Li Chengqian's expression immediately turned awkward. He had taken the initiative to contact the Confucian journals. On the one hand, he wanted to express his goodwill to the Confucian school. On the other hand, he wanted to bring in income for the relay station. The Confucian journals only produced 300,000 copies per issue. That was nearly 15,000 strings of cash a year.
Meton looked at Li Chengqian's unnatural expression and couldn't help but smile. "What? Do you think I'm such a stingy person that I want the relay station to monopolize the channel? The more you argue, the clearer it becomes. Although the Confucian journals and the Mohist journals have different philosophies, publishing them together and verifying each other is a long-term path."
Li Chengqian breathed a sigh of relief. He was able to achieve such a feat because of Meton's ideas. If he angered Meton, it would be difficult to ask for his help next time.
Meton smiled. "This is not the limit of the relay station. In the future, as more and more people become literate, it's not impossible for a single issue to exceed a million copies. At that time, it won't just be the Confucian journals and the Mohist journals."
In the future, newspapers and periodicals with a circulation record of over a million copies could be found everywhere. Moreover, they were all daily newspapers. For example, the Confucian journals and the Mohist journals had hundreds of thousands of copies per issue. Although it seemed like a lot, they were all periodicals. If they were to be spread out, they would only sell about 80,000 copies a day. Moreover, there were only two periodicals in the Tang dynasty.
By the way, I also have a piece of good news today. In the future, the relay station's profits will increase by 10,000 strings of cash a year. "Meton said mysteriously.
"Oh?" Li Chengqian couldn't help but be delighted.
Meton explained, "The Mohist journals are about to be split. The Legalist column will be published separately. In time, the relay station will be able to carry the Confucian, Mohist, and Legalist journals at the same time. Wouldn't that be another source of income?
"The Legalist newspapers." Li Chengqian didn't dare to believe it. The Legalist column was a very popular section of the Mohist journals. Every time it reported an unjust, false, or misjudged case, it would cause a huge sensation. Who would have thought that the Mohist journals would split it?
What shocked Li Chengqian even more was that the most prominent Confucian, Mohist, and Legalist journals of the Hundred Schools of Thought had already published newspapers to publicize their views. Then, won't there be other schools of thought publishing newspapers and periodicals one after another? "
Meton looked at Li Chengqian....., Li.................. farmers................. also..................................... the........
............................. the................................... of of the..........................
However, when he heard Moton describe the vast future, the worries in his heart were instantly swept away. At the very least, he had helped the imperial court solve the problem of the relay station, which was a bottomless pit. At the same time, he had allowed the common people to benefit. This was a great merit.
Suddenly, a courier rushed into the relay station. Rushing to Li Chengqian, he bowed and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, there is an urgent report from Mount Jiuhua. His Majesty has returned from his travels."
"Father has returned to the palace!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but panic. He had strongly advocated the reform of the relay station this time without Li Shimin's approval. Although he had achieved some results, how could anyone not panic when faced with such a powerful emperor and father like Li Shimin?
Meton also felt guilty. When Li Shimin had left the capital, he had reminded him not to play any tricks. However, he had joined forces with Li Chengqian to reform the relay station. He was afraid that in the future, he would be punished by the people.
"Don't worry. The relay station reform benefits the country and the people. Even if His Majesty returns, he won't be able to find any problems," Meton said confidently.
"I hope so!" Li Chengqian was no longer as confident as before. He was worried about his gains and losses. He had always wanted Li Shimin's approval. However, when he really did something, he found that he still couldn't get rid of his father's shadow.
"How long until His Majesty returns to Chang 'an?" Li Chengqian asked with a frown.
The courier said solemnly, "If we travel by foot, at most three days."
Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Organize all the documents in the relay station. In three days, I will personally apologize to Father."
"Yes, Your Highness!" The manager of the relay station said respectfully.
When Meton heard Li Chengqian say "apologize," he couldn't help but frown slightly. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything.
Three days later, hundreds of officials gathered at the gates of Chang 'an City. Li Chengqian, who was in the lead, had a young face but a strong posture.
"They're here, they're here!"
There was a commotion among the officials. On the brick road in the distance, a group of carriages was speeding toward them. On both sides of the carriages, there were two groups of cavalry guarding each other.
The brick road in Chang 'an City was exceptionally smooth. The carriages quickly arrived at the city gates. The carriages stopped and Li Shimin appeared in front of the officials.
"Accompany Father back to the palace!"
"Welcome back, Your Majesty!"
Under the lead of Li Chengqian, the officials bowed to Li Shimin.
"Dear officials, please rise. I've been away from the capital for more than two months. I'll have to trouble you with the matters in the court," Li Shimin said loudly.
"We're just doing our duty! We don't dare to take credit. Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince will be the regent for Your Majesty. We also have a backbone! "Fang Xuanling said modestly on behalf of the officials.
"Oh!" Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian curiously and said, "So, my Crown Prince did a good job."
"The Crown Prince is wise and powerful. He has the demeanor of Your Majesty!"
"The Crown Prince is benevolent and cares about the people of the world."
…
The officials nodded their heads one after another as they began to sing praises for Li Chengqian.
"I'm young and don't understand the affairs of the state. I'm ashamed that I have to rely on the help of all of you." Li Chengqian said modestly.
"Well, this is not a place to stay for long. I've traveled a long way and am tired. Let's wait until tomorrow morning!" Li Shimin waved his hand.
"Farewell, Your Majesty!" The officials cupped their hands and said, but their eyes couldn't help but look at Li Chengqian at the front. Tomorrow, the Crown Prince's merits and demerits would be decided.
Li Chengqian saw the carriage slowly pass by, and a trace of unwillingness flashed in his heart. He took a great risk to reform the relay station in order to get Li Shimin's approval. But now, Li Shimin left him hanging in front of the officials. He didn't get a word of approval, and his carefully prepared memorials to reform the relay station fell through.
In the carriage, Empress Zhangsun looked worriedly at Li Chengqian's disappointed figure. She couldn't help but worry, "Your Majesty, Chengqian is still young and has just come into contact with the affairs of the state. Aren't you being too harsh on him?"
"Still young? When he removed my fifth-rank official, why didn't he think of being young?" Li Shimin said coldly.
"Has Your Majesty seen the reform of the relay station? This is a good plan for the benefit of the country and the people. The driver is afraid of Your Majesty's punishment and is afraid of the slightest thing. How can it succeed? "Empress Zhangsun said helplessly.
Li Shimin was silent for a long time before saying, "If it wasn't for Qian 'er's actions being outside of our expectations, do you think we would give him face? Let's leave him hanging first so that he won't overestimate himself just because he has some achievements. "
Empress Zhangsun sighed helplessly. It was said that father and son were enemies, and Li Shimin and Li Chengqian were the same. Li Chengqian was usually like this, so Li Shimin thought that Li Chengqian needed more training. Now that he had some achievements, Li Shimin began to beat him again. When would she be able to see the scene of a loving father and filial son?
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