British writer

Lu Shi sent two visitors away.

Saying goodbye, the two revealed their upcoming itinerary.

Gu Hongming will temporarily live in London and make plans to travel to Europe;

As for Zheng Guanying, he was supposed to visit various railways and investment companies, but after hearing Lu Shi's words, he put away those thoughts and returned to China to deal with the follow-up of the Guangdong-Han Railway.

Lu Shi returned to his seat, thinking about the "Fifteen Years of Wanli".

The author of this book, Huang Renyu, is a Chinese-American, so the draft is in English. The title of the book is "1587, A Year of No Significance: The Ming Dynasty in Decline\

,"(AD 1587 = the fifteenth year of Wanli)

The general framework can be used directly.

But this book also has drawbacks,

For example, when citing historical materials, they will be biased and only cite content that is beneficial to their own views.

In some cases, historical materials are even misinterpreted and misinterpreted, and the theory of "Feng Bao stepping down" is even more ridiculous.

Experts on the history of the Ming Dynasty commented on "The Fifteen Years of Wanli":

"Not qualified as an academic monograph."

This is also the limitation of the author Huang Renyu as a Chinese-American when studying historical materials.

Lu Shi muttered: "It's difficult..."

He wrote the English title on a piece of paper, followed by the subtitles of each chapter, listed in a few lines.

At this time, Natsume Soseki came back.

We broke free from the cat's leash, rushed into the house, and rolled around at Lu Shi's feet,

"Meow ~"

Natsume Soseki looked around,

"People left?"

He paced behind Lu Shi, saw the content on the paper, and couldn't help being amazed: "You chose such a difficult content..."

Lu Shi stretched his waist,

"Wait, the textbook is still early~"

He folded the paper, put it aside, and said, "Let's do business first."

...

three days later.

Palace of Westminster.

Wodehouse came out of the House of Lords, muttering something like "crazy" and "wasting time", and walked quickly to the office.

As soon as he reached the door, he saw Churchill waiting there.

Wodehouse looked up and down,

"I said, are you fat?"

Churchill raised his eyebrows,

"It was caused by not exercising for too long after coming down from the battlefield."

He didn't want to spend too much time talking about his body shape, so he changed the subject and said, "By the way, I heard you complaining all the time. Is there something wrong? Could it be..."

Before the words finished, Wodehouse interrupted: "That's the 'Could it be'. Go into the room and say."

He opened the door and entered.

Churchill followed, and consciously went to the humidor to get cigars, and thieves never left them.

Wodehouse is too lazy to complain,

While packing his things, he continued the topic just now: "Ten minutes ago, Belfort went hysterical and went crazy again."

Churchill chuckled,

"Arthur?"

Arthur James Balfour, nephew and political heir to current Prime Minister Robert Gascoigne-Cecil.

Wodehouse said "hmm" and said: "France and the United States are doing things, and Tsarist Russia is also very troublesome. There are too many places where money is needed to protect overseas interests. People in the cabinet It's not crazy."

Financial issues have always been a top priority.

During New Year's Day, there was a rift between the Royal Navy and the cabinet because of the budget. Churchill foresaw the current situation at that time,

"It's going to get harder for Robert, isn't it?" he said.

This is a question.

Wodehouse smiled slyly,

"do not ask me."

He put on his bowler hat, stood by the door, made a "please" gesture to Churchill, and said, "Why, do you want me to carry you out?"

Although he trusted Churchill very much, he would not be left alone in the office.

Churchill took two more cigars before going out.

He asked, "Where are you going?"

Wodehouse said: "Professor Lu asked me to meet at the cafe across the river. I was a little worried that he would go elsewhere."

Open invitations from Oxford and Cambridge have appeared in the newspapers,

Compared with these two schools, the University of London Union is a younger brother, with poor resources, poor teachers, and even degrees are far behind.

No wonder Wodehouse is concerned.

Churchill shook his head, "I still retain my previous point of view. Professor Lu's polling project in London Political Economy has a high degree of freedom and is respected at the same time. You may not be treated like this when you go to Oxford and Cambridge."

"Hopefully, my worries are unfounded," Wodehouse said.

he waved

"It's almost time, I have to leave quickly to avoid being late."

...

The cafe is across the river from the Palace of Westminster.

In the box, Scott and Cooper were sitting opposite each other, drinking coffee while reading the newspaper in their hands.

Cooper asked: "What do you think, what will happen when Professor Lu asks us to come here? Does he have another new work? I have always been envious of his "Roger Mystery", but it is a pity that the supplement of "The Scotsman" is limited. ..."

