Chapter 33: The Crown Prince Strikes Back!

"Your servant, Li Ruolian, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your servant, Xue Guoguan, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Cilang nodded. "Rise."

Seeing Zhu Cilang again, Xue Guoguan was not surprised; after the words exchanged that morning, he had already regained favor and would be returning to the Grand Secretariat the next morning.

But for Li Ruolian, it was a different story. He had just returned to the capital from a provincial post yesterday, only to learn of the Emperor’s grave illness and the Crown Prince’s regency. This filled him with a sense of foreboding. After all, he knew nothing of this Crown Prince. If the Prince held any negative opinion of him or had no intention of employing him, he would have no choice but to pack his bags and leave.

Just as his mind wandered, the voice of Zhu Cilang suddenly cut through the air.

"Li Ruolian, whose man are you? To whom is your loyalty pledged?"

Boom!

Hearing this, Li Ruolian’s mind went blank. He hurriedly knelt back down. What kind of question was this? As an officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was, of course, loyal to the Emperor. But this was asked by the Crown Prince—could he answer that way? If he said he was loyal only to the Emperor, would that not show a lack of respect for the Prince? Bluntly put, the Emperor was gravely ill, and the Prince might become Emperor any day. Yet, if he pledged loyalty only to the Prince, would that not show a lack of respect for the Emperor? If the Emperor recovered, would he not be the first to have his head?

Damn it! This was a death trap!

With no other choice, Li Ruolian steeled himself and replied, "In response to Your Highness, your servant is a man of His Majesty, and also a man of Your Highness. Your servant is loyal to His Majesty, and equally loyal to Your Highness!"

Zhu Cilang smiled. Good. He still had some wits about him; he was not just a brute who knew only how to kill. This answer was a passable one.

"Very well, rise. It was just a casual question, do not be nervous. Work hard in the future, and the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be yours sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, a wave of shock washed over Li Ruolian. It seemed the Crown Prince not only intended to keep him on but intended to promote him! Regaining his composure, Li Ruolian bowed again.

"Your servant will never fail Your Highness!"

Zhu Cilang nodded, then turned to Xue Guoguan. "Grand Secretary Xue, take a look at this."

Being addressed as "Grand Secretary" was music to Xue Guoguan’s ears, but he walked briskly to the Prince’s side and looked at the object indicated. It was a sheet of rice paper with four large characters inscribed: *The Great Ming Daily*.

Xue Guoguan looked up, surprised. "Does Your Highness intend to establish a court gazette?"

Indeed, an old fox is an old fox; he understood the implication with a single glance.

Zhu Cilang shook his head. "You are only half right. I do not intend to create a gazette that circulates only among the bureaucratic class, but a newspaper that can be popular throughout the entire realm. *The Great Ming Daily* will be similar to the court gazettes, but it must be written entirely in plain language, so that even the common folk who cannot read can understand it when read aloud. Future imperial edicts, official appointments and dismissals, and even the Emperor’s decrees will be written upon it for all under heaven to know. Simply put, the ultimate goal of *The Great Ming Daily* is to let the people understand the policies of the Great Ming, to bridge the gap between the imperial court and the commoners, and to ensure they are not misled by the rumors of those with ulterior motives. Do you understand?"

Xue Guoguan was initially confused, but he soon grasped the intent. He had heard the rumors circulating in the capital that afternoon. Undoubtedly, the Crown Prince was preparing to use *The Great Ming Daily* to strike back.

He nodded quickly. "Your servant understands. I have studied court gazettes before and know how to manage such operations."

Zhu Cilang continued, "Beyond what I have mentioned, the back can feature articles, poetry, and stories to make it more readable. You may also reserve space to sell to shopkeepers who wish to advertise; as long as they pay, the *Daily* will promote their businesses. Besides normal sales, you may post copies in crowded areas and have someone specifically read them aloud to the illiterate. In short, ensure that as many people as possible know the contents of *The Great Ming Daily*!"

Xue Guoguan was stunned. If *The Great Ming Daily* were truly launched as described, it would have an unimaginable impact on the entire Ming Dynasty! He could not let this opportunity slip to anyone else.

"Your Highness, please rest assured. Give me some time, and I will surely make this *Great Ming Daily* a success!"

Zhu Cilang shook his head. "I would like to give you time, but the Donglin Faction does not give me any! Rumors are rampant in the capital, claiming the Emperor is incompetent and obsessed with favoring the secret police, and that the secret police only bring ruin to the nation. But you both know the Emperor’s intent in utilizing the secret police is merely to curb the corruption of the nobility. Therefore, you have no time!"

"Li Ruolian, Xue Guoguan, I order you to establish an office tonight named 'The Great Ming Daily'! Li Ruolian, you are responsible for finding a suitable location and the necessary tools; I will grant you 200,000 taels of silver—if that is not enough, come to me at any time. Xue Guoguan, you are responsible for the content. If you cannot manage it alone, draw men from the Hanlin Academy or other departments. But remember, none of them may be from the Donglin, Zhe, or Chu factions. They must be Imperial loyalists! I give you only three days. In three days, I want to see the first issue of *The Great Ming Daily*! Is that clear?"

Li Ruolian and Xue Guoguan exchanged blank stares. They had not expected such urgency. Seeing no response, Zhu Cilang raised an eyebrow. "Well? Is there a problem?"

The two finally snapped to their senses. "In response to Your Highness, your servant has no problem!"

"In response to Your Highness, your servant has no problem either!"

They had no choice but to do it. Zhu Cilang then outlined the content for the first issue before dismissing them. It was clear that neither of them would be sleeping tonight.

Zhu Cilang, however, enjoyed a rare, good night’s sleep.

The next day, the Crown Prince presided over the court again. As the chimes signaled the start of the session, the civil and military officials filed in, standing on either side. Everything seemed normal, yet those with keen eyes sensed that the atmosphere was slightly off.

Zhu Cilang sat on the throne of the Regent, his cold gaze sweeping over the Donglin Faction led by Zhou Yanru. He immediately sensed that these fellows were planning something today.

That was fine. He was planning something, too.