Iron Dynasty Chapter 658

Autumn had arrived, and compared to the scorching heat of midsummer, Qingzhou City was now noticeably cooler than it had been a few days prior.

Five days ago, after inspecting the imperial palace, Xiao Ming had put the matter of the newspaper on his agenda.

In later generations, this kind of newspaper was also known as media. Besides possessing the power of top-down oversight, the media's most crucial role was to guide public opinion.

After the newspaper office was established, he had utilized its characteristics to consolidate his power.

However, as Qingzhou grew increasingly prosperous, the daily occurrences multiplied, and the page space of a single newspaper was far from sufficient to meet Qingzhou's current demands.

Taking this into account, he ultimately decided to increase the number of newspaper offices.

However, regardless of whether these newly added newspaper offices were government-run or privately operated, their newspapers would still require review before publication. They would not be allowed to report whatever they pleased.

Coming from later generations, Xiao Ming deeply understood that media was a double-edged sword; if he didn't occupy this ground himself, it would eventually be seized by his enemies.

Therefore, whether government-run or privately operated, these newspapers must "bear the imperial surname," and on matters of principle, they must not go against his will.

"Your Majesty, if we establish more newspaper offices, what should be done with the reporters who were previously sent to the various prefectures and counties? "

In the Council Chamber, Fan Zeng spoke clearly. He was now clad in a crimson official robe, holding a fourth-rank position.

After his enthronement, Xiao Ming naturally promoted his old subordinates vigorously, and Fan Zeng was no exception. He bestowed upon Fan Zeng the title of Chief Propagandist.

As the name implied, the Chief Propagandist's duty was to oversee the court's internal and external propaganda, and it would also include the future censorship of other newspaper offices and newspapers.

After a moment's contemplation, Xiao Ming said, "The true duty of reporters is to record the suffering of the common people, not merely to read newspapers aloud. After court is dismissed, you shall incorporate all these newspaper readers into the Ministry of Propaganda. Their duties will remain unchanged, but they will no longer be affiliated with the newspaper offices. From now on, propaganda will be propaganda, and reporters will simply be reporters. "

"Yes, Your Majesty. " Fan Zeng's heart swelled with joy.

The establishment of more newspaper offices was undoubtedly a joyous occasion for him. Previously, he had only overseen one newspaper, but now he would be able to manage five.

Moreover, his current position had clearly elevated him beyond the newspaper offices, making him a crucial institution within the imperial court.

Now that Xiao Ming had incorporated the literati who read newspapers aloud into the imperial court, he had gained a significant number of additional personnel under his command.

Pang Yukun and Fei Ji had no real concept of newspaper offices. The two of them currently couldn't grasp what role the Ministry of Propaganda would play in the future, so they remained silent regarding Xiao Ming's idea to establish more newspaper offices.

Fan Zeng returned to his place in the ranks. At this moment, Niu Ben stepped forward and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, a war report has arrived from Yingzhou City concerning the King of Huainan. The King of Yan and his eldest son, Cui Cheng, have both fallen in battle, and his second son, Cui Hao, has also been killed. The Yan royal line has been severed. "

As Niu Ben's words resounded, murmurs rippled through the Council Chamber, and an atmosphere of fervent joy enveloped the hall.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! From this day forward, the Great Yu Kingdom will no longer suffer from the threat of Yan. " Pang Yukun's expression was one of excitement.

Fei Ji also stated, "With the Yan Kingdom extinguished, Your Majesty is one step closer to unifying the Great Yu Kingdom. Now, only the King of Liang and the King of Zhao remain, and then the northern territories shall be pacified. "

Xiao Ming burst into laughter. In truth, he had already received this news in advance. Not only had the King of Yan's line been severed, but the Fourth Prince had also died in prison. Now, the Yan Kingdom was leaderless, awaiting only the officials he would dispatch to govern it.

"The King of Yan is dead; henceforth, there shall be no more Yan Kingdom. Chief Grand Secretary Pang, Grand Elder Fei, the two of you shall draft a list of officials to be sent to the Yan territory. Once I have reviewed it, these officials shall proceed to their posts in the prefectures and counties. "

"Yes, Your Majesty. " Both men bowed in unison.

