My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Chapter 295: He’s Just an Old Father

Whether or not there’s a Newspaper Agency, Fifth Prince fled without even hearing about it.

He was someone with a sense of crisis—once he sensed things were going wrong, he would immediately run away.

Looking at the brothers who were currently close to Ninth Brother, Fifth Prince couldn’t help but shake his head when thinking about their current situations.

Among the brothers, Fourth Brother was the first to become wayward.

He quietly slipped off to do business, and not only did their father, the Emperor, not blame him, but it seemed he even gave him considerable support. Now, anyone in the entire capital who mentions Fourth Brother looks at him as if he were the God of Wealth!

As for Second Brother and Eighth Younger Brother, after following Wei Yu around Jiaozhou, they returned looking as if they had been sent somewhere for advanced training. They became even more scheming and unfathomable, deeply dedicated to office work, making people feel dazed just by looking at them.

Third Brother, who went with Wei Yu to Huzhou for disaster relief, was even more inexplicable—he disappeared just a few days after returning!

There were only a few brothers in total: the second, third, fourth, and eighth were all “ruined.” That left first, fifth, sixth, and seventh… Thinking about this, Fifth Prince pulled his collar tighter as a chill ran through him, then quickened his pace back to the mansion.

Getting close to Wei Yu meant misfortune—this iron-clad fact was right before his eyes, leaving no room for disbelief!

Fifth Prince scampered off, swearing that he would resolutely stay away from Ninth Brother’s side for the time being.

But as the saying goes: if the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.

Fifth Prince didn’t take the initiative, but Wei Yu did.

Regarding Fifth Brother’s carefree, leisurely behavior—like a street loafer every day—Wei Yu looked down on it with serious disdain.

Such a grown man, how could he be idle every day?

Was that fair to the common people?

With the thought of protecting Fifth Brother’s reputation, Wei Yu for the first time gritted his teeth and wrote a Newspaper Agency project proposal…

Okay, Wei Yu admitted that all those fancy words were just pompous nonsense.

He just couldn’t stand that his Fifth Brother was lazier than him!

So, the official Great Wei Newspaper Agency, issuing various newspapers—political, entertainment, livelihood… basically, since Wei Yu had found something for Fifth Brother to do, he had to do it well!

It took Wei Yu only six days to finish the Newspaper Agency proposal.

After all, when a person feels unfairly treated, their work enthusiasm becomes exceptionally high.

Wei Yu was jealous that Fifth Brother’s life was so leisurely. The slower he wrote, the longer Fifth Brother could enjoy his easy-going days. This made Wei Yu more resentful, and so his pen moved faster and faster…

Once the proposal was done, Wei Yu went straight to the palace to meet his Dad with the documents.

Regarding the Newspaper Agency, Emperor Wei, after reading the proposal, said the concept looked familiar.

It was somewhat similar to the imperial newsletters sent from the Imperial Court to various fiefdoms, used to introduce political developments and other information.

But the difference was that the newsletters were only for communication within the court and targeted officials, while the newspapers were aimed at the entire population.

Emperor Wei was pondering the benefits of establishing the Newspaper Agency, while Wei Yu directly urged his dad.

“What are you thinking? Is there anything to consider? Establishing a Newspaper Agency is a great way to enlighten the people! We even have a Research Institute and an academy now; are you worried that letting the people know too much will make them hard to manage?”

Emperor Wei frowned deeply and looked at his unruly son, who was talking to himself in a daze.

But Wei Yu lowered his head and didn’t notice the look, continuing with a sigh, “Dad, this Newspaper Agency is run by our Imperial Court. It’s official and government-operated. Different types of newspapers have different audiences. Some people care about the nation and want to understand orders from the Imperial Court or local areas—they’ll read the political paper. Some prefer gossip and like excitement—they’ll read the Entertainment News. Others like business and making money—they’ll read the Economic Newspaper…”

“Of course! That’s not even the most important part.”

Wei Yu looked up at his dad with a meaningful smile, “Running a Newspaper Agency means selling newspapers. Since we’re selling, how could we not charge money, right?”

Emperor Wei silently straightened up.

He glanced at Wei Yu. “It can make money?”

Wei Yu asked back, “Why can’t it?”

Emperor Wei stroked his chin. “How much?”

Wei Yu looked up to think carefully. “Well, son’s not sure, but he knows it will definitely make money!”

Though unsure about other types of papers, Entertainment News and Story News would definitely sell well!

Throughout history, haven’t there always been plenty of people who loved gossip and excitement?

Especially in this entertainment-starved era, wealthy and idle nobles, besides attending banquets, could only stay bored at home. If suddenly there appeared newspapers reporting various juicy and interesting real stories, would these bored nobles buy them or not?

Anyway, Wei Yu had sent people to survey and collect statistics.

Among those asked, seventy percent said they would buy; of the remaining thirty percent, most cited lack of money.

A profitable Newspaper Agency indeed.

Emperor Wei pondered and glanced down at the proposal again.

He actually had no intention to oppose it. After all, as Wei Yu said, they already had a Research Institute and an academy teaching so-called STEM subjects. They had long been enlightening the people’s intellect; why worry now that people might become restless and hard to manage?

The people’s minds were already enlightened.

Putting down the proposal, Emperor Wei sighed, “Fine, I approve the Newspaper Agency.”

Wei Yu was delighted and hurriedly recommended, “Have Fifth Brother manage it! Fifth Brother can do it. Fifth Brother definitely will do well!”

Emperor Wei stopped.

He looked at Wei Yu suspiciously, staring for several seconds.

Wei Yu remained calm under his father’s scrutinizing gaze. “Dad, don’t look at me like that. My recommendation is purely based on merit. Truly, no one fits to manage the Newspaper Agency better than Fifth Brother.”

Emperor Wei: …

The suspicious emperor didn’t know what to say—he had many questions.

For example: “Why do I feel this Newspaper Agency was invented just for your Fifth Brother?” Because the Newspaper Agency came suddenly, and the unfilial son wasn’t usually so diligent.

Another: “How many brothers have you arranged like this?” Old One was sent to fight, Old Three was lured into the Research Institute, Old Four was sent into business. Among the remaining sons, Emperor Wei had a feeling that they might also be assigned like this in the future.

Another: “Does Fifth Prince even know about this?” They were all his own sons. Even if he wasn’t very attentive, he roughly knew their natures. Fifth Prince? If he had ambition, he wouldn’t be idling all year long in the Ministry of Rites…

Emperor Wei silently looked away.

There were many questions, but he was too lazy to ask.

What did any of it have to do with him?

He was just an old father who loved his youngest son!

If the recommendation came from the unfilial one, and Fifth Prince wasn’t willing, what business was it of his?

All he knew was that the Newspaper Agency would make money—that was enough!

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