Chapter 59: The Merchants Targeting the Great Ming Daily!

Upon careful reflection, the destiny of Chongzhen was, in truth, an absolute tragedy.

This was because he was never the prime candidate for the throne.

Had no unforeseen calamities befell the Great Ming Dynasty, he would never have become emperor. Growing up carefree, he would have eventually departed for his designated fiefdom, living out his days as a leisurely and untethered prince.

Yet, worldly affairs are profoundly unpredictable.

The Tianqi Emperor, Chongzhen's older brother, passed away suddenly without leaving any male heirs.

In accordance with the traditions of the House of Zhu—prioritizing legitimate sons over collateral branches, elder sons over younger ones, and brothers succeeding brothers—Chongzhen, a prince who had never once been exposed to the dark arts of imperial succession and political maneuvering, was abruptly thrust onto the imperial throne.

Because of the Tianqi Emperor's parting words on his deathbed—"My brother shall be a Yao or a Shun"—Chongzhen worked himself to the bone after ascending the throne, or perhaps, one might argue, he bumbled about making things worse.

Regardless, during his fourteen years as emperor, far from bringing prosperity to the Great Ming, Chongzhen reduced the realm to its present wretched state.

He busied himself with affairs of state almost every single day, turning his hair completely white at a remarkably young age.

He grudged every penny spent on food and clothing, partaking in a meal with meat only once every two or three days. When his robes tore, he had Empress Zhou mend them. His frugality bore no resemblance whatsoever to that of an emperor.

The geographical scope of Chongzhen’s entire life was practically confined within the capital city!

Historically, from the moment of his birth until his final suspension from Coal Hill, Chongzhen never once stepped foot outside the city walls of Beijing. Perhaps there were times when he longed to venture out, but the opportunity never presented itself, and certain factions had no desire to see him leave.

How profoundly pathetic!

An emperor imprisoned within the Forbidden City by a collective of civil officials and military generals, unable to take a single step beyond its bounds even unto his dying day.

Zhu Cailang had no desire to become that sort of emperor in the future. Therefore, when the opportune moment arrived, he would undoubtedly lead his armies on a personal imperial expedition!

Before that could happen, however, he needed to diligently practice his horsemanship; otherwise, tumbling off his steed when the time came would be an utter humiliation.

Roughly an hour later, Li Ruolian arrived at the Imperial Stud Bureau with a face beaming with joy. He refrained from disturbing Zhu Cailang's equestrian practice, standing quietly to one side until Zhu Cailang had grown weary and walked over.

"What is making you smile so broadly?"

Zhu Cailang asked with a hint of curiosity, accepting a towel from a eunuch to wipe his hands.

Li Ruolian hastily cupped his hands in salute and replied:

"Reporting to Your Imperial Highness, per Grand Secretary Xue's instructions, the Great Ming Press printed a total of two thousand copies of the *Great Ming Daily* last night."

"This subordinate initially thought it would take at least half a day to sell out, but unexpectedly, every single copy was gone in little more than an hour."

"The children selling the *Great Ming Daily* were immediately swarmed the moment they stepped outside, and the papers in their hands were snatched up in an instant."

"The furthest ones hadn't even finished running three streets before they were completely sold out."

"Upon investigation, this subordinate discovered that a portion of these buyers were merchants. Having recognized the commercial potential of the *Great Ming Daily*, they intend to transport the newspapers to distant regions to turn a profit."

"This subordinate deemed this a favorable development, and thus chose not to interfere."

Hearing this, Zhu Cailang nodded and said:

"You did the right thing. There is no need to obstruct such endeavors."

"It is a good thing for merchants to purchase the newspapers, because driven by profit, they will carry the *Great Ming Daily* to far-flung places, allowing a greater number of people to read it—and that is precisely the outcome this prince desires."

It had to be said that the growth rate of the *Great Ming Daily* far exceeded Zhu Cailang's expectations.

He had originally assumed it would take several days to capture the attention of merchants, yet to his surprise, by the very next day, they were already scrambling to profit from it.

In the city of Beijing, a copy of the *Great Ming Daily* sold for a mere two copper cash, but in the provinces, the price would at least multiply tenfold.

