Sun Quan Had Become an Expert Through Long Illness

"Setting up a newspaper is said to be very troublesome. Not only does it require many papermaking workshops, but it also needs a great many people to transcribe everything. Jiangdong doesn't have the money or manpower for that." Sun Quan first put on a rather indifferent air, then asked in surprise, "Could it be that the Yangtze Daily hasn't made its way into Wei?"

"The Yangtze Daily used to be published in Jing Province. Liu Bei often had people use it to disparage Wei and Jiangdong, so it was banned during the late emperor's time. It's been a long while since anyone in court saw a copy. Now and then, one can still be found among the common folk. It seems the King of Wu is quite broad-minded—he can even share such vile writing with his ministers." Xing Zhen shook his head as he answered, unable to resist a final jab.

Sun Quan gave a faint smile. He had deliberately left the newspaper out just now, waiting for Xing Zhen to ask about it. He meant to use the Yangtze Daily to make his position clear to Cao Pi: Jiangdong nominally paid allegiance to Wei, but the two sides did not interfere in each other's internal affairs. The fact that Wei banned the Yangtze Daily while Jiangdong did not was proof enough.

"Liu Xuande has gone to a great deal of trouble, having people make paper, write articles, and transcribe them. What harm is there in our reading it? Besides, it also carries the other side's views. Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never be defeated in a hundred battles." Sun Quan stroked his purple beard, utterly composed.

"The King of Wu is broad-minded. Xing Zhen is deeply impressed." Xing Zhen clasped his hands in a salute.

Sun Quan