Chapter 193: Dong Gong's Seven Strategies Determine Victory or Defeat

May 2nd.

After a whole day of fermentation and spreading.

The story of the military heroes of Baihu City, the wealthy businessmen of Qinglong City and Xuanwu City using the Tianjing Newspaper to make a living and to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits finally reached the ears of the citizens of Suzaku City.

Most of these citizens are families whose families work in various prefectures.

Their monthly income is already higher than that of the people around them, and they can always get news from the "upper class". Now when they hear that they can spend only five cents to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits, who would not want to do this?
In a small residential courtyard in Suzaku City.

"Wife, when you buy newspapers later, buy a few hundred more."

"We only need one newspaper, right? Can pasting a few more bring more luck and ward off evil?"

"Women are short-sighted! This Tianjing Newspaper has the effect of bringing good fortune and warding off evil. No one knew it yesterday. After today, I'm afraid it will be hard to buy a single copy of this newspaper. By then, we will have hundreds of copies in our hands and sell them to the neighbors for five cents more. They will thank us!"

"The boss is still the best!"

······
Suzaku City, Novel Building.

Today, when the storytelling shop opened for business, the novelist in charge noticed something strange: many women squeezed in with baskets and went straight to the "newsstand".

"Waiter, give me a copy of Tianjing Newspaper!"

A woman spoke first and said that she bought it just to cover the door.

"I'll take two!"

Someone immediately urged to follow suit, and she bought it back, mainly thinking of giving a copy to her in-laws, and at the same time showing off in front of her in-laws, and by the way, showing off that her husband had been promoted to the second-class steward of the General's Mansion, which was how he was able to know such important news!

"I want two hundred copies!"

As soon as this voice came out, the people around suddenly became quiet.

The woman was as proud as a victorious peacock. She took out a tael of silver, looked up, and shouted to the waiter, "Why are you still standing there? Don't you see the silver?"

The waiter was completely confused, wondering how the newspapers that were only selling slowly yesterday became so popular today. He didn't understand, but the ladies of Tianjing did.

"Tianjing News" can bring blessings and ward off evil.

This reason is enough.

After noon, a large number of ordinary people began to paste their doors with newspapers they had read, and the black and white papers sparkled under the scorching sun.

This is the best publicity.

Newspapers were like snowflakes, blown into thousands of homes in Tianjing by the strong wind from above.

Viral propaganda spread in this era, one person told ten people, ten people told a hundred people, and for a time paper was in great demand in Tianjing!

······
Siminfu.

Dong Xingshu had long since gotten rid of the tired look he showed yesterday. Today he summoned all the officials in the court to discuss the matter of the Tianjing News.

There are a lot of people this time.

Not only the Minister of Education Tang Anshi, the Vice Minister of Elephants Wang Jizhen, but also a large number of fourth- and fifth-rank officials. He just wanted to see what they said so that he could decide what to do.

After noon, the news that the Tianjing News had become popular in the four cities had also reached the ears of the officials present.

Every moment a servant came in to report the situation, and each time the hearts of those present sank a little more.

When the servant finally came in cautiously and said, "The Tianjing Newspaper in the thirty-six storytelling houses has been sold out. Do we need to count the newspapers in those merchants?"

Everyone's heart sank to the bottom.

After a while, Dong Xingshu asked, "How is the sales of Awakening Newspaper?"

The servant answered carefully, "Less than yesterday."

"How could this happen!?"

A fifth-rank censor spoke up eagerly, "That crappy article obviously didn't sell very well yesterday!"

Dong Xingshu said in a deep voice, "Be careful with your words!"

His words this time were very powerful and directly suppressed the voice of the fifth-rank censor.

The crap article the other party was talking about actually contained a "sacred edict". Although everyone present was a Confucianist, it could not reach the ears of the Queen Mother.

If the Queen Mother used this as an excuse, it would be easy for her to take down a fifth-rank censor!

Now that Zhou Tieyi is so powerful, it is really not appropriate for him to quarrel with the Queen.

After being reminded of this, the censor immediately realized that he had spoken out of turn. He glanced cautiously at Zhao Guanshan who was also sitting there.

However, Zhao Guanshan looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and looked as if he couldn't understand the meaning of these words.

"It is my fault."

The censor stood up and bowed to Dong Xingshu and Zhao Guanshan respectively.

