397: newspaper

“Haha, the old woman was momentarily lost in thought. Please excuse her for making you all laugh.” Widow Qing chuckled softly, then gestured for Lin Yue to take a seat.

Once Lin Yue was seated and the awkward atmosphere dissipated, Ji San was the first to speak, laughing, “Haha, Brother Lin, you’ve come at just the right time. We’re discussing a business deal, and I wonder if Brother Lin would be interested?”

“What kind of deal?” Lin Yue’s interest was piqued. What he lacked most right now was money!

But at the same time, he felt a bit apprehensive. With Widow Qing, one of Great Qin’s top merchants, and the enigmatic Ji San collaborating, could a poor guy like him, with only four thousand taels of silver to his name, really get involved?

If it weren’t for She Jian, also a “poor guy,” sitting there, Lin Yue would not have stayed for another minute. He would have immediately stood up and excused himself, otherwise, it would just be asking for trouble.

“This, Brother Lin, you can take a look.” Ji San handed Lin Yue a piece of paper. Lin Yue took it and saw that it was covered in densely packed small black characters.

“This was made by an ‘Otherworlder.’ He calls it a ‘newspaper,’ and he possesses a technique called the Printing Technique. As long as there are enough people, printing hundreds of thousands of identical sheets overnight is not a problem,” Ji San explained, then sighed with emotion, “The techniques of these Otherworlders are endless. They are already impacting Great Qin’s existing commerce. I can’t imagine what it will be like in a few decades.”

“Printing Technique?” Lin Yue murmured to himself. He remembered that in the game, all anachronistic products would be invalid. It was an unrealistic idea for players to bring knowledge from their world into the game, so why did the Printing Technique appear early?

Could it be a blueprint opened from a treasure chest?

Lin Yue thought to himself. This indeed provided him with a new idea. If he could also open some technical blueprints, wouldn’t he also have a new source of wealth?

“These Otherworlders are quietly changing Great Qin, just like the storytelling that has recently become popular. Other taverns have it, and I’ve been forced to invite a few Otherworlders myself,” Ji San said with a bitter expression.

In fact, the changes brought by the Otherworlders were far more numerous. If he were to talk about them, he wouldn’t finish in a single night.

“My family’s mining and smelting techniques are no longer exclusive. A group of Otherworlders also understands these techniques, and their efficiency is even higher than mine,” Widow Qing said expressionlessly. “Fortunately, I bought enough ore before, which is why I’m still barely surviving. But in the half-year I’ve been in Xianyang, my younger brother-in-law and son have written to me several times, saying that business is getting increasingly difficult.”

Lin Yue frowned slightly. He really hadn’t known that the impact of the Otherworlders on Great Qin’s commerce was so great.

However, he didn’t believe Widow Qing’s claim of barely surviving. This newspaper was probably just a small part of her future plans. And Ji San’s statement about “a few decades” wasn’t accurate either. With these imaginative Otherworlders appearing, it might only take a few years for them to have a huge impact on all industries.

He suddenly felt a little worried about Shen Wansan. Could he compete with the many business magnates in the real world?

But the next moment, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fortunately, these Otherworlders are of poor character. They always shortchange customers in business, and problems have been frequent over the past six months. His Majesty ordered that industries run by Otherworlders must hang a plaque representing Otherworlders outside their doors. This allowed us to catch our breath; otherwise, we really couldn’t withstand their various methods,” Ji San sighed, then expressed some indignation:

“Just like the Kaitai Brothel in the east, where other establishments now have storytelling, theirs performs dances. The girls there wear only a bellyband; it’s simply indecent!

This isn't a tavern; even a brothel isn't as overtly explicit as that!

But damn it, those high-ranking officials and nobles just eat that up! Now, customers are constantly coming and going every day. It’s even gotten to the point where if you don’t reserve in advance, there are no seats. It’s truly infuriating and leaves one speechless!”

Lin Yue couldn't help but smile wryly. Some of these players couldn't even manage to be “law-abiding and operate with integrity” in reality. How could you expect them to be law-abiding citizens in a “game world”?

In fact, Lin Yue was already surprised that there hadn't been many large-scale player attacks on the Government so far. Expecting them to truly be law-abiding now was akin to a fantasy.

Lin Yue then asked, “Then, isn’t anyone managing this?”

“Normally, such a depraved and indecent place would have been shut down long ago! But who can say anything when they have powerful backing?” Ji San shook his head.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore. I’ve recently become quite interested in this ‘newspaper.’ What do you think of it, young friend?” Widow Qing looked at Lin Yue.

Seeing this, Ji San quickly began to explain, “This ‘newspaper’ is tentatively scheduled to be published every ten days. It will record major policies and laws enacted by the court, or announcements issued by the Government, as well as battles and deeds of the border army, or interesting local stories. Its main purpose is to broaden the horizons of our Great Qin people and allow them to understand various policies of Great Qin. For them, it can be considered a good thing.”

“Publication isn’t the problem, but… is the literacy rate of Great Qin’s people high?” Lin Yue asked the question he most wanted to ask.

Although in this world, Great Qin had long abandoned bamboo slips and invented paper, the unification of the Six States hadn’t been that many years ago. While the writing systems of those six states had been abolished, could their people have learned Great Qin’s writing in such a short time?

If the literacy rate wasn't high, wouldn't no one buying it lead to a loss?

“Lin Yue, are you literate?” She Jian, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

“Yes, I am!” Lin Yue nodded. Why did She Jian sound like he was insulting him?

“If you’re literate, why do you assume others aren’t?” She Jian said with a look of disdain.

“I…” Lin Yue wanted to say that he was literate because he had spent money to directly purchase Qin Dynasty language proficiency in the game system’s mall, which was how he understood the characters. But that didn’t mean others were literate too!

“While the literacy rate of Great Qin’s people isn’t high, in the cities, establishments like our taverns and teahouses will undoubtedly buy a copy. Just like storytelling, it can attract some business. Furthermore, we plan to test the waters first in Xianyang City and the cities of various commanderies, with rural areas to follow later. From this perspective, it shouldn't be a problem,” Ji San said with a smile.

“That’s good then.” Lin Yue nodded.

Given that, it indeed has some development prospects. Due to the populace’s curiosity about unknown information, as long as they can access this item, and as long as the price doesn’t affect their quality of life, a fixed reading habit will form later. Then, a monthly or annual subscription strategy, like in later generations, can be implemented, and it is foreseeable that money can be made.

“However, there’s a problem that has been bothering us: the court, or rather, His Majesty’s opinion,” Zhao Tuo suddenly looked at Lin Yue.

“His Majesty?” Lin Yue suddenly had a bad premonition.

“His Majesty previously did not allow the common people to discuss court affairs at will. But our ‘newspaper’ will inevitably write about some court affairs, so this is a very big problem,” Ji San sighed.

“I will submit a memorial to His Majesty to decide on this matter, but after that, I will be powerless,” Widow Qing said.

Then, the four of them looked eagerly at Lin Yue.

Lin Yue’s heart sank!

“Why are you looking at me?”

Lin Yue was momentarily speechless. That was The First Emperor, second only to Heaven, a man whose word was law. What could he do?

“The Cavalry Commandant’s primary duties are to guard the gates and serve as charioteers, and he is also ready to be dispatched as an advisor to the Emperor at any time. Don’t you think there’s a possibility…” She Jian looked at Lin Yue meaningfully.

“It’s over, She Jian has tricked me again!” Lin Yue thought to himself, feeling a bad premonition!