Chapter 178: Chapter 115: This Kid... Is He Really Only in His Early Twenties?? He’s Too Cunning!

That was precisely the issue.

Many of the officials in this province, both high and low, were his proteges.

Or, to put it another way, they were all in the same boat as him, the Governor.

If the paper suddenly went after one of his proteges one day...

If the situation escalated, the investigation might trace its way back to him.

The whole boat might go up in flames, and that would be the end of everything.

This was what the Governor feared most.

And Lu Yuan’s words had struck a chord, hitting on the Governor’s deepest concerns.

Instantly, the Governor’s expression softened considerably.

A faint smile finally appeared on his face as he said,

"When it comes to articles involving Court officials, one must be cautious.

It’s a great relief that you understand this.

I’m not worried about much else, only that your newspaper might publish baseless accusations and wrongly condemn a good official.

If that’s the case, then I can indeed rest easy.

Alright, up you get. Besides, we’re practically family, you and I."

Upon hearing this, regardless of Lu Yuan’s reaction,

Song Meiqin, who stood at the side, let out a huge sigh of relief.

Seeing her husband stand up to the Governor just now had nearly scared her out of her wits.

’Who acts like that? This is the Governor we’re talking about!’

Seeing that the crisis had passed, a smile finally graced Song Meiqin’s face.

After they both rose and took their seats,

before they could say anything, the Governor, still not quite ready to give up, spoke again:

"In that case, I have one more question.

How is the Zhao Family’s newspaper able to print so quickly and in such large quantities?

Why don’t you share this method so the government can establish its own paper? Wouldn’t that be more authoritative?"

’Since Lu Yuan refuses to hand over the newspaper, no matter what...’

’...then I’ll just start one myself!’

’It’s like a weapon.’

’You have a weapon, and since I can’t take it from you, I must at least have one of my own.’

The Governor had this idea yesterday when he first saw the newspaper.

And seeing it again today, he was truly amazed.

’What kind of technology could possibly allow for such a terrifying printing speed?’

If the government wanted to start a newspaper, it would absolutely need this technology.

It would be impossible to get it off the ground otherwise.

How could a monthly paper ever compete with the influence of one published thirty times a month?

And as long as the government could also establish a newspaper...

...then it wouldn’t matter whether they acquired Lu Yuan’s or not.

After all, with the government’s backing, anything it published would naturally be seen as more authoritative.

It would quickly push the Zhao Family’s newspaper out of the market.

’And this request,’ the Governor thought, ’surely Lu Yuan can’t refuse this one, can he?’

’After all, there’s no reason for him to refuse!’

Lu Yuan wasn’t a fool; how could he fail to understand the meaning behind the Governor’s words?

But...

’I still can’t hand it over.’

’As for what to say...’

Lu Yuan had already prepared his response. He immediately cupped his hands, a troubled expression on his face, and said:

"Your Excellency, it’s not that I am unwilling to cooperate on this matter.

It’s just that the newspaper’s operations are exceedingly complex. The Zhao Family’s...

The reason the Taiping City paper has fresh news every day is that the Zhao Family has many people making daily deliveries to the surrounding counties.

They hear all sorts of new things on their delivery routes.

It’s a side benefit.

If the government were to run it, I’m afraid it would be quite difficult. After all, there are some things the common folk are unwilling to say to officials.

Furthermore... I truly would not recommend the government start its own newspaper."

Oh?

Hearing this, the Governor gave Lu Yuan a peculiar look.

"What makes you say that?"

Lu Yuan immediately gave a sly wink and said,

"Your Excellency is only worried that the newspaper might tarnish the reputations of Court officials.

But what Your Excellency may not realize is that this newspaper can also make an official who truly serves the people famous far and wide, securing their place in the annals of history!

Your Excellency, just think. An article praising an official.

Would the people find it more believable reading it in a private newspaper, or in one run by the government?"

The Governor blinked and said,

"From a private one, naturally...

A government paper...

...that would just be tooting its own horn, wouldn’t it?"

Lu Yuan grinned and said,

"Exactly. For example, tomorrow’s headline in the Shenling Daily... I heard, and this is just a rumor, mind you...

I heard that a few of the writers are planning to praise Your Excellency’s brilliant and decisive handling of this affair, your swift response, and how you acted on behalf of the people.

They plan on praising you quite extensively, Your Excellency.

Praise like that, coming from the Shenling Daily, is sure to be spread far and wide by the people.

If it came from a government paper...

...then people would surely have their doubts.

Don’t you think?"

As Lu Yuan finished speaking, the Governor stared at him, his eyes filled with utter astonishment.

’This kid...’

’Is he really only in his early twenties?’

’He’s far too cunning!!’