Chapter 88: Shen Yu is really useful

Listening to Shen Yu’s endless narration, the Empress didn’t show much expression.

She just listened calmly until Shen Yu finished, then silently nodded.

“But Minister Shen, not everyone is literate.”

The Empress sighed deeply, then voiced her concern.

“Your Majesty, what I mean is… since you can issue an imperial decree to summon famous physicians from all over the country to the capital for the Medical Recruitment Exam, then why not use the influence of that exam and the small newspaper as a distribution channel to spread the methods of preparing and using these pills and vaccines across the nation?”

Shen Yu’s meaning was clear—this small newspaper was not for the peasants who toil in the fields.

She understood the limitations of this era, having experienced them in Qingfeng Village.

But now, all the propaganda channels in Qingfeng Village were still tightly controlled by Shen Yu.

Not only did they publish content beneficial to the industries of her Grandpa and maternal grandfather, but they also spread various epidemic prevention knowledge to every corner of the border.

This led to a significant improvement in hygiene standards.

“Different small newspapers have different uses. Those profound and inflammatory classical texts can be read by literati and scholar-officials, especially the young, passionate talents who are most easily moved by words that touch the soul.”

“And the vernacular small newspapers are for nationwide popularization, understandable by anyone with a bit of education, with at least some reach in counties and even townships.”

“As for the last type, it uses illustrations accompanied by some simple vernacular—it’s down to earth. This is suitable for everyone, even for early childhood education.”

Shen Yu analyzed it with great eloquence, and the Empress listened attentively.

She seemed more to be observing Shen Yu than pondering the plan itself.

Finally, when Shen Yu finished, the Empress silently nodded.

“Minister Shen seems quite experienced, as if… you’ve tried it yourself.”

“Your subject… I just had some inspiration while daydreaming.”

Shen Yu subconsciously lowered her head.

She had nearly blurted out the words “Of course.”

Before, this is what she had done at the border.

After all, basic hygiene knowledge there was abysmal, and Qingfeng Village’s reputation was rotten to the core.

That’s when Shen Yu thought of using the power of journalism.

Even now, half of Qingfeng Village’s control over the border came from Shen Yu’s manipulation of public opinion.

Currently, the entire system behind Shen Yu at the border had become so mature it couldn’t be more mature.

Even if Shen Yu wanted, she could create a public opinion environment at the border where only Qingfeng Village was the local emperor.

But could she say that?

Saying these things in front of the Emperor, and so convincingly… then Shen Yu truly had a way to seek death.

Even if she had cursed the Emperor countless times with Grandpa, and deep down had no more reverence for the Emperor, now she was still in the Emperor’s hands.

It was like a fat little lamb being held by a big bad wolf—when to eat it and how was entirely up to the wolf’s whim.

“Good idea. How about you help me implement it, Minister Shen? I will give you absolute authority. Whatever you need, I will not refuse.”

The Empress was genuinely interested in Shen Yu’s newspaper idea, even a bit tempted.

After all, upon careful thought, this newspaper was indeed a method currently on the table to directly bypass the noble families and control public opinion in return.

However… implementation was far too difficult.

But if Shen Yu had experience, combined with the Fenglin Guards, it might be worth considering.

“Your Majesty, I… I have no experience either.”

Shen Yu wanted to refuse.

She hadn’t expected that a few casual remarks about how to run the country would backfire on her.

She understood all too well how difficult it would be to implement this.

She couldn’t even manage the Mu’en Hall properly, let alone found a national newspaper.

The system at Qingfeng Village had taken her from age five up to now to set up.

The situation at the border was not much different from the current court situation.

The Empress felt a bit tired even as she said these words.

Going around in circles, using every means and inventing all sorts of pretexts, expending so much effort just to keep the noble families from obstructing her from saving the people.

Alas…

“The nation is on the verge of collapse, and every step is difficult.”

Along with the Empress’s long sigh, the room fell into prolonged silence.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation fell silent, but Xiao Yue, who was eavesdropping from the side hall, was filled with ambition and excitement.

Because she had finally discovered another good way to fight the noble families!

Shen Yu’s method of controlling newspapers was indeed effective.

If used well, it had limitless potential, even the ability to turn black into white!

Why is the Emperor afraid of the censors?

Isn’t it because the censors can say black is white, rave nonsense, and still not worry about being killed?

Perhaps early censors did have the function of admonishing the Emperor, but as the court situation evolved over generations, the position of censor had long since changed its flavor.

So couldn’t this newspaper do the same?

Early newspapers, following Shen Yu’s plan, would become a propaganda tool for the nation and people, for the people’s livelihood, for Jiangshan Sheji.

As they gradually accumulated reputation and prestige, they would become an absolute weapon for the royal family to control public opinion.

No matter how powerful the noble families are, can they surpass the unified voice of the entire nation?

If the Emperor scolds you a few times in the newspaper, it will lead the whole nation to scold you along.

“This is how imperial power should be used! It must be used like this!”

“That way, there’s no need to worry about government decrees becoming scrap paper once they leave the palace, and no need to worry about the noble families controlling the court.”

Brilliant plan, absolutely brilliant, a stroke of genius.

Xiao Yue had also heard something about various small newspapers and publications.

She had even seen some newspaper illustrated books from the border.

The content, to be honest… was a bit wild.

They even dared to criticize past emperors openly and covertly… and did so convincingly, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Maybe this was also one reason why those noble families sneered at and even feared these small newspapers?

Because the reputation was indeed bad.

The noble families opposed the Emperor, yes, but in the end they still relied on the Emperor for their livelihood, so they wouldn’t dare to break openly.

That the noble families dared not touch them was the biggest advantage for Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue dreamed of flattening those noble families, but unfortunately, she couldn’t.

Iron-clan noble families, fleeting dynasties.

Now some noble families were noble families even in the previous dynasty.

“Shen Yu, Shen Yu, if only you had said earlier that you are so useful. I’ve been treating you as just a physician…”

“I never thought the Empress Mother’s Medical Recruitment Exam would actually uncover a treasure.”

“In that case… I can’t let you go.”

“Xiao Tao, come here. Go prepare some gifts for me.”