AgWorld Chapter 1139 - 1121: Newspaper
Chapter 1139 - 1121: Newspaper
Ji Yuan also said, "For every noble family and scholar returning from the North, the lady treats them generously, viewing them equally. Given time, they will surely return their allegiance and go back to the Northern Land. By then, the predicament in Jiangdong and Jiangnan can be resolved."
Zhao Shen said, "King Langya relies on the Northern Noble Families in the South. If they can be won over, it can indeed be accomplished without bloodshed."
Zhao Hanzhang tapped her fingers on the table, "Treat equally? Mr. Ji is right, this is the key."
"Not only the Northern Noble Families and common people displaced in the South, but also the local gentry and commoners in the South. As long as they have the heart to serve the country, they all have the opportunity to enter the court; as long as they want to live well, there are ways to strive; the children of noble families can do what they want without prejudice; even the impoverished can rise to prominence, become great heroes, and leave their names in history!"
Zhao Hanzhang solemnly said, "We should pave the stage for them, waiting for them to come from all directions. Without roads, there are thorns in the wilderness, requiring them to open paths. I am willing to watch and lend them a helping hand."
After research by the court, the government ordered further improvement of the current education and examination system. Starting this year, there will be county exams, prefectural exams, provincial exams, and national exams.
When the county government selects officials, except for those recommended or those specified by court laws that can enter the service, they must undergo exams, first the county exam, then the prefectural exam. Only after passing can they be selected into the county government.
Starting this year, anyone who wants to participate in the national exam for talents must first pass the provincial exam for talents and obtain the passing document before they can go to Luoyang for the national exam.
Luoyang will also have provincial exams. Since now many people migrate, few can take the exam in their homeland, so the provincial exam does not limit one’s origin. Scholars can register nearby and take the exam nearby.
This year’s provincial exam is set for August. Scholars can now go to the county government to register, and the county government will report the list to the Inspector Mansion. Registration will end ten days before the exam, and the Inspector Mansion will arrange the exam venues and papers based on the number of people.
As for the national exam, Zhao Hanzhang decided to set it in the spring of the next year to give them a buffer time.
While Zhao Yunxin was drafting this document, she also wrote an article published in the gazette, essentially reproducing their debates in court. Of course, she wouldn’t write about the North-South dispute.
She wrote, "The two shores of the river are both part of Great Jin, inherently citizens of one country. She treats them equally, whether Northern Noble Families and commoners from Central Plains and Northern Land or Northern Noble Families and commoners displaced in the South, or gentry and commoners from Jiangdong and Jiangnan. To her, all are Jin people, deserving to be treated equally."
"She is willing to be their guardian, alongside officials, paving a high platform, watching them come through the thorns from all sides, standing together on the high platform, serving the country."
Luoyang’s gazette has always been the most popular because court officials like to express their political views there. They always access firsthand information, sometimes obscure, sometimes straightforward, and how much outsiders comprehend depends entirely on their perceptiveness.
It can be said that Luoyang’s gazette has always been the court’s wind vane.
Zhao Yunxin, being Zhao Hanzhang’s most capable secretary at the moment, her articles receive the most attention.
Therefore, when the gazette came out, it was immediately snatched up.
The paperboy had just arrived in front of the restaurant and sold out. Yang Yi raised a hand to beckon, but before doing so, the paperboy already sold the last gazette, leaving him speechless for a long time.
Xie Pi reacted quickly, immediately waved to the paperboy, took out a string of coins, "Can you help us buy a copy of the gazette? This is your reward."
The paperboy quickly declined, "Sir, the gazette only costs two cents. There are more at the bookstore. I’ll buy another one, please wait."
Xie Pi insisted on giving him, "We urgently need it, please deliver it directly after purchasing. There are many of us. Please buy eighteen copies, and the remaining money is your reward."
The paperboy’s eyes lit up, hesitated for a moment, then took the money, "Dear customer, please wait. I’ll be back soon."
Taking the money, he dashed towards the bookstore.
Luoyang Book Office is large. Originally, Zhao Hanzhang directly connected two abandoned houses and storefronts. In the front, samples of books printed by the Book Office were displayed, and daily newspaper sales were managed there too. The back was a warehouse where craftsmen printed books and had accommodation.
The second floor of the storefront was the bustling office space for teachers correcting newspapers and books.
This was originally a deep alley where the houses and storefronts were hard to run profitable businesses.
Now, this area was bustling. Looking around, there were crowds of half-grown kids lining up for newspapers.
This was a gift Zhao Hanzhang gave to the children. All who came for newspapers at the Book Office were children under twelve. Initially, they registered with their family book, and they’d receive a certificate with a number on it.
Later, they could use the number to collect newspapers daily. After selling, they return to submit the fees. If there are unsold newspapers, they can be returned. The number of newspapers sold determines their wages.
Every newspaper was priced at one cent and a half at the Book Office, and the unified selling price outside was two cents. Per newspaper sold, they earn half a cent. Some talented kids sell a hundred a day, earning fifty cents, more than adults working.
But the Book Office was strict, allowing only children under twelve, favoring orphans and children from impoverished families. When over twelve, the Book Office no longer accepts them.
The paperboy queued at the line’s tail, soon got his turn. The counting clerk took his slip, then heard a shout from behind, "No more gazettes, the last one is out."
The clerk said, "No more gazettes, but ’City News’ is available. Want some?"
The paperboy widened his eyes, "Why so fast? Gazettes usually sell until noon. I only want gazettes."
"Today there’s an article by the Secretary, talking about the Great General and officials’ discussions, so it sells fast. Besides ’City News,’ there’s ’Boundless Learning Sea.’ Don’t want either?"
The paperboy started to panic. He already accepted the money, no mood to choose now.
"No, I only want gazettes," he grabbed the slip and dashed out, scanning the newly exited crowd. He quickly found a familiar face among the children.
He squeezed forward and caught hold of her, "Wen Si Niang, did you get a gazette?"
The girl caught by him was smaller, had sparse, yellow hair just covering her ears, hanging loose, looking about seven or eight.
She guarded the burlap pouch bigger than her shoulders, asking, "Yes, why?"
"I have important guests, already took money. Can you give me twenty copies? I’ll buy from you."