In one day, the Jinghua Times became a hit, an explosive hit!
Everywhere, people were discussing the Jinghua Times.
Major taverns and tea houses sold out and unanimously requested additional orders.
One thousand copies were not enough; they could only print more through the night.
The copyists' brushes were practically smoking from the relentless work.
The editors all joined in, working overtime together.
Quite a few bookshops saw long lines forming, and the common people were astonished.
What were these people buying?
What thing had such great appeal?
Seeing this, Song Ci immediately increased publicity, having Shen Huaizhou send people out into the streets to deliberately call out the name of the Jinghua Times, repeatedly.
Afraid that everyone might not remember it.
Business was so good that the shopkeepers of the tea houses and taverns had their faces frozen from smiling.
A steady stream of customers poured in, and even the tea sold out.
Wealth flowed in from all directions.
People were all discussing the contents of the Jinghua Times.
The Jinghua Times was a blazing success, utterly wild.
The young man who bought the newspaper shouted excitedly: "The Knight-errant's Journey: one step kills ten men."
The wealthy young lady's eyes were tearful: "Scholar, you must not betray Xiaoqian!"
A scholar: "So the Analects can be interpreted this way? Truly wonderful!"
An official: "Oh, there's even Yamen news on here? How convenient."
A noble: "The previous dynasty's crown prince was actually a cut-sleeve? Fascinating, absolutely fascinating!"
Almost everyone could find something of interest in the Jinghua Times.
As the Jinghua Times exploded in popularity, the editors of each section also became famous.
"This Chen De is remarkably talented, to actually have such insights into the sages' books."
"And also Li Yu and Han Feng, all very impressive."
"Especially that Wang Defa, his poem 'Out of the Pass' truly amazed everyone."
"This Brother Zhao Tu seems like a former classmate of mine."
"I still admire Young Master Liu, who could write such a tragic love story like 'Lanruo Temple'. I wonder how Xiaoqian and that scholar are doing? Can they escape the clutches of the Old Witch?"
"This official likes this Li Ji'an; to actually have such acute political instincts."
"Li Ji'an... this name sounds very familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere before?"
Li Ji'an still did not know that he had become famous.
Even more famous than when he had passed the Juren examination.
People were curious about the Jinghua Times, even more curious about the editors, and flocked to the Inquiry Office to ask questions.
The group of editors were also taken aback.
So many people?
"Brother Zhao, is it really you?"
"Which one is Editor Wang? Was that poem 'Out of the Pass' inspired by your feelings?"
"Young Master Liu is actually talented and good-looking? Could he be that scholar who entered Lanruo Temple?"
"This official remembers now! Isn't that Li Ji'an the Juren scholar whose official title was stripped from him last year?"
The Inquiry Office was packed tightly with fans, leaving no room to move.
There were those who were curious.
Those who asked about the subsequent story plots.
Those who discussed the great works of the sages.
And those who asked for autographs.
The editors had never seen such a scene before and were somewhat intimidated.
Fortunately, they had Song Ci as their pillar of support.
She immediately sent people to welcome them, and fulfilled requests for autographs and portrait souvenirs as long as they queued up.
Everyone's passion showed no signs of abating.
They were busy until evening, when Song Ci had Shen Huaizhou arrange for people to escort everyone home.
Li Ji'an was the focus of attention, after all, he was the Editor-in-Chief.
Behind it all was also the Imperial Examination fraud, which was somewhat tricky.
Everyone was very excited and didn't want to go home.
Especially Li Ji'an, being noticed by so many people, his first reaction was not joy but panic.
Afraid that his own matters would implicate the Jinghua Times.
Implicate Song Ci and the others.
"Everyone, don't panic. The Jinghua Times becoming a hit is recognition of all of you, it is everyone's success. This is not our finish line, but a starting point; it is the beginning of your new careers, and the great start of the Jinghua Times!"
Everyone applauded excitedly.
The applause was thunderous.
Song Ci gestured for them to settle down.