In even more remote locales, a hundredfold increase was by no means out of the question.

These merchants served as the optimal vehicle for the dissemination of the *Great Ming Daily*. Relying on their distribution networks, the newspaper would gradually propagate to the surrounding regions.

Meanwhile, Li Ruolian continued:

"Furthermore, regarding the leasing of advertising space in the *Great Ming Daily*—"

"Starting this morning, merchants have successively come to us for negotiations. As per Your Highness's previous instructions, the rental of advertising space begins at one tael of silver, with no upper limit."

"Thus far, some twenty merchants have paid the silver, totaling over fifty taels. We can begin running advertisements for them tomorrow."

A smile instantly broke across Zhu Cailang's face upon hearing this.

As expected, the foresight of these merchants exceeded his imagination.

Not only had they so quickly recognized the profits to be made from selling the *Great Ming Daily*, but they had also set their sights on the advertising space.

Yet, upon reflection, it was entirely natural. Within a single day, the *Great Ming Daily* had swept through the entire capital like a tempest, becoming a household name known to virtually everyone.

With such formidable advertising efficacy, how could these merchants possibly let the opportunity slip through their fingers?

Naturally, Zhu Cailang did not expect the *Great Ming Daily* to generate astronomical wealth; as long as it could partially subsidize its own operations, that would suffice.

"You have done well!"

Zhu Cailang praised.

"In addition, tomorrow we should print a larger quantity of newspapers. As for those merchants who wish to resell the *Great Ming Daily*, you may coordinate with them and have them pay their silver in advance for reservations."

"Then, on the following day, they need only come directly to the Great Ming Press to collect their allotment."

"However, their copies of the *Great Ming Daily* must not be sold within the capital; they may only be vended in places outside the capital."

"This ensures both that the *Great Ming Daily* spreads swiftly to other regions and that the common folk of the capital retain access to purchase it."

"Beyond that, we can also offer a delivery service to the estates of wealthy and prominent families."

"For instance, while the standard price of a single copy of the *Great Ming Daily* is two copper cash, if they are willing to pay five cash, someone will personally deliver the newspaper straight to their manor every single day."

"Should manpower prove insufficient, continue recruiting young vagrants from the streets. Even if they are somewhat older, it matters not; consider it providing them with a means of earning a livelihood."

Clearly, Zhu Cailang had transplanted the newspaper-delivery model of his past life directly into the Great Ming.

Hearing this, Li Ruolian’s eyes lit up instantly.

He had to admit that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's ideas were exceptionally brilliant!

Such concepts were certainly beyond his own imagination.

At that moment, as Zhu Cailang thought of something else, he continued:

"Right, the *Great Ming Daily* is enjoying the peak of its popularity right now, and there is no guarantee that malicious actors won't attempt to cause trouble. Ensure that guards are posted through the night to prevent any mishaps."

"Rest assured, Your Imperial Highness, this subordinate knows how to handle it!"

Li Ruolian hastily acknowledged.

Just as Zhu Cailang was about to add something further, a young eunuch rushed over in a flurry, shouting:

"Your Imperial Highness! Master Bi Maokang and Master Bi Wenxuan request your presence immediately! They claim that the colored glaze has been successfully manufactured!"

What?

Hearing this, Zhu Cailang instantly perked up and hurried over without delay.

Upon arriving at the palace specifically cleared for the Firearms Research Institute, Zhu Cailang found both Bi Maokang and Bi Wenxuan waiting.

At that moment, the expressions of both men were fraught with excitement, resembling Christopher Columbus upon discovering the New World.

"Your Imperial Highness! It was a success! Truly a success! Following your methodology, this subordinate has successfully manufactured colored glaze!"

"It is nothing short of miraculous!"

Catching sight of Zhu Cailang, Bi Wenxuan hurried forward holding an object in his hands, his face flushed with jubilation.

Immediately afterward, Zhu Cailang looked down at the tray in Bi Wenxuan's grasp, where three nearly transparent panes of glass rested prominently.

To be precise, these were not flat sheets, but rather block-like pieces, a result of using specific molds during the process.

Of course, that was of no consequence; the vital point was that this substance was undeniably glass!