I founded a heavy industry group in the late Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 164 Seizing the Opportunity in Public Opinion and Running a Newspaper

Chapter 163 That punch in the imperial court was both satisfying and a wake-up call.

Chen Ying sat in the study of the Chen family mansion in the capital. Snowflakes were falling outside the window, but the heated floor and fireplace inside made the room warm as spring. He was wearing a light cotton coat, and in front of him was a newly written manuscript, covered with numerous corrections. The fragrance of ink mixed with the smoke from the charcoal fire created a faint warmth, but his heart could not be warmed at all.

This morning at court, the Donglin Party's censors took turns impeaching him, their memorials piling up two feet high. Although the Tianqi Emperor ignored them, although the Tianqi Emperor protected him, and although Wei Zhongxian was secretly maneuvering, and although he single-handedly defeated more than a dozen civil officials, he knew this was only a temporary respite. The civil official group would not give up easily; they controlled public opinion, controlled the discourse, and controlled the mouths of scholars throughout the land. They could impeach him in court, slander him in the official gazette, and spread rumors in teahouses and taverns, while he wouldn't even have a chance to defend himself.

As a time traveler, he was very clear about the role of public opinion. In the era before modern media, public opinion was basically in the hands of the gentry. In the Ming Dynasty, public opinion was in the hands of the Donglin Party. The Donglin Party's public opinion in Jiangnan was more effective than imperial edicts. They not only had a great influence in the court, but also a powerful supervisory force outside the court.

China has always placed great emphasis on public opinion. From the "Recommendation System" of the Han Dynasty to the "Nine-Rank System" of the Wei and Jin Dynasties, "local reputation" was a core criterion for selecting officials. An official labeled "unfilial" or "corrupt" by public opinion essentially had his political career over. Although imperial power was supreme, "Mandate of Heaven" and "popular support" remained the foundation of the legitimacy of governance. The saying "preventing the people from speaking is more difficult than preventing a river from overflowing" reflects this principle. Wise monarchs would gather public opinion through methods such as collecting folk songs, establishing remonstrance officials, and allowing the use of "slanderous wooden tablets" (the precursor to the Huabiao), using this information as a basis for policy adjustments. For example, during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, the court's emphasis on public opinion contributed to the "Reign of Zhenguan."

Ancient laws could not cover all corners of society (such as family disputes, business integrity, and neighborhood conflicts), so public opinion assumed the function of moral judgment. "A person condemned by a thousand men will die even without illness." This meant that if someone violated filial piety, chastity, or clan ethics, they would be condemned.

The criticisms hurled at the behest of the people were enough to make it impossible for them to establish themselves locally, which inadvertently maintained social order at the grassroots level. The imperial court often included "righteous husbands and chaste women" with good reputations among the people in official histories or erected memorial arches for them, which in essence transformed public recognition into state rewards and guided social trends.

The so-called "three immortal achievements" of "establishing virtue, establishing merit, and establishing words" are largely based on historical evaluation by later generations (i.e., public opinion over a long period). Wen Tianxiang's "Leaving a loyal heart to illuminate history" and the Donglin Party members' "The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading" were essentially attempts to gain ground in public opinion. Conversely, Qin Hui's "fabricated charges," though gaining temporary power, are forever nailed to the pillar of public shame. Of the officials killed by Wei Zhongxian, how many were innocent? If he truly knew how to use the weapon of public opinion, Wei Zhongxian could actually be considered a champion of justice for the people.

"grown ups----"

Su Mei entered carrying a teacup and said softly, "Are you still thinking about matters of the court?"

"You don't need to be so busy—take care of yourself!"

"My health has always been excellent!"

Chen Ying took the teacup, took a sip, and said with a bitter smile, "Su Mei, tell me, the countless refugees I took in at Shahe, if not all of them became Buddhist monks, have at least saved countless lives. I won battles in Liaodong, built warships in Lushun, established workshops in Shahe, and subdued the Haixi Jurchens at Shuangchengwei. I've done so much, yet those civil officials can label me a treacherous official with just a single sentence. On what grounds?"

Su Mei was silent for a moment, then said, "Because they are gentry."

Chen Ying was taken aback, then smiled wryly, "Yes, because they are gentry, the gentry of the Ming Dynasty can package themselves as benevolent people, occasionally repairing bridges, paving roads, and distributing porridge during famine years to win people's hearts. The people believe what they say, even if it's a lie. They can also write; they can write memorials, official gazettes, poems, and all sorts of writings. When they write, the world believes them. When I write, the world doesn't even look at it. Therefore, I must also write. Not only must I write, but I must also make sure the whole world can see it."

Su Mei was taken aback: "What does Your Excellency want to do?"

"newspaper."

