My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 272 The three articles written by Qin Yuan: The first person to open his eyes to the world

Qin Yuan's decision to start a newspaper was not a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Rather, I had this idea long ago.

The appearance of Zeng Jinqian today is simply a response to this opportunity.

He said one by one: "Our military government has just been established, and all industries are waiting to be developed. We need all kinds of craftsmen and clerks; the army needs to expand its elite forces; and the local government needs honest and capable officials."

"Newspapers are meant to let everyone know what we need and where the opportunities lie."

Zeng Jinqian agreed wholeheartedly and nodded, saying, "Your Highness's considerations are thorough, but if we only focus on recruiting workers and soldiers, it may become mundane and lack sophistication, making it difficult to attract the attention of scholars and students in the long run."

"Of course, it's not just that." Qin Yuan nodded, then offered an even more astonishing idea: "Therefore, the core of this second section is the imperial examination!"

"The imperial examination?" Zeng Jinqian's eyes flashed with undisguised surprise.

He never expected that Qin Yuan, who only controlled two prefectures and was surrounded by powerful enemies, would have already considered the policy of holding imperial examinations, which would only be implemented after the country was established.

Is this a bit...too advanced for our time?

He had doubts in his heart, but he didn't voice them; he just listened intently.

"Yes, the imperial examination." Qin Yuan saw through his thoughts, smiled calmly, and explained, "My Restoration Army wants to open a 'Talent Recruitment Examination,' which will not test the eight-legged essay, but will test practical policy essays, mathematics, natural science, and even knowledge of agriculture, industry, and water conservancy, to recruit practical talents from all over the country!"

"The newspapers can publish the exam syllabus and sample essays in advance for students to study and prepare for the exam. My mind is made up. Once the situation stabilizes a bit by the end of the year, I will hold the first selection exam for the Restoration Army in Fuzhou!"

Taking the exam in Fuzhou?

Zeng Jinqian was shocked.

Doesn't this mean that the Guangfu Army will take over the entire Fujian region between March and April?

Such ambition and drive stirred his emotions, causing him to almost ignore Qin Yuan's subsequent words.

It wasn't until Qin Yuan's voice came clearly again that he was pulled back from his shock: "Thirdly, it is a detailed explanation of the new tax policy."

"The newspapers must thoroughly explain to the public, in plain language, the 'Rent and Interest Reduction Regulations,' the preferential policies for conscription, and the order to abolish exorbitant taxes issued by our Restoration Army."

"We must make them clearly understand what taxes we collect, why we collect them, how much lighter they are than those of the Qing Dynasty, and what their rights and obligations are. Only through openness and transparency can we gain the trust of the people."

Fourthly, observations and experiences of the world.

Qin Yuan's voice carried a guiding force: "You can extract or write some basic agricultural and sericultural knowledge, hygiene common sense, and even introduce the technology and systems of Western powers, as well as the customs of foreign countries, so that the people of our country who have been closed off for a long time can know that the world is vast and there is a wide world beyond China, and break the narrow-mindedness."

"Fifth, and also the most crucial point," Qin Yuan's tone turned somber, "the true nature of the current situation."

"How the Qing court levied exorbitant taxes, how corrupt the officialdom was, how the Hong family in Nanjing fought each other endlessly, how our army recovered a certain place, how a certain Qing army unit suffered a defeat... all of these can be selected for publication."

"What we want to say is the verified truth, a voice completely different from that of the Beijing News!"

These words were like opening a completely new door for Zeng Jinqian.

He originally thought it was just a document similar to an official gazette, but he never expected that Qin Yuan's ambitions were so profound and grand!

This is hardly a newspaper.
This is clearly a tool for education, a mouthpiece for public opinion, and a powerful instrument for winning people's hearts!
It aims to break the centuries-old monopoly of knowledge held by the scholar-official class and directly present the Restoration Army's ideals, policies, and even a completely new worldview to as many people as possible.

Zeng Jinqian took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. When he looked at Qin Yuan again, his gaze was completely different, filled with unprecedented solemnity and a hint of excitement.

He bowed deeply: "The commander's insight is truly enlightening! Jinqian... is willing to do everything in his power to try and publish this newspaper!"

"However, what should this newspaper be called? And how should it be printed and distributed? Please advise, Commander."

Seeing that he understood his intentions, Qin Yuan's eyes showed satisfaction, knowing that this person was useful.