Zhao Guanshan remained calm, which frightened the censor so much that he broke out in a cold sweat. He even suddenly blamed Dong Xingshu in his heart. Although Zhao Guanshan was Wang Menglong's student, why did he summon him for this matter? Wasn't this obviously leaking the news to the Queen Mother?
Dong Xingshu looked at Zhao Guanshan and said, "This matter ends here."

Zhao Guanshan stopped being silent and said with a smile, "I was just thinking about the Tianjing Newspaper and didn't hear what he was saying. I was really confused."

The Minister of Education Tang Anshi sighed in his heart.

Pushing Zhao Guanshan to the Tianjing Guard was a last resort at that time, and it put a nail in the emperor's hands.

But now they have to win over Zhao Guanshan.

If it was such a big deal, Zhao Guanshan wouldn't even get involved.

Then even if Zhao Guanshan was Wang Menglong's student, he would gradually drift away from Confucianism.

The gains and losses need to be weighed repeatedly to find the balance point. Many times, one can only consider the balance and not the right or wrong, so it is not easy to be an official.

"I heard that it was the Zhou family who ordered the military heroes and merchants to announce that the Tianjing Newspaper could bring good fortune and ward off evil."

He brought the topic back to the Tianjing News.

Ridiculous talk!

A large number of fifth- and fourth-rank officials made judgments in their hearts.

They have passed the stage of "common people" and naturally know that the so-called "Queen of Heaven brings blessings and generals exorcise evil spirits" is just market talk.

However, with the example of the censor earlier, no one dared to speak out.

Dong Xingshu looked calm.

After figuring out yesterday why Zhou Tieyi wrote vernacular Chinese, he didn't find it strange when he saw today how Zhou Tieyi's methods could make paper expensive in Tianjing overnight.

If he didn't have such means, how could Zhou Tieyi dare to declare war on Confucianism, Legalism, Novelism, Historia and other schools?
"A gentleman's virtue is like the wind, while a villain's virtue is like grass. He is making up stories without any basis."

Wang Jizhen sighed and said that he was also in charge of the affairs of the "Awakening Newspaper".

Although he didn't make any mistakes now, he was still being beaten by Zhou Tieyi.

Then he could only praise Zhou Tieyi a little to avoid putting the blame on himself.

It’s not that I, Wang Jizhen, didn’t work hard, it’s that the enemy is too fierce!
"That's inappropriate!"

Zhu Qingyi said, "How can Zhou Tieyi be so virtuous..."

At this point, Zhu Qingyi glanced at Zhao Guanshan before continuing, "It's just a trick to borrow favor!"

Dong Xingshu interrupted and said, "Now that things have come to this, do you have any good ideas to help the Confucianists and Legalists get back on their feet with the Awakening Newspaper?"

When this question was asked, everyone looked a little embarrassed.

If they really had a way, they would have taken control of the "Awakening Newspaper" long ago. Why would they come together today to discuss countermeasures?

Suddenly, an official spoke up, "Since he is taking advantage of the emperor's favor, we will accuse him of disrespect!"

"How dare he put 'sacred oracle' and 'Oiran' together? How can His Majesty teach the people of the world?"

If you can't find a way to solve your own problems, then attack the enemy and put the blame on them.

This is generally the case with political struggles around the world.

As long as I can eliminate my political enemies, my plan is the only solution even if it is wrong.

"That makes sense."

"Yes, Zhou Tieyi is ignorant of education and tries to control the people with words. This is extremely disrespectful!"

"Everyone in the world talks about the truth, but they respect the words of the saints. His whole article does not contain a single word of saintly words. How dare he educate the world?"

······
With a specific target to attack, the originally silent gentlemen became excited, like fighting cocks about to enter the ring.

It seems that not attacking Zhou Tieyi at this time would mean being politically incorrect.

Tang Anshi frowned slightly, vaguely feeling that something was wrong, and looked at Dong Xingshu, while Dong Xingshu looked normal. He wrote down the names of those who had been so cautious and didn't speak much just now. These talents are worth cultivating.

Dong Xingshu had figured it out yesterday. It is better to unblock than to block. He cannot control the opinions of the scholars in Tianjin, and he cannot even control all the Confucian factions. He can only control the people who can be trained and let the fools make trouble. When they hit a wall, he will promote those who can be trained and clean up the mess!
"What you said makes sense."

Dong Xingshu spoke up and made a judgment.

Then he made a second decision, "Reduce the price of Awakening Newspaper to five cents a copy."

Wang Jizhen gritted his teeth and asked, "How do we make up for this loss?"

He didn't want to speak, but the matter of "Awakening Newspaper" fell on his shoulders!