A few hundred words are omitted later.

It can be seen that Cooper is very sorry.

Scott comforted: "You, don't think so much. The way "Roger's Mystery" is written is a narrative trick, not suitable for serialization."

Cooper nodded unwillingly, then shook his head again,

"Why is it not suitable for serialization?"

Scott laughed,

"Don't take it seriously ~ don't take it seriously~"

The relationship between the two is very good, talking and laughing does not affect the relationship.

After a few minutes, the door of the private room was pushed open, and Lu Shi and Wodehouse stood at the door.

Lu Shi stepped forward,

"You two, I've been waiting for a long time."

The four shook hands in turn and sat down.

Scott couldn't wait to say: "Lu, you're so naive, how can such a good article as "I Have a Dream" be published in the old-fashioned "Daily Telegraph"? This is a naked pearl casting a dark shadow!"

Seeing the other party's heartbroken look, Lu Shi wanted to laugh,

He replied: "It was an impromptu speech, and the manuscript was sorted out by Cambridge University. There is nothing I can do about it."

Scott sighed after hearing this,

"well……"

Seeing that there were two editor-in-chiefs at the scene, Wodehouse knew that Lu Shi didn't come to him to resign, so he let go of the big stone in his heart.

He relaxed a little, and asked, "Professor Lu, what are you asking us for?"

Lu Shi said: "Sir, you are the honorary president of the University of London Union, in charge of school affairs. Have you ever thought about publishing periodicals, magazines, and newspapers in the name of the school? This can expand your influence and challenge Oxford and Cambridge."

The atmosphere in the box instantly became a little weird.

Wodehouse's mouth twitched,

"Against whom?"

He thought he had heard wrong.

As a result, Lu Shi repeated firmly: "Challenge Oxford and Cambridge."

Wodehouse said, "Are you kidding me?"

Lu Shi was puzzled,

"So many colleges and universities in London have formed an alliance, don't they have that kind of thought?"

This question stopped Wodehouse.

It has to be admitted that the establishment of the University of London Alliance has certain political considerations, but the main reason is education.

Oxford and Cambridge are quite good.

Is London that bad?

Scott on the side asked, "Lu, do you have any ideas?"

Lu Shi nodded, and said his idea about the tabloid.

After listening,

"hiss……"

"hiss……"

Scott and Cooper gasped at the same time.

Neither of them expected that a Chinese person was not conservative at all, even more open than the British.

"The idea is really... really..." Cooper said.

He didn't know how to evaluate it.

Scott next to him said: "Think carefully, this kind of newspaper must have room for survival."

Because of the battle between Lu Shi and Doyle, the sales of "Manchester Guardian" increased sharply, and Scott began to think about a fundamental problem——

People read newspapers, what is it for?

Before, he always felt that people read newspapers to receive information,

But now, his mind has changed.

"Reading newspapers is also a form of entertainment in itself," he said.

Cooper gave an "um" and said in a low voice, "I agree with your point of view."

Scott surprised,

"You agree?"

Cooper couldn't help laughing,

"What? Do you think I will object? As a journalist, if I don't have this sensitivity, I can simply resign from the position of editor-in-chief. Think about it, what is the current "Le Figaro"?" It looks good, but it sells ridiculously well..."

"Le Figaro", a comprehensive daily newspaper in France, was registered from the protagonist Figaro in the famous play "The Marriage of Figaro" by the French playwright Beaumarchais.

Figaro is a highly respected literary figure in the French literary tradition. Many literary masters, including Zola, Molière, and Gide, have created with him as the protagonist.

Therefore, "Le Figaro" sounds very literary and artistic just by its name.

But it is such a literary newspaper that has begun to follow the commercialization route of the Riba people——

Crazy print ads.

On the surface, there is a thick stack, but the actual content is pitifully small, and news has to be found through the gaps in the advertisements.

But the common people just eat this trick,

Do you increase the price?

It's good to tear up those advertising pages and use them as toilet paper.

The success of "Le Figaro" has impacted the entire newspaper industry, making the editors of newspaper offices reflect on what the basic functions of newspapers are,

Send message?

Entertainment?

Provide toilet paper?

...

As a result, the editors began to show their talents, and all kinds of strange newspapers sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Wodehouse suddenly said: "I support Professor Lu."

Scott:? ? ?

Cooper:? ? ?

Lu Shi:? ? ?

All three were a little confused by Wodehouse's sudden statement.