He pondered for a moment and said:
"As for the name... let's call it 'The Restoration News'."

"It symbolizes the restoration of China and the beginning of a new chapter."

"As for printing, we should first find a reliable printing house in the city to cooperate with, and make sure that the prints are clear and of large quantity."

“At the beginning of the issuance, it can be posted in the prefectural city and major roads in various counties, and some vagrants and beggars can be arranged to sell it for one copper coin each.”

Qin Yuan knew very well that free things were not valued; that was human nature.

Those who are most concerned about the movements of the Restoration Army right now are not the ordinary people.

They were not just wealthy merchants in the city, but also powerful landlords and local tyrants in the countryside.

Therefore, he specifically listed the most basic price.

However, he had another standard for the general public.

"In addition, you should organize literate soldiers to read and explain to the people in the city and countryside, so that they know about the various policies of our Restoration Army!"

Qin Yuan added.

"Yes, Jinqian obeys!" Zeng Jinqian solemnly replied.

Qin Yuan's gaze deepened as he watched Zeng Jinqian's slightly hurried yet determined steps as he retreated.

"Enlightening the people is a long and arduous task!"

He knew very well that, regardless of the era, if you don't occupy the public opinion front, the enemy will.

The "Restoration News" was the first ideological battle flag he raised on the paper of this old world.

Beyond the clash of swords and the bloodshed, this is another silent yet far more profound war.

In the days that followed, the various units of the Restoration Army entered a period of intense rest and construction in their respective defense zones.

Previously, due to the entry of the Restoration Army into Fujian, some wealthy families who had heard about the reputation of the morgue abandoned their fields and shops and fled to the provincial capital, Fuzhou, for refuge.

This left behind a large amount of land.

With the summer harvest just around the corner, how could Qin Yuan possibly let these lands go to waste?

So he organized the army to urgently harvest these lands.

On the other hand, all of these lands were expropriated and then distributed to soldiers who were discharged from the military reorganization.

These days will be used for military farming.

While helping others with farm work, these seasoned veterans might still try to cheat and shirk their duties.

But now, going to the fields is just working for yourself.

These people's enthusiasm also increased immediately.

Meanwhile, the other members of the Restoration Army saw that these people had all been allocated land.

Are they far behind?
Thus, in Jianning Prefecture and Shaowu Prefecture, this scene unfolded: the army went to the countryside to farm and harvest rice, and even built water conservancy projects for the local area.

The villagers in Fujian had never seen such a scene of "soldiers helping the people".

It was an unheard-of wonder that they never looted but instead worked hard.

Meanwhile, merchants throughout Jianning Prefecture opened their shops and began business, discussing the army that was entering the city.

They don't seem to be as ruthless as the government claims.

On the contrary, it maintained local order, cracked down on gangs that took advantage of the chaos, and abolished many of the exorbitant taxes and levies imposed by the Qing government.

The people's hearts were quietly changing. The people went from being fearful and hesitant to actively bringing tea and dry rations to the soldiers who were working.

This close bond between the soldiers and the troops gave many soldiers, who were originally just following orders, an unprecedented sense of accomplishment and belonging.

The headquarters of the Fourth Army of the Restoration Army, under the command of Commander Fu Zhongxin, was bustling with activity.

The composition of the troops was extremely complex. In addition to one division that was originally his own, the other two divisions included members who were originally members of the Tiandihui Flower Flag Army, members who belonged to Shi Dakai's own troops, and old brothers like Peng Dashun and Zhu Yidian who had followed Shi Dakai since Jintian.

In addition, they entered Jianning Prefecture to quell the rebellion of Yang Fuqing's troops who had been gathered from Songxi, Zhenghe, and Jianyang counties.

These people constituted a total of three divisions and one independent brigade.

Their mission was to assist the logistics department in implementing the new policies in the countryside and to be stationed on the northern front, forming a defensive line with Shi Zhenji's First Army, and to be vigilant against Qing troops from Zhejiang and Funing Prefecture. However, Fu Zhongxin was not content with just these tasks.

He served as a commissar in Jintian during his early years and participated in the revolution.

