his intention to provide Wengu with an extra layer of security.
"You've earned another merit this time. My father will inform more people of your identity."
This would make more people in Xin Prefecture City aware of Wengu's status and that this young master cousin was valued by the Zhao family, preventing anyone from carelessly causing trouble for him. In the future, if Wengu wanted to buy or sell anything in the market districts, those snobbish individuals would have to think twice.
"Thank you for your concern, Uncle," Wengu sighed.
"Within two days, everyone of some standing in Xin Prefecture City will know your identity. You're going to become famous!" Cousin Zhao said with a smile.
What was the point of being a mere foreman of a district? Those protected by their Zhao family, who would dare to make trouble for them?Young Master Zhao thought Wengu would be embarrassed, but instead, he heard Wengu ask, "Xin Prefecture City only?"
"Oh ho, you're quite greedy, aren't you?" Young Master Zhao was about to tease him.
Wengu leaned in and said, "Actually, I had prepared a gift for you too, cousin. But I lacked suitable talent around me to make or get it in time, so I can only offer an idea, which you can also consider a suggestion. I hope you won't mind."
He spoke as if it were difficult, but his eyes conveyed, "Trust me, it's a great suggestion!"
Cousin Zhao was intrigued. As the young master of the Zhao Clan, he certainly didn't lack good things. Useful suggestions were even more important to him.
"Tell me about it."
"Cousin," Wengu said, "I know you have many scholars and craftsmen under you. Why not try publishing a newspaper?"
Currently, the six great clans were not engaged in open warfare. Their logistics couldn't keep up, their front lines couldn't be extended, and they faced too many restrictions from the outside. Everyone was seizing the opportunity to strengthen themselves, attract population and talent, and expand their reputation.
However, information flow was poor. Wealthy families had their own channels of information, but the vast majority of the population remained in ignorance. The current strategy of the major forces was to showcase their strength externally to attract more wealthy families and talent.
"As long as core secrets aren't leaked, and we just let more people know how good it is here and what preferential treatment there is, why worry about talent not coming? Besides these, we can also inform everyone about how to prevent epidemics, key points to pay attention to in daily life, what kind of talent has emerged here and what preferential treatment they've received... Good things should be widely publicized!" Wengu said.
It would also be convenient for recruitment! He wanted to recruit some civilian craftsmen, but the news couldn't even get out.
Newspapers were not a new invention. Before the times became chaotic, the government had official gazettes, and there were also civilian tabloids. The current dynasty had the Office of Memorials, an institution legally authorized to collect intelligence and transmit documents. After its power expanded and then contracted, it was incorporated under the Bureau of Military Affairs by those in power.
The official gazette, the government newspaper, was reviewed by the Bureau of Military Affairs and copied for transmission by the Office of Memorials. Civilian tabloids were unauthorized publications not vetted by official institutions. Although there were prohibitions from above, they only served to curb the arrogance of these unauthorized publications, which continued to be prevalent despite repeated bans. It wasn't until the chaotic times that everything came to a halt.
Now, Wengu was bringing it up again. The world was in chaos, but the civilian demand for information would only increase! This was a matter of survival!
Young Master Zhao pondered. Xin Prefecture had designated places in its towns and cities for posting public notices to convey important messages. Therefore, he had never thought of expending effort to create a tabloid. However, Wengu's suggestion came at an excellent time and was indeed very tempting.
Nowadays, more and more people were heading north, a far cry from the situation last year. Their Zhao family would continue to take over surrounding towns and cities, their controlled territory would expand, and the number of people under them would grow. A newspaper was indeed a necessary format for conveying information. If successful, it could also enhance the prestige of the Zhao family.
Young Master Zhao raised his hand. A scribe beside him handed over a roster. It recorded the original identities and current positions of certain individuals. Young Master Zhao selectively scanned a few pages. Yes, to run a newspaper, there were suitable candidates who could quickly get it done.
Pointing to the names on the roster, Young Master Zhao said, "The son of a former high-ranking official in the Bureau of Military Affairs has experience running a tabloid, he's suitable."
Wengu was stunned. Wait! That statement had many points to quibble over! "His father was a high-ranking official in a government institution, and his son ran an unauthorized publication?"
"Mmm," Cousin Zhao replied. He gave Wengu a look that said, "Figure it out yourself."
Wengu: "...Oh, never mind."
