People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 517: Fighting for the right to speak, divinity and humanity

"Dragon and Tiger News"

Unknowingly, in less than half a month, it became popular in Yingtian Mansion.

When Hu Weiyong knew about this, it was actually the time when the second issue of Longhu News was published.

He read these newspapers and felt vaguely that something was wrong, but he couldn't say anything was wrong.

Until it was reported that Jinyiwei was inspecting and banning privately owned newspapers, Hu Weiyong had a vague premonition.

It's just that he thought for a long time and couldn't figure out what His Majesty would do?
Although on the surface, this newspaper is run by a businessman named Chen Ke.

But the words "dragon and tiger" plus His Majesty's attitude.

It is self-evident who supports this industry.

"Your Majesty supports that Taoist priest in setting up such a thing. I wonder what the implication is?
He has been trying some weird things over the years, but what is the purpose behind it? "

Hu Weiyong couldn't understand it, but the current two issues of the newspaper had not aroused his alarm.

He just regarded this incident as an anecdote and wrote it to Li Shanchang who was far away in his hometown!

As for Zhang Yi, the popularity of the newspaper far exceeded his imagination.

Because of sales, the cost of the newspaper has been reduced to less than a penny.

Although it can't be said to be making money, at least it is not losing money.

Chen Ke got another good news here, that is, some businessmen asked him to subscribe to the "Dragon and Tiger News" and wanted to take it to other places.

Aren't these the first batch of off-site dealers of "Longhu News"?

When others were unable to publish newspapers, Longhu Newspaper was still able to be snapped up by people after the news had expired.

Zhang Yi vaguely felt that in ancient times when information was closed, the timeliness of this newspaper might not be as strict as in later generations.

In total, these people ordered [-] newspapers from Zhang Yi.

Further diluting the newspaper's costs.

Zhang Yi distributes newspapers at a relatively low price.

The newspaper received another large sum of money.

Zhang Yi never took the money seriously, and he was already planning a third newspaper.

This newspaper is probably the last issue before the New Year.

It is also the one he considers to be the most important.

"You said you want to interview the emperor?"

When Zhang Yi set the headline of his last newspaper of the New Year on this matter,
Both the Xu family girl and Chen Ke were stunned.

Zhang Yi is getting more and more arrogant. He actually wants to ask the emperor to advertise in his newspaper?

"You don't want to die?"

The girl from the Xu family turned pale, and Meng Yao and Guanyin Nu also looked at Zhang Yi in horror.

What is an emperor? A son of heaven?
The emperor's words and deeds are all extremely noble, how can he carry a sedan chair for you?

Or, how dare you ask him to carry the sedan chair for the newspaper office?

"You will know later! Go ahead and get busy. The girls have been working hard recently. Tell them that when the Chinese New Year comes, Pindao will give them a big red envelope!"

Zhang Yi's small newspaper has begun to take shape for the time being.

He personally edited and edited it, and the three girls from the Xu family also helped him.

In addition to the few of them in the newspaper office, Zhang Yi also asked the Xu family girl to arrange some female students who are good at writing to proofread and polish the content...

These girls also discovered for the first time that in addition to caring for their husbands and raising children, they could also gain their own value from knowledge.

The girl of the Xu family was quite touched. When she first talked to Zhang Yi about the issue of women being inferior to men, she never thought that Zhang Yi could change the world.

Maybe it can't be what she expected now, but what Zhang Yi said back then has been coming true.

Moreover, it is two people working together.

"Okay, I will take care of the other pages, and leave the emperor's interview to you..."

Zhang Yi nodded, turned around to find Lao Mo, then got up and went to the palace.

After Zhang Yi expressed his request for an interview at the palace gate, Lao Zhu agreed to his request for an interview.

In the imperial study, Zhang Yi opened the door and made his request to the emperor.

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he was angry and funny:
"You won't stop until you get enough benefits from me, right?"

Zhang Yi said seriously:
"On the contrary, I arranged this interview specifically to repay His Majesty's kindness in taking care of me!"

Interview?

Lao Zhu was quite unfamiliar with this term, so Zhang Yi explained:

"To put it simply, I ask His Majesty questions, and then His Majesty answers the questions!
Then I compiled these questions and answers and published them in the newspaper!

His Majesty wants to bypass that bridge and convey the message directly through some means!

Isn't this newspaper an important bridge? "

Lao Zhu was stunned, could this be done?
“The king maintains a sense of mystery in the minds of the people, which is an important means to maintain his rule!
In your Majesty’s past, or in other words, the royal family of all dynasties, it was always like this..."