After that, he was under the command of Shi Dakai to manage Jiangxi. After the Taiping Army captured Ji'an, he was ordered by Yi Wang to be the garrison commander of Ji'an. He held out alone for more than two years. Later, due to the exhaustion of ammunition and food, and the failure of reinforcements, Ji'an fell. He almost risked his life to break out and was able to go to Zhejiang to join Yi Wang's main army.

Upon arriving before Shi Dakai, he was entrusted with an important task.

Naturally, due to his loyalty and bravery, he was appointed as the commander of the Fourth Army.

He wholeheartedly agreed with Qin Yuan's measures to reorganize the army and strengthen the authority of the central government.

The painful lessons of the Tianjing Incident were still fresh in his mind, and he knew that if the various factions continued to be divided into separate groups, they would eventually repeat the same mistakes.

Therefore, he actively cooperated with the reorganization of the army, focusing on emphasizing loyalty to the commander-in-chief within the Fourth Army, and dedicated himself to forging this complex force into an iron fist.

At this moment, he was standing in front of the exquisite sand table sent by the General Headquarters, deep in thought.

The sand table depicted mountains, rivers, towns, and passes in exquisite detail, leaving him in awe of its comprehensiveness.

"With such a divine artifact in hand, what worries do I have about the outcome of the war?" he thought to himself.

"Commander, the five hundred literate men His Highness requested have been selected from each division."

Just as Fu Zhongxin was looking at the map and thinking about the affairs of the world.

Deputy Army Commander Lin Caixin came in and gave a report.

He was originally the leader of the Flower Flag Army and came from the Heaven and Earth Society. In order to dispel the concerns of the people in the Heaven and Earth Society, Qin Yuan appointed Lin Caixin as the deputy commander of the Fourth Army, as Fu Zhongxin's deputy.

Although Lin Caixin is somewhat opportunistic, he has a knack for communicating with local people.

He was the one who arranged the Fourth Army's rotation of soldiers to work in the countryside.

He also arranged for people to assist with the tax collection in the logistics department.

As for the training corps established by Qin Yuan, he requested that 500 people be selected from each of the four armies of the Guangguang Restoration Army.

Lin Caixin personally selected each of the five hundred men in the Fourth Army.

Fu Zhongxin nodded in satisfaction: "I trust Lao Lin to get things done. Tell them to prepare and they can report to the training regiment at the Commander's Mansion immediately."

He beckoned Lin Caixin closer, "Come and take a look at this sand table that His Highness sent."

Fu Zhongxin still couldn't shake the habit of calling Shi Dakai "Your Highness," or rather, people who still held onto the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom still insisted on calling him that.

Qin Yuan did not deliberately correct this.

Lin Caixin also admired Fu Zhongxin, knowing about his two-year dedication in Ji'an.

He glanced at the detailed map before him, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"Changcheng Street, Songxi River, they're all on this map. So we're here? Commander, to take Fu'an, we must first take Yuxi and Zhoudun!"

Fu Zhongxin nodded and said, "You and I are thinking the same thing."

"His Highness ordered the entire army to rest and recuperate, intending to consolidate the foundation. However, Zhou Tianshou's troops in Zhejiang are currently assembling, and Shi Zhenji's First Army must hold Xianxia Pass. The heavy responsibility of capturing Funing Prefecture and taking Fenshui Pass to cut off the land route between Fujian and Zhejiang will most likely fall on the shoulders of our Fourth Army."

He changed the subject, with a hint of regret, "It's a pity that to take Fuzhou, we must first capture Yanping Prefecture and its capital Nanping, and only then can we go down the Min River."

"That's where the navy comes in; I'm afraid He Mingbiao's Third Army will steal the credit again."

He pointed to the map, where every river and every mountain was clearly visible.

They are already eager to try and take over the entire Fujian province in the future.

Lin Caixin, however, seemed to be deep in thought: "General, our Fourth Army cannot rely solely on its two legs. Fujian is a network of waterways, and if we plan to expand along the coast in the future, we cannot do without a navy."

Fu Zhongxin's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Old Lin, you are familiar with the Heaven and Earth Society and your friends in the martial arts world. Among them are many people who are proficient in swimming and familiar with waterways."

"Could we find a way to procure some ships and secretly train a naval force belonging to our Fourth Army? Even if it's small in scale at first, it would be a good move."

Lin Caixin agreed, nodding: "Most of the Southern Heaven and Earth Society brothers make a living on the water, and their organization has a wide reach. I'll try to make some contact; I should be able to achieve something."

