Lin'an, ever since the "Beijing News" published the news that Huang Yougong, a shameless villain who slandered and attacked King Yong, committed suicide in fear of crime on the front page, the "Express News" that was behind it became infamous and was abandoned by the people of Lin'an. Its circulation dropped sharply. In a short period of time,
It was reduced to a status alongside other third-rate tabloids.
On the other hand, the "Yue Bao" backed by the Qian family and the "Su Bao" founded by several major gentry families in Suzhou were supported by the locals in Jiangnan because they were close to the local area and concerned about people's livelihood. The number of subscriptions surpassed the "Express News" in one fell swoop and became the second largest newspaper in the group.
Newspaper, second only to the Beijing News.
The media war in Lin'an has been put aside for the time being. As the main general in the battle to defend the reputation of King Yong, Wang Mu has always maintained a low profile. Not only Qin Hui or Emperor Zhao Gou, but even the chief writers within the newspaper believed that this time "Beijing"
The author of the article in the newspaper was Hu Yun, the special envoy of King Yong. No one took the newly arrived editor Zhang Jinhuang in their eyes.
This was also a protection for Wang Mu. He kept a low profile and kept a low profile. It was not until the day before yesterday that Wang Mu vetoed the article "Yong Wang's Central Plains Ambition" written by current political writer Cheng Jinshen that everyone realized that Zhang Jinhuang had the power of veto.
.
Soon, someone discovered that Zhang Jinhuang's salary was actually the same as that of the museum owner. Then everyone in the newspaper and library began to pay attention to Wang Mu and began to explore his origins. However, everything was in vain. No one compared this Zhang Jinhuang to Zhang Jun.
chief staff officer.
At noon, Wang Mu and Hu Yun were sitting together drinking tea in the six-seat teahouse. They often drank tea together. The two had similar temperaments and had the same acquaintance, and their personal relationship gradually became deeper.
Hu Yun took a sip of tea and asked with a smile: "Brother Shaofu, why did you reject the article "The Ambition of King Yong in the Central Plains"? The head of Yue Palace came to me the day before yesterday. He has some opinions on this!"
Wang Mu said calmly: "Have brother Hu Xian read that article?"
Hu Yun shook his head and said: "I haven't read it. I asked Yue Guan for this article, but he hasn't given it to me yet. However, I also think the name of this article is inappropriate. What is King Yong's ambition? It's uncomfortable to listen to.
, Master Yue should also know it well!"
Wang Mu added: "If it's just that the name is inappropriate, that's fine. If you change ambition to ambition, I'll pass it. The key is that the content is inappropriate."
"What's wrong with the content?" Hu Yunxiao asked.
"The content says that King Yong planned to seize the Central Plains and seize the strategic momentum. Sichuan and Shaanxi connected the Central Plains, forming a semi-encirclement of Jiangnan."
Hu Yun chuckled and said, "This chief writer is quite capable and sees things very clearly!"
Wang Mu shook his head, "Brother Hu, don't forget who our newspapers are for, it's for the common people and scholar-bureaucrats. First of all, it is only rumored that King Yong will send troops to the Central Plains, and it is not confirmed.
Even if we need to build momentum, we cannot say that King Yong sent troops to the Central Plains to surround Lin'an. What we want is justice. King Yong sent troops to the Central Plains to expel the Tartars and rescue the people of the Central Plains.
And that article didn’t talk about justice at all, it only talked about conspiracy. It was clearly an article from the Express, so how could it appear on the front page of the Beijing News?”
Hu Yun gave a thumbs up, "Uncle Zheng Guo really did not misjudge the person. With Brother Wang in charge of the newspaper office, the direction of the newspaper office will not be wrong!"
Wang Mu said with some worry in his eyes: "But there is something fishy about this matter. I have an ominous feeling."
Today, Wang Mu invited Hu Yun out for tea. Hu Yun immediately realized what Wang Mu should have discovered?
"To be more specific, what's so weird?"
"Ten days ago, the head of the Yue Museum made internal adjustments. Lao Ding, who was the main writer of current affairs, was transferred to the clothing category, and Cheng Jinshen, who was the main writer of literature, was transferred to the main writer of current affairs. Then a few days later, this article "Yong Wang's Central Plains Ambition"
An article appeared. The author was Cheng Jinshen, and during the ten days he was in charge of current affairs, there was no article about current affairs in Sichuan and Shaanxi. It was all about farming and sowing in the south, the transfer and promotion of officials in various places, disasters, etc., because of these
The report is indeed considered current affairs, and I did not object to it, but I think there is a problem with the direction."
Hu Yun's expression also became serious. He felt that Wang Mu still had unfinished words.
