Original subtitles

But the Imperial Academy

and the two main paths to officialdom through the imperial exams

are both controlled by the noble families.

Where else is there a way in?

Newspapers.

Newspapers are the new path.

Report what?

Newspapers.

What is a newspaper?

A newspaper is a kind of

document that contains books, brief news, and national policies,

as well as all kinds of information.

It can not only teach

people across the country to read and write,

but also make your ideas for governing the country

and information about recruiting talent known to all.

In this way,

the tricks the noble families use to deceive superiors and hide the truth

will be useless.

This is a good method.

But without the path of the Imperial Academy exams,

those students from humble backgrounds

what other channels do they have

to showcase their talents?

Perhaps the newspaper.

But the poor have no publishing houses.

How can they publish newspapers?

If they can't publish, we can collect their works.

Whether it's poetry or strategies for governing the country,

we can use the newspaper

to compile all of them together

and then submit them to Lord Zhang or to you

for personal review.

Select the promising talents for focused cultivation.

Publishing newspapers throughout the entire country

is a major undertaking.

It would require a huge amount of silver.

As long as it can free the country from the control of noble families,

I'm willing to pay for it.

You will pay?

Yes.

My tea and wine business

has already earned ten million taels.

I'm willing to invest all of it into this.

This Xiao Ning is actually willing

to give up all his family fortune.

Could it be that he really is, as Yun'er said,

a man who cares for the world?

Xiao Ning

Once this newspaper is published,

every industry in Dajing

will have to set their business strategies according to it.

If you control the newspaper,

you control the foundation of commerce in Dajing.

Do you intend to replace the Han family

and become the most powerful clan in Dajing?

Your Majesty,

When poor, one should maintain personal integrity;

when successful, one should help the world.

This has always been

my guiding principle in life.

I am willing to

donate ninety percent of all my business profits

to the national treasury

to benefit the people of Dajing.

Are you truly willing to do that?

However, I have one more request.

I hope Your Majesty will agree.

Speak.

I want to see Jiang Yun.

In your dreams.

Then... then I'll take a step back.

Don't let Jiang Yun be sent for the marriage alliance.

The marriage alliance must be fulfilled after autumn.

If it is not fulfilled,

both Beicang and the noble families of Dajing

will use this as an excuse to cause trouble.

I ask Your Majesty to grant me three months.

Three months?

What can you accomplish in that time?

Within three months,

if I can shake the powerful clans,

cleanse the court and the government,

and ensure Da Jing gets through the autumn harvest smoothly,

then Bei Cang will no longer be a threat.

Xiao Ning.

Do you know what you're saying?

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

My plans have always been reliable.

Within three months,

Jiang Yun will no longer need to marry for alliance.

And I

will surely return to Your Majesty

a peaceful and prosperous Da Jing.

Jiang Yun

Princess

Qingfeng has already given you the contract.

Why are you still following me?

It's a misunderstanding.

You only told me you were going out.

I thought you were just going on a trip.

Who knew you were going to get married?

Besides,

you're not just my business partner.

It's all the Han family's fault.

If he hadn't tried to kill me and my father,

I wouldn't be in such a hurry.

Han family

You're hurt.

Where are you hurt?

It's not me.

It's my father.

Uncle Xiao, he...

Why didn't you say so earlier?

Extra, extra!

Minghua Bookstore is publishing a newspaper.

There are not only free books,

but also public collections from famous people and heroes.

What's a newspaper?

It even has ways to make money,

and has caught His Majesty's personal attention.

Let's go check it out.

We'll know once we see it.

Have you all seen this?

There's everything on here.

You can read so many poems.

That's right.

These portraits are so lifelike.

Everyone,

Besides the daily publications of the Shangdu Daily,

and the free books it releases,

it also updates daily

with the most important news in the entire realm.

In addition,

in the outstanding personal columns,

it will also publish poems by talented individuals,

or their thoughts and reflections,

or some articles they've written themselves.

In short, everyone is encouraged to submit their work.

Young Master Xiao, are you saying

that we can have our own articles

published in this newspaper?

Exactly.

Your articles

will be seen directly by the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel,

and even by His Majesty.

How is that possible?

Who do you think you are?

You think you can command so many high officials?

Yeah, how could that be possible?

Come.

Censorate official.

The Censorate official has come in person.

Even the Censorate official is here.

Everyone,

the Shangdu Daily was established

by imperial decree from His Majesty.

I now announce

that Master Chen is also the

chief editor of the Shangdu Daily.

Master Chen is the chief editor?

And it was personally decreed by His Majesty.

Really, really.

This is an imperial decree.

This is real now.

It's real.

It's true.

With the imperial decree and Master Chen's personal confirmation,

this must be real.

We students from humble backgrounds finally have a chance

to personally show our talents to His Majesty.

Yes.

On behalf of all students from humble families,

I thank Young Master Xiao for your great kindness.

Thank you, Young Master Xiao.

No, no, please.

It is His Majesty who,

has opened the door of opportunity for all humble families.

I only did a small thing.

Thank His Majesty for his great kindness.

Let me first bring you

the impact of traditional media.

Alright, alright.

I have another piece of good news to share with you all.

More good news?

What else is there?

Hurry, tell us!

The poems and songs you all write,

even storybooks,

as long as they are selected for the Shangdu Daily,

you will receive a reward as thanks.

A reward?

We can even get paid?

Not only will it help us gain fame,

but they'll also pay us?

Exactly.

That's wonderful!

I'll go back right away

and bring my own articles

to submit for selection.

Mother,

I'm going to be in the newspaper!

I want to write too!

When I get home, I'll have my young master write as well.

Yes!

This way, we'll all have a chance in the future.

Hong'er

Some time ago

that newspaper founded by Xiao Ning

has it made any money?

Father, to answer your question

Xiao Ning's newspaper business

has been running for over two months

not only has it made no profit

but it's also lost quite a bit

I'm afraid the money from the tea and wine businesses

that was earned

has all been invested in it

His Majesty and Xiao Ning

think they can use a few pieces of scrap paper

to bring down the great families of Dajing

what a joke

They all say Xiao Ning is a business genius

but it seems he's run out of tricks now

Master, have some tea

With this, His Majesty should understand

that the noble families are the foundation of Dajing

You

do you understand?

Lingluo understands

Although I don't know

what use this newspaper really has

but

it's time to lend Young Master Xiao a helping hand

Young Master Xiao

I haven't seen you these days, sister

did you miss me?

Miss Han, could it be that

you've taken an interest in my newspaper business again?

How do you plan to cooperate this time?

Your newspaper is probably targeting the noble families, isn't it?

I, Lingluo, wouldn't dare get involved.

Could it be that Yan Lingluo has figured something out?

It seems I guessed right.

But sir, you need not worry.

This time, I've come

to lend you a helping hand.

Miss Han, what do you mean by this?

Sir, you don't need to call me Miss Han anymore.

You can consider me

a spy hidden within the Han family.

What?