Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 544 People's Weekly
"I'll allocate a printing workshop to your Propaganda Department specifically for printing newspapers," Harvey said with a smile. "The newspapers won't just be distributed in Spark City, but also distributed throughout the southern border... At least regional administrative centers like Grizzly Fort and Fengyuan City must be within the newspaper's distribution range."

Ash knew it was time to ask for more, so he quickly held up three fingers to bargain. "Grizzly Castle is fine, but Fengyuan City and the cities further south are too far away. If the news is urgent, it would be too late to wait for it to arrive by ship... Unless you allocate three airships specifically for delivering newspapers!"

"No problem. The literacy rate in the southern region is too low. Most of those who can understand the newspaper's content are aristocrats, wealthy merchants, or the urban middle class. Therefore, the circulation doesn't need to be too large. Three airships are more than enough for you..."

As for the problem of newspaper printing, it is easy to solve. Spark City has ready-made paper mills and printing workshops. Movable type printing and water-washed papermaking are both mature technologies available in this world. Basically, as long as Harvey gives an order, work can start immediately.

The two discussed enthusiastically for a long time, and suddenly realized a problem at the same time - apart from the printing and distribution of newspapers, the most important thing is the source of content. In addition to the news that needs to be released by the official, the key is how to collect and organize other important news.

It was a rare moment for Ash to take the initiative and take on such a big responsibility. "Isn't it just writing an article? Just leave it to me. You know my literary accomplishments and artistic appreciation very well. I won't let you down!"

Harvey quickly shook his head and said helplessly, "If you really want to do it, this newspaper should just be renamed the Noble Journal... I want a comprehensive coverage of current political affairs, and also content that is closely related to people's lives!"

"I see. You want everyone to be able to read the parts of the newspaper that interest them, right?" Ash finally understood Harvey's intention and couldn't help but sigh. "Except for Spark City, there really aren't that many ordinary people who can read and write anywhere else. How can I collect news that would interest them?"

After pondering for a moment, Harvey slowly said, "That's not difficult. You can go find Asdalen... The secret police in his intelligence department probably have a lot of grassroots information in their hands. As long as it's not classified, you can use it for publication."

Considering that the newspaper was in its early stages and needed to observe the public's acceptance and feedback, it was initially decided to be published only in Xinghuo City, with every Saturday being the current issue's publication day... The content published on the front page must be official news, and the remaining pages record folk news and local anecdotes.

The Ministry of Culture and Propaganda is originally affiliated with the Municipal General Office. With the endorsement of official organization and publication, newspapers naturally become the most credible news channel, allowing the public to obtain fresh first-hand information and completely refute many rumors that are secretly circulated.

……

Shik walked out of the infirmary, fished a small round mirror from his pocket, and stood under a tree, nervously looking at his face. The magic ointment the doctors had applied to him was truly miraculous! Although the branding scar still left a faint red mark, it no longer looked like a deliberately branded slave mark. It looked more like a scratch on his cheek from a fall.

If you continue to apply the medicine a few more times, the scar marks should be completely eliminated.

After a long sigh of relief, Shike carefully put the mirror back into his pocket. This exquisite little gadget cost him three gold dollars. If he didn't really care about the recovery of the scar on his face, he would not even be willing to pay for it.

The square ahead was bustling with people, and someone seemed to be reading something aloud, prompting Shik to quickly step forward to see what was going on.

"Newspaper! Newspaper! His Majesty personally ordered the official publication of Spark Weekly! Local residents can get a free copy with their ID card. Additional copies cost one gold dollar!"

"The truth about the northern alien races! A detailed record of the small-scale battle between the Ice Sea Exploration Base and the Demon Lizard People! The exploration experience of the Northern Expeditionary Force when they arrived at the Great Rift of Isengard! Official release! Absolutely true!" "Newspaper...newspaper?" Shike repeated awkwardly.

An enthusiastic middle-aged man beside him explained to him with a smile, "This thing is used to publish the news on the bulletin board in the past. Why? You want a copy too?"

Xike awkwardly touched the temporary resident ID card he had been carefully hiding in his arms and said hesitantly, "I haven't got the official resident ID card yet..."

"Hahaha, it's okay... I just received a copy and I can lend it to you first." The middle-aged uncle was quite enthusiastic. He carefully took out a stack of large folded paper pages from his bag, unfolded them and handed them to Shick.

As soon as Hick took it, he felt dizzy. There were four folded pages with dense and neatly printed words on them. It was even more terrifying than the literacy manual he had learned in the night literacy school.

Of the huge title at the top of the cover, Shick could only recognize the three words "Spark City".

Fortunately, there were quite a few pictures interspersed among the numerous texts. This was a rare thing... Even the uncle who lent him the newspaper didn't know how the printing machine could print such realistic pictures on the paper. Although it was in black and white, it looked lifelike.

After just a quick glance, one of the black and white pictures immediately caught Shik's attention - it was a scene of dozens of soldiers in neat uniforms, holding magic guns and fighting against the evil orcs.

"Uncle, could you please read this to me?" Shik blushed and explained, "I haven't graduated from night school yet..."

The middle-aged man chuckled, took the newspaper with a certain smugness, cleared his throat and began to read:

[His Majesty the Emperor has specially approved the second round of recruitment for the Northern Army's reserve militia... Anyone sixteen years of age or older, without the need for official local residency, may enlist at the military recruitment office... Salary is monthly...]

Before the enthusiastic uncle could finish reading the entire paragraph, Hick couldn't wait to interrupt and ask, "Can I enlist in the army without local residency?"

The uncle narrowed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, didn't His Majesty personally use the communicator to warn the entire city some time ago? There are foreign enemies in the north who are trying to invade our homeland, so expanding the army is inevitable... At times like this, restrictions are naturally relaxed and everyone is encouraged to join the army. It's a pity that I'm too old, otherwise I might have the chance to touch the legendary powerful magic gun..."

Before he could finish, Shike stuffed the newspaper back into the uncle's hand, bowed to express his gratitude, and hurriedly ran towards the military recruitment office.

"Tsk tsk... Another passionate young man."

(End of this chapter)