"Brother Shaofu, if you have anything else you want to say, just say it bluntly. The Beijing News is the mouthpiece of King Yong and cannot make any mistakes."
"Now that the Express is in decline, will Qin Hui admit defeat? If he cannot win the Beijing News by running a newspaper, will he change his strategy and start from within the Beijing News?"
"Are you saying that Master Yue was bribed by them?"
Wang Mu shook his head, "I'm not talking about the owner of the newspaper. Yue Chen is a pure newspaper manager and is not sensitive to politics. He spends all day thinking about how to push the "Beijing News" to the entire Jiangnan. Now the actual operation of the newspaper is composed of two
There are two deputy directors in charge, one is You Zhongwen, who is in charge of printing and distribution, and the other is chief writer Hou Liang, who is in charge of content. This change of writing post was carried out at the strong suggestion of You Zhongwen. As far as I know, the current political writer Cheng
To go deeper, You Zhongwen recommended that I be transferred to the current affairs department.”
"Then what is President Hou Liang's attitude?" Hu Yun asked again.
"He firmly opposed it at first, because it was his authority to transfer the chief writer. He argued with the director Yue every day, but then he suddenly became silent and did not interfere again. Something must have happened here."
"So you suspect that deputy director You Zhongwen has been bribed by Qin Hui?"
Wang Mu nodded, "Not only him, but also current political writer Cheng Jinshen."
"I understand. I will pay special attention to this matter. What else does Brother Shaofu have to do?"
Wang Mu was silent for a moment and said: "Zhang Jun has been reinstated as a bachelor, and he is also aware of privy affairs."
"He asked you to come back?" Hu Yun asked nervously.
"Not yet. He just invited me to bring my family to his house for a casual meal. I guess he will invite me back."
"Brother Shaofu, will you go back?" Hu Yun smiled a little dryly.
Wang Mu smiled faintly and said, "I don't think highly of him."
Hu Yun suddenly felt relieved and asked with a smile: "Why?"
"If he is smart, he should take this opportunity to escape and at least get peace in the second half of his life. But he is still greedy for power. How can Qin Hui tolerate him? If I am not wrong, he will be demoted before long.
!”
The two chatted for a few more words, and Hu Yun got up and left. He was thinking about investigating You Zhongwen.
In the evening, Wang Mu, his wife and children were invited to visit Zhang Jun's house. Zhang Jun originally wanted to continue serving as deputy prime minister, but Qin Hui strongly opposed it and had to give up.
After dinner, Wang Mu's wife and daughter went to the back house to chat with Zhang Jun's wife and mother. Wang Mu was invited to the study.
The maid came in and brought tea. Zhang Jun took a sip of tea and asked with a smile: "I heard that Lu Yihao recommended me to go to the Beijing News?"
Wang Mu nodded, "As an editor, the salary is pretty good!"
"If I guess correctly, the spear whisperer is the wise brother!"
"My lord, are you talking about those articles that refuted Huang Yougong?"
Zhang Jun nodded, "That's your handiwork, I can see it."
Wang Mu smiled and said: "I am the one who wrote the document, but my husband didn't see it. Is that the result of many people's deliberations?"
"Of course I know that this is the content provided by Jingzhao. You may not know the real situation. It's just the first time I have seen this kind of public opinion dispute. In my opinion, the court is too tolerant and actually allowed the Beijing News to publish the content."
exist."
Wang Mu suddenly felt a sense of disgust in his heart. The reason why the "Beijing News" existed was not because of the tolerance of the imperial court. This was an agreement reached between the Emperor and King Yong. It was written in black and white with a vermilion seal, and it could not be reneged on casually.
He didn't want to refute Zhang Jun and was silent for a while.
"Have you ever thought about leaving the newspaper office?" Zhang Jun asked tentatively.
Wang Mu just smiled and still didn't answer.
Zhang Jun was a little disappointed in his heart. He knew that Wang Mu could understand his hint. If he didn't pick up the topic, he would politely reject him.
Could it be that he had dismissed his staff in the first place, which caused him great difficulties in life, and he still resented himself in his heart?
There was no need to rush this matter and he had to take his time. Zhang Jun changed the subject and asked with a smile: "Where does Brother Xian live now?"
"Near Sanqiao, there was a five-acre house where the newspaper office was temporarily located. Now that the newspaper office has a new location, that house is vacant, and my family has temporarily moved in."
"It seems that the newspaper has really treated Xiandi very well! It actually gave Xiandi a five-acre house in such a good location as Sanqiao."
Wang Mu smiled lightly and said: "Many people have died in that house, and you can still see solidified blood stains in the gaps in the flower beds. It is very bloody. Others are taboo and don't want to live there, but I don't care."
Zhang Jun's heart moved, "Could it be that the wise brother lives in Chen Qing's house?"