Chapter 313: Come on, Let’s Hurt Each Other
The title of this story was so outrageous that the senior scholars were dumbfounded.
“This, this, Ninth Brother, the name you chose…”
The Fifth Prince was so shocked that he stammered, “This title is simply outrageous.”
It really was outrageous—who in their right mind would name a book or a story like this!
The senior scholars were also so stunned that they didn’t know what to say.
Several of the old men, with white beards and trembling lips, looked at Wei Yu with complicated expressions, wanting to say something but holding back for various considerations—so much so that they swallowed their words alive.
Only the official who was responsible for telling the story could not help but say,
“This is unbearably vulgar and dishonors our scholarly dignity!”
“Sir, you’re getting worked up already, aren’t you?”
Wei Yu looked at him with disapproval. “How is this vulgar? Have you ever heard the saying ‘great vulgarity is great elegance’? What is vulgar, what is elegant? These things aren’t determined by just one or two people. If the common people think it’s good, then it’s not vulgar! Do you understand?”
The official, holding back his breath, thought: …
He really didn’t want to understand!
His Highness was clearly just engaging in sophistry!
Thinking he was being tricky, Wei Yu solemnly turned to the other senior scholars and said, “Gentlemen, whether this title is vulgar or not, let’s put that aside for the moment. Let’s talk about your initial reactions when you first saw this title just now. Imagine yourselves as readers seeing the newspaper for the first time—when you saw this title, did you have the desire to read further?”
The senior scholars immediately fell silent.
What could they say?
Say that they were so shocked by the title that they had no desire to continue reading?
That would be ridiculous.
With a title chosen by His Highness like this, not to mention titles found in brothels or bawdy publications, even prohibited books throughout history never had such a bombshell title.
The senior scholars fell silent and, following the Ninth Highness’s words, began to think further… Hey! Don’t say it!
Although the title looked outrageous, it really made them want to read on!
The senior scholars gradually began to appreciate the cleverness of this title— the more they pondered, the more they realized that this style of title was genuinely ingenious!
How so? Although the story was a normal, straightforward detective story, nothing special, the title had captured the essence perfectly!
Human nature is gossip; curiosity and desire for knowledge are eternal and unchanging human traits.
Although the senior scholars couldn’t precisely describe that psychology, they certainly knew that everyone loved a spectacle!
That eagerness for sensational drama, the tacit understanding regarding romantic intrigues, when the commoners see such a title, they’re naturally curious and inclined to read on…
Of course, as for whether the story content contradicts the title or the title is misleading, the senior scholars pondered and found no fault.
After all, the story was indeed about the widow and two men—the eldest uncle and the neighbor Old Wang—what’s wrong with that?
His Highness had condensed it very neatly!
From shock and disbelief to quietly savoring its cleverness, the expressions of the senior scholars changed greatly, each stroking their beards and silently nodding.
The Fifth Prince was the quickest to accept it among them.
Being young, he accepted new things faster, and he was a bit of a mischief lover himself. When he first saw it, besides shock he was itching to get involved. If he hadn’t been concerned about these senior scholars, he would have jumped up and applauded his Ninth Brother.
But now it wasn’t too late—the senior scholars had already accepted it.
Fifth Prince silently gave his Ninth Brother an approving look from a corner where the senior scholars couldn’t see.
Good kid, I knew you could do it!
Wei Yu smiled shyly.
Keep it low-key, keep it low-key. There are plenty of clickbait titles in modern society; seeing a lot makes you good at it.
Giving the scholars some time to adjust, when Wei Yu estimated it was about right, he asked them,
“Gentlemen, what do you think? If the name of Story News were all written like this, do you think the public would be willing to read it?”
The scholars exchanged glances and then, with tacit agreement, turned to look at their colleagues responsible for Story News.
After all, Story News wasn’t their responsibility. Being held up as an example to discuss whether it’s good or not is better left to those in charge.
The colleague being looked at was speechless, wanting to say something but hesitating under everyone’s gaze.
What else was there to say? Everyone already agreed in their hearts, so what’s the point of asking him? That’s just poking him in the heart!
He replied expressionlessly, “I have no objection. His Highness’s method is excellent. However, I think that Story News alone is not enough; other newspapers also need to make some changes.”
Come on, let’s hurt each other!
It’s one thing that the Story News he was responsible for was singled out for discussion—but if you want to see a spectacle, let’s all sink together!
If we’re going down socially, let’s all go down together. At the very least, when the newspapers are distributed, it won’t be just the Story News under his charge being criticized by the public…
As soon as he said this, the senior scholars, who had been calm just a moment ago, immediately straightened their eyes.
Several of them looked over and gave their colleague a death stare.
Damn you, Song Rang!
To openly plot against us here—big eyebrows and big eyes, clearly you’re not a good person!
Song Rang pretended not to see these glares.
Wei Yu smiled with narrowed eyes, also pretending not to see the little quarrel among the reporters.
As the boss, when your employees fight, you have to be a good blind person—at least the money is all coming to you…
“Your suggestion makes sense, sir. I’ve taken it to heart. Besides Story News, we need to revamp other newspapers too! Come, Fifth Brother, quickly bring the other newspapers over. I want to personally teach the gentlemen how to be qualified writers!”
The senior scholars: …
—
When you do clickbait titles, you have to be a little cheeky to attract readers’ eyes and boost newspaper sales.
But there must be moderation.
At least for serious papers like political times, agriculture, economy, and business, the titles need to be honest. Exaggeration is unacceptable.
Stories can entertain, but when it involves real people and real events, especially those still living, clickbait titles are not allowed.
That’s media killing people.
Nowadays, because of cyberbullying and rumors, lives have been ruined—more than one or two.
Some things can entertain, but Wei Yu definitely doesn’t want anyone to be driven to death by baseless rumors.
Maybe later the laws can be adjusted, adding a crime of defamation.
Hmm… he missed Dong Sheng who was sent away.
He really didn’t know when the boy would return. Wei Yu truly looked forward to the day Dong Sheng would come back from his studies and revise the laws anew.
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