Fang Er shook his head, looking at the formulaic content above.
Compared to the clickbait of later generations, these scholars were like babies fresh out of kindergarten!
He casually pointed to a section of the content.
"We are publishing a newspaper. We need to make them want to keep reading at first glance. Your title, simply stating 'Recent Case,' is not appropriate. If you changed it to: 'Outside Chengtian Gate, a Sow Dies Violently on the Spot. Regarding this matter, His Majesty the Emperor himself sighs at the decline of public morals.'"
After speaking, Fang Er looked up and saw Xue Zhiqian's shocked gaze.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Xue Zhiqian's voice trembled slightly. "My lord, if this is written and reaches the Emperor's ears, won't it be inappropriate?"
Fang Er waved his hand. "You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me, reading this title, do you have the urge to continue reading?"
Xue Zhiqian was speechless and nodded silently.
Then Fang Er saw another piece of content, a recent decree issued by Li Shimin. Xue Zhiqian had dryly written "decree."
Fang Er carefully read the decree, which was about investigating corrupt officials. "Come, for this section, let me tell you about it again. Change the title to: Is it the distortion of human nature, or the degradation of morality, that leads the always upright him to the path of corruption!"
After speaking, he turned to look at Xue Zhiqian again.
Xue Zhiqian's eyes widened. He could already imagine the immense attraction and impact this title would have when it appeared before the public. "My lord, I will go back and revise it immediately!"
Fang Er nodded and then instructed, "Remember, the title must be attractive, and the font size must be large! It must stand out!"
Xue Zhiqian took back the newspaper. "Yes, my lord, I understand."
After saying that, he went back to reformat. An hour later, Fang Er's drawings were not yet finished, and Xue Zhiqian brought the newspaper again. After a general look, Fang Er nodded. "This time it's acceptable. You can go back for now and wait for my notification."
After instructing Xue Zhiqian, Fang Er took the newspaper straight to the imperial palace.
In the Liangji Hall, Li Shimin casually set aside a memorial he had just finished approving and picked up another one, saying without looking up, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. If you have a fart to release, release it. I still have a pile of memorials to review."
Fang Er was speechless. Setting aside their uncle-nephew relationship, even as ruler and minister, they shouldn't speak like this. "Where is the etiquette? Did the dog eat it?"
"Well, Your Majesty, your subject discussed a business with the Prince of Hejian yesterday and would like to ask Your Majesty to review it."
Li Shimin slammed the memorial shut and looked at Fang Er askance. "Hey! You've done so many businesses, when did you think of me? In your eyes, don't I lack money?"
Fang Er gave a wry smile. Could it be that this guy was jealous that he was doing business and making money with Cheng Yaojin and the others?
"Your Majesty, please look at this first."
Saying that, he didn't bother with the eunuch to pass it along. He walked forward himself and placed the newspaper on Li Shimin's imperial desk. The eunuch standing in the corner looked resentful. "Damn it. Do you take me for a transparent person!"
Li Shimin just glanced at him and said nothing. He picked up the newspaper and began to read the content.
"Outside Chengtian Gate, a Sow Dies Violently on the Spot. Regarding this matter, His Majesty the Emperor himself sighs at the decline of public morals. Is it the distortion of human nature, or the degradation of morality, that leads the always upright him to the path of corruption? Between men and women, the things that must be said! This shop, in broad daylight, is doing such things! It is said that the persimmons from Li Ji Orchard are poisonous. Let's see what the truth is."
Just a glance at the titles, and Li Shimin was so angry that his beard was quivering. He directly rolled up the newspaper and threw it at Fang Er. "What kind of nonsensical stuff have you stirred up!" "This business! If you dare to do it, I dare to seal your shop!"
Fang Er picked up the newspaper and looked at Li Shimin with a roguish smile. "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Change your perspective. From the standpoint of an ordinary scholar, just tell me, after reading the titles, do you have the urge to continue reading?"
Li Shimin became even more furious upon hearing Fang Er's words! Smoke billowed from his seven orifices, and he slapped the imperial desk, knocking off a stack of memorials. "As the dignified ruler of a nation, how could I be curious about such things! You are deceiving the emperor!"
Fang Er was unhappy. "Deceiving the emperor, my ass! Your Majesty, if you say it like that, it's no fun. What you think in your heart is what you think. Why not admit it? I had people test-read this newspaper, and everyone who read it said it was good! If you don't believe me, find a few people to read it!"
Li Shimin's mouth twitched. His temper flared, and he felt a pain in his liver! "Summon! Duke of Zheng, Duke of Liang, Duke of Cai, Prince of Hejian!"
The eunuch in the corner was already trembling. Hearing Li Shimin's words, he scurried out. Then, Fang Er and Li Shimin in the hall were locked in a stare-down. A quarter of an hour later, the four summoned individuals entered the hall one after another.
Li Shimin pointed at the newspaper in Fang Er's hand and looked at Li Xiaogong. "Ninth brother! Did you and Fang Er start this newspaper together?"
From the family's generational order, Li Xiaogong was the ninth. Li Shimin, in his anger, blurted it out, not even using official titles. He even called Fang Anzhi by his name.
Li Xiaogong looked bewildered. It was true that he and Fang Er had started this together, but wasn't this a good deed for the country and the people? Why was the second brother so angry?
"Your Majesty, it is true that your subject and the Marquis of Liaodong started this together. However, this newspaper is indeed beneficial to the country and the people, and even highly beneficial to Your Majesty. May I know why Your Majesty dislikes it so much?"
Li Shimin was stunned for a moment. He hadn't carefully read the content on it. He had only lost his temper after looking at the titles. Now that he thought about it, he felt a tingling sensation, and suddenly had the urge to read it carefully. But how could he ask for it? He had thrown it away himself. So, he stared at Fang Er.
"You explain it to me!"
Seeing that Li Shimin's tone had softened, Fang Er analyzed the benefits of the newspaper in front of everyone. He particularly emphasized the disadvantages it posed to the aristocratic families.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui looked shocked! A small piece of paper could have such a significant effect. But upon careful consideration, every word Fang Er said made sense. So, they stepped forward.
Fang Xuanling: "Your Majesty, your subject believes that this newspaper is indeed a good thing."
Du Ruhui: "Your Majesty, your subject concurs. Please permit the newspaper to be distributed and vigorously promoted!"
Li Shimin felt a little awkward. The things he had just refuted were being praised by Fang and Du. How could this be tolerated? "Duke Fang, Duke Du, don't jump to conclusions yet. Look at what this brat has written on the newspaper! It's full of vulgar and filthy words!"