Chen Ying walked back to his desk and picked up the manuscript that had been revised many times: "Like the official gazette, it should be published regularly and distributed publicly. But unlike the official gazette, which only publishes imperial edicts and memorials, it should also publish articles, news, and stories. Let the people know about the major events in the country, let the people know what the court is doing, and let the people know what kind of people those civil officials really are."

Su Mei gasped. Starting a newspaper wasn't like fighting a war, building a ship, or mining. It was like taking away the livelihoods of all the scholars in the world—it was like stirring up a hornet's nest.

"Sir, have you thought this through? If those civil officials found out you're starting a newspaper, wouldn't they go crazy?"

Chen Ying laughed: "They've been crazy for a long time, one more time won't make a difference. Look at them!"

Su Mei took the letter and read: "Your subject Chen Boying respectfully requests Your Majesty's wise consideration. I believe the court's calamity lies not in the Jurchens, nor in natural disasters, but in the lack of communication between the rulers and the people. Your Majesty's decrees do not leave the palace gates; the people's sufferings do not reach Your Majesty's ears. Court officials each hold their own opinions, leaving the people bewildered. Therefore, I request that a newspaper be established in the capital to publish the *Da Ming Bao*, to be distributed regularly, carrying court decrees, local news, agricultural and industrial skills, and commercial market information. This will allow the people of the world to know what the court is doing, and the court to know what the people are thinking. In this way, communication between the rulers and the people will be restored, and the affairs of the state can be managed, and the world can be at peace."

Su Mei leaned over and read it through, then couldn't help but sigh, "My lord, your writing is far superior to that of those censors."

Chen Ying shook his head: "Whether the article is well-written or not is not important. What's important is whether it can be printed, whether it can be distributed, and whether anyone will read it."

He wasn't without the means to start a newspaper. Shahewei had its own printing press, originally intended for printing textbooks for various academies.

It was designed as a manual for printing operations in various workshops. It included everything: woodblock printing, movable type, ink, and paper. Technically, there were no problems. The problems were: what to write? Who would write it? And who would buy it? How to convince the public? He hadn't considered newspapers before, but it required a lot of money. Paper was expensive, printing was expensive, and from printing to sales, it required many people and a lot of money.

Only now has Chen Yingcai established a certain foundation.

"My lord, I have an idea."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Aren't you going to start a newspaper? Why don't you start a story contest first?"

Chen Ying opened his eyes, intrigued: "A storytelling contest?"

"That's right." Su Mei said calmly, "Think about it, why do people like to listen to operas and storytelling? Because there are stories."

"You should first hold a storytelling contest, letting everyone write stories. Those who write well will be rewarded with money. With more stories, more people will read them; with more people reading stories, more people will know your name; and with more people knowing your name, you won't have to worry about a lack of readers when you start a newspaper."

Chen Ying's eyes lit up. This idea is brilliant!

"Alright! Let's do it your way. Storytelling contest, prize money of five thousand taels of silver! Divided into three categories: first place, one person, two thousand taels of silver; second place, three people, five hundred taels of silver each; third place, ten people, one hundred taels of silver each. No restrictions on subject matter, you can write anything. But there's one condition: it has to be good. If it's not good, it won't be accepted."

Su Mei smiled and said, "Sir, you mustn't let your five thousand taels of silver go to waste."

Chen Ying laughed: "We can't fight them. I support hundreds of thousands of artisans, soldiers, and civilians in Shahewei, Lushun, and Yongning Port. Many of them are literate, and many can listen to stories. Once the stories are written, we can have someone read them to them. They'll be happy, and they'll work faster. That's called cultural productivity."

Su Mei didn't understand what "cultural productivity" meant, but she knew that the decisions made by the masters were never wrong.

The news caused an uproar in Beijing.

Five thousand taels of silver for a storytelling competition—this was no joke, it was real money! Suddenly, in teahouses and taverns, storytellers stopped talking about the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin; they were all pondering how to write stories. Down-on-their-luck scholars, unsuccessful candidates in the imperial examinations, and even some melancholy graduates all got their hands on ideas. Some wrote about loyal ministers and filial sons, some about talented scholars and beautiful women, some about gods and ghosts, and some about strange tales from the streets. Manuscripts poured into the printing press in Shahewei like snowflakes, filling an entire room.

"General," Su Mei said, beaming as she held up a thick stack of manuscripts, "we've received over two hundred submissions in just half a month. Some of them are really well-written, much better than those formulaic essays."

Chen Ying took the manuscript, casually flipped through a few pages, and nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad. Tell the people below to review it carefully and judge it fairly. No one is allowed to show favoritism, and no one is allowed to cheat. Anyone who dares to act recklessly will not be spared by this official."

"yes!"

At the same time, Chen Ying launched two newspapers in succession—Da Ming Bao and Da Ming Qi Wen Za Tan. Da Ming Bao mainly published imperial edicts, local news, agricultural and industrial skills, and commercial market information, targeting officials, merchants, and scholars.

