The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 201 Jingzhou Life Tabloid
Jingzhou Life Tabloid was created by Zhu Xiu half a year ago.

After that, the war between Qizhou and Huazhou intensified. Zhu Xiu led the army to the south to support Jiao Jixun at the request of Jiao Jixun, and entrusted Wen Zhongping to take care of the Jingzhou newspaper.

When establishing the newspaper, Zhu Xiu asked Wen Zhongping to discuss it in detail.

The Wen family was the largest local noble family in Jingzhou and was quite influential. It was also one of the first forces to support Zhu Xiu.

Now Wen Tai is retiring to the second line, taking care of family affairs, handling hemp twisting business, studying classics such as Su Nu Jing and Dong Xuan Zi with a few concubines in his spare time, living a very chic life.

As the eldest son of Wen Tai, Wen Zhongping was an important official under Zhu Xiu and the next head of the Wen family whom he strongly supported.

Whether Wen Zhongping can become the representative of the Jingzhou scholars and smoothly take over as the head of the Wen clan is related to Zhu Xiu's control over the Jingzhou nobles.

Letting Wen Zhongping come forward to found a newspaper was a way to enhance his reputation and status.

Although Wen Zhongping is said to have mediocre abilities and knowledge, he is distinguished by being down-to-earth and serious in his work and having a gentle temperament.

What's even more rare is that Wen Zhongping is very interested in the concepts of official media and public opinion mouthpieces proposed by Zhu Xiu, and his understanding is very good.

Zhu Xiu only discussed with him the basic construction framework, development direction, distribution method and other details of the newspaper. After that, he led his army to Qizhou and basically gave up on the preparation of the newspaper.

Unexpectedly, when I returned to Jingzhou after half a year, I discovered that the newspaper business was running smoothly. The reputation of Jingzhou Life Tabloid had been completely established, and it had become one of the most popular products in Anding County.

The low price of five cents per issue allowed many ordinary people who knew a few words to have spare money to buy one.

Teahouses and taverns also have special personnel to read newspapers. The merchants found that many people are very interested in local current affairs news and various lace and gossip. .

Jingzhou Daily Life tabloid uses large jute paper engraving blocks for printing, and the engraving blocks used are also specially made according to the size of the paper. A group of young and middle-aged scribes were selected to collect information for the newspaper and write articles as the content printed in each issue.

Among these literati, many were like Wen Tai when he was young, who studied hard for more than ten years in the cold window, eager to take the imperial examination, but in the end because of the turmoil in the current situation, there was no way to seek an official, so he had to live in poverty.

The opening of the Jingzhou newspaper gave them a new way of living. Although the copywriting work was arduous, the remuneration was really high. With a little more diligence, their wife and children could live a good life.

The profession of newspaper editor was immediately sought after by the scribes in Jingzhou, and the competition was as intense as being a clerk in Jiedu Mansion.

The Chang Yi Army values ​​military service, rewards military merit and treats soldiers favorably. There are clear standards for promotion based on military merit.

There is also a clear priority for the way out for scholars, from Jiedu government to local state and county officials.

The best way out is of course to enter Jiedu Mansion and become a clerk, followed by state and county governments.

Zhu Xiu and Shi Kuangwei discussed that the gentry base in Jingzhou is too weak, and it is not realistic to hold a large-scale formal selection examination similar to the imperial examination, and it is easy to attract criticism.

After the Xue family was purged, a number of positions were vacated from the Jiedu Mansion to the prefectural and county governments. After promotions were successively promoted based on factors such as political performance, seniority, and years of experience, there were a number of vacancies.

Zhu Xiu then selected a group of people to fill the vacancies from the officials at the three levels of government in Fuzhou and County through examinations. The transition from officials to officials was also regarded as a transfer to a full-time position.

As a result, many low-level officials serving the government saw the hope of promotion, re-energized their vitality and motivation, and promoted the healthy development of the Changyi Army's bureaucracy.

If you don't want to be a civil servant, and you can't be an official for the time being, newspaper editor becomes the most cost-effective position.

But generally speaking, Jingzhou's literary ethos is not enough, the literati foundation is too weak, the generals are short, and Zhu Xiu doesn't pay attention to the editorial articles written in newspapers.

Wen Zhongping also knew that this was a flaw of the newspaper, so he mostly just asked his editors to copy some notices issued by Jiedu government, interpret new policies, publish some recruitment information, and interesting news from the surrounding areas and Kaifeng.

Newspapers are a new thing. For most people who have little information and cannot move outside the county town, any interesting news can arouse their interest.

Wen Zhongping also invited Song Shen, Pei Jin and others to take the time to write a few insightful political articles from time to time. Old man Wen Taiwen would also write poems and poems that saddened the spring and autumn when he was interested, and moaned for no reason.

A few days ago, under the pseudonym of Mr. Siyou, Zhu Xiu also wrote an article praising Shi Kuangwei, the Jiedu envoy, and promoting the policy of promoting the righteous army and loving the people, which attracted a lot of praise.