"I declare the Jinghua Times a great success. The revenue from today's first issue, after deducting costs, will all be used to give everyone bonuses. Everyone gets a share."
"Really?"
"Did we make a profit?"
"Of course!"
Song Ci had not expected that. The Jinghua Times printed three batches in a row, a total of three thousand copies, all sold out. If it weren't for Cai Tingshu's advice to stop.
She and Eldest Brother had wanted to print more.
It was selling like crazy.
Cai Tingshu told her son and daughter to calm down. This was the first issue; it couldn't keep selling forever.
Only by whetting everyone's appetite could they continue to increase the buzz and exposure.
They must not drain the pond to catch all the fish.
After all, the newspaper was a serial, not a one-time transaction.
That same evening, they busily calculated the accounts.
The street version was one hundred wen per copy, cheap, but the large volume offset it.
Small profits but quick turnover; fewer sections, printing was also simple.
The bookstore and tea house edition was five hundred wen per copy, with rich content, full sections, and difficult printing.
Fortunately, they had ample manpower, and sales were very impressive.
They earned a full one thousand taels.
They were very satisfied, after all, in this era, a newspaper was a rare thing.
Not everyone could afford to take out five hundred wen to buy one, unless they were well-off scholars or wealthy people willing to spend the silver.
These people were the consumer base of the Jinghua Times.
Even one hundred wen, for many commoners, was enough for ten days of daily expenses.
A worker couldn't even earn one hundred wen in a day.
The newspaper was profitable, and everyone was very happy.
Song Ci took the profits to give everyone bonuses, and Shen Huaizhou and Cai Tingshu naturally had no objections.
Although they were nobles and not short of money.
But no one would complain about having too much money.
Moreover, in their previous lives they were all ordinary people, still accustomed to earning through labor, which was more reassuring than getting something for nothing.
Song Ci really liked this feeling of fulfillment.
Shen Huaizhou wished he could proclaim it to the whole world.
"Young master is not useless; young master can earn silver."
Cai Tingshu was also very happy and gave rewards to everyone around her.
Song Ci distributed the silver, everyone had a share, no one missed out.
Everyone was both surprised and delighted, hardly able to believe it.
Some cried tears of joy.
"I actually got paid on the very first day of work?"
"If it weren't for Miss Song encouraging me back then, I wouldn't have dared to step out of my home, let alone believe that I, a scholar, could earn money."
"I am not useless. My parents, wife, and children no longer have to worry about supporting my studies."
"And me, if not for Editor-in-Chief Li's persuasion, I would probably still be stuck in the academy, muddling through my days."
"I have money to support my children's education."
Everyone was very happy.
Amber also received her own red envelope, her eyes sparkling.
"So much? Miss, you didn't give too much, did you?"
"Think it's too much? Give me some."
Cui Zhu joked.
Amber quickly covered it up.
"Don't you have your own? This is my hard-earned reward."
"Miss Song, thank you." Li Ji'an clutched his money pouch, his eyes red with emotion.
"Thank you, Heir, thank you, Madam."
Li Ji'an dropped to his knees with a thud, about to kowtow, but Shen Huaizhou stopped him.
"Real men do not easily shed tears. Young master promised you that I would make you successful, and naturally I will not break my word. Work hard."
Li Ji'an wept with emotion. If it weren't for these people before him, he would probably still be worrying about supporting his family.
In this life, he would have had no chance to touch paper and brush again.
They gave him this opportunity.
They gave him a new life.
Song Ci had someone hand him a handkerchief.
"Editor Li, work hard. Your future prospects are limitless."
Li Ji'an's eyes were brimming with tears as he nodded continuously.
Song Ci knew that having his official title stripped was Li Ji'an's eternal pain that could not be put into words. If there was a chance in the future, she wouldn't mind giving him a hand.
The explosive popularity of the Jinghua Times quickly attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.
"Zhui Feng, go buy a copy. This Prince also wants to see what this Jinghua Times is that makes so many people flock to it."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hei Ying quickly disappeared into the night...
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