He now understood why the imperial court's prohibitions had been so futile. He had wondered how those widely circulated tabloids couldn't be banned if there was a genuine determination to do so.
Thinking that the official newspaper of Xin Prefecture would definitely be subject to strict review and might not come out quickly, Wengu added, "We could also erect some notice boards in suitable locations, similar to public notices, to be hung and posted in fixed places."
Xin Prefecture City had them too, but they were limited to a certain wall in the central area and the city gates.
"If there's a newspaper, there won't be a need for notice boards," Young Master Zhao said.
"Can I set up a notice board in our district?" This was Wengu's real intention.
Cousin Zhao looked at Wengu, "What do you want that for?"
"When the newspaper comes out, it will convey only a few types of news. I want to find a place to post job advertisements," Wengu replied. "I want to recruit some artisans with practical skills, they don't need to be very good, just passable. They can engrave seals and do some minor work, etc."
Young Master Zhao initially intended to lend the Zhao family's craftsmen, but upon hearing Wengu mention engraving seals and doing minor work, he stopped himself. It would indeed be an overqualification. As for the notice board Wengu mentioned... Jingxing District and Qingyun District were not close to the main thoroughfare. As long as it didn't involve sensitive political affairs, the rest didn't matter much. The current chaotic times allowed for more leniency in many matters. Wengu's request was a small matter that could be permitted.
He still reminded Wengu, "Don't say anything that involves major issues on it."
"I know. It's just to find a place to post lost items and recruit craftsmen, etc.," Wengu said.
"That's good." Cousin Zhao scrutinized Wengu again, "Where do you get so many peculiar ideas?"
"They're not my ideas. I saw them when I was traveling and recorded them because I was interested," Wengu replied.
So that was it. Young Master Zhao didn't delve deeper and continued to discuss the newspaper with Wengu. The times were different, and the officially published newspaper would also be different. Although the scholars under him would offer many suggestions, Young Master Zhao wanted to hear Wengu's opinion. This cousin of his indeed had many novel ideas, and according to his cousin, his travel experiences were extensive. Others traveled to appreciate landscapes, make new friends, and visit renowned teachers, but this cousin was truly unusual, with a rather unconventional path.
Wengu was giving serious advice, not perfunctory remarks. The matter of the newspaper, if handled well, would also benefit him, making it easier for him to obtain information and adjust his strategies. Even if he planned to publish his own tabloid later, he would have to wait for the Zhao family's official newspaper to come out first. He couldn't steal the spotlight. Besides, he didn't have the energy for such things now; the construction of the two districts was enough to keep him busy, and he wanted to recruit more talent to share the workload. After offering various suggestions, he would let the talent under his cousin handle the busy work, as long as the newspaper could be seen as soon as possible.
Their discussion continued from the study to the dining table. Tietou ate heartily. Madam Shen, upon learning that Wengu had not yet returned home, thought of asking him to dine with her. Her maid went out for a while and then returned, saying, "The young master cousin is discussing important matters with the young master and will be dining there."
The words sounded familiar, as if there had been a similar phrasing yesterday. Madam Shen chuckled. She was happy that her nephew was getting along well with her son and was valued by her husband. However, when she thought of the other young relatives in her family who were idle and doing nothing, she felt disheartened. It wasn't that she was biased; it was just that these people were truly hopeless! Thinking further that the Zhao family had a similar situation within its clan, her mood became even more complex. Sometimes, she thought, the Zhao clan's power was so concentrated not only because of the capabilities of the father and son but also because of the sheer number of useless members in the clan.
After finishing his business, Wengu, with Tietou, returned to Jingxing District and called He Da over.
"Can you read?" he asked.
"Only a little," He Da replied cautiously. He had learned a few characters from his younger brother before. Later, while traveling north and wandering around here, he had slackened in his studies. Not daring to deceive, he spoke the truth.
Wengu did not blame him, only saying, "Learn more with your younger brother during this time." He didn't explain why, but some information had already been revealed. He Da was pleasantly surprised!
"Yes, yes! I will definitely learn more!" This meant he would be given other tasks, and he was useful! After reminding He Da, Wengu went to the alley separating the two districts. Near the entrance of the alley, he found a suitable spot, drew a frame, and had someone smooth out that section of the wall. He didn't use wooden frames, as they could easily be pried away and burned for firewood. When the wall was smoothed, he carved a few large characters above it, which were painted to be more conspicuous—"Jingqing Alley Notice Board."
(End of this chapter)