Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 122 Tang Yin's Choice
Wang Wubi and the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites Cheng Minzheng had absolutely no relationship at all.

However, when Wang Wubi's father was selling spices, he met Fu Han, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. When the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites heard that Wang Wubi was a recent imperial examination candidate and a native of Zhejiang, he used his connections to introduce Wang Wubi to Cheng Minzheng.

Cheng Minzheng was from Xiuning, Nanzhi, so he was their fellow villager. Wang Wubi naturally wanted to make friends with such an important figure, so he found a few fellow villager from Zhejiang and went to find Tang Yin and Xu Jing together, intending to visit Cheng Minzheng during the Lantern Festival this year.

Tang Yin and Xu Jing were eager to try, but Xu Jing seemed to have thought of something. He gently pulled Tang Yin's sleeve to stop him from speaking, and said to Wang Wubi with a fist: "Brother Wang, we have participated in too many banquets recently. Seeing that the Spring Examination is approaching, we have almost forgotten this question."

"I plan to study at home during this period, which is a pity, so I won't go."

Xu Jing thought of Chen Ce's advice. Chen Ce had reminded Tang Yin more than once, and had also reminded himself as well, that secrecy is the key to success and disclosure is the key to failure, so don't even think about currying favor with the powerful.

Although Chen Ce did not accept him as his disciple, Xu Jing knew how powerful Chen Ce was. Chen Ce would not do things without a purpose. He was not so bored. He must have his reasons for taking the time to give advice.

Although Xu Jing didn't know what Chen Ce's reason was, he felt that it would be right to listen to Chen Ce, so he refused.

Tang Yin had no choice but to speak, and said to Wang Wubi: "I won't go either."

Several candidates beside Wang Wubi said with a smile: "Brother Bohu, it is understandable that Brother Xu did not go. After all, he cannot guarantee that he will pass the exam."

"Why are you, Tang Bohu, afraid? Why? Just because of this delay, you, Tang Jieyuan, will not pass the exam?"

Tang Bohu laughed loudly and said, "What a joke! Let's go!"

Xu Jing's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly pulled Tang Yin aside and whispered, "Bo Hu, your teacher told you not to join in the fun."

Tang Bohu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Heng. There are so many people visiting together, and I am not the only one. The law cannot punish everyone."

"Besides, I'm a decent person, what can go wrong? The teacher is just taking precautions, fearing that I'll be too busy with socializing and miss the exam, but I still have some confidence."

He pointed to his head and said, "Don't think I've been playing during this period. I've been studying late into the night every day. It's okay to relax for a night on Lantern Festival. Just relax."

Xu Jing wanted to say more, but Tang Yin patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry too much. Be more confident. Let's go and pay him a visit. He's the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites!"

That was just the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Your teacher should think that with time, he may not be worse than him.

Xu Jing shook his head and said, "Forget it. Although I really want to go, I am a half-baked person and I may not be able to pass the exam. I'd better stay at home and study hard during this period of time."

"You should be careful too. Don't say anything that might give people a handle against you."

Tang Yin smiled and said, "Of course not!"

……

"Little brother."

"You mean this newspaper that you're talking about, one copy for one penny?"

After returning to Huaihua Hutong, Zhu Houzhao suddenly became listless and lost interest. He thought Chen Ce was going to do some big business, but he didn't expect it to be just a small business.

How can you make money from this?
Zhu Houzhao tasted the sweetness of being paid thousands of taels of silver for farming on behalf of others. Now he sees that he can only make one penny by selling a newspaper with great effort. Oh, not earning, but selling for one penny, and that does not include the cost. If the cost is included, can he still make money?

Chen Ce nodded: "Well, if it's too expensive, people may not buy it."

Zhu Houzhao sighed and said, "How many educated people are there? How much can be sold? The majority of the people in the Ming Dynasty are still illiterate common people."

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "There are many potential scholars, many scholars and students, and there are quite a few of this kind of people."

"He has no money."

Chen Ce said, "That's why I set the price so low." Zhu Houzhao said, "It's because the price is low that I can't make any money."

Chen Ce smiled and said, "We should give it a try, maybe?"

As long as it can maintain profitability, it can continue. In the end, newspapers will become a means of public power supervision. As long as the court does not stop it now, once it develops, the role of newspapers in the future will be immeasurable.

Now we may only see the economic value, but what about three years from now? What about five years from now? Who has thought about how terrible it will become and what impact it will have on the civil service group?

Who knows now whether this inconspicuous sapling will grow into a towering tree in the future?

Chen Ce didn't tell Zhu Houzhao about these in-depth things for the time being. It was not the right time yet. Let's wait a while. After it becomes stable, he will analyze the value of newspaper news to Zhu Houzhao bit by bit.

Chen Ce also had concerns that the newspaper's annual profits might not be enough to support his group of spies in the northwest.

If that is not enough, you need to find another way.

Zhu Houzhao no longer paid attention to Chen Ce's so-called business. As for the investment of 500 taels of silver, he didn't care. If he lost money, he lost money.

"Little brother, the Lantern Festival is coming soon. I have something to do on the 15th, but I don't have classes on the 13th and 14th."

Chen Ce looked at him puzzledly: "What class?"

Zhu Houzhao laughed and said, "You heard me wrong. I said I have no official business and the government office is closed for the holiday."

"Let's go and watch the fun together then."

There are still six or seven days left until the Lantern Festival. According to Chen Ce's estimation, Wang Defa should be able to complete all the preliminary preparations for the newspaper in these few days, and there is a great hope that the first batch of newspapers will be on the market on the Lantern Festival.

"okay!"

Chen Ce nodded, "Then let's go out together in the next two days to see what's going on."

"I'm still busy, you go back first."

Chen Ce said to Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao looked up at the sky and said, "Isn't it still early? I don't have anything to do so early. I'll help you."

Chen Ce refused: "I need to think about the future development of the newspaper by myself. I can't think with peace of mind while you are here."

"Go back first. See you during the Lantern Festival."

"Okay." Zhu Houzhao actually didn't want to go back to the palace so early, as it would be boring there. However, he didn't want to disturb his younger brother who was busy with the development of the newspaper.

Finally, after Zhu Houzhao left, Chen Ce could no longer bear it and began to cough violently. Blood kept coming out of his handkerchief, veins on his forehead bulged, and his handsome face was very rosy, and then it turned as pale as paper.

He weakly supported his body and slowly laid himself flat on the bed.

I haven't taken any medicine during this period, and I've been running around, busy with many things, and overworked...

"Don't be so hasty. One year is not enough time. Many things will go wrong if you rush. You can only do it step by step."

"Let me live a little longer, give me a little more time."

Chen Ce prayed silently in his heart.

(End of this chapter)