Entertainment of Spring and Autumn

Chapter 459 The Power of Public Opinion

People in Jingshi are now very accustomed to the existence of "Jingshi Daily".

This newspaper came out relatively early. When the newspaper was started in Luzhou, Xia Houdi started making preparations immediately after receiving the report from Luzhou Chief Zhou, and personally took the name of editor-in-chief, and Xiao Ai served as deputy editor-in-chief. In actual work, the girls from Baihuayuan also turned into reporters and editors. When Xue Mu went to Jianzhou, the first issue of "Jingshi Daily" had already been published, and due to the extremely rich market culture of Jingshi, this daily was a real daily, with a daily issue, and its sales were much greater than that of Lingzhou. .

In fact, Xia Houdi knew the role of newspapers as a propaganda front. Xue Mu had agreed with Zhou Captou once, intending to break Wujiu Temple's Buddhist propaganda monopoly at the appropriate time. She also drew inferences from one example. The Jingshi Daily has played a role in guiding public opinion from the first day it was born. For example, there were all kinds of rumors about a certain person. She used the daily to guide everyone to know the correct information, or the information that Liumen wanted everyone to know. Been doing this for a long time.

But in the final analysis, this is just a continuation of the early "Memorial of Events" approach, and it is still limited to the direction of "correcting the source" of news dissemination.

The limitations of culture made both Xia Houdi and Xiao Ai think that newspapers were just for entertainment, and they had not considered opening a separate current affairs section to fill in political private goods. Even if the idea occasionally crossed their minds, they thought it would have an impact. The sales volume is right.

Facts have proved that the capital is the capital after all.

When people discovered that the new issue of "Jingshi Daily" had a current affairs section, a royal censor opened a column to talk about current affairs. Xiao Ai has just finished the first issue, but he didn’t grasp the scale well. The scale of this issue is particularly large. He actually analyzes the composition of each party in detail and evaluates who has a better chance of becoming the leader. Even Xue Mu trembled after reading it, secretly thinking that this is too much. It transcends an era... Can the party struggle these days be so openly discussed?

However, the effect of the strong medicine was really good. This issue of the daily newspaper was sold out within half an hour, and the kid selling the newspaper was almost squeezed.

Before the political hall had time to react, should we ban this kind of over-the-top current commentary? As a result, the newspaper came out the next day, and the political hall where they wanted to discuss suddenly fell silent. Everyone was holding a newspaper, and their eyes were peeking out from the corner of the newspaper. , quietly observing Xiahou Di.

Xia Houdi stared blankly, his face turning red and white.

Actually, it’s nothing else. The commentary mentioned the road paving issue that has been a hot topic recently. It gave a general introduction to the whole story. According to the opinions of the political leaders, they will probably find a pilot project to pave a road section in the spring. And attached a column comment, saying that the merits of the present time will be beneficial to the future, etc.

This is a normal comment. In fact, the news of paving the way has been spreading in the capital these days, and everyone is discussing it. Putting it in the newspaper only increases the degree of certainty, and there is no problem. If there is a difference, it's just that this kind of news usually just talks about the incident, but this time it has additional comments, nothing more.

But what’s interesting is that when the news mentioned the attitude of the big bosses on this matter, they used the terms “Su Xiangguo”, “Eunuch Li”, “Clan Master Li” and “Princess Di”.

Princess Ogi...

Although this newspaper was urgently stopped by the Department of Publications as soon as it was released, and was republished as "Xiahou Zongzong", the initial clerical error of "Princess Di" had spread throughout the capital.

The whole capital was overjoyed.

In fact, Xia Houdi's identity as an "illegitimate princess" has been rumored for more than three years. Ever since she took the position of chief arrester of the Six Gates, she has been criticized by some unconvinced people - it must be said that many of Xuangzhe's subordinates were among them. , maliciously spread rumors, and then there were private discussions everywhere. Even when Xue Mu first came to your place, he had heard this rumor. It is impossible that the people in the capital had not heard it.

It is indeed easy for people to suspect that Xiahou Di is an illegitimate princess. After all, she came from the palace, and her origins are easy for people to think about. In addition, she can enter and leave the palace, and she has a relationship with King Qi, King Tang and even more princes. She has always been very close, and her character does not deliberately avoid suspicion and cover up. Several doubtful points prove that this rumor is quite popular.

