Chapter 111: A Turning Point in the Career

On the way back, Yang Cheng was still brimming with excitement, humming a little tune as he sat in the carriage.

This caused Murong Tie to look back repeatedly; he had never seen the young master this happy, sitting there all by himself, grinning like a fool.

Yang Cheng was truly delighted today, having successfully set two major events in motion.

Putting aside the Artists' Guild, which promised limitless prospects, the most important development was the impending launch of the newspaper industry. In an era starved for information, he was well aware of the immense power and profitability of a newspaper. If his previous business ventures were merely the capital to get him started, this newspaper industry would be his turning point. To put it grandly, he would hold a tool capable of influencing the hearts and minds of the people. In more practical terms, his other future business ventures would become far less cumbersome; he would only need to use the newspaper to pave the way and build momentum to easily drive them forward.

He had even worked out the pricing for the paper—set very low so that more people could afford it, relying on sheer volume. Half a silver coin per issue. Moreover, he would burn through some capital first by providing it for free for half a month. As long as the content was engaging enough, it would cultivate a daily reading habit. At only fifteen silver coins a month, more than a quarter of the population of Wuzhou City could afford it. Calculated out, that would be 1.8 spirit coins spent unknowingly over a year. If operated properly, with nearly ten million potential subscribers, a single newspaper could bring in tens of millions in annual revenue.

If he were to expand into surrounding city-states, the eighteen cities of the Eastern Capital, or even the entire Liuyun Kingdom, the profits would be incalculable.

Furthermore, he could launch more than just one publication. For instance, there could be the *Wuzhou Daily*, dedicated to daily local gossip and neighborhood news. Or the *Cultivation Gazette*, which would critique cultivation figures and recount martial arts anecdotes. He could even hire scholars skilled in storytelling to write serials and novels, making them so addictive that people would buy the paper every day—a publication titled *Wuzhou Stories*. In short, beyond politics, every aspect of life could have its own category of newspaper to attract different demographics.

Once the Artists' Guild was established, it would complement the newspaper industry, fostering mutual growth. A publication like *Wuzhou Stars* could constantly feature the life stories of even the newest talents, praising their talents and beauty, making it a shortcut for newcomers to gain fame. As they became more famous, more people would love and follow them, which in turn would drive more interest in the *Wuzhou Stars*—a win-win for both sides.

Beyond the daily issues, he could also produce monthly magazines. For example, *Cultivation Figures* could compile the martial arts news and prominent personalities from the daily papers into a bound volume. Similarly, the *Liuyun Monthly* could collect literature and stories written by scholars. Monthly magazines, not constrained by the urgency of daily news, could be sold not only in Wuzhou City but also shipped to other city-states. With a higher price point, they could be sold far and wide.

However, these were only the surface-level benefits.

Once the majority of people in Wuzhou City began reading the paper, information would spread rapidly. If someone needed to find a person or an item, they would naturally think of seeking the help of the newspaper. If a guild wanted to acquire large quantities of goods, instead of wasting time and effort running around, they could simply post a notice in the paper and have suppliers from all directions bring their wares for selection.

Merchants looking to hire suitable labor could post a recruitment notice and wait for applicants to come for interviews. Martial artists looking for tasks would no longer need to haunt the Mercenary Alliance every day; they could simply check the paper.

While he might not personally engage in every industry, by having the attention of the masses, the newspaper would become a platform for mass advertising. This was where the real advertising revenue lay—from small tasks like finding lost property to major commercial promotions. Depending on the value, charging several or even tens of thousands of spirit coins for a single notice was entirely possible.

For example, a tea merchant wanting to inform more people about a newly developed tea blend would only need to place a prominent advertisement in the paper describing the taste and advantages of his product. It would surely become famous overnight, and the resulting profits and saved time were values no merchant could refuse. Charging such an advertiser thousands or even tens of thousands of spirit coins would not be excessive.

Thinking of this, Yang Cheng felt incredibly thrilled. Once this endeavor was realized, he would essentially be able to sit back and relax. Moreover, this was an industry that was not easily replicated; not to mention that outsiders would find it difficult to understand the operational principles, he also held control over papermaking and movable-type printing—two technologies he would keep under tight wraps to ensure a monopoly.

He would also hold the power of the press. If anyone harbored ill intentions toward him, he could ruin their reputation in an instant. By digging up or even fabricating scandals, he could surely make them a social pariah. Of course, he would avoid using such tactics unless necessary, as once those with ulterior motives discovered the power of the press, it could bring about unfavorable consequences.

From another perspective, once newspapers and books began to circulate throughout the Liuyun Kingdom, the utility of paper would be discovered by more people. Orders for paper mills would flock in from all directions, further stimulating the paper industry. The wine-making and furniture businesses would also see faster trends thanks to the exposure from the newspapers.

In the eastern courtyard of the Yang Estate, there was a structure surrounded by greenery. Not only were the original large trees left standing, but many more had been transplanted. The lush, tiered vegetation turned the interior into an isolated island. Only a single path remained, guarded by core martial artists of the Yang family. After winding through several turns, one would find a hidden sanctuary inside.

This was Yang Cheng’s movable-type printing plant. It was not located in the same place as the paper mill, which, although it increased transport difficulties, served as a double insurance policy for Yang Cheng, ensuring that a single leak would not compromise everything.

He had no intention of making it public, at least for now; he needed these technologies to ensure the smooth implementation of the newspaper industry. The perimeter of the woods was patrolled by house guards, and the interior was guarded by core martial artists. The entire printing plant was managed by Old Yang and Xiao Wu. The workers chosen were all loyal individuals, ensuring their absolute silence.

Deep into the night, the printing plant in the depths of the small woods remained brightly lit. Xiao Wu was working alongside several core workers, day and night, repeatedly attempting to refine the typesetting and printing process. His eyes were red and swollen, yet he kept checking the work and discussing it with the others.

Yang Cheng only had a general understanding and was not familiar with the technical details, so he could only provide Xiao Wu with the general direction. Since Xiao Wu had successfully overcome the challenges of papermaking under the young master’s guidance, he had gained immense confidence in himself. He had shed his initial nervousness and finally believed in his own limitless potential, becoming exceptionally fond of thinking through and solving problems.

Faced with one technical hurdle after another, Xiao Wu no longer felt fear, but rather an intense excitement. Even though he hadn't slept in two days, he still appeared full of vigor.

The several core workers accompanying him also worked tirelessly, trying again and again. The five hundred workers at the printing plant had been carefully selected by Old Yang from the other three factories for their loyalty and reliability. Their monthly wages were relatively high, and their children’s education was well taken care of by the Yang family. As long as they performed well, they would even be allocated housing in the villa district. Because of this, they never spoke of their work to outsiders, choosing to remain low-key and diligent.

Everyone voluntarily used their rest time to strive for the early and successful completion of the young master’s orders, ensuring the printing plant could realize its true value.