Pausing for a moment, Xiao Ming looked at Niu Ben again. He said, "The Yan Kingdom has been extinguished. How long must we wait for the Liang Kingdom? "

Niu Ben detected a hint of dissatisfaction in Xiao Ming's tone. The King of Huainan had successfully captured Yingzhou City, yet the imperial forces had still not taken Qingzhou. This was truly inexcusable.

However, there was indeed a reason why Lu Fei and the others had been delayed in eliminating the Yan Kingdom. Niu Ben explained, "Your Majesty, Lu Fei and Luo Hong, leading fifty thousand soldiers, were supposed to have arrived at Qingzhou City. However, a barbarian cavalry force ambushed them on the way to Qingzhou. "

"Barbarian cavalry? " Xiao Ming's brows furrowed deeply.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the Council Chamber grew solemn. The barbarians, those northern enemies whose very name made Great Yu Kingdom officials pale, had finally lost their patience.

Xiao Ming observed the expressions of the officials, one by one. The officials from Chang'an all showed faces etched with fear, while those led by Pang Yukun maintained calm composure.

Niu Ben continued, "This general has also just received a report from Lu Fei. This barbarian cavalry force numbers a full fifty thousand. They avoid direct confrontation with Lu Fei, instead continually attacking our supply lines. This has forced Lu Fei to dispatch a large number of troops to protect provisions, delaying the assault on Qingzhou. "

"Fifty thousand? " Xiao Ming frowned. "The barbarian cavalry dispatched to the King of Zhao was also fifty thousand. How can this be such a coincidence? "

"Reporting to Your Majesty, these cavalry are indeed the barbarians sent to the King of Zhao. According to the captives Lu Fei seized, under the barbarians' mediation, the King of Zhao and the King of Liang have now put aside their past grievances and intend to unite their forces to jointly resist our attack. "

Xiao Ming let out a soft sigh of relief. He said, "Wang Xuan has sent word that the barbarians have already dispatched troops to assist Goryeo in resisting Jinao, and thus have no time to advance south. The barbarians haven't sent other cavalry this time; their use of fifty thousand cavalry to cut our supply lines is simply a delay tactic, as they lack the strength to send a larger army for support. General Niu, you must seize this opportunity to decisively eliminate the Liang Kingdom and the Zhao Kingdom. There must be no further delay! Once the barbarians withdraw from Goryeo and launch a full-scale invasion south, the nation will know no peace! "

Niu Ben immediately felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier. After the decisive defeat of the Three Kings' allied forces, Xiao Ming's strategy had changed accordingly.

Compared to his previous conservatism, Xiao Ming's military strategy had become increasingly aggressive. The formidable combat strength of the imperial forces filled him with confidence; he believed that unifying the north would no longer be a problem.

And after unifying the north, he would be able to hold the barbarians back beyond the Great Wall, implementing the strategy of "repelling the enemy beyond the nation's gates. "

"Yes, Your Majesty. This general shall depart for Qingzhou without delay to eliminate the King of Liang. " Niu Ben said, clasping his fists.

Nodding lightly, Xiao Ming swept his gaze across the assembled civil and military officials. Seeing no one else step forward, he gave Qian Dafu a subtle signal.

Qian Dafu immediately proclaimed, "Those with matters to report, do so now! Otherwise, court is adjourned! "

The assembled ministers all had no further business and were preparing to disperse when Lin Wentao, who had been standing in a corner of the Council Chamber, suddenly awoke as if from a dream. He urgently stated, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. "

Lin Wentao's voice instantly drew everyone's attention, for the officials were well aware that many of Qingzhou's peculiar inventions originated from Lin Wentao's hands.

Xiao Ming, too, showed a look of interest. He said, "My esteemed minister, what matter do you wish to report? "

"Your Majesty, this humble official has recently, according to Your Majesty's guidance, successfully manufactured a steam locomotive. Would Your Majesty be willing to come and observe it? "