He can't play dumb at this time, otherwise Wang Jizhen will be in trouble!
Previously, each copy was sold for thirty-five cents, at a loss of three cents, and the major bookstores controlled by Confucianists were already being pressured to pay this amount.

Now the price has dropped to five cents per copy. How are the major bookstores going to make ends meet with such a huge loss?
Even if they bite the bullet and pay the loss, can they compare with Zhou Tieyi who has the support of merchants?
Wang Jizhen's very realistic words made all the gentlemen who were just excited shut up.

After a while, the official who had violated the taboo asked cautiously, "Let those merchants pay?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Guanshan was immediately amused.

Such empty talk is harming the country, so it’s not worth taking to heart!

Zhao Guanshan smiled, and the officials who were still thinking about it reacted instantly.

In the past, they forced merchants to pay money because their words were the final word and the merchants had to listen no matter how reluctant they were.

But it’s different now, with Zhou Tieyi as a role model.

Others asked me, the merchant, to pay the money, but they gave me, the merchant, a whole page of newspaper to write that the money should be paid, and everyone in the world would think it was reasonable after reading it.

Taking this example, if you Confucians ask us merchants to pay, that's fine. Of course, I, a merchant, can treat everyone equally.

But can you Confucians treat everyone equally?

Should your Confucian newspaper Awakening the World also allocate a page for us businessmen to write for?
If you can't even do this, then how can you Confucianists teach benevolence?

But this is exactly what Confucianism cannot do. If "Xingshi Bao" added "commerce", should it also add "treasures" and "oiran" in the future?
They don't even dare to use small tricks to pressure businesses.

Because that bastard Zhou Tieyi would definitely dare to write about this matter in the Tianjing News and let the people of the world judge it!
Dong Xingshu felt that the people present were not worth cooperating with. He sighed and said, "Contact the academies all over the world, whether they are Confucianists, historians, or famous scholars. Give them the right to write articles in the Awakening Newspaper. Let them make up for this shortfall!"

After hearing this, the gentlemen were silent for a while.

Then the Minister of Education Tang Anshi exclaimed, "This is a brilliant plan. This grammar dispute cannot be solved by just the Confucianists and Legalists. The Confucians, historians, and even the Yin-Yang School, the Diplomats, the Agriculturalists, and the Mohists also need to contribute!"

In feudal times, opening an academy was a big business.

Academies throughout the country not only enjoy tax exemptions and government subsidies, but also receive countless amounts of tuition fees each year.

Even occupying thousands of acres of fertile land in the name of academy is a virtue.

No matter how resentful the people are, they will not object to the academies occupying the land, just like the people will not object to the temples and Taoist temples occupying the land.

The Confucianists present thought about it.

Although they did not think that the articles written by famous writers and historians were good, but the fact that they were published in the "Awakening Times" was much better than Zhou Tieyi's vernacular writings that dominated the world.

So they all nodded.

"Mr. Dong is right."

Even more cruel and direct.

"When Zhou Tieyi's newspaper disappears, our Confucianism will take back this authority. Mr. Dong's plan is very good and can bring peace to the world."

Faced with the praise, Dong Xingshu remained calm. Although this plan was good, it could only temporarily involve Zhou Tieyi. Even he couldn't figure out how Zhou Tieyi would respond next, so how could he dare to say the three words "peace in the world".

After thinking for a while, Dong Xingshu continued, "The third thing is that you should also inform your disciples to declare that the Awakening Newspaper can bring good fortune and ward off evil."

As soon as Dong Xingshu said this, everyone looked strange.

Although Confucians often tell some mythological stories on weekdays.

But now when others tell myths, I denounce them and then follow them to learn...

Even people as shameless as you guys don't know how to praise this plan for a moment.

Wang Jizhen clapped his hands and laughed, "Mr. Dong's plan is brilliant. The enemy is our teacher. It is the best to defeat him by using his own strategy!"

With Wang Jizhen's guidance, everyone started quoting scriptures, as if they wanted to seriously prove the principle of "bringing good fortune and warding off evil spirits".

Dong Xingshu felt annoyed after hearing this, and continued, "The fourth and fifth things, Brother Hong, you need to do them in person."

He looked at Hong Shigui, the third-rank novelist and Qiao Yongen's teacher.

