Peasant Woman's Decreed Life as a Wife

Chapter 2151: Chapter 2148: Set Up

The other noble families are eager to protect themselves, and with Emperor Xuanming’s significant move, they are no longer willing to ally with the Qi family. Instantly, the already fragile alliance of noble families was shattered.

Although Minister Qi’s aides felt somewhat disillusioned by his easy abandonment of Madam Zhang, they dared not act due to being under surveillance. Their loyalty waned in private.

Those most affected by the incident with Madam Zhang were the officials close to the Qi family.

These officials felt a shared sense of grief and bitterness.

Minister Qi was set up, suffering the greatest loss. Recently, he has been less aggressive in court, although he still holds different political views, he now exercises restraint and no longer pressures Emperor Xuanming.

Seeing this, Emperor Xuanming sneered, believing these officials ought to be taught a lesson, lest they grow more arrogant.

It was at this moment.

The official newspaper published its first edition.

The sales were very good.

Even the commoners couldn’t resist buying the newspaper to read.

The reason was simple.

The charges against Imperial Censor Zhang, whose household was raided, were clearly printed on a section of the official newspaper.

Chu Heng sat in the Official Gazette Office, waiting for the evening roll call and received data from the subordinate officials.

“Sir, we sold twenty thousand newspapers today.” The official responsible for accounting was flushed with excitement. It’s important to know that officials newly recruited into the official newspaper were rare to find a position, even if it’s just a seventh-rank official, it’s still an official of the capital.

Moreover, the salary of the official newspaper differs from other yamen.

It is tied to the profit from newspaper sales.

In other words, the more newspapers sold, the higher the salary of these yamen officials.

This new method of distributing salary was the first of its kind in Great Chu, mainly because the official newspaper itself aims to be profitable.

“A newspaper costs 50 copper coins per copy, bringing in a hundred taels of silver in revenue. After covering the costs, it can still earn seventy taels!” The official clacked away at his abacus, growing more excited as he calculated. If this continues for a month, the net profit will be two thousand taels, of which one-tenth is two hundred taels, distributed among ten officials, each receiving twenty taels.

This is about the same as salary.

“Today’s sales were bolstered by previous groundwork, hence, they sold well. If the content of the official newspaper loses appeal, sales won’t reach this level.”

“However, I believe you can do even better.” Chu Heng sternly pointed out the reality, gave them a nudge, and didn’t forget to offer encouragement.

The ten officials present were somewhat excited, faces filled with determination, collectively pledging to improve the newspaper.

“Reflect on the reasons for today’s success when you return home tonight.”

“Outside the yamen, there are some suggestion boxes and votes on whose section was better; readers who have read the newspaper can provide direct feedback.”

“Since you’ve joined the official newspaper, you must follow the rules. I never mistreat anyone, but if someone makes a mistake, I will not show mercy.” Chu Heng wielded authority mixed with benevolence. He rarely smiled in the yamen, being quite stern; these officials feared him and dared not act recklessly.

After speaking, Chu Heng looked at the middle-aged man standing in the center: “Minister Yan, based on the reviews of recent days, both I and Minister Zhong have unanimously decided to appoint you as the Editor-in-Chief of the official newspaper. From now on, the articles need to be submitted for your review first. If problems arise that cannot be resolved, then convey them to me and Minister Zhong.”