It's just that Ji Qingyuan's attitude is ambiguous and he never says a word about it, so there is no evidence. In the end, it can only be a rumor based on rumors. Some more upright people are not willing to believe such unsubstantiated suspicions. Even heavyweights like Su Duancheng said it was just a rumor.

And Xia Houdi himself has always tried his best to deny the princess rumors, and even turned against others for this. Everyone knows that Xia Houdi hates people saying that she took the position of chief arrester because of her status as a princess. She only hopes that people See her six-door exploits.

Over time, the rumors gradually faded away, and no one mentioned it anymore. New rumors even emerged, saying that she was a child bride prepared for some princes, and they would get married sooner or later.

This rumor also has a certain market, and it is consistent with Xiahoudi's origin and performance. In addition, the kings of Qi and Tang are still unmarried, so the intensity of this rumor is even greater than that of an illegitimate daughter.

Many people said that based on Xiahoudi's relationship with the princes, it would not be unusual to marry which prince on any given day, so the legend of the princess should be put to rest.

This may be what Ji Qingyuan has been thinking about.

But on that day, the Capital Daily openly wrote: Princess Di.

No one would think that Xia Houdi did it herself. She had denied it for many years and had gone to knife for it. Her attitude was obvious. And as an important minister, her personal power is no joke. If she really wants to do it, there are many ways to do it slowly, and she will not use such an abrupt method to put herself under the public discussion of the whole capital and put her on the fire. .

Then this is probably the internal drama of the censor who wrote the column. The clerical error was exposed, and the review editor did not know whether it was intentional or did not notice it, and actually let this review be published...

This is not a "rumor" explanation after seeing what was reported in the newspaper. It can at least prove that some officials thought that Xia Houdi was the princess, and they all made a typo...

At the same time, it aroused heated discussion among the people: Is Xia Houdi a princess?

The whole capital was talking about this matter in the streets and alleys, and it was in full swing, and finally the incident was forced to the point where it had to be dealt with.

Many officials couldn't sit still. Many people went to the Zongren Mansion to demand an answer. Relevant memorials flew to the court like a snowflake. The main point was this: There is no small matter in the Tian family. No matter whether it is a princess or not, you have to give an explanation. It's about canonization, not about official refutation of rumors. In short, we cannot allow such an unclear situation to continue.

The political hall was silent, and Xia Houdi remained silent for a long time. She knew very well that this was not a clerical error, it was intentional. It must be Xue Mu who was doing it. Why did he do it like this?

She recalled the conversation she had with her old servant that night:

——If Xue Mu was doing it for himself, he would not want her to be a princess. Because of the shackles of the princess's identity, it would be even harder for him to possess her.

——And if it's for her, then I hope she clears her name. Because no one wants to be known as a bastard for the rest of his life.

Xia Houdi let out a long sigh and said lightly: "What do you think?"

After a silence, Li Yingqing said: "It's better to give an explanation. It won't be a problem if it continues like this. In fact, we should have figured it out a long time ago. The dignified chief arrester is always discussed by the public as to whether he is an illegitimate daughter or a child bride. , it’s really ugly. I don’t know what His Majesty thinks, but it’s time to give an explanation today.”

Su Duancheng also sighed and said to Eunuch Li: "After all, it is an internal matter of the royal family. No one can decide whether it is yes or no except His Majesty himself. Please Eunuch Li convey the opinions of your colleagues to Your Majesty and let His Majesty consider it."

Xia Houdi had no intention of continuing the meeting, so he left the meeting early and went straight to Baihua Garden.

Zhuo Qingqing and Xiao Ai were talking about something, and Xia Houdi barged in, grabbed Xiao Ai and said, "What do you mean by being in charge!"

Before Xiao Ai could answer, Zhuo Qingqing said leisurely beside her: "The master said that if you draw your sword and fight for him, he will give you a princess in return."

Xia Houdi said angrily: "What a fart! This is putting me on the fire!"

Zhuo Qingqing shook his head: "Other people's opinions are opinions. After all, it is your father who makes the decision. If you want to put it on the fire, he will be roasted. Even if he is still suppressing it, as long as the wind continues to blow, people will think of you in their hearts. The idea that she is a princess will slowly solidify, and the so-called child bride theory will no longer be mentioned."

Xia Houdi said angrily: "Does this mean I will be discussed for a long time?"

Zhuo Qingqing smiled: "Did the chief arrester forget that tomorrow is the imperial ceremony?"