nycdaug Chapter 134: Newspaper Offering
Chapter 134: Newspaper Offering
The news that all the regent's men had been captured and the Jiangnan region was back under the emperor's control quickly spread throughout the country.
The war that lasted for several years was finally over, and Daqi was finally able to return to peace. From top to bottom, no one was unhappy. The only unhappy ones were perhaps the people of the regent's family. They were all arrested and taken to the Northwest Palace. They were interrogated one by one by the court and then executed. Some of their property was confiscated and they were exiled.
After the regent was taken to the northwest, he and his subordinates and family members who knew about the incident were all beheaded because of his unforgivable crime of treason. Other royal family members who were involved were sentenced to death by beheading, exile, and demoted to commoners according to the severity of their crimes.
Many people were so happy to hear that the war was finally over and travel would become more convenient that they wanted to celebrate.
At the same time, the emperor received the letter and tools sent by Lu Linlang.
"Is this movable type printing? Such a wonderful idea, it is really a blessing for me." After reading the letter, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. She called several officials to discuss the matter of moving the capital.
"Your Majesty, now is the year you ascended the throne, and the empire has just begun to stabilize. Many official positions are vacant, and it is a time to recruit talents. With the invention of movable type printing, a large number of people will be able to enter the officialdom through education and serve the prefectures and counties of Daqi."
The officials who are still in the court have become more obedient now. They originally thought that the emperor was a woman and must be a soft-hearted person. Who knew that the emperor would become tough and no one dared to speak. Now the ministers no longer dare to give orders about state affairs as before.
"But, my brother and mother died for their country in the capital. After discussing with my beloved ministers these past few days, I have decided to move the capital back to the capital and send their coffins to the imperial mausoleum near the capital for burial.
The capital will be relocated immediately. In February, the Imperial Examination will be held. All students will come to the capital to take the examination. Officials will be selected after the palace examination. Minister of Rites, you will be responsible for this matter. As for the chief examiner of this Spring Examination, I will consider who will take the position."
"Yes." Seeing how frightened they were, the emperor relaxed a little.
After the ministers left, she read the letter again. The letter also contained what Lu Linlang had mentioned about newspapers. Newspapers were different from the official gazettes in the past. Gazettes could not be published every day, and their dissemination efficiency was extremely low. However, the newspaper proposed by Lu Linlang could be published once a day or once every two days.
And it wasn't just official newspapers of the court, there were also private ones, which could be about farming, economics, or even gossip.
Regarding the paper problem, Chongshui County has developed a more cost-effective method. Although the paper quality is slightly worse, the cost is lower. In addition, with the improvement of printing technology, the cost of printing newspapers is also decreasing, and the price of newspapers can also be reduced. Printing once a day will not cost too much money.
Moreover, if this matter is implemented by the emperor's people, it means that the right to speak in Daqi is in the hands of the emperor, which can also indirectly cut off the weight of civil servants and increase the centralization of imperial power.
After reading it, the emperor's blood boiled. This was a good idea. With this newspaper, she could directly pass down government orders to officials in various places. An important reason for the chaos in the civil service in the past was that the officials below could not obtain news from the court in a timely manner, resulting in many places still using the previous laws. Moreover, remote areas did not even know that the court had fought a war. Even if they knew, it would be a long time later.
Therefore, the birth of newspapers is bound to stir up the stagnant water of the court again, and some people who are just sitting in office and doing nothing will eventually be exposed.
Thinking of this, she immediately summoned Qiu Lin over. She wanted Qiu Lin to be responsible for this matter. She didn't trust anyone else. As for General He, the emperor had a headache after seeing the contents of his letter.
"General He, the emperor has brought you an oral order." Qiu Lin came to General He's house with the emperor's oral order. Now he is alone. Those in his family who are at the border have been killed by the Tatars, and those in the capital also died in battle defending the capital after the regent fled.
In the end, only one cousin was still alive, but he disappeared while fleeing. It was not until after the pacification of Jiangnan that news came that he was heading towards Hezhou.
"I obey your orders." He Yue immediately knelt down to receive the order.
"I am aware of what General He wrote. You can rest for two months and go find someone. But before you leave, you must settle the military affairs and prevent the Tatar invasion. Otherwise, you will be held accountable."
"I thank the Emperor."
"General He, are you planning to go to Hezhou this time?" Qiu Lin said to him after the oral instructions were finished.
"Exactly. He's the only relative I have left. Now that I know about him, I want to go find him. I want to comfort the spirits of my grandparents, uncles, and aunts in heaven. He's only five years old now, and I don't know what his current situation is."
He Yue wanted to find his cousin, but also wanted to temporarily get away from the sight of those court officials for a while. He had been in the limelight too much in recent years, and it was the height of his career. If he didn't know when to advance and retreat in time, he was afraid that what was waiting for him would not be praise.
That's why he wrote the letter, using the excuse of finding his cousin to temporarily leave. As for moving the capital, he doesn't have to worry about it. The regent's line has been eliminated, and the emperor has also cleaned out a group of disobedient officials before. It is very safe.
"Then congratulations, General, on your safe journey. By the way, Young Marquis Lu and Young Marquis Yun are also planning to return to Hezhou. Why don't you two join them?"
Lu Zhan and Yun Can were credited with capturing the Regent alive. With the emperor's tacit approval and the officials' decision, both of them were eventually granted the title of Marquis. Lu Zhan inherited his father's title and was named Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, while Yun Can was named Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness.
However, the two were too young and only had titles but no real power. When they turned eighteen, they officially served in the army and served the court.
"Don't worry, Guard Qiu, I've already made an appointment with them. Let's go back together." He Yue had already contacted them. The two of them were living in his house now. They had been summoned to the palace by the emperor for a talk before. These officials in the northwest all knew that the two of them would be fine when they grew up. At least they had the friendship with the emperor.
Now they went shopping to prepare gifts for their family members, and He Yue asked someone to take them there.
As soon as Qiu Lin walked out of the gate, he saw the two men and Ma Er and Ma San coming back carrying large and small bags.
The nephews and nieces sent by Zhong Fan and his companions were older than Lu Zhan and his companions, so they were directly appointed as minor officials in the army. The four of them were still young, and Ma Er and Ma San also made meritorious service with them this time, so they were able to be changed to good status.
"Brother Qiu, why are you here? Come in and sit down. We just came back from buying gifts on the street." Lu Zhan and Yun Can were familiar with him and greeted him directly.
"I just didn't see you. It's time to return to the palace to report. General He said you'll be leaving tomorrow. It's perfect timing. I've written a letter home, and I'd like you to help bring it back to me."
"This is a small matter, just a by-product. You should go back and report first. If there is anything else you need, just have someone deliver it to you." Lu Zhan waved his hand and said generously.