Lao Shi happily held the newspaper and read loudly in the house all day long. His mellow drake voice made people get goosebumps all over their bodies.

Although Pei Jin was a purchased literary appointment, his foundation was much stronger than that of most scribes. He published several political articles under the pen name of Hedong Qingsou, and the response was pretty good.

Song Shen was a serious Jinshi, so his level was certainly not bad, but now he was the chief agricultural assistant appointed by Zhu Xiu. He spent all day running around in the fields, busy studying farming, and couldn't spare much time to do anything. article.

With these pens, the style of Jingzhou's daily life tabloid has instantly improved a lot. It enjoys both elegant anecdotes and popular vernacular, and has become an important source of conversation for young and old men and women after dinner.

Xu Xuan has been studying Jingzhou lifestyle tabloids in recent days. He spent money to buy all the issues and read them all while staying in the guest room of his residence.

Soon, Xu Xuan, whose eyes were filled with bloodshot eyes, came to the conclusion that most of the articles published in Jingzhou daily tabloids were unsightly.

It is said to be an article, but in fact it is just an interpretation of some policies and notices issued by the Jiedu government, and explained them in easy-to-understand vernacular.

In Xu Xuan's view, these are not even articles.

As for some recruitment information published in plain vernacular, Xu Xuan found it simply unacceptable.

As a well-known scholar in the south of the Yangtze River and a leader in the literary world as famous as Han Xizai, Xu Xuan attaches great importance to writing and articles, and regards writing articles as a sacred act of enlightening the world.

In his opinion, the crude writing and writing in the Jingzhou daily life tabloids were extremely inferior and demeaning to the elegance of a scholar.

"The language is simple, straightforward, and crude. To dare to publish such words in a newspaper and show it to others is simply the most ridiculous thing in the world!"

Xu Xuan took a sip of cold tea and did not hide his disdain.

"There are rumors in the market about how high the salary of this newspaper's editor is, and it is highly sought after by local scholars. You can earn a high salary even with such simple writing. If I were to write it, wouldn't it be easy?"

Xu Xuan's tired look disappeared, and his eyes sparkled with light.

The copywriting level of the Jingzhou newspaper was so poor that he had the idea that he would be better than me!
But then I thought about it, if they applied for the job publicly, it would be too eye-catching for them to hide their identities.

Xu Xuan picked up a newspaper and looked at a small box in the lower left corner of the page. There was a fixed section with the submission address and approximate remuneration standard in each issue.

Xu Xuan pondered for a moment. If he submits an article to a newspaper under a pseudonym, once selected, he will be paid a minimum of one hundred cents. The price will be increased depending on the quality of the article and market response. Long-term collaborators will also receive higher benefits.

Xu Xuan was a little excited. If he could make money by writing articles, wouldn't it be a good use of his strengths?

"Bang~" Xu Xuan slapped the table, stood up and made a decision.Li Congjia, who was lying on the bed sleeping soundly, woke up with a start. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, and said drowsily: "Sir, are you going to take me out for dinner?"

Xu Xuan smiled happily and said: "Little prince, someone has found a way to make money!"

Li Congjia wiped the corners of his mouth and yawned: "Oh~ What do you want to do, sir?"

Xu Xuan pointed to a pile of newspapers: "I decided to be a writer and submit articles to newspapers!"

Li Congjia blinked and said, "Sir, didn't you say that the writing of Jingzhou Life tabloid is nonsense, most of the articles are stinky, and serious scholars will never commit themselves to the newspaper?"

Xu Xuan's face turned red, he coughed dryly, and explained: "The little prince misunderstood. Xu's original meaning was that Jingzhou had a weak culture and strong martial arts. Although the newspaper was novel, the skills of the people who wrote it were limited.

Scholars like us should encourage people all over the world to practice martial arts and cultivate literature, strengthen their cultural heritage, and make a small contribution to the rise of Jingzhou's literary world. "

Li Congjia thought for a moment and said, "In other words, are you sure that you, sir, can make money by writing articles and selling them to newspapers?"

Xu Xuan hurriedly said: "Not only Xu, but also the pen and ink in the little prince's mind is enough to surpass these newspaper editors. You might as well write with a certain one."

Li Congjia shrank his neck, a look of fear appeared on his little face, and hesitantly said: "Sir, you know that I have never been good at writing, and I have no profound insights into current affairs. I can write poems and arrange new songs."

Seeing his evasive eyes and shy expression, Xu Xuan smiled helplessly.

It's not that this little prince can't write a poem, it's just that he's too lazy to think and write.

Less than ten days after leaving the reconstruction site, Li Congjia ate at Taihe Restaurant. His face, which had lost some weight, actually became rounder at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The skin, darkened and rough by the scorching sun, gradually regained its tenderness, like shedding skin.

