Chapter 657

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It was already autumn, and compared to the intense heat of midsummer, Qingzhou City was now a bit cooler than a few days ago.

Five days ago, after inspecting the Imperial Palace, Xiao Ming put the matter of the newspaper office on the agenda.

This newspaper office, known as media in later generations, besides possessing top-down supervisory power, had the most important role of guiding public opinion.

After the newspaper office was established, he utilized its characteristics to consolidate his power.

However, Qingzhou was becoming increasingly prosperous, and daily events multiplied. The limited space of one newspaper was far from sufficient to meet Qingzhou’s current needs.

Considering this reason, he ultimately decided to increase the number of newspaper offices.

However, regardless of whether these newly established newspaper offices were officially run or privately run, the newspapers would still need to be censored before publication, rather than allowing them to report whatever they pleased.

Coming from a later era, Xiao Ming deeply understood that media was a double-edged sword. If he did not occupy this ground, it would eventually be occupied by his enemies.

Therefore, whether officially or privately run, the newspaper had to bear the “imperial” surname, and in matters of principle, it could not go against his will.

“Your Imperial Majesty, if more newspaper offices are established, how should the reporters previously sent to various prefectures and counties be handled?”

In the council hall, Fan Zeng said loudly. He was now wearing a red official robe and held a fourth-rank position.

After ascending the throne, Xiao Ming naturally greatly promoted his old subordinates. Fan Zeng was no exception; he gave him the position of Chief Propagandist.

As the name implied, the Chief Propagandist’s duty was to be responsible for the court’s internal and external propaganda, and also included the future censorship of other newspaper offices and newspapers.

After a moment of thought, Xiao Ming said, “The true duty of a reporter is to record the sufferings of the common people, not to read newspapers. After the court is dismissed, you will incorporate all these newspaper readers into the Ministry of Propaganda. Their duties will remain unchanged, but they will no longer have any connection with the newspaper office. From then on, propaganda belongs to propaganda, and reporters only act as reporters.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.” Fan Zeng was delighted.

This establishment of additional newspaper offices was undoubtedly a happy event for him. Previously, he only managed one newspaper office, but now he could manage five.

Moreover, his current status had clearly moved beyond the newspaper office, making him a crucial institution of the court.

Now that Xiao Ming had incorporated the scholars who read newspapers into the court, he had many more people at his disposal.

Pang Yukun and Fei Ji had no concept of this newspaper office. The two could not yet understand what role the Ministry of Propaganda would play in the future, so they remained silent regarding Xiao Ming’s idea of establishing more newspaper offices.

Fan Zeng retreated to his rank. At this moment, Niu Ben stepped forward and said loudly, “Your Imperial Majesty, the battle report from Yingzhou City has arrived from the Prince of Huainan. Prince Yan and his eldest son Cui Cheng have both fallen in battle, and his second son Cui Hao has also been killed. The Prince Yan’s lineage is extinguished.”

As soon as Niu Ben spoke, whispers filled the council hall, and an atmosphere of ecstasy enveloped the hall.

“Congratulations, Your Imperial Majesty! From now on, the Great Yu Empire will no longer suffer from the menace of Yan,” Pang Yukun said, his expression excited.

Fei Ji also said, “Yan is destroyed. Your Imperial Majesty is one step closer to uniting the Great Yu Empire. Now, only Prince Liang and Prince Zhao need to be eliminated, and the northern territories will be pacified.”

Xiao Ming laughed heartily at this moment. In fact, he had already received this news in advance. Not only was Prince Yan’s lineage extinguished, but the Fourth Prince had also died in prison. Now Yan was without a leader, just waiting for him to send officials to govern.

“Prince Yan is dead. From now on, there will be no more Yan. Chief Grand Secretary Pang, Elder Fei Ji, you two draw up a list of officials to be sent to Yan. After I review it, I will have these officials take office in the prefectures and counties.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty,” the two bowed in unison.

After a pause, Xiao Ming looked at Niu Ben again. He said, “Yan is destroyed. How much longer will Liang take?”

Niu Ben detected a hint of displeasure in Xiao Ming’s tone. The Prince of Huainan had successfully taken Yingzhou City, yet the state’s army still hadn’t taken Liang Capital. This was indeed somewhat inexcusable.

However, there was indeed a reason why Lu Fei and the others had been so slow to eliminate Yan. Niu Ben said, “Your Imperial Majesty, Lu Fei and Luo Hong led 50,000 soldiers who should have reached Liang Capital, but a barbarian cavalry unit emerged on the way to Qingzhou.”

“Barbarian cavalry?” Xiao Ming frowned.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the council hall became grim. The barbarians, the northern enemies who made Great Yu Empire officials tremble upon hearing their name, had finally been unable to restrain themselves.

The expressions of the officials were all noted by Xiao Ming. The faces of the officials from Chang’an all showed fear, while the officials led by Pang Yukun looked calm.

Niu Ben continued, “This subordinate also just received news from Lu Fei that this barbarian cavalry unit numbers 50,000. They are not engaging Lu Fei head-on, but instead constantly attacking the supply lines, forcing Lu Fei to send a large number of troops to protect provisions, delaying the attack on Qingzhou.”

“Fifty thousand people?” Xiao Ming frowned. “The cavalry the barbarians dispatched to Prince Zhao was 50,000. How can this be such a coincidence?”

“Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty, this cavalry unit was indeed dispatched by the barbarians to Prince Zhao. According to captives captured by Lu Fei, under the barbarians’ mediation, Prince Zhao and Prince Liang have now put aside their past grievances and intend to combine their forces to jointly counter our attack.”

Xiao Ming breathed a sigh of relief. He said, “Wang Xuan has relayed news that the barbarians have dispatched troops to assist Goryeo in resisting Japan, and are currently unable to move south. This time, the barbarians did not send other cavalry. Their dispatch of 50,000 cavalry to cut off our supply lines is merely to buy time, as they are actually unable to send a large army to reinforce. General Niu, seize this opportunity to annihilate Liang and Zhao in one fell swoop! Do not delay any longer, for once the barbarians withdraw from Goryeo and launch a major southward invasion, the nation will have no peace!”

Niu Ben suddenly felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier. After the crushing defeat of the three princes’ allied forces, Xiao Ming’s strategy changed accordingly.

Compared to his previous conservatism, Xiao Ming’s military strategy was now more aggressive. The formidable combat power of the state army made him very confident, and he believed that unifying the north was no longer a problem.

And after unifying the north, he could block the barbarians outside the Great Wall, implementing a strategy of defending against enemies beyond the national gate.

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty, I will immediately proceed to Liang Capital and eliminate Prince Liang.” Niu Ben said with cupped fists.

Nodding gently, Xiao Ming scanned the entire court of civil and military officials. Seeing no one else step forward, he subtly signaled Qian Dafu.

Qian Dafu immediately shouted, “If you have anything to report, do so early. Otherwise, the court is dismissed!”

All the courtiers had nothing to report and were preparing to disperse. At this moment, Lin Wentao, in a corner of the council hall, suddenly woke up as if from a dream. He said urgently, “Your Imperial Majesty, I have something to report.”

Lin Wentao’s voice immediately attracted everyone’s attention, because the officials all knew that many strange things in Qingzhou originated from Lin Wentao.

Xiao Ming also showed an interested expression. He said, “What does my dear minister wish to report?”

“Your Imperial Majesty, I have recently manufactured a steam locomotive according to Your Imperial Majesty’s instructions. I wonder if Your Imperial Majesty would like to observe it?”