Zhang Yi and Zhu Yuanzhang have nothing to say.

In a few words, he clearly explained the relationship between the king and the people.

In fact, everyone knows these words, but people with slightly higher emotional intelligence understand things that cannot be said explicitly.

But Zhang Yi is not afraid:
“The king is the emperor, why should he call himself the emperor?

Aren’t you going to shape yourself into a god?
It is precisely because the people regard the king as their heaven and respect the king.

This is naturally good for kings to rule the world!

But……"

"But what?"

Although he knew that Zhang Yi was trying to sell things out, Zhu Yuanzhang still cooperated with him and asked more questions.

“But, since Your Majesty has become a god, gods will naturally not appear in front of the people easily!
Gods and humans need some people to serve as a bridge between His Majesty and the people!
The higher they lift His Majesty, the greater the benefits they will get!

Therefore, after the emergence of Neo-Confucianism, it became popular all over the world!
Because kings wanted to be gods, Neo-Confucianism provided sanctity to the emperors of the world.

In contrast, those who praise the emperor as a god naturally become messengers of god!
It is their natural right to have the right to interpret scriptures and to herd the people for the emperor..."

The word "grazing" made Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes darken.

"The power of the king and the power of the prime minister are symbiotic!

If Your Majesty wants to get some convenience, he will naturally give up some power!

But now His Majesty feels that the power you have given is too great and wants to take it back...

Then you will naturally have to give up some things! "

Zhang Yi's words made Lao Zhu thoughtful.

The struggle between the monarch and the prime minister is essentially a collision of two powers.

Lao Zhu knows the way to choose.

But whether such a trade-off is worth it is a question he needs to consider.

Now, Zhang Yi put this matter in front of him and let him choose.

"Then what do I have to give up?"

"Abandon part of your divinity and let the people feel your Majesty's human part..."

Zhang Yi's answer silenced Lao Zhu again.

Divinity, humanity!
In other words, he wants himself, the emperor, to step down from the altar?

If the emperor, who thinks he is entrusted with the destiny of heaven, chooses to step down from the altar, will it be detrimental to the governance of the world?

Zhu Yuanzhang asked: "Pros and cons..."

"Actually, this is just like being a magic stick in a poor Taoist family!
The name of Heavenly Master is also a divine figure in the hearts of ordinary people!
Regardless of whether the Zhang family’s heavenly master is a god or not, we will not take the initiative to expose people’s imagination.
These things represent the public sentiment accumulated by the old Zhang family over the years. In fact, the image of His Majesty created by the people is similar to this!

But people from the old Zhang family will also travel around the world to help people.

While maintaining a superior image, he occasionally shows his human side!
What Your Majesty is going to do now is actually the same!You make up various stories among the people and implant your good image into the hearts of the people. In fact, it is the same.

Through some questions, Pindao will establish an image for you that is different from God, but an ordinary person, or someone close to the people...

Let everyone know that the emperor has the same thoughts as our people, and is different from the propaganda of those officials...

This kind of interview is itself a way to create a character.

However, it is up to you to decide whether the persona His Majesty wants to present is your real side or your fictitious side!

This is my interview transcript, and there are also sections where I suggest you answer, you can read it first! "

Zhang Yi handed the manuscript he had prepared long ago to Zhu Yuanzhang. Naturally, he would not be unprepared for such a matter involving the emperor's image.

When Lao Zhu took the interview transcript and looked at it, he was also stunned.

Zhang Yi's questions were very common, but they touched on many of his concerns.

Lao Zhu was in some trouble. Among these questions, for example, there were many questions about his poor period.

There is also the issue of him revealing his innermost feelings and empathizing with the people.

In terms of publicity, in fact, Zhu Yuanzhang has always avoided the fact that he was born in a humble background.

Because this matter involves China's ancient lineage theory.

The deification of a king often begins at birth.

Lao Zhu's former identity was too humble, and deep down in his heart, he felt inferior.

Because of low self-esteem, I am jealous!
This is one of the reasons why he is harsh.

However, Zhang Yi's interview transcript is tantamount to weakening this part of the sacred, in exchange for the empathy of the people.

This, is it worth it?
Zhu Yuanzhang put a question mark here, and then continued to look down.

The next part is much more normal and is the emperor's interpretation of certain policies.

The way to be a king is all about a mystery.

But Zhang Yi's interview transcript starts from mysterious places.

But there are some things that are good. For example, Zhang Yi used questions to explain and elaborate on the meaning behind certain policies from his perspective.

