406: I am fearless

After listening to Ye Xuan's explanation, the ministers in the main hall, without exception, split into two factions.

There were many supporters, and not too few opponents.

However, all the ministers in the imperial court were seasoned officials, and they quickly understood its advantages. Their reasons for support were similar to Lin Yue's earlier reasons, and they even put forward views that Lin Yue had not thought of in a short time, which made Lin Yue surprised and wonder if they were 'aliens'.

Although the number of opponents was not large, their reasons for opposition were varied and strange!

Some said it would be exploited by ill-intentioned individuals, distorting the court's original intentions; some said it was inevitable that officials who were unsuccessful in their careers would make veiled criticisms of the government; some said that matters of state and every action of the court had deep meaning, so how could the common people be allowed to criticize them presumptuously; some said that His Majesty was the Son of Heaven, how could he allow the common people to discuss the ruler and father!

Some said that few common people were literate, so this move would be futile; some said that the cost of this move would be too great, leading to financial losses!

Some said that once an official's scandal was reported, he might be infamous for generations; others said that once the newspaper was published, officials would use money or power to get their names in the paper to gain a good reputation!

There were also those who said that this would lead to people in various commanderies resorting to all means to get their names in the paper, setting a bad example for the common people of the world!

Even more, there had never been a precedent of common people presumptuously discussing state affairs, and this would shake the foundation of the nation!

After listening, Lin Yue truly marveled at the professionalism of the Great Qin officials!

Everything Lin Yue hadn't thought of, they had all completed!

After hearing all this, Lin Yue even felt that this move was a heinous crime, and Great Qin would perish because of it!

He now wanted to rush directly into the hall and beg The First Emperor to withdraw his order. Otherwise, The First Emperor had said that he would bear all consequences himself. As soon as these ministers finished speaking, Lin Yue suddenly felt a chill down the back of his neck, as if a guillotine was constantly hanging over his neck.

These people, what they said was really right!

This was a hot potato; indeed, no pie would fall from the sky, only traps!

The Qilin Hall was still abuzz with discussion, and The First Emperor was still watching the officials from his dragon throne, silently observing their debate.

Lin Yue suddenly realized that The First Emperor seemed to really enjoy this feeling.

What he had decided, probably no one in this world could change, but he would still let the ministers debate to see who was right, and then he would make the final decision.

Perhaps this was also a tradition handed down from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, as that was how things were back then.

But Lin Yue noticed that no matter how the ministers debated, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers at the very front remained as still as old monks in meditation, not one of them stepping forward to speak.

"Minister Li, I see you seem to have something to say. What are your insights?" The First Emperor's voice rang out again, and the entire Qilin Hall immediately fell silent.

Li Si heard this, stepped forward, bowed, and then said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, I have one thing I don't understand. You said this matter was proposed by Widow Qing of Ba Commandery, so how does she intend to produce it?

To produce this newspaper and keep costs down, one must display as many characters as possible on a single sheet of paper. However, the more characters there are, the more difficult and time-consuming it becomes. Does she intend to dispatch tens of thousands of scholars to copy day and night? Widow Qing of Ba Commandery is a leader among merchants, and I surmise she would not engage in such a losing business.

Therefore, I am puzzled: what kind of ability does she possess to be confident in solving this problem?"

As Li Si finished speaking, the entire court of civil and military officials began to discuss again. It was only after Li Si's reminder that they realized this point!

How great would this cost be?

One must know that the books of Great Qin were still not fully copied; where would they find so many people to copy them?

Moreover, if the writing was unreadable, they wouldn't even have the inclination to look at it. So, how did this Widow Qing of Ba Commandery come up with this idea?

The First Emperor's expression finally changed upon hearing this, and his not-so-loud voice spread throughout the entire hall: "She has a secret method called Printing Technique, which can print a large amount of text in a short time, and the fonts are identical."

"Your Majesty! This method will greatly benefit our Great Qin! With this method, our Great Qin's books will be spread throughout the world!" Li Si immediately declared!

Similarly, the Right Grand Chancellor, Feng Quji, also followed closely: "Your Majesty, if this method is truly as Widow Qing of Ba Commandery described, then it should be managed by the Imperial Censor!"

He and the Imperial Censor, Feng Jie, were family, so he immediately spoke up.

At this moment, Humu Jing, the Fengchang, one of the Nine Ministers of Great Qin, also spoke with his neck stiff: "Your Majesty, the Fengchang manages rites, and books spread education, so this method should be managed by the Fengchang!"

And at this moment, an old man tremblingly stepped forward, bowed, and said: "Your Majesty, the Grand Historian is in charge of compiling historical records, so this old minister believes that this method will achieve its greatest use in the hands of the Grand Historian!"

Lin Yue, outside the hall, listened with a look of surprise. The matter was still up in the air, yet they were already discussing how to divide it? They didn't even consider others at all!

This Great Qin truly had a sense of arrogance from top to bottom!

Meanwhile, a young man at the back of the main hall was feeling somewhat awkward, as if sitting on pins and needles. He wanted to move but dared not. As a small literary clerk in charge of education, he should have been the most suitable, but now he could only watch helplessly.

The Dr. Qin next to him, who had been kneeling for a long time, shifted his butt, but was suddenly pulled by the sleeve by a young man next to him, who said: "Dr. Qin, don't go. You can't compete with them."

Dr. Qin was stunned. What was this about competing? Hadn't he just shifted his body?

He was about to speak when he noticed all the Dr. Qins around him looking up at him, with a hint of... admiration?

"Dr. Qin, truly a leader of our generation!"

"Indeed, Dr. Qin is truly unafraid of power. I think if that newspaper really comes out, Dr. Qin's actions today should be written about in it!"

"Dr. Qin, at such a young age, is not only learned but also has such ambition. He is truly a young hero!" an old Confucian scholar said, stroking his beard and smiling.

Dr. Qin was a little bewildered for a moment, but some old Confucian scholars who usually looked down on him because of his young age were looking at him like this today, and he was instantly filled with strength!

He forcefully shook off the hand of the literary clerk and said with a proud face: "A great man should know what to do and what not to do! How can one fear power and retreat?"

After he said this, Jiang Gan, who was nearby, was a little surprised and looked deeply at this young man, deciding to be wary of such a person.

"Sima Yi, watch closely, I'm about to make my move!" Dr. Qin said with a disdainful look.

Immediately, he rose, straightened his clothes, and stepped forward!

"Enough, this matter will be discussed later. Let's first talk about this newspaper." The First Emperor interrupted the ministers' arguments. Then he looked into the distance and saw a Dr. Qin stepping forward to bow, and his face showed a look of doubt: "What is the matter?"

Dr. Qin didn't expect the topic to end just as he stepped forward, and he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Now that he was caught in the act, he stammered and couldn't speak.

The many prominent figures in the front row also turned back in confusion. The moment they saw him, they knew what he was going to do, and their faces showed disdain.

"Step back now." Feng Jie frowned and reprimanded.

"Yes!" Dr. Qin slunk back to his original place.

"Your Majesty, I believe the matter of the newspaper has too many disadvantages and will affect our Great Qin, Your Majesty, and all the lords of the court. Please discuss it later." A minister jumped out and said.

Now that they had this Printing Technique, they naturally wanted to expedite the printing of books. As for the newspaper, there were too many uncertain factors, and no one wanted to get involved in it!

"Affect?"

A majestic and chilling voice spread throughout the entire hall:

"I am fearless, what do you have to fear?"