Datang: Acting as a celestial mystery at the beginning

"I asked someone to check it out. There are as many as [-] newspapers today."

Cui Mao's hand holding the newspaper was shaking.

The circulation of Chang'an Daily is increasing day by day, which shows that Li Shimin is very confident and has enough money to support him in doing so. He can even print [-] newspapers a day.

But where did the imperial court get so much money?They don't know, because among the five surnames and Qiwang, among the officials who entered the court, no one can sneak into the Ministry of Civil Affairs. After all, it controls the financial power there. No matter Li Shimin or Li Yuan, they will only let themselves be close and trustworthy. People should take up official positions in the Ministry of Civil Affairs to avoid making profits from the family.

"I feel like we've fallen into their trap."

Lu Yulin said tremblingly: "Li Erlang was showing weakness to us at first, and then slowly showed his strength. By the time we reacted, it was already too late."

Cui Mao said in a cold voice: "A mere newspaper wants us to admit defeat? There is no door. Keep spreading the scandal about Li Erlang. I want to see who has more means."

Lu Yulin shook his head and said: "The rumors we can spread are almost all spread, nothing more than Xuanwumen and disasters, etc., and nothing else can be spread."

Now the things that they can directly threaten Li Shimin are rotten on the street, and they have been hit by Chang'an Daily to nothing.

That seemingly simple piece of paper put two of the five surnames and seven families in trouble.

Cui Mao just wanted to refute, but when the words came to his lips, he was stunned because he didn't know how to refute this fact.

"Aye, I found something!"

When they were all silent, Lu Xiuran hurried in and said, "The imperial court's newspaper was originally obtained from Wannian County."

"Wannian County, Li Yi'an!"

"It's him again!"

Cui Mao was furious, with veins bulging on his forehead.

"It's the man named Li Yi'an. We also found out that Li Yi'an asked for a piece of land behind his house to make paper, Chang'an Daily, and even print books."

Lu Xiuran said incredulously: "I heard that they can produce more than 500 catties of paper a day, and the quality is almost the same as that in Chang'an Daily. In addition, they have a very special printing method. One hundred thousand copies of newspapers can be produced in one night. Fully crafted."

"It can't be that fast!"

Cui Mao has personally seen how to make paper and woodblock printing. Although the woodblock method is not used much now, it is still quite common in their big family because they have money and can afford it.

"I dare not lie to Uncle Cui, it's true."

Lu Xiuran insisted.

"In one night, [-] newspapers, even engravings, they have no time to make, how could it be so fast."

Lu Yulin said in a deep voice: "There must be some secret in it. That Li Yi'an is really amazing. I don't know if it's right or wrong to be an enemy of him. By the way, Xiuran, how are your books printed?"

Lu Xiuran shook his head and said: "We have prepared enough engravings, but now we don't have enough paper, and we need to wait two or three days to make them. I plan to print [-] copies for the first batch."

Lu Yulin said: "Now we have no advantage. We can only rely on Xiuran's book to dilute the influence of newspapers. As long as literate people stop reading newspapers, news that is not good for us will spread so quickly."

"wrong!"

Cui Mao suddenly said: "We are not without advantages, we can turn their advantages into ours."

"How does this change?"

Lu Yulin asked.

"With Li Yi'an's methods of making paper and printing, the imperial court can publish the Chang'an Daily, and so can we. With our background, it's still unknown who will win."

Cui Mao said murderously.

"Uncle Cui's plan is feasible. The gap between us is probably paper and printing. If we can get these, everything will not be a problem."

Lu Xiuran hurriedly said: "Aye, Uncle, you can leave this matter to me."

Cui Mao nodded and said, "I'll find a few more people to help you."

Lu Yulin laughed loudly and said: "Brother Cui still has a lot of ideas, this matter is feasible! Xiu Ran, you must act tonight, you must act as soon as possible, we don't have time to wait, but we must be safe."

"No problem, just leave it to me."

Lu Xiuran said decisively.

-

Li Yi'an went to Dongshi to bring all the newly made perfumes to the shop.

Tomorrow is the day they agreed to sell the perfume, and Li Yi'an had to sit in the shop in person, but after he put all the perfume in the shop, he went to find Ma Zhou.

Ma Zhou's house in Chang'an is located in Shengpingfang in the south of Dongshi. This house is not big, but it can accommodate seven or eight people.

Ma Zhou lived here alone, without even a maid, and the arrangement was very simple.

"Sir, please come inside!"

Even though Ma Zhou was an official of Yushitai, he had to be polite when facing Li Yi'an.

"The location of Shengpingfang is not good, and it's not that I don't have money. How can I buy this kind of place? It's too far away from the palace, so it's inconvenient to walk around." Li Yian retorted casually.

You know, in Chang'an City, there are sayings that the east is noble, the west is rich, and the south is poor.

What about the north?

That is the emperor's family.

So, the further south you go, the more common it is.

Even so, this courtyard is not cheap. After all, everything in Chang'an is expensive, and living in a big place is not easy.

However, Li Yi'an's words had a different meaning to Ma Zhou's ears, and he was moved to tears, because the husband cared about him, and even cared about such trivial things as daily life.

"That's Mr.'s money, Ma Zhou dare not waste it casually."

Ma Zhou immediately said: "Actually, it's not far from here to the imperial city, as long as you get up early and hurry, you can get there quickly."

"I'm worried about myself, not you, so don't be sentimental. After a while, I will live with you. It's so far away from Lidong City, and it's also far from Yantiesi. What if I can't make it in time?"

Li Yi'an shook his head, knowing that Ma Zhou would make up his mind again.

Ma Zhou scratched his head. In his opinion, the husband must not be very good at expressing his feelings, so he used such a clumsy excuse.

He temporarily put the things he brought at Ma Zhou's house, and asked, "Where is Yan Tiessi? Take me to have a look first."

The Chang'an Salt and Iron Department, under the management of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is within the palace city, led by Ma Zhou, and it is not troublesome to enter and exit the Suzaku Gate.

Soon I arrived at the main hall where Yan Tiesi was located. There were no other officials here, and I didn't know where they went. Only a man in his 30s was sitting inside and dozing off boredly.

"Cough cough!"

As a member of Yushitai, Ma Zhou was very upset when he saw that the officials of the Yantie Division seemed to be playing tricks on their duties. He coughed intentionally and asked loudly, "Why are you the only one here? Where are the others?"

The man was startled, got up and rubbed his eyes, and said dissatisfiedly: "Who are you? Don't you know that it's rude to disturb others to sleep?"