These things actually prevent local officials from misinterpreting the meaning of the imperial court.

This manuscript is interesting.

Lao Zhu looked back at the foreshadowing and seemed not to be too repelled anymore.

"I think something should be changed here..."

Zhu Yuanzhang seriously discussed the interview script with Zhang Yi.

He didn’t refuse, he was just not satisfied with the content of the interview!

Then the two of them discussed the interview script in the imperial study room.

After three hours of intense discussion, Zhang Yi and Lao Zhu finally reached a consensus.

Lao Zhu approved the final draft.

"Your Majesty, if this thing is distributed, won't you have a channel to speak out?

We suggest that if the newspaper continues to be run, you should conduct an interview like this once a year!

Normally you just sit there, but during the Chinese New Year, just chat with the people, this is called relaxation and relaxation..."

"Fuck off!"

Lao Zhu agreed with Zhang Yi's words, but some things this guy said were too straightforward, which made Lao Zhu's ears harsh.

He glared at Zhang Yi and told him to leave.

Zhang Yi chuckled, took the press release and left.

Lao Zhucai shook his head and laughed:

"This boy has so many tricks up his sleeve..."

But he vaguely realized the power of that press release...

Zhu Yuanzhang was also looking forward to the reaction of officials and people after this press release was sent out.

"This is another channel for me to speak out..."

……

Zhang Yi returned to the newspaper office without stopping with the press release.

He handed the manuscript to Yao Guangxiao to read, and Yao Guangxiao's hands almost shook.

How dare he!

Yao Guangxiao looked at Zhang Yi in shock. He was frightened by many of the contents in this manuscript.

Yao Guangxiao, who is dedicated to assisting the king, knows the way of being a king best.

For Zhang Yi's interview transcript, he asked himself that if he were Zhu Yuanzhang, it would be a good idea if he didn't chop off his head.

This shows the trusting relationship between Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Yi.

It can also be seen that Lao Zhu recognized Zhang Yi's new character design for him.

Zhang Yi often talks about the word "personality". He once taught Yao Guangxiao that in fact, whether it is a Taoist priest or a god, they are all personalities that live in the eyes of others.

Zhang Yi created a new image for the emperor.

what is this?
This is a power that neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister of Rites has.

"Master, I think it works!"

Yao Guangxiao nodded excitedly, Zhang Yida said:
"Then I will ask them to proofread and print the newspaper overnight..."

……

The new year is getting closer!

The capital is gradually becoming lively, and everyone is busy preparing New Year's goods to welcome the Spring Festival.

However, a group of people still stayed in the capital, waiting anxiously.

Most of these people are businessmen, and their only purpose of staying here is to wait for the latest issue of "Longhu News" to be printed.

Businessmen in Yangzhou, Suzhou, and nearby state capitals in South Zhili tasted the benefits of newspaper distribution in the first two issues of the newspaper.

They are also looking forward to it. The newspaper claims to be the last issue before the new year. What news will be there?

The headlines about Chen Kesha's promotion will definitely give everyone a surprise.

There are also people discussing about Xiao Yan's divorce and the fact that the man is having trouble settling...

Finally, the door of the newspaper office opened.

Chen Ke shouted:

“Everyone, the new issue of the newspaper is on sale!
We give priority to supplying three thousand copies to Ying Tianfu, and the rest will be divided among the comrades who are about to leave! "

"Shopkeeper Chen, how can three thousand portions be enough?"

"Shopkeeper Chen, you promised to give me two thousand copies..."

"Shopkeeper Chen, give me a copy first. I've been waiting for a few days..."

Chen Ke was very satisfied when he saw the expectant expressions of these people!
This time, the newspaper office worked overtime and hired temporary workers. The first batch of newspapers was rushed out, with [-] copies!

It’s not that they can only sell these, but that newspapers can only drive them out.

According to Zhang Yi's suggestion, priority should be given to supporting businessmen from other places.

Making money is the second priority for these newspapers. Their mission is to carry the emperor's voice to distant places...

Zhang Yi originally thought it would take half a year to a year to lay out something.
At a speed that even shocked him, it was done in three weeks.

Chen Ke didn't waste any time and asked the local distribution businessmen to go back first. Then there would naturally be dedicated people delivering the newspapers later.

As for the merchants from other places, Chen Ke simply took them to the printing factory.

The first batch of businessmen who got the newspaper were dumbfounded when they saw the headlines above...

His Majesty?

(End of this chapter)