HLnovel Chapter 202: The Women's Newspaper is Launched!
Chapter 202: The Women's Newspaper is Launched!
Before noon on the second day, the capital city was bustling with activity.
A group of children were walking through the streets and alleys of the vast capital city, loudly hawking their wares, attracting the attention of many people who were hiding at home.
"Newspapers for sale! The new Women's Daily has some really interesting stories, come and buy one!"
"Newspapers for sale! Even bookish gentlemen can't put this story down! Buy a copy now!"
The children's clear voices attracted many curious onlookers.
Although there weren't many literate people at that time, the capital was, after all, under the emperor's nose, and there were still more scholars than in other prefectures.
Upon seeing this novel sight, a scholar couldn't help but pull the boy aside to ask him questions.
"Kid, what's this newspaper called? Women's Newspaper? Is it something for women?"
The young boy, having received professional training, immediately smiled and said, "Young master, it is indeed called the Women's Newspaper, but it is not just for women to read. The main purpose of this name is to educate women to learn the way of the sages."
"You must learn to be a good wife and mother at home, and you must also abide by the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues. A scholarly husband like you naturally does not need this kind of education."
The scholar found these words very pleasing.
That's right!
Women, being appendages of men, certainly need to be educated.
Seeing the scholar's expression, the boy inwardly spat.
You look down on women so much, isn't your mother a woman?
Xiao Tong wouldn't have said that if it weren't for completing the task assigned by Sister Ning.
In his heart, women are the best!
"Then this Women's Newspaper is indeed a great merit, but I don't believe the story you just told me about how even a scholar couldn't put it down after reading it."
The little boy chuckled cleverly, and seeing that more and more people were gathering around, many of them hunched over and braved the wind and snow to peek and see what was going on.
He knew it was time, so he took out a newspaper and handed it to the scholar.
"If you don't believe me, sir, this report is for you. Read it and then we'll see."
Seeing that there was a bargain to be had, the people around couldn't help but cheer, wanting to get a free share as well.
The newspaper boy covered his pocket and shook his head: "This young master is a scholar, and he was the first to speak to me, so I gave him a newspaper."
"Are you even educated people? You're lucky if you can even read a few words, right? You're just taking my newspaper for free, aren't you? You'll just end up using it to wipe your butts at home."
Upon hearing this, the scholar chuckled, while the others felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Alas, you child speak so crudely. Although we are not scholars, we can still understand this newspaper."
"Yeah, yeah! I used to buy every single one of Bai Xiaosheng's martial arts gazettes, how come they've become toilet paper for you?"
"This child is ignorant and speaks wildly! Quickly, give me a serving so I can taste the saltiness of this story."
A group of people were unconvinced and rushed to buy the goods.
With the ongoing snow disasters, people are living a hard life with little entertainment and a severely impoverished spiritual world.
Now that something new has finally happened, I can't help but join in the fun.
Besides, a newspaper isn't expensive.
Spending money won't bankrupt you, and not spending it won't make you rich.
Before long, the newspapers on the little boy's body were all sold out!
He addressed some curious women, saying, “Aunties and sisters, if you can’t understand the contents of the newspaper, you can go to the nearest teahouse. The Women’s Newspaper has a special female tea master who will tell you stories.”
"This is a benefit offered to all the aunties and sisters by our Women's Newspaper since its inception. As long as a woman is present, she can have a free bowl of tea."
"Since we're all just killing time anyway, why not go and have some fun? The teahouse is cozy, first come, first served, or you'll miss out on good seats."
As soon as the boy announced it, some feisty women immediately got up and headed to the teahouse.
Such scenes are playing out repeatedly in the capital, a metropolis with a population of over one million!
As evening approaches, when lights and smoke rise from every household.
The thrilling story of “evil men leading a horde of beasts to harm the people” had already spread throughout the capital!
Many women who listened to the female PhD tell her stories in the teahouse would go home and tell their husbands, children, and other relatives the same stories.
Everyone was so angry they wanted to grind their teeth!
"The benefactor in this story is really something else, isn't he?"
"That's right. For their own selfish reasons, they actually instigated a beast tide to harm the people. They deserve to die."
"This story doesn't seem to be over yet? Third brother, is this all you've heard today?"
"Yes, the female PhD who reported the story at the teahouse said that the story itself was not finished. Today is the first chapter, and the final chapter will be the day after tomorrow."
"It is said that the beast tide itself is a grand conspiracy. On the day of the finale, the identity of the noble person who guided the beast tide will be revealed, and he will receive the punishment he deserves!"
Upon hearing that they would have to wait two more days to hear the ending of the story, everyone became quite anxious.
But the thought that the villains in the story would be punished made me look forward to it again!
In the evening in the capital, every household was talking about the stories in the women's newspaper.
Inside the yamen of the Prefect of the Capital.
Prefect Wang Shu held a women's newspaper and read it carefully under the lamplight.
The more he read, the more his heart sank!
The petitions being handed over by the villagers of Lijiacun are still on his desk, and he gets terrified whenever he sees them.
He quietly settled the people, though it was more like imprisonment. But Wang Shu dared not be disrespectful to them; on the contrary, he treated them well with good food and drink.
Now that Wang Shu has placed the petition alongside the Women's Daily, he understands perfectly well that someone is using the beast tide incident to orchestrate a grand scheme!
"Who could it be?"
At this moment, a person pushed open the door and entered, bowing to Wang Shu.
"Greetings, Your Excellency. May I ask what business Your Excellency has summoned me so late at night?"
The visitor was a retainer of Wang Shu, a man of deep and meticulous mind who had helped Wang Shu evade assassination attempts on several occasions in his official career.
Even the idea of calming down the villagers of Lijia Village was this person's.
"Tan Lin, come and take a look at this newspaper."
Tan Lin quickly finished reading the story in the newspaper, his brows furrowed.
"Your Excellency, have you found out who is behind this woman's report?"
Wang Shu nodded: "She is the daughter of Prime Minister Ning and the wife of Lu Zhiyan, the Grand General of the Five Cities Garrison."
This identity surprised Tan Lin for a moment.
Prime Minister Ning had long since faded from the court, and Lu Zhiyan had never sided with any of the other princes.
"I've heard that Miss Ning and the Eldest Princess have a very good relationship. Could it be that..."
Wang Shu wasn't sure. "The princess and Miss Ning did know each other in their childhood, but I've heard they haven't been in contact for many years, so she might not be the eldest princess."
Tan Lin thought about it for a while and then carefully considered the story.
With a serious expression, he said, "My lord, in my humble opinion, this matter is likely of great importance! The slightest carelessness could lead to our deaths."
A matter that connects to the heavens?
Wang Shu's heart pounded wildly!
If it truly is a matter of divine intervention, then it is both a crisis and an opportunity, depending on how it is seized.
"Tan Lin, what do you think I should do at this moment?"
"Should we order a purge of the morals in the capital and ban this women's newspaper?"