In mid-August of the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign (1858), in Jianning Prefecture, Fujian Province.

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, a clear, slightly unfamiliar yet energetic child's voice rang out along several main streets of the prefectural city:

"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale!"

"The Guangfu Xinbao, one copper coin a copy!"

"The new government's notices are all up there: recruitment for workers, soldiers, and officials; preferential treatment for military families; tax reductions and exemptions... everything is listed there!"

"If you want to know what new regulations the Restoration Army has, hurry up and buy a copy of the 'Restoration News' to take a look!"

The novel hawking sounds instantly attracted the attention of early risers and busy citizens.

People stopped and stared. They saw some teenagers wearing old but clean and tidy short jackets, with coarse cloth bags slung across their chests, filled with stacks of brand-new papers, selling them along the street.

These children had bright eyes and a proud expression on their faces that was completely different from when they used to beg for food.

Most of them were beggar children taken in by Zeng Jinqian from Jian'an and Ouning counties. Among them were orphans who had fled from war-torn Jiangxi and Zhejiang, and many more were unfortunate children from Fujian who had lost their support.

Zeng Jinqian strictly followed Qin Yuan's instructions to "relieve people through work and teach them how to fish," providing them not only with food and lodging but also teaching them to read and write. Now, this job selling newspapers not only gave them a way to make a living but was also a real "public service."

"Hey! Kid, what kind of newspaper are you selling? One copper coin? That's a bit too expensive!" A middle-aged man in a fur coat stopped and asked curiously.

"Uncle, this is called the 'Restoration Newspaper,' and it's published by the Commander-in-Chief's Office of the Restoration Army!"

A quick-witted newsboy immediately picked up a newspaper, pointed to the striking words in bold black ink at the top, and exclaimed, "This is some incredibly good news! The Restoration Army says that many exorbitant taxes and levies will be abolished! Families with sons willing to join the army can even get tax breaks and loans! It's a penny, you won't lose out!"

"Oh? Is that so?" The middle-aged scholar took out a copper coin with some skepticism. "Give me one. I want to see what this new government is up to."

Similar scenes were constantly playing out in various crowded places throughout the city.

The inaugural issue of the "Restoration News" was a resounding success thanks to Zeng Jinqian's dedicated efforts.

The newspaper was printed on local bamboo paper of decent quality using woodblock printing, resulting in clear text.

In terms of content arrangement, Zeng Jinqian fully implemented Qin Yuan's intentions, abandoning the ornate and literary style and using plain and easy-to-understand vernacular throughout, so that people who know a little bit of characters can understand it, and even those who are illiterate can understand the general idea by listening to someone read it aloud.

The front page headline was a prominent "Proclamation on Restoring the Army and Ensuring Peace for the People," which detailed the abolished exorbitant taxes and levies, the new principles for collecting land taxes, preferential terms to encourage industry and commerce, and strict orders to rectify military discipline.

Next came the "Order for Recruiting Talented Individuals," which clearly outlined the various talents needed by the workshops, government offices, and troops under the Restoration Army and their corresponding benefits, providing a detailed and clear list of opportunities.

Then there is the "Detailed Explanation of the Regulations on Preferential Treatment for Military Families," which clearly explains the tax reductions, low-interest loans, and other policies that military families can enjoy.

However, what is most eye-catching and what truly demonstrates the weight of this newspaper are the three major articles personally written by Qin Yuan.

Zeng Jinqian went to great lengths to persuade Qin Yuan to write.

"It's a pity that the commander-in-chief was unwilling to use his real name and instead used a pseudonym; otherwise, these three articles would have been even more sensational."

Zeng Jinqian thought with a hint of regret.

However, when he received those three articles with the ink still wet, all his regrets vanished.

With just a cursory glance, Zeng Jinqian felt a chill and a rush of heat to his head at the same time, and he froze on the spot.

He finally understood just how earth-shattering and world-changing power the "new world" the commander spoke of truly contained!

These three articles, like three javelins thrown at the old world, were prominently printed on the most central page of the *Guangfu Xinbao* newspaper:

The very first title is shocking: "The Blood Debts of the Qing Dynasty Are Too Numerous to Record."

Part Two: Opening Eyes to the World: Global Colonization Spanning Centuries

And the last article—"Why Did the Great Powers Attack China?"

(End of this chapter)