With Newspapers as His Sword
Newspapers are selling like hotcakes all over Paris.🍧💋 ➅➈s 🐠🐯
Most of the newsboys had only gone to the Paris Business Daily Newspaper Office to try their luck because they couldn't find any other work, but the sales were unexpectedly good.
As agreed, they would receive 6 Denier for every 10 newspapers they sold. Just past noon, a lucky newsboy had already sold 50 newspapers, earning several times more than he would have earned working in the Workshop!
The story of Hunter Xiao's failed engagement and Claisse's survival after being shot was known to everyone almost within a morning.
Many people listen to others enthusiastically discussing an interesting story, but they don't know what it's about, and they can't help but feel itchy to understand.
Meanwhile, the most trend-conscious Noblewoman have already begun preparing to hold salons, with themes such as "The Immortal Claisse" or "The Alchemy Family," which we just saw. They keenly sense that these stories will become the most popular topics, and they want to seize the opportunity.
That evening, even Paris would greet each other with, "Have you read that novel?"
This is understandable, as entertainment in the 18th century was extremely monotonous. There were only a few novels and Drama, most of which people had long since grown tired of. People could only pass the time by gossiping about Nobility gossip.
The formulaic plots of "cool" novels, refined by countless authors in later generations, are a soul-stirring experience for readers of this era; they are addictive at first glance!
This is not an exaggeration at all. Even in the 21st century, there have been cases of young United States men who became so engrossed in reading light novels that they neglected their drug use and eventually successfully quit.
For Paris Citizens spiritual lives are empty, these novels are full of exciting moments, with various foreshadowing and suspenseful twists that make them unable to put them down.
The next day, while everyone was still discussing yesterday's novel plot, they were surprised to find that there was a new chapter in today's newspaper!
The story has unraveled some of the mysteries from yesterday's episode, while leaving even more suspense. The plot remains thrilling, so who could resist watching?
I can skip the meal, but I absolutely must buy this newspaper!
Some people even fought over the last newspaper in the newsboy's hand...
Just after 3 p. m., the stock of Paris Business Daily and News and Pictures was sold out.
Looking at the dozens of newsboys anxiously waiting to collect their newspapers, Denico felt as if he were dreaming.
He knew that the brilliant novel sent by the Crown Prince would make the newspaper a bestseller, but he never expected the sales to be so astonishing.
Good God! 7,000 copies of each newspaper were printed, and they all sold out!
Keep in mind that Paris has a population of just over 500,000, and even the best-selling newspaper in the past, * 《Paris News》 *, only sold less than 3,000 copies. Our two newspapers combined already outsell five * 《Paris News》 *!
His hands began to tremble slightly. He immediately rushed into the Printing Workshop, pointed at the printing press, and shouted loudly to the workers:
"Reprint! Reprint 1000 copies immediately!! As fast as you can!!!"
Just then, a manager from the Newspaper Office rushed in, gesturing excitedly towards the office:
"Mr. Denico, please come quickly! The Source of Elegance Perfume Shop, the Anitol Ironware Store, and... in short, several well-known shops have come to discuss advertising."
Denico waved his hand, speaking with considerable authority:
"Tell them to wait. I'll go over after I've arranged the additional printing."
He certainly had the right to be domineering—with a newspaper that sold over 14,000 copies, he had no trouble finding people to place ads.
As the Paris Business Daily Newspaper Office sold well, many readers, while reading the novel, also came across articles about Tax Law in the newspaper.
People on the streets and alleys have already started discussing the bill.
"If you ask me, those Nobility gentlemen should have paid more taxes a long time ago!"
"Yes, I saw it. The increased taxes are all for the Nobility. Why should we poor people pay more taxes than the Nobility?"
"The City Hall always says it doesn't have enough funds, why don't they ask the Nobility for them?"
"Hmph, the High Court keeps rejecting Tax Law because those judges are Nobility themselves!"
"No wonder they always talk about defending the power of the courts; it turns out it's the power not to pay taxes."
"That's right..."
In an instant, the Duke of Orléans, with the combined efforts of all the Newspaper Office in Paris, managed to shift the tide in favor of the bill.
In fact, Joseph hadn't fully exerted his efforts in the propaganda war yet; he still had two novel manuscripts in hand, which were reserved for the Pamphlets.
Yes, he had no intention of using newspapers alone to wage a propaganda war; that would be too disadvantageous.
Since we've started this war, let's not talk about pointless gentlemanly conduct. Although the Pamphlets is low-class, full of rumors, and relies on vulgarity to attract people, making it despised by mainstream society, its audience is very wide.
Today, the literacy rate in France exceeds 60%. Many people who cannot afford newspapers can only read Pamphlets for entertainment. It can be said that Pamphlets dominate the low-end market.
Joseph, of course, wouldn't miss this powerful publicity tool.
However, it's difficult for the audience of the Pamphlets to make frequent, continuous purchases. This would affect the readability of the serialized novel. Therefore, he plans to publish Pamphlets once a week, containing seven days' worth of novel chapters.
When tens of thousands of Pamphlets appeared on the streets of Paris, that would be the time for him to launch his final offensive.
At the annual ball at the Versailles Palace, a group of Nobility ladies glanced resentfully at Princess Therese, complaining about how she kept the Crown Prince by her side.
The young men watched Joseph helplessly, hoping that some kind lady would "kidnap" the Crown Prince, giving them a chance to get close to the princess.
Of course, this was Joseph using his sister as a "shield" on his own—he really did have a bit of a psychological aversion to dancing...
After a few days of adjustment, Therese had become much less bothered by the rumors and was currently chatting casually with Joseph.
"I've heard that your invention, the ' Crown Prince's Blessing, ' is incredibly effective. I've been taking it recently, but so far, I haven't seen any results..."
Joseph asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? Do you have a fever?"
Therese shook her head. "I don't have a fever. It's just that I often feel dizzy, weak, and short of breath. I even fainted a few months ago. The doctors can't figure out the cause. Dr. Baptiste suggested that I go to Château de Meudon to recuperate."
Joseph's face darkened. "These aren't symptoms you should be taking Salicin for. Why are you taking any medication?"
"You can't just take any medicine you hear is miraculous. You have to follow the doctor's instructions."
Therese nodded seriously. "It was Dr. Baptiste who told me to take it."
"..."
Joseph rubbed his forehead and asked again, "What other medications are you taking?"
Therese named several herbs.
Joseph looked at her pale face and thought to himself: Judging from her symptoms, it sounds like severe anemia. Girls her age seem to be very prone to anemia. I just don't know if it's iron-deficiency anemia or pathological anemia.
Therese added, "Besides taking medication, I also receive Bloodletting Treatment every two weeks."
Joseph's face darkened completely. "You'd better fire your doctor."
Many thanks to the following generous donors for their generous donations to this book: Renyu, Renru Kazhong Alpha, Ganmu Ren Adai, Juansuo Zai Beiwo Zhong, Lian Lie De Mei Niang Mei Bu Oils Zheng Qie, Tangfen Youzhi Wu Wang Jin, Shuyou 201/0403213248533, and Shuyou 20170809155505651! Tian Hai Shan is deeply grateful! I love you all!
(End of this chapter)