"Strange Tales and Anecdotes" mainly publishes strange and unusual stories, everyday tales, and local customs, targeting ordinary people. The two newspapers, one serious and the other popular, complement each other.

"Sir," Su Mei looked at the newly printed first issue of the newspaper, somewhat worried, "how much are these newspapers?"

Chen Ying thought for a moment and said, "The 'Da Ming Bao' costs five copper coins per copy and can be subscribed to for the whole year. 'Strange Tales and Miscellaneous Stories' costs two copper coins per copy, and can only be sold at bookstores, teahouses, and restaurants without a subscription. In addition, a batch will be distributed free of charge to various workshops, military camps, and schools so that everyone knows that such a thing exists."

"But ordinary people are too poor!"

Su Mei nodded, then asked, "What about the winning entries from the storytelling competition?"

"Publish it in installments," Chen Ying said. "One article per issue, keeping readers in suspense. That way, those who want to read it will have to buy the next issue."

Su Mei couldn't help but laugh: "My lord, your business acumen is truly—"

"What is it?"

"That's brilliant."

Running a newspaper requires not only content but also talent. Chen Ying knew that the few dozen skilled craftsmen at the Shahewei Printing Bureau couldn't support a newspaper. He needed professionals who truly understood journalism, editing, and publishing.

"Su Mei, go and recruit a few people."

Su Mei was taken aback: "Who are you digging for?"

"First, poach those down-on-their-luck scholars. They have literary talent, insight, and writing ability. They're just unappreciated and frustrated. Give them a job and a monthly salary, and they'll work harder than anyone else. Second, poach those storytellers. They have plenty of stories to tell and a knack for storytelling. Ask them to write, and they'll be even more vivid than those scholars. Third, poach the shopkeepers and clerks. They know the market, they know their readers, and they know how to sell books. Pay them double their wages, and they'll sell their ancestors for a living."

Su Mei gasped, "My lord, are you trying to hollow out the capital?"

Chen Ying laughed and said, "It's not about hollowing out the city, it's about using someone else's resources to generate income. There are plenty of talented people in the capital. They're just sitting around doing nothing anyway, so why don't they help me start a newspaper?"

Su Mei accepted the order and left.

Half a month later, the first batch of "talents" arrived in Shahewei. There were talented but unappreciated scholars, down-on-their-luck scholars, eloquent storytellers, and shrewd and capable booksellers. There were more than 530 people in total, each with a special skill.

Chen Ying personally received them, hosted a banquet, and toasted them.

"Gentlemen, I have invited you here not to become officials, but to run a newspaper. Some of you can write, some can speak, and some can sell. I have gathered you all together to create the best newspaper in the world under heaven."

Someone asked cautiously, "Sir, will we—be entitled to a salary?"

"Yes," Chen Ying said with a smile. "A Juren (successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) receives a monthly salary of ten taels; a Xiucai (successful candidate in the county civil service examination) receives five taels; a storyteller receives six taels; and a bookstore owner receives eight taels. If you do well, you'll also get a year-end bonus."

Everyone was so excited their hands were trembling. Ten taels of silver! They couldn't earn ten taels in a whole year in the capital!

"My lord," an old scholar said in a trembling voice, "we—we will certainly do our utmost, even unto death, to live up to your trust!"

Chen Ying nodded and added, "However, let me make this clear from the start. My newspaper will not publish rumors, obscenities, or anything that violates the court's prohibitions. Anyone who dares to write or publish such things, I may recognize them, but my sword will not."

Everyone was awed and responded in unison.

After the banquet, Chen Ying stood alone by the window, watching the snowflakes falling outside.

Su Mei walked to his side and whispered, "Sir, are you really going to start the newspaper?"

Chen Ying nodded, his gaze deep: "Su Mei, do you know why the Donglin Party can influence the court?"

Su Mei thought for a moment: "Because of public opinion?"

"Yes. They control public opinion, they have the power of discourse, they have the voice of all the scholars in the land. Whoever they say is a loyal minister, is a loyal minister."

They call someone a treacherous official, and that person is indeed a treacherous official. His Majesty may not believe it, but the people do. Once the people believe it, His Majesty cannot disbelieve it. My task is to seize control of public opinion. This is not to speak for myself, but for the people of the world. If the people know the truth, they will not be misled by the Donglin Party; if the people have their own voice, the court cannot ignore it.

Su Mei looked at him, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up inside her. This man always did things before others were even thinking about them.

"My lord," she said softly, "I believe in you."

Chen Ying smiled, a warm smile.

Outside the window, the snow fell heavier and heavier. Inside the printing press in Shahewei, the lights were on. Workers were rushing to print the first issues of the *Da Ming Bao* and *Da Ming Qi Wen Za Tan*. The fresh scent of ink drifted through the windowpanes into the night air.

Those words, like seeds, are quietly taking root on this ancient land.