Xu Xuan thought about his increasingly depleted wallet. If he didn't find a way to make money, the living expenses he earned from being a trousers would soon be at the bottom.

Xu Xuan said solemnly: "Being good at work is better than hard work, and being idle is better than playing. Even if you are in a foreign country, the little prince must not waste his time. He must read the books he should read and write the articles and poems he needs to rewrite.

Every time Xu submitted an article, the young prince also had to include a poem.Although the remuneration for poems and songs was not much, it was enough for us to have breakfast at Taihe Building. "

Li Congjia's eyes lit up: "Can I also submit poems? Is there any reward?"

Xu Xuan informed him of the call for papers.

Li Congjia immediately pointed out the window and smiled at the drizzly sky that had just fallen: "Xiao Wang has a quatrain, sir, please give me some advice."

Xu Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Little Prince, please tell me."

Li Congjia only wore socks, took two steps with his hands behind his hands, pondered for a moment, and said leisurely: "The empty mountains have been raining for a long time and the clouds are bright, and the cars and horses are long and full of smoke. The wind on the road is heavy with red powder, and the nine-year desolation brings the sound of the tide."

Xu Xuan twisted his beard to look at the work and praised: "The little prince is really smart and quick. The artistic conception of this poem is a bit inferior, but it is still suitable for the occasion. It is much better than those guys in the newspapers who claim to be literary writers."

"Hey, Sir, I am laughing. I wonder if this song "New Rain" may be selected? How much remuneration can I get? Can it be enough for me to eat two drawers of steamed buns?" Li Congjia smiled shyly with his round face, his eyes full of expectation.

The corner of Xu Xuan's mouth twitched slightly. Is this the sixth prince who was famous for his talent in Jiang Ning, praised and sought after by the courtiers of the Tang Dynasty, and who was a Wenqu star?

Is this amazing talent just for eating xiaolongbao?
Xu Xuan suddenly regretted bringing Li Congjia to Jingzhou.

I'm afraid that when he returns to Jiangning in the future, all his talents will be wiped out by lust.

Xu Xuan sighed, but Li Congjia was overjoyed, pinching his fingers, thinking how much poetry he had to write to earn a meal in Taihe Building.

Xu Xuan silently spread out the paper, placed the pen and paper, picked up the ink stick and grinded the ink.

Li Congjia asked hurriedly: "Sir, have you decided what to write?"

Xu Hyun pointed to the latest issue of the tabloid. There was an article in the middle of the front page called "Shocked!"Will Jiedu Government cancel preferential subsidies for mulberry and hemp growers? "

The author is signed as Mr. Siyou.

"Has the young prince read this article?"

Li Congjia glanced at it and said nonchalantly: "I've read it. The article is well written, but there are too many vernacular words. He also encourages the people of Jingzhou to plant straw cotton, saying that straw cotton is more valuable than mulberry and flax, and the cloth is more comfortable to wear than flax. Keep warm.”

Xu Xuan said seriously: "There is a profound meaning behind this article. Can the young prince see it?"

Li Congjia looked confused and shook his head.

"The author of this article, Mr. Siyou, was previously unknown. He published his first signed article starting from the No. 14 issue of the newspaper. He commented on the establishment of agricultural reclamation zones in Liangyuan and Linjing counties, which revealed a lot of government affairs. Policy details.

In the latest issue, this person wrote another article, vigorously advocating the benefits of planting straw cotton, and he did not hesitate to reveal the government decree that has not yet been issued by the Jiedu government, which caught people's attention.

Xiaojun Wang, please see that in every issue of the newspaper, the center of the front page is the most eye-catching position, and the most important articles are often typeset.

Mr. Siyou was able to occupy the main position when he wrote an article for the first time. He also revealed a lot of internal information of Jiedu Mansion in his writing. He should be a serving official with a high position and had access to many secrets of the Changyi Army. "

Li Congjia said confusedly: "Sir, what you meant is"

Xu Xuan smiled slightly: "If you want to get close to the upper echelons of the Changyi Army, you might as well start with Mr. Siyou!"

Li Congjia blinked: "We find him and invite him to have a dinner at Taihe Building?"

Xu Xuan's hand shaking the ink when he was doing it almost broke the ink, and he said helplessly: "No one knows this person, how can we find him? Of course we must first attract his attention."

Xu Xuan muttered something silently in his heart: "The more important thing is to make money and maintain living expenses."

Li Congjia finally didn't get dizzy after eating the xiaolongbao, and suddenly said: "Sir, do you want to attract his attention by writing an article?"

Xu Xuan picked up the pen and dipped it in ink and said with a smile: "Exactly! This person advocates the benefits of planting cotton grass and quotes various scriptures. I will do the opposite and refute all his fallacies!"

After finishing speaking, Xu Xuan picked up a pen and wrote a line of clear regular characters on the paper: "Mulberry and hemp are the foundation of farming. It is absurd to say that it should be abolished."

(End of this chapter)