Great Ming Dynasty! I am Zhu Biao's invincible second brother!

Chapter 25 The Ming Daily

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said:

"Father, I believe that the power of the censors to inspect should be further strengthened, and a system of rotating inspections should be established to prevent them from colluding with local officials for extended periods..."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, but remained noncommittal, clearly feeling that this was still only a temporary solution.

His gaze shifted to Zhu Mu, who had been deep in thought:

"Mu'er, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Mu bowed respectfully, and a thought that had long been forming in his mind became incredibly clear at that moment.

He organized his thoughts and began to speak:

"Father, elder brother, I believe that there are two ways to conduct oversight: from top to bottom and from bottom to top. The imperial censors' inspections are from top to bottom; while mobilizing the people is from bottom to top. Only by combining the two can the net of heaven be wide and its meshes be fine, leaving nothing out."

"Mobilize the people?"

Zhu Yuanzhang became interested.

"How can this be mobilized? The people are ignorant and do not understand the political system; how can they monitor officials?"

Zhu Mu answered confidently:

"Father, the common people may not understand the grand policies of the court, but they know best about their own little plot of land, their own taxes and corvée labor."

"Whether the imperial court's policies are good or not, and whether local officials implement them effectively, they are the ultimate beneficiaries."

"The key issue is how to let the people know the court's true intentions and how to give them a channel to speak out."

He paused, then presented his core idea:

"I have a humble suggestion that might be worth trying. We could start a newspaper."

"newspaper?"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were both taken aback; this term was far too new to them.

Zhu Mu explained:

"Yes, newspapers. We can use movable type printing to print out a large number of sheets of paper with text on them and distribute them regularly to all prefectures, counties, and even towns and villages across the country."

The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became:

"We can name this newspaper 'Da Ming Daily'."

Its content can be divided into several parts: First, imperial decrees.

"All major decisions issued by the imperial court that were closely related to the people's livelihood, such as tax quotas, corvée standards, the promotion of new agricultural technologies, and policies that benefit the people, were written in the simplest and most straightforward vernacular Chinese and proclaimed to the world."

"In this way, the people will clearly know what kind of good policies the emperor and the court have given them. If local officials dare to pay lip service to them and add layers of extra charges, the people will have a scale in their hearts, and they will instinctively resist and expose them."

"Secondly, the world's most important news."

"Publish some of the court's punishment notices for corrupt officials, or commendations for honest officials."

"Let the people know the court's determination to punish evil and promote good, and let those corrupt officials know that their evil deeds could become infamous throughout the country and leave a lasting stain on their reputation!"

Third, interesting anecdotes.

"To make it more appealing to illiterate people, we can also publish popular historical fiction, folk tales, heroic stories, and even simple literacy lessons in the newspapers."

"In this way, newspapers can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Literate people can read them to illiterate people. In teahouses and village entrances, newspapers will become the focus of people's discussions, and the voice of the imperial court will truly reach every household."

Zhu Mu's words opened a completely new door for Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao!

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up excitedly, pacing back and forth behind his desk, his eyes gleaming:

"Excellent! Excellent, Great Ming Daily! Let the whole world know our policies, know our intentions! Those corrupt officials are now under the very noses of the people, let's see how they dare to cover up the truth now!"

Zhu Biao's face was filled with admiration and surprise. He patted Zhu Mu on the shoulder and said sincerely:

"Second brother, your plan is truly a masterpiece of genius! It is not only a means of surveillance, but also a supreme strategy for educating the people, uniting their hearts, and consolidating the foundation of the nation!"

"With this, there will be no more barriers between the imperial court and the people!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped and looked at his son, his eyes filled with pride and satisfaction.

He laughed loudly:

"Alright! Mu'er, we approve of this idea!"

"This matter will be jointly handled by you and the Crown Prince. We'll begin by piloting it in Yingtian Prefecture. Whatever personnel or resources are needed, the Secretariat and the Six Ministries will be at your disposal!"

"We must make the *Daming Daily* a sharp sword hanging over the heads of all officials, and an iron mouthpiece for the people of our Great Ming!"

……

As the sun rose high in the sky, its warm rays streamed through the window lattices of the Wenhua Hall, casting dappled light and shadow on the golden brick floor.

The tense atmosphere in the hall gradually subsided. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his two sons, becoming more and more satisfied, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

He stretched, stood up, and said in a very casual tone:

"Alright, alright, it's almost lunchtime. Today we're going to Kunning Palace to have dinner with your mother. You two boys should go back to the East Palace to eat and don't bother me."

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Mu bowed and watched their father leave with a majestic and imposing gait.

After Zhu Yuanzhang had walked a distance, Zhu Biao smiled and patted Zhu Mu on the shoulder:

"Let's go, second brother."

The two brothers walked side by side through the palace road and returned to the East Palace.

Before even stepping into the main hall, one could hear a clear and melodious female voice laughing and talking inside.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Mu exchanged a smile, a warm feeling rising in their hearts, and quickened their pace without prior arrangement.

Upon entering the palace, two beautiful figures were indeed seen. Crown Princess Chang Meirong and the future Princess Consort of Chu, Liu Wanyan, were sitting together, seemingly talking about something interesting.

Upon seeing them enter, the two women quickly stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, Second Prince."

"No need for formalities."

Zhu Biao strode to Chang Meirong's side, took her hand, and smiled gently.

"Why did you come today?"

Chang Meirong, her eyes crinkling with a smile, took an exquisite wooden box from the maid and said:

"I was thinking that Your Highness's favorite pre-Qingming Longjing tea was running out, so I brought some new tea from home."

On the other side, Liu Wanyan, her face slightly flushed, gracefully walked to Zhu Mu and gently handed him a food box, her voice barely audible:

"Your Highness...I...I made some pastries, thinking you might like them."

Zhu Mu looked at her slightly lowered eyelashes and her earlobes flushed with nervousness, and felt a warmth in his heart.

He took the food box, opened the lid, and a sweet fragrance of osmanthus wafted out. Several delicate osmanthus cakes were neatly arranged inside, small and cute, just like the maker himself.

"Thank you for your trouble, I really like it."

Zhu Mu's voice was gentle and his gaze was focused, which made Liu Wanyan's heart beat even faster.

"Alright, alright, stop standing there."

Zhu Biao laughed heartily, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere.

"It's almost lunchtime, so the four of us will dine together at the East Palace today, which will save you the trouble of going back."