Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 930: Chapter 51: Successful Water Diversion (Part 3)

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Ministry of Personnel’s eyes instantly lit up: "Your Highness, your suggestion is excellent." This way, their newspaper can also make money.

"Right, we can also serialize stories in the newspaper to attract more people to buy it."

"Serialized stories?" The Minister of Ministry of Personnel didn’t quite understand, "Your Highness, do you mean writing stories in the newspaper?"

"If I write a storybook, do I need to write many Chapters?"

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel nodded.

"Generally, I should write the complete story and then sell it to the bookstores, right?"

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel said: "Yes."

"Serialization means publishing one or two Chapters in the newspaper, which tantalizes readers. Wouldn’t they continue buying our newspaper to read the next part of the story?"

Hearing this, the Minister of Ministry of Personnel became very excited: "They would!"

"Now do you understand what to do with the newspaper?"

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel respectfully said: "I understand."

Just after Zhao Yao finished speaking, he suddenly remembered that the people of Swamp Prefecture were mostly illiterate; they couldn’t possibly understand the newspaper.

"For now, let the newspaper only carry news content and advertisements as I just mentioned, and delay other content for later."

"Your Highness, why is that?" The prince had just said so much, why suddenly change his mind?

"I forgot that most of the people in Swamp Prefecture are illiterate."

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel’s expression froze momentarily before showing a bitter smile: "Your Highness is right."

Zhao Yao, after a moment of contemplation, said: "Let’s do this, publish the newspaper every five days for now, but don’t sell them publicly."

The Minister of Rites asked in amazement: "Not sell them?"

Zhao Yao asked: "Do you think anyone would buy the newspaper now?"

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel paused, then said promptly: "No, they wouldn’t."

"The newspaper won’t be sold externally for now, but it can be distributed to each official." Zhao Yao continued, "After the newspaper is published, paste a copy on the wall of the government office, and have literate guards stand by. If people ask what it is, let the guards read it to them."

Minister of Ministry of Personnel: "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhao Yao sighed heavily: "Alas, seems like the literacy campaign needs to be arranged soon."

"Literacy campaign?" The Minister of Ministry of Personnel looked puzzled, "Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"Those who can’t read are illiterate. The literacy campaign means eliminating illiteracy," Zhao Yao said with a serious expression. "Once the trade conference concludes, schools need to be established so that children can start reading and writing."

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel said: "Your Highness, if you need my assistance at that time, please feel free to command me."

"Since it is a newspaper, the news published must be true, especially regarding major events in Swamp Prefecture and court policies." Zhao Yao’s expression turned very solemn, "The news must be real, understood?"

The Minister of Ministry of Personnel felt a chill and replied earnestly: "I understand."

"Let’s call it the Swamp Newspaper. Once you prepare the content, bring it to me to review. If there’s no issue, you can proceed with printing."

Zhao Yao gave a few more instructions, which the Minister of Ministry of Personnel remembered well.

After discussing the newspaper issues with the Minister of Ministry of Personnel, Zhao Yao didn’t rush back to the Han Prince Mansion; instead, he went to check on the drainage pipes and well digging situation.

Although they had previously successfully directed the swamp lake water into the city, it didn’t mean the matter was fully resolved; it was just the beginning, with further water diversion needed.

Seeing that the drainage pipes and well digging were going well, Zhao Yao felt reassured. Additionally, regarding sewer drainage, the craftsmen have already made readjustments; reconstructions were underway during this period, making the streets of Swamp Prefecture quite messy. Fortunately, the people knew that Prince Han did this for their benefit, so they didn’t complain.

Just as Zhao Yao returned to the Han Prince Mansion, Uncle Gao caught him.

Seeing Zhao Yao finally return, Uncle Gao quickly asked him how the pistol making was going and whether it could be completed before the trade conference ended. After asking, seeing Zhao Yao’s unnatural expression, he knew He Lianfang’s words were right.

"Your Highness, you didn’t forget, did you?"

"I’ve been too busy to attend to it," Zhao Yao chuckled dryly, "It should be underway on North Mountain, but since they haven’t reported to me yet, it means they haven’t succeeded."

"Your Highness, can you spare some time to check it out?"

"Alright, I’ll go take a look in a couple of days."

"A couple of days?" Uncle Gao asked, "Your Highness, what are you busy with next?"

"I need to write a memorial to the court later," he wanted to tell his father how to bring Quanting County’s West Lake water into the county. "Tomorrow, I have to visit the farm in South Mountain to see how the silkworms are doing, check on the cowpox vaccination experiment, and still..."

Uncle Gao listened, stunned.

"Your Highness, aren’t you a bit too busy?"

"Haven’t you seen me spinning like a top every day?" Since coming to Lingnan, there hasn’t been a day of relaxation. "I still have to go to the military camp to see how their drills are going."

He Lianfang remarked: "I’ll go with you to check out the military camp."

"Alright, but it’ll be a couple of days before I’m free to go." Just as Zhao Yao finished speaking, he remembered he hadn’t visited the Ministry of Rites, hurriedly calling Tong Xi to bring the Minister of Rites; he had matters to discuss.

During the trade conference, guests from foreign lands should be well entertained, including music, dance, or acrobatics. He wondered if the Ministry of Rites had finalized the performance program. If not, he had a good idea.