Cooper said in a low voice: "Sir, we haven't discussed the specific details yet, why are you... why are you so proactive?"

wodehouse embarrassed,

He took the initiative because he felt a sense of crisis.

Oxford and Cambridge offered an olive branch to Lu Shi. If Lu Shi didn't make a statement and really let Lu Shi fall into the gentle hometown of other schools, then the gain would outweigh the loss.

As for running a newspaper, it can be done by as much as tens of thousands of pounds or as little as a few thousand pounds.

It is not considered a waste to win over Lu Shi.

What's more, after listening to Cooper and Scott's evaluation, tabloids seem to have a market, and they should not lose money.

It would be even better if the influence of the University of London Union can be expanded by the way.

Cooper said: "It is of course a good thing that the Jazz is so supportive. But borrowing the publishing house of the University of London Alliance, the newspapers that are published must pay attention to a certain degree of authenticity, otherwise it will cause negative effects and it will be very troublesome."

Scott nodded.

When he turned to land,

"Lu, what do you think about the layout?"

Lu Shi replied: "First of all, the length, preferably only half the size of "The Times", "Daily Telegraph" and "Manchester Guardian."

The other three nodded in agreement.

Since we want to go to the public line thoroughly, we must make newspapers easy to carry,

A large newspaper like The Times is suitable for sitting at a table and reading while having breakfast,

The situation is inherently serious, at odds with the temperament of recreation.

Cooper suggested: "I think it's better to have more illustrations."

This experience comes from the Illustrated London News,

The price of this magazine is not low, but it sells very well every Christmas, New Year's Day and other festivals, because the pictures and the word "entertainment" are deeply compatible.

Lu Shi also agrees.

The world's first tabloid, the Daily Mirror, was not a success when it first started, and later changed to the halfpenny pictorial,

cheap + illustrations,

Then it sold out.

Wodehouse asked: "What about the content?"

The contents of tabloids are generally entertainment news, sports news, gossip and gossip, people's livelihood consumption, scandals, etc.

In short, what is the world's best.

But when a university runs a tabloid, it is prone to problems.

Lu Shi spoke selectively, and then added: "Novels, comics, gender, jokes, common sense of life."

Scott claps,

"Good! It's very interesting to listen to!"

Wodehouse muttered: "I knew that the School of Arts and Entertainment should have been incorporated into the alliance. There are many students who can draw."

After hearing this, Lu Shi couldn't complain.

Cooper couldn't laugh or cry,

"Sir, you are too utilitarian, aren't you?"

Wodehouse touched his nose in embarrassment, waved his hand and said, "No, I'm also for the alliance, okay~"

The other three didn't bother to talk to him.

Lu Shi said: "Mr. Cooper, Mr. Scott, I invite you here because I want you to help run the newspaper. After all, the publisher of the University of London Alliance only makes magazines, and you are all experienced journalists. Know how to run a newspaper."

Scott nods,

"Of course, I will help."

Cooper on the other side also said: "Count me in. But, what should this newspaper be called?"

Wodehouse suggested: "The Times of London?"

Scott immediately vetoed it: "No, the Times is not appropriate."

Times, corresponding to the English "Times", the famous "Times", "New York Times\

,"Generally speaking, all the times have the characteristics of strong comprehensiveness, especially pay attention to the dynamics of the development of the times and related events, and stand on a relatively high level in structure and conception.

This is the so-called "quality report".

But the sales of this kind of newspapers are often not sold, so they have to change,

The Times, for example, became popular in 1908.

Wodehouse went on: "How about it, The Renton Post?"

Cooper sighed, thinking that the imagination of politicians is only here, why are they all such common names?

Scott said, "Not loud."

This is a euphemism, or it is too common to dislike.

Wodehouse was vetoed for two proposals in a row, and he put it badly, saying: "I really can't think of any interesting names."

The name of the newspaper is really hard to think of,

It needs to be impressive without being overly complicated.

Scott said: "I have been thinking about changing the "Manchester Guardian" to "The Guardian" recently, so I know the difficulty of choosing a name. Don't be too anxious, everyone can work slowly to produce fine work~"

Everyone nodded yes.

After half a minute, Lu Shi said, "Call it The Mirror. The media should reflect the beautiful ideals of society like a mirror."

He didn't blush when he said this.

She's pretty thick-skinned...

Cooper, Scott, and Wodehouse all secretly admired it.

On the surface, they showed incomparable agreement, saying in unison: "Good name!"