Chapter 48: The Ming Daily and the Ming Monthly Review!

Setting down the newspaper, Zhu Cilang looked at Xue Guoguan and asked, “How many copies of the Ming Daily can we print tomorrow?”

Xue Guoguan thought for a moment before replying, “Since this is just the beginning and we’re still getting accustomed to the process, we can probably print around five hundred copies. But that number will increase over time.”

Zhu Cilang nodded. Printing five hundred copies right from the start was already quite commendable, especially considering the scarcity of printing machines at this time.

With that in mind, Zhu Cilang asked again, “What do you think is a suitable price for the Ming Daily?”

Xue Guoguan hesitated briefly, then countered, “Your Highness, you mentioned before that the newspaper isn’t meant for profit, but rather to convey the court’s decrees and ideology, correct?”

“Exactly,” Zhu Cilang confirmed with a nod, encouraging him to continue.

“In that case, I suggest setting the price at two wen per copy,” Xue Guoguan said earnestly. “Two wen is about the cost of a simple sesame cake on the market, so ordinary people can afford it easily, which will help the Ming Daily circulate widely.”

“Moreover, as per Your Highness’s previous instructions, I’ve reserved some space on the back page for advertisements marked ‘For Rent’.”

“Once the Ming Daily gains influence and spreads, merchants in the capital will surely seek to purchase these ad spaces on their own accord.”

“That should help recoup some of the losses.”

Priced at two wen per copy, the Ming Daily would effectively cost about the same as a two-dollar newspaper in later times. However, printing costs in ancient times were vastly different.

In later eras, the cost to print a single newspaper might be just a few cents, but in the Ming era, it could be close to ten silver coins per copy—not counting labor costs.

In other words, the Ming Daily was currently being sold at a loss.

Truthfully, Zhu Cilang’s own reasonable price estimate was around five wen, so he hadn’t expected Xue Guoguan to suggest as low as two wen.

This meant each copy would lose eight wen.

But... Zhu Cilang could afford that loss.

With this in mind, he nodded and said, “Very well, let it be as you say—the Ming Daily will be priced at two wen.”

“Your Highness is wise!” Xue Guoguan flattered with a slight bow, then as if recalling something, added, “There is one more suggestion I wish to offer.”

Zhu Cilang remained silent but nodded for him to continue.

“This pertains to the distribution of the Ming Daily. I believe its sale should be unique and not handled like ordinary goods placed at the city gates,” Xue Guoguan explained.

“We also cannot send officials to sell it, as common folk instinctively avoid them.”

“By chance, earlier today, I saw a group of street urchins in the city.”

“A sudden idea struck me: I gathered these children together and had uniforms made for them, emblazoned with the name ‘Ming Daily’.”

“The effect was remarkable—they looked entirely transformed.”

“Therefore, I propose employing these street urchins as dedicated sellers of the Ming Daily.”

“For each copy sold, they would receive a one-wen commission, providing them with a means of livelihood. What does Your Highness think of this plan?”

At these words, Zhu Cilang was momentarily speechless.

Xue Guoguan’s idea was exactly what he himself had been considering—assembling all the street urchins in the capital to sell the newspaper.

First, common people wouldn’t be averse to children approaching them; second, it would offer these kids a way to earn a living.

He hadn’t expected Xue Guoguan to think the same way.

Undeniably, this man was truly talented.

Zhu Cilang then nodded and said, “Let it be as you say.”

“Additionally, tomorrow morning, deliver copies of the Ming Daily to every major teahouse and tavern in the capital, instructing them that only content from the Ming Daily should be discussed.”

“Assign several people to post copies in crowded public spaces, with others standing by to explain the content to passersby.”

“In short, by tomorrow, everyone in the capital must know of the Ming Daily’s existence!”

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan scratched his head awkwardly.

He had already issued all these orders and was simply awaiting the morning to begin execution.

However, out of respect for the Crown Prince, he said with a bow, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I know exactly what to do.”

After a pause, Zhu Cilang seemed to recall something else and continued, “It will be no problem to spread the Ming Daily throughout the capital, but that is not enough—I want the Ming Daily to appear in every prefecture and county across the entire Ming realm.”

“And it must be posted at the entrance of every county government office, so all citizens can see it.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan’s expression grew troubled.

Before he could speak, Zhu Cilang anticipated his thoughts and said, “I know what you want to say—that this is impossible.”

“The Ming realm is vast; some regions are blocked by mountains and rivers, others are extraordinarily remote, perhaps unreachable for two or three months.”

“Delivering the Ming Daily to every prefecture and county sounds like a fool’s dream, doesn’t it?”

Xue Guoguan wanted to agree but reason told him not to, so he quickly shook his head.

“I would never entertain such thoughts!”

Zhu Cilang paid him no mind and continued, “I have already considered this. At the end of each month, all the Ming Daily issues printed that month will be reprinted and compiled into a Ming Monthly Report.”

“Then, the report will be sent to the provincial governor’s offices, who will distribute them to the prefectural offices, which in turn will pass them on to county offices.”

“This way, all citizens across the realm will have access to the Ming Daily.”

“Remote areas may receive them months later, but a delay is acceptable as long as they eventually see them.”

Xue Guoguan was utterly stunned.

He could hardly believe that this Crown Prince was so astute—he hadn’t even thought of this plan himself.

Considering the Crown Prince was only about thirteen or fourteen years old, when he ascends the throne as an adult, the civil and military officials will have a hard time keeping up.

Regaining composure, Xue Guoguan bowed deeply, “Your Highness, rest assured, I know what must be done.”

“If there are no further instructions, I will take my leave. The Ming Daily still requires my supervision.”

Although the Ming Daily had been produced, it was the first time, so Xue Guoguan intended to personally oversee the printing to prevent any mishaps.

“Go then. Thank you for your hard work,” Zhu Cilang said, then turned to Ma Bao standing at the door.

“Ma Bao, fetch a batch of the tribute tea from Yunnan for Lord Xue to take with him.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Bao quickly scurried off.