Yesterday, Dong Xingshu finished reading the novels in the Tianjing News, and naturally thought of the novelist. Other novels were not easy to publish, but the "loyalty and righteousness" novels were originally promoted by Confucianism. Publishing them there was also to win over the novelist. He couldn't let Zhou Tieyi use up all the favors that Confucianism had accumulated with the novelist for hundreds of years with a copy of the Tianjing News.

Hong Shigui stood up and said respectfully, "Mr. Dong, please give your instructions."

"The fourth thing is simple. Brother Hong, please select novels by outstanding young novelists and publish them in the Awakening Newspaper."

Everyone present understood the meaning of Dong Xingshu's words.

The so-called 'outstanding juniors' are naturally the juniors of the 'loyalty' faction. It is impossible for them to be left to the 'Spring Palace' faction.

"It's easy."

Hong Shigui agreed directly.

"The fifth thing is, please ask Brother Hong to go to the Zhao residence."

Swish!
Everyone's eyes fell on Zhao Guanshan.

Only Zhao Guanshan frowned.

However, the censor who had accidentally offended Zhao Guanshan sneered in his heart.

Zhao Guanshan, you want to sit on the fence, but this is not going to be easy!

Wang Jizhen stroked the short beard under his chin. Dong Xingshu wanted to help Zhao Jia Shenxiu win the bet with Zhou Tiege!

With their level, when they watch the gambling fight between two juniors, they can naturally see the right time, place and people.

If it were in the past, they would naturally disdain to get involved in the gambling fight between two juniors.

But now Zhou Tieyi has pushed them too hard, and on the front battlefield, they can't do anything to Zhou Tieyi for the time being, so they can only find something else for Zhou Tieyi to do.

We can't let Zhou Tieyi attack Confucianism and they won't fight back.

Of course Hong Shigui knew that Dong Xingshu wanted to use his knife to kill someone, but Hong Shigui's disciple had just died at the hands of Zhou Tieyi, and it was precisely because he could not swallow this humiliation that he traveled thousands of miles to Tianjing.

Even though he didn't dare to kill Zhou Tiege easily because of the relationship between Taoist Yulong, but this time he had to suppress Zhou Tiege's arrogance and even cut off his military path to avenge this!

Zhao Guanshan was looked at by the gentlemen, he sighed, stood up and said, "With the help of Senior Hong, we will surely win this game."

"The sixth thing is to investigate all the Zhou family's former students and officials!"

This time, Dong Xingshu's voice was like a tiger's roar, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent like a knife.

He had previously asked his son to do this, but now he felt that his son could not do it well, so he had to ask everyone present to do it.

Previously, he might have been concerned about the wide scope of the impact and turned a blind eye to the Zhou family, only thinking about suppressing Zhou Tieyi.

But now, Zhou Tieyi is not afraid of offending the various schools of thought, so Dong Xingshu is naturally not afraid!
The brave wins when we meet on a narrow road.

This is a political struggle, a fight to the death!

Even if others are implicated, they can only blame their bad luck for becoming the soul killed by the knife. In the next life, they should not be officials but civilians!
Such murderous words made everyone present hold their breath.

When Dong Xingshu's murderous intent faded and the terrifying pressure of the orthodoxy dissipated, everyone stood up and said respectfully, "With Mr. Dong's six strategies, we can determine victory or defeat."

Everyone dispersed.

Dong Xingshu sat alone in the study.

However, unlike before when he was looking down on the world, he now only felt tired.

The six strategies just mentioned were merely stopgap measures. At his current point, he had already seen more.

He picked up the pen and wrote four big words.

If you are poor, you will want to change!

Today's Confucianism has been forced to this point by Zhou Tieyi!
Dong Xingshu was not scaring himself, but after Zhou Tieyi took action, one thing led to another, and he had already expected that Zhou Tieyi had a backup plan.

Railway Chamber of Commerce?

or more!
If you want to deal with Zhou Tieyi, you can't counter his moves, as that would be like just parroting his moves. You can only change first and then strike a fatal blow!
If Zhou Tieyi dares to take action against Zhou family’s disciples and former officials, then why should I, Dong Xingshu, not dare to take action against Confucianists?
However, there are so many factions in Confucianism, and the involvement is far more serious than that of Zhou's disciples and former officials. Even Dong Xingshu does not dare to end it easily.

He suddenly thought of two names and wrote them down on the paper.

Wang Mingyi, a disciple of Che Wenyuan, and Ke Anran, a Confucian scholar in blue.

Then he circled Wang Mingyi's name and crossed out Ke Anran's name.

The seventh strategy is to think of change when you are in trouble!

(End of this chapter)