Chapter 18: Unlimited Newspaper Distribution! Fan Xian’s Surprise!
The newspaper in the Qing Kingdom was similar to the dǐ bào (imperial bulletin) from Li Chengyuan’s previous life. It was an official newspaper, and only high-ranking officials and nobles were eligible to purchase it.
For example, in Danzhou, where Fan Xian resided, there were only two copies of the newspaper in the entire Danzhou Port, one of which was exclusively for the Fan family. This demonstrated just how limited the newspaper’s circulation was.
However, despite its rarity, the newspaper in the Qing Kingdom wasn’t particularly precious, because it mainly contained trivial information.
For instance, it covered famous scenic spots across the country, curious anecdotes about ancient figures from the previous dynasties, and gossip about grandmasters or court officials.
The entire newspaper hardly contained any useful political information. So officials were even embarrassed when the newspaper revealed their private lives.
But since the newspaper was personally supervised by the Emperor, none of these officials dared to express their displeasure openly.
Of course, so enjoyed this kind of tabloid content!
Because they could spy on the private lives of high-ranking figures, which greatly satisfied their voyeuristic desires.
This led to the daily purchase of the latest issue of the newspaper becoming a routine for many of them.
’
That day, the servants from many noble households, as usual, went to the inner court office to purchase the newspaper.
However, many noticed that the number of printed newspapers today was much higher than usual, to the point that they couldn’t even count them all.
As the crowd of servants was left puzzled, a young eunuch walked out of the office.
The young eunuch scanned the surroundings, flicked his dust whisk, and declared loudly: “By imperial decree, today’s newspaper has no restrictions and is available in unlimited supply!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the area erupted into astonishnt.
’
“Unlimited supply?”
Inside the Prince Qin’s mansion, Li Chengze was holding a newspaper. Upon hearing Xie Bi’an’s report, his expression was one of extre surprise.
This was the first ti since the newspaper’s inception that it was being supplied without limitations!
Xie Bi’an analyzed, “Your Highness, this order from the Emperor is likely related to the Third Prince.”
Li Chengze withdrew his gaze and looked again at the poem in the newspaper, along with the striking Shoujin Style calligraphy, saying quietly, “That’s inevitable. It seems the Emperor wants to make the Third Prince famous!”
“I heard the Third Prince has been placed under house arrest?”
Li Chengze shook his head, “The Third Prince currently has neither power nor influence. House arrest ans little to him. On the contrary, the widespread circulation of the newspaper will dilute the impact of his romantic scandals.
After all, ‘talented romantic poet’ sounds much better than ‘frivolous libertine,’ doesn’t it?”
“Does Your Highness an that the Third Prince is on the rise?”
“It’s bound to happen!” Li Chengze seed to think of sothing, and suddenly laughed, “‘The horizon holds endless green leaves of grass; The sentintal one is vexed by the heartless.’* Tsk, tsk, tsk, what an excellent line!
Ah, Third Brother, didn’t I tell you that you were too naïve back then? How do you feel now? Have you realized the Emperor’s thods?”
“I’m curious to see how you’ll respond this ti.”
’
“How to respond? Just wait and see.”
In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was holding the newspaper as he absentmindedly responded.
Before him, a palace maid respectfully reported, “But the Princess Royal said that now that the Third Prince is under house arrest, this is the best opportunity for Your Highness to win him over.”
“What opportunity?” The Crown Prince raised his head and replied, “The Third Prince is just under house arrest, and it hardly affects him. What kind of opportunity is that? Going to him now would neither be offering help in tis of need nor adding to his glory. What use would it be to find him now?
Go back and tell my aunt that the Third Prince hasn’t given up yet. There’s no rush on our end. Let’s wait until the Emperor pushes him too hard. By then, even if we don’t go looking for him, he’ll co knocking on our door.”
“But… what if the Third Prince sides with the Second Prince?”
“We’ll deal with it when the ti cos. Things haven’t developed that far yet, have they?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Alright, you can leave now. I need to learn this Shoujin Style myself. To think my Third Brother had such talent and kept it hidden all this ti. He’s too disloyal to his brother!”
“Understood!”
’
“What do you an ‘but’?”
At the Supervisory Council, Chen Pingping was also holding a newspaper, and he turned to Fan Jian, the Deputy Minister of Revenue, speechless.
“He’s only just starting to make his mark. What’s the point of you going to see him now?”
“Of course, it’s to subtly remind him not to get involved in the succession battle—that’s a pit of fire!”
“You think that’s sothing he can decide? Besides, that child has nothing to do with us now. What position or reason would you have to remind him? Would he even believe you?”
“So, you’re just going to let him fend for himself?”
“Why are you in such a rush? The Emperor has his plans for him. He’s the Emperor’s son, after all. His affairs aren’t for us to manage right now! All we can do is observe and wait.”
“Ah! It’s all my fault. I should have taken him away back then!”
“What’s the use of saying that now? Alright, stop worrying about him. Just focus on Fan Xian!”
Fan Jian grumpily turned his head, no longer speaking.
’
A few days later, in Danzhou Port, at the Fan Mansion.
“Huh? Why are there so many newspapers today?”
Eighteen-year-old Fan Xian stared at the large stack of newspapers brought by the servant, looking quite surprised.
“Young Master, the person who delivered the newspapers said this issue is an exception. By imperial decree, this issue is being supplied without limits!”
“Sothing like that? Seems like the content of this issue must be extraordinary!”
Fan Xian hurriedly pulled out a newspaper and began reading eagerly.
After reading for a while, most of the content seed similar to before.
Only in the center of the newspaper was there a small section that stood out.
The content was simple: a single poem.
But the author of the poem was extraordinary—it was the Third Prince of the Qing Kingdom!
And what was even more remarkable was the writing style displayed in the newspaper. Fan Xian had never seen such a script before!
Below the poem, there was a note explaining that this new script was created by the Third Prince himself and had been nad Shoujin Style!
“Shoujin Style?”
Fan Xian’s eyes were filled with confusion. For so reason, the na felt oddly familiar, yet he couldn’t recall it from his mory.
But he had to admit, the Shoujin Style was truly beautiful!
As a scholar, Fan Xian was imdiately captivated by the script.
He never expected that in this culturally barren Qing Kingdom, there could be such a talented person who could create their unique calligraphy style!
After thoroughly appreciating the script, Fan Xian finally turned his attention to the poem’s content.
However, with just one glance, Fan Xian was once again amazed!
The horizon holds endless green leaves of grass; The sentintal one is vexed by the heartless!
Just these two lines left Fan Xian in awe!
For so inexplicable reason, Fan Xian beca deeply curious about this Third Prince in the capital.
He truly wanted to see what such a brilliantly talented individual looked like.
But he wondered—when would he ever have the chance to enter the capital?
’’
Footnotes:dǐ bào (邸报): In ancient China, these were official bulletins or reports issued by the imperial court to inform local officials of important political matters.
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